2-Dimensional Sculpture

click to enlarge

It just takes a second or two of looking at Michael Zelehoski's unique wall pieces to be msytified and mesmerized. Something about the textures and angles makes them feel unresolved. Having worked in a woodworking shop, I immediatley fell in love with his process and was amazed by the simplicity of the idea which induces very complex mental reactions. It's very fitting to call these sculptures, once you understand how they're made; and even then it's hard to believe they're 2-dimensional.

The above image, was the first encounter I had with his work and it's a sly and gentle teaser. You're not real sure what you're looking at, but there does seem to be some realness and craft involved.
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Visit his Website and be blown away!
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 His work plays with perspective, his compositions are simple and subtle and the more you see, the more amazed and appreciative you become. Be sure to watch the video (on his Website) to get a sense of the realitiy of the making of these incredible mind-teasers.

This is the back-side of a piece titled "Picnic Table" and gives you a bit of a clue as to what's going on.

An interview at Glasschord helps you understand his train of thought and a visual and verbal visit to his studio at ArtSake rounds out the picture.

Picnic Table image is from onartetc.

The Frame's The Thing

When seeing the Andrew Wyeth Show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art several years ago, not only was I enraptured with the paintings, but completely overwhelmed with the effect that each unbelievably special custom frame had on the work; elevating it to a more magical level.

In my own practice I've been through several episodes of how to more perfectly frame a new painting and I can tell you that framing from scratch is pretty tricky and yet oh so rewarding. There's noting like a "artist's frame" to compliment a work.

And so it was a smile-smearing moment to come across this french art collective named KOLKOZ who, for this particular project make the frames (themselves) the work of art. How DID they do it so well ? haha

You'll find more examples Here.

Artchitectural Drawing

Lebbeus Woods loves to draw and his drawings are real works of art that focus on architecture. This statement seems rather inane until you see his body of work and feel the power of the stories they tell. This piece is my favorite because it not only has the architectural flavor, but brings to mind crop circles and modern art.

This image is from a good Post about him (with images) at Hyperallergic.

To see the show and more images, go Here.

Stencil On Cardboard

This video is quite a dramatic introduction to the amazing work of EVOL. He works hard at the realism and juxtaposes it with the casualness of cardboard, which magically adds even more authenticity to the work.

Hungry for more images?

Wilde Gallery has a pdf with an interview and many images.

flickr search.     Google Image search.
   
A fun video showing how he does it with many layers of stencils.

Fresh Ideas

When is a painting not a painting ? In the case of Sarah Steinwachs, you'll forget that question as you're swept up in her luminous and sometimes glorious hand-cut paper and mixed media works. Please enlarge this image, from her Website and you'll understand completely. Then visit her Site for more palette-cleansing works.

Paisley, Pacific(NW) & Pop-Pointillism

This image is from Claes Gabriel's Website.

 The leaves have fallen and with the coming of snow, sometimes it feels like the world is turning dark and white. So treat yourself and visit his site.

Extruded Pointillism

Fernando Orellana is a wild and crazy artist - no, really he is. Just check out his Website.

The work above, was made by extruding play Play-Doh in the shape of little cars and then encasing them in clear epoxy on panel. Just click on the extruder box (at his site) and away you'll go - there's even two videos to show the process.

Image is from justthreethings.

Matting and Framing

We interrupt our regularly scheduled train of thought to reconsider how overwhelmingly important framing techniques can be in the presentation of a work of art.

In his "Collage Series", David Lieske uses b&w photos originally used as advertising images as matting for the color photos of his younger self: and I believe the frames are wrapped in African fabrics. You can read about them here. You really must see all six in the series to fully appreciate what he's done here.

Image is from Aimee Walleston.

Abstract Crop Circles

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You really gotta love this - it's just so real.

