l & l tran ♥ inspirations

Mary Blair Concept Art

2012-02-04T15:38:00.007-05:00

Mary Blair's illustrations are so fun and bright. I love looking at the backbones of Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Peter Pan.

Lisa and I grew up watching Disney. I remember how we used to go to the movie theaters (directly after waking up and still in our nightgowns) to catch the first show times of Snow White. I also remember how we used to reproduce our favorite Disney characters on paper: Lisa drew in pencil―I finished them off in watercolor. We loved everything about the story lines, the songs, and especially the animations.

The movies are still such an inspiration to us today that we started our own Pinterest Disney board.

Stronger

2011-10-30T16:24:00.051-04:00

I will always and forever love Britney Spears. Leah and I saw the top image on Pinterest and I can't imagine who wouldn't get inspired by the lyrics to "Stronger". That said, it started our mini Brit-Brit Marathon... hee, I LOVE YOU BRITNEY!! I'm not ashamed.

I hope everyone had a fun halloween! It was snowing in NYC (triple grrr), so I didn't get dressed up... next year.

...annnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddd I'm Back!

2011-10-23T02:29:00.032-04:00

I've never really left... I've just been la-di-dah-ing around in NYC. It's getting colder now and I'm about to start hibernating in my apartment because the chill air came way too soon this year. Grrr, I'm not ready to add stockings to my short dresses and rompers just yet.

Here are my (wishful) looks of the day on a beautiful Sunday morning! (It looks sunny and toasty outside, but you know its pretty brisk outside. Double grrr)

Bridget Bardot. L-♥-V-E !

Little Drifters II

2011-09-17T12:01:00.004-04:00

I've noticed that Fall has officially arrived when I left my place to grab my Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit and coffee. I'm so sad to see my favorite season go, but I do love pumpkin-flavored everything, seasonal beers, and most of all: College Football.

Little Drifters is still one of the coolest projects I've ever come across. Although there haven't been any new submissions (that I've seen), its still an ongoing project. A final salute to sundresses, bikinis, and summer.

Bone and Ben / Coburg, Bavaria, Germany

Brian Deputy / Harrison Bay

Jen Sheeley / Kamloops (notice a little bee is following)

Ateret / Okanagan Lake, BC

All images and captions found on BOOOOOOOM!

Lisa and I are involved with the American Cancer Society's Making Stride's Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 16th. We're walking 5 miles in honor of our mom and all those affected by breast cancer. If you're able to make a small donation, we would appreciate it so much! Thanks in advance!!

To make a donation on Lisa's behalf: Lisa Tran : Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

To make a donation of my behalf: Leah Tran : Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

And go VOLS!!! We have some hope with the Gators not having as great as a team as they usually do. This will be a fun afternoon!

And UGA should have their first win of the season against Coastal Carolina... After an unfortunate loss to Boise St at the GA Dome and a close game to the Gamecocks last weekend, it'll be a small welcome victory. So, go dawgs!! Sic 'em.

✩ First post on Little Drifters

Hengki Koentjoro

2011-07-28T10:12:00.000-04:00

These are beautiful. Reminiscent of the post on Wayne Levin.

Toads (Lunch)

Jurassic (Jurassic Park)

Vulnerable (JAWS)

Boy From Banda (FreePlay)

Hut (Plantation, West Java)

Dragon Dance

Liquid Planet (Moondance)

Trigger Fish (Bunaken National Marine Park, Indonesia)

Waterfall (Tropical storm, Banda Neira)

Hengki Koentjoro was born in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, in 1963. He is a graduate of the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California where he majored in film. He now lives in Jakarta where he specializes in fine art photography both underwater and on land. ― www.featureshoot.com

✩ Tom Petty Live Anthology album ― awesome; Band of Horses & Kings of Leon ― SO awesome and fun! Now, all I really need to check off my list is to see the Black Keys in September and my concerts this year will be complete. My birthday was perfect!!

Birthday!

2011-07-17T19:38:00.005-04:00

My birthday is coming up soon and I rarely ever ask for presents... but... I kind of really want the Indie Rock Poster book! Or to see some of my favorite bands play in concert this year.

I love the indie rock genre and am constantly listening to it when I'm working on anything. I also love the posters. Most of them give off a hand-drawn/mixed media quality that I really like to see/miss in art these days. The Yellow Bird Project is a collaboration between indie rock musicians and artists that creates shirts to raise money for the musician's choice in charities. Really awesome concept. Read their mission here.

by Yellow Bird Project

The Band: Bon Iver

The Song: Skinny Love

The Artist: Jeremyville

He says: "Bon Iver founder Justin Vernon spent a winter in his father's cabin in Wisconsin, in the State's northwoods, recovering from an illness. Here he wrote and recorded most of this first album in a very lo fi way, and it was this ethic of independence, and his singular, evocative vision that first attracted me to his music. It is a way of working that resonates with me, as it's close to the way I like to work, alone with my sketchbook late at night, listening to music. If I could find a winter cabin to escape to, I think I would."

