MoCCA love part 2: artist cards!

The thing I love about festivals like this is that even when you are all out of money, people are still giving out full color business cards, postcards (great for framing for cheap art!) and stickers all for free, and helping me remember who I really liked. I've spent several hours admiring their websites and trust me, they are well worth your time to check out!

leaves by Mark Burrier

Center for Cartoon Studies postcard by Sean Ford

Illustration for My Mommy is in America and met Buffalo Bill by Emile Bravo

-Martina Fuggazzotto's work can be found at one of my favorite print sites, Charmingwall, or over at her super bright page
-Stephanie Yue is a RI based artist who does adorable children's work and these great mice!

I've been looking into printing business cards, so I'm quite keen on seeing what's out there right now, and what graphics work or don't in such a small space. The Twinkletoes Gang is deep pressed and came in an array of colors on thick creamy paper- very nice. Graphic black and white penguin card by Thomas Baehr- cutest graphic novel ever! I think the Comics Bakery is my favorite though, I love curved edges right now and the sweet sepia colors work so well.

Friday's Five: Must see summer art shows

1. MoCCA Art Festival 2009 - a fundraiser for the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, but held at the Lexington Avenue Armory; a huge exhibit of artists, sketchers, animators, indie comics and more- I mean, just look at the poster! June 6th and 7th.

2. Also currently and, actually, at MoCCA through August 23rd, is a retrospective of David Mazzucchelli, a comic artist who started at Marvel working on Batman in the 80s and moved into the less glamorous but more personal indie comic world. He was actually in one of my classes at SVA- you know how you'll be in class and there's always a superstar the teacher adores and everyone else is struggling? Well, he's the superstar. Mazzucchelli's new work, a graphic novel called Asterios Polyp, looks really exciting - I can't wait to see it and get to know his older work.

3.Giant Robot NY - One of my favorite little galleries because of it's laid back vibe, cute shop items, and back issues of it's awesome magazine. Check out the new exhibit Panelists: Comic Artists on the Wall through June 24th.

4. Society of Illustrators -Earlier this year I posted about Yoko Furosho, a favorite artist of mine and a really nice girl. She was featured in The Society of Illustrators annual student competition, along with many talented upcoming illustrators you should check out to say you knew them when- through June 6th.

Petals in the water by Yoko Furosho

5. American Folk Art Museum- I already loved Henry Darger's collaged and traced outsider art illustrations following his fictional 15,145 page story about the Vivian Girls, but seeing the actual pieces is stunning. I didn't realize how large they would be, or how dreamy the use of his colors were until I visited Up Close: Henry Darger - though September 6th.

Fridays Five: Fav Blogs

You might have seen the new emblem displayed on my sidebar that reads BYW Friends. I took an online blogging course called "Blogging Your Way"taught by the talented and witty Holly Becker of decor8. The class was inspiring, helpful, and insightful, I highly recommend it for any level of blogging experience. I'd like to introduce you to a few wonderful blogs and people I met through it.

Visual Notes - graphic, calm and clean design blog by the lovely Maaret from Berlin. She has really nice home tours interviews (including photos from her home, above), and of course illustration, so take a look.

Visuals. (see a pattern here?) a great art and design blog by artist Lady Ann de Borja. i love the blog layout and her aesthetic, i could browse through her pages all day long.

Ink on my Fingers Susannah has beautiful photography, (she even teaches her own course) but i think her blog is fascinating because she's a great writer and shares so much about herself and is one of those open and honest bloggers you just want to have a cup of coffee with.

paper*crown A bright, happy, fun, orange oasis is Sarah Ahearn's blog paper*crown that follows her art process and inspirations. Super cute collage and mixed media pieces.

the red thread - Lisa is an Australian artist who's blog is just flooded with gorgeous pictures of art, design, photography, just about everything beautiful. i also feel like you don't see the same things on her blog as you see everywhere else, and her store will make you swoon...and get out your pocketbook.

all photos via visual notes, visuals, the red thread, paper*crown, and ink on my fingers