STATE OF THE ART: AUDREY KAWASAKI

 

The themes in Audrey Kawasaki's work are contradictions within themselves. Her work is both innocent and erotic. Each subject is attractive yet disturbing. Audrey's precise technical style is at once influenced by both manga comics and Art Nouveau. Her sharp graphic imagery is combined with the natural grain of the wood panels she paints on, bringing an unexpected warmth to enigmatic subject matter. The figures she paints are seductive and contain an air of melancholy. They exist in their own sensually esoteric realm, yet at the same time present a sense of accessibility that draws the observer to them. These mysterious young women captivate with the direct stare of their bedroom eyes. 2 years Pratt Institute, Brooklyn - Fine Arts Painting http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/ 

 http://audkawa.tumblr.com/

FAUX VINTAGE CAR POSTERS BY JUSTIN VAN GENDEREN

 

Here are some cool vintage car posters from graphic designer, Justin Van Genderen. Check out more of his work at his official website. http://www.2046design.com/ You can also purchase prints @Imagekind

STATE OF THE ART: DRAYONIS

 

Drayonis has been drawing as far back as he can remember. When he was only 3 years old his older brother Cecil Roberts (an artist as well) challenged him to a drawing contest on the family living room floor…..and from that contest (which is still ongoing) he started his career as an artist hoping to one day make it into mainstream comics. When he was 16 he got a job at the local Six Flags doing caricatures for a small art company contracted to the park. 

After working his way up to manager, he eventually purchased the contract at Six Flags and started his own company "The Exaggerated View Caricature Company". The company started out with only six employees but over time grew to employ well over 30 artists and open in multiple entertainment locations across Texas. While growing his business and working constantly, Drayonis has worked for a short lived independent comic book company, finished CD covers for local artists, designed countless logos, and created animation shorts for a local Hip-hop television show. 

Finally, he has come back to his first love, "Comic Books". If you are an artist and would like to be featured on State of the Art, shoot an e-mail to turbocity@outlook.com Make sure to check out Drayonis' website and online comic, "The Dog Years". 

http://www.drayonis.com/ 

 http://thedogyears.com/ 

http://www.myspace.com/thedogyears

STATE OF THE ART: SIMON ECKERT

 

Simon Eckert is an illustrator based in Berlin. His work includes digital painting, comic book art and concept design. Check out more of his work at his official website: http://www.simoneckert.de/

KOUNTERCLOCKWISE PRESENTS: FOREVER-LAND THE MOVIE

The Kounterclockwise in Forever-Land Movie is a colorful sci-fi animated hand drawn film based in Cleveland, Ohio created by LA indie animator Jim Lujan. It stars hip hop duo Kounterclockwise (Deacon Burns/Kaya Rogue), Jim Lujan and Fanboy Radio host Scott Hinze. Described as Flash Gordon meets the Wiz, Forever-Land is a tongue in cheek cartoon romp filled with weird characters and a ton of funky (and strange) music.

For a limited time, You can see "Kounterclockwise in Forever-Land" for free online at www.forever-land.com.

"This movie has a positive message at it's core. It's a strange and funny film about empowerment. I think it'll catch people off guard," says Lujan.

Forever-Land is a tongue in cheek cartoon romp filled with weird characters is a hidden dimension where strange characters, creatures, and lands exist under the iron harsh rule of Infinitus…destroyer of all things funky. Kounterclockwise has been transported to this dimension to retrieve “the glove,” an item of cosmic importance, from the clutches of Infinitus.

"It's been a dream of Deacon and I to have an animated film made about us and here it is...and it's so funky!" says Kaya Rogue. Deacon adds:" It's about staying real and having confidence in your true self. Moving forward even when there are setbacks. "

The film was created and animated by Jim Lujan. Lujan has won several film awards including the Bill Plympton Indie Animation award and is currently working on a feature film with Plympton. Lujan draws, voices, and does music for many of his other animated films. Kounterclockwise has worked with Lujan previously on three music videos.

THE ART OF MARKETING: AMERICAN APPAREL (NSFW)

 

American Apparel is the largest clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing. American Apparel designs, creates and prints its own advertisements. The company is known for its provocative and controversial advertising campaigns, which is largely the inspiration of the company CEO Dov Charney. According to Adage, American Apparel's advertising 'telegraphs the brand' from person to person. Their print campaigns are widely considered to be some of the best in the industry. 

The sexually charged advertising has been criticized, but has also been lauded for honesty and lack of airbrushing. American Apparel images often display subjects with their blemishes, imperfections and asymmetrical features highlighted and attached with brief, personal descriptions. Many of the models in American Apparel's sexual advertising are recruited by Charney and his colleagues on the street, or company stores; others are selected after sending their photos directly to the company website. www.americanapparel.net/