Big Fig's Blended Feed

Surviving Seattle Snowmageddon 2012

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:15:09 -0800

The Seattle Times is reporting that the snow storm that hit Seattle will cost the city an estimated $1.35 million. They never did plow our street. That was just fine with us. Adventure is where you find it!

The Seattle Times is reporting that the snow storm that hit Seattle will cost the city an estimated $1.35 million. They never did plow our street. That was just fine with us.

Adventure is where you find it!

Upcycled Luxury Home Furnishings

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:26:48 -0700

Sparkler is a boutique home furnishings studio dedicated to sustainability and timeless design. Sparkler builds each piece by hand, in their Seattle studio. We make furniture and products that are beautiful in their simplicity with an acute awareness of materials and craft. The things we make use materials that have been reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, reused [...]

Re:Vision Dallas Competition Winners Announced

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:50:18 -0700

I just found this in my inbox: It’s official. After almost 3 years and 6 competitions to gather innovative new ideas, Re:Vision is proud to announce the winners of the Re:Vision Dallas Competition. Taken together, the winning designs prove once and for all the viability of building an urban community based on The Urban Re:Vision [...]

I just found this in my inbox:

It’s official. After almost 3 years and 6 competitions to gather innovative new ideas, Re:Vision is proud to announce the winners of the Re:Vision Dallas Competition. Taken together, the winning designs prove once and for all the viability of building an urban community based on The Urban Re:Vision Framework™. In fact, these tremendous re-visionaries have shown that it can be done economically, using forms and materials in ways never seen before.

Many thanks to the literally hundreds of designers who took on this unprecedented challenge. Their entries have sparked conversations and shifted perceptions around the globe. And with this fantastic milestone in Dallas and continued progress in San Francisco, we’re that much closer to fulfilling our goal – to Re:Vision city blocks all across America.

Stay tuned to UrbanRevision.com for more information about the upcoming traveling and online exhibit of all the qualifying entries. If yours, or a city block you know, would benefit from a Re:Vision, please contact Nicole@urbanrevision.com with your suggestions.

Yosemite Gear Hits the Web

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:08:13 -0700

Today we are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first line of gear and gifts for Yosemite National Park! It’s a line of t-shirts, sweatshirts and apparel that celebrates this glorious national treasure. I spent many months of my childhood vacationing in this magical place, and I hope my enthusiasm for the place comes through in [...]

Today we are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first line of gear and gifts for Yosemite National Park!

It’s a line of t-shirts, sweatshirts and apparel that celebrates this glorious national treasure.

I spent many months of my childhood vacationing in this magical place, and I hope my enthusiasm for the place comes through in this line.

And remember that each design is fully customizable and 100% guaranteed.

Cheers!

Grand Canyon Gear Arrives

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:50:39 -0700

We’re thrilled to announce the new Grand Canyon collection on Park Outfitters. It was a blast putting this one together, as we discovered some terrific antique engravings from “Canyons of the Colorado” by John Wesley Powell. Published in 1898, Powell could have used black and white photography as it was affordable and easily accomplished at the time. [...]

We’re thrilled to announce the new Grand Canyon collection on Park Outfitters.

It was a blast putting this one together, as we discovered some terrific antique engravings from “Canyons of the Colorado” by John Wesley Powell.

Published in 1898, Powell could have used black and white photography as it was affordable and easily accomplished at the time. Instead, he went for the more romantic engravings which led a sense of adventure and drama to his book.

These images are in the public domain, and you can find them all over the internet. We’re proud to feature several of these fine illustrations in this great new collection of tees, hoodies and more!

cheers!

Yellowstone Emoticon Collection

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:44:55 -0700

And the entire collection is up now including hats, jackets, sweatshirts and more. But the best part is the ability to customize the whole line with zazzle’s customization tools. Just choose the design you like, and then pick from hundreds of styles and sizes of gear and gift items. Cheers!

And the entire collection is up now including hats, jackets, sweatshirts and more.

But the best part is the ability to customize the whole line with zazzle’s customization tools.

