In between sorting out crap for you guys to do (cue shameless plug for our BIG EVENT) and picking our noses, us here at ShellsuitZombie occasionally venture into the chasm of BS that is Twitter. It’s the tool you love and hate, like that potato-peeler with an uncomfortable grip that cuts so damn good*. And sometimes while sneaking around trying to tweet unnoticed we stumble upon a talented designer/illustrator like Shane.

This guy graduated only this year but his work shows a maturity beyond his years. With influences from Build to Non-Format, the Horndog** clearly knows his design, and we look forward to encountering him further in the future.

*note to self, never attempt another analogy. Ever.
** This name is Unapproved by Shane, but we like it.

Nanami Cowdroy is an Australian artist, with Japanese and European roots.  She has created these beautifully detailed and expressive drawings in mixed media, and is now exhibiting around the world.  For me, the inky style adds depth and movement to her subjects, and many of her creations provide a fresh take on traditional Japanese imagery.

In ‘98, aged just 14, aspiring cartoonist Amir Avni wrote to his then hero and creator of the brilliant (if nightmare-inducing) Ren and Stimpy, John Kricfalusi. Above is one page of the extraordinary reply he got from the great animator, the rest of which can be read here. So inspirational was it that Amir, currently in his fourth year of studying animation, is rather good himself.

Skills like these should never die or become irrelevant in a digital age so it’s encouraging that there are still those willing to devote themselves to them. And if it means our children grow up watching beautifully rendered masochistic pets break each other, so be it.

Anthony Gormley is probably best known for the Angel of the North, but is also responsible for installations around the country often featuring a nude male sculptures, based on the artist’s own body.  His latest installation is in Jesus College, Cambridge, alongside work by Anthony Caro and Alselm Kiefer, and we have some exclusive snaps of the figures before and during erection (snigger).  I will update the pictures when the installation is complete, and maybe when the sun comes out.

Don’t jump!!

Sean Clarke is another falmouth student with an impressive portfolio. He dropped us a line to let us know about some new work, including above, a rather nice recent project to promote the university. He also worked with Tom Austin - who we featured here - in several projects, including my favourite, the ‘well done’ stickers (see below). Nice stuff Sean.

Jessica Allan is an illustrator living in Shoreditch, London. The more you look at her work, the more influences you see (my thoughts ranged from the Bayeux Tapestry to Mexican Luxador wrestlers). Use of fine line and intricate detail mean this work warrants a second look. Wicked.

Illustration graduate Mark Penman sent us his refreshing portfolio, largely consisting of quirky (and some dark!) images and characters.

He also has some comic work to show - go to www.m-d-penman.co.uk to see more.

More colourful stuff, this time from Southampton design grad Darren Whitney, AKA crayondreamer. Lots of collage and experimental stuff which is good for a gander. Also check out spot, the ‘guerilla street exhibition group’ to which he contributes.

After failing to get a job in a Cheese factory Chris went on to fail at being many different things before he started studying Graphic Design and went on to focus more on illustrated projects. Visit his mental and colourful site for more ‘big enough for background’ pictures, or see his work here.

Victoria Talbot is a recent graduate of Middlesex University and her CV has an impressive range of awards and placements in everything from Editorial at Wallpaper* to RSA Design Directions. She is now working at The Church Of London design.

Thomas Austin is a design student at Falmouth University. His website has a nice selection of work, including these rather pretty stickers used to congratulate anyone or anything instantly and lastingly.

Another project, shown below:

The mysterious Ed England sent SSZ this letterpressed Valentines Day card. Thanks, whoever you are.

Welcome to the odd world of The Pit. Illustration that you have to look at twice; often rude, sometimes colourful, always deranged and beautifully rendered.

Visit his myspace here (just watch out for ‘Vogue’, you’ll see what I mean) and his flickr group here.

Central Saint Martins graduate Chris Seddon focuses much of his talent on illustrating the human form and fashion. Seddon claims to get his inspiration from various places including old photography, women, analogue electronic equipment like the Roland TR-808, helter-skelters, scafholding, and cranes.

To see more vistit www.cseddon.co.uk or check out his t-shirts at www.idontlikemondays.us

JR is an undercover photographer and street artist who is best known for his massive cheerful faces pasted in urban environments.  He has lately been working in favelas in Brazil and slums in Kenya.  His work is intended to raise awareness of people living in horrendous poverty and danger, and also to provide hope and unity to those people.  The scale of the Kenya project is incredible - with 2000 square metres of roof covered in photos of eyes and faces that are water resistant and so will provide protection to the houses below during the rainy season.  I first came across JR in Amsterdam in 2007 (see photo below).

Via Josh Spear