Usugrow

Usugrow started drawing in 1993 by creating punk rock flyers. Now, as well as still being hugely successful as a commercial designer for album covers, fashion brands & skate companies, the Japanese-born artist has been exhibiting his fine art in galleries all over the world and his black and white illustrations have become instantly recognizable. Heavily influenced by Los Angeles ‘Cholo’ style graffiti fused with the spiritual skills of Asian calligraphy.

In his work he very often beautifully portrays opposing elements such as delicate lines and unique lettering style, skulls and flowers, yin and yang and of course his palette of black ink on white paper. He believes that this is everyday life and living proof that these opposing elements can exist together.

http://www.usugrow.com/

Malcolm McLaren R.I.P.

Malcolm McLaren, the former manager of the Sex Pistols and impresario, has died. He was 64.

The always controversial McLaren is most famous as the manager of the Sex Pistols. However the importance of his role in the band’s success is often debated – and usually entirely dismissed by the band’s leadsinger John Lydon.

What can't be denied is McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's influence on the look of the Pistols and therefore the whole of the British Punk scene. From a graphic design point of view the work with Jamie Reid (seen above) created some of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

McLaren also managed The New York Dolls, Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow, and released several solo hip-hop and electronic albums including the influential Duck Rock, featuring the singles Buffalo Gals and Double Dutch.

Joe Corre, his son, made the announcement of McLaren’s death telling the The Associated Press that “he was the original punk rocker and revolutionized the world. He’s somebody I’m incredibly proud of. He’s a real beacon of a man for people to look up to.”

Drew Millward

I like the work of Drew Millward. I liked it even more when I found out Drew is an old school pencil wielding illustrator. None of your modern vector stuff for Drew - just good old pencil, pen and ink.

Drew was born in Coventry but now lives in Leeds. He produces illustration for the music industry as well as poster and t-shirt designs – with recent commissions by Flight of The Conchords, Gallows, Sonic Youth and Mogwai. These have allowed Drew to reach new audiences and attract a wave of new fans to his online galleries which is vital because so far his success has been mainly viral. No agents or P.R. companies here yet Drew’s prints sell out in minutes online. He has exhibited throughout the US, UK, Europe and beyond.
http://www.drewmillward.com/

Matt Logue - Empty L.A.

Matt Logue is a Los Angeles based artist, photographer, his latest work ‘Empty L.A.’ is an eerily beautiful vision of a world without people.

“The inspiration for the series came, perhaps predictably, while on the freeway, driving to work. The thoughts that kept coming back was, “How did we get here? Why did we do it like this?” From there, I imagined an empty city, the sounds you would hear in the skyscraper canyons, the animals returning to make their homes in the shelters we’d built. After that, I simply had to see it, I couldn’t not do it, so after working out a technique to do it through trial and error, spend most of my free time for the past four years working on the images.” Says Logue interviewed by ‘the art life’.

Logue’s images are digital composites. “They’re mosaics of anywhere from thirty to well over one hundred images, all taken as close as possible to each other in time, and hand-blended in such a way as to remove the cars and people.” Knowing this it’s easy to understand that Logue has previously worked for over three years in New Zealand working on effects for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films.

http://artlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/there-is-no-there-there.html

Craig 'KR' Costello - Krink

After yesterdays Krink Ad I decided to go the whole hog and indulge myself by sharing lots of lovely Krink/ Craig Costello/ KR. It is Easter after all.

Krink is it.

I know its an ad but I like it.

Bué the Warrior

When it comes to graffiti, Belgium street artist, Bué the Warrior, is in a league of his own. He is singlehandedly turning the concrete jungles of Belgium into a colourful, happy, whimsical world that is inhabited by a whole race of friendly-faced creatures. But his magic doesn’t stop outside of Belgium. His work can also be spotted as far afield as Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, France, New York City and Los Angeles. His walls and art makes people stand still, think and smile. Bué also produces designs for clothes for Toykyo Kids, designer toys and Trainers for Nike amongst some of his other projects.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buethewarrior/