In Place Artist Discussion and Book Signing!

Magers & Quinn Bookstore
January 19th from 2pm-4pm
Artist Talk and Discusison

This past year, we have had the honor of celebrating a group of incredible concept artists and illustrators through out In Place Art Book and Exhibition. In Place is filled with a collection of full-color illustrations of some of the most breathtaking, sacred, and interesting real-life places around the globe.



From the legendary mountain range in the Bavarian Forest to the Illuminated Caves in Japan, a bustling city center in Lisbon, Portugal to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, In Place takes you on a journey to some of the most exotic locations, the landscapes that inspire us to explore and move us to create - it is the places we yearn for and dream of.


Kelly Smith

It is not just these magnificent views that make this project special, but all of the artists who made this project possible. January 19th from 2pm-4pm, we are hosting an artist talk and discussion at Magers & Quinn Bookstore. The Light Grey team will lead the discussion, sharing insight about the process, collection of artwork, and inspiration, as well as ask some of the participating artists about their experience in creating and understanding these places. We would love for you to attend and spread the word about this event!


Sam Bosma

You can see more information and invite friends and family on our Light Grey Events Page You can also see the listing for this event on the Magers & Quinn Calendar or facebook page.

Thanks and we hope to see you here!


Angela An

You can see the full list of participating artists and more about the In Place Book here on the Light Grey Shop.

Artist Interview: Juan Carlos Barquet

Although we just finished up the In Place exhibition at Light Grey Art Lab, we are still celebrating the fantastic artists from the show, who spend their days making beautiful and informed images, building worlds, creating spaces to live in and visually explore. I would like to introduce artist Juan Carlos Barquet, a freelance illustrator hailing from Mexico City. With a passion for drawing and painting, he finds inspiration from how science and art merge into new disciplines. His work has appeared in collective exhibitions from New York, London, and Bilbao as well as various magazines and publications. Winner of the 2013 Illuxcon scholarship, Juan hopes to work within the fields of animation and visual effects.


Can you tell us a little about the piece you made for In Place? Process, research, mood?

The piece I did for In Place is a cenote, which is a natural sinkhole, created by the collapse of limestone that exposes water underneath. The subject matter attracted me not only because of the richness of the natural environment, but also due to the spiritual meaning that the Mayans assigned to these places. It is also interesting that cenotes are probably the result of the meteorite impact that extinguished the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago. To create the painting I started with small charcoal thumbnails on toned paper, and then did a couple color comps in Photoshop to establish the mood; I gathered some reference pictures to inform the details and finally took the piece to its final state.


You create spectacular and intricate backgrounds everyday and there are so many interesting places around the earth, so how did you select or find inspiration your location for In Place?

Thank you! I saw many cenotes when I visited the Yucatán Peninsula, and even did some underwater diving inside them – cenotes are usually entrances to massive subterranean cave systems, and exploring them was amongst the most inspiring experiences I have had in my life. I remember being fascinated by the way light behaves in environments like these, cascading through the rocks and water, so I was especially interested in that when designing the image. It was hard deciding whether I wanted to show the underwater landscape or the outside appearance of the sinkhole, but I ended up choosing the latter because I figured it would better represent this type of formation.

When you are creating landscapes for fantasy games, does your process change? What are the differences between your professional and personal work?

There is definitely more creative freedom when I’m doing my own work. This usually allows me to experiment and give myself more technical challenges than I would try when working professionally, so personal pieces often end up being my best. That said, I also enjoy having the direction and structure that comes with working for a client. When doing personal work I tend to think too much and change things over and over, which results in a lot of pieces never being finished.

How much research goes into your work? (ex: Finding the right metals, materials, landscapes to reference, geographical research)

It depends on the piece, but I usually try to understand my subject as much as I can before starting a piece. Even though I paint otherworldly scenes, a lot of inspiration for color and design comes from the real world, so I try to sketch outside as much as possible. If observing actual objects or places is not an option, I look at lots of pictures for inspiration. Still, I find that using reference is good at later stages of a painting, but for me it is best to work from imagination at first and not be restricted by other images.


What are some of your favorite projects so far? Professionally or personally, what projects have moved you to create?

