SheWalksSoftly

Tasty Soil

August 16th, 2014

I can always count on Monster Brains to showcase great stuff. Tasty Soil is the wild, weird and wonderful artwork of Chris Pottinger. Are you ready for some awesome monsters that look like rampant doodles came to life on the page?

Look at them! Globs of overflowing viscera and teeth, mysterious piles of organs and glands, too many eyeballs!

I’m definitely going to print out some of the black and white monsters to color…because I’m not ashamed to act like a five year old. Every adult should pull out some markers and color a monster, now and then.

Since I’m still battling some serious health issues, I think I’m going to use these monsters as my visual adjectives on especially tough days.

Example:
“How are you feeling, Dana?”
“Like this:”

“…thanks for asking!”

See more at Tasty Soil.
Vicuña Chocolate Factory

August 15th, 2014

I have news of a very exciting business currently in the process of launching. My friend Neely is opening a truly spectacular and unique chocolate shop (if you can’t attend locally, there will be an online store as well)! Check out the Kickstarter…and prepare to drool.

Located in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Vicuña Chocolate ethically sources the finest heirloom cocoa beans from Central and South America to handcraft chocolate bars. Once the cocoa beans arrive at Vicuña, all of the chocolate making happens onsite in the factory. Vicuña roasts, cracks, winnows, stone grinds, tempers, molds, and packages the chocolate for customers near and far. At the cafe, patrons will enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, cocoa husk tea, pastries, and — of course — the signature chocolate bars. Guests can learn more about the chocolate making process by visiting the in-house “chocolate museum” and by watching the factory at work.

ARE YOU SOLD YET?

Neely possesses unbelievable culinary prowess (she was a grand prize winner on the show Sweet Genius!), is passionate about her work…and happens to be one of the kindest, most radiant souls out there. This place is going to be AMAZING.

I hope my fellow cocoaphiles out there will join in the creation!

Vicuña Chocolate Factory
Facebook
Twitter
Alfred Hitchcock Book Covers Megapost: Part 1

August 14th, 2014

The master of suspense had many books. While I’ve enjoyed his TV shows and movies very much, I don’t think I’ve actually read any of the books. However, I adore the vintage book covers, almost all of which have Hitchcock himself somehow incorporated (often humorously) into the artwork. I’ve managed to collect many images of them over the years, so here’s the first installment.
Allison Sommers

August 13th, 2014

Allison Sommers creates what I call “artistic anatomical animal studies” (and so much more).

I love how she uses these hinged panels; it works wonderfully with her style.

Some might find this morbid, but I find it beautiful. There is a delicacy and flow to her work that make raw, exposed anatomy appear elegant.

Allison Sommers
Dustin Poche

August 12th, 2014

Dustin Poche is one of my favorite art doll makers. He works predominantly with paper clay and vintage textiles (which add an air of authenticity and depth to his creations).

Poche’s first venture into the figure and sculpting world began with the restoration of 1920’s era boudoir dolls. He states: “I learned a lot while working with the antique dolls, but there was something missing in the end result. I imagined characters with more expressive faces, emotions, and gestures. To bring these characters to light, I realized I had to begin sculpting them.”

I love his work with “mature” subjects. One almost gets the sense that they have aged naturally, though they always keep up a veneer of glamor.

Dustin Poche
Forbidden Transmission

August 11th, 2014

I try not to post long videos here. I understand that everyone is busy (and I personally rarely take the time to watch lengthy videos I come across while browsing online…even if they look interesting). BUT…children of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s…these are worth your time.

The creators have taken (often embarrassing, highly dated, yet in some cases enjoyably nostalgic) clips from bygone TV days and edited them together in themed compilations. I laughed out loud multiple times.

Do not miss the video that begins at 8:00 in Cultural Meltdown. I ferociously googled the lyrics to find out more about this song and nothing came up. But look and listen!

Yeah, that’s the nature of the beast
Keeper of the male persona
Yeah that’s the nature of the beast
Keeper of my status quota

“Status quota?” What does that even mean? Don’t you want to rush to the 8 minute mark now?

There are a bunch of others I intend to watch as well! Thank you, GD, for finding these!
Brooke Weston

August 10th, 2014

Brooke Weston makes interesting mixed media sculpture, in which animals house tiny worlds within them.

From the artist bio:
Her work is primarily made from old taxidermy and almost all recycled material. Almost all of her pieces share the concept of small worlds and dioramas situated in objects. She gathers inspiration from antique fairy tale illustrations, amusement parks and artists like Bosch and Joe Coleman.

It might be wise for every human being to take a step back and view him/herself as an empty bust. What would decorate the inside of yours?

Perhaps there is a rare skin condition among deer that looks like a rash of villages and ships. (Kidding! I love the imagination here)

Ah, come have a seat by the fire…in this goat neck.

Brooke Weston
Anna Barlow Ceramics

August 8th, 2014

Anna Barlow is one of my favorite ceramic artists. She creates decadent heaps of melting, oozing treats that seem to defy the laws of physics (obviously, treats really do defy physics otherwise I wouldn’t be totally up for dessert on a full stomach, which I often am. The regular stomach and “dessert stomach” are separate organs).

In her own words:
I am fascinated by the way we eat food, especially by the rituals around celebrational or indulgent treats that have developed; the way they are assembled, displayed and then eaten. I am also interested in how food tells a story of the people and place it’s in. A full stand of ice creams could suggest a hot day or treats abandoned for some mysterious reason…

Anna Barlow
Debra Bernier

August 6th, 2014

I find Debra Bernier’s “Earth Sculptures” profoundly moving and uplifting.

I’ve always loved (and believed) the idea that a unique, yet universally interconnected life force exists in all things. It’s as if Debra draws this life force out in her gently emerging figures…gorgeously defined, fading seamlessly in and out of the natural structures they inhabit.

As a very imaginative child, I frequently saw shapes and faces in wood, rock, sand, etc. These sculptures remind me to keep looking.

Debra Bernier
Marcus DeSieno: Parasite Portraits

August 5th, 2014

Marcus DeSieno has created a series of what I like to call Parasite Portraits. It is tempting to anthropomorphize these hungry little creatures, isn’t it?

Big smile…

About the artist: Marcus DeSieno is a native of Albany, New York and is currently pursuing his MFA in Studio Art from the University of South Florida, expected to graduate in 2015. His work is concerned with the history of science and exploration in relation to the history of photography, often employing the use of antiquated photographic process combined with contemporary technologies to engage in a critical dialog about the evolution of photographic technology and the ontological nature of the photographic medium itself.

Parasite Portraits