Bowyer and Fletcher Fabric Fashion Illustration
Jahmal, from Bowyer and Fletcher contacted me about some Bow Tie artwork for their fine bow tie brand. Bowyer and Fletcher was an early subscriber to the work I have been producing with men's fashion illustration and their support bolstered my confidence entering into this new market. The brand has now grown beyond just bow ties (see the new product) and I am excited to see where else they can expand in the future. I have to say that with this project took some long time to produce anything. I stake claim to the blame for that. Local projects kept finding there way into my days and I neglected the good folks at Bowyer and Fletcher. The wait did allow for the development of a project that had been floating around in my mind for some time.
If you recall the large fabric paintings from the H. Stockton show (in case you missed it) you will know what I am talking about. There, I debuted the large fabric fashion paintings. The reactions were all ecstatic and I knew that along with my overwhelming joy for there creation that this is what I needed to do with Bowyer and Fletcher.
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I am a little disappointed that there is little visual comparison of size but if you are a technical person then knowing that it is approximately 6 feet by 2.5 feet will suffice. Grommets are placed in each corner of the fabric for easy stretching or displaying on walls or in windows or over hand made frames.
Now go check out the good work from our friends at Bowyer and Fletcher.
And see the featured Bow Tie.
The Construction of Dinosaurs...
The Construction of Dinosaurs is a painting I did live at Sam Flax nearly a year ago. It was a part of a promotion for One Love Generation, an Atlanta non-profit mentoring teens in arts and service. I brought a camera along to document the 8 hour process. The week before I spent some time developing a concept and composition to have a plan going into the day. A friend had suggested a while back that I do a painting of a kid pouring water on a blow up dinosaur. From there you have what came below.
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Enjoy.
The Harrap Project...
My friend Chris Harrap had an idea and asked me to be a part in it. My expertise is in illustration and from that I was able to contribute an image for the project. There is a necessary amount of secrecy with this project but I do feel honored to show some of the process of the painting and of my end of the contribution.
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Book Page Fashion Illustration… Dr. Who
As a continuation of the Book Page series I have here featured Dr. Who, the 11th doctor- as played by Matt Smith. Complete with a Sonic Screwdriver and of course, a bow-tie.
Women's Fashion Illustration… Book Pages
Recently I was commissioned to do this series of women's fashion illustration on the book pages. I have stayed away from women's fashion quite purposefully. It is such a highly saturated genre with little variety. Though illustrating the female form is much more interesting than the male form. One could understand the saturation of the women's fashion market after having the opportunity to work in it.
My heavy handed approach with varying thicknesses of bold blacks carried over to the traditionally delicate and fluid line work of women's fashion illustration makes for a stronger figure. With my signature book page background these illustrations maintain the sunflowerman 'look.'
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Bowties...
Watch how I make a bow tie! As a part of the fashion series this video is an entertaining diversion that will take you on a journey with me and the music of The Bamboos in the creation of a Book Page Fashion Illustration. .
Enjoy
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jJX4qDK9ck&w=560&h=315]
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Sneak Peak…
Check out the sneak peak video of the collaboration between Chris Harrap and Matthew Miller. .
Photo and Video to be released soon!
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-kOpGk_fCs]
Fashion…Suave
I was recently invited to be a featured artist at an event by Zero Gravity Concept Salon. I relished the opportunity and created the following piece to show at the event.
Below is the evolution of the painting.
Caleb Morris Paints...
If you have ever heard a tall tale or seen someone paint a story in your mind then you have met Caleb Morris. He has a nack for tall tales and hyperbole. You might more accurately say that he has a unique ability to embellish, and I mean to share this with the utmost respect. A story woven by any other person is simply a reiteration of events gone by. When Caleb speaks stories are born. He gives life and character to moments that you or I would never experience outside of his recollection.
Beyond the imagination of his words is the imagination of his hands. Caleb is an illustrator. An illustrator in a world like Caleb's is a story teller. The same vivid drama that he speaks he also conjures as image.
When we decided to trade Illustrations I was elated. This was my chance to hold on to a story wrought by Caleb forever.
Below is the story that Caleb painted for me. Find his work here.
I thought that I would share my contribution as well. It was an honor to have the opportunity to paint this dog. Artie is not simply an old dog waning in life. He is an old man who thinks he can lay in the bed with ma and pa. He is full of mischief and tom-foolery and continually leads Caleb into trouble. His legs fail him, but his desires carry him. He is full of color and joy.
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Other Works by Caleb Morris
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Fashion Illustrations… Dictionary Pages
Here are more men's fashion illustrations placed on dictionary pages. It just keeps getting better!
This new collection takes the mastery of the ink and brush and highlights the great qualities of men's fashion. Sometimes the focus is on the cut of the jacket and sometimes it is on the color of the shirt and tie.