Just choose the design you like, and then pick from hundreds of styles and sizes of gear and gift items.

Cheers!

STAY.CATION 2009 Collection

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:39:56 -0700

We’re digging the embroidered work coming out of the studio these days. The process takes less than a day, and is so affordable we’re not sure how they do it. And just like the rest of the collection, these can be custom designed by YOU! Just click on ‘Select a different shirt style’ on the product page [...]

We’re digging the embroidered work coming out of the studio these days.

The process takes less than a day, and is so affordable we’re not sure how they do it.

And just like the rest of the collection, these can be custom designed by YOU! Just click on ‘Select a different shirt style’ on the product page and start having fun!

Cheers!

Yellowstone Mugs and Totes

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:03:56 -0700

Here they are, just in time for Father’s Day: Yellowstone mugs and totes for all those vacation memories. Drink your joe from this big mug and tote around all your summer gear in this terrific tote. More coming soon…

Here they are, just in time for Father’s Day: Yellowstone mugs and totes for all those vacation memories.

Drink your joe from this big mug and tote around all your summer gear in this terrific tote.

More coming soon…

Yellowstone Collection Arrives!

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:03:08 -0700

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of this new line of gear and gifts for the Yellowstone National Park vacation season. Earth tones and rich textures predominate in this collection of tees, hats, jackets and more. Be sure to have a look back as we are updating all summer long! Cheers!

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of this new line of gear and gifts for the Yellowstone National Park vacation season.

Earth tones and rich textures predominate in this collection of tees, hats, jackets and more.

Be sure to have a look back as we are updating all summer long!

Cheers!

Stacy Mar

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:46:23 -0700

Every kind of experience holds the possibility of artistic inspiration for Stacy Mar, whether she’s attending a violin recital or gallery exhibit, relaxing in a Paris café, or biking along Manhattan’s riverfront. She translates that inspiration into beautiful, original, and impactful graphic and industrial design, moving skillfully between the demands of two- and three-dimensional planes.

Her work is a testament to the years spent honing her craft, and to her passion for people, culture, and art. When Stacy became the first female to win her high school woodshop class’s “Golden Hammer Award,” she never imagined that this was the start of something big.

Early dreams of becoming a medical illustrator led her to art school, where she discovered that industrial design appealed to her love for hands-on creativity, model-making, and technical drawing (and involved fewer internal organs). From there, she began a successful, wide-ranging career that spans the entertainment, media, and retail industries.

Her diverse portfolio includes award-winning furniture designs for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (2006 Elle Decor Design Excellence Award—take that, Golden Hammer), graphic and prop design for major motion pictures such as "The American President" and "City of Angels," and extensive work for The Walt Disney Company, producing logos and licensed goods for their consumer products division. She has designed for Dessin Fournir and its subdivision companies (Classic Cloth, Palmer Hargrave, Gerard, and C.S. Post & Co.), created store and fixture designs for Carter’s/OshKosh, developed the Canopy Furniture collection for WalMart, and, at eight, inc., contributed to the designs for Apple’s retail stores.

A San Francisco native and graduate of the California College of Arts and Crafts, Stacy has happily called New York City home since 2001.

To see more of Stacy’s goodness, visit:

stacymar.com

Quand le Lion Saigne, les Chacals Reprennent Courage

Tue, 19 May 2009 10:21:36 -0700

“When the lion bleeds, the jackals take back courage.” –Author Unknown

Miles Goodwin

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:22:58 -0700

I walked by these two fisherman on an old dock one evening. As I passed them one said to me, “Don't go down that way there are no fish.”

I thought about it for a moment and had a gut instinct to fish where these wise old men knew there was nothing. So I proceeded to go my own way as they giggled behind me.

My line was out in the water for 15 minutes and I was getting cold. Then my rod titled like a twig and I reeled in the biggest fish I ever saw. The fisherman were gone, they did not see it.

“Trust yourself my friend, trust yourself.”

