Finger Painting

The verdict is out on these body art animals painted by Milan based artist Guido Daniele. Positively stunning or simply hilarious? I haven't quite decided yet.

art opening!

Tonight is the opening of the Eudora Welty Project, a group exhibition I was asked to participate in along with seven GSU professors. I'm showing my series of Freak Show self portraits, to correspond with Welty's Petrified Man short story. The show is up until March 1 at the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design Gallery. Very exciting!

Polaroid Pictures

I spent yesterday at and around the K Ranch, shooting some new self portraits with Andrew. I'm into this whole Polaroid/ vintage coats/ rustic setting thing right now. These are some examples from the shoot (courtesy of my relic of a scanner). I'm pretty happy with them.

American Women

Leave it to Vogue's Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley, to make the connection between Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring '07 ready-to-wear collection and the legendary traveling exhibit, Quilts of Gee's Bend.
Both are splashed with eye popping colors and whimsical patterns capable of brightening any day.
I saw the quilts at Atlanta's High Museum last spring, and was taken by the unique color palates and patterns as well as the stories behind the designs and the unexpected use of materials (including previously worn dresses and blue jeans!).
Unsurprisingly, I'm also quite fond of DVF's spring collection of colorful, fun, feminine classics.
Diane Von Furstenberg and the Quilts of Gee's Bend: American craft at its finest!

fabric art with POP

I was feeling a little nostalgic today for the framed Marimekko geometric fabric panels my parents hung in the rec room when I was a kid. They were dizzying swirls of yellow and orange. . . I only wish I had them today! Unfortunately they went to the Salvation Army before I was old enough to appreciate them.
I did discover a great new source for mid century textiles on ebay, though! A couple out of Atlanta are selling a load of vintage fabrics ranging from 1940's bark cloth to mod 1960's and psychedelic 70's Eames patterns. Their auctions are listed under the name outsidearts , and at great prices! The ones above are a few of my favorites.

Handmade for the Holidays

Being that holiday time of the year, I've found myself doing some shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, picking up handmade gifts for friends and relatives. I absolutely love their nativity scenes from all over the world, particularly these two from Peru and Sri Lanka.
Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade operation, describing themselves in their mission statement as: "Working with unemployed or underemployed artisans, we help them bring their crafts and cultures to North America, and to support themselves and their families."
Check out Ten Thousand Villages in your town or online for gifts that are unique, reasonably priced, and support international craftsmanship traditions. That's holiday shopping that makes everyone happy!

death attack

Illustrator/ Pratt grad/ silkscreen maven/ long time friend Alex Heir may have strong feelings about Tom Ford's former empire, but I think his Pusshead inspired illustations are just plain fun. Check out his website, deathattack.com for more of his skull fueled satires.

Elvis is Everywhere!

Speaking of Elvis, I want to mention how much I love Kata Billups' Elvis paintings. I stumbled across her website while doing a research paper on Georgia's own Joni Mabe: Elvis Babe.
Unlike Mabe, Kata Billups' Elvis paintings aren't entirely shrines to the King. She works a hint of sarcastic commentary into her paintings: calling attention to retro sexism and the dark side of fame, while dazzling us with the mid-century Americana and kitsch we're all crazy for.
Sadly, I doubt I'll be able to afford an original Kata Billups painting(some of which have sold to the likes of Julia Roberts, Bon Jovi, R.E.M., and various country music stars). Prints of the original paintings are available at a lower price though, on ebay and her website. This way we can all take a little bit of Elvis home.

loss cat

Local Atlanta artist, R.Land, has completely charmed me with his series of 'Loss Cat' silkscreens. It's a departure from his usual cuddly ugly monster creations, and even has its own website!

Loss Cat has become a national phenomenon: it's now even available at Urban Outfitters. I think I'm going to have to buy a silkscreened print. . . I laugh everytime I see it. Maybe just because Loss Cat looks so much like my own kitty, Ronnie.

Foam.