Friday, April 30, 2010

Unspoken Stories



These outstanding photomontage are beautiful in every sense, illustrating a visual story and leading the viewer through a journey. Tom Chambers stated, "These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of childhood or the delicate transition experienced by a child passing into adolescence and then adulthood." He continues, "With digital photography I desire to move beyond documentation of the present, and rather seek to fuse reality and fantasy in musing about possibilities of the future."

Tom Chambers uses a Nikon digital camera D700 or a medium format film camera (Mamiya Pro TL or Fuji Rangefinder). He generally begins with a sketched concept, then carefully photograph each pieces. The photomontage is created in Photoshop and printed on archival pigment ink on cotton rag paper.

Tom graduated with a BFA from Ringling School of Art in 1985. His work is exhibited globally and is represented by seven galleries. With strong work of art, Tom has won numerous awards, PhotoSpiva, Exposure: An Open Photography Competition, Obscura Journal, International Aperature Awards, The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards, Fotoweek DC Awards, and more.





Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Zaniness



Spreading love, joy, and robots are Jon Reinfurt's mission. His digital collage consist of a signature style that is distinct with the lines, curves and shapes by usage of collage, mixed media and paint to create his work of art. Jon graduated with a BFA in illustration from the University of Arts in Philadelphia. He has numerous recognitions such as Communication Arts and How Magazine. Jon Reinfurt is currently living in Philadelphia, freelancing in illustrations and teaching at University of Arts, his alma mater.





Saturday, April 24, 2010

Environmental Issues



These powerful sculptures of animal and nature combined with human parts has a magnetic eye-catching effect. Kate MacDowell stated in her artist statement, "In my work this romantic ideal of union with the natural world conflicts with our contemporary impact on the environment. These pieces are in part responses to environmental stressors including climate change, toxic pollution, and gm crops."

Kate usually starts with words to describe her work prior to envisioning her pieces in order to start the process of sketching and sculpting. She uses modern technology for research, i.e., Google, to search for images for references, as well as any visual imageries she collects from her many travels. Kate MacDowell uses porcelain clay for her artwork which normally take 3 days to a month to sculpt and additional 2 weeks for firing and finishing. Her work has been exhibited globally with numerous write ups.

Exhibitions:
Mindy Solomon Gallery (group exhibition)
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
April 10 - May 15, 2010

Patrajdas Contemporary Art (group exhibition)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
April 30 - May 3, 2010

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 2010

Bath BA1 1HE, United Kingdom
June 26 - July 10, 2010






Sunday, April 18, 2010

Night At Valencia



Acquiring his skills as a photographer from being an assistant to professional photographers are a great trade off. Jakob Wagner has no prior experience to photography, yet his work displays great talent for composition of night shots, consisting architectural geometric shapes and lines with intense saturated colors.

Jakob Wagner is residing in Düsseldorf, Germany, while working for Rüdiger Nehmzoh who is known for his portrait and photojournalism. Jakob uses a Canon EOS 5D, EOS 33V, and lenses from Sigma, 24-70mm, 105 mm macro, and his favorite focal length 12-24mm. His biggest inspiration is traveling.





Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Lucky Hsu



I recently purchased a few reprints of Martin Hsu because of my attraction to the high energy, fun, colorful, impactful work of art. Chinese folk art, the love for animals, and family are the main inspirations for Martin Hsu, who have been painting with acrylics and cel vinyl yet excited to experiment with other mediums.

Martin studied animation with the concentration in character design at California State University, Fullerton. He began his career as a graphic artist and a character designer for an apparel company and later migrated to Nickelodeon Studios for a show called, Ni Hao, Kai-Lan as a character designer. Currently, Martin is working at Disney TV Animation as a character designer on shows such as Kick Buttowski and Fish Hooks.

Apart from his creditable career in animation, Martin Hsu is focusing on his personal artwork, with an up-coming exhibition "Tree Show" at GRSF in May, and "Sweet Streets" at Gallery Nucleus in September, as well as his self published book based on his paintings due to release at Comic Con International this July. Martin quoted to Monzuki, "All in all, I'm a lucky guy to be doing what I'm doing. And I try my hardest to remember that."

My thoughts... that's what we're all about.






Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Innocent Portraits



What does these images mean to you? Are these innocent children portraying their image of our society? Seen here is part of a series of children's portrait, "The Birthday Party" from Vee Speers, who was inspired by an imaginary birthday party and the way children express their creativity. Her concept began with her three daughters playing dress up at home which lead to Vee's curiosity in capturing the childhood's imagination.

Vee Speers is from Australia living in Paris.  Her art has been exhibited and published globally. She is currently inaugurating the Fotografiska Museum in Stockholm on May 20 with Annie Liebovitz and Joel Peter Witkins.  Check out the website to view additional photographs of series.