portraits of an artist

There is something so simple and beautiful about a portrait.
Right now, I'm loving the portrait work of Mike Piscitelli.

oh so lovely

I love Etsy. I'm constantly discovering new artists  that I might not have heard of otherwise. This week, I fell in love with Yellena James, an illustrator from Portland, Oregon. It's her use of color and the fluid rhythm within her work that, for me, make her illustrations so entrancing.

burned

I first saw Japanese artist Etsuko Ichikawa's work on AllSaints' website several years ago, and was instantly enamored. Using molten glass, she creates abstract images by touching the tip of the melted glass to the surface of the paper and allowing it to catch fire and burn. Extraordinary.

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

something to crow about

Fulton Lights, "Staring Out the Window"
Directed by Ninian Doff

via Colossal

a chip off the old block

Dan Webb's wood sculptures absolutely blow me away. Carved from a single block, they display such soft, realistic form that is almost unbelievable. I would love to see some of these in person.

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.