Visual Crash - School of Faces

Monday Notepad Image #009 | Crab Control

2011-10-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Apologies about the missed week last week.

Back to the proper schedule:

Crab Control

Whenever I have to get the remote, there always seems ot be some kind of problem.

Monday Notepad Image #008 | Curious and Curiouser

2011-09-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Curious & Curiouser

It always amazes me what you may see when you tour the outdoors. My television often comes back from a walk quite shaken.

Monday Notepad Image #007 | The Hillside

2011-09-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Hillside

In keeping with my vision of the outdoors, Here is the caves you travel to when you're a kid, the ones that look like they'll eat you up and spit out your bones.

Monday Notepad Image #006 | Tree

2011-09-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

Tree

From a concept about clouds came an image about trees, Something drawn a little differenly, I hope you enjoy this one for monday.

Monday Notepad Image #005 | Fade

2011-08-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

The fifth image, is a subtle texture test from Notebook #17.

Fade
A while back I was testing my pens out and I was working on using the pen for subtlety, This is a quick sketch and render of without the eyes I tend to draw, Have a look, drop your opinion below and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Monday Notepad Image #004 | X-ray Teddy

2011-08-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

The fourth image, is an overnight pen wrecker from Notebook #17.

X-Ray Teddy

I have worked on an x-ray style before now, once with a stick figure and once with an X(yes an X) but while starting off a sketch of a bear I got more involved in its structure the more I put the pen to the paper. 2 pens later and I'd made enough dark patches around the outside to see the bare bones of the piece (forgive the pun though)

Monday(on Tuesday) Notepad Image #003 - Awake

2011-08-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

The third image, while a litte late is from Notebook #16.

Awake

This sketch is a focus on one of my more repeated topics of the eye itself. Something I practiced sketching on post-it notes, maths text books and anything else. I know the matchstick is quite short but pretend this is a matchtsick for ants....

Monday Notepad Image #002 - 5 Senses

2011-08-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

And the second image in the monday Notepad Image is a reworking of an older design....

The 5 Senses

With this reworking I've sketched out each individually an will put them into a single frame (quintuptych?) I was quite happy with all 5 and I wanted all of the men to have there own personality.

Monday Notepad Image #001

2011-07-31T23:26:00.000-07:00

So to start off a new series while the School of Faces gets underway, here is a sketch for the week from my notebook, specifically from book 16.

The Tattooed Elephant

After a recent trial working on different styles I've started working on a tattooed series including a tattooed eye, a tattooed building and a tattooed tank. The elephant I'm quite happy with. I may work on a larger version of this as well.

The project continues

2011-02-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

So I have been quiet recently, whiling away my hours inside my evil lair buried within a volcano.
And I have been receiving lots of images from many nice people around the world. My numbers are almost at 40 (of 1008) so I'm still pushing for any further images from people.

To give you all a bit of an understanding of the project I've started taking some photos and putting together some diagrams.

So If I happened to stand up straight at 183 cms I couldn't see over the top of the 3 panel high art piece. The width is almost 4 meters wide so I could also use a couple of horizontal panels as a bed before I start sketching on them.

And there are the initial panels that, once cut will make up the backing of the piece. I will keep posting 4 photos of each panel once I have completed it so you can get an idea and print out a copy(should you want to)

Thankyou all for your support and keep on inviting your friends. If you're interested in submitting for the project please read this post and email a photo and name of yourself to schooloffaces@gmail.com

Thanks

Michael.

The full skinny on School of Faces

2011-01-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

Now I've already posted a variety of blog and journal posts regarding this around the web to drum up some support and ensure that I get to the magic number of 1008 images. Here are the basic details in a condensed form:

What do the need?

A photo of you in profile as per the example and your name as you would like it to appear.

Then send it to schooloffaces@gmail.com

Any specifics on the photos?

The photos don't have to be of amazingly high quality but it is important I can make out your features easily. If it's too dark I may ask you for a replacement.

If you are under the age of 18 you will need your parent/guardians permission but I'm happy to put people of any age or location in this project.

And what happens to the photos?

I am creating an art piece that, once complete, will have all 1008 faces sketched into a specific pattern. I will hand sketch each face based on yours and the 1007 other photos. The finished size will be 3 meters wide by 2 meters high (over 6 panels)

Can you do anything else?