My goal is to highlight and focus on the spirit of men's fashion in an innovative and creative manner.
Illustration Friday… Carry
Carry me, on the belly of a sloth- slow and slow and slow.
Move me,
through the never ending jungle- on and on and on.
Feed me,
with the fruit of joy- more and more and more.
Live Painting… Medieval TImes
The other day I had the pleasure of spending my time at the Medieval Times in Atlanta. It was time for the newest show, which I am told only happens every four years or so. I was invited in to paint during the VIP reception. Katrina was my contact at Medieval Times and found me a great Medieval jacket and vest to go along perfectly with my yellow glasses and red paisley bow tie. I arrived, set up and three hours later a masterpiece was born!
It was made known to me during the reception that the story I was telling with the painting happened to coincide with the theme of the new show where a horse opens the evening in a routine galloping naked around the arena. I guess that just goes to prove that when I do it, I do it right.
Williams' Cow...
By now you know about the collaboration between Sunflowerman and The Urban Animal Scientist. The beautiful and ethereal watercolor illustrations and the amazing quality of the hand crafted collars are perfect compliments in the commercial field. The collaboration has led to the contemporary dog-portrait illustration that now graces the home of the The Urban Animal Scientist (see here). The Urban Animal Scientists' brother Bryant has rolled into town and is continuing the collaborative process.
Initially the request to paint a cow from a man who was educated in economics seemed so abstract and quite frankly, odd. Perhaps a bull or a bear would have been more appropriate. What I didn't know at the time is having received his undergrad from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts Bryant has a deep appreciation for the arts and for purple cows.
Having the experience of the large dog painting under my belt I got right to work. What I thought would be as simple as a quick sketch turned itself over to 5 quick sketches. As you are witness of the images below, the first two images are quite deplorable. As I developed the idea further the perspective, color and brush strokes set themselves in place.
The process was beautiful. With the idea worked out and the excitement of the project still fresh from the three days before, I got right to work and within two hours the painting was complete.
Afterwards we saw it fit to do a little photoshoot with the painting.
And here's the final 3x5' painting of the Williams College Purple Cow.
Fashion Illustrations... Book Pages
If you have been following along with the fashion here you have seen a lot happening. There are portraits, GQ covers, book pages, watercolors, sketches and character features. This next addition is not too far from the rest though I hope that it takes it's own direction in the collection. From here the images are going to grow in their fragmented book page form. Look for shoes painted on 10 pages and faces that encompass 15 pages.
If you would like to be featured in an illustration go ahead and email me.
Fashion Illustration… Giambattista Valli
I was contacted by the wonderful people at D2G Apparel to do some illustrations based on the Paris Fashion week that ended on the 4th of this past month. While I have been focusing on mens' fashion lately I thought that it might be a nice diversion from the normal. Also, women are just much more fun to draw. The week was full of amazing projects and designs. The first day kicked off with the always lovely Versace, but what really peaked my interest was the work of Giambattista Valli. There was a yearning for nature and beauty together that conjugated in the floral arrangements adorned by the women of the runway. Flowers and butterflies and floral prints were all a rather literal interpretation, but powerful nonetheless.
I identified several aspects from the Valli line that would work there way into my interpretive illustration.
-nature -light reds and greens -floral print -controlled hair, pulled back and tight
Included below are the final illustration and the process of the painting.
Look to D2G Apparel in the next several weeks to where this image on a shirt.
Instagram Series...
I have been posting my recycled page fashion illustrations on Instagram (@sunflowerman) and I got a comment from another IG-er asking whether I could feature him in some illustrations. Of course I was all too obliged to agree and below is the series I did via @joesteezzy 's Instagram feed.
If you are interested in getting some personalized illustrations in the same fashion just comment here or find me on Instagram.
Fashion Illustration… James Martin
Met this guy at Condesa the other day. He was dressed so well and I couldn't help myself so I introduced myself, shot a few pics, and this is the result.
enjoy
Illustration Friday… Space
All day dreaming of astronauts in space Eating and enjoying the kumquat's taste.
MADMEN… an Illustrated Series
To go along with my fashion illustrations I thought it would be best (astride the prodding of my roommate Alex) to do a few character studies from MADMEN. They are all classy fellas with a large fan base and quite recognizable faces. I hope that you enjoy these illustrations and if you wish to purchase prints you can do that through behance
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Fashion Illustration… D.R.E.S and GQ
Since the very last post prior to this one is about the original illustration I will not go on for long. This is the sixth GQ cover in the series so far (the rest found here). I might say I am actually getting quite good at this. So step down this way and take a look at the newest edition of the illustrated GQ with D.R.E.S. ThaBeatnik.
