>Roy Lichtenstein : Évolution

Lichtenstein, one of my favorite artists, is probably the reason I chose grapic arts as a career and as a way to express myself...
He is really the cross -or the merge!- between illustration, comics, graphic design and arts... Taking a simple comics frame and turning it into a huge canvas has always a magical effect on me... If you like pop art, don't miss "Evolution", the late works of Lichtenstein at the newly refurbished Paris Pinacothèque.

>cheers to...Guillaume Canet!

And my crush of the moment goes to... Guillaume Canet! Not only as an actor, recently in "Ensemble c'est tout" a lovely film taken from a great book.. but also as a director in the breath taking suspense of "Ne le dis a personne" in which François Cluzet was awarded as best actor at the Cesars 2007 (3 Cesars all in all with best director for our heartthrob above).

... So rent the two films and enjoy!

(photo taken from "Ensemble c'est tout", site officiel)

>whales and signs in canada...

>les pieds dans l'herbe..

Sorry I've been slow lately, it's just that I'm on vacation and internet is not very accessible where I've been (it's a good break from time to time! I'm an addict!) and right now I'm actually whale watching so I'll have some nice picts for you soon...
I actually quite like this one above too. I'm gonna need it in winter. (sigh).

>quebec's green bag

I believe that we can each do a little thing every day to (try to) save the planet... not really idealistic, more realistic actually.
Example: in many shops or supermarkets in Canada you have the option to buy "the green bag" for 99cents and re-use it as many times as you can instead of the horrible pollution of plastic bags. Personally i think it's quite good looking and I've been using it not only to the market but as a summer handbag too... A green fashion statement!

>can't get enough of MTL...

A burst of colors, a bouquet of smells, that's the Jean Talon market in Montreal...
Thousands of flavors from every corner of the world; even our little "baladi" cucumber!
But the market is not the city's only treasure: check out this awarded site (also designed by compatriots) and dive into MTL!

>citizen k in the skies...

On my way to Montreal, I bought one of my fab mags: Citizen K,
which for a weird (but wow) reason costs only 1 Euro in Europe while you usually pay around 20 dollars!!
And I indulged in the photos and articles of this issue: quite refreshing I must say... a slap in the face!
Graphic art @ 1 Euro only!

NB: can't seem to find their site... Maybe they don't have one!!
Wow is that snob or what!?
Anyway it's at your local newstand...

>blog of the week: Une fille comme moi!

Ladies and gents please welcome Garance Doré, a 31 years old female illustrator from France who draws like a goddess!
The cherry on top is her funny, cute and ironic depiction of the world of fashion and fashionistas...
Discover her blog now if you haven't already...

>fashion shoot sneak preview

Just a snapshot of what we're doing right now... It's still confidential so I can't blab about it, but you'll know soon enough!

>mediterranean flavors

Connaissez-vous "les saveurs campagnardes"?
It's a litlle farm in the south of the country that produces eggs and other delightful products...
For example, do you know what a "café blanc" is? Just add a spoon of orange blossom essence in a hot water mug and enjoy...
The packaging line was really yummy to work on!

>fun and educational

Working on an existing logo is much tougher than creating a new one. Take "Rooly Booly" for example, this toystore had already a corporate image and wanted us to create a line of packaging.
On the above bag we tried to build our work around their logo without identities crashing... It was the same exercise for the rest of the bags and wrapping paper. The end result turned out very fresh and appealing for kids but my favorite is still the giraffe!
Check their blog for news on educational toys...

>a little kitsch never harmed anyone...

Okay politics sucks. That's what you've all said.
So enough with the bad news and let's put some stardust in our lives...
If you haven't already, run ( or fly :) ) to the Hotel de Ville in Paris and discover all about the sparkling diva, Dalida!
More details here.

(photo: poster detail)

>reuse, recycle... fashionably

What to do with a bunch of old magazines and used wrapping paper?
Design colorful and funky badges to pin to your denim jacket your favorite bag etc...
And offer them to your friends in a recycled packaging!

>cool blog, amazing photos

I recently "rediscovered" an old friend of mine
and especially his passion for photography.
Check Christian G's blog for a definite getaway feeling.

>family portraits

That would be me and gus by our 5 years old daughter chloe...
Now why the sun shines on me and not him, and why does he have spiky yellow hair, and why am I a full portrait and he's just a head...
I don't know. All I can say is I love those drawings (!) and the resemblance is quite accurate. No?

>Montreal yummies...

Ever wandered through Montreal's open air markets?
Mmmm... an enchanting world of tastes...
Marché Jean Talon has a hidden treasure: Pastificio Sachetto,
a traditional fresh pasta maker. The best black mushroom ravioli ever! Unfortunately, you can't buy them online but you can purchase other delicious products. And if you ever pass by Montreal, you know where to go!

>"bilad" covers

>mika rocks!!!!

What?? You haven't heard of Mika?? Of course you have! The voice of this Beirut-born prodigy is simply unforgettable!!!
'Grace Kelly', 'Love today', 'Relax' are the ones you know, but logon to mikasounds.com to check 'Lollipop' or 'Billy Brown' and browse through the wonderful world of Mika.
I simply cannot stop listening to his album...
(image from mikasounds.com)

>Images d'Orient update

Here's the new packaging and brand image I was telling you about..
The "posh plastics" now have an identity.
You can also browse through their collections in their website, designed by Pomme S.

>IYPY award: Joanna El Mir

Today ends the London Book Fair and Joanna Elmir handed her International Young Publisher of the Year award to the new winner... Joanna (a great friend of mine!) was granted this prize for her amazing work at Samir Publishers. Cheers Joan! And may this year's winner be as active as you are...