L’île de Ré is probably one of the nicest place in France. It is as nice and inspiring as one of those precious little towns in la Provence, South of France. If you have the possibility to visit it , do so and try to go to Saint Martin de Ré. And do not forget your bike!

There’s a new home decor magazine online: Nesting newbies. It’s got  a lot of beautiful pictures, decors recipes etc… And for the cheese lovers like me, check out pages 48-49, as it features a video with Chef Lea about how to create a nice  cheese platter, not forgettiing about chocolate recipe… it’s not only about cooking but  chocolate and cheese are two of my weakness… So, I guess it’s better you check out the magazine by yourself. Enjoy!!!

I don’t usually put music but I really love Yann Tiersen, you know the man who create the wonderful soundtrack of “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain”, - I say it in french because it sound better to me-. Enjoy and have a nice Sunday !

While wandering at Apartment Therapy , I found out about H2O Architectes.  It is a French architect agency hold by Charlotte Hubert, Jean-Jacques Hubert and Antoine Santiard. This agency restore historic monuments, creates furnitures and so on…Enjoy!

photos: Julien Attard

photo: Stéphane Chalmeau

photo: Nathalie Jouan

Is almost impossible not to notice her photos, the set up is always unexpected and very colorful. You may some of her work in magazine like Elle (the one with girl and her fake dog below). Check out her website, she has a lot of imagination!

Don’t you have sometimes the impression that new technologies go to fast or aren’t amazed to see what we are able to do with anything? Daizi Zheng was asked to design a eco-friendly for Nokia. Et voila, the first phone with a bio battery that work with softdrink! You fill up the phone with sugary drink and once you don’t have battery empty it and fill it up again. A single charge is four time longer than a regular. Great for the environ but let you think about what we are actually drinking… Please check her website, she does some cool stuff. Have a nice sunday.

This week end it snowed. It’s fun to play with it, but at the end of the day I prefer to have a nice hot chocolate… Hope, you enjoyed your week end, I certainly did

I love watching artists when they are drawing. And I find quite amazing to share the same paper at the same time and end up with a perfect illustration. Jim Stoten’s website and Mike Perry’s website

Jim Stoten and Mike Perry For Dwell Magazine from Michael Perry on Vimeo.

Have a merry christmas and a wonderful year 2010. May all wishes come true

Today’s interview is with Spanish illustrator Charuca.  She’s one of the fews Europeans  that are in the Kawaii Market, market that began to be huge few years ago. Recently, Charuca become a brand and has entered in the licensing world. Be aware! The invasion of Cuties has begun! And if you don’t know what mean kawaii, Charuca is the owner of a blog magazine, which is all about kawaii and cute culture. Can’t speak Spanish? Believe you me, sometimes cuteness doesn’t need words. I love her character designs.  Her licensing brand has its own website.

What does a licensing illustrator actually do?

Actually, I don’t feel myself like a Licensing illustrator, but as an illustrator and designer. In my daily work, I do everything, creating new graphics, product designs, and some advertisement work. I take care of promoting my websites, try to stay in touch with the followers of Charuca. I love my job, but there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I’d like to do.

What is your background?

I’m self -taught. I always had it inside, I just had to let it out.

How long have you been in the illustration industry and how did you start?

It’s been 4 years since I exclusively work in illustration. I’ve always drawn but as hobby.

How would you define your style?

Cutie

What’s are your influence?

A mix of oriental pop culture and occidental

How do you get inspire? How do you feed your creativity?

I get inspired with the things that I live with everyday. Barcelona is a big city to live inspired. Plus, I think that being happy is a good way to feel inspired and do a good job.

Have you been stuck creatively? What’s your remedy to get past it? When being stuck creatively, I think the best is to stop working and do something fun. In those cases, I try to disconnect and have a good time. Inspiration comes and goes.

How do you work? (the process)

I draw with a pencil. Once the design is done, I scanne it and vectorize and color it with my computer.

Mac or pc? Software used:

Mac. Illustrator and Photoshop

Favorite material to draw:

Technical pencil and sketchbook

Your favourite place to work:

My work table with my favorite music. I don’t like workin out of my space. I like to work in the calm.

What are your current projects?

I just find a nice office to work in there. My current project is to decorate it until I get the look I always dream for my own studio. I’m so thrilled!

Your favourite artists:

Nara, Colonel Moutarde, Anna Chambers, Lilidoll, Leo Espinosa, Helena García, Paula Sanz Caballero…

The kawaii trend is relatively new in Europe compare to Japan, was it difficult to impose your way of drawing?

The fact that the kawaii trend isn’t huge in Europe helps me out in some ways, but in others no. There are less artists in this market therefore there is less competition and more exposure. But on the other hand, less work too, and that is negative part.

You just start licensing the brand Charuca . Are you only going to work as a licensing artist from now on?

I’ll keep on doing the same as ever. A part of time will for professional project and the other part for artistic/personal project. I do not consider myself as a licensing artist.

If you had one tip to give for those who want to work in this industry, what would it be?

Work hard every day. Get a style that stand you out from the crowd. Enjoy your work and everything will come. ^___^