I love doing science fiction. Most of my commissions have been fantasy oriented (castles, magic, medieval scenes and that of kind of thing), and while I enjoy that a lot, I just love envisioning futuristic, technologic worlds. The Power of Tomorrow, which I did for the yearly exhibition Desktopography, is probably the piece I’ve had most fun with. I am also drawn towards dystopian settings. A great inspiration for me was the movie Blade Runner, and also books like 1984 or Brave New World. In many ways, stories like these are very real and relevant, and they say a lot about the world we live in.

Your landscapes tend to be very epic, expansive, and quiet. How do you engage with the viewer, draw them in, or create discovery in your art?

It is important for me to have credibility a landscape, which is why I think that observing the world is so essential, but I try to incorporate an element of dreams, wonder or surprise into each piece. Whenever possible, I try to use color, composition and design to reinforce the story, give a backdrop to the scene or add emotion. I find it useful to imagine myself in the environments; sometimes I write a little paragraph, just for me, so I have little narrative clues to give direction to the piece.

You include characters in some of your work. What kind of characters, beasts, subjects are you most interested in?

For me it’s often less about the characters, and more about the world they live in. Once I have imagined a setting, I start thinking which kind of life forms, if any, could possibly be there. Maybe it’s humans, but they’re part of an unknown civilization. I love dragons, and I’m working to understand them –and draw them– better, but like all fantasy, it’s all about taking real world things and going crazy with them.


What other artists, website, resources do you look at?

There are too many to name: I constantly study the work of masters like Leonardo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt or Sargent. I always try to go to museums, but sites like the Google Art Project are also great for this. I love the landscape painters of the Hudson River School like Church or Bierstadt, but I am also inspired by contemporary fantasy illustrators like James Gurney and concept artists such as Andree Wallin. I read blogs like Gurney Journey, Muddy Colors, ChrisOatley.com or The Artorder regularly. I follow so many artists, art students and art directors on the social networks that I am inspired every time I turn on the computer.

What projects are you currently working on? What is upcoming for you?

Besides being active in the international art collectives Hysterical Minds and The Luminarium, I am currently in the matte painting team of a Spanish short film (I will share more about that when it is closer to being released). I continue to do freelance jobs for card game companies and private clients from time to time, but right now school is my main priority and what takes up most of my time. I am also starting to learn to play the guitar and I work hard every day to become the best draftsman I can be.

Thanks Juan! You can check out more of Juan Carlos Barquet's work on his website as well as check out his artwork for the In Place Exhibition and the In Place book on our Light Grey Shop.

Artist Interview: Sarah Marino

This week, I had the opportunity to catch up with In Place artist, Sarah Marino. Sarah is an extremely talented illustrator, designer, and visual developer currently working at Reel FX Studio in the feature animation department. She graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2009, and since, has been extremely busy creating works for companies such as Simon & Schuster, Blue Sky Studios, and CMYK Magazine, and has been exhibiting illustrations in galleries throughout the country.

It has been great getting to know Sarah through her participating in the exhibitions. It is clear in her personal practice as well as at work, she is collaboratively focused- a true team player! In this interview, Sarah shares her perspectives on feature animations, studio practice, keeping busy, and being passionate about your profession.



Can you tell us what you currently have in the works? What you are looking forward to?

Currently, I am on cast working on a film called the “Book of Life” with Guillermo Del Toro as creative producer and Jorge Gutierrez as director. It has been an amazing project to be involved with! I also recently wrapped on a project with Simon & Schuster.When I’m not at work, I like to make my own children’s book illustrations. All of these projects have been great because I like to keep busy! I feel guilty if I’m not working, so I’m glad I love making art so much!

You are a visual development artist for Reel FX. Could you talk a little about your role at the studio, your favorite parts of the process, and the community?

Working in animation doesn’t really feel like work – you’re making movies primarily for kids, so it’s great to use your imagination all day. As a vis dev artist, I work in the art department, which is the group of artists responsible for bringing each director’s vision to life. One thing that I really love about working on movies, is that even though you might be on a project for over a year, the range of assignments you undertake keeps it interesting and fun. Working at a younger studio like Reel FX also means the talent is fresh and passionate- it’s a really inspiring environment. Everyone I work with is amazingly talented and we’re all friends outside of work, which I don’t think is always the norm for most larger studios. I love the tight-knit community that’s developed even though our company has grown.



