(Megan)
Click on the above picture. Go on–do it.
Amazing isn’t it? There is such life in the detail….such depth.
I had no intention for Friday Favorites to veer off the science fiction path any time soon. But that is the way of art. I am more controlled by a passing whim with my choices for Friday Favorites posts than I am with anything else I discuss on this blog, and when I saw the above image I was lost. I have always been a sucker for redheads, whether on film, in fiction, or in art and this painting just drew me in.
And once I am drawn in I get excited. I literally get a sort of ‘out of body’ experience when I am excited about an artist that I am going to share with you and I feel the electricity tingling through me as I sit here to type this.
The artist is Esao Andrews. And it is his work that I share with you today.
(Schoolgirl….Click image for detail)
This image, Schoolgirl, was the first I recall seeing of Esao Andrews’ work. The image was used as part of a subscription tear out in an issue of Juxtapoz art magazine and I tore it out simply to keep the image. Needless to say I was thrilled when I unexpectedly wandered on to his website today.
There is just something about oil painting. I mean look at the texture when you click on the above image. You can almost reach out and touch it. And Esao Andrews is one of those artists whose colors, if you’ll allow me to use an HGTV design phrase that drives me nuts, really “Pop!”.
(Click picture for full image)
There is something about Mr. Andrews’ art that reminds me of the work of Tony DiTerlizzi and Daniel Dos Santos. I really admire the work of both artists and would hope Esao Andrews would find this a favourable comparison. There is something about the way all three artists capture skin tone that suggests a kinship to me.
(Untitled….Click image for detail)
Esao Andrews imbues his work with a sense of ironic whimsy if such a turn of phrase makes any sense. Though not showcased as dramatically in the images I have chosen to include in today’s post, a visit to his site will reveal a number of twisted creations that are painted with such rich, warm color that one feels drawn to them rather than repulsed by them.
(The Last Hour…Click image for detail)
The Last Hour is the kind of fantastical image that immediately captures my attention and sets the gears of my imagination turning. I like what Mr. Andrews had to say about this image on his blog:
“I like to leave it up to the viewer to interpret what they want from my images, but I guess I’ll say for this one I imagined it’s a sick girl being gently lead to the unknown(possibly death) in the comforting arms of her giant doll/reaper guardian. I decided to not have it carrying a sickle, but a bindle as if the girl’s belongings may be in there for her journey.”
(Scarlet)
I look at Esao Andrews’ paintings (the above which for some reason reminds me of Gwyneth Paltrow) and wonder why I am not seeing his work as book cover illustrations. I would quickly count him among artists who would make me want to buy a book simply for the fantastic cover. Let us hope that is one of the many avenues of success that Mr. Andrews’ art leads him down.
(Image for Levine Show)
I mean, look at this above image for his shared art show. Don’t you want to hear a story about that ship? I certainly do. This is one of those images that jump starts the imagination and literally screams “Adventure!”, “Mystery!”
(Finch)
I neglected to mention it above, by Esao Andrews does great trees as well. From the quaint little pine trees in the ship image to the dramatic spread out limbs of the tree in the above image, I like the way he renders trees.
(Happiness and Wisdom…Click image for detail)
So many of the images painted by Esao Andrews tell stories…or at the very least beg for stories to be told about them. It is as if he traveled to some wryly humorous fantasy land and just sat and painted the menagerie of things that passed him by.
(Gotham Girls…Click for larger image)
Many of his images of women have a playfully seductive quality about them, it is something in the eyes, perhaps.
I highly encourage you to visit his site for many more images even more varied than what I have included here. In addition to his obvious painting talents, Esao Andrews does some really fun things with flash animation. Make sure to hover your mouse pointer over the face of the image on the left hand side of his blog. Then check out the Paintings section and the Archives section. In the Archives section if you click on the animated blue girl that comes out of the dark, you will be taken to a place where you can find many more painted images (click on the skirt of the girl sitting in the chair), only a small sample of which I showed you today.
And just so you know, there are some NSFW images there. Nothing dirty, but some more erotic images.
(Harvest)
Harvest gives you an idea of some of the more creepy creations that Esao Andrews includes in some of his artwork. There is such a sense of fun in much of his work.
And so I close with Megan. It certainly isn’t a big stretch of my imagination that leads me to think of Anne of Green Gables, as played by Megan Follows, when I look at the above image. In fact I think that show was the impetus for my fascination with redheads. I love when artists capture the freckles and blushes and varied skin tones in their paintings and Esao Andrews does this so very well. There is a mischievous quality to this and other of his works that adds a playful dimension to the viewing experience.
I hope you liked the work of Esao Andrews and hope you take some time this weekend and hang out at his site. As you scroll down the main page you can see pencilled roughs of some of his works and his posts are really interesting to read. And don’t forget to stop by his store (one request Mr. Andrews–an art book?). I would also encourage you to check out this terrific interview to learn more about the man himself.
Happy Friday everyone!
