art by Raz

Over millenia, from the ensō to the tondo, the circular composition has challenged artists with it elegance, simplicity, and grace. In 2011, Stylus members roundly kicked its ass with this 72 page homage to everyone’s favorite Euclidean shape.

You can get your copy of the Circular at MagCloud for only $14.40, or download a digital version (iPad & PDF) for free!

Hi Everyone!

Another quick portrait that I completed in the past few weeks.

Here’s a study I did of Robert Campin’s 1435 Portrait of a Woman. You can see the original here — although it puts my copy to shame :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfsgallery/5302424393/

A bit about yourself?
I’m a Minneapolis transplant who loves drawing typography and monsters. Combine those two things in a project and I’m happier than a hippy at woodstock.

Your medium of choice?
Pencil sketches finished in Illustrator and Photoshop. Although I’m trying to branch out into using more traditional media. It’s interesting to learn how to work with mistakes rather than simply being able to hit undo.

What are you into currently, your influences?
I’m really inspired by people that can strip an idea down to its bare essentials and make something compelling from that. At their best, illustrators like Geoff McFetridge and Frank Chimero and film makers like John Carpenter and Darren Aronofsky accomplish this really well.

When not being artistic you like to?
Hang out with my wife and play videogames (think you can take me in Halo or Gears of War? my gamertag is ocularinvasion).

Any advice for the up and comers?
Draw ALL THE TIME. However, if feel yourself getting burned out, don’t be afraid to take a break.

How’d you get your start?
I originally wanted to go to school for art, but put that aside for something “more practical”. In college, I studied computer science for a year and half before deciding it wasn’t for me. Not wanting to ditch computers completely, I discovered graphic design and quickly learned how to use Illustrator. Initially, I was very weak in typography and lettering, so I worked on improving my skills in that area until it became what I enjoy most about illustrating.

Whats on the horizon for you?
I’m trying to build up my reputation in the illustration world. I’ve made pretty big strides this year, and I hope to get to the point where I can make a living off of illustration full time.

If we want some of your art swag where can we get it?
http://ocularinvasion.bigcartel.com/
http://www.society6.com/studio/ocularinvasion/store

Where can we find you on the web?
http://www.ocularinvasion.com
http://www.twitter.com/ocularinvasion