(Mademoiselle)
Today’s Friday Favorite comes courtesy of the Drawn website, for it is there that I was introduced to the colorful work of Sylvia Ji.
(Emily)
I couldn’t help but like Ji’s work. It has a color palette that reminds me of previous Friday Favorite, Jeff Soto. It has women whose complexions, especially Emily above, are colored in a way that reminds me of some of the colored covers of Terry Moore’s Strangers In Paradise comics (mostly because of the red noses). And the women have a sort of Gibson Girls feel to them.
I love the red and orange hues, especially this time of year when we are rapidly approaching the return of 100+ temperatures and my thoughts stray with longing towards autumn.
(Autumn_03…click for larger version)
Another thing that I enjoy about Syliva Ji’s work is that there is an unfinished quality to them that arises from the combination of the very realistic detail on the faces of the women combined with a slightly less detailed hair and backgrounds.
(La Boheme)
Sylivia Ji paints many of her works on wood and I love the way that you can see the wood grain in many of her works and the texture it gives each piece.
(Dirty)
A theme of much of Sylivia Ji’s work is beauty and decay. That is why many of her paintings feature industrial structures in the background and/or bugs…a sure indication of death and decay.
(Absolution)
Thus many of her works have a bit of a creepy vibe which you all know I like.
(Pestilence)
By and large with Sylvia’s work, it is mostly about the color. That is what struck me the first time I saw her work and drew me in. In addition to her other themed work she has a number of paintings representing different seasons of the year. I had posted one of her Autumn pieces above, here is one of her Spring pieces.
(Spring…click for larger version)
Sylvia strikes me as someone who has a wicked sense of humor, bent in a slightly Tim Burtonish way.
(Lovestruck)
(Black Widow)
As always I hope you check out Sylvia Ji’s website. She has several pages of paintings as well as several additional pieces in the others category. Some of these pieces have more of a comic book feel to them that I really like. Although pricey, she does have some prints for sale.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend. Remember to love on those around you this weekend and let them know how much you appreciate them.
(Fading)
They coloring choices gives them sort of a sixties feel. Interesting stuff. I could handle a little less decay though ( translation = less bugs ). 🙂
Have a great weekend everyone. I know I need some relaxtion. Works kicking my tail.
I agree about the colors Jeff. The bugs don’t bug me (sorry, bad pun). They aren’t something I would hang on my wall and I’m glad all of her work doesn’t look like that or I might not like it as much but I like them in moderation. Nice and eerie. You need to check out some of her other work, some of the stuff I didn’t want to post here.
Another great choice this week! Count me among the ones not in love with the bugs but the use of color is fantastic.
I think I have Gibson Girls on my bathroom wallpaper border, or something very similar. I love that style.
The colors are very beautiful. I have to agree that I find life and beauty more enjoyable than bugs and decay. However, they do give the paintings an intriguing feel.
I am assuming (never a good thing) that her idea is to convey the fleeting nature of beauty with the bugs motif. I think you’re right about the Gibson Girls thing Jules, that style is fantastic.
I want to thank you intrepid few who dive in each and every Friday to say something about the art, even if it isn’t your thing. I really do appreciate each and every one of you and your insights, even if it is just to say “yes I like this” or “nope, not for me”. Thanks!
I could not get to Sylvia’s site from work. Will try when I get home. I do not mind the bugs at all, I think if I were to hang something of hers it would be in a more informal and fun place in the house such as the basement where all the games are played. Very vintage look as well and I like that.
Very cool artwork! The one with the bugs crawling in the girl’s mouth does give me a creepy crawly feeling. Where do you find all these artist, Carl? It is like having “1st Fridays” right here at our own computer. 🙂
Now these I really liked – maybe because I always liked the Gibson Girl art. The bugs certainly do provide a shocking contrast.