"After the End"

Forgot I had wanted to share this after getting back from Chicago. Despite all the historical and artistically renowed artists the Chicago Art Institute's Museum holds, one of my most favorite pieces was by a more modern artist whose work I was unfamiliar with-- Margherita Manzelli.

Her piece, "Dopo la Fine" ("After the End") was just amazing for me to see up close. A huge, ginormous work, painted from a strange angle. I loooved the bright colors, contrasting with the haunting, shadowy figure, and the woman's blank stare.

It doesn't seem like much in photos, but it was so amazing to just stand in front of it and be pulled in and repelled at the same time. It's size alone was part of the appeal, but also the somewhat skewed, yet eye-level perspective.

It's a little creepy, but that's also why it's so cool. The beautiful bright, cheery patterns of the foreground and her dress lead the viewer's eye to a less content scene. Is she actually dead? Is it an allegory or idea put into human form?

I love the vagueness, the juxtaposition of bright and cheery with sick and gloomy.

Houston Art Walk

Saturday, May 15, 2010
2pm-8pm

Meet the artists, hear live music, food, beer and wine tastings, prizes AND free admission!

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot At London's Barbican

I know contemporary art and intallation art is kind of love/hate sort of thing, and honestly, I'm the same way. But I heard about this guy and wanted to check it out for myself. I personally am a sucker for cute tiny little birds and ambient sounds, like windchimes or guitar distortion lol. The first video is think is more 'official' but the second one has pretty grass and water close ups lol. The whole installation is basically about sound ("From Here to Ear") and this is just one section of it. Whether or not you consider it art (mind you, it's CONCEPTUAL, so there is a greater CONCEPT it is involving or presenting) it's kind of cute, kind of peaceful, like I said, if you're like me...

Inspiration Monday

(*CLICK on above photo to view the whole image. It's pretty cool...)

All photos above are property of photographer Rocio Montoya.

This set immediately made me think of Frida Kahlo. What I find most "cool" about them is that they weren't necessarily MEANT to be inspired by Frida. They're not replicas of her work, or portrayals of her. What they do share though is an amazing display of costume and detail. I love the sphynx cat used in these images. Frida often portrayed her unusual pets in her portraits, such as monkeys or itzcuintli dogs.

Colboard of Ideas #2

And inspiration comes in the form of illustrators James Jean and Feral Kid. I love the weird creepy vibe they both give. I looove the indescribably textures and look of their work. I know for sure Feral Kid's work is mostly gouche and watercolor, but I'm not sure about Jean's (it's oil I think) Any way, although my portrait would be realistic and all, I'm really digging the washed out layers these guys both do. And, I'm really seeing it tie in with the newsprint I'll be using, so... think of a mix of these guys and Sean Luhring, and we'll see what we get?


"Umbrella Academy" Illustration/James Jean - Click on it to view the whole thing. It's pretty cool.


"Swan"


"MRCR" / Feral Kid (Starting from here on, these are all his)


"Tengu"



"Haunted: #20"