Marc Johns

        While this blog is first and foremost a way for me to organize all the artists that I find inspiring, I couldn't help but include Marc Johns. (Not to put down his work, because I love it, I just haven't found any artists to write about lately that I'm really connected to or as inspired by as I have in the past). If you ever have bad days (I imagine you occasionally do), then those will be the days to look at his work. Johns' tiny illustrations are extremely minimalist (and in this very charming), but in their simpleness he packs a lot of humor and cleverness. Many of the illustrations are accompanied by small bits of text, which are equally short and sweet, and obvious the the most clever ways.
        His simple drawing style is something that I can relate to, but his sense of humor is something that is definitely unique to Johns. Many of his illustrations are also terribly strange (and by terribly I obviously mean brilliantly), another nod to his unique brain.
        Like I said, not too much to say, but if you're ever feeling sour here are a few places to check out some more of his work! :

Johns' website
Johns' flickr
Serious Drawings Book, which you can not buy (sold out) but there's a preview of a bunch of the pages, and it's really cool the way his sense of humor is apparent even in the setup/organization of the book..




images: flickr.com/photos/marcjohns

Andrew Gibbs

        While the rest of his work that I could find online seems less finished/realized than his video Florian (to CocoRosie's Houses off of 2007's The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn), I think it is absolutely worth posting this one piece by animator Andrew Gibbs.
        The video initially grabbed me with its style and because it appears to have been made using a technique that I'm currently learning, but as I watched I became more impressed with the seamless way the audio and video have been integrated. I would venture to say that if I were not so familiar with CocoRosie's music that I would have been unsure which came first, the animation or the sounds. He also effectively draws attention to some of the subtler/more unusual sounds within CocoRosie's compositions by giving them a visual cue, which made me really appreciate the way they were playing off one another, rather than only giving the song a storyline.
        It is also full of really beautifully strange moments (when the soldier uses thread from his coat to try and save a drowning woman, waves being represented as small hands, the way the beginning is tied back in at the very end). Definitely worth a watch.

Florian on youtube
Gibbs' Vimeo



images: screen grabs from Florian