molly cranch paintings

these softly styled acrylic bird paintings by chicago artist molly cranch are the perfect way to ease into your workweek, don’t you think? i love the gentle color choices and the light in each piece, and i can definitely relate to molly, an urban dweller, when she says that is quite enchanted by the idea of exploring nature through her work.

see more from molly and purchase her work here.

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motivational prints from orange beautiful

the prolific talent over at orange beautiful has added four new limited edition screen prints to her beautiful collection. they serve as a gentle, goal-achieving reminders.

guess which one i like the best?

purchase these pieces at the orange beautiful etsy shop, see more at their website and say hello to the girls at their blog.

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matthew woodson illustrations

let’s have a look at some gorgeous emotional illustration work from local chicago artist matthew woodson. matthew uses traditional and digital techniques to create these lushly evocative pieces.

crack your piggy bank open for a good cause: recently, matthew was bitten by a strange spider and his course of treatment may require 8 more months of doctor and hospital visits! matthew has decided to take on some commission work to offset these extraordinary expenses. now is your opportunity to help and receive a very special piece of art in the process.

if a commission is not in the cards for you, you can still help by purchasing one of matt’s prints (shown above) at thumbtack press. checking out his website and saying hello to him on his blog might also cheer him up - try it!

via drawn!

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embroidery by dee clements

here is the greatest combination of handicraft and technology i have seen in quite some time: embroidered my space profiles carefully crafted by local chicago artist dee clements onto old handkerchiefs.

what proficient skill and what a hilarious project! i hope these go up live somewhere so i can see them in person.

say hi to dee at her blog, the paper crane. see more of her genius work on her website and see what’s for sale at her etsy shop too.

via craft

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sick day

i have a cold. does anyone know what walking pneumonia is? anyway i don’t feel good and am taking it easy today. i am so sleepy, which as you can see appears to be rubbing off on those around me.

is there strength in numbers? maybe not when it comes to colds. hopefully i will be back tomorrow tanned rested and ready for action.

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snapshot sunday

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snapshot sunday

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jake arin photography

i am thoroughly enjoying the strong compositions in this terrific photograph collection from local photographer jake arin right now. when doing portrait work, jake prefers to shoot when his subject isn’t necessarily aware of what he is doing. his goal is to capture those pure undetected moments in time that otherwise slide by us in life. whether with people or places, it is during those moments that authentic emotion and beauty come through. truly magical indeed.

see a large sampling of jake’s portfolio on his website and purchase select prints at his etsy shop.

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