How about a little surrealism for your Tuesday? Head on over to Escape Into Life, where I’m featuring Dallas artist, Ginger Fox.
Ginger Fox on Escape Into Life
Tag: art
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Organic Entanglements: Yellena James
Isn’t it amazing to think that there are worlds all around us that we can’t see? Worlds invisible to our eyes, buried beneath the sea or simply found deep in our imaginations. Portland artist Yellena James fashions her own worlds filled with shapes and organisms both familiar and alien.
Allusion, pen & ink on paper, 8×10 Growing up in the south, the land of kudzu, I’ve always been fascinated by vines and roots. The source of nourishment and strength, they also entangle and envelope all around them. The worlds James creates share these same contradictory characteristics. Bright colors and seemingly whimsical shapes float about yet become entangled by tentacle-like forms.
Flutter, pen & ink on paper, 7.5×7.5 Bold patterns and forms catch our eyes, drawing us into a delicate, intricate world. A darkly mystical universe, a playground for elves and fairies.
Twine, pen & ink on paper, 7.5×7.5 Wouldn’t you like to go inside these worlds to explore? If I could, I would miniaturize myself to float and flit among these microcosmic terrains!
Spring, pen & ink on paper, 7.5×7.5 
Origin, pen & ink on paper, 7.5×7.5 To see more of Yellena James’ work, please visit her website. Her Etsy shop is full of gorgeous, affordable prints and be sure to check out these amazing bracelets she’s collaborated on with Morphik! I’m personally coveting the Dulcet piece, which looks fantastic with the Taupe cuff! ( Just in case anyone is taking notes.. I do have a birthday coming up! ;-))
Featured image is Mothership, pen & ink on paper, 21×16. All images are via the artist’s website.
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Artsy About Town: Cocktails, Truffle Fries, and Dan Spalding
As the hubby and I travel, we try to experience as much of each area’s culture as we can. Last Friday evening, we decided to meet a friend for a night filled with our favorite things– delicious food & drink, stimulating conversation and fabulous art! I can’t imagine what could be better. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that this ( below ) was our view for cocktails!
View of Lake Coeur d’Alene from Beverly’s We discovered the happy hour at Beverly’s and this was our second week in a row partaking of the fancy food & drink at affordable prices. I have a feeling it may be a weekly habit for the rest of our time here.. hubby George is addicted to their truffle fries, while I am just addicted to fries of any sort! As yummy as the fries were, they just weren’t nearly as pretty as our Hummus Plate. I am a firm believer that we eat first with our eyes, so I love a colorful, artsy presentation of food!
Hummus Plate gloriousness at Beverly’s 
Caramel Apple Martini Cocktails and conversation flowed, as we shared the truffle oil-doused (!) complimentary popcorn with our friend and fellow traveler, Kirsten. This lifestyle we’ve chosen is fairly unique, so travelers always seem to bond together, sharing stories and experiences. There is a great sense of camaraderie in knowing that there are others living such a crazy, wonderful life!
Kirsten, George and yours truly It was a beautiful night in Northern Idaho, so we strolled downtown to The Art Spirit Gallery to attend the opening of their current show, Portraits by artist Dan Spalding. The Spokane, WA painter’s exhibition centered around his beautifully textured and expressive portraits. His use of light is really incredible, giving his work a raw, emotional power.
Dan Spalding show, Portraits, at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene, ID Isn’t the painting on the top row, second from the right amazing? It draws my eye every time I look at this photo. I’m usually not an opening night art viewer, preferring to peruse when galleries aren’t as crowded and I can hear myself think or as Jerry Saltz said this week “Please stop talking so I can hear myself see!” 🙂
More of Dan Spalding’s work But I do love the energy of exhibition openings and ArtWalks. Seeing crowds of people enjoying and talking about art gives me goosebumps! And I am always thrilled for the gallery & artist when I see lots of red dots! ( As I did last night– can you spot the one visible in the pic above? ). What I really love about attending openings with my husband and friends is the conversations about the work we are drawn to and why. For an non-artsy person, George actually has a fantastic eye! He really loved the sculptural work of Simon Kogan ( below ).
Henry Moore by Simon Kogan, bronze While I loved these stylized bird paintings from North Idaho artist Catherine Lemaitre Earle. Aren’t they lovely?
Artwork by Catherine Lemaitre Earle All in all, a delightful evening, artsy in every wonderful way!
A happy Artsy at the end of the evening How about you? Any artsy fun to be had this weekend?
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Artsy Around the Web: Guest Post on isavirtue Today!
