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.

Fragmentation and Recomposition

Influenced by writers, H.P. Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood and J.K. Huysmans, Jim Kazanjian uses various found, high-resolution photographs, manipulate and composite them to create new artwork. He explains having over 30 gigs of images and would begin with a vague idea, letting the process built upon itself by using Photoshop.

Jim Kazanjian graduated from Kansas City Art Institute with a BFA and Art Center College of Design with an MFA. He is currently located in Portland, Oregon, and working as an art director for a computer game developer. Prints are available through 23 Sandy Gallery.

Alice In Wonderland

Great visuals from concept and character designer, Michael Kutsche who is one of three artists hired to work with "Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland." Michael's been drawing since four years old without any formal training in illustration. Creativity runs in the family and with an early exposure to computers, Michael finds a natural transition from traditional illustration to digital art.

His career path started at a small 3D studio at 18. Upon years of experiences, Michael gradually had the opportunity to learn the multitude workings of the industry from modeling, rigging, animation and lighting.

One day, Michael decided to post his work online and to his amazement, received plenty of exposure with only one email that changed Michael's life, an email from Sony Pictures Imageworks requesting for him to draw a Caterpillar in the style of Pan's Labyrinth. It was when Michael received the job before he found out it was for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. According to Michael, timing was a major factor, working with a very tight schedule and continuous designing during the filming of the movie.

Although some of the images seen here have been modified for a less darker style to appeal to the general audience. Honestly, I prefer these images than the final outcome. Michael Kutsche's work is detailed, and amazing. His character designs are consistent and truly fits in the world he created. And finally, I can not image painting these images digitally by the usage of a Wacom...now that is talent!

Michael Kutsche is from Germany, but now lives in Venice Beach, California with his wife. He is currently working for Marvel as a character designer for the movie, "Thor." Great vision Michael Kutsche!

The Streets Of New Belgrade

Graphic designers are a dime a dozen, but finding a designer with a unique style, as well as a strong brand that relates to the clients are harder to find. Jana Jelovac's style is very distinct and bold. It's playful, creative and consistent. It's refreshing to find a designer who have found their vision and their voice, and making their mark in the world of commercialism.

Jana Jelovac stated to Monzuki, "I am a graduated interior designer. Somewhere about my third year of University of Applied Arts in Belgrade, I've realized that graphic design and everything related to it was something that really moves me, and since I have finished the studies, I have decided never to work as an interior designer and that graphic design is all I want to do in my life."

She explains about being experimental and not worry too much about the commercial side of business, as she states, "...just letting yourself go." Many designers are copying something that's been done, rather than using art to change things.

Jana Jelovac's inspiration comes from music, i.e., Unkle, Tricky, etc., and Jean-Michel Basquiat. She quoted, "Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of my favorite artist of the twentieth century, people often judge him with some silly reasons, but I sincerely believe that he was main engine of free-spoken street-ghetto art for every 'raw' artist including me. I was born, raised and spent my childhood in part of Belgrade called New Belgrade, the Block's so I must say that I am very familiar with ghetto life and 'street vibe', so I don't try to suppress it but to use it often in my works."

Gathering The Creative Flow

Upon graduating from Emile Cohl Art School, in Lyon, France and working as a concept artist for the video gaming industry, specializing in character and environment design, Véronique Meignaud has an outstanding vision in creating a world for "Magic The Gathering." There are a lot of curves in her work, a flow that leads the eye throughout the artwork, insinuating movement in a hypnotic fashion. Very beautiful and appropriate for a fantasy world. Véronique Meignaud is currently freelancing and seeking to move into the fashion industry.

Exhibitions:

Nucleus Gallery

Alhambra, California, USA

June 19 - July 12, 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.

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.