Audrey Kawasaki

If I could find a way to draw pretty ladies surrounded by different birds, bugs, and reptiles while making a decent living I would jump on the chance. Audrey Kawasaki (www.audrey-kawasaki.com) has done just that. "Her work is both innocent and erotic. Each subject is attractive yet disturbing. Audrey's precise technical style is at once influenced by both manga comics and Art Nouveau."I am not a huge fan of asian influenced illustration, or the large eyed women genre that's taken over but I think Kawasaki has a simplicity to her work that makes it engaging and beautiful. The wood she works on adds a level of uniqueness. I like the graphite, white, and grain of the wood incorporated into most pieces. This is once again someone who I would really love to see the originals. I'd like to look at them up close and see how the graphite on the wood looks in person, is it as smooth as it appears in digital files? I also think Kawasaki's more recent work has slightly more complex compositions making it compelling in a completely different work than her earlier work. Also, keep an eye on her blog i-seldom-do.livejournal.com she posts very interesting things about her process as well as other artists.

Boris Pelcer

I know I like an artist when I look at their work and say, "why didn't I think of that?" I feel that way often about Boris Pelcer's illustrations (www.borispelcer.com). Pelcer is also a MIAD alumni and his thesis greatly inspired me when I was a freshman attending the senior exhibition. His series of paintings of children affected by environmental issues still blows me away when I think about the amount of detailed combined in such tiny compositions. To top it all off he works in acrylics...wow. Distortion is something I really appreciate in other artists work but have yet to incorporate much into my own. I think that is why I love this "Plain Jane" image so much. I like the size of her hand compared to the elongated spoon, the weight that comes from the cup as it spills out and the beautiful delicacy of the spider web and wall paper in the background.

Eric Jones

I think a successful combination of realism and graphic elements is very difficult. Eric Jones (http://www.theirison.com) makes it look easy. Jones handles slightly uncomfortable imagery with ease. His site features an abundant number of nude women in provocative positions covered in tattoos, blood, and serpents yet they're still so feminine and beautiful. I really like his very Mucha-like way of handling the hair yet with a modern twist. I also like how he often uses unique dimensions for his paintings. A long thin painting in a room full of standard rectangles will automatically catch my eye. Beautiful work Eric Jones your color theory is beyond impressive and makes me want to bring out my oils and experiment with highlights and shadows.

Angie Hoffmeister

I came across Angie Hoffmeister's work (www.yellowghost.net) on www.fuckyeahillustration.tumblr.com. This image was posted and I went on to investigate her other work. I feel like too many illustrators rely too much on the computer in the wrong ways. Digital artwork can be fantastic, and using software to add color or effects is one thing but far too often do I feel like traditional illustrators correct "mistakes" after the image is scanned. As an illustrator who works in watercolor I sometimes find myself fighting the urge to succumb to editing out every little imperfection once I have a digital copy of my painting. It is the imperfections in a painting that keep it unique. I like that Hoffmeister's work has a very hand done intimate feeling to it. The ink and watercolor seem to almost be from a sketchbook page. Also, who doesn't like drawing or looking at drawings of antlers, birds, and piles of leaves? I know I do.

Brett Manning

Brett Manning (www.brettisagirl.com) is a young illustrator from Chicago. A friend sent me a link to her work a few years ago and I've been keeping an eye on her site ever since. If there is one thing that I really really appreciate and gain inspiration from its people who are as passionate about detailed line work as I am. I think that her way of showing different textures and textiles is really unique and fun to look at. Of all her work I am especially attached to this illustration of the man and woman under a big quilt. I think the black and white with tiny bits of unsaturated color help hide the scorpion, moths, horn, and feathers just the right amount. I recently sent Brett a message as I stumbled across her on my Etsy letting her know how much I like what she does. She seems like a unique person with a unique view of the world. I think an "About Me" section on an artists webpage is hard to write. I've not only read hers time and time again but I think she seems like an interesting person to talk to... but what can I say I also love "coffee, chocolate, cats, and 1960’s tunes".

Anahata Katkin

Anahata Katkin (http://anahataart.com) is an entrepreneur that has done what many many artists would LOVE to do. She is the co founder of Papaya! or Papaya art. This company started by her and her mother in their basement crosses the border from fine art to commercial. They make everything from stationary, wrapping paper, and calendars to water bottles, vases, and wall hangs. She combines collaged imagery with beautiful color schemes, glitter, and multicultural iconography. Katkin also keeps an impressive and interesting blog both for herself (http://anahata.typepad.com/my_weblog/page/2) and Papaya! (http://www.papayablog.com) where she shows her process as well as recommending great artists.

James Jean

Ah James Jean (www.jamesjean.com) ... how talented you are. I think its safe to say when it comes to the contemporary world of illustration James Jean is like no other. He has produced a ridiculous amount of work since his college graduation and worked for an abundant list of big name clients. He has also managed to bridge the gap between illustration and gallery artwork which is a difficult thing to do. Even with his large portfolio I think this image "Getting Clean" still remains one of my favorites. Jeans complex compositions are beyond what most illustrators could even imagine executing. Ask any artist what one of the hardest lighting situations to paint is and they will tell you that under water scenes are at the top of their list. I would pay good money to watch James Jean work for a few hours but in the mean time i'll have to settle for reading his blog http://www.jamesjean.com/blog.

Alphonse Mucha

I will start this blog with a classic and recognizable image. Alphonse Mucha (http://www.muchafoundation.org) will forever be one of the greatest illustrators of all time as well as one of my personal favorites. The JOB Cigarette ad shown above is used as an example of Art Nouveau time and time again yet I will never get sick of the beautiful line work, the decorative border and Muchas undeniably impressive way of transforming a woman's figure and hair. Not only was Mucha an illustrator of unmatched technical ability but he also came up with incredible ground breaking ideas of how to use women in advertisement. Someday I will make my way to Prague to drool over originals at the Mucha Museum... someday.