I wanted to draw a moment from those Wisconsin woods, and to try and evoke the feeling of that desolate winter alone in the cabin, trying to somehow find a way through.

The Band: Iron & Wine

The Song: The Trapeze Swinger

The Artist: Toby Triumph

He says: "I wanted this poster to represent different phases in a person's life, looking at how the people and places that surround us can change like chapters in a book, becoming a distant memory while a person can stay the same. I wanted the image to capture some of the still contemplation and reflection that speaks to me in this beautiful song."

Actually, either: the book, to see Band of Horses and Kings of Leon play in concert together, The Black Keys at Music Midtown, or the Tom Petty Live Anthology album.

...my favorite Learning to Fly version ever... with Stevie Nicks.

surfing + skeletons

2011-07-04T09:41:00.002-04:00

I am obsessed with the idea of learning how to surf. Last summer, a dear friend and I went paddle boarding on Lake Michigan's North Ave Beach, where he taught me how to do pop ups on a long board.

Thats about as close as I'll get for now.

Panda Bear ― Surfer's Hymn. Via Street Anatomy.
One of the most awesome finds lately!

PANDA BEAR "Surfer's Hymn" from m ss ng p eces on Vimeo.

This music video by m ss ng p eces for the band Panda Bear is amazing. I LOVE the old black and white film feel, nice and grainy. The hand painted skeleton costumes have great texture and whatever they did, black light or just extreme color correction, to get the bones to glow looks awesome. As stated on the Vimeo page, this video is a tribute to surfers who have been taken by the sea, which only makes the video that much more nostalgic feeling and beautiful. Major props! Be sure to watch it all the way through, I assure you it’s worth it. Via The Fox Is Black ― Heather Tompkins from Street Anatomy.

Happy 4th of July!

✩ The post regarding my paddle boarding venture.

leah tran { medical + scientific design }

2011-06-23T09:43:00.004-04:00

... is up! For all those interested, there is no special fondness for birds; I just love what they stand for: freedom, independence, no restraints.

images from the Free People blog

I tend to do an extensive amount of type exploration as I start any design project... I think it may be my favorite part just because it sets the mood of what you're trying to represent. So as I was lining up parentheses from different fonts, I realized when grouped together, they looked like birds in flight. From there, designing the rest of the page just kind of fell into place. I knew I wanted to keep my site light and airy, but graphic with illustrative/organic elements (where my logo fits in) at the same time...

I have so many more groups of these in my concepts document. Fill, no fill, stroke, no stroke, bold, italic, regular... Ok, wow.

Each page has "birds" in different placements because I wanted them to appear as if they were moving in flight.

I feel this new design truly represents me as an artist and my personality overall. Thank you Donna Hughes and Lisa Tran for helping me with conceptualization and design layout!

Click here to see my new portfolio site.

Blood Drive

2011-06-07T19:00:00.004-04:00

Great package design by Robert Williams from the Art Institute of California San Diego.

Problem: The act of giving blood is an uncomfortable process. Because of this it generally has low turnouts, especially among college students who are low on time and energy. ― Packaging of the World

Solution: Offering a free 2GB USB Thumbdrive to any student willing to donate blood is a cheap but more attractive alternative then the usual cookie or apple. Also, the USB's would serve as an educational tool and come equipped with a promotional video entitled, "Blood Circulation: The Story of Where Your Blood Goes From Here," detailing the story of how your blood donation will help others in need. After the video, the student will be able to share their donation and experience on Facebook and become part of a special group. ― Packaging of the World

I started giving blood at the beginning of my college career at the University of TN. The school had a fun rivalry every year with the University of Kentucky to see who would donate the most―Vols always won. It was a cool competition with a good cause, and the fact that I'd receive free blood if ever needed was one of my factors in donating.

One of the last times I visited ATL, Lis and I went to a dear friend's home, whose mother is currently fighting liver cancer (which has, and is still affecting our own family). We stayed, talked, and caught up for about an hour; and within that conversation, her mom told us that her blood type was rare to find (B+... which I have), and that she was waiting for a liver transplant that would fit her petite body (which mine would... if something ever happened to me). I couldn't help her directly, but it was within that afternoon I decided I'd donate in her honor the next time I was eligible to give blood.

Today is the second time since the visit that I've donated blood with our friend's mom in mind. I didn't get a USB drive, but I did get juice and cookies, and the feeling that I helped a couple people out. With every donation you make, you could save up to 3 people's lives, receive free blood if ever needed, and get a free HIV/Hep/West Nile screening.

Just sayin... It's worth the time. Click here to see if you're eligible and make an appointment if you meet the requirements.

