Alexandra Valenti is a great photographer here in Austin. She can shoot just about anything that moves or doesnt move, too, I guess. But the true artist comes out when she adds her hand work to each photo. Instead of using Photoshop to make the photos amazing, Alexandra prints them and then paints directly on top of them. She also makes great drawings and doodles, as well. Here are a few below:

Taking a peek into Jesse Balmers sketchbook is like stumbling upon an alternate dimension. His drawings feature bizarre environments and even more bizarre creatures inhabiting them. Sometimes youll see exciting action sequences frozen mid-scene, or beast-like characters with just enough peculiar details on them to make you imagine what their story could be.

The art from Ekaterina Panikanovas second ever solo show is brilliant, and a stark reminder that we need to hang onto the tangibles from our history. When I see this type of work I crave for the analog, and cringe to think about a future of digital audio books and downloadable reads. I still want the smell and feel of worn-out pages between my fingers. Were moving too fast. I need a breather. Stop, lets hold hands and look at the beautiful art together. Found via Colossal.

The Essential Draw showcase challenge is over. We have a winner, but before I get into congratulating them Id like to share some really cool news I just received courtesy of our sponsor. The awesome folks at TOM BIHN appreciated your "essential" doodles so much that theyd like to offer all of you that participated a limited edition Organizer Pouch in exchange for your drawing. Mail your doodle, along with your return address to: TOM BIHN Attention: Doodles 4750A Ohio Ave S Seattle, WA 98134 and theyll send you the Organizer Pouch. The really cool part: your doodles will be put on permanent display in their Seattle factory. Amazing! A round of applause to all 70 of you, with a special cheer to Mr. Ramsey OBrien who took the top spot with 64 of your votes (his submission above). Cheers! Now sharpen those pencils and ready those pens, weve got another sweet challenge going live next week. Subscribe to our RSS and Twitter feed for updates.

Kevin Munoz is a good buddy who I met through mutual friends here in Austin. Kevin does super rad drawings of characters and lettering and works as a designer here at an agency in town. When hes not cranking out the logo and design jams, hes drawing or spending his time with his wife and kiddo, walking around shooting photos and whatnot. I like Kevins childlike view on making artworks. Finding a way to get back to early instincts in your drawing is a good way to let go and let the brush do the work. Kevin does that in a great way.

Kerby Rosanes is a doodle force to be reckoned with. No joke, the man must go through markers like I go through cups of coffee. His style is overwhelming as he completely smothers page after page with funny characters, monsters, objects, and words. I was first introduced to his work when he sent in a submission to our second coloring book, which we gladly accepted. Follow this doodle maniac over on his blog Sketchy Stories (that updates almost daily). Related: The Moleskine pages of Maykel Nunes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kerby has been a member of the Doodlers Anonymous community since July 2011

Ryan Rhodes and Caleb Owen Everitt work as a company called LAND. I cant really say enough about these guys, theyre good friends and rad dudes all around. Plus they make some of the coolest work Ive seen in ages. Their sketches are very classic in nature and reminiscent of a simpler time. These dudes do some great branding work, but my love for them lies in their hand drawn artwork and graphics.

Aldo Ramos is a good friend I met early in my years moving to Austin. He and I met through the internet, both looking for people to make art with and hang out around town. We ended up being good friends going to music and art shows, doing some street art along the way. Heres an old collaboration (above) from those days. Aldos style is a strange mix of super-doodly work with some collage mixed in between. He keeps a super loose style and colorful palette, both of things that I enjoy in artwork. His doodles remind me of the sketching that happens in the margins of your notebook in school, where many an artist find their style in between learning biology and the other courses taught in school.

Jay Geurink, a good homie down here in Austin is also a rad maker of sorts. He works with found objects and wooden pieces to form colorful, often animal related works. His detail with a paintbrush is pretty killer and his type work is top notch in my books. Jay also collaborated with Jessica and myself on a Crummy House zine in the past and has contributed to many art projects in the past. He also kitty sits our cats when we go out of town, so hes A-plus in our books.

Adrienne Vitas ink, watercolor, acrylic and gouache illustrations capture and promote everything good and true -- coexistence, wanderlust, individuality, friendship and family. Her beautiful menagerie of wild animals are seeped in color and pattern-- theyre warm and bright and comforting in image and message. Adrienne says each piece comes from her intuition and meditations. Viewers cant help but become admirers, and admirers cant help but feel a sense of peace. Thank you to UncommonGoods for making the acquaintance.

Abi Daniel is an illustrator and designer making super rad illustrations for all sorts of causes. Her attention to detail is pretty amazing and style that reminisces back to text-book illustration styles.​ Abi applies her talents at a local screenprint shop, Bearded Lady, where she preps separations for screens and designs posters to be printed. Her illustrations work great for all sorts of causes from rock shows to hand made boots. Ive been stoked to work with Abi on a few projects including a zine for Crummy House. Shes super fun to hang out with and has a great attitude towards work and life.

