Ballookey

696, originally uploaded by thraxil.

I’m participating in a Moleskine Exchange, and I just received the next book to work on in the mail today. This image is from the book’s owner – Anders “thraxil” Pearson.

I’d seen this image before when he blogged it on the Exchange’s blog, and I admired it at the time, but seeing it firsthand has brought me to a full stop the way great art does. All of his pieces are executed with extraordinary grace, detail, and delicacy. I mean I loved these drawings when all I’d seen was a JPG, but seeing them first hand, I’m confronted by something I rarely get to hold in my own hands: an actual piece that a highly-skilled artist has clearly labored over.

This guy actually reminds me of my Internet-friend Micah (hi Micah!) in that he’s one of those people whose skill and knowledge intimidates me. I find myself thrilled at the challenge of creating something that’s “mine” and yet is worthy or appropriate to co-exist in this book.

They’re great people – those ones who inspire us to strive to be better and raise our game.

Click the image above for Anders flickr stream, and take a good look.