Brendan Wenzel

2011-06-02T09:59:00.004-04:00

Beautiful illustrations by Brendan Wenzel.

Binturong

Black Faced Spoon Bill

Siamese Crocodile

Wildlife of Vietnam

About the print:

This piece grew from a series of images I created featuring Vietnam's threatened wildlife. Until recently I lived in Ho Chi Minh City and although I like to think my biophilia knows no bounds, having called the country home for over two years, I have become particularly attached to its creatures.

This image also ran as a cover of the monthly magazine AsiaLife. The issue focused on threats facing Vietnam's species - in particular the illegal wildlife trade, which sadly is growing to meet the demand for bush meat and animal products for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Many species, including a number that are unique to Vietnam, may soon face extinction. I am insanely frustrated by the growth of this industry and I hope the piece conveys that.

This is a digital print on acid free, Neenah uncoated matte 100lb cover paper that is 80% recycled. Each print was signed and numbered by the artist.

I chose to pair my print with The Jane Goodall Institute. The Institute acknowledges that the concerns of communities are linked to the well being of the environments that surround them, and that the degradation of those environments will inevitably have a direct effect on their human inhabitants.

I'm also a big fan of the Institute's Roots and Shoots program, which gets young people involved with the issues facing their communities, environmental and otherwise, and to then design projects that provide solutions to those problems. Even if you would prefer to keep this print as far away from the walls of your home as possible, please consider giving to this organization anyway. It's just awesome.

Read the interview here: The Working Proof

Leah's Redesign

2011-05-15T13:41:00.000-04:00

Keep a look out for my new web page! Its currently being updated... and I'm pretty excited to show everyone. During the development, I received a lot of direction from Donna Hughes and got some pretty thoughtful input from Lis. The image is a hint of what you can expect.

Earth Day

2011-04-22T08:55:00.003-04:00

Photos I've always loved. Happy Earth Day.

Chloe Piene

2011-03-31T08:46:00.001-04:00

Loose figure drawings by Chloe Piene; charcoal on vellum.

A drawing is a live experience.

No reproduction or description can ever replace the real thing. ― Chloe Pienne

Blasted Church Vineyards

2011-03-25T10:35:00.003-04:00

Designed by Brandever. Art Direction by Bernie Hadley-Beauregard, Laurie Millotte. Illustration by Chris Sickels at Red Nose Studio. Photography by Laurie Milotte.

These have to be some of my most favorite wine labels ever. The graphics/packaging are so awesome. Via Packaging of the World.

Sasha Prood

2011-02-24T08:37:00.017-05:00

Type design and explorations by Sasha Prood.

Migrate Magazine's "Obsess" issue

pen

self promotion + crewcuts brand marketing

pencil, inspired by field study drawing

self promotion + personal projects

pencil, inspired by field study drawing

Bringin' me back to the days of Sci Ill at UGA... My memories: the camera lucida, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, live field studies, North Campus, insects, animal skulls, Indigo buntings, the annual MCG/UGA Exhibition Show, late nights at Tanner (or Club Tanner for all those fortunate enough to be there that late)... all popping back up. I really should find some of those projects and add them to my portfolio.

Sasha Prood is an NYC graphic designer who takes a hands-on approach to illustrations and typography. She credits her inspirations to science, childhood, cultural practices, vintage + utilitarian items, and nature.

Sly Lebulleur

2011-02-21T09:16:00.005-05:00

Just for fun... It's been rainy and cold out in Chicago for the past couple days... This video makes the gray skies a little more bearable.

Via BOOOOOOOM!

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-03T09:28:00.003-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year!

Lines from Paul Octavious's portfolio

Constance Jacobson

2011-01-30T10:18:00.016-05:00

Jacobson's Tome series grew out of a family connection to dementia and deals directly with the fear of a loss of self. Jacobson's prints use the shape of an axial slice of the brain as a repeated motif. Her images are metaphors of the fluidity of ideas that eventually settle into patterns and tight networks or neurons that in turn form larger networks of interconnections. Jacobson's Grey Matter Series explores memories that fade and reappear, trying to connect to other memories. By layering lotus leaves on brain imagery, she imposes visual simplicity and in a sense, attempts to calm the unruly and complicated mind. ― Noah Hutton writer from The Beautiful Brain

Tome 21
watercolor + india ink

Natural Architecture
india ink + color ink

Notochord
india ink + color ink

Leakage
acrylic + collage on paper

Loving how lotus leaves are used to further emphasize the organic nature of the subject matters.

Max Dalton

2010-12-10T11:02:00.007-05:00

Amazing music, great illustration/poster.

Via BOOOOOOOM!

Pedros Campos

2010-12-06T10:06:00.001-05:00

oil on canvas

I'm not joking, these are hyperrealistic oil paintings, not photographs. Check out Pedros Campos's site to see more.

By the way, if you've never seen Lisa's work, she's amazing at realism.

