I Am Not An Artist

Speaking of vibrant colors, you must check out “I Am Not an Artist” if you haven’t already.

All Over Coffee

I am completely in awe of Paul Madonna‘s weekly illustrations entitled “All Over Coffee.”  Madonna captures San Francisco cityscapes, street corners, rooftops, with an incredible eye for detail, usually pairing these views with thoughtful words.  He occasionally diverges from the San Francisco theme, presenting the viewer with beautifully composed depictions of Buenos Aires, Paris, Tokyo, and other areas of the world.  Take a look at “All Over Coffee” on Madonna’s website and in the SF Chronicle.  It is unlike any weekly newspaper strip I’ve ever seen.

 

Moments

I was recently introduced to Devour.com, a fantastic website that posts a well-chosen collection of videos found around the web.  While I have spent many hours devouring the contents of the website, I continually come back to the first video I watched there, “Moments,” by Everynone – a beautiful short film that captures the little things that make up every day experience.  I also recommend Everynone’s “Words.”

My Cardboard Life

My Cardboard Life may be the most adorable webcomic I’ve ever seen.  I cannot get enough of Philippa Rice’s square cardboard characters and their Sharpie smiles.

Lee Crutchley Products

Lee Crutchley has been turning some of his Quoteskine creations into laptop, iPhone, and iPad skins.  Nifty!  A variety of technology skins, along with some prints, are available in his Society6 shop.

Tales of Mere Existence

Tales of Mere Existence is a series of animated autobiographical comics by Lev Yilmaz.  Lev has the amazing ability to make the most mundane topics fascinating, hysterical, and a wee bit sad.

Here is “How To Carry Your Books At School,” the first video I saw by Lev:

GnomeBomb

I am rather intrigued by GnomeBomb, a new blog documenting the adventures of a gnome in New York City.

Ampersand Food Groups

Found via The Ampersand.  These ampersand food group typographic illustrations by Dan Beckemeyer are mouthwatering.

DODOcase

At brunch one day at Hudson View Restaurant in Washington Heights, the guy next to me had a stunning iPad case that I initially mistook for a Moleskine notebook.  When I asked him about it, he responded, “DODOcase.  It’s rad!”  I agree – totally rad.  Each DODOcase is handmade in San Francisco, and the craftsmanship is impeccable.  Visit the DODOcase website for more information about how they’re made.  Though I don’t want an iPad, I do want one of these cases.

(Also, hello, Yesterday Was Not Dull is back!  Did you miss me?)

Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)

I am counting down the days until July 1st, when the “Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)” touring exhibit opens at San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum.  I grew up reading and re-reading Maira Kalman‘s children books, especially Hey Willy, See the Pyramids and Stay Up Late. Now, in my adult life (if I can admit to myself that I am an adult), I am just as fervent an admirer of her work as I was at age four.   Kalman is a brilliant observer and artist, a real inspiration.

If you happen to be in San Francisco, do visit her upcoming exhibit.  And if not, at least visit her website and her NY Times blog, “And the Pursuit of Happiness.”   Here’s Kalman’s portrait of herself and her dog Pete:

Summer in SoMa

I normally post about other people’s projects, but I thought I might sneak in a post about a new one of mine.  I have just started a blog called Summer in SoMa, where I post my photographs and hand-drawn cartoons documenting my summer in San Francisco.

Naptime.com

I Googled “nap” the other day during a week of little sleep and came across www.naptime.com.   I still have no idea what it is, but it’s fascinating!  Click around!

José Azevedo

Oh gosh, I am in love with Brazilian artist José Azevedo‘s Moleskine illustrations.  Check them out at Format Magazine.

Walking Men Worldwide

While out for a long walk in Manhattan last week, I came across an incredible art installation entitled “Walking Men Worldwide.”  Artist Maya Barkai collected images of 99 walking men from cities around the world and covered the walls surrounding a construction site with their life-size images.  I like to imagine all 99 of those figures coming to life and exploring New York with me!  The installation will remain at 99 Church Street until January 2010.

Mike Stilkey

Found via Coates and Scarry.  Mike Stilkey is a visual artist who paints on book pages, book covers, and stacks of books.  I find his paintings incredibly captivating, especially the frequent juxtaposition of melancholic figures against colorful book spines.  Do check out his website and Coates and Scarry’s interview with him about his work, particularly his recent installation at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery’s exhibition “Art from the New World.”  Here is “Enemy in the house” by Mike Stilkey:

Liu Bolin

I am absolutely mesmerized by the work of Chinese artist Liu Bolin.  With the help of his assistants, he meticulously paints himself to blend into his surroundings and photographs the results.  You can view pieces from his camouflage project on ArtNet and watch this short video about the artist.

Here is “Civilian and Policeman,” 2006, by Liu Bolin:

Animator vs. Animation

Thanks to my academic advisor for reminding me that this gem exists.  “Animator vs. Animation” is a hilarious Flash animation by Alan Becker.  If you’ve ever animated something in Flash, you will really appreciate this.  You might also want to watch “Animator vs. Animation Part 2” if you are sick of the Windows XP desktop.

Katie Sokoler

I am tickled pink by the vibrant work of photographer and street artist Katie Sokoler.  Her world is infused with a brilliant amount of color and imagination.  Do take a look at her blog, Color Me Katie, and her Flickr.  I love this image from her “My Apartment” Flickr set.

F Yeah Moleskines

One of my new favorite Tumblogs is F Yeah Moleskines (expletive deleted), which posts a wide variety of Moleskine art found on the web.  I love seeing what other people are doing with their Moleskines, and this collection of diverse pieces is really quite inspiring.  (And I’m not just saying that because F Yeah Moleskines reblogged some of my drawings.)

Exit Through The Gift Shop

I can’t wait to see street artist Banksy‘s film “Exit Through The Gift Shop.”  The trailer had me captivated from the very start, especially with the hilarious text surrounding its supposed awards and reviews.