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Voluptuous, plus-size, âthiccâ; whatever your term of choice to describe bodies on the larger side may be, itâs difficult to argue that there isnât something effortlessly entrancing about artist REEG's illustrations of curvy women. Perhaps due to the bombardment of stick-figure bodies circulating in popular media or maybe functioning as proof that sometimes more is, in fact, more, the London-based artistâs cartoons balance unabashed sensuality with unrelenting body positivity that is damn near-impossible to looking away from.A photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Sep 20, 2016 at 8:28pm PDT
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REEG, born Ray Edwards, has had a personal interest in larger bodies since he can remember: âIn one form or another Iâve always creatively expressed my appreciation for the voluptuous,â the artist tells The Creators Project. âWhere words fell short, I would sketch my experiences into fruition and share them with friends.âA photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Aug 21, 2016 at 10:56am PDT
Beyond an admiration for curves and the female body, REEGâsâs works are also inspired by R. Crumb and Ralph Bakshi, pioneers of illustration and animation in their own rights: âBoth their works embody the right blend of fun and sexy nostalgia which Iâm always trying to tap into when creating my pieces,â explains the artist. His other sources of creative inspiration stem from his cartoon-filled youth: âChildhood inspirations from the 80s like BodÄ's female characters, Fleischer's hula-dancing Betty Bop, and Jessica Rabbit all play a part in my creative ambience today.âBuilt for this III #REEG #creepyseat
A photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Dec 2, 2016 at 7:12am PST
Dialogues and interactions with others have always formed a core part of REEGâs practice. âMy works are a byproduct of these exchanges,â the artist adds. Although his works are primarily incarnated as paintings and illustrations, the artist has an ever-growing list of collaborations that bring his larger-than-life 2D figures into concrete, physical reality. A recent collaboration with Vegas-based sculptor Macsorro led to the creation of Downward Dime, an editioned toy depicting a full-figured woman mid-yoga pose. In another instance, REEG collaborated with tattoo artist Tino Gomez to produce a fully-colored tattoo of one of his recognizable figures for a fortunate customer.The line up again of the #REEG x @macsorro figures. Thanks to those that have already ordered!
A photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Nov 20, 2016 at 7:56am PST
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Sometimes REEGâs collaborations arenât about materializing his 2D illustrations. The artist recently collaborated with fellow illustrator Reginald Pean, fusing REEGâs signature women with Peanâs trademark skeletons and devilish figures. Currently viewable on REEGâs website, the collision of these drawn worlds will also be shown at an IRL exhibition in New York, later this year.A photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Jul 8, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT
For a full archive of REEGâs voluptuous illustrations, check out his website or his meticulously curated Instagram page.Related:Stop What You're Doing and Read the Comic Advocating for Chelsea ManningMagical Drawings Put Women in Conversation With Their DemonsOgle These Fluorescent, Face-Melting PaintingsA photo posted by REEG (@rayreeg) on
Dec 27, 2016 at 5:56pm PST