Jody Rogac

Has it really been nearly a year since I last posted to this blog? I seem to have turned into Cookie Monster who has recently learned that cookies are only a "sometimes food." Apparently, this is my "sometimes blog." Anyway, here is a post that I began in May. My apologies to Ms. Rogac.

Jody Rogac's photographs don't feel as such, but recall paintings, carefully crafted over days, weeks, even months. Her work bridges the gap that often occurs between fashion photography and portraiture. The results are images that are decidedly in neither genre.

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.

Matt Keers

Graphic designer and art director, Matt Keers's work is comprised of striking imagery, created through simple shapes. Keers demonstrates his acute sense of form and color, though strong work in the fields of print, packaging and branding.

ALL/ Annie Larson

Fashion designer and fiber artist, Annie Larson, working under the moniker ALL, crafts joyously handmade, knitwear and textile pieces. Her prolific output (she creates each piece by herself, save a few collaborative efforts) includes sweaters, hats, bags, pants and leggings. Her work also extends to sculptural, non-wearable pieces. She has a keen design aesthetic in all that she makes, playing with simple, geometric patterns, and clever color stories. As she becomes increasingly masterful in personal branding, this includes packaging, promotional materials, blog, and other ALL paraphernalia, which she designs with studiomate, Eric Carlson.

I spent hours looking through her body of work on her multiple sites, fascinated by what I found, and drawn to sincerity of her work and writing. Though meticulously considered, her designs never appear sterile or uncomfortable. Ms. Larson's exuberance permeates all that she creates, allowing for pieces that are visually engaging, but also warm, and unaffected.

In addition to her site, take a look at the ALL store, as well as Ms. Larson's blog, Swank Dollar. Be sure to take note of her costumes for the performance art/ gallery show, New Land of Milk and Honey.

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.

Jan Postma

A longtime Flickr contact, I have consistently been fascinated by Jan Postma's work, and his seemingly effortless ability to capture small moments in cinematic detail. His photographs are ruled by wistful simplicity, yet are rarely sterile. Mr. Postma carefully considers the quality of light in his images, making even his most mundane subjects take on a new importance. Be sure to take a look at both his website, and his Flickr photostream.

A Friend of Mine/ Suzy Tuxen

Although led by designer Suzy Tuxen, the Melbourne-based firm, A Friend of Mine operates under the ideal of artistic collaboration. According to her site, Tuxen sees collaboration with specialized artists as essential to achieving a high standard of quality throughout her design work. She obviously is on to something. Her international clients are as diverse as bespoke wedding invitations, to restaurant branding and design. A Friend of Mine regularly creates print, branding, and art direction work that is consistently thoughtfully considered, and beautifully executed.

Newth

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new month, a new year, and a new decade. And although things have been quiet here at TTWF for some time, this is also marks our return to the web, and of all sorts of new things happening here. We will be back soon, with more regular posts, a fresh layout, artist interviews, videos, and some other swell stuff. Stay tuned!
-G&F