What do you think most people would find surprising about the type of work you do at work or the way an animation studio works?

Making movies is extremely collaborative. I would say a majority of the assignments I’m given have been worked on by someone else in some way, whether they already did sketches, designs, color keys, etc. I’m primarily a painter/surface artist, so a lot of the time I’ll be given a designer’s drawing, and flesh it out with color and form, explore what it’s made of (e.g. stone, wood, organic material, etc), and how it might be lit in a scene. A lot of the work you do in the beginning is exploratory, but once production deadlines hit, you just have to commit. Every assignment given to you is the art director trusting that you’ll make it happen in the allotted amount of time. Deadlines are so important in animation, especially when you’re at the beginning of the pipeline like those of us in the art department. Everything we do has to be passed on to the next department so they can begin bringing the movie to life.

What styles and work from your professional work carry into your personal work? Are the processes similar different?

I’ve learned just as much, if not more so, at my job than I did during school. The amount of talent that I’m surrounded by is really high, and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from my peers. The biggest difference between what I do at work and what I do at home is the final product. When I do a book illustration or a personal piece, I’m putting a finished painting out there as a standalone image that I created from start to finish. Animation is a lot different – most of the work I do will never go public, and mostly everything I work on is only a concept of the final product, not actually the final.

For example, if I do a painting of what a certain prop might look like, I’ll paint it the way it should look in the movie, and then the CG artists will take my painting and sculpt, surface, animate, etc. the actual asset for the movie. It seems discouraging at first, but I actually find it really rewarding to see what the CG artists can do with the work I handoff to them. When I watch a movie I worked on, I can point at a certain prop or character and say ‘I created that. And my one friend modeled it, another textured it, another animated it.’ That collaborative part is something that I really love about animation.



What personal projects do you have in the works? Is there anything you have been dying to create?

Storytelling is my passion, and even though I primarily tell stories with illustrations, I also love to write. One of my books in progress is an illustrated middle-grade fantasy novel. CTN Expo is coming up in a few months, so I’m going to try to see how many new pieces I can put together in time for that. There are a lot of old Russian and Eastern European fairy tales I’ve been researching in hopes to use as a jumping off point for a new body of vis dev work. The last thing I’ve been up to (this is the first time I’m saying so publicly, in fact), is that I’ve had the pleasure to do some voiceover work for FUNimation Studios, an anime distribution company here in the Dallas area. Being able to dub over for anime has been crazy fun, but also incredibly surreal! My first credit will be on the Fairy Tail movie coming out later this year.

You create beautiful landscapes and scenes everyday, and are well versed in fantastical imagery. How did you select your location for In Place? What were you drawn in by?

I'm really big on watching documentaries while I work, and luckily Netflix has a great selection of them. I had recently watched a documentary on Myanmar, and the Bagan Temples really stood out to me visually, despite the current disparity in the country. I instantly wanted to learn more about the history of the temples. I try to set goals for my work, and adding more larger scale landscapes to my portfolio was one of them. The In Place show was a great opportunity I had to jump on while the images of the temples still buzzed around in my head. With my work, I'm definitely attracted to subtleties and quieter moods, so learning about the history of the Bagan Temples and the monks who still inhabit them really resonated with my aesthetic and design philosophy.



I spent some time searching for photography of the temples and referred to other documentaries. Especially with a piece like this that was so grounded in reality, I wanted to make sure I honored the history and architecture of the culture I would be illustrating. I think with the case of this piece, the reference images I found really inspired my thumbnails. I was drawn to the photographs that showed the temples in the early morning or late sunset and I knew I wanted to explore the foggy glow that bounces off the tops of the gold-gilded buildings. I was also really drawn to the monks and their day to day lives; how after all of these years, they still walk with purpose throughout such ancient and impressive structures.

What other topics inspire you when making? What are some of your favorite types of characters, scenes, stories?

I’m a sucker for anything whimsical, fantastical, or romantic, so if a story or character or place has anything to do with one or all of the above (huge bonus), then I’m immediately drawn to it. I actually made a list of a bunch of my favorite characters, and I found that my favorites tend to either be heroes (especially the reluctant kind, like Harry Potter or Sailor Moon) or dashing rogues with sensitive souls (e.g. Han Solo, Spike Spiegel). I’m a seriously hopeless romantic, and if two characters fall in love despite all the odds set against them, I’m completely invested emotionally. I’m sure this is probably why a lot of my work tends to feature heroines or couples. At least I’m consistent!



And lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring character developers?

Draw every single day. If you’re having a bad drawing day, seek out things that inspire you! Play guitar, go for a walk in the park, go to a bookstore or see a movie. There are so many resources out there today for people that want to work in animation–from workshops or online classes, to CTN Expo or SDCC. Networking will get you the job, so be friendly to everyone you meet in the industry–your work ethic and good attitude means more than your portfolio. Don’t be afraid to edit your portfolio. Submit your portfolio with work that applies to the job you want. It’s a competitive industry, but if you want it bad enough, and you work for it hard enough, you’ll get there. My path to being a vis dev artist wasn’t easy, but with a lot of hard work and dedication (and a little bit of luck), I made it. You can, too.

Thanks to Sarah for such a great and insightful interview! You can check out more of Sarah Marino's work on her website as well as check out her artwork for the In Place Exhibition and the In Place book on our Light Grey Shop.

Artist Interview: Lauren Airriess

Meet Lauren Airriess. Lauren is an extremely talented character and visual developer, illustrator, and artist living in San Francisco, California, and currently working as a sketch artist and animator at Pixar Animation Studios. For years, Lauren has been creating and sharing work through her online blog Tula Noodle, and professionally contributing to works on feature length animations such as Tangled. Lauren has exhibited work at Light Grey Art Lab in Searching for Secrets during the Message and a Bottle Exhibition and in the current In Place Exhibition. We are excited to get to know Lauren more, hear about her process, and get the inside scoop!



What are some of your favorite projects so far? Professionally or personally, what projects have moved you to create?

I absolutely loved working on Tangled. The mood and look they were going for when I was on the project was in Rembrandt's style, which I absolutely love. It was my first experience on an animated feature, and I couldn't have asked for more. I feel like when you have a director who really inspires, and a theme and style that hit a chord with you, the artwork just comes flowing out, and you never want to stop.

Has your experience working on animations shaped the way that you think about space, environments, and experience of places?

I have been working either on getting into animation or in animation ever since I was eight or nine, so I wouldn't even know how to do things in a different way. I would say that in the animation world, everything has to be influenced by the main character and how they are feeling at that moment in time. If the character is sad, that will effect the environment, lighting, composition etc. Everything you draw has to tell a story about that character.



You create spectacular and intricate backgrounds everyday and there are so many interesting places around the earth, so how did you select or find inspiration your location for In Place?

I have had this weird reoccurring dream ever since I was a kid about a Victorian conservatory. It was usually kind of run down and overgrown, so I thought that the Palacio De Cristal would be a good choice because it was gutted after left abandoned for a many years. I brought it back to its more wild state. It's now used as a gallery space for sculpture and art installation.



What was your research and development stages like for In Place?

I started by looking up different observatories and the stories behind the architects who created them. Observatories became a kind of status symbol for cities all over the world. The goal was to create the largest, most elaborate collection of foreign plant species - almost like a plant zoo. They weren't just used by scientists to study exotic plants; they were also used to house fantastic parties. I found the juxtaposition very interesting.

Can you tell us what projects you currently have in the works? What is on your personal agenda?

I am developing my own idea based off a Finnish folktale called the Forest Bride. This is really just for my personal development and to teach me to create a world from scratch. It's been challenging, but I have learned a lot.

On top of your professional work, you are creating plethora of personal work, and we are impressed by the amount and variety you make in your free time. Could you talk a little about the differences in approach to personal and professional work? What keeps you motivated?

I try to do the kind of work at home that I am not doing at that moment for the studio. Either creating pieces in a flat graphic style that fit more into the illustration world, or with styles or plot lines that speak to me. Doing things in different styles at home enables me to stay fresh creatively.

What are some of your favorite themes, types of characters, things to make?

Coming of age stories. On a design level, I love movies that have a lot of organic elements. Either with a lot of vegetation, or architecture that falls more on the organic side, with a lot of character and flowing lines. I would say that I like period films the most, but it all depends on the story.



What are some other types of media/people (other artists, books, television, movies) that you are inspired by?

