What's the {e} house chalkboard? It's our blank slate, where we post important messages, share cool thoughts, trade new ideas and have creative fun. Stop by often for our anecdotes on growing the agency as well as our thoughts and ideas on marketing, design, business and culture. Really, our chalkboard is like any chalkboard you'd find in a home, except this one has no limits.
Complex layering, recurring motifs, and the blending of textures and styles are the strongholds of illustrator Matthew Curry. From his design studio in DC, Curry continues to impress and stimulate the arts community. His provocative works have gained recognition from Communication Arts, Computer Arts, and STEPINSIDEDesign Magazine where he was featured in “Best of the Web.” Toping off this impressive roster is his lasted achievement, a 2007 Grammy-nomination for his collaboration in creating the CD package design for Thievery Corporation’s album, “Versions.”
Thanks to his unbridled creativity, Matthew is considered to be an expert in the Music Packaging trade. His advice was sought after by AIGA where he examined the trends in graphic design surfacing in today’s recording industry. His talents are also explored in an interview with Apple, found in their Profiles section, and IdN’s Ornamental Graphic Issue.
He is continuously praised for his remarkable ability to blur the lines between design and illustration. Merging these disciplines is a growing trend, which Matthew seems to have mastered. “Over the years I have focused on developing a visual language consisting of strong iconography, and mark making, wherein, I would have a library of messaging of which to utilize. This growing library of icons serves as my own typeset of sorts, and enables me to explore multiple approaches to creating cohesive and non-cohesive narratives, landscapes, and stylistic experimentations through varying degrees of intensity, color and composition.”
His extraordinary body of work caught the attention of notable clients such as ESLMusic, Dodge, XM Radio, Conde Nast Publishing, Lamar Snowboards, Budwesier and Flavorpill. His personal artwork can be seen in design exhibits in galleries and venues located across the globe.
Want a piece of Matthew? He was recently recruited to design a “Select shirt” for Threadless.com. His design, Torso, is quite popular and selling out quickly.
Postcard worthy is a collection of postcards or postcard worthy photos we have stumbled upon. See more
Looking for an animator with a sense of humor? Queensland local, Pasquale D’Silva is gaining a reputation as the triple threat that’s delight to work with. His work ranges in multiple fields, such as illustrations, 2d and 3d animation, digital art, and webdesign. With such extensive experiences, it’s hard to believe that this gifted artist is nineteen years old.
Before graduating from high school in 2006, Pasquale began working with the Oscar nominated Photon Visual Effects studio in Australia. Recent projects include “The Adventures of Voopa the Goolash” and the BBC’s “Animalia” where he worked as a 3d artist and technical assistant.
His website, Darkmotion.com, is filled with fun and colorful animations from previous projects as well as some amusing sketches and illustrations he works on in his spare time. His love of film becomes evident as you scroll through the pages of his blog. “I am a huge movie freak,” he boasts, “I MUST watch more movies than my friends.” Today’s article is a witty review on Angelina Jolie’s last motion picture, Wanted.
Pasquale is also creating a new genre of art available on his website, character installation pieces. He encourages viewers to tape animations in various places around their homes and cities. “I want to get more silly guys out and about around the world,” writes Pasquale. To accomplish this goal, the Aussi offers downloadable characters and instructions on the easy installation process.
For more information on Pasquale D’Silva or to reach him for freelance work, contact him on his website or at pgdsilva@gmail.com.
You may not have heard of California’s Dan Krall, but chances are, you’ve enjoyed his work. His colorful illustrations have provided the scenery for such cartoons as the infamous Powder Puff Girls and Dexter’s Laboratory. During his prosperous 13 years in the business, he’s successfully labored as a background designer, visual developer, writer, and art director.
When faced with an upcoming project, Krall chooses to immerse himself in an environment related to the piece, absorbing every minute and interesting detail from the space and sketching them out. Later, admittedly just before the deadline, he’ll surround himself with those sketches and pull them together in one complex illustration.
Fans and friends can get a continuous look at Dan’s work on his blog. He frequently updates it with interesting anecdotes and sketches of the entertaining scenes and characters he comes across each week. In an article written for The Art and Illustration Community, Dan comments “I love keeping a blog, it’s the one place where I can write and draw absolutely anything I want, on any topic, in any order with any amount of detail I want.” His humorous illustrations paired with witty commentary are sure to put a smile on your face.
Staying in the limelight is no small task, but this accomplished gallery owner and artist has managed to capture and retain Charleston’s interest.
Starting out with a degree from Rhode Island School of Design, Robert Lange found himself succumbing to the allure of the South. Shortly after graduation from the prestigious art school, he opened his gallery here in Charleston. It didn’t take long for the city to take notice.
Lange’s powerful and bold images are in constant demand. Patrons flocked to the Robert Lange Studio to take in his last exhibit, “The Joy of Painting,” which was praised by local art critics. Using photorealism, he is able to precisely capture the emotions and power of each subject, resulting in a piece that appears to be a replica of the original photographic source. His choice of rich and dark color palettes add intensity to his pieces, drawing the viewer in.
Although Lange is considerably young at 27 years old, he has been featured in a variety of magazines from New American Paintingsto American Art Collector. His popular gallery, located on East Bay Street, now features his new works as well as a host of other talent.
Postcard worthy is a collection of postcards or postcard worthy photos we have stumbled upon. See more
I recently had the pleasure to sit down and talk with local Charleston photographer, Diana Lauderdale. Not only is she an incredibly talented photographer, but she thinks outside the box, by taking her photography “off the wall.” With a variety of products from distressed wood blocks to leather cuffs all decorated with her photos, she offers an array of ways to portray her work. (I personally have a suede cuff with the “SOUTH” image, I absolutely love it!) I hope y’all enjoy this small insight into the life of Diana Lauderdale as much as I did.
For those of you who have not been to Folly Beach, SC. The residents use an old fishing boat along the side of the road onto the island as a mural. They paint announcements for weddings to Fourth of July holiday messages.
HOW TO ENTER
It’s simple. Just pop us an e-mail with images of your work along with the story of how you got creative (You know, the scoop on where you’re from and where you are now, what inspires you, and your work) to chalkboard@ehousestudio.com. Oh, and please title the e-mail “Postcard Worthy Call for Entries”. That’s it. See, we told you it was simple.
Moira’s 411: Moira Gil John has adopted a truly free-spirit lifestyle. Moira has traveled around the world and visited places most of us dream about. Her artwork and photography are inspiring and truly captures the surf culture. She is now a Sr. Photographer for Surf Carolina Magazine, and also runs her surf school, Shaka.
Because I was recently belittled by my mechanic for neglecting oil changes, I thought perhaps I'm not the only female missing the boat on this topic. This site provides some great auto advice.
Living In Art
Architect Robert Harvey Oshatz has created a fantastically designed abode in Portland, Oregon. It has really creative lines and layout.
Solar Powered Bonsai
Pretty creative solar powered design... but I'm not sure it is more green than the actual tree would be.
This weblog is published by Aaron, Bob, Chris, Medéa, Rick, and friends of {e} house studio a national marketing and design agency located in Charleston, SC. We specialize in marketing and advertising including branding, print design, web design, copy writing, and package design.
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