Arthur Szyk

. . .a.k.a master of minature, crazy-detailed illuminated art. If you’re in SF within the next 10 days catch Arthur Szyk’s show at the Legion of Honor. Thank goodness for patience, passion and magnifying glasses!

The Big Caption

So this post is way overdue, but better late than never! I was having a drink with my friend Ian and he mentioned that he created a blog where he matches photos he finds with his own copy & typographic treatments. I think they're great and you should check out his site (http://thebigcaption.com/) if you like what you see.

Calling all typophiles!

Russian-born typographer and quilling expert Yulia Brodskaya:

Letterpress Lust

A sweet wedding invitation set from Emory Allen:

MACBA, Barcelona

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona

I went to the MACBA, disappointing myself yet again at the ticket counter. I was close this time - if she'd only spoken slower and not so quickly switched to English upon seeing my stutter, I'd have had it.

My [worthless] travel guide discounted this museum, suggesting to only go if you're able to "make some socio-political meaning from, say, a room of beach balls." My expectations low, the art was modern and well-crafted.

I was inspired by this trio of paintings by Romanian Pic Adrian:

I'd never seen this narrative by Ed Ruscha before. He photographed every building along the Sunset Strip in LA and pieced them together proportionately in montage with address markers.

Other interesting type artifacts:

In a pitch-black room screening a nearly black film-reel, I met a Lebanese architect. We were both attempting in futile to use our digital cameras as flashlights and not run into anything. We finally found a bench and watched the silent short: macro views of metal appliances, or something. From there, we walked the museum together, he on pilgrimage to see Richard Meier's architecture, me to see weird art that usually doesn't make sense. He scolded me in the hallways on the Meier's brilliance in column technique; I'd roll my eyes and show him how it was possible to make an entire alphabet using a few simple forms. We compromised on Form and Space, then we went our separate ways.

Calling All Typophiles!

A fine number from LA-based Brazilian Douglas Alves for the BBC:


And one of his personal works:


. . .both are sweet examples of representational typography—finely illustrated, and not cheesy in the least.

Alianza

This is what happens when you match the brilliant hand-lettering of Retna. . .

. . .with the larger-than-life portraits of el Mac:

. . .poetry.

The final exhibit that we are sharing from the SF Lower Haight Art Walk last week is a collaboration: Alianza, a new book featuring the work of el Mac and Retna as individuals and co-conspirators in cities all over the world. El Mac was on-site celebrating his latest collection, and adding a new mural to Haight Street—though he was kind enough to take a break to sign our book.

P.S.

El Mac is also known for this fingerprint-like texture in his work (1st image). Retna is also known for adding his dynamic illustration style to fashion photos (2nd image)

. . .and this one really shows el Mac's skill as a fine draftsman.

Fresh Buttermilk

Talented Brooklyn-based graphic designer and illustrator Jessica Hische has just released the first of what I expect will be many inspiring fonts: Buttermilk, a product as rich as it’s name. Now us creatives types can add some of her handlettering flair to whatever we’re cooking up.

Calling all typophiles!

The latest Eye Magazine has got a feature on one of our favorite hand-letterers/OCD types, the Canadian designer Marian Bantjes.

Unfamiliar with her work? Here’s a taste:

Yes, that is sugar.