Featured Artist Illustrator Jared Muralt

Jared Muralt was born in 1982 in Bern, Switzerland. Though he attended art school for one year in Bern, Muralt is primarily self-taught, and he developed his precision and skill through the careful study of books as diverse as those pertaining to anatomy, art history and comics. Muralt is also co-founder of BlackYard studio, a Swiss illustration and graphic design agency that was honored with Bern’s Advancement Award for Design in 2009.

Jared Muralt is largely inspired by the quotidian: his sketchbooks, which he carries with him at all times, are filled with fascinating studies of people, scientific inventions and the animal kingdom. Indeed, it is via these primary, diaristic sketches that Muralt’s vast imagination takes shape—delightful, energetic caricatures, sci-fi experiments and both alternate and future worlds are all boldly rendered in pen on paper. As such, Muralt’s curious and adventurous spirit manifests in wholly idiosyncratic illustrations and ultimately underpins his artistic practice.

Elusive Muse would love to see Jared’s sketchbook in person. He is an an amazing illustrator and his drawings are nothing short of spectacular. I am definitely adding his new book to my holiday gift list.