Artsies, be sure to check out my guest post over on Kaitlyn’s blog, isavirtue today! I’m featuring one of my all time favorite artists, Casey Matthews. I never get tired of gushing over Casey’s work!
Rekindle, mixed media on canvas, 30×40 Artsy Forager guest feature on isavirtue
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And One, No Make That a Bunch, to Grow On
OK, maybe we’re not taking a total break from color today. Spotted this installation by Marilee Salvato and just had to share it with you!
Growth Patterns, etching, digital prints mounted on wood, this installation 7’x34′ Be sure to check out her website for more images of the incredible installation!
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Friday Faves: The White Album
Once upon a time, I was bored by white. The more color the better. And around age 13, the more purple the better! 😉 But as my eye has grown and matured, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the purity and peace of white. It calms us, brings shadows and textures to life and provides a place of rest in a saturated world. Would you like to join me on a little mini-vacay from color today?
Untitled 11.6 ( detail ) by Natalie Abrams, wax on panel 
Empathy by Lauren Browning, italian ice alabaster on black granite 
Flutter by Sana Krusoe, porcelain, 30x4x5 ( via Davis & Cline Gallery ) 
Burqa by Shayna Lieb, glass, 6x30x5 
Magnolia by Heather Knight of Element Clay Studio, ceramic, 9x9x3 Ahh.. don’t we all feel calm & relaxed now? Have a wonderful, peaceful weekend, Artsies! Be sure to check out the artists’ websites for more loveliness.
Natalie Abrams | Lauren Browning | Sana Krusoe at Davis & Cline
Featured image is Remnant VII by Shayna Lieb. All images are via the artist’s websites and shops, unless otherwise noted.
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Little Happy Somethings: Trish Grantham
Some days my happy mood gets kicked in the gut first thing in the morning. This usually results from something I’ve read online that a) infuriates me, b) disgusts me, c) leaves me sick to my stomach and shaking my head in dismay, or d) all of the above, as was the case this morning. So it is only fitting that the work of today’s artist, Portland’s Trish Grantham, is the perfect antidote for what ails me!
The Creators, mixed media, 54×24 Unapologetically sweet, Trish’s work is filled with joy-inducing imagery. Masked-bandit-like birds, happily wise woodland creatures, smiling toast (!).. they all speak to me, saying “Hello! We’re here to remind you that the world is really a happy place filled with kind beings!” Many of the world’s inhabitants have simply forgotten how to be truly grateful, gracious and happy.
The Creators Gather, mixed media, 24×12 Just as it is impossible to look into the face of a smiling child and not smile back, as I was looking through Trish’s portfolio, my pursed mouth and heavy heart where replaced by a light-hearted grin.
The Flight Instructor, mixed media, 30×36 This world can be an ugly place and for some reason, it seems, many of the people in it are striving to make it even more hostile, all for the sake of their fear of someone taking away something that never truly belonged to them. We don’t own this world. It owes us nothing. Oh what a happier place it would be if the world were ruled by the creatures in Grantham’s work! Instead of devouring the innocent, the wolf instead sets the baby birds free to live as they please. Sure his belly may not be as full, but his heart will be bursting.
Free to Fly, mixed media 
Sympathetic Sea, mixed media, 72×60 Trish’s work spoke to my weary heart this morning. I hope it speaks to yours and perhaps, instead of choosing bitterness and hate, you will instead choose joy. I have.
To see more of Trish Grantham’s work, please check out her website. If you happen to be in Portland, OR ( And if you are, how about sharing a little housing advice? What areas are affordable but still nice & safe? Hubby and I are looking to the future.. ), sorry for the sidetrack– you can see Trish’s work in Portland at Augen Gallery, a delightful contemporary gallery downtown.
Featured image is The Futurist, mixed media, 24×12. All images are via the artist’s website.
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Guest Forager, Kaitlyn of isavirtue: Sara McIntosh-Robichaud
Happy Wednesday, Artsies! I have a little treat for you today.. Kaitlyn Patience, curator of the wonderful blog, isavirtue, is doing a little guest post for me today. I think you’ll find her to be a kindred-artsy-spirit!
Hi! My name is Kaitlyn Patience and I blog at isavirtue. When I first discovered Lesley’s blog, Artsy Forager, I was beyond delighted because art blogs are few and far between. One literally has to forage for art amidst the endless supply of lifestyle, fashion and food blogs! Like Lesley, I share a penchant for contemporary art – which in this sense simply means art that is happening now.
In order to inject the world wide web with just a little more art, I created an internet gallery. This online space, in which users can scroll sideways through the images, is entitled “lowercase gallery” (link: www.sunnyoasis.com/Kate) because I believe “art” can be friendly, accessible and inspiring. I use the space to practice my real life curating skills.
