Featured Artists « I’m From Driftwood

Featured Artists

If you’re interested in being a Featured Artist, contact me.

Brian Ness

Brian Ness’s stories and illustrations are interested in exploring gender, specifically related to the effeminate, the de-masculinized, and the fabulous. His images reside somewhere between the present and the Victorian, where many of our current ideas of men and women were formulated, and whose children’s literature inverts, scares, and romanticizes the world in which it resides. He produces a quarterly zine called Kitten Punch, about the goings-on at a theme park/commune for sissies, called Dandyland. He received the 2007 Schochet Award for Excellence in GLBT Studies for his comic book/coloring book, BJ’s Unfabulous Christmas, and recently finished his first graphic novella, Molly Bottom. He lives and works in Minneapolis. You can follow his work at greetingsfromdandyland.blogspot.com.

For I’m From Driftwood, Brian created images for I’m From Watford City, ND by Kelley Halvorson, I’m From Troy, OH by Aaron Akin, I’m From Clear Lake, TX by Rafi Mittlefehldt, I’m From San Francisco, CA by Kate W., and I’m From Irvington, NY by Hugh Ryan.

Frank-Joseph Frelier

Frank-Joseph is an illustrator and designer living in Manhattan. He works in the film industry, and pursues drawing and writing as personal creative outlets. His graphic style is influenced by the expressive line work of Rene Gruau, and J.C. Leyendecker’s masculine, idealized men. He is currently working on his first graphic novel, “Leo,” chronicling the adventures of a college freshman. Frank-Joseph graduated from Art Center College of Design with a BFA in Illustration. Until he gets a site up, you can see more of his work at franklyillustrated.blogspot.com. His other interests include dinosaurs, Mogwai, shiny objects, and the silent “p” in pneumonia.

For I’m From Driftwood, Frank-Joseph did illustrations for I’m From Newark, DE by Jeremy Smith and I’m From Seattle, WA by A.E.

Nick Manske

Nick Manske lives and doodles in New York City. As a freelance illustrator, he’s worked for several advertising agencies such as Wieden & Kennedy, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, Grey Worldwide, where he was a part of projects for clients like ESPN, Comedy Central, Miller Lite, and other major corporate companies whose products you use every day. He also does storyboards for short films and music videos, draws comic strips, and has illustrated several album covers. For the most part, Nick uses pencil and ink to forge his creations, and Photoshop to bring them to life with color. His works reflect his own sharp attention to detail. And while his style is hard to circumscribe, his pieces are always clean, simple and smart. Occasionally, like Nick himself.

His latest project is a coloring book titled ‘Animals of Iraq’. Beautiful animals indigenous to the middle east are juxtaposed with horrific scenes of the war. It’s a coloring book that is not quite for children. He received a 2008 Regrant Award from the Brooklyn Arts Council. His work, as well as an option to purchase ‘Animals of Iraq’, can be found at nickmanske.com.

For I’m From Driftwood, Nick did three illustrations for his brother’s story, I’m From Driftwood, TX.

Paul Richmond

Paul Richmond’s paintings have been displayed at venues including the World of Wonder Gallery, A Bitchin’ Space, BoMA: The Bar of Modern Art, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Utilizing a multitude of artistic methodologies, his work explores themes of personal narrative and social commentary, sometimes addressing unique experiences of the GLBTQ community or self-realization and empowerment at large.

After graduating from Columbus College of Art and Design in 2002 with a degree in illustration, Richmond worked on children’s books, concert merchandise, a nationally syndicated comic strip, a greeting card line, and a variety of large-scale murals. Only after coming out of the closet shortly thereafter did his fine artwork become a vehicle for exploring and understanding his own journey and developing a dialogue with other members of the GLBTQ community. His piece “Remembering Tammy Faye” was unveiled to celebrity guests at the late televangelist’s memorial celebration, and he helped organize a successful benefit for GLBTQ youth in association with his recent solo exhibition “Ins and Outs.”

Richmond’s work can be seen in the Bruno Gmünder release “Stripped Uncensored,” as well as on novel covers by MLR Press and Dreamspinner. He is currently working on a painting series called “Pin-Up Payback” for an upcoming exhibit at the Veaux Gallery in Chelsea, as well as preparing for a solo exhibition, “Gay Day at Paulyworld,” tentatively scheduled for June 2010 at the Center on Halstead Gallery in Chicago.

He lives with his partner Dennis Niekro and their two whippets, Seamus and Una, in the Short North arts district of Columbus, Ohio.

Visit Paul’s website: www.paulrichmondstudio.com

For I’m From Driftwood, Paul did illustrations for William Weaver’s story, I’m From Granville, OH, and Brian Schaefer’s I’m From Pasadena, CA.

Joe Sinness

Joe Sinness is multi-media artist and illustrator living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his portraiture work, Joe adopts and absorbs images as identity. Sinness cites his own experience as coded and camouflaged and reflects upon his experiences as ornamented fragments, chimerical bouquets of animalia and melodramatic snow-globe spaces. Joe is interested in creating a record of past and present Queer kitsch iconography and loves Medieval beastiaries! Joe is currently working on a series of drawings and sculpture exhibitions at the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s MAEP gallery, as well as for a show at the Rochester Art Center (MN).

For I’m From Driftwood, Joe did illustrations for James Bell’s story, I’m From Akron, OH.

Jason Shorr

Jason is a senior illustration and entertainment arts student at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Ever since he could hold a crayon, he has been drawing and painting. He considers himself extremely lucky to have had the support of his family in pursuing his passion as a career. He has enjoyed exploring the themes of love and sexuality in many of his paintings, as well as his childhood fantasies in his entertainment portfolio. For his senior thesis, Jason is putting his skills to work at re-designing a broadway classic. You can see his portfolio and contact him via his temporary blog site.

For I’m From Driftwood, Jason illustrated Matt R.’s I’m From Colorado Springs, CO.

Daniel Strohmeier

Daniel Strohmeier is a resident of New York City who enjoys staying active, working on the computer, helping people, listening to music, cartooning, watching T.V., horseback riding and eating McDonalds and Chinese Food. He also collects stuffed animals and foreign money. Keep up with him on his blog, alfonsoalrura.blogspot.com

For I’m From Driftwood, Daniel illustrated his own story, I’m From Lakeport, CA.

Alexis Millena

San Diego native Alexis Millena utilizes predominantly inks and watercolors. His content consists of figure studies and deep sea creatures. He plays piano and cello in a string ensemble, composes short songs of melodic prose, and is The Unofficial Photographer. Though the interests are varied, there is an ever present desire for self expression despite the jack of all trades, master of none dilemma.