Chalk Talk: 3D SideWalks
I have always liked 3D chalk drawings. There is a special something about them that really makes them stands out 
. These are just a few of my favorites and I hope you all enjoy them too!
These three are done by Kurt Wenner:
This Next Set is By Tracy Lee Stum:
Coming up are several drawings done by Julian Beever:
If you liked these be sure to spend the time looking up others, it really is worth it in my opinion.
Microbo: Microbiology in Art
An exciting find, these paintings are from the artist known as Microbo and a collection of microbe inspired paintings and sketches. As so wonderfully described by Harlan Levey from Modart Magazine:
“Recognized for her sensitive visual language, Microbo’s original aesthetic universe has risen her to a role where she is perceived as an early and influential member of today’s so called Street Art phenomemon. She reacts to this with a shrug, gently laughing at such labels and pointing out that as advertising companies, political parties and others have always recognized, the streets are the best place to communicate with people.”
To see more Microbiology click here: http://www.microbo.com/paintings01.html
…or view via Microbo’s fun home page: http://www.microbo.com/
Artist of the Week: Vince Fraser – Creative Illustration
That picture just makes you stop and stare. With millions of things vying for your attention all at once, you soon find that the confusion creates a level of excitement that completes the piece. The above picture is entitled “My London”; aptly put when you take into consideration the volumes of pop culture that London spits out every year. Remember the punk fad in America? Well they’re the ones we got it from back when the middle-class wasn’t too happy about the establishment.
But I digress; the piece is done by the artist Vince Fraser, a 37 year old London based digital artist with huge roots in 1970’s pop culture. On closer inspection of the vibrant piece you can find major symbols used in London’s pop art; that is to say commercial symbols taken out of context and recontextualized into art. The double-decker bus, the yasar-arafat scarf, the buggy car, and more if you take the time to see for yourself. The most interesting part of this work, and as you’ll find throughout the rest of the pictures I’m going to post, is the heavily laden afro-centric themes of the funk period. I don’t know how big Funk was in London, but he manages to capture it with such skill that even my father and his afro would enjoy it. Below are other images by Fraser.
If you want to see more of his work you should check out his website: http://www.vincefraser.com where you can find his myspace if you ever want to get in contact with him. I wish that I could get the chance to collaborate on a project with him. And in Fraser’s own words: “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others”.
Mike Ming: Trendy Illustration Meets Commercial Industrial Design
The mainstream and the underground have been merging at an exponential rate in the past two years, and to put things into perspective lets take eclectic, trendy hip hop singers Santogold, and M.I.A. Both are known for their unique beats, melodies, and vocals which sets them apart from mainstream hip-hop. But just how underground are M.I.A. and Santogold? Not too long ago Santogold’s music appeared in a beer commercial, and then M.I.A. featured their song “Paper Planes” as the trailer music for the movie: Pineapple Express. The trendy underground is quickly moving towards the mainstream; part of this is due to the failing American economy, and part of it is simply because artists can no longer afford to starve (go figure). The question that remains is can these artists who become apart of the main stream retain their essential values and stand out from the rest of the muck. Mike Ming, a creative illustrator stands as a shining example that this is indeed possible.
Lets get a short background of Mike Ming out of the way before discussing his work:
“Brooklyn-based artist Mike Ming (born Michael Miyahira) brings fascination with popular culture and life experiences to the canvas.” – Dell.com
He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1995 with a BFA in Illustration and has since taken his artistic creativity and honed it into a personal and expressive style which he can call his own. Ming was contacted by Dell to provide illustrations for their new inaugural Special Art Edition Inspiron 1525 laptop.
“I want to create a sense of energy, playfulness, sophistication and psychedelic momentum when I started this…This new technique from Dell brings my inspiration—water and the energy it produces—to life and gives computer aficionados their own display of style.” – Dell.com
But what is the technology that makes it possible to have Ming’s creative artistic talent showcased so vividly? Dell describes it best:
“A new Dell manufacturing technique brings alive every color and brushstroke on the laptop’s cover, creating a fluid, graffiti-inspired tattoo effect that lets style pioneers add another level of individuality to everyday life.” – Dell.com
Ming’s work has been showcased in a series of galleries, festivals, and art shows all across the country and if you like the laptops, I highly reccomend visiting his website for more of his ecletic design style.
www.mikeming.com
