Celebratory 2010

We are concluding another outstanding year with great talented artists, designers, and photographers. Monzuki has been on hiatus for the last couple months to bring a bigger and better extention of creative work, expected end of February 2011. Please come back soon and witness the exciting changes.

Once again, we would like to acknowledge some of the artists and designers that created an outstanding responses from the readers of 2010. We are not declaring who is best, as every artists featured on Monzuki are talented in their own rights. Please check the rest of the postings from the past at the archive section. Please have a creative, oustanding, and peaceful 2011!

Levi Van Veluw	Joe Sorren
Nicoletta Ceccoli	Yoko d'Holbachie
Nanami Cowdroy	Julia Galdo
Kendra Binney	Alvaro Sanchez-Montañes
Alex Gross	Christopher Conte
Vee Speers	Martin Hsu
Jakob Wagner	Kate MacDowell
Tom Chambers	Stephen Gross
Michael Kutsche	Jim Kazanjian
Nathan Ota	Dave Mead
Heiko Waechter	Russ Mills

Awakened

The simplicity and effective usage of colors in striking an emotional response from the viewers. Each stroke breathes life by movement within. These beautiful illustration leaves me wanting more. Russ Mills is the illustrator of these wonderful work of artwork. Russ graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA in Graphic Arts and Design, specializing in Experimental Film and Animation. He quickly built up his reputation by working with clients in publishing and entertainment industry but recently began working toward solo and group exhibitions. He is inspired by Ralph Steadman, Gerald Scarfe, Jackson Pollack, and Dave McKean, and recently, Ian Francis, and Mr. Jago.

Check his website for additional illustrations, or view his work in person at his next solo exhibition at the Signal Gallery in London from November 19 - December 11, 2010.

Purist Methodology

Robert Christian Malmberg, photographer of these magnificent photos which captured my attention with this methodology of purity. Although Robert uses high end digital cameras for his commercial work, he produces a great deal of outstanding work with his collodion camera, Polariod, and Super 8mm without digital alterations or corrections. Robert Malmberg's work of art is "widely recognized due to the slight, random 'imperfections' associated with alternative mediums and retain an old-world ambiance and atmosphere."

Robert Malmberg graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, then moved to New York to work as an Assistant Photographer in the fashion industry. Upon his discovery with Wet Plate Collodion Era process and various alternative mediums, as well as working in the fashion advertising, Robert opened Collodion Studios in Brooklyn, New York, concentrating on private commissions and editorial. With the success of his studio, Robert expanded his business with a second studio in San Francisco's SOMA district in 2010.

Robert Malmberg is expecting to publish a coffee table book featuring his work in 2011/12, published by AP Limited, and he has directed a feature length documentary titled, "The 2nd Assassination of JFK" which will debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011.

For additional information about Wet Plate Collodion, check out our previous posting with Ken Merfield, and please visit Robert Malmberg's webpage to view his entire portfolio.

Red Orange

Based in San Francisco, California, Alex Varanese grew up with an interest in video games which naturally lead him to study graphic design and software engineering. In the beginning of his career, he concentrated in programming but until recently, returning to his passion in design.

His style is distinct with usage of 3D modeling, vector elements, and Photoshop design combined and layered with typography, and of course, his signature and favorite color palette of red-orange but claims to apply much "retro" yellowing to his work turning his treatment to more of an orange hue. He quoted, "95% of my work starts with an object, scene or abstract design of some kind." With such hard work, his talent has gain noticed, leading him to work with Chevy, Drambuie, Nike, Fortune, and Surface Magazine.

Known for his strong branding, Alex Varanese is open to flexibility and diversity by stating, "I don't expect my client work to necessarily conform to the style of my personal work, however, it's fine if they want to go in a different direction." Alex Varanese continues to work on larger projects as well as motion-based work with a focus on narrative and storytelling, but expect his first publication near the end of this year.

Intimate Association

With a keen eye in perception, Heiko Waechter captured the moment from his creative vision to present to you, his beautiful photography. Whether it is abstract patterns or focused subjects, Heiko paints the canvas from natural lights and saturated colors. Heiko stated, "subjects often appear isolated from their surrounds, which allows their intrinsic beauty to shine through."

Monzuki admires artists who takes control over their creativity to allow the freedom of true art without the tamper of clients. Heiko Waechter is such example, working full-time as an interactive designer but uses photography to explore his creativity without any boundaries. He quoted, "It's the perfect creative outline away from work, there are no clients, deadlines or commercial pressures."

Heiko Waechter uses a Nikon D300 with various fast prime lenses. He finance his photography by selling limited edition prints through his website, as well as exhibiting his work at galleries in Melbourne. Check out his amazing collection of work on his website, designed by Heiko.