A psychologist might tell you that you can learn a lot about yourself, or others for that matter, by the clothes that they wear. Or the food that they eat. Or the music that they listen to. Today, in an uncalculated analysis, I'm going to share the art that is within my grasp. Stuff that if you are into Andy Rooney or any sort of pop culture you just may enjoy yourself.
1. Mundania Horvath: Probably the biggest influence on the design of this blog, other than the Blogger template books in the background. I don't know her personally, I only have a 4x6 postcard of one of her prints within clear eyeshot over my laptop. It's an eclectic but simple collage of the city of Pittsburgh which, for her, is aptly headlined "The City I live In". She has numerous additional works, a lot of it equally if not more visually impressive, on her website (linked off her name). There's a pleasantly industrious feel to her Steel City pieces, and all of her work seems carefully balanced with life, messages, and classic memorabilia. Plus a little tinge of calculation, as in perfectly straight lines or grid/ledger paper in some cases, enough to strike a subtle yet resounding chord with the nerds of the world.
2. StrawberryLuna: Again, another artist that I do not know personally (really, how often do you surround yourself with works by people you personally know?). This one is a print of a concert (bands not entirely relevant to the discussion other than I like them - so more apt for psycho-analysis by music). The artist I did meet in person years back, but with my memory I have no clue who he/she is or looks like now. And this info is readily available on their site, along with the tons of other fantastic original poster prints, some concerts, some just visually stunning and worthy of professional, vs. college dorm masking tape, framing. And that is exactly what I did with this print, custom-built the frame, for cost and dimensional reasons. Which is a great point in that a good frame, standard black or custom-made out of tea bags, can catapult just about any poster to wall-worthy status for years to come.
3. Eric Joyner: Eric Joyner is the mastermind behind Robots and Donuts, the eclectic prints depicting Rock'Em Sock'Em robots in endless global battles either with or using sometimes house-sized glazed donuts. The collection of hugely successful prints has spanned several years, creeping back into reality in all sorts of forms such as posters, mugs (like mine), and a book anthology. I could go on analyzing why or how this recipe actually captivates people, or just me for that matter, but that's an objective view and I really don't like to voice my opinion. Instead, I'll just say that the artwork is continually well-painted, tells a story, and captures Americana through both durable and delicious vices.
Those are my picks. Guess I can say now that I like pop art that blends the new with the old, and includes some elements of illogic. Or make that "non sequitur". Apparently "illogic" is not recognized as a word. But then I guess all the more reason to use the term both in type and in illustration.
