Elena Schumacher II

How strange that exactly a year on I find myself again posting about the work of Elena Schumacher. 
Last year when I discovered her work it was more abstract and imagined. Today's portraits drew my eye not only because of the wonderful juxtaposition of colour, the use of line and the scumbled effect, but the cheeky glint in her subjects face a hint of mischief and humor.  

Magdalena Haras

I love the concept of this book by Magdalena Haras who has taken excerpts from 'The long Walk' by Slawomir Rawicz and made them into a book that is also a pair of shoes. Magdalena's interpretation alludes to secrecy with the information hidden within the soles, the shoes are the perfect vehicle for this story.

'Walking a mile in someone else's shoes' or looking at things from the point of view of others is a strong belief of mine and this illustrates it poetically and perfectly. 

Irina Vaneeva

I have also started a project with my students called '100 days of me' which can be anything that they want to do, be it self portraits, clothing, dreams etc. Their books are a little too neat as yet and full of pencil. I want them to dive in get messy and less precious, so that some surprise wonders start to leap from the pages. Like this wonderful journal made in an out of date diary by  Irina Vaneeva.

Artem Krepkij I

I am teaching life drawing and basic drawing skills at this time of year and so my eye is being tempted by drawings. 

Artem Krepkij's drawings are difficult to view in some ways due to their extreme perspective, twisting and contorting figures into exaggerated forms to emphasize the emotion and drama of situations. His works remind me of those early works of Vincent Van Gogh where the hands are as expressive and animated as the faces and there is a monotone hardship that prevails through all. 

Pavel Curagău

Pavel Curagău is an artist who works mainly in fine art, print and photography Here I am featuring a section of one of his drawings on stretched canvas with charcoal. which has great observation and energy.
"I am concerned human being as a whole and its role in the society. The human being as matter, consciousness and soul."

Holly Frean

'Before and After' is a body of work created by artist Holly Frean called 'Before and After', where she explores old masters, as a frame of time on a film and has had fun exploring the frames, not previously caught for in perpetuity. They are mischievous and irreverent works that allow you see the humanity behind the historically and culturally embedded originals.

Michael Mapes

These works fragment the familiar to abstraction and yet leave just enough information for our minds eye to recognize and fill the gaps, in the same way that we can recognize words and text when half the letters are removed or mixed around.  
Michael Mapes uses very familiar dutch masterpieces to base his fragmented collaged works on and recreates a kaleidoscopic interpretation using fragments of photographic prints, sequins, fake nails, costume jewelry, insect pins, gelatin capsules and glass vials amongst other things. Gathering and arranging evidence to prompt us into putting it together like detectives.

"They're fairly tedious to create," he says, "so I try to bring a painter-like approach to working on them. Making changes that involve so many individual elements can be challenging, if not punishing, but my interest lies in discovering the composition of the work while making it." Michael Mapes

Rieko Koga I

I am in a strangely stripey and black and white mood this weekend, or at least it is not a mood, but more this is what is appealing to my eye. 
Here are some examples of work from Japanese artist Rieko Koga I like it because having done so many stitched word works I know the time and patients they require, but I also like its visual simplicity, like a doodle that has not been composed but has woven itself out of distraction.
Rieko currently lives and works in Paris creating small art pieces and large installations.

Guido Scarabottolo I

Guido Scarabottolo originally trained in architecture but his career changed dramatically when he became involved with Studio Arcoquattro a group of architects who's work included graphic and exhibition design. Guido Scarabottolo is now one of Italy's most renowned graphic designers, illustrators and art directors, he has a unique eye and humor. (thank you)

Julie Daleyden I

Julie Daleyden's work is all charming but these decorated tiles are just wonderful. 

Beata Wehr V

I still have one more selection from the artist Beata Wehr, 
I love these abstract indigo compositions, it is rare for me to work in an abstract way and these pieces really inspire me.

Anna Ladecka

Anna Ladecka from the 'Carnival of Animals'. Anna is a painter illustrator and textile designer from Warsaw, Poland. 

Kerttu Maukonen

"I present you my mess, my life in rags. 
This recent work is made from scraps of fabric, from worn out clothes and tea towels, stained by red soil, mango and ketchup, faded by the sun and Omo, as well as from my collection of purchased fabrics, meant to be made into place-mats and pillow covers. Not a single project was completed. I think I failed as a housewife. 
This is my redemption."

 Kerttu Maukonen

Beata Wehr IV

I love these waxed relics, the translucence and transparency, adding to the mystery of the thoughts and findings that went into these books by Beata Wehr