I think these are lovely:

Valerie Hegarty

Rothko Sunset 2007

Foamcore, canvas, paper, paint, glue, wire, tape, sand, gel medium

42″ x 32″ x 8″

Rothko Reflection 2007

Foamcore, wood, wire, canvas, glue, paper, paint, gel medium, sand, tape

89″ x 60″ x 5″

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Evol

Totally rad stencil work from Berlin. Yeah, that is a power box he worked on there, which is rad.

He also does work on cardboard that is MIND BLOWING. Check his Flickr set for more

Emmanuel Polanco

Just brilliant collage work.

do yourself a favor and really spend some time here. I mean it, this work is beyond amazing.

All self flagellation and other “oh woe are me’s” about not blogging and how I will strive to do better (even though I will, and dammit, this time I mean it!) aside, Hi! it has been a while. I’m leading off this push to be more active on here on this little outpost of art and culture I built, loved, then pushed aside for work, fun, winter and a new cat. But WE (I?) am back.

ITEM ONE
“Liquids & Bubbles” is a Flickr set by Janet Waters where she uses liquids as a kind of photographic paint. She creates a wide range of images from what I would consider to be “text book” (as in could be seen in a text book, not run of the mill) to truly wondrous and unique images that smack of space(s) both large and small.

ITEM TWO
Noferin
A husband and wife team (Candy and Nick) creating some excellent art and toys. For those either over or looking for an alternative to vinyl toys these two are working with wood. All the nostalgia of wooden toys mixed with a forward thinking design and unique design aesthetic. I love them.

They’re new line launches soon so keep an eye out if that kind of thing floats your boat.

ITEM THREE
DesignedMade is a new British design label from product designer Jonathan Krawczuk. Their first product are these lovely little tea lights with an arachnid sensibility. I really like them view the site for more details

That is what I’ve got for now. I’ll be back on a more regular schedule soon.
<3
/nate

It is true, I have been a neglectful, terrible blogger. Ooops, muh bad. Have no fear though, I am redoubling my efforts make get good music, art and a slough of random thoughts up here. Bring back the Friday Mix Down and maybe twist a few arms to get the other fine folks who click keys to clack away a few things to make your RSS feed jingle with merriment and your download manager buzz with excitment. Can we do it? Yes we can.

Item One:

Seeing Colors Mix Tape
This has been out for a bit, but I’m just getting to giving it a listen. Thrown down by Ghostly label head Sam Valenti IV (SV4) and Michna it is well worth your time.
Tracklist =
Orbital - Halcyon & On & On (FFRR)
Joey Beltram - Enegy Flash (R+S)
The Persuader - What’s The Time, Mr Templar (Svek)
Sascha Funke - Safety First (Kompakt)
Pantha Du Prince - Suzan (Dial)
Klein & MBO - Dirty Talk (Zanza)
Gino Soccio - Remember (Atlantic)
Giorgio Moroder - The Chase (Casablanca)
Der Zyklus -Elektronisches Zeitecho (Gigolo)
I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass (Interdimensional Transmissions)
Kraftwerk - Numbers (WEA)
Air - Le Soleil Est Pres De Moi (Dopplereffekt Mix) (Source)
Depeche Mode - Everything Counts (Maxi Single Live Version) (Mute)
The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before (Rough Trade)
The Cure - Close To Me (WEA)
The Cure - Close To Me (Closest Remix) (WEA)

Item Two:

drewfunk and artist now residing in Melbourne is doing some excellent excellent graffiti inspired work. Have a look.
drewfunk’s website
drewfunk’s flickr photstream

Item Three:

Akina, out of Australia is re-imagining fairy tales and making hand made books to illustrate them. I think it is brilliant and I want one, badly.

Well that is all for now, there will be more to come on a more reliable schedule. I promise.
xo

In time for Christmas present buying there are some hot new shirts being done up to celebrate the artists who choose to work in the medium. So often screen printing and t-shirt design is equated with flash in the pan ’street culture’ where the “art” is nothing more than a foil to push along trends with the half-life of a week.

That project statement from Pale Horse Design and Hydro 74 in conjunction with Back in Black Apparel reads a little something like this:

Hydro 74 and Pale Horse Design proudly present the “Back in Black” T-Shirt Exhibit - Showcasing limited-edition, one-color t-shirt designs by some of the world’s leading digital artists (who are the backbone of many of the major apparel brands we see today).

The purpose of this show is to highlight the artwork of the uncelebrated designers whose art you’ve probably been collecting in your closet for years, as well as to establish the t-shirt as a new medium for fine art.

Have a look at what they are doing, pick one or two up, I think I will as well.

I’ve really been having the desire to get my hands inky again, so much time on the computer will do that I guess. With that said expect to see more artists up here as I pull out reams of paper and dig out boxes of paints and dust of some monotype plates.

In mean time here is is Ian Francis, a forward thinking, ass kicking UK based artist. Here is a little bio:

Ian Francis was born in 1979 in Bristol, England, and graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Illustration. His work concentrates on the particulars of modern experiences — things like television, world events, celebrities, and day-to-day living. He held his first US solo show at BLK/MRKT in 2007.

Here is a pretty good interview with Ian Francis. There is also some more really great work not seen on his website.

Aside from just amazing art he also has really kick ass titles for his work:

• A Cheerleader Decides to Shoot Her Friend (This Scene is Real).
• A girl watches her lover’s plane leave the airport (this scene ends badly)

Do yourself a favor and check it out.