Rodica Prato

I love the maps & travel illustrations of Rodica Prato, they speak to the little explorer inside of me. Makes me crave paint a map and its little details :)

She's romanian, an architect turned illustrator currently living in New york. Her studio is located in the Carnegie Hall building, oh and the library of congress asked her to donate some of her artworks to the Geography and Map Division. Very cool no?

Check out her website for more illustrations: www.rodicaprato.com

The Thomas Beale Cipher short film.

A close friend of mine shared this amazing video, that I must share with you.


It's called  "The Thomas Beale Cipher" a short film by Andre Allen.


If you are not familiar with the Beale Cipers, the movie has a bit of a small introduction so don't feel that you won't understand it. The story is fascinating.


The visuals of the animation are going to blow you away, is a very unique look that I feel makes the mystery stronger with its combinations of textures, photographs, patterns and strong contrasts. If you are a fan of illustration, design, storytelling, animation, mystery, puzzles then hurry watch the video!:

The Thomas Beale Cipher from Andrew S Allen on Vimeo.

Andrew S. Allen is tryuly a modern storyteller :)


Go to the Film's website to find out more about the film: www.thomasbealecipher.com


God I love films like that :) If you know of any other good short films do let me know :)


Also my friend who shared this video is an amazing designer & illustrator, check out her WEBSITE and her BLOG where she shares amazing findings.

Leornardo's Anatomical Drawings by the Man Genius.

I think every artist should have a book about this amazing artist and person: Leornardo Da Vinci.

Here is the book that I have of him, a book I bought at the Body worlds exhibition gift shop (by the way that exhibition is a must see).

you can buy a copy HERE

This one is a small book and has very few pages, but it clearly shows Da vinci's fascination of the human anatomy (and why not?, our body is quite magnificent) plus I love to see his studies and his cryptic writing next to it. It clearly shows the importance of always carrying a sketchbook to sketch/write down everything you observe.  What I learned from flipping through this book, is the importance of research on the subject/story that you have to illustrate.

I plan to get more books on Leonardo Da Vinci. You know that question of what 5 dead people you would love to have coffee with? (or something like that) Yeah Mr. Da Vinci is definitely invited.

Also while we are talking about this great man, if you are a fan (hahaha who would not be a fan?)

You must join his facebook page! like it HERE

Also I love how Leornardo Da Vinci was portrayed in "Ever After"

Source: google images.

Yeah I'll choose him as my fairy godmother too. 

Wish you all a great weekend.

Library of the Early Mind in Los Angeles February 6th.

Click on image to see larger version

Remember when I mentioned this film last year? no? That's ok, Its been a while.

Long summary short it's about children literature.

From the moment I found out about the release of this film--which has been touring around the U.S. since October 19 2010--I  got very excited because well I love books, I love children books, I love to illustrate and is my dream to one day illustrate a children's book and be part of the children publishing industry.

So if you are in LA during the week of february 6th, GO GO GO! its a must see and then tell me how you like it (oh how I wish I were back in LA just to see this film). If you  are not in LA check their website to see if there will be any screenings near where you live , which is what I do, constantly.

Find out all about the film: http://childrenslitproject.wordpress.com/

PS: I don't know if there are other documentaries about the children publishing industry, but if you do know please let me know :D 

Illustrator of the Week: Jose Sanabria

Oh, I can't wait when I finally have my Illustration studio all set up in Mexico, so I can have a legit library because I want to buy all his books. Have you seen his clouds? it blows me away! the way he does his watercolors are so beautiful! I can't get enough of it. The beautiful way he does his transparencies and yet it look so simple but I bet is not! and  also I love the way he does little people :). 

Anyway Jose Sanabria is a Columbian Illustrator, currently living in Argentina. Go check out his WEBSITE. No seriously GO!

PS: Another reason why I like him:

"When at my drawing table I enjoy the pleasure that a carpenter a craft worker or a blacksmith does with its work. My illustrations are homage to these people whom, with nothing other than their hands, create the most beautiful objects of life."

-Jose Sanabria

Oh how I wish he had a blog or a book about his techniques and inspirations.