"Zso" Sara Blake

2010-11-12T08:07:00.009-05:00

Her [Sara Blake's] work is characterized by a mindblowing mix of traditional and digital media, wild colors, textures and it possesses a certain fluid and feminine quality. ― KoiKoiKoi

One of 2009's "most exciting female graphic designers and illustrators"

Designers Against Child Slavery

All Our Idols

Much like Lisa has identified her celebrity/icon twin, I think I've found my artist/designer twin... Method-wise: we're incredibly similar in production. Style-wise: Blake's work is something I've always hoped my art would end up looking like.

All her illustration works start by hand with pencil and paper. She does very little sketching and likes to describe this stage of the process as freestyle. She mainly uses a real pen, but sometimes also uses a Wacom tablet for light airbrushing and accentuating shadows and highlights. She then adds watercolor, scans, and colors the piece in Photoshop. Interestingly, she has a huge library of textures from around NYC that she has collected over the years with her digital camera—sidewalks, broken glass, construction tape, graffiti—which she layers on into each drawing. She also likes to take time lapse screen captures of her digital process once the original drawing is scanned, as it helps her understand herself. ― KoiKoiKoi

Check out the video to see the process and final image of Designers Against Child Slavery.

DACS from Sara Blake on Vimeo.

Lovely Bones

2010-10-25T09:26:00.012-04:00

Vogue: Korea April 2010

photographed by Rafael Stahelin and styled by Ye Young Kim

The skull crown, skeleton prints, and bone-like jewelry are amazing... As well as the photography and styling.

Med + Sci Ill Music Posters

2010-10-19T23:51:00.275-04:00

So, I attended the Band of Horses concert here in Chicago and had such... an... amazing... time!! Two words: FRONT ROW. Everything about it was so unbelievably great. If you're not familiar with their type of music, its categorized as indie and southern rock mixed with country. Its different, but I totally love the sound. I also love that their album art and music posters reflects the band's rustic southern roots. This poster here is awesome: the simplicity, the strong graphic image, and the bold colors... It's nice how you see the leaf first and then the snake.

Andrew Vastagh is the illustrator... And after taking a quick look around his site, he's probably one of the most talented artists I've appreciated in such a long time... Especially since he draws and screen prints all his posters by hand. There were so many that I loved, but I chose a couple that related to my field.

Sci Ill related

You're able to buy Vastagh's posters on Poster Cabaret... make sure to check out his gallery also.

Click on the link below to check out my pictures and one of the videos I shot during the BoH concert.

Only a couple of the 90 photos I took that night

Band of Horses covering Georgia

As avid fans of UGA football, Band of Horses covered Cee Lo Green's Georgia as a tribute to the bulldogs recent wins over Tennessee and Vandy. Video projections of The Redcoat Marching Band were shown in the background since they were featured on the studio track. This night was purely epic. Gooo dawgs!!!

The Funeral ― Band of Horses from Leah Tran on Vimeo.

My Celeb Twin Is...

2010-09-21T10:51:00.039-04:00

Ta daaahh! ... Nicole Richie

You're a bit of a party girl/wild child, but you also have a deeper, more serious side, just like Nicole Richie. She traded in all-nighters in the club to all-nighters with her two children. You frequently go back and forth between partying with your girls to reading philosophy (or maybe just watching the History channel, whatever).

Another way you and Richie are alike: you both gravitate toward hippie-ish, comfortable-with-a-dash-of-girly clothing. We're betting you have a closet full of flowy blouses and maxi-dresses -but you still keep some sexy, fitted pieces in there too for nights out.

To channel your inner Richie, obviously break out one of your many long sundresses and go for beachy waves. Keep some of your rocker spirit with a sexy smoky eye.

Weird thing you didn't know about Richie: She loves karaoke. Guess that's what happens when your dad is a famous singer ...

I luurvee Nicole Richie!! She is by far my favorite style icon and can do no wrong in my book. Who's your celeb twin?

Colored Skeletons

2010-09-21T09:35:00.020-04:00

Japanese scientists at The Tokyo Hands have found a way to render animal skins transparent and inject the skeletal systems with an array of beautiful and bright colors. These preservations have recently found their way into art and design collections and have been linked to the popular Bodies Exhibit.

Transparent specimen of a frog

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The proteins (fleshy areas) are soaked in a solution that renders it transparent. Then it goes through a dying process which dyes the bones a magenta color, and the cartilage a blue/cyan color. The process can take over year depending on the specimen. ― as explained by PlatypusBob on Core77.

Nice. Check out more at the Japanese blog: Design Blog Bird Yard.

✩ I found the translated English article explaining the whole process.

Etchings for Poe

2010-09-10T09:21:00.001-04:00

These amazing etchings by Simon Prades were used to illustrate five short stories by Edgar Allen Poe.

