Brett Manning is a 23 year old artist from Chicago. I first discovered her work a couple of weeks ago, when Detroit band The Juliets released their album online. (It’s free until Saturday, and if you like dramatic strings mixed up with your rock music, you might want to download it.) She drew the cover art. When I saw more of her stuff, I knew I had to post more than just a few images. Brett kindly agreed to do an interview, which is behind the cut along with an obnoxious amount of images.

Set the scene for us. What are your surroundings like while you’re working?

My apartment. It’s older and charming. Hard wood floors, arched door ways, yellow and patchouli colored walls, lots of cushions and soft blankets, a wandering black cat, coffee… There is an express way right out side my window too. It’s funny.

The textures in your drawings seem so realistic. What’s your favorite texture to draw? Are there any that you have trouble capturing?

I love drawing hair and fur. I wish I was better at a lot of things though, like light source and depth. Though at the same time I feel like light source and depth are the last things I should be worrying about when it comes to my work because they’re not really terribly important in terms of getting my point across…but I should still practice!

What’s your favorite thing that you’ve created in your life so far? (It doesn’t have to be art.)

In my life?! Wow, this is a tricky question…I once made purple peanut butter cookies. They looked cool. But, they were not my favorite creation. I don’t have one single event that stands out above the rest of the things I’ve created. They’ve all been significant in some way or another, sooo…I guess I cannot answer this question normally, haha.

What role, if any, did The Juliets’ music play in the formation of their album art?

They just told me what they wanted and I drew it for them. They just gave me ideas on what they wanted, the kind of style and look to go for, etc. It was fun.

Do you have any shows / projects coming up in the near future?

Several…this April I’ll have work in a Chicago gallery in Pilsen and a show in Los Angeles. I’m also working on some more album art for an Indiana band. I still have some commissions to complete too! Being busy feels good.

More of Brett’s work can be found at brettisagirl.com.

The Juliets record release party is this Friday, March 13th at the Magic Stick. Here’s a sneak peek of their video, produced by Kate McQueen, which will also premiere that night.

Audrey Pongracz has made a giclee print of “Gooses Geeses” available for sale through 323 East.  The original painting was in the third installment of Gallery 1988’s esteemed Crazy 4 Cult show. This print is 18 x 15″, printed on canvas and framed. Get it soon because there are only a few left.

Life is Sweet for the Manifest Equality Show

Learn to Play

Dear Elizabeth

More of Amy’s work can be seen on her Flickr photostream.

As with any painting I do, I start by laying down a base layer of collage. With this particular piece I used clippings from vintage magazines, anatomy books, old magazine ads, maps, newspaper, and photos from military books.

This particular painting required two stencils, based on a digital illustration, to complete. Rather than printing and cutting one stencil for each color I instead use the each stencil for multiple colors. For example, I will cut out the sections that for red, spray it, then tape them back into place. I will then cut out the black sections and spray them. This helps to make sure the registration of the stencil is correct and also saves time on cutting stencils. While this does result in the stencil being destroyed, I only make one off paintings, so I will never need to reuse a stencil. If i were to begin doing multiple paintings of a single image, I would then create one stencil per color needed.

One of the stencils next to the collaged board.

I sprayed the skin tone followed by the red paint first.

Next to go down was the shadows on her face followed by black.

Many stencils and a vintage frame later here is the finished piece. This was the first time I have used an airbrush with custom mixed spraypaint in my work. I used it to create the deep red shadows on her shirt and in the flower and is certainly a tool I will be coming back to. While Montana paints offer a wide selection of colors, it is more economical and sometimes easier mix your own colors. Between the initial vector illustration, collage, and cutting and spraying the stencils this piece took me roughly 12 hours to complete.

Photo by Ingrid Fabiola (via PICDIT)

Alex Varanese (via Design Work Life)

Cisco Ksl (via Hard Feelings)

Love the lighting in Jessica Tremp’s photos (via The Strange Attractor)

Page Tsou (via OK Great)

Named after the Add Star feature in Google Reader, “Starred” is a column about things that catch my eye as I peruse the blogs I subscribe to. If you’d like to subscribe to Perfect Laughter, here’s a link to our RSS Feed.

This print is my favorite because it was printed on donated maps.

On March 25th, The Crofoot will host an AIGA Detroit event called Celebrate Michigan Design. In addition to some informative presentations, there will be music by Jimmy Edgar, a screen printing demo by Progress of Design, a gallery show by the Silent Giants, Michigan themed merchandise by Handmade Detroit and Angela Duncan, and motion graphics be Steve Panicara and Scott Waraniak. Hors d’ourves and cash bar immediately following presentations.

Cover is $5 AIGA members and  $10 for non-AIGA members. For more information or to RSVP, visit the event’s page on AIGA Detroit’s website.

High Tide Detritus

Decay, Comma

Ditch

High Country Debris

Leaf Litter

Aside from printmaking Sherrie also produces beautiful illustrations and watercolors.

Antique radio dial (via Working for More Work)

Marchesa dress (via Notcouture)

Freckles! Photographer unknown (via I Like Nice Things)

Photo by Tata Vislevskaya (via The Strange Attractor)

Illustration by Grycja Erde (via OKGreat)

Named after the Add Star feature in Google Reader, “Starred” is a column about things that catch my eye as I peruse the blogs I subscribe to. If you’d like to subscribe to Perfect Laughter, here’s a link to our RSS Feed.

323 East continues to bring some of the most talented artists in the Midwest with their upcoming show ‘Vintage’. Chicago’s David van Alphen, also know as Netherland, creates 70s themed collages using only original clipping from vintage magazines. This creates work that is authentically weathered and allows each piece to be completely original. Also, David built his own studio by hand in his back yard, progress photos here.

Netherland’s show opens at 323 East this Saturday, February 27th at 6 pm.