Can the average reader of Esquire Magazine afford a pair of 400.00 jeans; probably not. Esquire magazine is man at his best. I read the publication because I know having a pair of insanely overpriced jeans does not equate to man at his best, just a man spending too much for denim. Inside Esquire though is lessons, achievements, practices, a man should be aware of. It answers the question for a thin to large built man what type of suit looks the best on him. It provides a list of the top 75 things everyman should know how to do. From cooking eggs three different ways to being able to give important life changing advice to someone in a mere one sentence to being able to satisfy a woman without question. Reading the first hand accounts of Iraqi veterans I find give perspective and shed light on positives and negatives that make up American society. It is about articles that trace the details of world explorer Steve Faucet's last days. Oh yea, and there is art in the magazine too! As an illustration nut, illustrations in Esquire are impressive for a huge corporate outfit like Esquire. A who's who of illustrative do-gooder's grace the pages of Esquire every month. Not too shabby. Especially if you listen to those who will tell you print is an increasingly diminishing industry.
Another terrific magazine is The Stranger boasted as the only magazine in Seattle Washington. So much underground obscurity happens here its head spinning. A must read is the illustrated comment of the week. Where a person has submitted a phrase or comment and an artist draws it out. One of the more recent highlights is the illustrated comment in the May 5th edition involves an illustration to accompany the comment, "A greater percentage of people have had sex with an animal than have gone to a professional dominant. This mag is the voice of Seattle, Washington and it has by far the best illustrated covers of any magazine being printed today.
My third is a classic publication known as National Geographic. It is thought provoking, penetrating, informative and still going strong after several decades. As the world is changing and man is continuously affecting the environment I read national geographic for ideas for many of my social and eco driven imagery. As a citizen of the world I try to remain aware of my carbon footprint and understand that what I do affects other parts of the world not just my immediate surroundings.
Lastly, Epilogue a diverse online publication bringing a variety of art styles and medium to its readers also makes my list. More of a literary journal, Epilogue is unique in that it has no borders or guidelines to fulfill. It is free form and features up and coming artist to more seasoned designers Painters photographers, graphic designers all come together here. It's administrators are located on both coasts which help to bring a by coastal perspective to the magazine's content.
