"Atomic" by Illustrator Jonathan Ball

Cardiff, Wales based illustrator Jonathan Ball is easily one of my favorite illustrators of all time. He draws inspiration from 80's graffiti, Japanese video games, and geometric patterns to create his own distinct and completely addictive style. His client list is an impressive array of the biggest companies in the world including MTV, BBC, Sony, Playstation , Microsoft, Nickelodeon, Doritos, Mattel, Disney, Burger King, McDonald's, Hewlett Packard, Activision, and Atari...just to name a few.

Check out his collection of work in the series he titled Atomic! And be sure to watch the video at the bottom! If you love what you see, be sure to check out his website Poked Studio! Also, I suggest his Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram!

Must Watch: The Right Time - Animated Short by Hamish Steele

Take a look at animator/illustrator Hamish Steele's one minute long animated short about trying to find the right time to let your best friend know you are gay! It's super brilliant! I'd say more, but I don't want to ruin it.

When you are done be sure to check out Hamish's Tumblr and Twitter!

Minion Ways to Die: A Claymation From Lee Hardcastle

Animator Lee Hardcastle has gone and done what virtually half of the world wants to do - kill Minions. But, killing them isn't good enough. In this minute long claymation, Minions die at the hands of xenomorphs, sharks, cheese graters, Freddie Kruger, and so much more. If you are tired of Minions, this should be delightful revenge.

Be sure to visit Lee Hardcastle's website! And, if you have time, read our Interview with Hardcastle from last November.

My Head On Some Robot Legs: An Interview w/ Animator Andy Martin aka Handymartian

Animator Andy Martin's work makes me happy. Like ridiculously happy to the point of delirium. I find myself watching videos like "The Planets" and "Selfie" over and over again. I show them to my friends. I show them to my cat. Often, I gather together all of my stuffed animals and action figures and we sit and watch his animations together. He is just that brilliant.

This week Andy released the brand new short film Mr. Director, a stop motion satire poking fun at documentaries that feature self-aggrandizing artists and directors. "The biggest ego in film directing tells us his story of a lifetime in the movie business with clips from some of his films, archive interviews and exclusive behind the scenes footage." This film is seven minutes of sheer magic. If nothing else, the clips from the fake movies will have you giggling with delight.

But, the magic doesn't stop with just the illustration and animation. Andy Martin is also an insanely talented musician. His animations are filled with sometimes charming, sometimes whimsical songs that he has created. Andy has even animated a hilarious stop motion band series called Tiny Tunes in which the band tackles "serious subjects like eating steaks, robot legs, seeing a doctor, haircuts and sharing." But don't let any of this fool you. Andy is a truly accomplished songwriter, instrument tinkerer, and sound manipulator. See for yourself at Andy's music page: Handymartian!

Andy Martin was kind enough to take some time out of his day and do an interview. If you'd like to explore more of his work on your own, I suggest his Website, Twitter, and Vimeo Page. Also, be sure to check out his Society 6 Shop! 

Q: Andy…I am madly infatuated with your animation “The Planets.” The ending song even makes me tear up a bit. What was your eureka moment for creating the project?
Andy: It all kind of developed organically through the year. It started off as a daily illustration project to force myself to draw in my sketchbook again but grew into a monthly animation project and at the end of the year I had the 12 minute film. I'm sorry it made you cry but it's good to get out your emotions. Bottling things up will give you an ulcer!

Q: On a totally different note, I tend to laugh every time one of your characters, be it alien or bunny, farts. Does that say more about you or about me?
Andy: It probably says a lot about both of us.

Q:  Are you self taught or do you have a formal education in illustration and animation?
Andy: I studied Moving Image Design at University which gave me a good start but then I've learned a lot in the years I've been working. So I think it's been a healthy mix of the two which is maybe how it should be. It's good to have some formal training as a starting point but then to do interesting work you need to go a bit rogue.

Q:  I totally love that you post video workshops showing how your animations are made so other people can learn your techniques. Was there ever any trepidation about sharing your secrets?
Andy: No, none at all. I hope people will take the techniques and make something new and fresh. Something that I could never have thought of.

Q:  Have you considered working with the phone companies on an app that will actually punch you in the face if you take a selfie?
Andy: I'm not sure it's worth the lawsuits.

Q:  Your Tiny Tunes track “Style” is hands down my favorite, mostly because my hair is mental. Which line of lyrics best describes your coiffure?
Andy: "This hair looks good" obviously!!

Q:  If for one reason or another you had to choose between animation and music, which would you pick?
Andy: Animusic.

Q: What artists/illustrators do you currently follow?

Amaro & Walden's Joyride

Andy: I'm constantly on the search for great animations to watch. I recently saw Adam Elliot's new short "Ernie Biscuit" which was excellent (he also made one of my favourite animated films called "Mary And Max"), the short "Amaro and Walden's Joyride" by The Line is super cool, and the guys at Animade did a stylish short recently call "Cronomtics". There's so much other great stuff out there by amazingly talented independent animators it's tough to name just a few but you can check out the things I've liked on Vimeo (where I find most of the best animation) here: Andy Martin Likes. Vimeo has a great animation section that is worth exploring: Vimeo Animation.

Q:  Do you remember the first animation you ever created? Care to share the storyline?
Andy: I do. It was for a school IT project and it was advocating regular exercise for a healthier lifestyle. Advice I have subsequently failed to follow.

Q:  Unicorns...or Narwhals? Who would win in a fight?
Andy: Why can't they both get on? I'm not sure what the beef is but I'm sure they can work it out peacefully.