To see more of Miles’ world visit:

Seventh Seal Clothing
or buy some @:
emoda

Dave Straus

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:26:36 -0700

I must be trying to relive my childhood – or the childhood I imagined I had. Most of these visuals pour out of my head after a good Osterizing®- blend of ingredients formed from time spent living and working in Japan, viewing too many monster movies and watching my daughters play.

My kids are a great source of inspiration – I’m making animated shorts based on their “adventures”. And my eldest daughter Miona provided the idea for the parade in my first short “Futagoyaro.”

As of now I’m finishing up two projects – one based on Tokyo nightlife and the other, an homage of sorts to Japanese robot sci-fi TV shows, stay tuned...

To watch Futagoyaro in HD head over to Vimeo:

Straus on Vimeo!

Sustainable Forestry to Create 10 Million New Jobs

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:38:18 -0700

According to CNN, the UN is reporting that at least 10 million new jobs could be created by employing “sustainable forest management” in developing countries. “The report does not mention any countries but is aimed at “mainly regions with substantial rural unemployment and degraded land areas,” said C.T.S. Nair, chief economist in the U.N. Forestry [...]

According to CNN, the UN is reporting that at least 10 million new jobs could be created by employing “sustainable forest management” in developing countries.

“The report does not mention any countries but is aimed at “mainly regions with substantial rural unemployment and degraded land areas,” said C.T.S. Nair, chief economist in the U.N. Forestry Department and one of the authors of the report.”

It is of course assumed that the UN is referring primarily to Asia, Africa and Latin America. But India, China and All countries in Africa were mentioned specifically.

Sustainable forestry aims to prevent depletion of forests by managing them and making sure their use does not interfere with natural benefits or the local environment….

…the United Nations is suggesting that people be hired to monitor and manage how much wood is taken out to ensure the forest does not become depleted and can grow back fully. Managers also would make sure the wood harvest wouldn’t affect biodiversity and the water supply.

I guess the key to the success of such a program is that it be more profitable to be a forest ‘manager’ than it is to be a forest ‘harvester’.

It’s a great idea and I hope the UN can put some teeth into the plan that will make it actually work. We need advocates on the ground in these areas that will look to prevent deforestation, but they will only do so if they feel that the interests of regulatory agencies like the UN and their own interests are in alignment.

Here’s to a great start!

Goethe, Faust and Tricky Translations

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:31:52 -0700

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that [...]

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. –Goethe

I’ve always liked this sentiment, romantic as it is, and I believe there is a certain kind of truth in it. The quote is all over the internet and I was thinking about jotting down some thoughts on the idea and was in turn trying to find the correct attribution. But as it turns out, Goethe never wrote those words. According to a story on the Goethe Society Website, the phrase is actually a paraphrasing of Goethe by W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition,1951. Murray’s text reads:

But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money–booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

Goethe, on the other hand actually wrote:

Enough words have been exchanged;
Now at last let me see some deeds!
While you turn compliments,
Something useful should transpire.
What use is it to speak of inspiration?
To the hesitant it never appears.
If you would be a poet,
Then take command of poetry.
You know what we require,
We want to down strong brew;
So get on with it!
What does not happen today, will not be done tomorrow,
And you should not let a day slip by,
Let resolution grasp what’s possible
and seize it boldly by the hair;
it will not get away
and it labors on, because it must.

[Der Worte sind genug gewechselt,
Laßt mich auch endlich Taten sehn!
Indes ihr Komplimente drechselt,
Kann etwas Nützliches geschehn.
Was hilft es, viel von Stimmung reden?
Dem Zaudernden erscheint sie nie.
Gebt ihr euch einmal für Poeten,
So kommandiert die Poesie.
Euch ist bekannt, was wir bedürfen,
Wir wollen stark Getränke schlürfen;
Nun braut mir unverzüglich dran!
Was heute nicht geschieht, ist morgen nicht getan,
Und keinen Tag soll man verpassen,
Das Mögliche soll der Entschluß
Beherzt sogleich beim Schopfe fassen,
Er will es dann nicht fahren lassen
Und wirket weiter, weil er muß.]

