Tag: artist

Smith Spotlight #3

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It probably goes without saying, but Smith Design is full of creatives. In our new Smith Spotlight blog series, we’re highlighting the talents of our team and their endeavors outside of our studio. Follow along to get to know the people who make Smith Design awesome. 

We’re excited to highlight the incredible art of Brian Greenhalgh in our third Spotlight!  

Brian sells unique apparel and stickers through his online store, ScaryFunny. As the brand name suggests, his art style combines a dark, punk style with a light-hearted sense of humor. Inspired by graffiti artists and Keith Haring, he creates eye-catching pieces that contain hidden meanings and clever twists. His collections include music-related pieces, towns he’s connected to, and other themes of cultural or personal relevance. 

  • A piece inspired by Brian’s dog, Cali

When he gets an idea for a new illustration, he has to get it on paper and into existence. This drive has led to him having a diverse array of artwork to feature on apparel and stickers.  

Turning his passion for art into an actual store is something he’s always had on his mind, but he committed to opening his store in December of 2020. He enjoys getting the chance to engage with his customers. He tries to respond to every message and post he sees on social media, and especially loves to see customers post pictures in their gear.  

He mainly markets his brand and products through social media, but also shares stickers of his art with local businesses. Now that we’re able to be out and about in the world, he plans to kick up his marketing efforts by giving out stickers and fliers. 

The store has also given him the opportunity to raise money for charity, including creating a special piece to support Prevent Child Abuse America.  

The advice he’d give to artists pursuing a similar path is to just keep going. He explains that it’s easy to get discouraged, so don’t pressure yourself for perfection.  

“Just make something fun, and enjoy yourself.” 

To check out Brian’s merch, visit his online store here! scaryfunny 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deepthghts/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangreenhalgh/ 

Women in Design – Indi Maverick

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In this blog series, we shine a light on women trailblazers in the design industry – women who have earned a Wikipedia page (or are likely to very soon). You might not know them by name, but definitely by their work and influence on the design world as a whole.  

This month, we’re highlighting Mexican graphic design and illustrator, Indi Maverick.  

Mexico has long been a source of creative inspiration and a home to incredible artists. In the footsteps of powerhouses like Frida Kahlo, more and more Mexican women are pushing the boundaries of modern art, in their country and around the world. Recognized as one of Mexico’s best female illustrators and designers, Indi Maverick is an emerging talent to keep an eye on. Her work can be found in books, in magazines, on furniture, and on products through various brand partnerships.  

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Inspired by nature, Maverick’s fine lines flow organically, often integrating leaves, flowers, and animals. Her process creates intricately detailed pieces out of seemingly simple lines and geometric patterns. In this simplicity, she is able to capture a very human personality, one that feels authentic and not overly cutesy. Her brand work for Dr. Martens, Stella Artois and Michael Kors shows how she can apply her techniques to fashionable brands in a way that feels relevant and fresh.  

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Maverick has participated in several important cultural collaborations. Her illustrations are featured in Sidral Mundet®’s campaign #ALaMexicana. This campaign seeks to use the phrase #ALaMexicana, or “The Mexican Way”, as a positive recognition the spirit, culture, passion and accomplishments of Mexicans.  

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Her style translates beautifully to tattoos, a passion she is beginning to explore.  

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Maverick has already proved she is a design force to be reckoned with, and her creative journey is definitely one to pay attention to. To see more of her work, visit her website or her Instagram profile.  

Women In Design – Maira Kalman

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In this blog series, we shine a light on women trailblazers in the design industry – women who have earned a Wikipedia page (or are likely to very soon). You might not know them by name, but definitely by their work and influence on the design world as a whole.

Maira Kalman is a renowned artist and writer. She was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and moved to NYC when she was a young girl, where she continues to reside. She was married to the famed graphic artist Tibor Kalman for 18 years until his death in 1999. They founded the agency M & Co together and were highly successful, blending illustration, typography and imagery to create iconic art for prestigious institutions, including the National Audubon Society and MOMA, and covers for the acclaimed Interview magazine.

After the birth of their children, Maira took a new, independent path that led her to become a design legend in her own right. 

Over the course of her career, she has written and illustrated books for both children and adults that feature her playful take on the world. Her style perfectly captures the whimsical and wise, combining a naive style with a sage’s vision. As a storyteller, which is how she refers to herself, her careful use of language and image work together to capture the eccentric, intelligent way Kalman herself views the world and her appreciation for society, history, and the humorous aspect of life.

She was commissioned to illustrate the iconic design bible “The Elements of Style” in 2005, which promoted this quote from the New York Times – “While The Elements of Style has never lacked fans or dutiful adherents, appreciation for this slim volume has taken a turn toward the whimsical and even surreal.”

Her work is almost always uniquely personal, capturing her point of view on anything from politics to family. Working with her son Alexander, Maira created an exhibition dedicated to the memory of her mother Sara Berman, an early inspiration, which later became a book titled ‘Sara Berman’s Closet’. She has also collaborated on a short firm with her son called “The Most Wonderful Day” which can be seen here on YouTube.

Her wit, charm and intelligence come through most famously in the The New Yorker magazine cover published in December 2001. She collaborated with her partner Rick Meyerowitz,  redrawing the New York City map post 9/11 and renaming it ‘New Yorkistan’. The response to the cover was overwhelming, the magazine disappearing from newsstands in two days and becoming the best selling issue in the magazine’s history.

Maira Kalman’s impactful work is a reminder to notice and appreciate life. She inspires audiences to look closer at seemingly common things, to see the importance of the ordinary. She elevates politics and philosophy to higher levels of thought, commanding worthy attention. To learn more about Maira Kalman, visit her website, Instagram, or watch her Ted Talk. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maira_Kalman

https://www.thecut.com/2018/04/profile-maira-kalman-author-and-illustrator.html