Anthony Zinonos

Artist Anthony Zinonos' collages are an exercise in restraint. Physically, his oft-published collages consist of little more than a few snips of construction paper, found images, and a scribble or two. Visually, Zinonos limits himself to bold, primary colors, chunky polygons, and thin slivers of paper. These minimalist works are direct without being simplistic.

Sam Bosma

To say that illustrator Sam Bosma is meticulous would be a gross understatement. While his work often tackles epic narratives, Bosma's panels are loaded with an exceptional amount of detail, making each scene more intimate. and even private.  Such intricacy requires a process involving nearly obsessive attention to the minutia of each image, which the artist carefully details on his blog, Slam Blogsma. Technically, Bosma's many-stepped image construction combines both digital and analog forms into one, harmonious output. His technique in both areas is expert. Though stylized, his work never feels wacky, as he perfectly balances the dramatic with the humerous. Bosma's characters are always lovingly rendered.

Stefanie Augustine + Adam Gault

Although I try not to post things that I immediately find on other blogs, I was so enthralled by illustrator Stefanie Augustine, and animator Adam Gault's nearly transcendent Gettysburg Address video, that I am breaking with tradition. Here, Augustine and Gault present the Lincoln's speech as a form of poetry, their sparse images acting as illuminations to the text. The elements of the video are not subversive; there is no agenda. These two have wisely chosen expertly rendered images that are as timeless as Lincoln's original words have become. Chris Villepigue's sound design couples with the imagery perfectly. Additional animation is by Carlo Vega. You can find more on the video at Motiongrapher.

Also check out the individual artist's websites, as their work there is equally as masterful. Another highlight is Augustine and Gault's exceptionally poetic video, "Off the Course" (seen below.)

Gina Triplett and Matt Curtius

I first came across Gina Triplett's swirling, flowering work in high school, when I purchased Ramsey Lewis' album "Time Flies." The cover featured Triplett's signature, intricate, ink patterns, over paint-dripping, textural backgrounds. I immediately went to the internet to find more of her work, where I found that not only did she work alone, but also collaborated with her husband, Matt Curtius. When working together, two combine seemingly disparate styles- Matt's realistically rendered imagery, and Gina's bold detailed patterns- into cohesive, often floral images. I have made the two's site one of my regularly visited destinations, and am always excited by what I find there. Every image is a miniature world unto itself, bursting with lovingly-created detail. In addition to the floral motifs, both Triplett and Curtius are skilled hand-drawn typographers, often incorporating text into their images. You can see more of their work on Gina's blog.

Damien Correll

Damien Correll is a regular fixture in the art and design blogosphere, and with good reason. His work is bold and colorful, reinterpreting many forms and styles from 1960s and 70s illustration. As with many of the designers and illustrators featured on this blog, Mr. Correll mixes found imagery and drawing, computer graphics and hand-executed imagery. His excellent work has gained him such clients as Nike, Zoo York, and New York Magazine. Be ready to spend hours perusing his site, blog, and collection of links.

Julia Guther

Using an eclectic mix of cut paper, watercolor, pencil and computer-aided drawing tools Julia Guther has created a diverse and accomplished body of work. She uses simple shapes, clean lines and delicate colors to create distinctive images, regardless of the medium. Her style and creative process raise her imagery above the commercial nature of many of her projects.

Emmanuel Polanco

emmanuelpolanco.net

Emmanuel Polanco has a well-crafted body of work full of intriguing, mysterious images. His work covers a wide range of styles, but the technique of assembling tactile materials digitally remains the same. His pieces are all about layers and textures, all the while balancing elements of the past with modern composition.

Laurie Rosenwald

rosenworld.com

With an astounding teaching resume, fantastic client list, and keen sense of reality of the design world, Laurie Rosenwald is quite the formidable character. She is an accomplished professor, author, designer, painter, mixed-media artist, typographer, animator, humorist and actress (she once had a small speaking role on the Sopranos). She also directs an acclaimed workshop titled How to Make Mistakes on Purpose.

Ms. Rosenwald brings a unique design aesthetic and rational messiness to her work, all tempered by a great dose of humor. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times while vising her site. To say that she is seriously impressive and magnificently inspiring would be an understatement. Take a look at her site, and be ready for some surprises!

Take that, YCN!

Pascal Blanchet

Pascal Blanchet

Mr. Blanchet's illustration looks like it's right out of the 1950s. His character design is truly excellent. I just wish there was more of his excellent work on his site!

Oliver Munday

Oliver Munday

Oliver is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Baltimore. His simple aesthetic brings forward each piece's clever, well thought construction. In addition to providing countless illustrations for the New York Times, his work has been featured in a variety of top design publications.

Edward McGowan

Edward McGowan

Mr. McGowan has some imaginative digital collage and illustration, using a lovely combination of computer-based and analogue techniques.

Sanna Annukka

Sanna Annukka

Craig Atkinson

craigatkinson.co.uk

Ray Fenwick

Ray Fenwick

The Five Oracles of Gossip are a must-see.

Klas Fahlen

Klas Fahlen