Well, if you have anyone else who may be interested please send them through or if you have a blog please post information regarding the project. If you have a location that people check regularly I can mail through a pack including business Cards and a flyer.

If you want your family included in this project I am happy to put an entire group in together pending space.

Who the hell am I?

My name is Michael Alesich and I'm a visual artist based in Melbourne, Australia. I just completed a year long project of sketching a daily calendar for 2010. I am highly experienced with sketching, photography and wire sculpture.

Thank you in advance

Michael.

Are you kidding me? 2010 Calendar Complete and 2011 Project Announcement

2011-01-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

If you had to ask me to single out one thing from 2010 that was truly epic I'd have to say getting married, but if you kept on asking until you got to about the 7th or so you'd hit the true reason I'm writing this blog today.
And the answer would be the 365 Notepads Calendar.

In short, in one year I managed to sketch and post up 365 images to create a calendar and I'm extremely happy with the result. As well as sketching the images I took the time, for every Friday's post, to include colour into the piece as well as highlighting a few specific days during the year that are important to me.

but while this project has been completed (though a print run for the calendar is in the works) another has started for me and I'm putting the word out for your help.

Here's some frequently asked questions to help you out.

What is the project?
The project is an art piece that combines a mass of people faces together to form a pattern reminiscent of fish scales. The final piece will be 6 1x1 meter panels with 1008 faces on it. This will be exhibited at various places, either as a full piece or the six separate panels spread out.

1008, isn't that quite a lot of images?
1000 was the original intended number but the pattern needed requires 1008 to work correctly. And that is also why I need your help. While I am asking all who read these blog posts to put themselves forward, I'm also hoping you to pass this on to anyone you know who may be interested. I'd like to include as many people from anywhere and everywhere around the globe.

What is needed?
For each face I need a name and a photo in profile, as per the example shown. The only parts that will be included is the face, a small part of the hair and the chin. Any person who is under 18 years of age will need to have parental permission to have the face included but I am happy to include anyone of any age.

Does it have to be a high quality shot?
The quality of the photo doesn't have to be that great, the example was taken on a mobile phone though I would I will need the image to be light enough to make out your features. If I find it too hard to work with I may ask for a reshoot.The photo will not be included in the final piece.

Where do you send this to?
email both the photo and name to schooloffaces@gmail.com

And where do updates appear?
The updates will mostly appear on this redbubble account or right here, on this blog

If you have any questions please post them below or email me directly.

Thanks

Michael.

Summer Presents

2010-11-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

So you may be looking at getting a gift for someone in the near future and your eye may just hit a piece of my art on Redbubble. Maybe it could be A calendar, a greeting card, a framed print, a tee, or even a sticker. What I'd recommend is dropping in to the store quickly and having a good look around but ensure you enter in a brand new code for 15% reduction:

Michman_is_on_sale_8036

and this should work right up until the 14th of November

and should you like my 365Notepads items you can use this code to get the equivalent 15% off till the 14th of November:

365Notepads_is_on_sale_4600

A Day of Drawing

2010-06-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday marked the day of sketching for a considerably number of people around the world with the officially title Drawing Day 2010 starting and finished a good number of sketches, doodles and other such stuff. The rule being that the sketches had to start and finish on the day.

My own efforts involved a coffee shop in Parkdale , a plate of french toast, two coffees and a pot of tea to come back with 4 sketches

And I'm quite happy with my sketches.

But this isn't all about me. If you have a look at the Red Bubble group for the day you'll notice that there are stupendous amounts of sketches and more will probably still be rolling in over the next few days.

Now since they are aiming to have quite a few sketches for the day (the aim is 1,000,000) then I should feel it is my duty to direct you to a few images from other artists who do make wonderful images. Ensure you click through to look at there work properly.

And so if you do feel like you want to get into such a project next year I recommend this one. For a fun day whittling away the hours with a marker of your choice it's great to pass the time and relax.

Illustrator Interview - Simon Sherry

2010-05-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

For most people the ability to call on numerous demons, creatures of the night and gigantic robots of destruction would be enough to pass the time but illustrator and creative mind Simon Sherry still has ideallistic views of taking over the world as a dastardly villain.

Well, at least, it seems that way anyway.

