Caryn » Artists & Illustrators

De Gournay

Caryn — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:34:07 +0000

One day I hope to decorate a room with some exquisite handpainted wallpaper like these from De Gournay. Had I had such a room as a child I bet I would have spent hours imagining these scenes to life, creating magical worlds and stories in my little childish head.

Olaf Hajek

Caryn — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:29:39 +0000

Olaf Hajek! This review by Pam Grossman of Phantasmaphile says it all. “In his world, men grow beards of neon pink flowers, school boys wear octopi on their heads, insects are adorned with ruffled haute couture ballgowns. And the color. Oh, the color! Riotous and royal, and drawn from all cultures, from the most primitive to the prettiest Parisian palettes. His work is an exercise in exuberance and abundance, a true pageant of flowers and creatures and costumes, all flowing into each other in a seamless visual medley. It’s the kind of art one longs to lick. Utterly, gob-smackingly, unabashedly scrumptious.”

And from his website – His… work can be seen in publications such as The New York Times, in advertisements for companies such as Bacardi and even on postage stamps. Despite the diversity of his clientele, Hajek makes no aesthetic compromises. This made me smile after a difficult start at work this morning.

Neither Snow

Caryn — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:16:43 +0000

I’ve always loved beautiful handwriting. My mother has incredible handwriting. People are facinated when they see her write. She writes in script, very slowly, forming each letter perfectly. It is beautiful! When I came across this I ran out and bought myself a calligraphy pen and ink to play with this weekend. Mara Zepeda of Neither Snow has studied Copperplate and Italic calligraphy in New York. She can also be found on Etsy.

Flickr Flavours

Caryn — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:23:41 +0000

Some of my latest finds on Flickr include Tina Kazakhishvili, bic pen master m. Lewandowski, Betina, Mor.gan and Angies. My favourites here.

Kris Lewis

Caryn — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:04:03 +0000

“As I begin a painting the subject physically, emotionally and spiritually reveals itself to me. Each brushstroke speaks to the subsequent stroke, carrying out a dialogue, linking my subject and me as if we were meeting for the first time. I find this uncertainty exciting and embrace the indecisive nature of my work.” Kris Lewis via My Modern Mix

Tara Dougans

Caryn — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:58:30 +0000

“Currently inspired by: Byzantine iconography, Aubrey Beardsley, grizzly bears, the moon, ornate headdresses, bird nests, elaborate updos, Cyd Charisse in action (see: Dancing in the Rain).” I like it! See more of her work here.

Sasu & Kami

Caryn — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:57:40 +0000

Japanese artists Sasu & Kami paint inspiring murals around the world in fantastic geometric pattern and colour! Via Mint.

Beauty & Decay

Caryn — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:40:17 +0000

I love these layered depictions of unruly gardens by Faith Evans-Sills. I’ve been wanting to paint something around this theme for a while and these have really inspired me! About her own work she says “In each piece I am searching for a balance between spontaneity and design, beauty and decay, the decorative and the profound, the body and the soul…” You can also find her on Etsy at her shop Leaves and Feathers.

More Mexicana…

Caryn — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:48:48 +0000

Those beautiful bookends in my previous post remind me so much of the work of another amazing artist that I love – Sylvia Ji. Amazing!

Creepy as heck bookends

Caryn — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:40:28 +0000

Wow! I stumbled across these over at yay!everyday and they have totally blown my mind! They are the work of talented illustrator Brian Morris.