Tag Archives: Painting

14 March 2
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Illustrations by Ko. Machiyama

Ko. Machiyama specializes in abstract paintings and fashion illustrations. His artwork overflows with calm, tranquil energy and is reminiscent of Masuo Ikeda.

Born in 1980 in Chiba Japan, now based in Tokyo, he studied at Tokyo Zokei University and Setsu Mode Seminar. He is a member of professional illustrators group Illustrators Tsushin and has worked with clients such as Kongo Shuppan, Mutron, LG Japan, American Home Direct, Educa & Quest, Kodansha and Tokio Marine & Nichido Communications to name a few.

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abstract, Art, Fashion, Illustration, Inspiration, Japan, Machiyama, Painting, tokyo

4 January 67
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Watercolors by Grzegorz Wróbel

Under - Art, Illustration, Inspiration

This is awe-inspiring watercolor artwork by Grzegorz Wróbel. An architect by profession, Grzegorz Wróbel was born in 1983 and started painting with watercolors at the age of 12.

During my studies at the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, I learnt a lot about watercolors. Although the faculty of Architecture at this university has a strong tradition in drawings and watercolors, but most of my skills are gained from my own study and personal interest in this medium, and from friends who also work with watercolors.

In summer time I usually draw from life. I think this is the best way to learn something new and to achieve better skills. But in winter, it is hard to go outside and paint as water freezes : ) so, I paint from photos that I have made earlier.

The most difficult thing when working with watercolors is to control water! You just cannot control it 100%. I use a lot of water and I think it is the greatest thing to observe how it flows on your paper and creates magical things.

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Architecture, Art, Cityscape, Grzegorz Wróbel, Illustration, Inspiration, Landscape, Painting, Poland, Warsaw, Watercolors

25 June 1
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Amy Casey and the nervous state of world affairs

Under - Art, Illustration, Inspiration

Keeping it together

Urban landscape cluttered with debris, bunched up houses that are connected with cables and electric wires, and resting on uncertainty. Amy Casey paints the nervous state of affairs the world seems to be in.

Inspired by natural and unnatural disasters, personal fiascos and the never-ending stream of bad news coming in from the media, the world inside my paintings has been turned (sometimes literally) upside down. The ground has crumbled underneath them and the sky is falling. In the wake of this, my created world bands together to come up with coping plans. This lets me explore ideas of anxiety and vulnerability, community, and the illusions of safety. I’m fascinated by the resilience of life. Every disaster is followed by rebirth, where we try to cobble together a plan b. out of what remains. My paintings celebrate this fascination and my love of the urban landscape and its creatures.

Begin again

Bridging

City walls

Pulling in the slack

Neighbourhood web

Amy Casey, Art, Artist, Illustration, Inspiration, Painting

22 April Share your
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‘The previous life’ by Apple Yin

Under - Art, Inspiration

The previous life - Apple Yin (Photo source: The Art Gallery of New South Wales)

Apple Yin, one of the finalists in the Australian prestigious art award Archibald Prize 2010, painted her fellow artist Terry English as Marco Polo.

Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Arts, Australian art, China, Culture, fellow artist, Human Interest, Inspiration, Marco Polo, New South Wales, painter, Painting, Technology/Internet, Terry English

16 March 1
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Marriage of art and social activism

Under - Art, Illustration, Inspiration

Birds of Paradise - Ashley Cecil 2009

Ashley Cecil’s been creating art ever since discovering that her mom’s favorite lipstick made a great oil pastel. Things fast forward and we see the artist evolving in to a ‘Painting Activist’. The secret of Ashley Cecil’s brilliant work is in addressing social issues through art.

Much like a photojournalist, I photograph events, scenes and people of interest, and then translate those images into illustrative paintings. My talent is as an artist, my passion is advocating for social change; this is how the two work together.

When asked how she would describe her approach towards her subjects, she said:

Specifically in regards to how I approach my work: I was formally educated in art at the University of Dayton (03), but didn’t really begin to grow into my own style until after graduation. This is when I began to shift my subject matter from landscapes and anything that was simply aesthetically pleasing to things that addressed social issues. I launched the Painting Activist in 2006 and have generally stuck with that theme ever since. Meshing this subject matter with my painting gave me a new and motivating reason to paint.

I just moved to London England with my fiancé and am loving the visual inspiration of this city. The website and my work may take a new turn, but I’m sure the fundamental elements of what has worked for the past 4 years will continue.