With a definitive style of jagged dark lines, silhouettes and limited tone shading you could be fooled to thinking that a tee or a poster may not contain much detail but you'd be wrong. From the meticulous fluid lines inside a Killbot™ to the hairs on the chest of a gun toting Ace of Clubs his attention to detail is superb and the creations leap off the page and into the mind of the viewer.

VC - Most illustrators have found that inspiration comes from there childhood and what literature inspired them. What is the picture book or comic that started you wanting to draw?

SS - I can point to four things:

The Masters of the Universe toys and box art. If you’ve never seen the original box art, I recommend checking it out – it’s an awesome mix of Frazetta-style sword and sorcery and Flash Gordon Sci-fi pulp. Can’t go past Barbarians and robots! The miniature comics and storybooks that came packaged with the toys also fired up my imagination, and probably sowed the seeds for my love of pulp fantasy.
Warlock of Firetop Mountain and the whole Fighting Fantasy gamebook series – again, an amazing array of art both on and between the covers.
Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen – pure fuel for the imagination.
Larry Elmore’s art on the Dungeons and Dragons gamebooks – take a look at the red box artwork of the basic set for an example of what I mean (I’ll give you a hint, one lone warrior versus one very big and angry dragon).

VC - Have any of your killbots ever been arrested for disturbing the peace?

SS - Not that I’m aware of – although it’s possible that someone’s tried – the bodies just haven’t been found yet.

VC - What is your best inspiration when having a creative blockage(your plumbing muse so to speak)?

SS - Playing with the kids, random scribbling on paper or monitor, loud music in the ears and a short walk – all of these things have been known to kickstart my creativity.

MF - You have a range of different projects that have been completed including Killbots™, Deck of Cards and The Game of Kings™, What other projects are currently sitting in the docking bay?

VC - Well, I’m pretty excited about the next phase of Game of Kings. People have seen the ‘cast’ that make up the two opposing sides of the board, so the next step is to have them duke it out. We’ve managed to bring some new recruits into the fold to lend their own particular brand of artistic muscle to the endeavour, and I think we’re going to end up with a pretty awesome collection of work to show you all later in the year.

Aside from that, I’ve been assembling my own fictional concept band as part of a challenge being run over at redbubble, and slowly but surely gathering steam with a couple of other ideas that will hopefully see the light of day sooner rather than later. One of them involves a certain undead egg, and I’m pretty eager to get onto it…

VC - I have heard that you are a fan of your Wacom (on occasions it could be seen as a deity of drawing) Is there any other equipment that you are especially fond of?

SS - I think that if I didn’t have a Wacom in my arsenal, I’d be a pretty sad fellow. These days it’s pretty much my primary tool of the trade, although I still like to break out the ballpoint and paper on occasion. I’m keen to try my hand at a bit of sculpture, but like a lot of things, it’s something I haven’t managed to get to yet ;o)

VC - If you had to have any movie/tv series alien as a pet, where would you keep them(oh and which alien)?

SS - He doesn’t really count as an alien, but a miniaturized Godzilla would be perfect. Not only would he be a great conversation starter, but I could set him loose on the neighborhood teens when they get on my lawn.

VC - Should the world be attacked by intergalactic demons with swords would you:

a) Turn on Killbots 7 and 8. 7 to destroy them and 8 to have a cup of tea.

b) Unleash the Bullrock, or at least leave the sidegate open for it to go on a rampage across the land.

c) Politely inquire with the Queen of Diamonds to stare them down.

d) Save the file, go to bed and look forward to finishing the sketch in the morning.

SS - Well…

a) Odds are that no. 7 would turn on me instead, dysfunctional as it is, and I don’t think I’d ever be game to try the concoction no. 8 calls ‘tea’ – I’ve seen what it does with it’s victims, and I’m convinced that liquid has more in common with Soylent Green than Twinnings.

b) Not unless I like the idea of being either stomped or incinerated, or both.

c) She’d probably end up striking a deal with them and taking me out herself.

d) That sounds like the safest bet ;o)

All images in this interview are by the awesomeness that is Simon Sherry . If I could claim any credit for them I would but I have a fear of Killbots that stops me acting unethically

Photography Interview - Paul Louis Villani

2010-03-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Paul Lous VIllani

As a new person to the wonders of art on the web my first impression of Paul came from meeting him at a few walks around the Botanic Gardens. With a dominating hieght you can be fooled by Paul being a dangerous person but his demeanor, friendliness and smile dismiss all of that in an instant. And this is all before he starts picking up his camera.

