Hugs and Kooji Kisses to all our buddies out there! Have a Happy Kissmas and best wishes for the New Year, MWAH! 😀

We caught this month’s Creative Networks which featured one of our favourite animators and YouTube sensations, Cyriak. We’ve been nagging them for ages to get him in (by putting his name again and again as a suggestion for speakers on their feedback form), so we were really pleased when the talk was announced.

‘cows & cows & cows’ © Cyriak http://www.cyriak.co.uk/

His presentation was hilarious and unusual but also insightful. Having found previous design jobs unsatisfying, Cyriak decided to take his animation skills and love of the bizarre online, showcasing his self-initated projects on YouTube. Eventually he caught enough attention to start winning clients, often approaching him with bizarre and very specific requirements, (things in the same vein as ‘a rhino skateboarding over Jesus’ head and falling into a bowl of jelly whilst waving a white flag’).

‘Welcome to Kitty City’ © Cyriak http://www.cyriak.co.uk/

As well as an obsession with mutating cows, sheep and other animals, (including his pet cat), Cyriak has also worked on some fantastic music videos. One of his latest projects (below) is simply beautiful and shows just how far he has come in a short time but it’s heartwarming to know that he continues to produce his own self-initiated, twisted and higly entertaining animations on the side 🙂

‘Hooray For Earth – “True Loves” (Cereal Spiller Remix)’ © Cyriak http://www.cyriak.co.uk/

We had some terrible news this week which we found out through a post on Amy’s website: Pikaland. Our friend, Racheal Anilyse, passed away at the end of last year.

We met her online in 2009 and collaborated with her by submitting illustrations to her zine, Underground Art School. Rach worked so hard on it – it was much more than just a zine really, it was a website for recent grads and creative professionals too. We exchanged many emails over the years, chatting about our lives and our creative work. She was always enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging.

Racheal had hinted that she was ill but never to this extent. We had no idea her difficulties were that severe. Reading back over old emails makes us now realise. She was an incredibly brave person. We hadn’t heard from her in a while but thought she was just very busy creating beautiful illustrations for her children’s books.

We never got to meet her in person and now sadly we never will but Amy shared some lovely news that really cheered us up. Racheal’s family has started the Racheal Anilyse Art Initiative through the Rose Foundation of Haiti, and the University of Hartford School of Art (where she studied) has established a scholarship in her name. The University also has an online guestbook where you can leave a message. Knowing that her memory will go on with these initiatives has really made us smile 🙂

Rest in Peace Racheal. We’ll miss you x

We were both very saddened to hear the news today that Steve Jobs, known the world over for his pioneering work at Apple, passed away after battling against pancreatic cancer.

The Apple website and it’s tribute to Steve Jobs

He had resigned as CEO of Apple earlier this year due to his ill health but had continued to persevere despite this. A creative visionary, inventor and innovator whose products have transformed the way we see the world. He leaves behind a great legacy.

Rest in Peace Steve and thank you.