Applied Illustration

Earrings By Heather Benjamin & Alex Heir

$30.00 

Limited Edition

why I like it:

• I really love Benjamin's art style and I think these two earrings seamlessly work together even though Heir has a really different style. I think this is because of the size of the pieces. They are small and would be exciting to look at but not a massive focus of someones look, I think the details are harder to see so from afar they seem very similar. Also I think the classic motifs of roses/skulls/ women's faces works really well to translate across styles. I like the asymmetric aspect of the earrings, I think there's something very subtle about it and I think it looks cool.
•  I think they are successful because I think that the illustration is strong and isn't lost in the translation of it becoming a product. Because it's earrings the illustration can be the whole product and not be over complicated or hard to see. I think Benjamin also knows her audience and it really suits the style of her other clothing pieces/illustrations. She also used her signature female character as part of this piece which again I think is really strong and iconic to her fans. these earrings r cool n quirky, definitely made for someone who loves the artist rather than ur average jewellery connoisseur, but I think this is fun because she hasn't tried to reach an audience bigger than her own. she's just making art she likes.

Mural by Laura Callaghan

why I like it: 

• like most of these applied illustrations, I think the reason I like it because the most iconic and exciting things about the artists' style always comes through in the illustration. they don't change their way of doing things to suit the place/item/product it's applied to, their work makes the item/place more beautiful and it enhances the illustration. I think Callaghan's scenes full of women, pattern and colour are perfect for this situation because a mural should be eye catching and fill the space. it almost creates a shop window, as if you're looking into the building so it makes this space more fun and exciting. also picking Callaghan to do this piece is important, it will attract a certain kind of person or fans of her work, but her fun bright colours n cheeky characters would also draw in random passers by. people might take a selfie in front of the mural and go into the shop, this is rad.

Plant Pots by Tuesday Bassen

In collaboration with Urban Outfitters

why I like it:

• these r just sweet!! the eyes and lil faces r just so fun and cheeky and simple, like I think they would look v cool in someone's house without looking childish or stupid or weird. I think they're very stylish and subtle but just cute lil guys! everyone and their mother has cacti now so I think making illustrated plant pots was a smart move, they're very topical and trendy atm so that's fun. I think the illustration itself would be a cute print/piece of art but wouldn't be incredibly bold and shocking or exciting. I think that putting these illustrations of a plant pot/home item is clever because it personifies the item and makes it cute n fun, it decorates a boring item, it makes people feel like their home is bespoke and cool. I think this makes this illustration work better as an applied illustration than a art print.

Lonesome Cowgirl Patch by Eradura

Sold on her Etsy and personal website

$54

'Watching an eternal sunset'

why I like it:

• the embroidery/linework is GORGEOUS. the use of fabrics/threads/colours is so specific and reserved and gorgeous, the tan brown and gold and peach tones all work in this warm, dusty, cowboy colour family. the profile staring away from the viewer is lovely, the hat is so sleek and this patch is simple and sweet and classy. it fits with the artists' collection of western themed work and her patches are always so sweet and simple. 
• Eradura only makes her illustrations into pins and patches, not artwork on its own. she makes the choice for her art to be wearable and only wearable. I think this is fun because her work is more like little artifacts, little embellishments for people to wear and carry with them instead of display in their home. I really like this idea of my art as pieces people can wear and decorate themselves with.

Sleater Kinney Gig Poster by Carson Ellis

why I like it

• Carson Ellis started off making concert posters/flyers for her partners band The Decemberists, so I think she's definitely used to working in this format and can fit her illustrations into posters very easily. posters are very similar to art prints, where Ellis can work with illustrations and typography freely instead of trying to conform it to a specific shape. her style is simple and uses strong shape and characterisation. posters are meant to be graphic and show off the style/vibe of the band and I think Ellis' work is just so fun and inviting and magical and works well on a poster. Sleater Kinney is a riot grrl band so I think the fact they chose an illustrator to do their posters is interesting because it seems to fit in with the diy, women working with women vibe they have. the simple, bold motif in the middle that pushes the focus onto the typography to me is really striking and gives a taste of the band (using a magical woman character to represent them) but is still very alluring and ambiguous.