When he does get his hands into the artwork it seems that light, sky, trains, instruements and models are his bread and butter. His extensive collection of shots vary from all around Melbourne's industrial scene burning vivid colours and images into your mind. From trains, models and automobiles everything that stands in front of Paul's wide angle becomes a vivid story layered in history.

VC - What inspired you to first pick up a camera?

PLV - Mum. She was always the designated photographer at all family events, eventually becoming official wedding photographer at a few matrimonies along the way. She wasn't a trained pro but she loved capturing people at play. Other inspirations come from my earliest memories of band and musician photography. The covers of albums and the covers of The Rolling Stone magazine are definitely some of the first things that piqued my interest in what a photographer can do.

VC - You have a heavy influence of music in your photos and, evidently, you are a musical person at heart. If you had to choose any band to photograph the album art for, who would it be and what would you think you’d like to do?

PLV - Oh dear... only one band?? ;p
I sometimes feel a little strange about being so "into" the era of music from 1966 to 1976... I say this because I was born in 1970 and logistically should've been influenced by the mid eighties to the mid nineties but...
The imagery that was created for and about musicians during that time (late 60's early 70's) still inspires me today.
So, to answer your question (before I blabber on about music for the next 10 hours!!! hehe!) I would love to photograph musicians like Muse, The Killers, System of a Down, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Plant and Krauss, Jack White, Sarah Blasco, Missy Higgins, The Arctic Monkeys, Peaches and Wolfmother... You can see why it is very difficult to narrow that all down to just one!! :)
The way I'd shoot them... well that would all depend on their brief and their imminent needs but if it was up to me it would be something avant garde... create a new and visual world within a controlled setting and let the musicians shine whether that be by their own personality or by creatively nurturing an alter ego yet to be exposed... that would be joyful photographic challenge!

VC - Your fascination for rust and grime in industrial photos seems to be boundless. Have you ever dismissed items that are too clean?

PLV - Too clean... LOL!! :D
I'm sure I've walked past many "clean" scenes and just put the camera away but these scenes can sometimes be (visually) absolute magic!
Minimalistic vastness, bland hues and different shades of grey... to be able to photographically "see" more than what is already there, that can be the recipe for some pure art.

VC - Are freight trains better than passenger trains?

PLV - Yes. ...and no! Passenger trains are cool but freighters just seem to have rustic and charismatic qualities. Before photography took over my life trains were kind of passé' in my world.
It wasn't until I spent some creative time in country Victoria that I began to understand and appreciate the whole "rail" thing and the robust beauty of a freight train.
We are all intrinsically drawn to things that have qualities we admire or aspire to... I often wonder if that's the reason why I enjoy capturing trains in general.
They are strong, powerful, dependable and necessary, all things I wish I was, all things I aspire to be as an artist and as a human being.

VC - If you had to run quickly out of the house as it was on fire would you (with everyone else from your house being safe)?
a) pick up the camera to ensure you had photos of a burning building.
b) pick up your guitar to play a concert for the firemen and the neighbors
c) pick up the timetable for the next Melbourne - Sydney train to make sure you didn't miss a good photo opportunity
d) all of the above.

PLV - LOL!! Without a doubt the answer is D!! Naturally I couldn't help myself but to take some piccies of the event... and yes, if there is a Guitar in my hands I'm going to start singing and probably scare the firemen away (which would be bad because of the fire!!) and yep, wherever a good photo opportunity is, I'll go!
Peace!

A calendar for life and other news

2010-03-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

In order of importance of news I have the great pleasure that I am the new illustrator for Bananafish Magazine as well as having the fun of designing their new masthead. After seeing advertisement for an illustrator for there site and upcoming publication I approached them and have happily had the header accepted.

and all this after a year of keeping my notebooks with me and sketching for all I am worth. But onto that news as well. I have happily completed two months of The 365 Notepads Calendar and am working my way, whistling, through March.

I have specifically kept the day and year off the calendar so that you don't have to buy a new one every year and am looking into the options of publishing the whole lot at the end of the year. Most likely it will be a day to a page (with some method to cover leap years).

