JOE LEDBETTER
Joe Ledbetter is best known for his cast of cute and cuddly characters, which he portrays in humorous and awkward situations. There is a cartoonish sense of adventure that makes his art really fun and enjoyable to look at.
Ledbetter emerged from the underground art scene in Los Angeles, honing his trademark style of bright colors and cute cartoonish characters. In short order, he has developed an international fan base, exhibiting solo shows all over the world including Tokyo, London, Paris and Amsterdam.
Here are a few more examples of Ledbetter’s work.
Ledbetter’s solo exhibition, Innards, opens tomorrow at the Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. You can see a web preview of the exhibition here.
To learn more about Ledbetter, and purchase his prints and toys, visit his website. You can also keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter.
JEFF RAMIREZ
Jeff Ramirez has steadily been establishing himself as an emerging new talent in the realm of realism.
Ramirez’ paintings are like freeze-frames, capturing subjects in curious moments that reveal their vulnerability and unease. The hyper-realistic nature of Ramirez’s work creates an certain harshness in his paintings, amplifying emotions and pulling viewers in. Here are a few more examples of Ramirez’s work.
To learn more about Jeff Ramirez, visit his website. If you have a few minutes, you should check out a recent interview with Ramirez on Arrested Motion.
Ramirez, along with artist Pakayla Rae Biehn, is being featured in an exhibition called “Being There” at Thinkspace Gallery. The exhibition kicks off this Saturday (with a reception featuring both artists) and runs through June 4. For more details, visit Thinkspace Gallery’s website. You can also get a sneak peak of the exhibition on Flickr.
ANA BAGAYAN
Ana Bagayan is a talented young illustrator and painter whose work has been popping up quite a bit lately. She’s also our newest artist crush.
A native of Armenia, Bagayan moved to Southern California when she was young. She graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where she studied illustration. While at Art Center, one of Bagayan’s professors suggested that she submit her work for consideration in a group show at the famed La Luz de Jesus Gallery. She did, and that’s what jump started her career.
Bagayan’s work depicts innocent, doll-like adolescent girls in unsettling and dark surroundings. Her heavy use of symbolic imagery evokes mystery and fantasy, often creating more questions than answers in the minds of viewers.
Here are a few more examples of Bagayan’s work.
Although her art keeps her pretty busy, Bagayan sets aside one day a week to work on a project she started with a friend a few years ago: preparing bag lunches to pass out to homeless people all over town.
Visit Ana Bagayan’s website to view more of her work. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
JULIAN CALLOS
Julian Callos is a talented young illustrator and yet another impressive product of the Otis College of Art & Design.
A native of the Philippines, Callos moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was three, and has been here since. He credits childhood cartoons for inspiring him to start drawing.
Callos’ work is filled with wonder and curiosity. His subjects are often part of ellaborate collages weaved together like daydreams. And a comic book-inspired aesthetic makes his work seem like it’s a freeze-frame from a larger narrative. We’re really impressed with this young artist.
Here’s a closer look at more works from Callos.
Visit Callos’ website to learn more about him and view more of his work. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.
Prints of several of Callos’ works are available for purchase through inPRINT.
