some recent (and semi-recent) doodlings

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim
A deer/goat girl

iumazark on deviantart

I really should be doing homework, but am blogging instead, lol. I recently discovered this awesome artist on DA, iumazark, whose gallery can be found here: http://iumazark.deviantart.com/ . Above are some of his images.

His art has a sometimes rough around the edges, but delicate and ethereal quality to it. Kinda fey, a little cartoony, a little scratchy here and there. The image at the top reminds me of the Klaxons video for 'Its Not Over Yet' which features similar black geometric shapes.

In unrelated news, I want to go to this place.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1471974/restaurant/Melbourne/The-Alchemist-Bar-and-Cafe-Fitzroy

Also been trying unsuccessfully to lucid dream lately. But then again, sometimes it's fun just going for the ride.

rick owens interview

I was looking up stuff on the fashion designer Rick Owens (known for his fashion label's dark, apocolyptic presence on the runway) and found this interview:

http://www.hintmag.com/hinterview/rickowens/rickowens1.php

I have to say that it was definitely refreshing to read such a down-to-earth and light-hearted interview with someone in the high fashion industry, where you would assume it would be all too easy to get pretentious. Reminds me, in a way, of model Elyse Sewell's similarly refreshing attitude that contrasts so much from a stereotypical catwalk model.
If you're interested, her blog may be seen here: http://elysesewell.livejournal.com/

It's been abandoned apparently, but a book is in the works. I do wish her the best with her writing ventures; from what I've read of her blog I feel that she'd have more than a fighting chance of success with her brand of humour.

rococo

Currently loving rococo architecture. So grand, so pretty. Must visit Europe someday.

new blog

Just thought I'd let you know that I created a new blog at http://collarbones-popsociology.blogspot.com/, this time as an open forum for the discussion of various issues. Kind of a sociological blog but hopefully more accessible. :) Hope to see you there!

I'll still be updating this one, though.

camilla d'errico.

I can't believe I haven't posted about her already, but I will now...

For the past couple of years, Canadian-Italian artist Camilla d'Errico has been an inspiration of mine, with her innocent looking girl characters pictured with cute animals, soft yet vibrant colours, and mingling of cyberpunk and nature. She has the cute-with-an edge aesthetic that's so popular in the modern art and illustration scene (pop-surrealism?) but infuses it with her own painterly style. There's a warmth in many of her paintings, with their sunny colour palette and dappled lighting, but considerable angst in other works.

She was also involved in pop singer Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes, a comic published by Tokyopop and a sort-of-promotional project for the singer's album. It's more than just advertising, though, and is darker than what one might expect for such a venture, the plot involving a pact made between a small devil and the main character.


More of her work can be found here: http://www.camilladerrico.com/

She also has a shop full of lush and shiny goods including her comics and apparel (which I might buy from in the near future) here: http://camilla.bigcartel.com/

tales of terror from the black ship

Recently I was browsing the shelves of Box Hill Library, looking for possible manga to read when I came across this book:



I thoroughly enjoyed these short stories and flicked through it eagerly, each story keeping me on the edge of my seat, the scratchy illustrations by David Roberts suiting the morbid atmosphere perfectly. Even though it's marketed as a kids' book, the book is fine for adults to read too; in fact it's probably too creepy and the writing too sophisticated for kids under 12, and the storytelling is definitely compelling enough to draw in those of all ages. I particularly enjoyed the stories 'Irezumi' and 'The Boy in the Boat'. So if you're after something dark and haunting but really fascinating and quick to read, then I recommend this book. Apparently the author Chris Priestley has 2 other 'Tales of Terror' books as well...I should get around to reading those. The website for these books is pretty entertaining: http://talesofterror.co.uk