Sorry this didnt go up yesterday, i had troubles with uploading pictures, and my posts are boring without pictures! so on with the show…

Timba Smits is an amazingly down to earth guy. When he was speaking at Semi-Permanent last week, he made everyone feel like they knew him as a friend, inviting us into his world, where he works as a graphic designer, illustrator, and one man band behind Wooden Toy magazine.  It is easy to tell from the way Timba talks about his work that he is a very passionate man, who throws himself at every project he has with enthusiasm.

Timba likes to work with a pencil and paper. Taking it back to basics and working with his hands has allowed his magazine, Wooden Toy, to grow and be loved, showing his hard work. Much of the title type used in the magazine are all hand drawn specifically for the article they are used. This love of typography has lead to Timba punishing himself to make each issue of Wooden Toy noticeably better than the last.

At Semi-Permanent, Sydney, Timba took us through how he puts together an issue of his magazine. The way he painstakingly lays out each page, pulling aspects of featured artwork to place around the accompanying pages in little flourishes. He stated that he may spend 15 minutes placing a small flower near the spine of a 2 page layout, even though people will barely notice, he knows that it’s there, and he loves that. The magazine, which started as a free, 86 page street style magazine has grown from 2000 issues to 5000 issues, with the latest issue, the Hand Made Edition, which features a twig and string font Timba spent about 40 hours hand drawing and colouring. The launch party for issue 6 of Wooden Toy Magazine will be held at the Gorker Gallery, in Fitzroy.

Gorker gallery is another aspect of Timba’s creative life. It is a gallery space he has run in conjunction with Luke Matthews, Nathan Holmes Trapnell, and Lauren Biedrzycki since June 2008. It features predominately Australian artists, in group shows, and has been home to works by artists such as Ghostpatrol, Eamo, Drewfunk, Miso, and many more. 2009 promises to be a big year for the gallery, with a great exhibition line-up.

Timba also works as a graphic designer and illustrator through The Fad Experiment. Recently having worked on illustrative portraits for The Sons of Stanhope, a photobook of Ghostpatrol and Miso’s works, and Diamondback bikes. Under The Fad Experiment, Timba has also spoken at many events and universities, such as Semi-Permanent, Shillington College, and Abu Dhabi Women’s College of Technology.

I have to say, after hearing Timba speak, he is definitely an inspiration. Someone who believed enough in himself and his dream to publish a magazine, and to open a gallery.

For more information on Timba Smits, here are some handy links:

Wooden Toy Magazine – www.woodentoyquarterly.com

The Fad Experiment – www.fadexperiment.com

Gorker Gallery, Fitzroy – www.gorkergallery.com

and a great interview with Timba, from Australian Edge -www.australianedge.net

below are some of Timba’s images, as well as my notes taken during his Semi-Permanent presentation.

yes its true, i say it everytime, i need to post everyday, but things happen, and i get busy… so here is another epic post for all you kiddles to enjoi… (i will keep the decriptions short, and the pictures numerous so you dont get too bored)

first up, evgeny kiselev’s beautiful illustrations

more at – www.ekiselev.com

next, and amazing music video with art direction by roel wouters.

more by roel at – www.xelor.nl

great package design by brand image

recyclable paper bottles! yay!!!

see more at – www.brand-image.com

from the becuase studio, a poster inspired by comedian demitri martin

i fucking love it.

plenty more awesome at – www.becausestudio.co.uk

kim simonsson is my new favourite sculptor. without a doubt.

supporter is my new favourite work, by her.

see her portfolio and more great works at – www.kimsimonsson.com

denis fongue put this video together for a great old song… great narrative using illustration and typography, i am a fan.

this one needs some explaination… the buddha machine was (yes, was) a lil battery powered device that buddhist monks would record chants and mantras onto so people who visit their temples could take home some inner peace, and replay it wenever they wanted. so, why not do the same for a band! fm3 have done this, and i love the idea.

see the blog and hear the loops at – www.fm3buddhamachine.com

i am freshly subscribed to empty magazine. thanks to zoe for refreshing my interest in the australian underground art publication thats so damn hard to find, but i subscribed, so now i will be getting goodness in the mail everytime its released!!!

the current cover (issue 14) is by ryohei hase, who i have been watching on deviant art since he joined. empty also take submissions for each issue, so get your juice flowing and send some their way. i know i will be.

more empty at – www.emptymag.com

more hase at – www.ryoheihase.com

now, i dont really understand much of this website, but the art on it is impressive.

i find these random sketches from and she turned.

i am tempted to get this tattooed under the tree i have planned… thoughts???

see more at - www.nivbed.com

more package design, and amazingly simple, striking packagine from swedish design firm BVD for a japanese stationary line.

so simple, but a great brand presence.

see the rest at – www.bvd.se

now, a super impressive print from dan maccarthy.

doesnt look so special? click the image to see how epic it really is! (let the animation load, its worth it.) i will definately be trying something like this in second year.. mmmmmmm

see more of his awesome at – www.danmccarthy.org

finally, i want to share some david choe. i have been a fan of david since i think i saw him on a vice tv special about hitchhiking across america.. it was eye opening, and i fell in love with his style…

if you dont check out the rest of his work, i dont respect you as a person.

go here now – www.davidchoe.com