The Murders of the Rue Morgue

The Mask of the Red Death

The Tell-Tale Heart

Hop-Frog

The Black Cat

Little Drifters

2010-08-24T09:58:00.015-04:00

“Masts and sails don’t make them go faster, it just means you can see them for longer as they drift away.” ― Lenny (the main inspiration for Little Drifters)

Heather Kew / The Saanich Peninsula Flotilla

Eva Lebeuf / Park Skaryszewski, Warsaw

Kelly Gratton / Saint Johns Pond, Delafield

Bonnie Soroke / Goose Spit, Comox, BC

Lenny

They're all awesome, but the last is my favorite. "Independent" and "stability" come to mind. View all the submissions to see which one you like best.

Little Drifters was a project organized by BOOOOOOOM! and The Vancouver Sun. They asked all participants to gather natural materials and create their own versions of miniature boats. They were then asked to take their creations and photograph them in bodies of water. Nice! It's always great to involve people all over the world into one project.

✩ Months ago, I posted a similar world-wide project involving Le Creative Sweatshop and their use of cut paper to create an international paper virus.

Wayne Levin

2010-08-16T08:40:00.002-04:00

Swimmer with Humpback Whale, Hawaii

Mark Under Breaking Wave

Pattern of Swimmers, Ironman Trathelon

Spear Fisherman & Triggerfish

Dancing with Fish

Floating

Green Sea Turtle Over Moving Sand

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love Wayne Levin's photos.

Nature's Rainbows

2010-08-09T08:02:00.002-04:00

I love everything in it's natural state. I think that explains why I love acoustic music and drawing sketches so much... Hearing the raw voice without any electronic adjustments plus the simple guitar is absolutely amazing to me. And I love sketches more than the finished piece itself because you're able to see the thought process of an artist; its the support and backbone of the actual work.

And as much as people don't believe me, I enjoy nature more than everyone seems to think. While camping in south Georgia's Cumberland Island with my boyfriend at the time, we came across what I thought was the most awesome thing I'd ever see in it's natural environment: a Painted Bunting. Of course you have multicolored birds that inhabit the tropics, but when will I ever make it there? Seeing something like this in Georgia and up-close was so great. We were able to follow it for quite a while until it flew off the hiking path.

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

Then I came across pictures of the Rainbow Eucalyptus... Unbelievable!

Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)

These trees are only found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere: New Britain, New Guinea, Ceram, Sulawesi, and Mindanao. I have a mission one day to make a trip out there and see them with my own eyes.

This tree is also grown for ornamental purposes, due to the showy multi-coloured streaks that cover the trunk. Patches of outer bark are shed annually at different times, showing the bright-green inner bark. This then darkens and matures to give blue, purple, orange and then maroon tones. ― Wikipedia

So gorgeous.

Homo animatus

2010-08-02T10:13:00.057-04:00

What's up Doc?: Lee Hyungkoo and the Origin of the Species

A black room frames the installation, which is dramatically spot-lit. A presentation of two skeletons, not unlike what one might see in a museum of natural history; a predator chasing its prey. Then the dawning – it’s Wile E. Coyote and The Roadrunner! Reduced to a science exhibit! ― Howard Rukowski

Bugs Bunny (Lepus animatus)

Donald Duck (Anas animatus)

Huey, Dewey and Louie (Animatus H, D and L)

Wile E. Coyote (Canis latrans animatus)
Roadrunner (Geococcyx animatus)

Check out the amazing illustrations supplementing the exhibit on the following link.

pencil, pen, and acrylic on paper

Posters for The Black Keys

2010-07-28T08:24:00.090-04:00

I absolutely love music thats infused with an acoustic, folk, classic rock, southern rock, indies, and blues type of sound... The Black Keys are a band whose music highly emphasizes the blues. So much soul is put into all their songs, that I'm constantly amazed they're just a two-man band.

What I also love are bright colors, awesome layouts, and eye catching graphics―these posters got 'em all. They really make me wish I were visiting Lis right now so I could catch TBK in Central Park tonight... Seriously would've been a great birthday present to myself.

✩ A couple months back, I wrote a post on Grady McFerrin who also designed a Black Keys poster I liked.

Click on the link below to see an awesome performance from the band.

Girl Is On My Mind

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Fashion Cupcakes!

2010-07-26T07:38:00.007-04:00

Happy 28th Birthday to us!

Lisa adores fashion...

Leah loves cupcakes + awesome photography...

Perfect!

photographed by Therese Aldgard & styled by Lisa Edsalv

Renate Aller

2010-07-19T08:14:00.021-04:00

Want to know what inspires and makes me happy? The beach. The sound of the water. It's all so calming. A buddy and I went paddle boarding up and down Chicago's North Ave Beach this past Saturday. The water was tranquil and clear... It was a great morning.

