SheWalksSoftly

Katerina Plotnikova

July 1st, 2014

Katerina Plotnikova has an awe inspiring collection of nature photographs that show a profound connection between man and the animal kingdom.

I believe this work is done under the supervision of qualified animal trainers, but is entirely real and involves very minimal retouching in post production. While I do love some amazing modern surrealist photographers, there is something raw and stirring about the relative lack of digital manipulation.

Animals can be such a beautiful healing force (during my long hospital stays this past year, I was happy to see animal therapy becoming mainstream). I look forward to returning home to NY when more medically stable, so I can be around cats again…and my loved ones can laugh at the absurd languages and songs I inevitably invent the moment I’m put near fuzzy things.

Katerina Plotnikova
Source
Justin Gershenson-Gates

June 30th, 2014

My lovely friend Lynn introduced me to the work of Justin Gershenson-Gates; amazing insects, arachnids and pendants made of recycled watch parts.

He states: The grandson of a railroad man, the son of a gearhead, my life has been filled with all things mechanical. As a child, I would take my toys apart in order to see how they worked, but was never able to put them back together again. Now, I take dead old watches from the top drawers of the world, and rearrange their bits and widgets into whimsical designs.

My aim is to show the beauty of the mechanical world, a place generally hidden from the public behind metal and glass. My pieces display the more delicate and ephemeral side of gears, rather than the cold, hard factory feel they normally portray.

I think he succeeds at that aim, don’t you?

This pendant is absolute genius. Look at the delicate detail on the hand! It’s perfectly constructed.

Justin Gershenson-Gates
Sir Mix A Lot Performs “Baby Got Back” With the Seattle Symphony

June 30th, 2014

Okay, this is not typical SWS fare, but I feel everyone should be able to enjoy this little orchestral hip hop celebration. I’m this song stirs a bit of nostalgia in my fellow children of the 80’s and 90’s. The “backup dancers” from the audience seem to be having the time of their lives!
Sarah Petruziello

June 28th, 2014

In keeping with my resolve to post more of the artist’s own words (when available), I give you Sarah Petruziello’s statement about the work in this gorgeous pencil portfolio.

I create large-scale self-portrait drawings using pencil on paper. These drawings are meticulously-rendered, elaborately staged and illustrative works that use dramatic and expressive poses as well as visceral symbolism as a conduit for both personal and universal narratives.

I walk the line between the reality and the artifice of the self-portrait. I do not view self-portraits as mere illustrated recreations of the self; I frequently use my self image as though I were an actor under the affectation of a role. Sometimes I am a stand-in (for the collective of civilization and a participant in the transgressions of humanity), sometimes I am simply playing myself and these works are detachedly recording minute personal stories as though from a journal.

Truthfully, I create my self-portrait drawings out of a compulsion to document and compartmentalize both fleeting thoughts and emerging prescience. Although some of my drawings can be construed as social commentaries, I do not view art as a catalyst for the transformation of society or as having the ability in itself to make social change. Rather I see art as a reflection of society which we can use as a means to identify and delineate our own beliefs and views, our own stories, and personal histories. By using the traditional medium of pencils on paper, I purposefully disengage from technology to find a more fundamental and corporeal means to explore private subjects and thoughts; by the use of the self-portrait, I am seeking a candid and sometimes awkward intimacy with my drawings.

Sarah Petruziello
Lee Harvey Roswell

June 27th, 2014

I’m actually heading to the ER this morning, so I’ll keep this post short. Enjoy the wonderful surreal creations of Lee Harvey Roswell.
The Morbid Anatomy Anthology

June 25th, 2014

My The Morbid Anatomy Anthology just arrived, and I absolutely must sing its praises. I can’t wait to dive in and devour every word and image!

Since 2008, the Morbid Anatomy Library of Brooklyn, New York, has hosted some of the best scholars, artists and writers working along the intersections of the history of anatomy and medicine, death and the macabre, religion and spectacle. The Morbid Anatomy Anthology collects some of the best of this work in 28 lavishly illustrated essays. Included are essays by Evan Michelson (star of Science Channel’s hit show Oddities) on the catacombs of Palermo; Simon Chaplin (head of the Wellcome Library in London) on public displays of corpses in Georgian England; mortician Caitlin Doughty on demonic children; and Paul Koudounaris (author of Empire of Death) on a truck stop populated with human skulls. In addition are pieces on books bound in human skin, death-themed cafes in fin-de-siècle Paris, post-mortem photography, eroticized anatomical wax models, taxidermied humans and other animals, Santa Muerte, “artist of death” Frederik Ruysch, and much more.

There are some brilliant minds and expert curators behind this book (namely, Joanna Ebenstein and Colin Dickey). If you are a fan of this blog, you should definitely pick it up! It’s an amazing treasure trove (and really fairly priced…even for a penny pincher like me!). Support these great folks. They deserve it.
Phalibois Fishing Monkey Automaton

June 24th, 2014

Though I’ve come across many over time, I have never made a concerted effort to seek out automata by Henry Phalibois. After seeing this fishing monkey, I’m inspired to check out his entire viewable collection (they seem to be spread all over the internet without one definitive source).

When in motion, the monkey lifts his fishing rod up and down, puts his pipe to his moving lips (which are quite eerie!), turns his head to look at you, and the fish in the pond swim around.

Phalibois Fishing Monkey Automaton
Cuphead

June 23rd, 2014

I don’t own a gaming console of any kind, but I’m digging the trailer for this game, done in the style of 1930’s cartoons.

From the source: Studio MDHR, which developed the game, is aiming to launch later this year on Steam and Xbox One. It’s a great catch for Microsoft, which is trying to build a catalogue of unique and interesting games beyond the Call of Duty and Halo fare. The studio also hopes to release the game on the Sega Master System. Yes, the console that was released back in 1986. It would be the complete package, with a box, cartridge, and game manual.

The game follows the same style of early animation. Studio MDHR is taking the time to use actual cells and is inking by hand to create that classic effect. The music for the game is also live recorded Jazz, none of that MIDI stuff.

Any gamers out there? Would you want to play this?

Cuphead
Thanks for the link, Bettie!
Brandon Ballengee

June 22nd, 2014

While Iori Tomita creates beautiful translucent specimens of sea creatures, Brandon Ballengee has chosen to focus on deformed amphibians.

From the artist statement:
Since 1996, my transdisciplinary practice has bridged primary scientific studies with ecological art and engaged environmental stewardship. Underlying my practice is a systemic methodology, which posits art practice as a means of realizing research science, and vice-versa. Inherent to this working method is an impetus for “ecosystem activism” implemented through participatory biology field investigations and laboratory programs that stress public involvement – my attempt at social sculpting. My artworks come from direct experiences with amphibians, birds, fish and insect species found in today’s preternatural ecosystems and those observed in post-natural laboratory settings.

There is evidence that the growing occurrence of amphibian birth defects comes from contaminates in the chemical runoff of man made facilities. I deeply respect Ballengee for using art to evoke awareness and empathy for these creatures.

Now, via an enzymatic process and re-coloring, we can see the beauty of these creatures that tend to be largely ignored by humans.

Brandon Ballengee
Source
You Might Be a Monster

June 21st, 2014

Attaboy has written a book I feel is worth having for the title alone.

Doesn’t this sound wonderful? Look at the contents!

I do not have kids, but would be excited to give this to any little ones in my life. Honorary nieces, nephews and godchildren…your Fairy Gothmother has something for you…

Attaboy