- Goethe, Faust I, Zeilen 214-230

So what’s a poor blogger to do? Idleness must eventually acquiesce to action, for without action, there is nothing. Without action, there can be no ‘this’ or ‘that’, but only ‘potential’. We recognize the person of action when we meet one. We call them ‘a force of nature’ and ‘bigger than life’. They convey a sense of confidence and authority without pretense. What of the rest of us?

J. says ‘just show up, it’s half the battle’. Not bad. For now, I will print these lines and post them on my monitor:

Grasp what is possible and seize it boldly by the hair..

And then I set my quota. I’ll report back on this on Friday.

Note: It seems IBM has been brushing-up on its Goethe too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziOG_GHNVq0 :

Slaves and Robots: Eugene Ionesco, Notes et Contre Notes

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:13:45 -0700

“In all the cities of the world, it is the same. The universal and modern man is the man in a rush (i.e. a rhinoceros), a man who has no time, who is a prisoner of necessity, who cannot understand that a thing might perhaps be without usefulness; nor does he understand that, at bottom, it is the useful that may be a useless and backbreaking burden. If one does not understand the usefulness of the useless and the uselessness of the useful, one cannot understand art. And a country where art is not understood is a country of slaves and robots.”

- Notes et Contre Notes, Eugene Ionesco, pg. 129.

Atelie Ekuto: Sustainable Japanese Pavillion, Gondar, Ethiopia

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:12:26 -0800

Just found this great project on design boom and had to reblog. I particularly like the use of local materials and building methods, a topic that is not discussed enough in LEED circles. In this case local materials are used out of necessity, but I think we should all be incorporating more local building materials [...]

The model project for sustainable and recyclable architecture used traditional old wooden japanese houses that were dismantled and transplanted to the city redesigned using local resources.

With this project it was calculated that transporting and reusing the houses instead
of dismantling and burning them reduces carbon dioxide emissions by a maximum
of 8.4 tonnes. in view of existing regional infrastructure, a rainwater purification
system was installed. electricity needed for lighting and operating water pumps
will come from the solar panel system affixed to the roof. within the site there are
also traditional ethiopian circular stone houses which will be relocated to become

part of the japanese pavillion. it will be used for vocational training for residents.

japanese pavillion

japanese pavillion

interior view of roof

general info:
location: gondar, ethiopia
organization: city of gondar, amhara regional state,
NPO japan kominka research society
architectural design: atelier tekuto / yasuhiro yamashita, fasil giorghis
site area: 450 meters squared
total surface 105 meters squared
construction system: wooden and stone structure, one storey building

John Beach

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:56:33 -0800

"As a designer/illustrator/artist, I am constantly trying to find new approaches and avenues to express either my clients vision, or my own. I have found that this is absolutely essential to keep the work fresh and innovative.

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations—from Fortune 500 companies, to smaller non profit organizations. If there are any kernels of truth to be found in this business, I think one of the most important is finding that piece of the puzzle that brings you the artist, into alignment with the client: that magical thing called a symbiotic relationship.

I have also found it helps to work with people whose opinion you respect (you know who you are...). When it becomes a learning experience for both parties, the true joy of art can become a reality.

For more Beach goodness, be sure to check out:

johnbeachdesign [dot] com

STAY.CATION T-Shirts Up and Running

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:38:49 -0800

So we’re finally getting some of these up on the site and they’re looking pretty sweet, if we do say so ourselves. Don’t really know if anyone will think this is funny, but we do, and that’s the main criteria. Soon to have some embroidery up as well…

So we’re finally getting some of these up on the site and they’re looking pretty sweet, if we do say so ourselves.

Don’t really know if anyone will think this is funny, but we do, and that’s the main criteria.

Soon to have some embroidery up as well…

Dan Glassman

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:59:31 -0800

I like to twist things around and then shade them until they look real. I see infinite details and try to create a topography within the faces and bodies I am drawing, in order to create a world where these things I come up with could exist.

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“Lately, I’ve also been trying to create those worlds with simple line drawings and forced perspective.