Oh man, I get inspired by so many artists. I would have to say my go to guys are the giants in the art world, such as Toulouse Lautrec, Rembrandt, Monet, Sargent, and Waterhouse. I love their sense of design and color, their worlds are so rich. But on the other hand, whenever I get in a tough spot with something I am working on, I go straight to my Tumblr feed. It helps to see that people are constantly creating new art, and it makes me feel like creating good artwork is possible and within my reach.


You can check out more of Lauren's work on her website or blog, and you can see and purchase her work for the In Place Exhibition and Book here!

In Place Opening Reception Recap

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to the opening reception and book release for In Place! It was an incredible celebration with so many fantastic artworks, and we were happy to share it with all of you!



Each In Place piece was displayed in a larger-than-life format, allowing viewers to 'get lost' in the image and truly discover these breathtaking, culturally relevant, and magical, yet real places! Ranging from the Congo River, to the Shalimar Gardens, the Bavarian Forest, and Marakeesh, Morocco, each piece is captures the discovery of ends of the earth, our awe-inspiring journeys, and our love for curiosity!



The In Place books arrived just in time for the big event! Visitors were able to pick up a copy of their own, have local participating artists sign their In Place Books!



In the next few weeks, there will be several more opportunities to get to know these artists, check out the books, and hear all about the In Place book and process. Dates and information for signings (Magers & Quinn and Boneshaker Books) coming soon! Keep an eye out for all of the invitations!

In Place will be up and on display at Light Grey Art Lab until September 13th! Stop by during our gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-7pm, and Sundays from 12pm-5pm.

If you can't stop by in person, check out all of the wonderful work and In Place book on the permanent In Place online gallery and Light Grey Shop!

Podcast: 'In Place: Wish You Were Here'

Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!

In Place: Wish You Were Here
Length: 00:56:43
Synopsis: In Place finally opened this past Friday! Along with an awe-inspiring exhibit, the event also launched In Place: Wish You Were Here, a companion book that collects all the artwork from the show in one place, along with context for each piece in text and maps. The following morning we held a book signing and artist talk at Verdant Tea, where we chatted about how the project originated, and were joined by participating artists Casey Crisenbery, Erik Krenz and Jeff Johnson, who shared their perspective and the stories behind their pieces. In the conversation, we directly reference a lot of specific pieces of art from In Place, so you might want to have the online gallery open to follow along!


Show Notes:
In Place online gallery
Buy In Place: Wish You Were Here and artwork from the show
Verdant Tea
Jeff Johnson
Casey Crisenbery
Erik Krenz

In Place Opening Reception Tonight!

The wait is over! Join us tonight to celebrate the work and collaboration of 50+ illustrators, concept artists, and designers as we take you on a journey around the world...and back!


Salar de Uyuni by Victor Maury

The In Place opening reception and Book Release begins at 7pm at Light Grey Art Lab! There will be several local artists, the In Place Books, and of course, all the the sublime and majestic large-scale works of places from around the globe. From a tiny alley way in Shinjuku, Japan, to an expansive mountain scape in Germany, In Place celebrates all sacred, mysterious, cultural, and awe-inspiring places- the places that inspire us to create, travel, and wonder!

You can see more about the opening reception on our facebook event page
Or check out the entire collection on our permanent online gallery and Light Grey Shop!


Marakeesh by Victoria Ying

We hope you can make it to the opening, as well as our book signing and discussion Saturday, August 24th from 12pm-3pm at Verdant Tea! At noon, we will kick off the event with delicious tea and conversation. Starting at 1pm, we will talk about the process of the book, inspirations by Light Grey and the participating artists, and tons of images and books to look at! Stick around after the event for a traditional tea tasting and a Q & A. You can read more about the event here.

Shalimar by Sidharth Chaturvedi

Let's honor these inspiring places and all of the incredible artwork!

In Place Opening Reception, Book Release, and Sneak Peeks!

The wait is almost over! We are extremely honored to bring you In Place: wish you were here, a large exhibition and collaborative book project incorporating nearly fifty works by illustrators, designers, and concept artists from around the world.

