CBrajkovich Ramblings

So, I checked in with Mall‘s (aka May Ann Licudine) site to see if she’s up to anything new, and was delighted to find out that she’s working on art for her next Gallery Nucleus show in September. Mall’s well known for her whimsical Asian motifs placed in mystical ancestral lands that reminds me so much of my own Asian roots. Check out a couple of her close up work-in-progress shots, then keep up with the news from her site or Gallery Nucleus. I have one of her originals and a few prints, and I still get a smile whenever I see something new from her talented mind. Take a close look at the details that she creates throughout every piece and see if you too will fall in love with her work:

Brendon Grimshaw‘s story is spreading, and it’s one that should spread as far as possible. It’s the life story about a former newspaper editor who buys his own island and creates the world that he wants. But after 3 decades, he had to defend it against destruction from modernization.  A Grain of Sand is a story about Moyenne Island and its fight against encroaching capitalism that is destroying nature for the sake of greed. It’s sad when pristine cultures are captured by the greed bug with little thought to respecting the environment that protected them. But at least there’s promise because there will be individuals who will find a way to fight the loss.

This story has a happy ending because the film crew helped one man protect his life’s dream. It’s also promising when a government sees the wisdom in this protection, as the Seychelles government did by turning it into a national reserve.

Everyday, brave souls take on unimaginable battles against extreme forces. And every day, more and more souls join together to grow instead of destroy. Promise comes when you least expect it, as long as hope stays alive.

– Thanks to Wandering Eye for allowing this important story to be seen, and a man’s dream to be saved

How about a quick pick me up that’s full of good music and brilliant graphics? ChezEddy produces this music video Punks Jump Up featuring Dave1/Chromeo – Mr. Overtime, which takes us on a awesomely fun ride with graphics that somehow remind me of Max Headroom meets Mad Men. But the best part of this is the running Cheshire creature that takes over the car’s occupants and lets them know that fun is to be had now. Sit back, turn up the volume, and prepare to smile. So much fun…

– Find more about Chez Eddy at their site

Life continues to throw challenges at us every day. How we resolve to get over them, and who we become when we have, is a testament to who we are as individuals. This beautiful short by kris anka is entitled “Epilogue”, but it’s really the start of two new lives with the help of a few old ones. Kindness comes in unlikely forms and sometimes from hidden patterns, but it always finds reciprocation that makes for a potential new beginnings. Take a look at the video and be prepared to find the warmth in even a cold environment. You just have to look deeply for it. Isn’t this beautiful?

And sometimes we simply have to go with what we love. In this case, I love the fact that a few of my favorite artists have been drawing new and incredible works of art!

Eric Canete

Skottie Young

– though the list is far from complete as all of my favorite artists have been in a creative frenzy of late!

I have been in love with the delicate illustrations of Yan Nascimbene (as you can tell) since I first saw them, so I’m always excited to discover when he’s done something new. It looks like Yan has been having an amazing time traveling and seeing the sights. But what you and I see is vastly different from his views, as he turns the passing landscape into a pastel wonderland. Isn’t it wonderful to see the world through the eyes of someone else, so that you can appreciate the littlest of things that reside in our universe?

– thanks Behance