The lovely and incredibly talented Wendy MacNaughton has been illustrating tattoos (and the stories behind them) for the tumblr blog; Pen & Ink, and now (deservedly so) she is turning it into a book. Wendy and her Pen & Ink collaborator Isaac Fitzgerald are in the final stretch of putting it all together, but not before reaching out to me with a last-minute call for submissions. Do you have a tattoo with a compelling story behind it? If so, they want it, and they want it now. Take a pic of your tattoo, write a few words with its story and send it to: penandinkproject {at} gmail {dot } com

Anna Wanda Gogusey is our French connection, hailing from across the way, landing in Texas where she does illustration, design and takes art classes for fun at a local college. Anna is a master of her style and has a distinct look to her work. Her works contain many animals, sometimes on fire, most of the time without eyeballs and have a somewhat demonic, but friendly nature to them. I met Anna when she interned for me during my agency days. Weve been able to work on a couple projects since then including some large scale murals, zines and art shows. Always fun to work with and has great ideas and skills. She also does amazing embroidery! Thanks Anna! We think youre super rad!

Raffaeles Bafefits biography describes the creatures in his portraits as "characters caught in between the thin line between life and death." This ceaseless purgatory, where even the smoothest of curves feel as sharp as Fugubiki knives, binds the personalities of each piece in a state of agony. And although you might not hear their caterwaul, you can certainly feel their desperation.

Everyone has played the game: what would you take with you if you could only bring along one thing? We all have something, something essential or entirely superfluous, something kinky or sentimental, something cerebral or trashy. Out with it. Whats your thing? In this challenge we ask that you draw something you wouldnt leave behind. Wait! Before you get to it, it MUST be something that could fit in a backpack. Youre confined only by the size of your item, nothing else. Deadline May 23rd by 4pm EST, go here for complete submission details � Draw your thing, your take-along, and win this incredible backpack to hold it. Trust me, youll want to get your hands on this, because the folks at TOM BIHN design and make each product with tremendous craftsmanship, and all within the U.S.

While perusing through our flickr group, I stumbled upon the art of a Russian artist who goes by uncle_cat on flickr. Not much other info has been found, so any other tidbits about the artist remain a mystery. Their art is vivid, playful, and infused with child-like whimsy. Some pieces look like something a proud parent would pin up on the fridge. Others show a glimpse of a crazy, fantastical world that is full of details. Its tempting to hop right into this colorful place populated by critters with character, geometric geography, and slanting cities.

I met Rich Cali at a local watering hole where he serves up tasty drinks to patrons many days of the week here in Austin. When hes not working at Yellow Jacket here in town, hes doodling and drawing to the beat of his own drum. I love Richs work and feel that we share a certain affection for the unknown. Rich is a painter and photographer, so seeing his work transition to a refined work on a panel shows his doodles are the foundation for something much greater. Rich is a founding member of Common House, an art space and studio where he and other members host artists and art shows every month. Go check out their site and drop by an opening if you are in town.

Its true, whiteboard animation videos are trendy now, but theyre typically used to explain complex services or somebodys political platform. Jonny Lawrence on the other hand is having a blast making them, just for the sheer fun of it. It involves tons of time, patience, storyboarding and doodle skills, but the final result is incredibly worth it. Besides making the two animations above, Jonny is a talented concept/storyboard artist living and working in the United Kingdom. Related: Check out The King of Doodle Animations

This post is long overdue. I havent posted my Instagram likes on here since December of last year, even though Ive probably faved more than a 100 since then. I dug back and found ten to share with you. The above photo is one of mine. Its of my tiny Field Notes memo book opened to a spread from my "Drawn Evolution" series. Check out some friends below and if you poke around Instagram a few times a week like I do, drop by and say hello. You can find me by searching @doodlers or @okat. Photo by @dielamaharanie Photo by @jeremyville Photo by @josemertz Photo by @molganzoid Photo by @wendymac Photo by @nolanolee Photo by @kylesteed Photo by @aisforanika Photo by @scribbleproject Check out the archive of past Instagram likes by yours truly: part one, two, three, four, five, and six.

I draw the greatest inspiration from the people around me. For the month of May, Im going to ask one of my buddies to send me a drawing/doodle to highlight for each post. My first buddy is my best buddy: Jessica Clark is my partner, roommate and collaborator and all-time favorite person in the world. She sent me the above doodle to include. Jessica is a designer and artist, too. We live in a house in South Austin where we make all sorts of things and collaborate with other artists on zines and art shows under the moniker Crummy House. Were taking a break from the collaborations to focus on our own work for a bit, but well be back in action later this year. Here are a couple photos of some of my favorite collaborations: Jessica and I enjoy spending time with our friends, family and two cats, Clem and Moose.