Teodor the Cat - Helping Humans Get Ripped One Angry Crunch At A Time

Move over Body Beast and P90X, there's a new work-out champ in town and he is tougher than Billy Blanks and Shawn T combined. Teodor the Cat is on a mission to lose weight and he is not going to stop until he does. And, honestly, if an overweight cartoon tabby can get himself to the gym, the rest of us really have no excuse at all.

Teodor is the creation of NY creative designer, illustrator, and animator Denis Sazhin, the founder of design firm Iconka.com. Teodor takes us on a quest for adventure and fitness that leads us to sunrise yoga, hot air balloon rides, making new friends, and lots and lots of time in the gym. He even has his own exercise site - MyCatFit.com - where you can exercise along, change the routine, and pick music that suits you.


We also highly recommend you keep up with Teodor the Cat on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. There's a little something different on each of these, so make sure to follow them all.

Watch the videos below while you look for the number to renew your gym membership.

Help Support the Indie Go Go Campaign for a Rankin Bass Productions Documentary!

I have no idea how this documentary project on Indie Go Go is being overlooked! Rankin Bass brought us timeless tv and film classics such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, the animated 1977 version of The Hobbit and follow up The Return of the King, The Last Unicorn, and Thundercats. It really is time someone made a documentary worthy of their legacy. Thankfully, there is still time to save it!

Here's a bit of their campaign pitch:

If you are not already familiar with Rankin/Bass Productions, they have no doubt been responsible for some of your favorite holiday programing, and most likely been a part of one production or another that you grew up with. Rankin/Bass produced everything from holiday specials to cartoon shows, from feature dramas to cult horror. Rankin/Bass is a pivotal influence to American and World Culture. Their works have influenced generations of filmmakers and industry, authors and artists, as well as most of us to some degree or another. 

Their best known work is the 1964 holiday favorite “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” which still airs every year, and has now been viewed by over ONE-BILLION people worldwide. Other notable Rankin/Bass feature favorites include 1969’s “Frosty the Snowman” 1974’s “The Year Without A Santa Claus”, 1970’s “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, 1979’s “Jack Frost”, and 1967’s “Mad Monster Party?”. Rankin/Bass also produced many of the 1960’s, 70’s & 80’s favorite cartoon shows, including ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Smokey Bear Show, The Jackson 5ive cartoon series, TigerSharks, and many, many more!

This Documentary is long overdue, and has been years in the making. We have mountains of information, and every contact imaginable with all the Rankin/Bass affiliates. However, most of the surviving members who are still around are getting up there in years. Arthur Rankin Jr. recently passed away, and we desperately need to get the stories from everyone else while there is still time.

Check out their Indie Go Go page for perks for donating to their cause. Or watch the video below! Hopefully this documentary will be able to get off the ground!

A Tourist In My Country: The Illustrations of Lucas We

I adore the work of artist/illustrator Lucas We. He seamlessly blends a multitude of different genres of art into his own unique style that all at once represents everything that is good and everything that is awful about modern society. Lucas was born in Argentina. His father was a boxer and his mother a seamstress. He currently lives in Paraguay where his work is sought after by everyone from major corporations and government agencies to tiny indie rock bands and nightclub promoters. And he finds a way to please them all. For example, check out the Learn Without Fear anti-bullying comic he illustrated for a joint initiative between the Deputy Minister of Youth and the Collective Jopara, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Plan Paraguay.

When I sent Lucas an email asking if we could display his work, I got back this message, "I do not speak English but it would be a great posting my stuff." This is more than fine, Lucas We's work speaks for itself!

Be sure to check out all the art and videos below. If you would like to explore more on your own, visit Lucas We's Tumblr, Behance, and be sure to check out his street art on Facebook!

Pulitzer Prize Winning Animator Mark Fiore Hilariously Explains Religious Freedom Laws in 1 Minute Video!

Pulitzer Prize-winner Mark Fiore, who the Wall Street Journal has called “the undisputed guru of the form,” creates wonderfully frank and direct to the point animated political cartoons using comedy and common sense to quickly dissect huge political arguments. His work has been featured on the San Francisco Chronicle’s web site, SFGate.com, for over ten years. His work has also appeared on Newsweek.com, Slate.com, CBSNews.com,MotherJones.com and NPR’s web site. Fiore’s political animation has been featured on CNN, Frontline, and numerous cable and broadcast outlets across the globe.

Mark Fiore was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for political cartooning in 2010, a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 2004 and has twice received an Online Journalism Award for commentary from the Online News Association (2002, 2008). Fiore has received two awards for his work in new media from the National Cartoonists Society (2001, 2002), and in 2006 received The James Madison Freedom of Information Award from The Society of Professional Journalists.

When it comes to the religious freedom acts, Fiore writes:

“Religious Freedom” is suddenly in vogue, mysteriously hot on the trail of gay marriage victories across the country. This isn’t about discriminating against homosexuals, right? We were going to pass these laws, um, anyway and stuff. (Except that some of these new laws do open the door to discrimination quite readily.) 

Now that florists and cake decorators are apparently all devout God-fearin’ heterosexuals who must not be forced to treat all customers the same and pizza joints are worried about catering gay weddings, much legislation is needed. The religious right is desperately struggling to rekindle the flames of the culture war as they lose the gay marriage fight. Ah, ‘Merica!

Watch Mark's 1:20 video "Religious Freedom and Gay Commerce!" And be sure to check out his website and blog! He posts new animations frequently!