I only stumbled across ROJO the other day, they're a rather impressive creative collective, based mainly in Brazil and Spain, and they've got quite a handful of talented artists under their belt, some of which you might not have heard of before. If you like any of the following I'm sure you can snap something up by them at the ROJO Art Store. I seemed to have leaned towards the illustrators for the main part, but it's still a rather eclectic selection all the same, including works by Bruno 9li, James Roper, Justine Ashbee. Leah Tinari, Mulheres Barbadas and Talita Hoffmann. ROJO have a true eye for spotting the exceptional, they scour the world looking for the best of the best, you should really check out their projects page if you get the chance, some superb in-situe works displayed in top notch photography.

Bruno 9li, born in 1980 in Porto Alegre in Brazil, he exhibits in Spain and South America for the main part, and his works span various creative styles and cultures. There are definitely some hints of Japanese and Mayan art in many of his pieces. There's plenty of organic iconography on offer, as well as a generous smattering of the mystical, his choice of colours and outlined imagery hark back to something almost psychedelic. Do check out his mad site at www.bruno9li.com if you fancy a quick trip This is probably my favourite piece of Bruno's at ROJO. If you're inclined to buy this piece it comes with a whopping  great price tag of €4350, so I guess you'll need to raid a rather large piggy bank if you have one spare. As it happens most of his works have been sold although there are a few left in his 'Sigma Series'.

James Roper born 1982 in Knutsford, England. This guy is truly a fascinating chap, he's currently working on a series that appropriates soft porn imagery and portrays it as a device for spiritual emanation. Here's his explanation 'The inspiration for this series of works originated from my interest in Bernini's sculpture The Ecstasy of St.Teresa and how Bernini visualised religious ecstasy in an abstract form and inadvertently drew comparisons to psycho-sexual release.' He's a painter, illustrator, sculptor, film maker and all-round modern Rennaissance Man. This piece is entitled 'The Ecstasy of Amy Reid' and is sold, though plenty of others are still available in the Ecstacy Series. He's used the bodies of glamour models and porn stars to represent a wide and highly interpretative range of heightened religious emotional states.

Justine Ashbee was born in 1979 in Nottingham UK. Her work emanates a ream of perfect symmetry, every piece both intuitive and abstract is drawn free hand, and for me resonates with something near spiritual, her process could almost compared to a visually heightened parallel to the phenomenon of Automatic Writing. She describes it herself as 'Zen Calligraphy', you can almost hear the rhythm of her art.

Leah Tinari born in 1975 – New York City – USA is a highly accomplished painter. With a sprinkling of street and pop art in her style, he everyday subjects and quirky compositions are sourced from personal photographs of friends and strangers. She herself admits that many would normally be rejected by other photographers, in essence it is the imperfection of the 'real world' as opposed to the heightened reality of the Media that spurs much of her fascination with the more exuberant side to life. This is 'Compare Hair Portrait' (2007) – acrylic on canvas – 100cm x 100cm. Price: €4000.

Right now Mulheres Barbadas is drawing 'live' at Micasa in São Paulo, Brazil for 5 days so do check out the videos at his site to see him in action, where he's in the midst of filling up as many gallery walls as possible with his cornucopian illustrations. Born in 1982 São Paulo, Brazil,  Barbadas is well known for his giant drawings, each more complex than the last. Visually and even to some extent creatively he exists somewhere between Sy Twombly and Basquiat in my opinion. See for yourself…

There are too many artists to feature here in one post, but one more honourable mention must go to Talita Hoffmann (born 1988 – Porto Alegre – Brazil) for her fascinating mixed media works, bridging the mystical, folk art and a strange off-worldly presence that somehow gives me the chills. This piece is It's A Long Way, 2008, mixed media on paper 50cm x 54cm  – priced at €850.

See them all at www.rojo-magazine.com, there are plenty of original pieces, prints, some superb limited edition books and magazines featuring many of the above. If you're anywhere in the vicinity of Barcelona, Milan or São Paulo then why not get involved? Just remember to take your art mojo with you when you do.

This post is tagged illustrations, James Roper, Justine Ashbee. Leah Tinari, Mulheres Barbadas, paintings, print, ROJO, runo 9li, Talita Hoffmann