“I have a kid, you see. I figure I shouldn’t draw him all wrinkly for another 80 years or so.”

For more of Glassman’s goodness, be sure to check out:

danglassman [dot] com

Rent a Green Box: The First, Zero-Waste Pack and Move Solution in America!

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:56:03 -0800

This idea is a home-run: rent storage containers for your next move instead of buying/borrowing/scavanging boxes and save up to 50% on your move.

Big claim, true. But have a look at the concept: “Rent-a-Green box is America’s first, comprehensive, zero-waste pack and move solution made entirely from post consumer recycled trash mined from local landfills. Our mission is to provide relocating business and residences with an authentic and genuine earth friendly packing and moving alternative that will save time, money and Earth.”

Here’s what they do. Call them up, make a date and pay up. Then they deliver, you pack and move. Finally, when you’ve unpacked, they come pick up the containers. That simple. Genius.

And that’s not all to this moving system. Doubters, please check out all the tertiary components that make great strides toward a completely waste-free moving system:

“Geami is the modern day eco friendly replacement for petroleum based bubble wrap and it’s made from 100% recycled cardboard sludge. Geami is made right on our trucks from our own self generated power supply, in rolls of 100 or 200 linear feet and is half the cost of bubble wrap.”

The Poopy Pallet is made from “over 700 recycled baby diapers and yes they were once used- but have no fear… they were cleaned, sanitized and the anaerobic polymers ( the stuff that will never break down in our landfills) is used like bindingg filament to make the Poppy Pallet. It’s remarkably strong and durable.”

Expandos are truly “Cradle to Cradle” technology.

“Image all of those cereal boxes, food related packed goods and just about anything that’s put into a paper fiber box or paper container. It’s recycled and the fibers that are no longer good enough for another packaged product are made into 100% post consumer, recycled flat sheets ready to make Expandos. We take these sheets and then convert them into these cool little triangles that interlock, brace and block your property from moving around in transit. What’s so amazing is that when you’re done, just put them back into the supplied recobag and we’lll reuse them again and again. Eventually, when they wear out, we just recycle them into more Expandos. Another zero waste, trash based, green sensible packing and moving alternative from rentagreenbox!”

Another helpful product is the recobag, a great story. The designer heard about a sail-maker that had a bunch of unusable sail material destined for the landfill. One thing lead to another and the recobag was born. Now Rent a Green Box uses these 100% recycled bags to transport recocubes, transports and flat sheets.

And the recocube! Probably my favorite product in the line, the recocube is made from ‘unusable’ recycled newspaper sludge. They add nutrients to the sludge, compact it into these cubes which are used exactly like packing peanuts. Only when you’re done with recocubes, you can toss them in your compost heap, or on your garden and they will fertilize your vegetables. This product actually NOURISHES the earth! Brilliant!

And reco-zips set the standard as well, use, peel, and toss in the toilet. Really. No waste, no problem!

And finally, reco-zips. Made from, “100% recycle plastic bottle caps that we remove from all of those hard to recycle plastic bleach, detergent and household chemistry bottles that are used to make our word famous lime green [ recopacks ].

Rent a Green Box is operating in Southern California for the moment, but is planning on expanding across the country in the near future. So the next time you’re planning a move, be sure to check them out. I know I will…

http://earthfriendlymoving.com/greenbox/

Never Buy Staples Again-Stapleless Paper by Sherwood Forlee

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:48:56 -0800

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This is something we should have been doing years ago. But no need to beat ourselves up about it, just grab one now! From Yanko: “Check out the simplicity. Just punch out the corner, make a cut or two, fold back, and POW! You are green. You are [...]

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This is something we should have been doing years ago. But no need to beat ourselves up about it, just grab one now!

From Yanko: “Check out the simplicity. Just punch out the corner, make a cut or two, fold back, and POW! You are green. You are sooo green. And Sherwood told us to make sure to mention that the money you save on staples is money you should spend on something totally nice for yourself. So, you know what to do!

Get out there and kick-start the economy!

