Malian Photographer

I randomly cam across an image by Malick Sidibe the other day and was instantly taken and mesmerized by the vibrant portrait photographers work. From Mali, Sidibe is most famous for his 1960s photos of youth culture in Bamako, Mali’s largest city that was, at the time undergoing immense changes (Mali had gained independence in 1960 then became a socialist state which was later overthrown at the end of the decade.)

The images are not only historically interesting but, for lack of a better word, amazingly cool. Fashion inspiration abounds.

Click here for the rest of Malick Sidibe

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Posted on June 13, 2010

R.I.P.

I normally don’t like to repeat recommendations here on Brix Picks and Frank Frazetta has already made two appearances before (once as an entry, once as a best of), but the man is my absolute favorite and I am just heart broken to hear of his passing. The true master of fantasy illustration, Frazetta brought to life a world of curvy, sword wielding women and large, death dealing warriors that as a child inspired me like no one else to go into making art (well, except for my dad, who introduced me to Frazetta with his huge, worn books that I would pour through in the basement).

Pour through a few of his best pieces below/after the jump and afterwards, be sure to watch or re-watch his most excellent animated masterpiece, Fire and Ice.

Click here for the rest of Frank Frazetta

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Posted on May 16, 2010

Cat Lover

Who knew that the world’s biggest cat lady was in fact a man? Louis Wain began his career as a cat artist after a beloved pet got his wife through the pain of suffering from cancer. His anthropomorphous illustrations were quite popular in their day (being the 1880’s) and I’d die for one of his annuals. Sadly, he was struck by severe and escalating mental illness in his later years – a case that surely lends credence to the theory that toxoplasma can cause changes to human personalities – a theory expounded on in a fascinating Parasites  episode of Radio Lab. Wain didn’t stop painting and drawing cats while he was institutionalized and his work took on a wild psychedelic and geometric turn. I am surprised his work has not been embraced by the outsider art loving community like Henry Darger’s.

Click here for the rest of Louis Wain

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Posted on April 25, 2010

Witchy Woman

While the art of Vali Meyers isn’t quite up my alley, I was fascinated with this witchy, tattooed enigma from the first photos I glimpsed of her which, admittedly, was only recently – the Australian artist, despite an impressive list of friends (Dali, Tennessee Williams, and Jean Cocteau to name a few) and a semi-permanent Chelsea Hotel address, just wasn’t a household name stateside.

Aside from her painting, Meyers was a tightrope walker, a tattoo artist who marked Patti Smith, and a muse. Below/after the jump are just a few images of the striking and truly unique beauty that passed away at 72 a few years ago.

Click here for the rest of Vali Meyers

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Posted on March 28, 2010

Brooklyn Artist

It’s hard not to be taken in by the vibrant, off-kilter art of James Blagden. His website is deliriously fun and, like me, he’s a Colorado native moved to Brooklyn.

Below/after the jump are a few of my favorite images.

Click here for the rest of James Blagden

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Posted on February 14, 2010