Hasta La Ideas

Chilean illustrator combines pop culture, sci-fi and fantasy in a mind-bending amalgamation

The work of Fab Ciraolo makes it immediately clear that the Chilean-born illustrator has a very interesting outlook on this world. His pieces combine re-imagined elements of nostalgic popular culture with fantastical sci-fi standards and beautiful space-like atmospheres. Incorporating classic cartoon characters, fairy tale favorites and edgy popular icons, Ciraolo constructs compelling and enchanting artwork that stirs up whimsical feelings for the past while keeping one foot forward. We recently caught up with Ciraolo and got some insight into his process and where his surreal scenes take root.

Where are you from and what is your background? How long have you been illustrating?

I am from Santiago Chile, born here. I think I’ve been illustrating since I can remember. My background was always around paintings, drawings and art exhibitions. I must thank my parents for this, they always encouraged me to keep doing this and showed me that this can be my way of living. The most important advice from them was to always stay true to what I love and to what I need to be happy, other stuff comes free if you are at peace with your talent.

What techniques do you use to create your work?

Traditional painting, a lot of drawing, acrylics, color pencils, mostly anything I have near that might work to get a final result that makes me happy. I can remember using coffee in some paintings. Coffee is good to make some cool textures!

What is the story behind your “Old School Heroes” series? How did Skeletor end up in a plaid suit?

These cartoons were always in my mind, when I was little I would draw all of them by hand, I just loved them, so one day it just came to me. Drawing He-Man in a flower suit, I just did it and the result was interesting and fun to me. So I keep digging in all these characters making them more fashionable, always wondering how will they look in cool suits and jackets and tight pants— hipster looks. I wasn’t inventing something out of this world, just giving a little twist to things that were in my mind a long time ago.

A lot of your work incorporates space-like elements and fairy tale references as well as pop culture icons, where does your inspiration comes from?

I am like a sponge, very visual, I hate reading but love looking. My mind is full of these icons and these images. I love to mix the old with the modern, giving things that already exist a new fresh air, a new vision. I am working in these series, with Frida, Che Guevara and Dalí, it is the result of all these things that are in my mind. How would these great characters look today? This is the main idea of all of these. I mix them with all the images that are inside my head and it is like an explosion of images that I need to get out and put them together in one piece.

How much of your work is commercial and how much is personal? Is there much crossover between the two?

I think it’s 50/50. I think this is the perfect mix, sometimes I get tired of doing commissions, but sometimes I love it. I have been lucky to participate in very interesting projects this year, and to always have time to make my personal art as well. You must find a balance between these two things, but always, ALWAYS give time to your own art, this is the best way to grow, to learn, to make mistakes and not be afraid of changes.

How do you think art fits into popular culture now with the power of the Internet? How has the web affected your craft?

It is amazing and has helped me so much. It let me show my art to the entire world and really fast too. I was very afraid at first to show my work, because it was so mine, it was my real thing, what comes out of my head, but people like it and I am so glad. Art should be a popular culture, art is culture, art is expression it is a must! At least for me!

Adonit brings precision drawing to touch screens with an innovative stylus solution

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The explosion of tablet computing has brought on just as many challenges as opportunities—one of them being how best to interface with touchscreens. Fingers do well enough for most tasks, but lack the precision that some users may want. Most stylus pens that try to address this issue fall a bit short either in functionality or style, many of them consisting of nothing more than a plastic stick with a foam tip that wears down over time. The Jot by Kickstarter darlings Adonit, on the other hand, answers both to aesthetic demands and functionality, separating itself from the pack in a variety of ways.

The Jot’s metal body is nicely balanced and feels more natural to hold than many smaller, less substantial styluses. This greatly increases the ease of use, as it replicates the way you’d feel holding onto a pencil or pen. Implementing a unique precision disc and ballpoint mechanism that keeps the Jot pressed firmly against the touchscreen of your tablet allows you to use the Jot at a variety of angles for significantly superior accuracy.

In this video, the Jot is put to the test by a photographer and a menswear designer who discover that using the natural-feeling tool makes their work easier to manage.

The Jot is available exclusively at Adonit’s website for $20 or $30 for the pro model.

Selected untitled works from skateboarding’s favorite eccentric artist

Wielding pen, paint brush and skateboard, Mark Gonzales has been creating art in many forms for more than 20 years. Gonzales has graced each of his various disciplines with one of the most unique personalities around, gaining recognition within the skateboard community for his endless influence, free-flowing style and unconventional drawings captured on Krooked Skateboards. A presence in the fine art world since the early ’90s, Gonzales has exhibited across Europe, Asia and the Americas. He returns to NYC with his latest collection of untitled paintings and poems, opening at Franklin Parrasch Gallery today, 22 November 2011.

This time around Gonzales has selected a group of work completed over the last year in New York and Paris, from poetry rendered in spray paint on mirrored acrylic surfaces to a series of small scale acrylic paintings on linen canvas. The collection explores notions of love, death and the spiritual occult, often shown through the free association between text and imagery that draws a direct parallel to Gonzales’ lifelong dedication to self published zines.

Although those unfamiliar with his work may be skeptical of the quirky aesthetic, those who dismiss their conventionally critical eye and keep an open mind will discover its depth—an approach that applies to understanding the Gonz in general. His untitled paintings and poems will be on display at Franklin Parrasch Gallery from 22 November 2011 to 7 January 2012. To learn more about the extensive work behind the singular character check his gallery bio online.

Muji’s elegantly designed refillable markers reduce waste

The latest gem we’ve come to love from Muji’s line of elegantly well-designed writing utensils is the refillable dry-erase marker. Perfect for home office inspiration boards to classroom presentations and conference rooms, the dry erase marker writes smoothly, without the squeaky feeling of most pens intended for white boards. (If the standard is a ballpoint, Muji’s is a rollerball.)

The true genius, however, is the refillable ink cartridge. Once the marker runs dry, unscrew it and pop in a new cartridge to reduce unnecessary waste.

Markers come in red, blue and black, and are available for $1.75 each at all NYC Muji locations. Refill cartridges sell online from the MoMA design store.

Focus sur l’illustrateur Alexis Marcou qui maîtrise avec talent les divers outils pour créer des illustrations splendides. Entre crayonnés et retouches photographiques, ce dernier parvient à nous immerger au sein de ses oeuvres. Plus d’images dans la suite de l’article.

Previously on Fubiz

• Performance Drawings
• Nike Marty McFly
• Pixel Animal Series

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