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  • Fanciful Fascinations: Delphine Lebourgeois

    Fanciful Fascinations: Delphine Lebourgeois

    As a young girl, my favorite books where those filled with delicately drawn illustrations portraying the fantastical world of dancing princes, ogres and pretty maidens.  Those drawings would become so ingrained in my mind that if I dreamed of those stories, the illustrations came to life.  The work of French born artist Delphine Lebourgeois brings to mind those fanciful visionary worlds in which nothing is ordinary.

    Deesse I by Delphine Lebourgeois
    Deesse I

    Upon first glance, Lebourgeois’ work may appear purely decorative, but the artist takes decorative elements and patterns incorporating them into the work in such a way as to stir our imagination.  We enter into her surreal fairy tale, taking in the wonderful strangeness and reveling in the magic to be found.

    Butterflies by Delphine Lebourgeois
    Butterflies
    Deesse VIII, Photo de Classe by Delphine Lebourgeois
    Deesse VIII, Photo de Classe
    Sky of Chandeliers by Lebourgeois
    Sky of Chandeliers

    As with most fairy tales, these works are not merely pretty pictures.  There is a message in each fable, and it is left to the viewer to discern what that may be.

    Deesse III by Delphine Lebourgeois
    Deesse III

    To see more of Delphine Lebourgeois’ work please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

     

  • Friday Design Finds: Sealed With a Kiss

    You may remember Kaitlyn, who Guest Foraged for me last year.. Well, did you know that in addition to writing her blog isavirtue, she is a wonderfully talented stationery designer?  With Valentine’s Day coming upon us fast, wouldn’t you love to send and receive an artsy valentine?  Kaitlyn’s designs, available in her Etsy shop are simple, sweet, a bit cheeky and a whole lotta fun.  Just as love should be.

    Lipstick Kiss envelope
    Lipstick Kiss envelope
    SWAK envelopes
    SWAK envelopes
    XOXO Hugs and Kisses envelopes
    XOXO Hugs and Kisses envelopes
    I Love You writing paper by isavirtue
    I Love You writing paper
    Anatomical Heart envelope
    Anatomical Heart envelope
    Sinful writing paper
    Sinful writing paper

    Don’t these make you want to sit down and write a love letter?  You can find these and more in Kaitlyn’s Etsy shop, isavirtue.  And don’t forget to seal it with a kiss. 😉

    All images via isavirtue on Etsy.

  • Live the Artsy: Her Name Was Anna

    As fellow Artsies, I know that you are familiar with that sensation that comes over you when gazing upon a favorite work of art.. you want to jump right in and live inside the canvas.  Well, dear Artsies, I say you can!  In this new series, Live the Artsy, I’ll show you how a work of art can come alive as a living space.

    Living in Her Name was Anna by this month’s featured artist Diana Lemieux means dark, cozy walls that envelop you like a forest, classically traditional shapes, and a few punches of color for attitude.  I’m picturing a little Notting Hill apartment that smells of heather and tea.

    art | Her Name was Anna by Diana Lemieux

    space | via Decor8

    Any work of art you’ve fantasized about living in?  Let me know in the comments and I might just show you how to Live the Artsy!

  • Drama Immersed: Gay Ribisi

    Drama Immersed: Gay Ribisi

    I apologize in advance for the number of posts coming your way featuring artists whose work I discovered at the LA Art Show.  I can’t help it.  There was so much amazingness there and some of the work I just can’t get out of my head!  I kept going back both physically and in my mind to the photographs of LA artist Gay Ribisi.

    Head Above Water 2 by Gay Ribisi
    Head Above Water 2, photograph

    No doubt, we’ve all seen underwater fine art photography.  But Ribisi’s method of blacking out the background and her storyteller’s style of setting each scene creates images that burn into our memories.

    The Space Cleaner by Gay Ribisi
    The Space Cleaner, photograph
    The Space Traveler 1 by Gay Ribisi
    The Space Traveler 1, photograph

    Her floating women, stark against their black backdrop are isolated in their moment and movement.  We know there is a tale to be told with each one, perhaps epic or ordinary.  It’s as if we’ve walked into a darkened theater in the midst of the 3rd act, who is this on stage?  What is her story?

    The Red Dress by Gay Ribisi
    The Red Dress, photograph

    To see more of Gay Ribisi’s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

     

  • Art to Inspiration: Charlen Willliamson

    Art to Inspiration: Charlen Willliamson

    Wow, it seems like a long time has passed since I participated in Art to Inspiration, a monthly collaborative blog project, how I’ve missed it! Mr. Forager and I are still in the land of sand and sun, but our time here is finally growing short. This month’s inspiration, In the Mist by Charlen Williamson, has me longing to return to the cool grey of the Pacific Northwest. So it’s only fitting that Williamson’s image inspired me to put together a gallery of black & white photographs Mr. Forager & I have taken from our favorite places in the Northwest. 50 Shades of the Pac NW, if you will.. 😉

    The inspiration– 

    In the Mist by Charlen Williamson
    In the Mist by Charlen Williamson

    The gallery–

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    Cape Disappointment, WA
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    Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA
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    Astoria, OR
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    Olympic National Park, WA
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    Ruby Beach, WA
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    Olympic National Park, WA

    Oh, the Northwest!  We can’t wait to get back to you.  See more work by Charlen Williamson in her Etsy shop here.  You can see more photos from the travels of Artsy & Mr. Forager on the blog’s Instagram feed.

