More Illustrators I Really, Really Like

Happy Friday! I'd like to welcome the forthcoming weekend by sharing five illustrators I'm incredibly fond of following on social media.

Their work is sweet, funny, and (more recently) beautifully captures the vexing mood of living through a pandemic. I'll often seek out their work when I need cheering up... Or, on the flip side, when I'm less inclined to shake off a shitty vibe. Turning to their accounts feels good -- like commiserating with very clever friends. 

Here is a handful of my favorite pieces. I challenge you to visit the rest of their work and not start following their accounts ;)

Nina Cosford (@ninacosford):

  

  

Kristen Barnhart (@kb.illustration):

  

Giselle Dekel (@giselle_dekel):

  

  

Felicia Chiao (@feliciachiao):

  

Gemma Correll (@gemmacorrell):

  

Do you follow any illustrators on social media? I'd love to hear about them!

Image credit (top): Fold Magazine

Artwork credit: Each illustration is linked back to its source.

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5 Illustrators To Follow

I've talked about using Instagram as an unofficial art gallery before, and I stand by that position now more than ever. When you're avoiding museums (and public spaces in general), the app becomes your window into the art world. And you aren't limited to locally-available exhibits, either!

These are five hyper-talented illustrators whose work I've recently been introduced to. I'm obsessed with their individual styles and the energy their work conveys. Definitely recommend following all of them :)

   

Shae / She Is This Designs

instagram + website + shop

Love the beautiful tranquility of Shae's images. These portraits seem so pared down, but when you look closely, they are actually filled with loads of intricate, dynamic detail.

  

Anjelica Roslyn

instagram + website + shop

It's also her work up top :) I've always loved fashion illustration, so I was naturally drawn to Anjelica Roslyn's work. Her illustrations capture a stunning use of lines and colors. The figures have such personality. The retro-ish vibe is fun and playful, but there's always an underlying sophistication to each piece.

  

Lo Harris

instagram + shop

Lo Harris' pieces honor the different shapes, looks, and colors of femininity. So much character and uniqueness comes through her minimalist portraits.

  

Jade Purple Brown

instagram + website + shop

Huge fan of Jade Purple Brown's use of pop colors and mixed media. These illustrations are so fun and refreshing!

 

  

Pink Lo Mein

instagram + website + shop

Pink Lo Mein's figures are beautiful, and what I find especially interesting is the incorporation of positive messages within her pieces.

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Are you following any exciting artists on social media?

Image credit (top): Anjelica Roslyn (original illustration was cropped)

Image credit (illustrations): Each image is linked back to its source

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6 Fun Summery Prints

A while ago, I started mentally mapping out a decor revamp for the bedroom. I'm super slow to pull the trigger on pricey things like furniture -- such an investment! (And that was BEFORE I lost my expendable income lol.) Instead, I'm easily drawn to smaller accents like blankets, baskets, miscellaneous pretty decor.

The project has since been put on hold, but that hasn't stopped me from occasional browsing through Society6's enormous collection of art prints. Circling back to the ones I'd bookmarked, my subconscious was clearly going for a specific *vibe*. Wanted to share some of my favorites -- so pretty and summery -- in case anyone out there has walls in need of sprucing :)

  

  

Would you ever seasonally swap out the framed art in your home? I feel like that's something a very mature, organized person would do (i.e. not me).

Image credit (top): Chatelaine

Artwork credit (top to bottom, left to right): Beach Goddess, Camouflage, No Fall, No Flight, Summer Flowers III, Love Conquers All, Shelter

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Local List: Awesome New-To-Me Illustrators

I'm excited to write about an unexpected (and very cool) offshoot of starting Books, Booze, and Box Cake.

Through the blog's instagram account, I keep coming across the work of some really wonderful local illustrators :)

Sure, the algorithms that drive social media are annoying and creepily invasive. But in this case, those same formulas revealed a world of talent I'd never seen before and was very happy to discover. Some of these artists live right in my neighborhood, yet were complete strangers to me until recently.

Here are just a few of my new favorites.

Clicking an image takes you to its instagram post :)

INSTAGRAM.COM/LES_BARBOS

  

I'm very attracted to simple lines and a soft color palette, so these pieces are very much in my wheelhouse. I especially love how they almost look like watercolors. So pretty!

INSTAGRAM.COM/EVI_JANE

  

This artist is currently documenting local businesses. It's an ongoing project. I was first drawn to her illustrations of storefronts and restaurants, and genuinely look forward to seeing what she posts next.

INSTAGRAM.COM/NATASHAPN28

  

Her illustrations are so charming! She seems to be a very active artist with tons of content on her grid, so I've really enjoyed scrolling through to admire her work.

Have you made any interesting instagram discoveries recently? Or ever? I would love to trade notes :)

Image credit (top only): Scene360
Image credit (balance): Instagram (the artists are cited in the post and every work is linked to its source)

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