totally different head, totally

I realized recently that it has been over six months since I last posted here... But in the past six months, I have found loads of new artists to post. So. Without further preamble, allow me to share with you the ceramic work of Natalia Gruszecka, a Polish "ceramic designer" who works from her studio, ENDEsign. Of all of the work in her Etsy shop, her doll head cups are my favorite.

She says of her cups' design: "This cup was made during my work in porcelain manufacture in Poland. One day I found this warehouse full of old plaster molds, nobody used for production anymore. Among many others I found this treasure: a mold used to produce porcelain heads for dolls decades ago. I was fascinated! I decided to give them a new life…."

I also really love her slab-built cups. They're so delicate and organic (not two things I often associate with slab-built pieces).

the paper lunch bags you wish you'd had in elementary school

Loving these illustrations on paper bags of famous people (and cats) by Californian Chris Crites. I wish my paper sack lunches from elementary school had been this cool.

all sewn up

I've really been into stitched and sewn art lately, so when I discovered Lauren DiCioccio's series sewnnews and National Geographics, I was enthralled. Each piece is hand stitched with needle and thread to resemble newspaper and magazine articles, or other items/public figures of poignancy in today's society:

"My work investigates the physical/tangible beauty of commonplace mass-produced media-objects, most recently: the newspaper, magazines, office papers and writing pads, plastic bags, 35 mm slides. These media are becoming obsolete, replaced by the invisible efficiency of various technologies. In some cases, this transition is a good thing- faster transmission and distribution of information, streamlined systems, openness to user input, less waste. But a hole is left behind by the disappearance of these everyday objects. What will happen when we no longer touch information? When newsprint does not rub off onto our fingertips? When we no longer write longhand?"

via Colossal

second skins

On the hunt for new artist-crushes, I came across Max Colby, a Boston-based mixed media artist. From his website: "The stress of Max’s work is placed on external manifestations of identity construction as a highly performative act." He works in both 2D and 3D, but I find his mixed media sculpture series Skins for a Casual Day to be my favorites.

via Gladys.H

stitched

I came across these embroidered portraits by Berlin-based artist Nike Schroeder over a year ago, and just recently came across her work again. I find the delicate, gestural quality of her work to be absolutely beautiful - I love the way she uses her needlework to create these snap-shot like images, and how she highlights certain elements with a brighter color thread.

clean and simple

I love the simplicity of these slab built cups by Dawn Vachon

what a tease

Loving these "Drip Tease" and "Lip Tease" china pieces by British-Japanese designer Reiko Kaneko

what a card!

In a world dominated by greeting card chains pedaling cookie cutter cards with unoriginal messages and tired images, the work of Australian card-making duo Able & Game is absolutely welcomed. With unique illustrations all hand drawn and digitally colored by Anna Blandford (Gareth Meney, the other half of the artistic team, works tech) their quirky cards have comical messages and refreshingly kooky designs. To see more of their work (and purchase it too!) visit
their etsy.

deep cuts

I'm utterly enchanted by these papercuts designed by Chad Merritt (monpetitfantome.) They have a slightly gruesome charm I just can't resist. You can purchase prints of each in his etsy shop, visit his blog, or follow him on twitter.

He also offers these dark, ethereal photographic prints in his shop: