No Neutral Thoughts, oil on canvas, 2008. 24 x 24 inches

Eric’s painting skills are truly unbelievable to say the least. His work transcends time, reality, science and logic. It is rich in content and is visually mind blowing. He finds inspiration in metaphysics, with trace hints of iconic pop culture of years past. - Manuel Bello

Brooklyn-based painter Eric White creates “traditional based” imagery from an unusual approach to figuration. White references found imagery (particularly from 40s era Hollywood) in works that are thought-provoking, beautifully rendered and also disturbing on many different levels. This approach enables the artist to tap into realities and dimensions that exist beyond the edge of our perception; in a world in which movie stars, political figures, and ordinary people are transformed: stretched and distorted and placed in bizarre landscapes. In all his creations White employs a meticulous mix of hyper-realism and surrealism to make his dark dreams.

Our Beloved Ganesa, oil on canvas

Eric White has shown extensively in galleries and museums such as The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Gracie Mansion in New York, Robert Berman and Track 16 in Los Angeles, and Moda Politica in Tokyo. His work is sought after by a wide range of collectors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, David Arquette and Courteney Cox.

View more of Eric White’s exceedingly inviting imagery after the jump. more…

Minako Saitoh Botsford is a (figurative) illustrator from Tokyo, Japan who creates digital paintings of fashion, pin-up girls, beauty and fantasy using Photoshop. Her work is available for commercial advertising agency work for fashion, urban culture, women’s themes, magazine and book publishing, cosmetic and beauty companies, retail and corporate in house freelance work. An highlight of her portfolio is the icon section made for the ‘Ohimesama Exhibition’ held in Gallery Dazzle (Aoyama, Tokyo, 2006), it’s full of these 50s style fashion fantasy portraits of women of all ages. She provides much more than just visual imagery: she offers energy which communicates with viewers at many different level, supported (in part) by a wicked sense of humor.

Minako has worked for major ad agencies and publishers across Japan and abroad. Her clients include SONY, Elle Magazine, Christian Dior, Yojhi Yamamoto, La Foret Harajuku, among others. Minako is represented by Art Limited. Her work is available for commercial advertising agency work for fashion, urban culture, women’s themes, magazine and book publishing, cosmetic and beauty companies, retail and corporate in house freelance work.

For more info on Minako’s gorgeous imagery, visit her site.

Ukiyo

The portfolio of commercial illustrator Bertrand Demay aka Beb Deum is both captivating and an inspiration on many different levels. Born and living in France, Beb-Deum is noted as being one of the masters of digital design and numerical drawing. His fabulous works are influenced by the Italian data base and Japanese culture, thus offering an interesting and complete mix of subject matter: something between retro-futuristic surrealism, techno-psychedelic and a kind of euro-manga. All these flavors combine into a very distinctive style; a style marked by subtle shades of (mostly) vibrant/bold colorings, and an excellent use of light and composition.

Nowadays, Beb-Deum works feature for advertising campaigns, but occasionally he will illustrate for both press and certain comics too. See a convenient list of his work here, or visit his portfolio here. You can also see some of my personal favorites after the jump. more…

Backseat Driver, 2007 oil on board/rearview mirror/air freshner

Honeymoon Sweet | Seeing Red, 2006. Oil on canvas / 11 x 14

Am loving the work of Chicago-based artist Ken Keirns. His bio reads: “Ken Keirns was born on the thirteenth of November. Shortly after that he decided that growing up was not such a good idea. He has always wanted to be an artist, except for that short-lived stunt man period when he was nine.”

From “Hot Babes” painted on board and framed inside Fisher Price Toy TV sets to wickedly designed doors with whores, there’s really no limits to Ken Keirn’s talents. Most of his artworks depict women, spectacularly characterized with long necks and rather large heads. And, more often than not, each female portrayal transmits an array of sensations, in all art flavors: this could be either painting, illustration, sculpture,animation, book or a very beautifully smooth doll.

Keirns’ incredibly diverse artworks are part of Subtext’s “The Witching Hour” exhibition which is on right now, until November 1st. Many of his pieces showcased there, you can see after the jump. Along with some works originally shown at the Hot Babes In Toyland Show 2007, Chicago, IL. more…

AppleBomb

“I try to involve graphic elements to cement the fact that these are just paint on board, and not intended to mimic reality. I couldn’t call it surrealism with a clear conscience, but that is usually the first word that comes to peoples minds.” Says Casey Weldon about his work.

In my humble opinion, Casey Weldon is one of the most talented artist around today. His work is already collected in multiples by locals who cant seem to get enough of this artist’s fantastical and most provocative paintings. He mostly paints, in beautiful detail, the animal kingdom, including people. To understand how and why he does this, you have to understand that most of Weldon’s paintings are enigmatic, in which words play an integral part. This wordplay may be used to give us essential clues to the painting’s characteristics (be it irony, wit, humor), or it might address a serious critique of society. more…

• Matchbox label artwork

A matchbox label collector is called a phillumenist. But you don’t have to be one to love these tiny works of art. This charming collection of eye-catching European matchbox label artwork can be seen on one of Maraid’s photosets . Consisting of more than 300 matchbox labels that were collected worldwide, primarily Eastern European from the 1950s and 60s. The labels range from minute works of socialist realism from countries including Poland, Russia and Lithuania to marvelous naive animal and bird pictures from Czechoslovakia.

Maraid’s interest in matchbox labels lies primarily “in the design but also the concept that these small images can communicate to a large number of people”. Subject wise, Mariad points out, “advertisers, governments were quick to realize the potential of these far reaching messages. The combination of accessibility of design and subject, makes this collection an invaluable resource, a ‘must see’ reference for art lovers, designers, or collectors of ephemera.