Tag: illustration

E. A. Seguy

Insect Prints by E.A. Seguy

E.A. Seguy was an artist and designer active in Paris during the first three decades of the 20th century. Very little is known about him; even his actual name and the dates of his birth and death are in dispute.

Seguy produced eleven albums of nature themed illustrations and patterns, drawing inspiration from papillons and other insects, flowers, foliage, crystals and animals. Seguy was one of few artists that successfully combined both Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles in his work. His brightly colored geometric patterns were intended to be used as inspiration for such decorative items as textiles and wallpaper.

John Jude Palencar

“Tree Goblin, John Jude Palencar, Watercolor and Gesso

After receiving a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design, John Jude Palencar received further training at the Illustrators Workshop in Paris before embarking upon a highly successful career of painting book covers. He is noted for an intense, almost photographic realism with bold colours, though his figures are sometimes juxtaposed with more abstract backgrounds.

Primarily working in the fields of Fantasy and Horror, he has painted covers for some high-profile books, like Christopher Paolini’s popular “Eragon” novels and Jacqueline Carey’s “Kushiel” novels, yet he has painted science fiction covers as well; one standout example was his painting showing a tiny figure against pale ruins for a 1986 republication of David Brin’s 1985 “The Postman”, vaguely similar but vastly superior to Tom Hallman’s cover for the hardcover edition. He has also worked outside the genre for magazines like National Geographic, The Smithsonian, and Time magazine.

Ben Templesmith

Ben Templesmith, “The Squidder”, Graphic Novel

Ben Templesmith is an Australian comic book artist best known for his work in the American comic book industry, most notably the Image Comics series “Fell”, with writer Warren Ellis, and IDW’s “30 Days of Night” with writer Steve Niles, which was adapted into a motion picture.

The Squidder is hard to find; but the artwork and story line is worth the search.

James Allen

James Allen, “Old Broad Street, L Street Station”, Drawing, 2013

James Allen studied Fine Art Printmaking at BA and MA Level at Canterbury Christ Church University before completing The Drawing Year at The Prince’s Drawing School (now the Royal Drawing School). Selected Group Exhibitions include the RA Summer Exhibition, ING Discerning Eye and the Jerwood Drawing Prize.

The focus of James’s work is the activity of the human form corresponding with architectural surroundings, with high levels of movement from the figure working in conjunction with the building’s structural solidity. Drawing is the essential language that fuels his creative practice with the need to record and expose time.

Valin Mattheis

Valin Mattheis, “Into the Woods, Bound by the Moon”, Date Unknown, Ink, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf on Paper, Dimensions Unknown, Private Collection

The world of Valin Mattheis is filled with otherworldly creatures, skeletal priests, and moments of transcendental awe. He draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the symbolist artists, existentialism, Jungian psychology, and religions and mythologies the world over.

The two-dimensional compositions and skeletal archetypes seem somewhat reminiscent of medieval art referencing the Black Death, but while his work does explore that ageless desire to instil faith into the mystery of death, not all of it is darkness and despair. He says that more than anything, he “attempt[s] to convey a sense of wonder or reverence or curiosity.”

By recombining ancient symbols and reinvesting them with obscure, contemporary meaning, “blasphemous sorceries and foul rites” are performed, producing a humbling sense of power and magic. “That’s pretty over-wrought,” he said, “I also just really like painting monsters.”