Spotted on EROSIE with the following caption -

"A driver who was high on cocaine destroyed an entire cornfield in an attempt to escape from the police. Four police cars were destroyed before the 35-year-old crashed into a ditch and was arrested, near the village of Dussen in the south of the Netherlands."

from: http://www.dizzy-dee.com/news/what-cocaine-does-to-a-cornfield
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Crisp As A Pickle

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That's how I would describe the humor in this painting by Uwe Henneken, titled "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to loose".
The imagery immediately evokes Andrew Wyeth and then you zero in on the pretty clown. Is he worn out, passed out or just enjoying the view. At any rate it generates a smile and a chuckle.
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Image from Moon River.
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Flowers As Fireworks

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Tis the season for the skies to be filled with dramatic light displays. Robert Buelteman gives us something more down-to-earth and yet just as dramatic and entertaining. You'll certainly want to visit his Website,  but for larger images go here, Here and HERE.
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Image is from Slow Painting.
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Stitching The Times

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I don't know what it is about newspapers that attracts me as an artist. I've done many a "painting" using the NYTimes. So when I saw this and other sewn works by Lauren DiCioccio, well they're just plain impressive.
What's especially interesting is how the trailing threads and unfinished look are what really make these pieces sing. She provides a compelling Statement on her Website that's very thought provoking.
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Image is from fineartsfeedbag.
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Book Sculpture

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My very first thought was "delicious" and then "candy cane". Sure looks real, but I wondered if it was a painting; the colors are just so cool. And if it's real, how'd he do that?

Paul Octavious is a photographer with a sly sense of humor. Visit his Website to see more of these fascinating, thought provoking book sculptures and other interesting projects.
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Image is from and first spotted this on Thebesttimeofday.

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Wall/Scissors/Paper

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The last time my aunt and uncle visited, she (Bev) commented - why didn't we go ahead and get rid of those things. The "things" were two lampshades that she had cut floral patterns into. Over the years the paper had warped and even though they weren't the best-looking anymore, they meant a lot to us because of her.
That's the story that immediately came to mind when I saw this giant work by Andreas Kocks.
Visit her Website to see more.
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Tom Sawyer In The Woods

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I've just had a most pleasurable evening traveling around the globe with an ever widening smile crossing my face while viewing the handiwork of man in so many social forms. Treat yourself to visiting VALGARE.

First off, the colors and patterning in this picture immediately bring to mind Gustav Klimt and then, once you realize the image is for real, you start to wonder why: and how long did it take and that's when I pictured some teen with two buckets of paint which brought to mind Tom Sawyer . . . . .

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Image is from les surfaces flickr page.

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Flights of Fancy

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I've got plenty of great artists to post about, but what with the Holidays and all, it's been hard to focus on the regular posting routine. Hopefully with the coming of the new year and the return to normality I can resume sharing some great art with you that's more in line with what this blog is all about. But I did want to share this image with you; for me it's just a simple reminder of how easily an artist can take the simplest things and craft something to jog our mind and make us momentarily reconsider life and the world we live in.

This is by Marcus Bunyan and you'll find more on his Website.
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Lines In The Sand

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It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving and Scrubs is about to come on, so I won't try, nor do I need to wax eloquent about the fascinating ephemeral work of Jim Denevan. Quite simply he draws in the sand at low tide. The works are simple, huge and usually geometrical.

Both images are from, and please do visit his Website to see more.

Additional images can be found on Google Images and others still, on Yahoo Images.
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A Season of Thanks

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Twas the day before Thanksgiving

and oh so much yet to do . . . . . .

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday.

The image is from pbnmopo.

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Nude Fruit

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Take a few moments to contemplate this still life. What fruits do you recognize? And the longer you look, doesn't it seem as though some are in their underwear ? This image conjures very strange thoughts, indeed. Maybe it should be included in psychological testing along with the rorschachs.

You'll find this and another thought provoking image by photographar Holger Niehaus at photoq.nl.

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Same Old New

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This image is intellectually stimulating and rib-tickling on so many levels

The artist, David Lyle finds his inspiration for these oil paintings on panel from lost snapshots garnered from thrift shops, flea markets, etc. I don't know if he "doctored" this particular painting or not. In general his oeuvre seems to be an honest re presenting of these old photographic memories. Visit his Website.