As generally dark as my aesthetic preferences tend to run, Philippe Fernandez reminds me that I am indeed a romantic at heart, and I easily get lost in glowing fantasy landscapes filled with mystery and wonder.
Part of me is always somewhere…doing this:
There is not a single one of his paintings I wouldn’t want to climb into (and climb around in).
Can this be real life, please?
My apologies if any of these are repeats. I may have posted one or two of them and accidentally re-saved, but I’m pretty sure almost all of these are new to the blog.
Don’t get me wrong; the best things in life are truly free…but just in case, there’s a book for people who care enough to do the very least.
This poor man looks like he’s happy as he prepares his wife for the reaping of grim death.
I wonder how long this book is. How much can be written about this particular subject? Chapter one: turn on water. Chapter two: turn off water. Chapter three: sit in water. Chapter four: get out of water. Did I just write a book?
Suspend your disbelief…
It might be difficult for those without a corporeal form to get their hands on this book (literally, I guess). But it’s good to be prepared.
Best autobiography title I’ve ever seen:
We all do it:
I have the power to walk through my house in a sheer negligee with a bouquet of flowers…
“Erogetic” appears to be a word entirely made up for the sake of this book. But a picture is worth a thousand words.
Many years ago, when I was beginning this blog, I could always find inspiration at The beinArt Collective. After a hiatus and a complete site makeover, it’s up and running again!
The beinArt Collective is an international network of highly skilled figurative artists with a shared fascination for surreal and imaginative themes. Over the years we have published books, curated group exhibitions and maintained a strong online presence under the beinArt banner. Our projects have helped generate opportunities for our artists to network, collaborate, share resources and connect with a broader audience. We delight in sharing their work and hope that by viewing the journeys of these artists, those who light upon them will be inspired.
The Collective hosts many of my all time favorite visual artists. So glad it’s back, and I look forward to its evolution through the years.
I received a text message from one of my dearest friends, showcasing this fantastic Alligator Condiment Set.
Pottery barn is marketing this as a Halloween product…but to me, it’s an all year kind of thing (hell, I’d put this on a wedding registry). There’s a matching alligator skull that hold a bowl!
Does anyone actually own this set?
Matthias Haker has all different types of photography in his portfolio, but I’m particularly fond of his HD (often panoramic) images of decay.
This perspective reminds me of sacred geometry; the spirals found in the Nautilus shell and other natural forms.
The colors manage to be both vibrant and soft, in stark contrast to the harsh toll nature has taken on these abandoned ruins. Beautiful…
Stephen Gibb paints comically unsettling bits of surreal scenery, teeming with anthropomorphic foods, inanimate objects and animals.
One of my favorite things about art in this vein is that it seems to gently hint at some rather serious themes…while never taking itself too seriously.
I encourage you to read the titles of each piece, if you explore his online galleries.
From the artist bio:
The gory details…..
Stephen was dropped on his head as a baby while his mother was visiting the Museum of Modern Art. Ever since, he has been drawing, painting and scratching in a non-stop orgy of creation. His paintings are psychological offerings, rich in irony and distortions, bristling with sublime, psychotropic colours. Human forms struggle in an existential blending of mind and machine yet up through the conflict a subtle black humour percolates. Always wear your helmet.
At times I get what I can only call “crushes” (or perhaps something a little stronger…infatuations) with photography. I get completely enamored with the environments these geniuses create, and truthfully, kind of wish I could be part of one. Alexia Sinclair is a new favorite on my list.
From the artist bio:
Alexia Sinclair is an award winning Australian Artist and Photographer. Her distinct style is easily recognisable and highly original. Using a visual narrative to seduce her audience with each photographic feast, Sinclair’s art is dark and seductive, baroque and symbolic. Her multilayered photographs subtly present contemporary notions of fashion and beauty through innovative digital media, whilst restoring antique notions of classicism, elegance and luxury.
Sinclair is an artist who skilfully walks the tightrope that divides the worlds of Fine Art and Commercial Art. Whilst her evocative Fine Art imagery adorns the walls of museums and is held in important art collections, she often translates these skills and signature style into highly polished campaigns in the commercial arena for clients such as Harpers Bazaar and Canon Australia.
Motivated by her love and devotion for all things intricate and unusual, this versatile creative uniquely approaches her creative production by filling all of the roles, from designing sets and props, to makeup and costumes. Sinclair travels the world photographing locations and models and works in post production constructing imagined worlds through the combination of her photographs and hand illustrations.
Every tableau is perfectly composed, vibrant and evocative…amazing work.
Every now and then, a painting captures me with a brilliant element of subtlety. This Charles Robinson piece from Shelley’s The Sensitive Plant did so with its faint outline of hooded figures in an illuminated procession behind lush, colorful flora. The placement and the vague outlines create a chilling moment of recognition when the eye first fixates on that part of the scenery.
And on the fourth, the Sensitive Plant
Felt the sound of the funeral chant,
And the steps of the bearers, heavy and slow,
And the sobs of the mourners, deep and low
Here we have an eye catching rug by Nathalie Lete for the discriminating carnivore (the roses are a nice touch, no?):
She has more unique rugs in her multimedia portfolio, such as this doll head (which I think I’d feel a bit guilty walking on).
All types of art can be found on her site.
It’s just occurring to me now, while looking at Winnie Truong’s work…I really should have had a “skulls and skeletons” tag on this blog (I originally lumped any bony treats under “anatomy”). I wonder if I should start one now, six years late. Yes. I will.
Winnie weaves these skeletal impressions into a palette of wispy pastel strokes (where’s the curling iron that would make my hair do this?). Most of her works involve these elegant masses of braids, knots and flowing tresses that take on a life of their own.
SheWalksSoftly 
