Monthly Archives: May 2021

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Andrew Holder

May 26, 2021 12:03 AM \

We love many of illustrations but today we narrowed in on his renditions of the  Zodiac signs.  They are the creations of Andrew Holder an accomplished illustrator and designer from Southern California.  Using a variety of digital and other mixed media, Andrew create original works reflecting his unique style with vibrant colors, intricate lines and pattern-work.  His art has been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide and is recognized by private collectors as well as commercially.  On Staf magazine he says this about himself and his work: 

“I have always enjoyed creating. For as long as I can remember, I have always been creating something with whatever I had in hand. As soon as I realized that I could make a career through art, I moved from San Diego to Los Angeles and enrolled in school. Surfing or more specifically, the sea, began to appear in my work inevitably.”

“My most personal works are usually colorful compositions, with flat figures, textures and graphic elements. My goal is to create pieces that, above all, explore the barriers between the artificial world and the natural world.”

“I take inspiration from almost everything around me, or at least I try to keep an open mind to almost everything. I tend to go to auctions or garage sales as much as I can just to take a look and expose myself to things that come out of my daily routine.”

The artist can be found on his website, Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Andrew Holder.

Posted in: Graphic Design, Illustration \ Tagged: ,

Sanae Sugimoto

May 25, 2021 12:03 AM \

A few years back we posted the illustrations of Japanese artist Sanae Sugimoto.  Thought we should catch up with her more recent works.  The Fukuoka-based illustrator studied oil painting at a university in Kyoto and thereafter came back to her hometown to create her work.  She uses Sumi inks in the Japanese traditional colors of black and vermilion.  In an interview on Selvedge she says this about herself:  

“Since I was a child, I read many books and liked playing alone. Then I sort of created my own world inside of me. I guess I go back there only when I’m drawing. The Motifs have been the same since I was a teenager.”

“I tend to be indecisive when I draw, so limiting the colour and the method could solve this matter. I use Japanese ink called Sumi, this ink is quite thick compared to normal inks so it produces unique lines. Also, Sumi has black and red inks only.” 

You can follow the artist on her website and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of San Sugimoto.

Posted in: Illustration, Japan \ Tagged: ,

Emi Takazawa

May 24, 2021 12:03 AM \

Emi Takazawa was born in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.  She attended Bunka Fashion College studying and chasing fashion but had a longing for old things.  She worked at a company specializing in the traditional craft of ‘yokofuri’ embroidery.  In 2006 she became independent creating horizontal embroidery of corsages, earrings, headdresses and bouquets popular in bridal. On Beauty News Tokyo she explains how she became an embroidery artist:

“After graduating from a vocational school, I got a job at a company that handles horizontal embroidery of local (Kiryu) wedding costumes and stage costumes, but at that time I was assigned to the department in charge of wedding costumes. There were two traditional craftsmen there, and thanks to the fact that they taught me directly, it was said that “normally it takes several years of training to work on a sword.” In about a year, I was able to master the technique until I started working on it. About two years after that, after working at the company for embroidery such as embroidery and stage costumes, something happened and I became independent.”

More of her work can be viewed on her website, Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Emi Takazawa.

Posted in: Embroidery, Japan, Textile \ Tagged: , ,
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