Beau Monde 421

My Cuz on Stylista! Check Her Out

Ashlie is one of the eleven contestants on the CW’s reality series, Stylista. The 22-year-old currently lives in her hometown, Washington, D.C. A graduate of Franklin College in Switzerland, she currently works as a production assistant for Calvin Klein. The shoe-lover looks up to designer Zac Posen and celebrity Sienna Miller.

Check out her interview on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_vbQrRWzg

Kehinde Wiley

American artist Kehinde Wiley has produced the first two busts in a series of three limited edition cast marble and resin works inspired by busts from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Kehinde Wiley is best known for his paintings which reference specific works by Titian and Tiepolo. He also incorporates into his paintings a range of art historical and vernacular styles, from the French Rococo to the contemporary urban street. Wiley describes his approach as 'interrogating the notion of the master painter, at once critical and complicit.' He makes figurative paintings that 'quote historical sources and position young black men within that field of power.'' His figures, sometimes larger than life size, are depicted in poses of power and spiritual awakening.
For his limited editoin busts Wiley puts his own spin on sacred and secular themes of the Renaissance and Baroque, giving new meaning to codes of gesture and dress, and provoking a reconsideration of stereotypes about masculinity, race and class in our society today.
(saatchi-gallery.co.uk)

Positive Thought #2

How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively. Anon

James Jean

James Jean has only been working in comics since 2001, but over that time he has certainly made his mark on the industry. Winner of five consecutive Eisner Awards for Best Cover Artist (2004-2008) as well as numerous Harvey and Eagle awards, James is surely running out of space for all of his trophies! James has done extensive commercial and illustration work, but is perhaps best known for his recent work with Prada, as well as his impressive seven year run as the cover artist on Fables (DC/Vertigo). Sadly, James has announced that issue 81 will be his last cover on the series. Not all is lost, however, as James is on to bigger and better things as he pursues a career in Fine Art. His first solo gallery show will be at the Jonathan Levine Gallery in 2009. While this website will focus primarily on his original comic and illustration art, you should definitely check out James' website if you would like to see more of the beautiful work he has done.