Rand Renfrow
Posted by Amy on Wednesday March 3, 2010
Quirky illustrations, zines and posters from Rand Renfrow. He hit the nail on the head with It Seems Like It’s Missing Something — an illustrated book of quotes collected from people’s humorous encounters with outsiders to the design and art world; a collaboration with Shaun Fox. I bet the designer who has these sort of clients are tearing their hair out instead of laughing when told the same thing!
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Giveaway #9: Matou en Peluche set!
Posted by Amy on Wednesday September 2, 2009
Sam of Matou en Peluche is giving out a package filled with goodies from her shop! There’s one big print, three smaller prints, two buttons and a set of two cards + envelopes and they’re all so gorgeous!
Comment below to enter, and the winner will be emailed after the giveaway ends on 8th September!
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And yes, Tuesdays are officially giveaway days from now on, so there’s another giveaway from Vitoria Usova happening right now too!
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks for participating!
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Andrea Heimer
Posted by Amy on Sunday August 2, 2009
Look at those colors pop! Andrea Heimer’s original paintings are themed around Pop Portraits and are a study of color and pattern, and slightly psychedelic in many respects. Best of all, they’re really affordable – the prices of these paintings start at USD$50.
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+ Interested in becoming a sponsor for Pikaland? Our August spots are now open for those who are interested in getting more exposure for their site! See here!
+ I’m so happy to announce that starting from Monday, we’ll be having contributors on board! We’ll be unveiling a special lady on Monday, so watch out for the news!
+ And remember to enter the Camilla Engman third drawer down tea towel giveaway which will last till Tuesday!
Happy weekend everyone!
Genevieve Dionne
Posted by Amy on Friday June 5, 2009
Love the wood burned images, collages + drawings done by Genevieve Dionne — I also love her items a few years back; she used to go by the moniker “Bittersweet Genevieve”. Good old days!
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Have you entered the Good to Know zine #2 giveaway yet? You have until this Friday! Chop chop!
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Illustrations on plates
Posted by Amy on Wednesday March 25, 2009
I love it when old items are given a new lease of life, and I also admire the people who know how to give a proper make-over. Sarah Burden obviously knows how to turn old to gold with her illustrated plates. And if you think old tableware can’t teach you a few new things, well I recommend having a look at her fertility tea sets. How’s that for food for thought?
Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre
Posted by Amy on Tuesday December 16, 2008
I am smiling at the works on Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre helmed by Wilhelm Staehle and T.D.Rio. Scrolling down the innocent looking intricate paper cut-outs set against some serious paintings, I can hardly stifle a giggle as I read the naughty going-ons in the minds of the characters.
The duo has a wonderful shop called The Bazaarium where they have all sorts of Victorian-inspired goods and wares, like these deliciously intriguing mystery mini-books too, in addition to prints from their Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre.
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Interview: Tad Carpenter
Posted by Amy on Friday December 12, 2008
The fabulous Tad Carpenter is one of the participants for our PikaPackage Project in December where he sent in prints from his show Mayhem, Mischief and Monsters, and his work is wonderfully bright and cheery! He’s also one of the sweetest too, and I’m so happy that he’s going places, especially since he was mentioned in a lot of places including Drawn! and Illustration Mundo.
Take it away Tad!
Name: Tad Carpenter
Location: Kansas City, Missouri USA
Website/Shop: www.tadcarpenter.com
Illustration media: mixed media: silkscreen, digital, paint
Tell us a little more about yourself.
Well, I live in Kansas City as a designer and illustrator and feel very lucky to work on great projects everyday.
My work ranges from traditional branding jobs to greeting card design to lots of gig posters and band merch and of course various illustration projects.
I just designed a toy for kidrobot that is being released in May 2009 which is a real thrill.
On a personal note I marrying my beautiful girlfriend ( a fabulous graphic designer in her own right) in June so we are getting ready for that.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I got into illustration at a very young age. My father is an illustrator and I grew up watching my father and knew that was what I wanted to do.
I can remember my first real taste of illustration in the 4th grade. I won a contest where one of my drawings was selected to be on the season tickets of Kansas City’s professional football team the Chiefs. It was published on 80,000+ tickets and I went down on the field and was on the jumbo-tron and won free season tickets. I thought this drawing thing is pretty sweet. A real life pro football player even came to my school to see me too, I felt pretty cool. I was hooked from their on.
Could you tell us more about your thought process when you start a piece?
