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.

Raw And Gritty

It started with a friend who organizes concerts for bands and concurrently owns a tattoo shop. His friend had an idea and requested for Fab5, aka Fabrice, to shoot photos of his customers and band members. Upon accepting the request, Fab5 quickly set up some static lighting on a simple red velvet backdrop and began shooting. He quoted, "It reminded me of a David Lynch movie."

He would work alone, without an assistant nor a make-up artist. Before the shoot, he would instruct the models to visually tell a story through photography. The rest is history.

Fab5 is from Belgium who studied publicity and discovered photography at the same time. His passion for human interaction is the reason why he loves to shoot portraiture, and he finds inspirations from film, graffiti, and within his daily lifestyles. This series of work is titled, "Backstage." Fab5 is currently freelancing and is available for commercial work.

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!