This series is called Fixed Coordinates. Much like my previous post on Paul Octavious, these photos were taken at the same location point, on different days, but in Westhampton Beach, NY. Renate Aller is the photographer of these beautiful photographs. Check out her site for more projects.

Corcoise Sketchbook

2010-07-15T09:11:00.021-04:00

I love looking at artist's sketchbooks.

L Filipe dos Santos's is awesome.

✩ Check out his other sketches on a previous post―so creative!

Hospital Aleman - Cancer

2010-07-09T08:30:00.013-04:00

This exhibit by Jonathan Gurvit holds a piece of my heart as my mother was unable to beat cancer. We know she fought an incredible battle for way too long and tried her best to stay with us.

We still love you so much.
Kieu Sy July 9, 1955 - October 29, 1997.

Also with my uncle, Min Sy, currently suffering from the very same terminal sickness, we're constantly praying he is comfortable and happy. We are so blessed to be able to spend time with him while he is still with us. Thanks to everyone for all of your thoughts, concerns, and support; they are so appreciated.

The idea consisted in transforming different images of cancerous cells into pieces of art that were exhibited in the Palais de Glace, one of the most important art galleries in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The objective was to share with ordinary people what doctors truly believe: "LOOKING AT CANCER IN A MORE POSITIVE WAY COULD HELP OVERCOME IT." ― as said on the Behance Network

Magnolia Bugs

2010-06-25T11:31:00.009-04:00

wow

really pretty

Anybody that knows me will learn soon enough that I dislike bugs with a passion. One of my many Scientific Illustration projects involved illustrating one of these suckers, but thankfully my teacher let me opt out of the assignment and let me draw a cool avian skull instead (which can be seen on my website under "black + white"). Looking at these photographs makes me wish I had overcome my phobia at the time... What a way to make something so feared, into something really beautiful and special.

Kari Herer layered magnolia blossoms over classic scientific illustration pieces and then photographed the layout. You can buy these and any of her other amazing prints at her Etsy shop.

Sandy in Union Square

2010-06-21T13:34:00.026-04:00

I was recently in Manhattan to be with Lis and I kept running into this guy... 3 times to be exact! Using colored sand, he created some pretty intricate and colorful designs that looked Indian-inspired.

All free-hand

Must've had a lot of practice to achieve this near-perfect symmetry

I looked the artist up and his name is Joe Mangrum. His work is really great and I learned he uses a multitude of mediums in addition to sand. Check out his website and the link below for more, because sadly, my pictures do not do his art justice... They are much brighter in person!

Photos taken from Google.

Dirty Cupcakes

2010-06-14T14:13:00.014-04:00

Love cupcakes. Love the colors.

Image found on Flickr

Your vagina. Or, should I say, your completely sad boring vagina? Sure, you can try vajazzling. You can try clitter. But does your pudenda shoot out sprinkles? No. Fortunately, these cupcakes are here to remind you that your ladypart is a beautiful flower that should be surrounded by blue coconut shavings. You can work on the sprinkle thing. ― Jennifer Wright from thegloss.com

Cartoon Skeletal Systems

2010-06-08T08:55:00.020-04:00

...These characters have become conventions that are set, defined, and well-known personas in our culture. Being that they are so commonplace and accepted as existing I thought I would dissect them like science does to all living objects - trying to come to an understanding as to their origins and true physiological make up. Possibly to better understand them and see them in a new light for what they are in the most basic of terms. ― Michael Paulus

Charlie

Shmoo

So great. Purchase & check out more of Paulus's prints at his Etsy shop.

Jim Denevan

2010-05-31T08:13:00.013-04:00

My love for the beach is infinite...

Happy Memorial Day―time to kick off Summer!

Jim Denevan makes temporary drawings on sand earth and ice that are eventually erased by waves and weather.

Pink Eye

2010-05-18T20:54:00.034-04:00

Sorry, it's been awhile! Sadly, I haven't been very inspired as of late, but I saw some of pictures of the 2011 Dior Cruise Collection that debuted in Shanghai, China, and I adore this Barbie-esque collection! John Galliano was inspired from the designs of the French Nouvelle Vague cinematic movement. This très chic collection exudes the look of 60’s Parisian in pieces composed of flirty ruffled frocks, decadent tulle and organza gowns in pastel candy tones. It also has a nod of here and there to the masculine with pops of classic plaid prints and mod black and white stripes.

This one dress in particular brought back memories from my childhood! Galliano created a Barbie-esque wardrobe that is every girl's dream.

Sidenote: Who doesn't love a panda with a pink birthday cake?? Tai Shan's pretty pink cake is made out of ice, beet juice and bamboo. Yum Yum! If I was Tai Shan, I'm sure I'd be in panda heaven!!

Smokey the Bear Goes Sci Ill

2010-05-14T10:19:00.021-04:00

Great vintage representations of scientific illustration!