    You can find more information on Art to Inspiration here and if you would like to participate in the next Art to Inspiration, just fill out this form! Follow me and all the other Art to Inspiration bloggers on Twitter by subscribing here.  Let the inspiring begin! 

    In the Mist by Charlen Williamson via her Etsy shop.  All other images by Artsy Forager.

  • Artsy on Escape Into Life: Michelle Morin

    Artsy on Escape Into Life: Michelle Morin

    I am loving the illustrative quality to these watercolors by Massachusetts artist Michelle Morin!  I’m sharing more of Michelle’s work in my Artist Watch on Escape Into Life today.. head over to EIL to check it out here.

    Bird Sanctuary by Michelle Morin
    Bird Sanctuary by Michelle Morin

    Michelle Morin on Escape Into Life

  • The Synthesis of Complements: Natalia Wrobel

    The Synthesis of Complements: Natalia Wrobel

    In every life and any artist can tell you, in every work of art is filled with highs and lows.  We struggle through the valleys and rejoice on the mountaintops.  The work of New England artist Natalia Wrobel expresses those polarities in paint.

    The World is a Waterfall by Natalia Wrobel
    The World is a Waterfall, oil on canvas, 77×77
    Marked Surrender by Natalia Wrobel
    Marked Surrender, oil on canvas, 24×24

    Wrobel’s work intuitively explores the push and pull of creating something from nothing.  The layering of color, line, and shape create swirls of movement and texture while leaving areas of glowing and restful light.

    Angels at the Ready by Natalia Wrobel
    Angels at the Ready, oil on canvas, 36×60
    Abundance by Natalia Wrobel
    Abundance, oil on canvas, 96×48

    In each piece, we can almost see the search, the struggle between letting go and holding on, knowing when to keep moving forward and when to stop in your tracks.

    Echo by Natalia Wrobel
    Echo, oil on canvas, 42×42

    To see more of Natalia Wrobel’s work, please visit her website.  And don’t forget to follow her on Facebook and Twitter, too!

  • This Artsy Life: Weekend 5 [ Friends, Playgrounds, Farmers Markets ]

    This Artsy Life: Weekend 5 [ Friends, Playgrounds, Farmers Markets ]

    A very large part of the reason Mr. Forager took a work assignment in Joshua Tree, CA was to be close to his best friend, Mike and his family. Mike, Mr. Forager & I have all known each other since our swingin’ single days back in Florida. He was the best man at our wedding and his wife, Veronica was unable to travel at the time being very pregnant with twin boys. We drive over to San Diego about once a month to spend the weekend with Mike, Vero & the boys. M & V had barely adopted their oldest, Caleb when they found out they were pregnant with twins, Alex & Noah. Needless to say, weekends with them are filled with craziness and laughter, but can be exhausting for those of us who aren’t used to the insanity that comes with a household full of toddlers!

    Part of living an artsy life is to embrace each day as it comes, finding the joy even in the simple moments. This weekend was filled with the pleasure of being allowed to just be. Aren’t those the times and people we love best?

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    [ view from terra nova park, chula vista, ca ]

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    [ this is what sheer joy looks like ]

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    [ restful moment ]

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    [ balanced rocks, seaport village ]

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    [ farmers market band jam ]

    Want to see more from the This Artsy Life series?  Check ’em out here.  You can also follow me on Instagram for all kinds of Artsy Life goodness.  Lots of simple moments in the life of this particular Artsy.

  • February Featured Artist: Diana Lemieux

    February Featured Artist: Diana Lemieux

    Sometimes I wonder if fine art photographers read art blogs and think “Painting, painting, painting!” ( cue Jan Brady voice ).  But painting doesn’t just happen with oils and acrylics.  An artist paints their composition with whatever medium they choose and this month’s Featured Artist, Diana Lemeiux paints with a camera.

    Lemieux creates and captures scenes from our dreams, mysterious and fleeting.. we see just a glimpse of a moment, not knowing what happened just before or what could arise in the next breath.

    Her limited palettes help foster the emotion she is bringing forth in each image– moody, somber neutrals or bright, warm saturated hues give us a sense of each scene and the story it has to tell.

    To see more of Diana Lemieux’s work, please visit her website and Facebook page.  Diana’s work will be in the starring role on the Artsy Forager Facebook page all this month and be sure to check out the FB album full of my favorite Diana Lemieux photographs!

  • Kickin’ Off the Weekend & a New Month With a New Featured Artist!

    Kickin’ Off the Weekend & a New Month With a New Featured Artist!

    Happy weekend and happy February, Artsies!  Mr. F and I are excited because  1) it’s the weekend.. duh, 2) we are heading to San Diego tonight to spend the weekend with dear friends, always a good time! and 3) a new month means we are that much closer to leaving the desert and heading back toward our beloved Northwest!  But before I leave you to start packing for our weekend away, please allow me to introduce you to February’s Featured Artist, Diana Lemieux!

    Balancing Act by Diana Lemieux
    Balancing Act

    Head on over to the Artsy Forager Facebook page to see more of Diana’s breathtaking photography!  Then come on back to this spot on Monday for more!  You’ll be seeing lots of Diana this month here on the blog, as well as the Artsy Forager Facebook & Twitter feeds.  Looking forward to a February full of photography!