Marcus Walters

http://www.marcuswalters.co.uk/

With an impressive list of clients; including Coca Cola, Royal Mail, Pizza Express, Howies and Barclays, Marcus Walters is certainly very hot in the design world. His illustrative style is warming, gentle, sensitive and positive. His work makes me smile!

Atmospheric Illustration

http://www.kellybryne.com/

Kelly Bryne. I came across this illustrators work whilst undergoing research for my current project. Her visual style is just what I was looking for- it captures the imagination and has a beautiful atmospheric quality. I love her use of imperfect shapes and inconsistent/textural backgrounds. Her website is rather splendid...

Go check it out!

How It Is

I spent Valentines weekend in London and took full opportunity to take in a couple of galleries. The Tate Modern is somewhere I love to go because the work it contains is challenging and controversial. In the Turbine Hall lies Miroslaw Balka's installation. You are confronted with a huge monstrosity. Hand in hand, I walked with my boyfriend under the container. Up the ramp we went and then we were faced with darkness and an onslaught of visitors coming our way. It really was a rather frightening experience, but a very clever concept.

"Underlying this chamber is a number of allusions to recent Polish history – the ramp at the entrance to the Ghetto in Warsaw, or the trucks which took Jews away to the camps of Treblinka or Auschwitz"- Worth a visit, I'd say.

Mysterious lines

The Nasca Geoglyphs, Southern Peru: The Monkey, The Dog, The Condor, The Spider, The Whale

Etched into the arid plains of southern Peru, these geoglyphs are truly incredible and make stunning aerial visuals. Over 1,000 lines stretch for miles, forming giant human, animal and geometric shapes. They are one of the Earth’s biggest mysteries: “Are they ancient road maps or messages from Aliens?” Visit National Geographic to find out more!!

The Date Farmers

The Date Farmers- http://thedatefarmers.com/

"Using found materials such as discarded signs, wood and corrugated metal, their work echoes Mexican-American heritage rooted in California pop culture".

I am drawn to the duo's edgy, imperfect and textural approach. By appropriating and combining popular imagery with spiritual and native subject matter, their work targets issues such as consumerism and the greying of our culture.

Sigur and Clive

Sigur Rós- Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (2008), The Boys are Back (2009)

I have longed to see The Boys are Back since I heard rave reviews about it on Radio 2. It was definitely everything that I hoped it would be- emotional, sensitive, spiritual and captivating. Sigur Rós provides a wonderful accompaniment to the story and the stunning scenery of South Australia- it really is a delight and I urge you to watch it! Although, make sure those tissues are close to hand.

Album artwork at its best

Bombay Bicycle Club- I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, Metronomy- Pip Paine, Hockey- Mind Chaos, Little Dragon- Machine Dreams, New Junk Aesthetic- Everytime I Die

I just wanted to share some of my favourite album covers from 2009. Whether it be simplistic shapes, blue Futura type layered on top of a black and white photograph, D.I.Y. cut and paste methods or the abstract painstakingly detailed illustration approach, these album covers each carry the artists unique energy, soul and a clear statement.

Christmas memories

Gift bag from the German Market, Birmingham 2009

I found this recently. At the time I remember keeping it because it just oozes everything folk and craft-like. The German Market in Birmingham is absolutely delightful. We go every year and make sure we buy something to get us in the Christmassy mood- usually a hand-decorated candle. Not forgetting the garlic bread, which is outstanding!!

2 Tone Graphics

The original 2 Tone graphical elements were created by The Chrysalis graphic designer, David Storey.

As an avid fan of anything to do with British music history, this story of the music label 2 Tone, which features in the recent NME Magazine, is a must-read. The article talks in some detail about Jerry Dammers aspiration to create graphical elements that were so simple, yet they captured the very essence of the label; “The black and white checkerboard harked back to the mod era, but provided the perfect symbol of the racial integration the label proudly boasted”.

A must-see!

I went to see 'Up in the Air' last night. It completely surprised me. I sat there for the first half wondering why I hadn't chosen to see 'It's Complicated' or even 'Did you hear about the Morgans'-something that would be a guaranteed feel-good. But then I suddenly got what the film was all about: its essence, its point. I've always said if a film has the ability to move me: to make me cry, and really pull on my heartstrings, then it's something special. Well, Up in the Air did make me shed a tear, or three. I really recommend it- but you have to stick with it. I can't stop playing a song from the soundtrack- 'Help Yourself' by Sad Brad Smith. George Clooney's character goes on a journey of self-realization. It's a really poignant film, and leaves you thinking about your life and what's really important.