Each artist has created magnificent, breathtaking, and detailed works, capturing the experience and history imbedded in each place. From the ancient rows of temples in Bagan, to an abandoned power plant in North Carolina, a tiny alleyway in Toyko, Japan, and a the forgotten Easter Island, In Place is about the beauty and mystery, as much as the culture, ways of life, and mark in history and imagination. These are the places that inspire us to create and dream!


Sneak peek of work by Kim Smith

Come take a trip around the world, as we enjoy all these artworks in the In Place Exhibition, which opens August 23rd from 7pm-10pm. To see the full list of participants or more information about the opening reception check out our facebook event.


Detail of Hardangervidda by Maike Plenzke

Following the reception, August 24th from 12pm-3pm, Light Grey Art Lab will be doing a book signing, artist talk, and discussion at Verdant Tea! Stop by for some refreshing teas and traditional pouring, meet some of the artists, and learn more about collaborative book making and process! We are extremely excited to talk with the artists about their views and research along the way. You can see more about the book signing event here.
You can read more about the In Place book on our online shop, which is now available for pre-order!

Detail of Camelot by Jeff Johnson

We will be celebrating this project and exhibition for an entire month! So stop by Light Grey Art Lab or the permanent online gallery to see more about the show and view the entire collection. (available this Friday)


For more details about the project and the In Place book.

In Place Sneak Peek

This August at Light Grey Art Lab, we are celebrating the summer 'sense of travel,' our yearning for new destinations, and curiosity about mysterious places around the world, as we gear up for our newest exhibition opening, In Place.

In Place incorporates the work of fifty concept artist, background and gaming artists, illustrators, and designers from all over the work to collaborate on a awe-inspiring and sublime exhibition and limited edition artist book project.

Here is a preview and the preorder for the In Place book

And a sneak peek at some of the amazing artwork:


Chiang Mai Jungle, Thailand Sunrise by Angela An
Cenote, Yucatan Peninsula Cenotes by Juan Carlos Barquet
Congo, Congo by Francesca Buchko
Northridge Shopping Mall, Paris by Andres Guzman

Each artist has done an incredible job capturing these larger than life destinations, such as Chief Mountain in Montana, the Illuminated Caves in Okinawa, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the icy tundra of Antarctica. Each piece is accompanied by a written piece about the folklore, history, 'magical healing powers,' influence, and dwellers of each of these magnificent places. We cannot wait to share with you!

To see more information about the opening reception see our facebook event!

In Place Opening Reception!

From the peaks of the world’s tallest mountains to underwater limestone caves, imagined islands and extravagant gardens to the thousands of temples lined up across the land, Light Grey Art Lab’s newest exhibition features illustrations of the most sublime, intimate, and experiential places on earth. In Place includes work by fifty concept artists and illustrators who have taken on these wondrous and mysterious lands, making work about the places that inspire us to create and yearn for the unknown.

Come get lost in the Bavarian Forest, the imaginary island of Thule, and the unexplored terrain of the Chiang Mai Jungle. Explore some of the most hidden, surprising, and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.

Not only is there 50 pieces amazing, large scale work by concept artists and illustrators with clients like Disney, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment and more, but there's also an amazing companion book that collects all the work into one beautiful package, which will be debuting at the reception!

The opening reception is Friday, August 23rd, 7 PM - 10 PM. Join us for art, music, food and drinks. This will be the first time the limited edition book will be available to the public, so make sure to pick one up for $25! It's filled with every amazing piece from the show, as well as a foreword by Arctic explorer and author, Lonnie Dupre.

Check out In Place: Wish You Were Here on our store for more information or to pre-order. The book is available for $25 and will be available to ship / pick up on August 23rd.

See a preview of the book and list of perticipating artists here!

RSVP via the Facebook event page!

Remember, the opening reception is Friday, August 23rd from 7-10 PM! We're located on the corner of Stevens Ave and 26th Street. Street parking is available on Stevens, 26th and 1st Ave.

See you there!

IN PLACE : Pre-Order Available!

The front cover - with artwork by the very talented, Erik Krenz

We just received the very first copy of the In Place book and IT IS GORGEOUS!
Thanks to everyone that was involved in making this happen!

In coordination with the In Place: Wish You Were Here Exhibition (Opening on August 23rd) we have created a stunning 80 page, perfect-bound, limited edition art book. Each one is signed and numbered - and absolutely incredible.

