Posts Tagged 'mixed media'

Featured Artist: Mike Stilkey

Mike Stilkey. His work is such a treat. I find the book arts is a bit of a lost art. He embraces materials that may be overlooked to use, such as book covers and vintage book pages. From installations to paintings his work has the ability to absorb the viewer. His images tell stories and his work is full of beautiful mixed media texture with an undertone of whimsical melancholy, longing, and despair. His work is  flooded with depth and mystery that entices the viewer to get to know his ambiguous characters and wonder about their lives in their unusual settings.

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Get to know Mike here.
Visit his website here.

20 Questions with Andy Hixon

So we are starting a new series of artist interviews called “20 Questions with…” We will be talking to painters, sculptors, designers, animators, filmmakers, you name it! We love to learn more about the people who inspire us so we can see the heart behind the creations. If you have any artists that inspire you, hit us up on twitter @dailydesignfix and we will get in touch with them. Enjoy!
hixon1 When I first saw Andy Hixon’s “The Bedroom,” (seen above) I was overwhelmed with emotion. I think I held my breath for a good 12 seconds. Sometimes you come across compelling art and I truly believe that is what we have here. Now, more about Andy: Andy hixon pic 2

1. Name: Andy Hixon

2. Location: Manchester

3. Date of Birth: 18/06/82

4. Height: 5.7 (I think)

5. Whats your favorite medium?
Mixed media & Digital

6. Whats your work environment like?
A total and utter cramped mess full of cable wiring and clay everywhere

7. About how long do you spend on your art pieces?
Anywhere from 1 day to a month

8. Whats messages or themes do you portray in your work?
I like to portray the ‘everyday’ aspects of life through a slightly warped visual style.

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9. What is your first art-making memory as a kid?
I used to have a fascination with drawing Big Rig Trucks with Felt Tip’s when I was about 6 or 7.

10. What are you doing when you are not doing your mixed media projects?
Usually going down the pub with my mates

11. Something about yourself the average person wouldn’t guess?
Emm… I’m a Left Handed, Half Irish ,Diabetic that can cook an awesome curry!

12. If you could be a color what would you be?
Purple I think

13. What makes you smile?
My girlfriend and her increasingly bizarre scenes of humour

14. Can’t stand:
People that talk too much and really have ‘nothing to say‘ and pretentiousness

15. Can’t live without:
My head

16. Words to live by
Humbleness = Happiness

17. Last passport stamp:
Berlin

18. Most played in your itunes?
At the moment Protest the Hero, Minus, Head Automatica and Cult of Luna

19. Who are the designers/artists who have influenced or inspired you?
There are loads!, but I suppose Dave McKean , Jordin Isip and Henry Moore are the main ones

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20. Have you any advice for new and aspiring illustrators?
Yes, don’t follow trends too closely that you see in design/illustration etc, especially if you are studying, gather a wide and varied source of influence/inspiration.  That and loads of experimentation, make a total mess learning your craft and have fun with it but also learn from your mistakes, and most of all and by far the most important thing is to enjoy what you do!

-Andy

Learn more about Andy here:
www.andyhixon.com
www.behance.net/andyhixon
www.myspace.com/andyhixonart
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Featured Artist: Andy Howell

kv5i0203Growing up in Southern California I have a huge love of the skate culture. One of my  favorite artists epitomizes this lifestyle through his super expressive and colorful art;  Andy Howell. I stumbled upon Andy’s work when I was in high school and have been a huge fan ever since. Andy prefers mixed media, “anything fast, glue, gel mediums, tape, acrylic, aerosol enamels, pen and ink, anything loose and fast.” This pro-skater/artist transplant has revolutionized the skate industry.

His extensive resume includes numerous gallery showings worldwide, magazine covers, major campaigns from big brands like Coca-Cola to DC Shoes, created extensive clothing and branding lines, featured in periodical publications such as Juxtapoz, Print, HOW, Create and Communication Arts. The guy introduced the first baggy jeans designed specially for the boardsports industry. Wow. This man has done some serious things!

Andy is the founding father of the street/skate/art movement and has continuously evolved with this ever changing culture. Can’t wait to see what comes next from Mr. Howell.

Read the complete bio about Andy on his zazzle store, where you can pick up some really sweet items he designed for next to nothing.

Just a few of my favorites:

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Check out his new book: Art, Skateboarding, and Life. It’s a sweet 304 page hardcover book with 2 DVD set with tons of interviews and videos of Andy and other artists and skateboarders. I can’t wait to get my hands on one!

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Enjoy!



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