hide and seek illustrations

kelly spotted these lovely illustrations on etsy and i love the childhood fairy tale motifs and this spooky/enchanting feeling they give off. they created by uk artist hidden eloise, aka hidenseek. these pieces start out as hand drawn images and then are digitally colored.

see more compelling visual storytelling at eloise’s etsy shop and be sure to check out her website too.

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stephanie simek wearables: let’s chat!

i almost thought these delicate jewelry pieces by stephanie simek were trompe l’oeil when i first saw them. i mean, is that really an eggshell? lined with 23k gold foil? really? and there’s no way someone could possibly piece single eyelashes together so precisely, right? and what about that delicate, glowing sea cookie that looks as if it were found and plucked right from the ocean floor and pinned on a blouse? viewing these surreal pieces truly suspends my disbelief. my mind hurtles toward fantastic places and into stephanie’s world, filled with deft skill, technique and élan. could she be a refined, modern-day willy wonka? let’s have a chat and find out more!

q: where do you live, and where do you create your art?
a: i live in portland, oregon in a former hare krishna temple that my partner adam keller and i turned into an art and music space. we host events about once or twice a week. my favorite part of the room is the stage area that has a beautiful scalloped cutout and peaks at the top. it is painted gold, which was like that when we moved in. actually every room in the house is painted a different, bright color. i work on my own projects in the main room when it isn’t being used for shows.

q: what is your background? did you study art formally?
a: i studied at mason gross school of the arts at rutgers university in new jersey. i got my bfa in visual arts with a concentration in photography.

q: on your website i see you have projects in several other disciplines. did you start out making jewelry? is it your favorite way to express yourself creatively?
a: the jewelry line is actually pretty new. i started it about a year ago and am really enjoying exploring the possibilities. but i am just as excited about some of the other things i am currently working on. right now i’m also working on some videos and sound pieces.

q: what compelled you to use these extremely delicate, organic materials in your collection?
a: i think it makes the person wearing it more aware, to the extent where hopefully they feel like they are the guardian of something precious.

q: what has been your biggest challenge in designing jewelry? and how about your biggest reward in being a gallery owner?
a: i like to use materials that aren’t customarily worn on the body, so it’s often a challenge figuring out how to get them to be accommodating. i have to find ways to prevent problems like breakage and decay while still visually maintaining the delicate nature of the object.

as far as owning a gallery, i think experiencing and exposing other people to all kinds of work is the most rewarding aspect of running a place like ours. also, it’s very gratifying to be able to give artists a place to share what they’ve created with other people.

q: what’s the best piece of advice you have ever received regarding your work?
a: keep at it!

q: what is your inspiration to create these pieces?
a: recently it’s been my dreams and the feelings i’m left with when i wake up.

q: can we go anywhere to see your work in person?
a: currently, i don’t have any work on exhibit, but you can purchase my complete wearable collection through my website, and select pieces around the world at the following shops: in chicago at habit, at catbird in brooklyn and pixie market in new york, in sydney at incu, at umi and co. in london, in san francisco at offbeat on haight and at the square room and foxmaid in seattle.

see more at stephanie’s website, and if you are local be sure to stop by rererato to see the latest and greatest art in all media.

thank you stephanie!

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horacio salinas photography

need some creative inspiration today? how about something visually fresh and clever, like this terrific conceptual work from new york-based photographer horacio salinas? you may have already seen his striking work in the new york times, gq, or vogue, among others.

see horacio’s portfolio on his website, and contact him there or through his rep, chris boals.

via musings of mine

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gastón liberto art

i stumbled across the wonderfully surreal work of argentina born, barcelona-based artist gastón liberto, after reading about the duduá shop at bloesem. gastón is inspired by circus and carnival imagery, as well as the people, culture and chaos of the post modern society surrounding him. i love the weird and innocent energy the pieces give off.

see more of gastón’s work on his flickr stream, purchase his available print (top photo) at duduá and say hello to him (in spanish!) on his blog.

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iris schwarz illustrations: miniview

look at these enchanting and slightly surreal digital collage pieces, from swiss artist iris schwarz. there is something familiar about these delicate works which draws me to them, like i’ve seen them in a museum or maybe while i was daydreaming. iris uses ink, pencil and acrylic, and also draws upon a variety of vintage influences and imagery to complete her intriguing collection. even her shop name, which is called paulette edition, was inspired from her love of things old fashioned and very french! ever curious to know more about the brains behind the operation, i asked a few quick questions…

q: how did you get into creating these lovely illustrations?
a: after my graduation in graphic design and illustration i’m now self-employed for about ten years. graphic design always was more of a job, but illustration/drawing/painting is my real passion. i started with editorial illustration for several magazines and newspapers, today i work more as a freelancer, selling my art and illustrations online or direct to my audience.

q: what inspires you to make art?
a: art – contemporary, but even more the old schools (italian renaissance, the dutch school – i adore this accurate work), fairy tales, craft – i’m impressed by certain skills people have, victorian illustration. almost everything old… illustrated books, textiles, furniture (antique shops or flea markets are my obsession, especially in paris!), nature is very important to me, sometimes a conversation, beauty.

q: do you have a favorite medium to work in?
a: a pencil, a brush and paper. but, i must admit my iMac (photoshop) and me became really good friends too!

see the conplete collection, purchase these pieces and contact iris at her etsy shop.

thank you iris!

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dear deer wall art by bernhard grafl

look at this witty and gently surreal dear deer wall piece. simply place branches in the holes of the wooden plaque to achieve the same effect (sort of) as a majestic chopped head of the real thing! it’s created by austrian designer bernhard grafl for walking chair design studio and comes in solid oak in your choice of light or dark stain.

i bucked the deer trend (!) that continues to remain quite popular, but actually this is one of the most clever interpretations i have seen. and to be frank, this appeals to me much more than a big ol’ head hanging on a wall.

purchase the dear deer for € 25(about us $39) right here.

via design flute

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marc johns watercolors

(ed. note: welcome first-time readers! if you enjoy this article about marc, please click on the other categories to the left to enjoy even more posts about other talented artists and designers. better yet, feel free to be impulsive and click on subscribe to the right, and i will bring the good stuff to you instead! thank you for visiting!)

it’s monday and already time for a hearty laugh, so let’s look at these terrific watercolor pieces from canadian artist marc johns. marc believes that truth can be found through humor, and strives to create a minimal style of art that reaps maximum impact on the viewer. it’s too spare not to make me howl with laughter!

i love the frugal styling and colors and of course the slightly surreal and whimsical humor in every single one! i think i like worship me best, but his i prefer pucci really offers us a sneaky glimpse into the mind and the ridiculously playful stream of consciousness where ideas are born. to hold those thoughts and get it out on paper is quite an accomplishment.

purchase originals and prints on marc’s website, or buy his pieces in greeting cards form at moo. and be sure to check his blog and flickr stream for other wonderful illustrations!

via bb-blog

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doug boehm prints

i love this monster mash set of four prints from pennsylvania artist doug boehm, and not just because it’s halloween today! i think this set would be great in a media room (my media room). these images are prints of his original paintings. doug has a bfa from the tyler school of art, and also has an impressive list of clients including rolling stone, the philadelphia enquirer and seattle weekly. he has been recognized by american illustration and the society of illustrators for his talents. take a peek at his colorful, anthropomorphic, slightly askew creations.

i love his lines and his strong-jawed characters, and feel their anxiety. is it sinister tension or a sad doomsday loss of control? i can’t tell.

i still think i like that mummy the best.

see his fantastic portfolio on his website, and purchase his prints at thumbtack press!

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