Gasp! Big, beautiful, etherial orbs drawn with colored ballpoint pen… by a machine. A really, really amazing machine! I could try to explain the inner-workings of this crazy drawing machine, created by Copenhagen based artist Eske Rex, or I could just let you read this:

Drawing Machine is a construction involving two pendulums, each suspended from a tower construction and connected through “drawing arms” and moveable joints. A ballpoint pen resting on a drawing surface covered with paper is mounted at the point where the pendulums come together. The pendulums are set in motion by hand, and their movements are represented on the paper. The Drawing Machine serves two purposes: On exhibitions where the movements of the pendulums affect the entire room, and the experience engages the beholder’s body. While the rhythmic repetitions cause the beholder to pause, the drawing emerges on the paper. And as a tool where investigations on the relation between time and movement.

Ok, this is some of my most favorite collage I’ve stumbled upon in quite some time! Belgium based artist Katrien De Blauwer combines only two images in each piece, yet magically creates a fascinating & mysterious story. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her amazing color palette, created solely through found images and found paper that she somehow manages to maintain throughout her entire, huge, gorgeous portfolio. Love with a capital L.

…And, as a little post-nod to the Oscars, here are three pieces from Katrien’s series, “Cinematic Cuts”:

{via Erna Reiken on Pinterest}

Ok. I don’t know if I’m more jealous of Australian artist Samantha Robinson’s fabulous porcelain creations {clearly I have a thing for those watermelon bowls!!!} or her gorgeous, creativity-filled studio… Gah!

February 22, 2009 was my very first post on The Jealous Curator. That. Is. Crazy. Over 1100 posts later, and I’m still jealous… but not in the same way that I was four years ago <insert tangent> I get a lot of flack for calling my site “The Jealous Curator”, but the truth is, when I started this whole thing, that’s exactly what I was. I was sad, and angry, and defeated, and yes, really jealous… but I so badly wanted to start making art again. I knew that, somehow, I had to push myself through all of the junk that was holding me back. Through writing this blog, I have learned so much – not only about contemporary art, but also about myself. I now know that there is room for everyone that wants to create. I also know that there will be creative blocks, and countless hours of self-doubt, but that’s ok. Everyone goes through that. It’s how you know you’re part of the club! Granted, I’ve also learned that every block can be cut through… although, yes, sometimes you have to use a chainsaw.

Now, four years later, when I find work that I love, it inspires me to get into the studio to work… actually… let me try that again. It inspires me to get into the studio to play. Allowing myself the time {and freedom} to play, and experiment, and mess things up, and try again – that is what leads me to work that I’m happy with.

So yes, I’m thrilled to report that I’m not ‘jealous’ in a bad way any more. Will I change the name of the site to reflect this… “The Inspired Curator”, “The Envious Curator”… nope. Let’s face it – it’s a catchy name, plus, I’d have to change my business cards! No, no… in all seriousness, I think that punch to the creative gut really is a bit of jealousy. But it doesn’t have to be something that makes me sad, and angry, and defeated. It can move me forward. I hope you’ll come with me… it looks like the next four years might be even more exciting than the first four, if that’s even possible.

Thanks so much to all of you for showing up here every day – I really do appreciate it oh so very much! xo

{image: detail of a painting by Trey Speegle}

Paint… and projected light. Whoa.

Oh, I love these paint/light installations by American artist Jay Shinn. Trying to figure out how he figures it out, makes my brain hurt a tiny bit… but it’s so worth it! There are a few examples above that show the paint on it’s own, and how the image is transformed once the light is projected onto the wall. Ouch… there’s that dull ache in my head again.

Now, if you happen to be in Dallas any time from February 23rd {this Saturday!} through March 30th, you can see this stunningly beautiful work in person at the MARTY WALKER GALLERY… please go, and then tell me all about it!

Oh, the work of Toronto based designer/artist Ange-line Tetrault. First things first, this is what she makes at her day job:

Ange-line is a product designer at Imm Living, and creates all of the lovely things above. I originally found those teacups {which I totally need, by the way} on UncommonGoods, but when I made my way back to her site, I was so excited to discover this very cool personal art project:

Yep. A tiny white house, with a hot pink window that you can peek into, where a looping video shows Ange-line trying to decide what to wear. While she does that, you get to dress her up in all sorts of little outfits of your choosing! The project is titled Ritual of Identity, and here’s the gist:

“... the object is my clothes and the subject is myself. Everyday I get dressed and everyday it’s a long process of me trying on many outfits before I finally get the right look. Some days a certain outfit feels like me and other days the same outfit feels like someone else. What’s the rational behind this? Is it all about the persona I feel like projecting that day? Can people tell the persona I’m projecting based on what I’m wearing, or I look the same no matter what I wear? “

Yep. More amazing, beautifully boring paintings that were shown to me by Leah Giberson while we were in Chattanooga together. This time it’s personal though… this insanely beautiful work {flashe on linen} is by Leah’s brother-in-law, Korean-born, American artist Jon Widman. Stacks of books, boxes, records, and of course, chipmunks. Oh, oh! And look at this:

Ridiculously detailed paintings of the spines of album covers. Who does this?! Jon Widman, I suppose. And also, you’ve seen paintings of the spines of books, but have you ever seen someone do this…

Stacked books, but… they’ve been turned around, so that he can paint the PAGES of the book. Sweet jiminy.

Thanks again to Leah! Keep em coming, lady xo

These are the most beautiful real estate pages I’ve ever seen! These gorgeous cut-newspaper installations are by American artist Pat Shannon. She meticulously cuts away the text, leaving only the sweet little houses behind. She does this with all sorts of newspapers {comics, want-ads, inserts}, but for me, it’s all about these tiny houses! Love.

Ok, I’ll be honest. At first glance, this installation made me a bit uncomfortable … perhaps it was the yellow powdered sperm, and the large bottle of blood. However, on further inspection {and just a tiny bit of reading}, I think you’ll find that it’s actually a lovely, thoughtful, and very clever piece that compares the natural world to the human body. This is the work of Paris based artist Mathilde Roussel, and it is titled echology:

“Dew, milk, pollen, sap, branches, grass, bark, etched glass jars.
Resonances between human body and vegetal are suggested by filling with plant elements, scientifical jars labelled with human body parts. The living ingredients inside the jars change and metamorphose though time.”

{Exhibited at Anatomia Botanica, Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art, Nashville, US.}

Ah… yellow pollen, and a large bottle of sap. Phew.

This is what you find when you hang out with three “Beautifully Boring” artists for a few days! Leah Giberson sent me a link to these oil paintings {yes, paintings!} by American artist Cindy Rizza. Kind of perfect for Valentine’s Day, since I LOVE them oh so much ♥ Nostalgic, skillfully painted, and beautifully boring… ah, a lovely combination. Oh, and speaking of lovely:

Gah! Gorgeous!!! Thanks for the introduction to Cindy’s work, Leah xo