SheWalksSoftly

Jessica Joslin: Animal Anatomy

February 4th, 2014

The inimitable Jessica Joslin has a new series of fantastically fabricated animals!

From her bio:
The creatures that populate Jessica Joslin’s world are intricate fusions of bone, brass, antique hardware and other scavenged treasures. Infused with the Victorian era’s passion for natural history and arcane technology, these creatures reflect both the real and the imagined animal, the living and the dead.

Through careful observation and intricate construction, they re-imagine the animal kingdom, bolt by bolt, beast by beast. They are a nod to the Wunderkammer of yore, and the Victorian predilection for invention and exploring science through the collecting of naturalia. The precision of the engineering conveys a sense that these beasts are anatomically plausible, and the spark of life is simulated through limpid glass eyes, engaging the viewer silently and directly.

I wish this was part of a Christmas ornament set. I would love to decorate with these:

I am always thrilled to see Jessica’s new work. Give the whole series a look HERE.
Christina Mrozik

February 3rd, 2014

Christina Mrozik’s work is positively gorgeous.

I really like the artist bio, so I’ll let that do the talking for me:

Christina Mrozik has spent the majority of her life observing the natural world and the types of relationships that form within it. Having grown up on the Grand River in Michigan, she was inspired by it’s habitats at an early age.

Blending the external world with her own understanding of the human condition has led to her distinct style, in which flora and fauna stand in, representing the simultaneous and often opposing matters of the human heart. She often draws with ink and marker on paper, adding bursts of color with watercolor and high pigmented acrylics.

Christina is inspired by many of the early naturalists such as Audobon, but also by visual storytellers such as Rackham. She views the art making process as one of portraiture, in which analyzing the drawing helps make sense of peoples’ histories and abilities. Based in Grand Rapids Michigan, she has shown both regionally and nationally.

Christina Mrozik
Wild Unknown Tarot

February 2nd, 2014

I was given The Wild Unknown Tarot for Christmas (after *very* strongly hinting that I wanted it).

For collectors of interesting decks, this one is unique and well done. The art and concepts, mostly depicted in black and white with occasional splashes of color, work beautifully.

A small preview:

The Wild Unknown Tarot
Andrezej Masianis

February 1st, 2014

In the world of “abstract” art, it takes a lot to grab my attention fully. Andrezej Masianis’s tapestries certainly do the trick.

Shapes…just on the threshold of conscious recognition…come alive from the tangled backgrounds.

These paintings delightfully rope the brain into half-emerged stories.

Andrezej Masianis
This is a Trent Reznor Song

January 31st, 2014

Let me preface this by saying NIN was one of my all time favorite bands and I still love [most of] Trent’s creations. I mean no disrespect, posting a parody.

In a fantastic tribute, Frederick Scott nailed the song writing process.

SOUNDCLOUD

Or watch, with lyrics:
Vlad Gradobyk

January 30th, 2014

I adore Vlad Gradobyk’s collection of perfectly cross hatched skulls and skeletons.

His other forte seems to be organic collage…the mingling of flowers, beasts and bones.

Vlad Gradobyk
Kumpan Alexandr

January 29th, 2014

Kumpan Alexandr has a small collection of outstanding inhuman creations.

Somehow he simultaneously achieves both a coolness and warmth in his color scheme.

Such interesting organic mutations…

Kumpan Alexandr
Conjuruer’s Kitchen

January 28th, 2014

Conjuruer’s Kitchen makes the most majestic macabre morsels I’ve seen.

Yes, this is a cake. They all are.

I find it very interesting…the crossing of gag-worthy subject matter with delicious confections. To eat or not to eat…

The Osteologist’s dream cake:

I was gifted a Conjurer’s Kitchen hand-sculpted white chocolate raven skull by the lovely and talented Tonya Hurley…it’s too beautiful to eat. I keep it on display.

Conjuruer’s Kitchen
Saturniidae

January 26th, 2014

Today I give you an example of how nature flaunts cuteness in the strangest of places, with two examples of Saturniidae.

These babies look like a Furby mated with a Tribble…but they’re so damn adorable, are they not?
Gianluca Gambino, a.k.a. Te Nia

January 25th, 2014

I saved the entire Te Nia portfolio, one image at a time, because I want to go over them more closely and enjoy the lush detail of the colorful, morbid wonders.

One senses a disquieting double vision of closed eyes…

Tea done perfectly…

Te Nia