artsy forager

Author: Lesley

  • As The Fabric Folds: Carin Ingalsbe

    As The Fabric Folds: Carin Ingalsbe

    Art and textiles have enjoyed a long and happy partnership.  Every art student has known the joy of capturing supple folds of fabric in charcoal.  As we explored during artsyF A S H I O NWeek, many artists have been captivated by the beauty of intricately crafted garments.  In her work, Massachusetts photographer Carin Ingalsbe  celebrates the remarkable colors, textures and patterns of clothing and costume.

    New York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial Yellow

    Carin’s latest series focuses concentration on fashion normally admired from afar– ballet costumes.

    Boston Ballet, Boston Bluebird

    Inherently, these opulent pieces are designed to be beautiful while in movement.  But in her closely cropped still lifes, Carin captures their quiet beauty and we are treated to a look at the intricacies of each individual garment.

    New York City Ballet, Sugarplum Fairy
    New York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial

    If you are anything like me, you’re now dreaming of floating across the stage in one of these numbers.  To see more of Carin Ingalsbe’s stunning photographs, please visit her website.  Make sure you read the history of each garment– fascinating stuff!

    You can also check out Carin’s work in person at Lanoue Fine Art in Boston.

    Featured image is The Royal Swedish Ballet, Metallic Skirt c. 1790-1830.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Ravage and Repair: Nava Lubelski

    Ravage and Repair: Nava Lubelski

    There is something so poetic about the restoration of an object that has been destroyed.  A beauty in the scars, a rejuvenation in the renewal.  It is this juxtaposition that Asheville, NC artist Nava Lubelski seeks to explore in her work.  Seeking to “explore the contradictions between the impulse to destroy and the compulsion to mend,”  she first destroys in order to resurrect.

    Sweet Chewy, thread on stained canvas, 12×12

    Her initial damages to the surface, through ripping, cutting, spilling of paint/stain are then painstakingly “repaired” by hand-stitching embroidery over and around the holes.

    The Sum of Parts, thread on stained canvas, 12×12

    Just as when people’s souls, minds, bodies are wounded, the healing process is slow and not always complete, so are the stitched “repairs” in Nava’s work.  The initial destruction has been stopped, but the material can never fully be restored.  What she leaves us with instead, is a new surface, still showing signs of mutilation yet renewed.

    003, thread on stained canvas, 24×24
    Like Those Monsters, thread on stained canvas, 12×12

    To see more of Nava Lubelski’s work, please visit her website.  She is currently showing in NYC, Asheville, Shelbourne, VT and Sydney, Australia.

    Featured image is A Story About Frogs, thread on stained muslin, 26×20.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Artsy Spot: Davis & Cline

    Artsy Spot: Davis & Cline

    As the hubby and I travel, we love to explore and see what the surrounding area has to offer.  While living in Grants Pass, Oregon, we’ve come to love the nearby artsy town of Ashland.  While other galleries in Ashland cater more to local work, Davis & Cline Gallery, in the Railroad District, carries a variety of exceptional work by both emerging and established artists recognized both regionally and nationally.

    Davis & Cline, exterior

    As we walked in the front doors of the gallery, I immediately fell in love with the current show, Out of the Woods, featuring work by Christian Burchard and Haley Farthing.  Burchard’s madrone wood sculptures are stunning in their simplicity and texture, full of organic elegance.  A perfect complement to the rich, milky warmth of Burchard’s sculptures are Farthing’s subtle pastel and ink wood panel paintings.  Look for more on these two artists soon!

    Out of the Woods, Christian Burchard & Haley Farthing

    Throughout the gallery, the space is well lit and the placement of the work a well-designed mixture of two-dimensional work and sculpture.

    Davis & Cline, interior

    Davis & Cline has a world class collection of glass work and it is showcased beautifully, both in naturally lit and a specifically designed “dark room”.  It is a space worthy of exhibiting the prismatic beauty of world renown artists like Dale Chihuly ( check out some of Chihuly’s 2-d work hanging above! )

    Davis & Cline, glass gallery

    The gallerist was friendly yet, unobtrusive– exactly the feeling I like to get in a gallery.  Once we started talking, he was eager to tell me more about the artists and the gallery but never with a “salesman”-like attitude.  This is a gallery where both a serious collector and student would feel welcome and appreciated.