Here is a link to the pre-order if you're interested in checking it out!
The book is $25 and features the work of 50 international illustrators, visual development artists, and creatives came together for this project - where wide-format style illustrations span the pages alongside stories of each exotic location's cultural nuances, historical highlights and folkloric stories.


Inside the front cover you'll see a map containing each of the locations


Grove of Fetters by JB Casacop

***
We have been working like crazy over the last couple months, pouring over places, working with artists, and finally getting everything together and after long hours of research, writing, revision and design! One of our objectives with this project was to show the beauty of the spaces and places around us. Considering that we have been huge advocates of connecting artists from all ends of the Earth - it was only natural that we spend some time bringing a project to life that allows us to discover and explore some of the most exotic and interesting spaces!

Our second objective was to not just show the beauty of each place, but really share information about them that you might not know: the hidden bits of information that have been buried by time!


Omoide Yokocho by Kali Ciesemier

We had the pleasure of working with Award Winning Arctic Explorer, Lonnie Dupre, known for his expeditions through Greenland via dogsled and his participation in two National Geographic documentaries (among many other honors) for the forward of the book -- he creates an inspiring introduction to a book that aims to bring out the explorer in all of us.


Northridge Mall by Andres Guzman

"From mountain peaks to lost islands at the bottom of the sea, In Place is a collection of artwork that delves into many of the most significant, sublime, and unbelievable places on Earth. Featuring the work of fifty contemporary illustrators, designers, and creatives, this collaborative project aims to create a greater understanding of the places we live in and dream of." --- From the front cover

We are in the midst of planning some fantastic get-togethers in honor of the publication of In Place!
Put these dates on your calendars!

August 23
In Place Exhibition Opening Reception
Light Grey Art Lab
118 E. 26th Street #101
Minneapolis MN 55404
7 - 10pm

August 24
In Place Book Mixer & Release Party
at Verdant Tea!
12 - 3pm (join us for delicious teas, book signing, meet the artists / editors / designers. 1pm casual Q&A and panel disucussion)

August 30
Join us for Mike Yamada and Victoria Ying
(Two contributing artists for the In Place exhibiton)
Artist Lecture at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Large Auditorium
7pm

then

All Artists Meet & Greet
Co-sponsored by Light Grey Art Lab & SooVac
Join us at Glam Doll Donuts for a creatives get-together!
Say hello to artists of all disciplines from the Twin Cities Area!
Bring your business cards & get ready for a fun night of sweets!
8:30 - 10:30pm

September 14
Book Release and Panel on Collaborative Printed Projects
at Boneshaker Books
1-2pm



Forword by Lonnie Dupre

Featuring the work of:

Andres Guzman
Andrew Whyte
Angela An
Anna Bron
Anna Craig
Casey Crisenbery
Chie Boyd
Courtney Billadeau
Elyse Holmes
Erik Krenz
Federico Piatti
Genevieve FT
Gigi D.G.
JB Casacop
Jeff Johnson
Jesse Tise
Josie Portillo
Joy Ang
Juan Carlos Barquet
Kali Ciesemier
Kelly Bastow
Kim Smith
Kyle Scott
Lara Paulussen
Lauren Airriess
Leonard Peng
Leslie Hung
Maike Plenzke
Manuel Kilger
Michael Gunder
Mike Yamada
Phoenix Chan
Sage Einarsen
Sam Bosma
Sarah Marino
Séléna Picque
Sherwin Abesamis
Sidharth Chaturvedi
Silver Saaremäel
Uwe Hiedschöetter
Vero Navarro
Victor Maury
Victor Mosquera
Victoria Maderna
Victoria Ying
Lindsay Nohl - Design & Artwork
Victoria Nohl - Editor
Jenny Bookler - Editor
Chris Hajny - Editor
Francesca Buchko - Artwork & Editor
Lonnie Dupre - Forword

*** IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PRE-ORDERING the IN PLACE Limited Edition Art Book, we will be shipping after August 23rd.
Individuals placing orders will reserve a copy to be shipped after the In Place opening reception on August 23rd. A limited quantity will be reserved for the opening reception as well. Orders are filled on a first-come-first-served basis and because quantities are limited, all orders placed through this pre-order are guaranteed to be available.

Questions? Please email us at hello@lightgreyartlab.com