Some artists that I like...

I thought I'd take a few minutes to list off some artists whose work I enjoy and/or I feel that my work has been influenced by. I've included a link for each one in case anyone feels like having a look at what their work is all about. I recommend it.

These are listed in no particular order:

SHARY BOYLE
I met Shary Boyle when I was living in Toronto for a year. She was about the only artist I encountered during that time that really blew me away. She was a real help to me in terms of finding my way around the art scene in Toronto, too.
www.sharyboyle.com

NELSON DEWEY
Yes, you're right to suspect that he's related. That's my dad, and it would be ridiculous for me to pretend that he hasn't been a big influence on my work. I have always appreciated the complexity, the high density of detail in his cartooning especially.
www.coastnet.com/home/ndewey/

WINSOR MCCAY
I am especially fond his "Rarebit Fiend" series, but "Little Nemo" is a classic for a reason. Again, I love the huge amount of detail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winsor_McCay

CHRIS WARE
Hmm, now we have an apparent lack of detail...What can you really say about Chris Ware? "Believe the hype", I guess. The writing and the drawing work so well together, and the graphic design of it all is basically unrivaled in the world of cartooning and graphic novels. I'm (still) waiting for the collected "Jimmy Corrigan" to be re-issued!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Ware

HENRY DARGER
A little bit creepy, this one, but his paintings are undeniably beautiful despite their naivety. If you like his paintings, be sure to check out "In the Realms of the Unreal", a documentary devoted entirely to him. It's fascinating. He was an odd, odd fellow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Darger

MAURICE SENDAK
This is a big one. "Where the Wild Things Are" is, I think, perhaps the most perfect picture book I've seen. His drawing style is atmospheric and full of character. And moody. I love it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Sendak

MARCEL DZAMA
I think he's the third Canadian on the list...There's definitely a similarity between Dzama and Henry Darger. Maybe that's why I like his stuff so much.
http://www.richardhellergallery.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=3

CHARLES SCHULTZ
You know all about this one, I'm sure, but I couldn't stand to leave him off the list. He revolutionized comic strip, whether he meant to or not, and his drawings are gorgeous in their simplicity. Plus the writing is priceless, far better and more sophisticated than it ever needed to be.
http://www.snoopy.com/

That's all for today!