Currently being featured in the lowercase gallery is Sara McIntosh-Robichaud. I worked with Sara in the spring of 2009 and curated a presentation of her MFA artwork in a group exhibition. She was inspired by the height of one wall and decided to bring in one of her largest pieces – “Sluggard.” When she finally brought the 95”x 48” painting into the gallery – I was shocked. There appeared to be a man in a halo…and also a penis.
Sluggard, acrylic on canvas, 48×95 Being a young curatotrial intern at the time, I didn’t feel equipped to make the decision on whether this piece could be hung in a public, school gallery. Despite the fact that the painting was clearly “abstract,” I had heard the gallery director expunge on the impossibility of exhibiting nudes in the space because it was a public gallery and children’s groups often visited. So I called the director and said “There is a phallic image within this painting we are planning to hang, is that ok with you?” He responded with “Pardon? What do you mean?” And so I stuttered “You know, like…a penis.”
Nuclear Family, acrylic on canvas, 72×72 The director came to the gallery to see for himself and said “Oh that? that’s fine.” And that was it. I was surpremely embarassed at having mentioned it at all since it was clearly a non issue. To this day I blush when I think about that painting but I remind myself that should the situation have been reversed (I.e. I didn’t say anything and he did care), it could have gone exponentially worse!
Occular, acrylic on canvas, 33.5×37 That incident doesn’t keep me from loving Sara’s work however. Just as some of her works are titled “A Moment 1” and “A Moment 2,” she has managed to capture all of my emotions ranging from pure joy to sullen despair. She makes unique choices that I admire, particularily in colour, shape and texture. Perhaps the reason I am most drawn to her body of work is because of the clean lines and the perfect finishing. Should I ever become a painter I suspect my obsessive compulsivity to be ‘neat’ would result in something similar. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do!
Polly’s Fiddle, acrylic on canvas, 33×37 P.s. Five months later the gallery director was assigned to be my thesis supervisor.
All Images via: http://saramcintosh.ca/work/index.html
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Artsy on Escape Into Life: Matt Wisniewski
It’s Tuesday.. you know what that means! Head over to Escape Into Life to check out the artist I’m featuring there today, Matt Wisniewski. If you liked Pakayla Biehn’s work yesterday, I think you’ll love Matt’s digital collages.
Matt Wisniewski Matt Wisniewski on Escape Into Life
3/7– Please note that Escape Into Life has been undergoing some website changes, resulting in delayed postings, so this feature wasn’t live when I scheduled this post ( it normally would be ). It’s up now!
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Bringing Spring Flowers: The Latest From Lily Stockman
As much as I LOVE winter and though we still have snow on the ground here in Coeur d’Alene, I find my heart longing for spring. Maybe it is because, since moving from Florida and experiencing my first real winter, it’s March and I feel ready to trade my fur-lined boots for sandals. Or perhaps it is because since visiting George in Seattle two years ago, I know how utterly beautiful a Northwest spring can be! And we’ve heard that as gorgeous as these snow-covered mountains are, Coeur d’Alene is the place to be in the warmer months.
My anticipation for spring is likely pretty obvious in this week’s posts.. The latest series from Brooklyn artist, Lily Stockman have me longing to grab a few pencils and a sketch book and take off into the woods to see what wildflowers I can find.
Garden Club, acrylic on unstretched canvas, 156×96 Following in the footsteps of her plant-loving family and Victorian-era amateur botanists, Stockman examines her own existence in the natural world. The works are, at times, modern interpretations of botanical illustrations whose style has been made familiar by naturalist artists such as Ernst Haeckel. Others, much more loose and abstracted, remind us more of the feeling of being connected to the natural world– its brightness and simplicity.
Brooklandia, oil on panel, 24×18 She is examining the natural Renaissance we seem to find ourselves in– the reaction perhaps to the pervasiveness of technology. We are planting gardens in our backyards, enjoying farm-to-table dinners and find ourselves yearning for engagement with nature like never before.
The Way We Remember It, oil on canvas, 60×72 Advances in technology have led us far, far away from living our daily lives entwined with the natural world. Instead of being essential to survival, our relationship with nature has changed to one of pleasure and preservation. When we spend time cultivating that relationship, it is not just helping preserve the earth, but to preserve our own natural souls.
Concord Silhouette, oil on canvas, 60×72 
Clover for Ajay ( Jaipur at Night ), oil on canvas, 72×60 To see more of Lily Stockman’s work, please visit her website. Her work can be seen in the NYU 1st Year MFA Show at The Commons Gallery in New York, opening tomorrow March 7, 2012.
All images are via the artist’s website.