    Check out the Davis & Cline website to see more of the artists they represent.  If you’re ever in Ashland, be sure to make a personal visit!

    All images are via the Davis & Cline website.

  • Friday Faves: Spooktacular

    Friday Faves: Spooktacular

    You will never catch me watching a gory horror movie, so I’m not usually drawn to truly gruesome imagery.  But I do love a good spooky mystery, so just in time for Halloween, today’s round-up features some of my favorite frightful art!

    Edison's Parable by Jamie Baldridge
    Chair With Hand by Kim Kamens, thread, nails and wood, 48×72
    Dolly Madison Zebra Stripe Death by Dirk Westphal, limited edition print, 11×14, 16×20 or 24×30
    Phones by Melanie Pullen

    To see more of these artists awesomely creepy work, please visit their websites listed below.  Happy Halloween!

    1.  Jamie Baldridge

    2.  Kim Kamens

    3.  Dirk Westphal ( the print shown is available via ArtWeLove, but make sure to check out Dirk’s website, too! )

    4.  Melanie Pullen 

    Featured image is “Flock” by Kim Kamens, thread, nails & wood, 72×48.  All images are courtesy of the artist’s websites, unless otherwise noted.

  • From Earth to Wheel: Diana Kersey

    From Earth to Wheel: Diana Kersey

    Pottery is one of my favorite sculptural mediums.  Now, I’ve never personally done anything beyond elementary school-level pottery, but I have a deep appreciation for beautiful earthen forms.  Sculptor Diana Kersey’s vessels are a wonderful modern homage to folk-art pottery from around the world.

    Untitled by Diana Kersey

    Her basic forms are classical in shape, but her use of organic surface forms, such as the fish on the piece above, add a modern, whimsical quality to her work.

    Untitled by Diana Kersey

    And her use of repetition recalls ancient Greek pottery, but the texture and high-relief reminds us that this work is completely contemporary.  Her rich, warm glazes create really stunning silhouettes.

    Untitled by Diana Kersey
    Pierced Fish Pot by Diana Kersey

    Please check out Diana’s website for more images of her work.  If you’re in San Antonio, you can see her work on the Millrace & Mullberry Bridges!

    Featured image is Bird Jar ( detail ).  All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.

  • Vintage Vignettes: Anna Magruder

    Vintage Vignettes: Anna Magruder

    There’s something you should know about me, Artsies.  I grew up completely immersed in the styles of past eras.  My dad loves “classic Chevy’s“, that’s 1955, ’56 & ’57 Chevrolets, for those not in the know, and a lot of our family time revolved around my parents’ involvement in a local classic car club.  The adults I grew up around reveled in the cars, clothes and music of the past.  So I kind of automatically have love for anything with a retro-ish vibe.  Enter Anna Magruder’s artwork.

    Amphibious, oil on canvas, 16×16

    This Portland artist looks back at the people and images of the past, re-imagining their lives and stories.  These re-imaginings have a dreamlike quality to them, like old photos you’ve found in the family photo box, yet know one knows who they are or the stories behind them.

    Book Of Poems, oil on canvas, 16×16

    Her muted color palette further reinforces the vintage feel of her work, so that they read almost like the faded Kodachrome images of the past.

    Cheer, oil on canvas, 12×12
    Big Wheel, oil on canvas, 16×12

    To see more of Anna Magruder’s work, please visit her website.

    Featured image is Observer ( Mediator ), oil on canvas, 16×16.

  • Artsy Dwelling: Show-ing Off

    Artsy Dwelling: Show-ing Off

    As promised, here’s our 2nd Christina Baker feature of the day.  The fabulous Mrs. Baker has four (!) pieces of artwork featured in the Nashville Southern Living Showcase Home.  So I thought it would be fun to give you a peek at her work in this beautifully designed space.

