The lovely and incredibly talented Wendy MacNaughton has been illustrating tattoos (and the stories behind them) for the tumblr blog; Pen & Ink, and now (deservedly so) she is turning it into a book.

Wendy and her Pen & Ink collaborator Isaac Fitzgerald are in the final stretch of putting it all together, but not before reaching out to me with a last-minute call for submissions. Do you have a tattoo with a compelling story behind it? If so, they want it, and they want it now. Take a pic of your tattoo, write a few words with its story and send it to: penandinkproject {at} gmail {dot } com

Anna Wanda Gogusey is our French connection, hailing from across the way, landing in Texas where she does illustration, design and takes art classes for fun at a local college. Anna is a master of her style and has a distinct look to her work.

Her works contain many animals, sometimes on fire, most of the time without eyeballs and have a somewhat demonic, but friendly nature to them.

I met Anna when she interned for me during my agency days. We've been able to work on a couple projects since then including some large scale murals, zines and art shows. Always fun to work with and has great ideas and skills. She also does amazing embroidery!

Thanks Anna! We think you're super rad!

Raffaele's Bafefit's biography describes the creatures in his portraits as "characters caught in between the thin line between life and death." This ceaseless purgatory, where even the smoothest of curves feel as sharp as Fugubiki knives, binds the personalities of each piece in a state of agony. And although you might not hear their caterwaul, you can certainly feel their desperation.

Everyone has played the game: what would you take with you if you could only bring along one thing? We all have something, something essential or entirely superfluous, something kinky or sentimental, something cerebral or trashy. Out with it. What's your thing?

In this challenge we ask that you draw something you wouldn't leave behind. Wait! Before you get to it, it MUST be something that could fit in a backpack. You're confined only by the size of your item, nothing else. Deadline May 23rd by 4pm EST, go here for complete submission details »



Draw your thing, your take-along, and win this incredible backpack to hold it. Trust me, you'll want to get your hands on this, because the folks at TOM BIHN design and make each product with tremendous craftsmanship, and all within the U.S.

While perusing through our flickr group, I stumbled upon the art of a Russian artist who goes by uncle_cat on flickr. Not much other info has been found, so any other tidbits about the artist remain a mystery.

Their art is vivid, playful, and infused with child-like whimsy. Some pieces look like something a proud parent would pin up on the fridge. Others show a glimpse of a crazy, fantastical world that is full of details. It's tempting to hop right into this colorful place populated by critters with character, geometric geography, and slanting cities.

I met Rich Cali at a local watering hole where he serves up tasty drinks to patrons many days of the week here in Austin. When he's not working at Yellow Jacket here in town, he's doodling and drawing to the beat of his own drum.

I love Rich's work and feel that we share a certain affection for the unknown. Rich is a painter and photographer, so seeing his work transition to a refined work on a panel shows his doodles are the foundation for something much greater.



Rich is a founding member of Common House, an art space and studio where he and other members host artists and art shows every month. Go check out their site and drop by an opening if you are in town.

It's true, whiteboard animation videos are trendy now, but they're typically used to explain complex services or somebody's political platform. Jonny Lawrence on the other hand is having a blast making them, just for the sheer fun of it. It involves tons of time, patience, storyboarding and doodle skills, but the final result is incredibly worth it.

Besides making the two animations above, Jonny is a talented concept/storyboard artist living and working in the United Kingdom.

Related: Check out The King of Doodle Animations