London-based artist Paul X. Johnson definitely has a way with the ladies - painting them, that is. He uses a beautiful muted color palette to set the tone for his moody raven-haired vamps, who always seem to have something on their mind. Whatever that may be, they look good doing it, and his restrained technique with the brush really brings them to life. I would kill to have a portrait done in his style! After I get my eyebrows done of course. See more from Paul here.
one of my favorite classes while studying for my degree in textiles was jacquard - the behemoth of a weaving machine that truly amazed me each time i had a chance to see my patterns come to life in an instant. i think my appreciation for the complexity of these machines is what makes me so obsessed with these gorgeous woven portraits by artist joanne arnett. using vintage mugshots, (which let's be honest, are already pretty cool in and of themselves) she creates oversized portraits that blend pattern mixing, bright color, and intricate weave patterns to create something completely new. the pieces are woven with a mix of cotton and thin metallic wire which lends them a reflective, photographic quality that shifts with the viewer. consider me impressed! see more from joanne here. and thanks to erika for the tip!
well, i officially have a girlcrush. it's on singapore artist izziyana suhaima, who aside from having one of the coolest names i've ever heard, is also an incredibly talented illustrator and embroiderer. incorporating all things i love, her style is one part fashion illustration, one part embroidery, with a dash of watercolor and glitter thrown in for good measure. i love the play between the areas of white space and the dense and detailed areas of thread, while the portraits themselves have just the right amount of restraint. i'm feeling a commission coming on! see more from izziyana here.
i'm in love with texas-born, brooklyn-based illustrator and designer chris silas neal. chris seems to be a man of many talents, as his work ranges between painting, illustration, video, editorial, and book design, and despite the often commercial nature of his projects they still retain a unique and personal hand. i particularly like his sense of color, attention to characters, and hand-drawn typography, all with a modern but slightly retro-inspired vibe. also, he did the fantastic design for the kate spade video campaign, navy, seen above. consider me a fan! learn more about chris here.