When I start a process no matter what the job I always sketch first. I feel sketching is so important. I keep a little sketchbook at all times and when I begin a project I start by making little thumbnails where I work out composition and shape. After I choose which ideas have the most legs I move on to a tighter sketch.
Do you keep a journal/sketchbook, and would you mind if we had a sneak peek?
Yes I do, several. Here is a link to my sketchbook
Not the best example of how I sketch but some funny things.
What or who inspires you?
I am inspired by so much. I have lots of friends that are very talented illustrators that inspire me everyday. One specific thing that I really draw inspiration from is vintage children’s golden books. I love artist like J.P. Miller, Mary Blair, Richard Scarry and Aurelius Battaglia. I also love to travel. When ever I get back from a trip I always come home with a big stack of books and toys and art and stickers and all kinds of good things. To sit that pile in your office and admire it and use it as inspiration is a great tool.
What keeps you motivated?
You know, I am not sure. I just really love doing what I am doing. It sounds crazy but if I did not do this as a job I would sit around and draw all day anyway so continuing to make great work is a lucky thing to be able to do. I think that is big key for any profession.
What’s your favorite tool?
My favorite tool would be my lucky Mirado Black Warrior 100% premium cedar pencils. The best cheap simple pencil you can find.
Do you think they will send me a free case of them?
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes I am. I work as an illustrator/ designer/art director on various projects all day and night long.
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online, or get into a gallery?
The gallery scene I have to say is a lot of fun. I had a show in Seattle at the Blue Bottle gallery in September, one in Kansas City that opened December 5th and one in Florida at the Bear and Bird gallery opening in February. All so far have been a blast to prepare for and even more fun once the show opens. I highly recommend doing it. Most galleries are always looking for and accepting proposals so put one together with some ideas and make it happen. I also sell posters and prints on my website which is great. I think it is a great aspect to have on your own website. It can get hard to fulfill orders if you are not careful though.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
I hope I will be doing the same kind of work as now. I am in the process of working threw a couple children’s book ideas so I hope to do more work like that.
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
I hope people have fun when they look at my work. I sure have lots of fun making it. I think illustration and design really is meant to be fun and i know thats what I want people to see and take away from what I do. Let’s all just have some fun!
Tell us something random!
Here are couple random thoughts:
1. I LOVE peanut butter
2. My favorite color is pantone warm red (right now)
3. I just purchased a wooden 1934 Schoenhut Felix the cat toy on ebay.
4. I love ebay
5. I drink a lot of grape Kool-Aid
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{Thanks Tad!}
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Hephalumps
Posted by Amy on Friday October 31, 2008
Did you see Tiel of TskTsk’s lovely retro-inspired limited edition collection of new prints? They are magnificent, and they are only available in editions of 10 each. My personal favourite? This party hephalump.
The Beautiful Project
Posted by Amy on Wednesday October 29, 2008
Jeannette Ordas is a Vancouver, BC based illustrator and designer and she makes adorable note cards, gift tags and calendars for her shop The Beautiful Project. I think this card is very thoughtful, since I just came from the park and it seems like a lot of people needs some reminding about some picnic Ps and Qs.
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+ Here’s a book I’d love to get my hands on: The Red Shoes by Eleri Glass.
+ Scarecrow by John Casey is a 6” x 9” book that showcases his unique brand of fantastic and grotesque illustration, which will be released this Thursday night (perfect for Halloween!)
+ If you love yourself some Poladoodle prints from Lilacmoon Studio, now’s the time — Jinnie is having her first Etsy sale and you can get them at 20% off!
+ And here’s a couple more links to having animals on your walls without the guilt — feltidermy and Rachel Denny {via My Love for You}. You can see the other links here and here.
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I’ll be writing a special review of a book after this, so do check back!
Bridget Davies
Posted by Amy on Thursday October 23, 2008
I’m loving the work of Ms Bridget Davies who makes these beautiful, personalized textile creations like this silk bon voyage passport holder. All her work are produced by using free-hand machine embroidered and made entirely by hand, using silks, suede and leather, and other natural fabrics. You can see more of her work via her portfolio.
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+ If you like Grain Edit, then you’ll love So Much Pileup — lots of inspired vintage illustrations, packaging and graphic design from the 1960s to 1980s.
+ Have a read at Harry Malt’s blog, and a have a laugh! He also covered the walls of the new McCann Ericsson building in UK, so that’s totally rad. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s also the on behind the illustrations for the new Nokia ads.
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Thank you so much for all your comments everyone for the October PikaPackage Project! The winners will be announced tomorrow morning! :)
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