17Jun / 2012

Alexandra Levasseur’s Amazing Art

Artist Alexandra Levasseur is a native of Shawinigan, Quebec, and now lives and works as an illustrator in Montreal. There are many wonderful themes within Alexandra’s work, including lush floral prints, teal, and the elements of natures (heat/fire vs. water). This year, she created a series of paintings that are organized by her emotion due to the weather/changing of seasons. As the year continued, the setting within each piece develops and reflects the internal struggle of the character. Check out more of Alexandra’s amazing work on her website, blog and Behance page! She currently has an exhibit entitled, “Diary of Seasonal Emotional Transmutations” from June 3rd to June 30th at Glamort, Tattoo and Art Gallery in Montreal. Also, prints of her work can be purchased on Etsy!

Past illustrations and paintings that are not within “Diary of Seasonal Emotional Transmutations“, but are so amazing- I had to share:

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03Jun / 2012

Rich Pellegrino’s Magical Masterpieces

Rich Pellegrino is a very talented illustrator and artist, based out of Providence, Rhode Island. His use of color and light gives the portraits a whimsical feel, while staying true to the individual’s character. Rich has an ongoing series of pop icon portraits which feature the head and shoulders of Marilyn Monroe, The Royal Tenenbaums, Willy Wonka, and Star Wars, to name a few. In his recent series, “RESUSCITATORUM“, Rich dives into a new realm by showcasing the entire body of his subjects. Resuscitatorum is Latin for “reinvigorate” or “refresh”, which perfectly describes his reinvention of European fairy tales. Right now, you can see his exhibit at Translations Art Gallery in Canton, Ohio. Be sure to keep up with Rich’s blog for previews of his latest work, exhibition schedules and more. I especially enjoy his sketch book pages, many featured below, that he posts on his blog! Also check out his Etsy page to purchase prints and original art! And appreciate his work on Behance.

“During my research for this show I was re-introduced to the European fairy tales by famed writers Charles Perrault, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and Joseph Jacobs. I also revisited some of Shakespeare’s plays and the Bible. Fables such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Girl Without Hands” inspired me to reinterpret these tales in new ways. My thought was to simplify each into a single narrative portrait of the protagonist with ornaments gathered from her journey.” – Rich Pellegrino

15May / 2012

Cecil Beaton, Inspirational Socialite Super-Star!

I’m starstruck just reading about Cecil Beaton’s glamorous life, celebrity entourage and glitzy style. He captured breath-taking imagery of artists, unique fashion-istas and celebrities alike. Cecil’s incredible eye for aesthetics to and his young socialite status propelled him to the heights of fame; working with Andy Warhol, the Rolling Stones, Twiggy, the Sitwells, Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Not to mention, Cecil also won two Oscars for his costume designs in “Gigi” and “My Fair Lady”. He is a true inspiration to photographers, artists and fashion designers. To see more of his incredible work, check out Chris Beetles Fine Photographs (which specializes in photographic prints by the world’s most sought after photographers) website, here, to view the past exhibit on Cecil Beaton.

As David Wootton eloquently explains, his involvement in “Gigi” and “My Fair Lady” can be considered an apotheosis of Beaton’s art. “For, through a combination of design and (moving) photographic image, they present an exquisite, idealized imitation of an elegant Edwardian world, in which young people attempt to succeed in society.”

Cecil Beaton 1904-1980