Friday Design Finds: The Light Fantastics

I’m a huge fan of combining artistry with functionality.  Why should we settle for something boring when we could fill our worlds with the extraordinary?  Time to rip down that contractor’s special chandelier you’ve been hating on since you moved in.  Maybe one of these will inspire you to think outside the Home Depot box. Check out these fantastically artsy options!

Pink Octopus Chandelier by Adam Wallacavage

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Tide Chandelier by Stuart Haygarth

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Bower Bird Nest Chandelier by Tracey Barnes

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Candlelier by Takeshi Miyakawa

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Seriously, how could you not be inspired by seeing one of these every day?  What will you make more artsy this weekend?

All image sources are linked below each photo.

Friday Finds: Fabrications

I am absolutely hopeless when it comes to sewing.  Pretty sure I got a “C” on my big sewing project in junior high Home Ec ( a C was pretty unheard of for this nerd ) and my attempts as an adult haven’t been much better.  But I have a great love for textiles of all colors and textures.  Not only do I completely love contemporary artists who work in fabric, but I am completely envious of their abilities.  You know what they say, those who can, do.. those who can’t, well share with others!  Check out these beautiful examples of textile art!

Structures #72 by Lisa Call

Cleveland Foreclosure Quilt by Kathryn Clark

Ada Quilt by Meg Callahan

Prairie/Wall I by Sue Benner

Lisa Call | Kathryn Clark | Meg Callahan | Sue Benner

Be sure to check out these artists’ websites, linked above for more of their amazing work.  Happy weekend!

All images are via the artists’ websites, linked above.

Friday Finds: Anthropologically Studious

There is something about this time of year that makes me long to go back to school.  OK, maybe not.  But I do look longingly at the school supplies on display everywhere, wishing I had a reason to buy a Trapper Keeper and some brand new #2 pencils!  Not only do I love Anthropologie for their use & promotion of work by artists I love like Sarah Ashley Longshore and Dolan Geiman, but they also have a beautiful collection of studious accessories perfect for any artsy.  Here are a few of my favorites–

Pinwheel Push Pins

Madurodam Colored Pencils

Dip-Dye iPad Case

Watercolor Postcards

Clothbound Ikat Journal

Pinwheel Push Pins | Madurodam Colored Pencils | Dip-Dye iPad Case | Watercolor Postcards | Clothbound Ikat Journal  

What about you, Artsies? What are your favorite school supplies to splurge on? 😉

All images are via the Anthropologie website.  All opinions are my own, this is not a post sponsored in any way by Anthropologie or its affiliates.

Friday Finds: Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Art

Ya’ll, I am a long time fan of The King.  Not a crazy-I-have-an-Elvis-room-in-my-house-and-make-a-yearly-pilgrimage-to-Graceland fan, but I will sing along with him every time he comes up on the iPod.  Yesterday marked the 35th anniversary of Elvis’s death and I’ve been seeing a lot of artists drawing inspiration from Mr. Presley lately, so thought I’d round up a few of my faves for you!

Sticker Elvis by Jim Blanchard

( Elvis ) Beyond the Bend by Deborah Scott

The Dr. Martin Luther King of Rock & Roll by Troy Gua

Thank You, Thank You Very Much by Sarah Ashley Longshore

Jim Blanchard | Deborah Scott | Troy Gua | Sarah Ashley Longshore 

Be sure and check out all these artists’ websites, linked above.  If you happen to be in the Seattle area, don’t miss Elvistravaganza!, a curated show featuring works inspired by The King during Bumbershoot, Sept 1st-3rd.  All the cool kids will be showing, including Deborah Scott, Jim Blanchard and more!

All images are via the artists’ websites, linked above.

Friday Finds: In the Swim

We are in the dog days of summer and it’s days like these I long for complete freedom to lounge around in the water all day.  But since responsibilities and being an adult ( yuck! ) don’t allow me to do so, I’m living vicariously through today’s round up of bathing beauties!

Pretty Swimmer by Tracey Sylvester Harris, oil on canvas, 60×48

Breathing at the Surface I by Samantha French, oil on canvas, 20×20

Falling Pleasure by Sarah Harvey

Some of These Days by Nina Nolte, acrylic on canvas, 63×39

Tracey Sylvester Harris | Samantha French | Sarah Harvey | Nina Nolte 

Have a fantastic weekend, Artsies!  Be sure to check out the websites of these artists, linked above.  Don’t forget, the Artists Are Taking Over next week!   Will be a bit of a change around these parts, but one I think you’ll enjoy!  Mr. Forager and I will be taking off on Sunday to spend 10 days camping out in Glacier National Park & Yellowstone, so I’ll be responding to comments and emails upon my return.

Tracey Sylvester Harris found via Skidmore Contemporary Art and Sarah Harvey found via isavirtue.

Featured image is At the Shore by Tracey Sylvester Harris, oil on canvas, 12×9.  All images are via the artists’ websites, linked above.

