I haven't done a meme in a long time

From left to right, top to bottom:

1) Charley Harper. After I discovered Charley Harper's work, I felt like there was no point in going on as an artist. I was too late! Charley Harper had already done it all. But then I got over it and he turned out to be my biggest influence.

2) Chris Turnham. Chris is the lesser known half of my idols, Fleet Street Scandal. I completely admire his work, and wish to god that I had the snazzy, vintage-yet-oh-so-modern talent that he has. I'm really inspired by both Chris and Kevin. I'm their biggest fangirl.

3) Penguin Books. Back when I was a literature major and I did a lot of reading, I loved Penguin Books. They always had the best titles and covers. Their graphic design and forward-thinking brand is a huge inspiration to my non-illustrated works. It also helps that I love books.

4) Nature (photo of Mount Rainier). I find it impossible to relate to people who have no awe and respect for our natural world.

5) Vintage travel posters, and travel in general. Learning about the world and it's cultures really fuels me. I also learned to love the Poster as an art form through vintage posters.

6) Gainax! Nono from Gunbusters is pictured, but I really love the overall themes and styles Studio Gainax has stuck with through the years. You can tell that they have a commitment to blowing your mind, both philosophically and artistically.

7) Japanese culture. Anime was my "cultural gateway" to Japan, and once I started learning about the traditions, art, food, landscape, history, etc etc. I got obsessed! Loving Japan also opened my eyes to the larger world outside of the US. Loving Japan also taught me to love my own country (Amurika), which I generally think is a terrible place.

8) Studio Ghibli. I mean, what artist from the last 20 years HASN'T been influenced in some way by the mind of Hayao Miyazaki? Compared to regular entertainments, I connect with Studio Ghibli's works on a deeper level.

[9/30/10 EDIT] 9) Chris Ware. I can't believe I forgot Chris Ware the first time around, I'm completely obsessed with his work. Both his artistic and graphic design style is a HUGE source of inspiration for me. I can't say enough about what an influence he's been.

10) Pixar. I. Love. Pixar. They represent quality storytelling, in a world where cheap stories and cheap art are rampant. Working for Pixar has been my longest running and fiercest dream. :fire:_:fire:

11) Museums. The American Museum of Natural History is my happy place.

12) David Attenborough. I wish he was my grandpa. He has the coolest job. He makes every other nature documentary narrator/director look like a complete buffoon. I admire that he humbly and eloquently advances science that a five-year-old could appreciate.

13) Folk art of the world. I'm obsessed with culture, how it forms, and what influences it. Following the folk art of a people is a wonderful way to learn about what matters most to them. I try to create folk art for my region and my time.

14) Dinotopia. Talk about mind-blowing. Dinotopia took my 10-year-old world by storm, and it still remains one of my biggest sources of inspiration.