If you're interested in a free copy of these posters, contact your local forest ranger or state forester and ask them for reprints. Your state forestry agency has been designated as the only free source for these posters and you should encourage them to keep a supply.

If you can't get them through your state forestry agency, contact the National Association of State Foresters for Smokey Bear Educational Poster purchase or call 919-494-1300. These posters have been printed in both 8x10 and 20x30 inch sizes. ― Steve Nix, About.com Guide

L Filipe dos Santos

2010-05-06T12:38:00.038-04:00

L Filipe dos Santos (aka Corcoise) was born in the summer of 1978 in Portugal. He grew up in a rural environment but watched too much television and, through his adolescence, he developed his rural-hype self identity. Not knowing what to do with it, he searched for some way to express himself. So, by the age of 16, he started sketching.

Today he doesn't remember anymore what was it that he wanted to express back then. But well, he keeps drawing... ― Corcoise

Viral Attack Around the World

2010-05-03T11:09:00.005-04:00

Le Creative Sweatshop is launching an international Paper virus :

Anyone can be a part of this world wide-project... If you want to participate, send NDEUR (Mathieu Missiaen) an email or contact him on his facebook page. The company will send you 200 cut paper shapes to use for your composition.

We need people from all over the world to spread this idea and have YOUR interpretation of the idea, you will be of course credit for the picture and composition and we will send you some le creative sweatshop goodies!!! ― Le Creative Sweatshop

Medical Illustrators : Modern Day da Vinci's

2010-04-21T21:43:00.038-04:00

CBS visits UIC's Biomedical Visual program

They have to have the knowledge of a doctor, the talent of an artist, and the ability of a computer scientist... and that's a hard thing to find. ― Scott Barrows: UIC's Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor

Renaissance men and women, like Leonardo da Vinci, only for this century... and with an iPad. ― CBS

I'm truly proud to be a part of this field and program! Great job everyone!

Same Hill Different Day

2010-04-13T13:11:00.016-04:00

For the past 2 years I have visited a beautiful mound of earth that I have come to call "the hill." Each time I have come to the hill a new story is told to me as if the hill is my stage and the locals are the actors in this daily play. ― Paul

How incredibly cool is this? I personally like the kite scene best.

Currently, Paul lives in Chicago―does anyone know where this spot is?

Ghana In Fog from Paul Octavious on Vimeo.

Neryl Walker

2010-04-11T01:00:00.002-04:00

I love Neryl Walker! She brings out my girl-y-ness (Which really isn't so hard to do). She was the first fashion illustrator that I was drawn to when I first became interested in graphic design. I actually got to interview her about how to become a fashion illustrator her a couple of years ago! But I lost the file... maybe one day I'll some how recover it. Her illustrations and paintings are in a wide variety of mediums. Clients include Bloom Cosmetics, Nippon and Korean Vogue, Chronicle books, and many more.

One Day Without Shoes

2010-04-08T07:31:00.020-04:00

What is One Day Without Shoes?
One Day Without Shoes, on April 8, 2010, is an effort to bring attention to the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child’s life. Toms asks people to go the day, part of the day, or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and to help spread awareness.

It’s Hard Without Shoes
Through everyday encounters with domestic poverty, we are reminded to appreciate having food and shelter, but most of us all but forget about our feet. Food, shelter, AND shoes facilitate life’s fundamentals. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold.

The problem is large, but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. On April 8th, communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes. Take a walk with us on April 8th, 2010.

"If you would like more info on toms, visit the link below. I personally own a pair of toms and have to tell you, they are some of the more comfortable shoes I have ever owned. They are definitely unique shoes that have a very cool, artsy style. I highly recommend them. Because Not only do you get a pair, but with every pair you buy, you send a pair to a child in need."

Please Spread the word via social networking.
Find out more at onedaywithoutshoes.com or at TOMS.com

Awareness Posters
These posters are to raise awareness about the shoeless children all around the world. The Strips overlapping each other on the foot represent layers of skin. Each color represents the different cultures of the world, and how underneath we are all the same, no matter what color skin we have. So for us to think that we are more important than someone else just because of skin color, culture, or origin is wrong. We need to show love to our fellow human beings when we see them in pain. If we can help then why don't we?

All of these were hand illustrated using pens and pencils. They where scanned in, vectorized with illustrator and produced further in photoshop.

John Mark Herskind is from Columbia, South Carolina and only 17 years old. I find that pretty amazing given that his work is exceptional, especially for someone so young. Visit his blog and let him know what you think of his pieces. He loves feedback.

POGO III

2010-04-07T10:29:00.006-04:00

POGO's playful quality, use of space, and awesome imagery are what I love most about their layouts.

POGO II

2010-04-06T08:38:00.024-04:00

Simple and feminine. Negative space is beautiful.

