Yoko Furusho

Jenni Desmond

Timelessness is surely one of the most sought-after characteristics that any artist, writer or musician can aim for in their work. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that what felt good a generation ago still holds true to this day; perhaps even better to know that what made one tick as a child still draws a smile years down the line. I often feel this with certain children’s illustration — they evoke an innolinecence every adult still retains somewhere deep inside. The work of UK illustrator Jenni Desmond does just this to me — there’s a real sense of adventure running through it and vision of the world being far, far larger than it really is.

Jody Barton

Presented as a tableau of vignettes, the work of UK illustrator Jody Barton is executed in a variety of techniques and mediums, yet manages to run the gamut from delicately bold watercolors, to thoroughly noir black and white ink drawings, to child-like, and endearing, colored pencil scribbles.

Josh Cochran

Josh Cochran’s illustrated world is full of hard-edged shapes, coarse textures and clashing colors that somehow seem to fall into place. Just. We asked him in what ways his illustration style has evolved over the years: ‘My style really came from a general frustration I had towards painting while I was in school. I started drawing early on and have always felt fairly comfortable about it. Teachers at Art Center would constantly encourage me to make my work look more like my sketchbooks, which got me thinking of ways to produce finished looking artwork, using a more linear style. I took a printmaking class fairly late in my education, which really changed everything for me. Silkscreen and flat color provided a much needed contrast to my obsessive line work’. Read more

Corkboard: Remember What You Want

Corkboard makes my life easier, and if you’re a detail-oriented, hyper-productive, compulsive networker, perfectionist workaholic, it’s very likely it will help you too. Though it also helps avid readers, foodies, travelers, shopaholics, and just about anyone really. Why? Because it’s the first time I can combine hundreds of typed lists, tons of little notes, bookmarks, restaurants and books I see on the go, and just my own thoughts in one single place. Read more

Village Pillows by Rachael Cole

These Village Pillows by Brooklyn artist Rachael Cole are a set of cushions that work like a puzzle where you build your own country town, including houses, trees, a car, a horse, a dog and a duck. They paint a beautiful picture as a group, and work just as nicely as individual pieces. What I like about the Village Pillows is that they’re playful yet mature, youthful yet elegant, well designed yet simple. It just makes you want to play with them like a kid! They’re hand-screen printed in limited edition batches, wrapped in cotton duck cloth, and available as a full set of nine pillows or individually.

New York’s 71 Irving Place Cafe

71 is the kind of place which is small enough to miss, but once you see it, you realize everyone somehow knows about it. It’s set three steps down from the sidewalk level, and it’s always packed, except for week late nights and mid-mornings. Even though their service is not the friendliest — like any other spot in New York that’s too cool for school — 71 has a noticeably loyal clientele. Lots of writers hang out with their computers, while photographers check out the scene, and artists meet up with their reps. Besides hot and cold drinks, including their own coffee, they also offer a great selection of pastries, sandwiches and my friend Nicolas’ favorite chicken soup ever.