What’s Your Power Animal?… American artist Kellesimone Waits wants to know. Hm, ok, I’m going to go with flamingo. I don’t know why, it just seems right. Anywho, these delicate, washy, slightly bizarre images {gouache and blak sumi ink on watercolor paper} are from her latest solo show, titled, you guessed it, What’s Your Power Animal, at Fuse Gallery in New York. Unfortunately it just closed earlier this week – sorry! I totally dropped the ball on that one… maybe it was the flamingo in me? It’s very difficult for flamingos to hold balls, no?

Oh, houses. I love houses. I haven’t written about any in quite some time {shocking, I know}, but when I saw this lovely, and lonely, work by American artist Amy Greenan, well, I couldn’t control myself. I love Amy’s explanation of her paintings of abandoned homes, so instead of retelling the story, I’ll let her do it:

Having grown up in what was an abandoned house when my parents purchased it, I find an irresistible affinity to these lost architectural souls. I realized, too, that the similarities between these houses and the human body and experience cannot be ignored. These places have a history in the same way we do. Memories are attached; they crumble in the same way the human body eventually does. They evoke all sorts of emotions and thoughts in me. When I paint each one, I can’t help but sense that I am bringing it a bit of its life back.

{via Art Hound}

All’s fair in war and wallpaper. I absolutely love this series, titled Domestic Violence, by Canadian artist Scott Waters. Fighter planes and Apache helicopters on fancy floral wallpaper… what a beautiful/emotional combination! And yes, you guessed it,  I really wish I thought of that. A lot.

{These are a few of my favorite close-ups of larger pieces.}

Oh, where to begin. This year’s Cheaper Show in Vancouver was, umm, fantastic! From the Friday night preview show, to the giant line-up that started in the wee hours of Saturday morning and lasted late into the night, straight through to the actual event. An amazing venue, thousands of very cool people, some very tasty chocolate cake, and of course, fabulous art. I got there early on Friday night and was able to go around and see the entire show… that was a little trickier later that night, and almost impossible on Saturday {too many interesting people to stop and chat with!} As I made my way around the gorgeous space, this was the sound I kept making {please note, I was alone at this point so I’m sure I sounded like some kind of crazy art groupie}… Gasp! Wha?! The dialogue in my head went something like this: “What?! They’re in this show!? I’ve written about him/her, I love him/her, and now I’m seeing their work up-close and in person! Holy #$%@”. Yep, that’s what it sounded like inside of my head, all night long. 1. Ben Skinner, 2. Vincent Pacheco, 3. Aaron Moran, 4. Erin M. Riley, 5. Russell Leng, 6. Zoe Pawlak… and the list could literally go on and on. There were also a truck load of artists that I’ve never written about before who I now love, have seen their work up-close and in person, and will be writing about in the very near future. Like tomorrow.

{ps. I was lucky enough to have two of my pieces in the show, and they both sold! Yay/phew.}

Come on, paint a cigarette… all of the cool kids are doing it. I have never smoked a cigarette in my life  – ok, once at a bar in Belgium when I was 18 – it did not go well. I’m hoping things go a little smoother tonight at The Cheaper Show preview party when I find myself up-close and personal with the work of Seattle based artist Vincent Pacheco {aka Mudchicken, and the founder of WAFA!?!} I wrote about him last year, and have been insanely jealous ever since… obviously you can imagine my delight when I was doing a final perusal through the list of 200 Cheaper Show artists, and there he was. I’m not sure if he’ll be at the show, but if he is, let’s hope I don’t cough, choke and tear up!

{The Cheaper Show officially opens on Saturday night at 6pm… 200 artists, 400 pieces of art, everything priced at $200. Get there early… and I mean really early!}

Yes. I want everything in my home upholstered in this kitty bud fabric. Ok, you’re right, that might be overkill, but I’m definitely going to need a couple of throw pillows… oh, and maybe a jaunty summer dress! Now, just to be clear, Toronto based artist Melinda Josie does paint lots of other things besides cats, but come on… these textiles, and obviously the kittenwillows, are fantastic!

{via ML4U}

Thick, icing-like paint in perfectly picked hues… yep, I’m completely smitten with these blossoms, pretty girls, and lovely legs that seem to have been painted so effortlessly by American artist Ruth Shively.

{via Poppytalk}

I like to imagine that all four of these lovely, yet slightly disturbing, little paintings by Nadja Helena are from one narrative… you know, something like a haunted tea party with sweet two-headed guests, that ultimately ends in a tragic puddle drowning while a solitary panda provides a quiet, sort of plinky-plinky, soundtrack to the whole affair. Yep, that’s exactly what I’m imagining right at this very moment.

{via Brown Paper Bag}

I’m sure you all remember that I went to Alt Summit this past January {you should… I couldn’t stop talking about it!} Anyway, on that life-changing trip I met some amazing people, two of whom happen to be the founders of cargoh, a curated online marketplace for indie designers/artists. Well, as of today, cargoh is new & improved, with even more fab features to help you buy and sell beautiful things. Here are a few of my favorite items… and yes, I realize that I have a bit of a feather theme happening. I was even going to throw a feather pendant in there, but I couldn’t not show that nerdy little eyeglass necklace!  Happy shopping, and congratulations to the whole cargoh team! xo

{1. wood earrings ~ billy would 2. spray painted owl ~ indigo 3. eyeglass necklace ~ giftgirls 4. embroidered bird girl ~ cindy steiler}

Lots of lovely shows happening in June!

1. The beautifully odd photographs of Ranee Palone Flynn are now showing at Peter Hay Halpert Fine Art in New York… but hurry, because the show ends on Saturday, June 18th!

2. Ahh, the fabulous urban quilts of Amy Ahlstrom. The show is on now, and the reception is happening this Thursday June 16th at a.Muse Gallery in San Francisco.

3. Perfect for the beginning of summer! Samantha French’s paintings will be in a group show at 801 Artists Lofts in Minneapolis.

4. The Cheaper Show No.10 is a crazy, fun, artsy one night event on Saturday June 25th in Vancouver. 200 artists, 400 pieces of art, all for $200. Seriously. Get there early!

5. Pieces of the Moon, Photographs by Mikael Kennedy opens on Thursday June 30th at Catalog Gallery in Vancouver. Yes, a little bit of shameless self-promotion, but I’m so proud of this show! Hope to see you there : )