Friday Faves: Branching Out

Hubby and I are treehuggers.  Not in a holier-than-thou, I-always-recycle, never-ever-use-plastic-grocery-bags kind of way ( though there may be a little of that ), we’re more the Babe!-did-you-see-the-size-of-that-tree, doesn’t-that-tree-trunk-look-like-the-Venus-de-Willendorf, oh-I-want-to-hug-it variety.  As the days get longer and the weather gets slightly warmer, we’re beginning to plan lots of treks into the woods to do some tree-gazing.  One of our favorite things to do is lay on the ground and look up at the trees and their branches.  So to get you in the mood for perhaps a little tree-gazing of your own, here are a few artists who share our woodsy love!

Rumis Ladder by Adam Shaw, oil on canvas, 64x70

Rusted by Liz Ruest, digital collage, prints available

All Things Great and Small by Angie Renfro, oil on panel, 30x24

Eastern Redbud II by Susan Goldsmith, white gold leaf with pigment print, oil pastel, oil paint & resin on panel, 36x36

Adam Shaw | Liz Ruest | Angie Renfro |Susan Goldsmith 

So how about you, Artsies?  Any tree-hugging plans this weekend? 🙂

Featured image is The Truth Calls Us Into Being by Adam Shaw, oil on canvas, 70×50.  All images are via the artist’s websites, linked above.

Friday Faves: The White Album

Once upon a time, I was bored by white.  The more color the better.  And around age 13, the more purple the better! 😉  But as my eye has grown and matured, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the purity and peace of white.  It calms us, brings shadows and textures to life and provides a place of rest in a saturated world.  Would you like to join me on a little mini-vacay from color today?

Untitled 11.6 ( detail ) by Natalie Abrams, wax on panel

Empathy by Lauren Browning, italian ice alabaster on black granite

Flutter by Sana Krusoe, porcelain, 30x4x5 ( via Davis & Cline Gallery )

Burqa by Shayna Lieb, glass, 6x30x5

Magnolia by Heather Knight of Element Clay Studio, ceramic, 9x9x3

Ahh.. don’t we all feel calm & relaxed now?  Have a wonderful, peaceful weekend, Artsies!  Be sure to check out the artists’ websites for more loveliness.

Natalie Abrams | Lauren Browning | Sana Krusoe at Davis & Cline 

 Shayna Lieb | Heather Knight 

Featured image is Remnant VII by Shayna Lieb.  All images are via the artist’s websites and shops, unless otherwise noted.

Friday Faves: Bookworms

I have a long, ongoing love affair.  With books.  I blame my grandparents, who were avid readers and every night spent with them was ended curled up in my grandmother’s lap listening to her read.  Growing up, books were a favorite escape, summers were often spent with my nose buried in story after story.  I came very close to pursuing a degree in literature rather than art history ( I was obviously never destined to be rich! ).  But one of the best things about studying art history was all the stories.  The best of both worlds.  Here are some artists who seem as obsessed with books as I am!

It's Story Time IV by Christopher Stott

Come With Me by Na Zhao ( via ArtLink )

Blonde But Not Forgotten by Harland Miller

Unicorn by Gala Bent

Books by Holly Farrell

Be sure to check out these artist’s websites below.  So I just finished a Frida Kahlo biography.  Any artsy reads you would recommend?

Christopher Stott 

Na Zhao on Artlink 

Harland Miller 

Gala Bent 

Holly Farrell 

Featured image is Off To School II by Christopher Stott, oil on canvas, 40×20.  All images are via the artist’s websites unless otherwise noted.

Friday Faves: Masters Remade

If you’ve ever taken an art class, I’m sure you’ve copied the work of a “master”.  Redrawing and painting great works of art is one of the tried and true methods used to teach basic skills.  I love the way some artists are taking masterworks and recreating them in fun and interesting ways.  Check ’em out!

Out of the Square by Cesar Santos ( via artrenewal.org )

Frida Dog by Clair Hartmann

Man Ray by Jocelyn Grivaud

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Sarah Ashley Longshore ( via Gallery Orange )

Have a fantastic weekend, Artsies!  Any plans for museum visits this weekend?

Cesar Santos ( His official website seems to be down. You can see some examples of his work at Art Renewal Center. )

Clair Hartmann 

Jocelyn Grivaud 

Sarah Ashley Longshore 

Featured image is Picnic in Central Park by Cesar Santos ( via Art Renewal Center ).  All images are via the artist’s websites, unless otherwise stated.

Friday Faves: Paris Is Always A Good Idea

Perhaps it began with too many pre-teen viewings of Funny Face or Gigi.  Or maybe it was even earlier with The Aristocats.  For whatever reason, France in general and Paris in particular, have always been a source of fascination and inspiration to me, as it has to countless artists through the ages.  Recently, it seems as if Paris is just in the air.  So, today, mon chere Artsies, I bring to you a few of my recent Frenchy favorites.  Vive la France!

April In Paris by Liz Lind, limited edition, 16x16, 24x24 or 32x32

Green Chairs by Lisa Abelson/Dasken Designs

Paris by George Butler

Pretty Maps ( Paris ) by Aaron Straup Cope

Be sure to check out the websites of my fellow Francophiles below.  Have a beautiful weekend, Artsies!

1.  Liz Lind 

2.  Lisa Abelson/ Dasken Designs 

3.  George Butler 

4.  Aaron Straup Cope; Pretty Maps available through 20×200.

Featured image is Le Petit Zinc by Irene Suchocki.  All images are via the artist’s websites unless otherwise stated.