    Commissioned work for master bedroom, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, acrylic on canvas, 48×48
    Master bedroom, Lazy Day, acrylic on canvas, 30×40
    Master Bedroom Inspiration Board, Southern Living Showcase Home
  • Art Powered By Passion, Coffee and Big Talent: Christina Baker

    Art Powered By Passion, Coffee and Big Talent: Christina Baker

    I have a confession to make, Artsies.  I have been remiss.  Since the beginning of Artsy Forager, I’ve had Christina Baker listed as a Pick of the Crop artist, and save for a few mentions in Friday Faves and The Artsy Home, I have yet to feature her!  Shame, shame, shame!!  So to make it up to the lovely and always supportive, Christina, today you’re getting a two-fer!!  One now and watch for a special The Artsy Home feature later.

    Baker_The House My Heart Built

    This self-taught artist’s work is ever-evolving and intuitive.  One of my favorite games to play with Christina’s abstract work is “What Do You See?”.  In every piece, there is something that is familiar, yet fresh.  In one instance, I may think I see a representation of one thing, but then I go back, take a second look and see something completely different.

    Baker_Lost and Found

    Her use of color and light creates soft, yet powerful imagery, the kind of work that translates easily between contemporary and more traditional aesthetics.

    Baker_Frozen Blueberries

    Baker_Moondrops

    I hope you loved Christina’s work as much as I obviously do.  To see more, please visit her website!  In Nashville, her work can be seen at York & Friends and at the Southern Living Showcase Home until November 6th ( more on that later!! ).  For Atlanta folks, check her out at Gregg Irby Fine Art.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Miniature Manifestations: Laurel Bustamante

    Miniature Manifestations: Laurel Bustamante

    Birds have a long history of symbolism in art.  Their meanings through the years have been as varied as their colors.   Oregon artist Laurel Bustamante has taken the symbolism a step further, creating imaginary birds that represent what it may feel like to be a bird.

    The Pearlfisher #2, gouache and acrylic on clayboard, 5×7

    But these are not expressionistic paintings in that typically wild, emotive kind of way.  Instead, they are thoughtful studies of mystery and coquettishness of small birds.

    Nigthbird in Pompeii, acrylic and gouache on panel, 8×10

    These diminutive paintings have an old world, ancient quality to them, but feel modern in their isolated composition.

    Bluebird, acrylic and gouache on panel, 8×10
    Nocturne in Brazil, acrylic and gouache on panel, 8×10

    You can find more of Laurel Bustamante’s work on her ArtSlant profile ( I was unable to locate a website for her ), or on the websites of a number of galleries in which her work is featured:  Augen Gallery, Davis & Cline, Lora Schlesinger and REM Gallery just to name a few.  Flit like a little bird and visit them all!

    Featured image is Nightwatch #1, gouache and acrylic on clayboard, 5×7, via REM Gallery.

  • Friday Faves: Think Pink

    Friday Faves: Think Pink

    In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this Friday Faves round up is dedicated to the color pink.  Pink is the color of femininity, yes, but it is also becoming a symbol of positivity and the power to overcome.  This month and always, Artsy Forager encourages you to Think Pink– breast cancer is a threat to us all, but what an encouragement it is to see so many women ( and men ) winning their battle!  I hope you’ll consider making a donation or linking to The Pink Fund on your blog of Facebook page, look for the link at the bottom of the post.

    Rabbit Girl by Denise Nestor, acrylic on canvas, 20×30
    Lilly by Michelle Armas, acrylic on canvas, 18×18
    Monet’s Dahlia, acrylic on canvas, 36×30
    Torn Dress by M.A. Tateishi, mixed media and resin on board, 36×48
    Mariposa by Sarah Ashley Longshore

    To see more of today’s featured artists’ work, please visit their websites:

    1.  Denise Nestor

    2.  Michelle Armas

    3.  Lisa Ernst

    4.  M.A. Tateishi

    5.  Sarah Ashley Longacre 

    Don’t forget to check out The Pink Fund, a non-profit whose mission is to provide short-term financial aid to women and men who are in active treatment for and recovery from breast cancer.  Getting well shouldn’t mean financial ruin.