If you have any comments please leave them here or on the Facebook fan page as I'm always intrigued which images people like (even like them if that's all you want to do). It is also posted on the

My t-shirts of interest

2010-02-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

So for all you people out there who may not know, Red Bubble recently updated the previews of t-shirts to make them more authentic to the final option and including a 'detailed view' behind our modelling pale figure

So, if you ever were wondering what my image looked like on a pale model you can get a good idea now (but seriously, these new previews are really, really really cool.)

Hmmm, I think I need to go out and get some more designs up now.

365 days of Sketches

2010-01-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

My first project for the New Year, should last a whole year and revolves around a full calendar of sketches. For every six days of Black and white I'm also having a seventh colourful day.

Here are the first of the days:

Dancing from the Ball - 2009 MLX Ball

2009-12-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

After recently getting the chance to photograph the Melbourne Lindy Exchange 2009 Ball I have started to show some of my favourite shots. Enjoy.

The full gallery is here

The Ruby Tuesdays - Something happens on a Tuesday

2009-12-08T17:06:00.001-08:00

A group of friends and I have been getting together recently, to test out and enjoy the benefits of a tuesday night shoot at various locations in and around Melbourne. Known as the Ruby Tuesdays we tend towards various locals of disrepair, desolation and isolation. Fun all around.
These are some of my own photography from the time but I will post up the others stuff in the next few Blogs.

Quick Update

2009-10-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry but I don't often post 2 days in a row but I have just opened up one of my presents I bought for myself from Japan and am crowing about it now. All I can say is that if you are a designer/artist/desktop publisher you should get a Wacom Tablet.

My first effort doesn't do it justice but here it is below:

The smoothness, the detail and even the fun little things like turning the stylus upsidedown as an automatic eraser just make working so much smoother.

But try it out yourself. I'm just going to need more hours in the day to test it out.

Oh and look at my previous post for Lara Luz when you get a chance

Photographer Profile - Lara Luz

2009-10-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't been posting my own photos so much recently I thought I should show you some of the great photographers I get to catch up with.

Lara Luz Concert, Portrait, Creative, Artistic and Fun Photographer

Concert Website

Red Bubble Site

With an unnerring eye for the dramatic, a sixth sense for darkness and a habit of making seemingly normal situations highly intriguing Lara gets to photograph some of the best live bands Melbourne has to offer. Considering she also steps out to do portraiture, creative and artistic shooting as well I'll have to just focus on the concerts for now.

So please have a look at all her work, this is just one aspect of it and enjoy.

Tokyo - Another world

2009-09-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Tokyo Splash - The first of the photos.

2009-09-13T23:31:00.000-07:00

Transit Hands, ....

... Brilliant Colored Beer, ...

... a sphere in the building and ...

...a resident Duck.

The multi-coloured Pallette Town Ferris Wheel (in B&W of course)

Quirky Potato inspecting Odaiba

The bridge past it all(and the business people who traverse it)

The big sight of Tokyo Big Sight

Cosplay - Outdoor Karaoke

Cosplay - Tokyo Greenery

Cosplay - Jailhouse Fairy Floss

The other side of the pavement

Cosplay - Blue Steel(with yellow highlights)

Cosplay - Radio Chic.

Someones been sketching.

2009-07-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

So I should explain that I've been sketching a little more recently. A little more excitedly and a little more fervently. But I have also recently tried to make my T-shirts look more interesting by adding the balaclava posing rocker to show off the styles.

So to introduce my sketches:

/\ The Flying Ship /\

/\ The Cheshire Cat Grin/\

/\ The Monkey Powered Tugboat /\

/\ Leap with Boots/\

/\ This Penguins Got a Gun/\

Sketching from the Notebook of Insanity - Animation

2009-07-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

You can now watch me redraw 20,000 Leagues:

to a larger format (A3) in under 40 seconds (actual time may have been about 1 1/2 hours)

Percieved Impressions - 1 to 5

2009-07-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Perceived Impressions

Sketches from another notepad

2009-06-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

Dancing in the city - Images from MLX '08

2009-06-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

The gallery of images from my old trusty E-300

Sketches from a notepad

2009-06-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

The Spazzys and The Gimmes at the Tote

2009-05-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

See the gallery here