Wow Carl. Felt like I was reading about someone else. Thank you for such a wonderful post about my work. I am grateful. Me and Dan Dos Santos were same year schoolmates at SVA. As for illustration work, I’ve never actively pursued it. I submitted for American Illustration last year(with a lot of these images you posted) but didn’t get in. I was aiming for book covers.
Esao.
This is what I love about your Friday favourites Carl, I just never know what to expect. This untitled work I love.
The whole site is great though.
You’re welcome, Esao. I’m glad you approve. How funny that you and Daniel Dos Santos were in school together. It really is a small world. I’m never sure what artists think about book cover illustration. To me it is one of the heights of artistic success (commercially anyway) because of the exposure it gives the artist. I hate to think of how many wonderful artists I would be missing out on right now if it weren’t for their cover illustrations. Have you submitted to Spectrum at all? I certainly think your work stands up to much of the art that is featured in those volumes. I am sincere in my hopes that you continue to get your work out there as I’d love to see it get more recognition.
Fence: That is a great image, isn’t it? It is always fun to discover artists like Esao Andrews who have so many wonderful works on their sites that it is nearly impossible to choose which ones to include.
I’m so glad you included the detail shot on the Megan painting. It’s AMAZING. What a wonderful artist. I think my favorites from above are Megan, The Last Hour ( there’s definitely a story there ), Scarlett, and The Harvest. I will make certain to check out his site in the near future. I will also keep my fingers crossed for some book covers in the future as well. Thanks Carl for the much needed art boost this Friday morning and thanks Esao for creating such wonderful imagery.
Oh my, his work is truly amazing! Thank you, Carl, for the introduction.
He has a bit of a TIm Burtain feel – able to construct the “goth” feel without the fear.
I love exploring new artists as well. My friend just met up with this young fellow who had me raise a brow if anything else. Thought to pass it on…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Jungen
That is such an interesting description of Burton’s…and Andrews’…work, “able to construct the ‘goth’ feel without the fear”. Very well said.
Scarlet reminded me of Carrie…hmmm…
I can see that, Janet.
Wow…Carl….thank you for sharing. That detail…unbelievable.
Esao, you are amazingly talented.
…and Carl, I didn’t know you were so into redheads. I’m going to have to make my next Venator a redhead. 😀
I agree, Colleen! I’ll order up a redhead Venator right now!
These are so gorgeous. They all seem so cinematic! so many gave me a Tim Burton/Guillermo Del Toro feel. My favorite from the site has to be “The Hangover”. Wonderful find!
Collen – I’ll vote for a red head as well next time. My wife adds red highlights to her hair and I love them.
This is amazing stuff. I especially like The Last Hour and Finch. Thanks for sharing, Carl!
Good, fun stuff! Loved the freckles.
And I agree about Gwyneth Paltrow.
You’re so right about Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Followes (I never saw the show, but I had the edition of the Anne books with her on the covers.)
I particularly love “Harvest” — the girl shows such affection for the strange little rooty creature she’s grown. That’s exactly how I feel about my plants, misshapen though they might be!
He’s good at hair, isn’t he? Among many other things.
OMG! your site finally came back on for me!!!! I hope it stays this time!!!!!
Is this your most current post?? (I hope!).. wow! neat artwork!!!! How come when I meet or see artwork that I like I wish I could do it too? heh.. like, that’s not about to happen LOL…
I love the Last Hour.. but even more the girl on the swing on the link you have…she looks about how I feel most of the time! *sigh*..
Gads, I hope I keep getting your blog again!
This is indeed the latest, Deslily. I hope it keeps working for you as well. Yay!
Did you put your cursor over the girl on the swing at the link and watch the flash? I know you like that stuff. You should click on the archives and look at the flash stuff there. Some of it is a bit naughty but fun and well done.
I feel the same way when I see these artists, Deslily. I almost ache with the wish that I could do the something this good.
Kicking K: the Anne movies (Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea) are wonderful. Well worth viewing.
Love your comment about your plants and your observations about that picture. I hadn’t seen it quite that way and it made me smile.
Fantastic Friday Favourite, Carl! I was immediately captivated by The Last Hour and Harvest. Awesome work.
Megan is a stunning picture too. I really like the style.
Looking at the website, I’ve found some more I really like – Hollow Ruin is a striking image, and I am in love with The Hangover. Ivan is a spectacularly odd image!
You’re right, his trees are pretty awesome indeed. 🙂
really cool!
i like how theres this way in which he sees things… theres a lot behind it, that informs his style. i feel you can really look at these pictures a long time and get something from them… you know? there’s a feeling that, a sense, information that transmits from them.
like you, i also love the texture! i love that… thickness in texture. the richness of it!
-what the hell!!!? i just saw that esao himself commented! so cool!!! so cool.
I agree, JP. And yes, I was thrilled to see the artist himself drop in. He certainly is talented and I look forward with keeping up with his blog and following his work.
wow! I can only Aspire to be as good an Artist as Esao. His works are deeply intriguing and have always causght my eye, because they are so different. Hopefully, I will meet him or get in contact so he can do some designs for my clothing company. Thnak You for your work Esao.