Craig Costello

New York based artist Craig Costello (aka KR) is mostly know for his 90s creation of the then home-made, but now internationally-renown and loved graffiti ink, Krink. KR would package the precious silver ink in small pop bottles or bingo dabbers, fulfilling friends' requests.

Today, the Krink brand still caters to graffiti artists (markers, dabbers, apparel, etc.) but Costello's personal art-style (largely derived from being an excellent ink maker) furthered the scope and elegance of the brand he still champions. His work is internationally curated, published and recognized.

Above are commisioned works done by Costello. Here, a video of him at work, and lastly, follow this link for everything Krink.

From top to bottom: A large blue and yellow drip work done in Prague (Czech Republic); A large yellow drip work also done in Prague (Czech Republic); A large silver drip work done in Vancouver (Canada); A full frontal work done for EyeBeam Atelier in New York (USA). All were produced in 2008. Images courtesy of KR.

Work In Progress v3.1

Last July I started new paintings of shelling images that I had photographed in Croatia (see this previous post). Shown above is a smaller study (the grey painting) and two large-scale works in progress.

Eine

Here are roll-up doors painted by UK-based artist Eine. We were there a few weeks ago and caught a handfull.

He started painting these without the consent of the shop owners but quickly found out that his efforts were appreciated. So Eine continued with granted permission and often a requested letter.

More can be found here and here.

Ben Long

Here are large-scale, finger drawing by British artist Ben Long. He does them overnight while the trucks are parked and left unattended. I guess it's goodbye to the ever famous "Wash Me" slogan. More on Ben Long's work can be found here.

Duane Hanson

I've been looking at Duane Hanson's work quite a bit lately. It might be because of the fact that I love people but also love to be by myself. His pieces are exact replicas of his working class American subjects. They are cast in bronze or a mix of autobody filler and fiberglass, then perfectly painted. Wigs, hair, clothes and various props are then added to complete the work. More can be found here and here.

From top to bottom: Man On A Mower, 1995; Lunch Break, 1989; Tourists II, 1988; Body Builder, 1989-95.

Mathew Borrett

Toronto-based artist Mathew Borrett imagines cities and worlds that he then softly illustrates with great care and enchanting detail. These worlds are usually reinterpretations of his childhood memories, but recently, Borrett has been showing us what our cities might look like in the future—say if we (humans) were ever to vacate the urban areas and give way to nature once again. More can be found here.

From top to bottom: detail #1 from Uptown Trail, 2008; detail #2 from Uptown Trail, 2008; Habitation (study), 2008.

Caught In Vranje (Serbia)

We just came back from south Serbia where we caught a mural by Belgrade-based street artist Aleksandra Petkovic. It was done this past summer, part of Kiosk's Start Up City project.

Work In Progress v4.0

Back in late July, we spent a few weeks with a group of friends in the old town of Hvar on the Croatian sea coast. I took shots of our rooms as we got more and more settled in the rented house.

From top to bottom: Bojan and Simona; Rebecca and Irineja; Andy and Carrie 01; Andy and Carrie 02; Cindy and mine; Rex; Ivo and Mladen. Click on an image for a larger view, hit the back button to return here.

Vincent

Belgrade television just aired Tim Burton's Edward Scissor Hands and we caught it while taking a break from our project. It reminded me of how brilliant the late Vincent Price was (he plays Edward's creator in the film) and turned to YouTube for more. I came across this wonderful short stop-motion film about a young boy pretending to be Vincent Price created by Tim Burton and Rick Heinrichs in 1982. The film, called Vincent, is narrated by Vincent Price.

More like it are posted there. Follow this link.

Stills from Vincent © Touchstone Home Video.

Etienne Zack

Montréal-based painter Etienne Zack opens an exhibit at the Blackwood Gallery at the University of Toronto's Mississauga campus. The show surveys Zack's work of the past six years and, with no doubt in my mind, will reveal the important contribution he has made to the resurgence of painting we've experienced in Canada in the last decade. The opening reception will be held Wednesday, September 17th, from 6 to 9pm. An exhibition not to be missed.

From top to bottom: When I Hear the Word Culture... (2008); On Reflexion (2006); Hitting Home (2005); and Addressing Scenario (2008).

À l'écoute

Slayer's God Hates Us All (American Recordings)
It doesn't have Raining Blood on it, it's actually far removed from those days. A much evolved Slayer playing with even lower down-tunings and experimenting with sound processing. Yes it was 2001, original lineup drummer Dave Lombardo didn't join in on this record, but nonetheless the legendary band delivered a fantastic feat.

Links of interest:
24 Marshall cabinets?
Slayer D.I.Y.?


The Streets' Original Pirate Material (Locked On)
Mike Skinner (aka The Streets): totally deadpan, underly valued lyrical abilities, basically a great producer delivering completely original music fit for the underdogs and masses. This is a diverse record. Perhaps Skinner was trying to fit-in with the fresh musical scene he was creating at the same time.

Patricia Piccinini

Undivided, installation view at Robert Miller Gallery, New York, 2005. More on her work can be found here.

Puma

Here's a few pieces caught last weekend in Zagreb done by Croatian artist Puma. They are peppered throughout the capital, drawn on poles, walls and utility cabinets. Always nice to find them.





This is one of his new pieces. Old-school looking photos with a message over top, signed with a Dymo plastic label maker tag. It reads: I'm happy to be here, Puma34, flowers at night.

More Southeast Europe Signage

From Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina):








From Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina):



From Belgrade (Serbia):





Beautiful signage, old hand painted billboards and utility plaques from Southeast Europe.