Bill Mudron is an illustrator and designer from Texas, who came to my attention through a series of posters he created, inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films and done in the woodblock print style of Kawase Hasui.

In these, I not only enjoy his subtle approach, but his choice to reduce the characters to small elements in the composition — both echoing the traditions of Japanese landscapes, and allowing the essence of the image to gradually reveal itself.

Looking through his BigCartel shop, you will find additional work, including images of Dr. Who, done in the flavor of Alphonse Mucha’s Art Nouveau posters, as well as a history of the show rendered as a version of the Bayeux Tapestry — right down to the faux-tapestry texture.

There are additional examples of his work on his website, though I found the navigation there less than clear. If you miss the almost invisible “Next” arrow on the detailed opening image, you have to figure out that “For Hire” is the portfolio, and that the “i” in the upper right opens a large version of the image rather than additional info (the portfolio is evidently meant to be opened the other way). I suggest just clicking on the icon at lower right to open the thumbnails.

[Via BoingBoing]

Kim Parkhurst is a Massachussetts based illustrator who loves to paint animals, whether in childrens’ book style illustrations or as anthropomorphized versions of particular individuals.

In her anthropomorphized animal portraits, she attempts to capture the personality of the individual with her selection of an appropriate animal, usually cats and dogs.

A particular series of these, for which she has received a good bit of attention, is her series of Downton Abbey characters, which she calls “Houndton Tabby”. For those like me who are not regular watchers of the series, the Daily Mail has a side by side comparison with photos of the characters.

She also has other animal/character portraits, including David Bowie and Sherlock and Watson from their current British incarnation.

Parkhust doesn’t appear to have a dedicated website for her work; there is a portfolio of images on the Splendid Toad Art Farm, where you can also sort posts for “art“, and an Etsy shop where she goes by the handle “Toadbriar”.

[Via Artists Network]