SHAG

Today I would like to introduce you to an amazing painter, whom I personally deeply admire. Many consider Josh Agle a very popular contemporary painter. The fact that he is being internationally exhibited and renowned is well known, as many collectors sought after his work for more than a decade.
One of the things that I admire about Shag, is his determination as he works for at least 8 hours a day, and with this busy schedule his creativity does not falter.
What becomes apparent almost instantly is the simplicity of his compositions as he maintains a tricky balance of shape and colour. Agle uses limited pallet, this is not a secret, usually he chooses one colour which he uses in tonal variation, plus several complimentary ones, to strengthen the effect and making the composition more vivid.
Often there is a story within the composition, often a humorous one, and Shag maintains that it was a conscious decision. Narrative, as always, tightens the work of art in a beautiful celebration of shape, colour and meaning.

http://www.shag.com/

Jurannessic

This animation is about the very first animator, who worked in a time when there were only two priorities: food and sex. Though the caveman discovers the third one, and of course it is art. I think it is a beautifully done animation, as the quality of character design, timing, and general atmosphere are accurate and well balanced.
This animation is being pushed forward by its soundtrack, which has an extremely fast beat and also has tribal qualities to it.

The Forest Trio.

This animation is something special all together. It is very simple in its nature, but it seems that the simplicity is what enchants it. A bear, rabbit and a wolf formed a band in some forest and we are shown one of their practice sessions, which are full of danger. This is not the one, about which you can talk a lot (At least I can’t), so I suggest just to look at it and form your opinion.
What I liked about it was the uncluttered background, the character design and the delivery of laughter. Enjoy!

The Monk and a Fish Animation.

I have seen this animation for the first time about a year ago, and ever since I have been captivated by its qualities, so I decided to post it over here for everyone who yet didn’t have the pleasure.
To say the truth, I don’t think I completely understand it but at the same moment I think this quality is a positive one because exactly this makes me come back and watch it again with the same enjoyment. I can only speculate about it and I am not sure whether this is wise. The initial conflict is apparent, as the monk wants desperately wants to catch the fish, but fails as he employs wrong technique. In this particular case one can imagine several symbolic meanings among which ii find most interesting this one: It is to do with the search of an individual for some sort of truth (Directly this is displayed in the fact that the character is a monk and as I would expect, he is searching for God), but as he is constantly locked in an aggressive attempt to capture it, he fails miserably. Towards the end of the animation, he develops a whole different approach, and that is when his search comes to an end.
An amazing soundtrack, in a matter of seconds transfers the viewer to a simpler time, to a quiet and idyllic place where sunlight and birds wake you up in the morning. The soundtrack is synchronised with the movement which provokes a feeling of weightlessness, as every movement is so gracious.
As I understand watercolours were used extensively through the manufacture of this animation, and this medium has amazing combination of qualities that make this work even more tranquil.