Olivier Schrauwen: The Man Who Grew His Beard

Berlin-based Belgian comic book artist Olivier Schrauwen created one of my favourite recent comic books, the Winsor-McCay-meets-Eraserhead-ish "My Boy", published in 2008. I've been waiting for more than a year to read his latest opus, which up to this date hasn't been available in English.

But now, according to Amazon.de, "The Man Who Grew His Beard" will be available next week in glorious comprehensible English for non-flemish buffoons like myself. So looking forward to this, I can hardly wait!

Harry Smith: Heaven and Earth Magic

The first 9 minutes from Harry Smith's 1962 film "Heaven and Earth Magic". I find this absolutely amazing. Read more about Harry Smith here.

Weekend WTF: プリルラ ステージ3

As one YouTube commenter puts it; once again the Japanese have outjapanesed themselves. I'd like to play this game.

Weekend WTF: Microsoft Songsmith

If THIS was a finely crafted satire of how painfully awkward, oblivious and unhip Microsoft's marketing tends to be, I would've applauded it. Unfortunately, it seems like it's just plain painfully awkward, oblivious and unhip Microsoft marketing.

UPDATE: Here's a wonderful parody of the above.

Sam Bosma

Look at Sam Bosma's work. Awesome! Also don't forget the sketchbook section...

Weekend WTF: Going to the Store

Via Coilhouse.

Jerry Williams: Number One

Ever since I was a kid back in the 1980s, I've seen Swedish rock'n'roller Jerry Williams as something of a pathetic, chubby, middle-aged rocker trying to relive the 1950's in the most embarrasing way. And truthfully, I still feel that way about him to some degree.

But I have to admit that this video and song -- from 1963, way before I was born -- has got to be one of the most wonderful songs and videos ever to come out of Sweden. Both unintentionally silly and unintenionally nightmarish, it has a hypnotic, dream-like David Lynch quality to it that transcends the sum of its parts and becomes something absolutely sublime. I love it.

Upcoming Digital Drawing Tool

This seems really interesting and I think everyone here could find a use for it... The Wacom Inkling will be sold at the end of September for € 169,90. Check out the ad:

Weekend WTF

Happy b-day, Aphex!

Ok, I missed it by one day, but nevertheless: one of my biggest musical and artistic inspirations, electronica artist Richard D. James aka Aphex Twin, turned 40 yesterday. I thank thee for thine legacy, here's to a long and healthy life.

For those unaccustomed to his work, check out this short film directed by Chris Cunningham:

(Monster)Movieposter art of Reynold Brown!

Check out this documentary on Reynold Brown, it is a must see for illustrators and a great film for everyone else interested in monstermovies and monstermovieposters. Awesome!

Tadanori Yokoo

Described by some as the 'Japanese Andy Warhol', Tadanori Yokoo is apparently one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists, but I had unfortunately not heard of him before. Just found an article and some of his images online, and I'm very interested in pursuing more of his work. It seems like he fuses 'traditional' Japanese art and print with Gilliamesque collage and Heinz Edelmann-like illustrations, and I really like the results. Note to self: pursue further.