POGO I

2010-04-05T08:38:00.009-04:00

I really do love and appreciate awesome layouts.

POGO is an art and advertising boutique located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company was created in 2008 and have since established a name in the advertising world by pushing boundaries and creatively combining typography, photography, and illustration.

Anatomy in the Third Reich

2010-03-31T08:44:00.005-04:00

It's hard not to find this beautiful, even if the artist was a member of the Nazi party.

Eduard Pernkopf was a controversial artist who lived during the WWII era. As a devoted Nazi, he created an atlas of cadaver dissections whose bodies may have been the product of Nazi terrorism. The debate stills exists today whether or not to allow Nazi connections taint the awe-inspiring illustrations―or to disconnect it from the past and let it remain a valuable learning tool for the medical community.

Kareem Iliya

2010-03-26T01:11:00.003-04:00

I would love to have a piece by Kareem Iliya on my wall. These are absolutely GOR-GE-OUS and literally radiates! He started his fashion career working with Giorgio Armani, and from 1992 also freelanced as an illustrator. The mediums that he works with are watercolor and ink on paper.

Grady McFerrin

2010-03-23T08:47:00.137-04:00

This is:

Check out what he does:

He also illustrates music posters:

You might have seen some of his wine labels:

I love the rustic feeling his pieces convey. When you see Grady McFerrin's work, do you imagine music like Band of Horses playing in the background as I do?

Click on the link below to hear an acoustic performance of my favorite Band of Horses song.

No One's Gonna Love You

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Spring!

2010-03-19T23:08:00.091-04:00

Via : Dolce Vita and Free People

Romper? Check. Tribal Pattern? Check. Now I'm ready for Spring! I'm in looove with rompers, I have about 8-10 of them already. They make my life so much easier in the mornings. You just pop them on and you're 90% dressed for work! But what I really love about these are the graphic and tribal prints of them. Tribal prints are designs that are earthy, and feature geometric shapes that really make an eye-catching pattern. I'm so happy that tribal is everywhere this spring, it really brings back memories of my mom who loved to accessories her outfits to embody this look.

Daria Werbowy Does Tribal Style in March Vogue

These two were my favorite pieces in this spread!

Liza Corbett

2010-03-18T11:00:00.017-04:00

www.lizacorbett.com

These are unbelievable!

You can find me in the A! (The Big Apple)

2010-03-15T22:52:00.059-04:00

Hi! Lisy here! I'm writing in my very first blog that my twin sister and I have started off together (we're naturally sharing of course). I always knew I'd end up in the arts, I just didn't know how I'd get there... But look at me now! I'm living in New York City as a Graphic Designer where art immerses you completely. From the vibrant fashions of the Lower East Side, to the elite haute couture of Park Avenue, inspiration is around me everywhere I walk.

I get inspired from fabric designs that include Emilio Pucci and Marimekko, to cute-sy cosmetic packaging, fashion spreads, as well as from favorite fashion illustrators like Stina Perrson, Kareem Illiya, Neryl Walker, and many others.

I feel blessed to be living in a city that's always breathing inspiration and I can't wait to share all my experiences with everyone!

Here is my first inspiration for the Spring Season! Love Love Love!!

Via : Studded Hearts

I want to be a Boho-Chic Princess!

Lisy

Stina Persson

2010-03-15T02:20:00.052-04:00

Amazingly beautiful! Stina is an artist from Stolkholm, Sweden who incorporates acrylics, ink, photography, and cut paper in her pieces. I gathered inspiration from her watercolors as I developed my website.

Leah's Intro

2010-03-14T13:50:00.258-04:00

Plain and simple, art is an integral part of my life and always has been since I was able to pick up a crayon. I can remember at 4 years old spending Saturday afternoons at Dick and Frankie's house, sitting side-by-side with my twin, and drawing. It didn't matter what we had in our hands: crayons, markers, play-doh, cookie dough and sprinkles... we always found a way to make things look pretty.

Fast forward a decade plus a couple years later, I was introduced to my future career of Medical & Scientific Illustration by a dear friend named Danielle Wilcox. I met Danielle in a Photography course at the University of Georgia, and noticed one day she had drawn this incredible illustration of a bug. It was so full of detail and precision that I couldn't help but be blown away. I asked her about it, and from that conversation on, I knew this was a field I wanted to learn more about. Following this path was relatively easy as I've always had a love for science, anatomy, and figure drawing; but I never thought of mixing them all together. Now being in my late 20s, I inevitably found myself at the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing my interest/turned career.

The human body, to say the least, is so amazing and complex―and to be able to describe it through art really is one of my most gratifying achievements. I can truly say this field is perfect for me.

Through this blog, I want to share all the things I find beautiful and that helps me grow as an artist. I can only hope to expand people's horizons and have others do the same with me. So please feel free to comment! I'll love it all.

The illustration that ultimately got me into my field.