That Forlee, always thinking with his heart.

Visit his portfolio or click below to see the other things by SF that have been featured on Yanko Design.

Designer: Sherwood Forlee

via Yanko

FYI – Diggers and Stumblers…

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:49:26 -0800

we are going to be changing servers tonight and will be down for about an hour. thanks for your patience! d.

we are going to be changing servers tonight and will be down for about an hour.

thanks for your patience!

Peter Benarcik

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:12:17 -0800

My professional and teaching interests have developed into a multi-disciplined approach to design, which often spans the realms of furniture, interiors, graphic and architecture. As a direct result of my experience in the design, fabrication and education professions, I have developed a method of creative problem solving which comes from looking at a concept from a multitude of perspectives and scales; often embracing alternative materials and methods which continually yield new and innovative design solutions.

Inspiration for my work has always come from the environment - both built and natural. I gain passionate inspiration from both the city streets as well as the wonders of nature. Geometry, texture and form are always around us and we need only to look, listen and learn from all that the world can offer.

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Working in today’s design sensitive world, I constantly challenge my design methodology to always maintain a sense of conceptual rigor during the entirety of any project regardless of scale, budget or programmatic challenges.

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I continually evaluate the work; make any necessary adjustments so as to always comply with my fundamental design beliefs:

Smart design is efficient.
Smart design should not cost a lot.
Smart design requires a lot of thinking.
Smart design should challenge the user.

For more of Benarcik's goodness, be sure to check out: www.fiveplydesign.com

Susan Benarcik

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:44:01 -0800

Susan Benarcik is an installation artist and surface designer based in New York City. Deeply rooted (no pun intended) in horticulture and design, her concern for the environment is made evident in both her 3-dimensional sculptural installations, as well as in her rich array of surface designs.

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Part printmaker and part sculptor, Benarcik designs contemplative compositions for interior and exterior applications that are highly tactile and evocative; evincing a fondness and respect for materiality. The artist’s ultimate goal is to provide environmentally inspired and efficient design that “introduces echoes of nature into our everyday lifestyle”.

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In Benarcik’s work, both two and three-dimensional organic patterns become part of our daily cognitive experience and bring equilibrium to our senses. Benarcik takes elemental forms from the natural world into her studio and carefully transforms them by stacking, stringing, knotting, layering and weaving them into multi-dimensional sculptures for public and private spaces. Similarly, the artist’s surface designs and earth-inspired color palette are based on her personal dialogue with natural materials. These designs are applicable to a variety of products such as stationary, printed and woven fabrics - for home and fashion, rugs, and wall surfaces. Always thinking forward Benarcik believes perhaps one day soon, her original and meaningful designs with be used for woven yoga mats and bamboo snowboards.

Benarcik enthusiastically looks for opportunities to work with product designers and manufacturers that share her concern for environment and for conscientious, efficient, and safe means of production.

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For further information please contact the artist through her website: www.susanbenarcik.com or design@susanbenarcik.com

Barbara Kosoff

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:27:17 -0700

I create mixed-media works with photographic images taken with my camera or found in magazines and/or other pop culture publications, combined with drawing and painting with oil bars.
..

Starting with an idea and responding to chance and serendipity, I allow my instincts to guide me. Working intuitively, I rearrange visual elements and place them in unlikely settings, combining the real to create the surreal; revealing an inner dream, dilemma or desire.
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I recently created an illustration for the L.A. Times that was published in the Food Section, for an article about ingredients found in wine.

This is the kind of assignment that I enjoy best - when I can concept an idea and then create a thought-provoking illustration with a twist.

To view other samples of
my work, please go to www.barbarakosoff.com

Susan Andrade

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:08:24 -0700

I love characters — made up, down the street and right around the corner. Quirks and funny detail are right in front of us.

"Sometimes art can be magic. Sometimes art is fancy. Sometimes I create art so lovely it makes me want to fake cry. But I like art that makes me laugh.

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"So I pile on the giggles and oh, extra cheese, please."

see more of Susan’s work at http://www.citysouppro.com