Um, I need that giant golden triangle hovering over that vintage lake. Not want… NEEEEEEED! Vintage landscapes, big cut-away gold shapes, and a few old cars?! Yep, this work, by Canadian artist Amy Alice Thompson, has everything I love. Each piece is fantastic, but I love the shots that show the work on the walls together. What a beautiful grouping… like a camping trip from the 70s that has been dropped into the future… a geometric, golden future! Love.

Are you suddenly feeling ridiculously nostalgic? Yep, the work of American painter Kirsten Tradowsky has that effect on me too! Oh, I’d love my weekend include an Easter egg hunt, a sleepover at my best friend’s house, and then a ride home in the back of her parents’ station wagon {no seat belts required, of course. #1975}.

Happy weekend to you ~ see you on Monday!

Now that is a lot of Jackie O. … and I love it! American artist Aaron Skolnick clearly has a thing for the former first lady and has used paint, mylar, colored pencils, graphite, paper, and thread to show his love. When I asked him “Why Jackie O?”, this was his answer:

I was very interested in the affect of the JFK Assassination and felt that Jackie was the final affect of that moment. I was also interested in her stoic nature and how she held herself together in front of the nation. It became an obsession that I couldn’t quit.

And I’m so glad that he didn’t.

Simple black & white photography + the perfect pull of a palette knife = gorgeous results! This is the work of Finnish artist Nanna Hänninen, and I have to admit I am completely smitten. Her color choices are stunning, and that pulled paint almost looks like flames burning those elegant B&W images. Sigh. Love.

Is it any wonder that “joy” is her middle name?! Australian artist Amy Joy Watson creates the most beautiful sculptures… beautiful sculptures with balloons!!! Now, to be clear, she does make pieces that don’t have balloons in them – things like giant geometric bows, and “rainbow machines”… but for me, yep, it’s all about these candy-colored, helium-filled lovelies! Stunning, impeccably made, and so full of JOY!

If I told you that Australian artist Julian Meagher, used to be Australian doctor Julian Meagher, would you believe me? Well, you should, because it’s true! Yep, six years ago he traded his stethoscope for a paint brush and hasn’t looked back. Bottles, boxes, and orchids all painted in the most electric of pinks and blues… gah! I don’t know about you, but the second I saw these beauties, my heart skipped a beat… [insert doctor joke here]

Well, I thought I was still full from the holidays, but now I’m pretty sure I could make room for a bunch of fancy cheese & crackers… and maybe even some catfish paté. Or, maybe not.

I wrote about New Zealand born – UK based artist Joël Penkman‘s pretty ice cream bars and popsicles last spring, but was so excited to see these delectable treats from her new series {and book}, titled The Taste of America. Ok, you’re probably thinking, where are the hotdogs and sodas? Well yes, there are a few of those in the series {pickles too}, but the majority of the paintings are of delicious, beautifully packaged, gourmet food from around the USA… I mentioned the catfish paté, right? Hm, I might just stick with the wild beach plum jelly.

As I was working on this, I thought:

Question: “Do I really want my first full post of 2014 to feature naked, tattooed people?”

Answer: “HELL yes!”

This is the work of Portland based Emily Winfield Martin. All of her work is beautifully painted, and super sweet… with just a little more than a hint of weird. Yep, a perfect way to kick off a new year of artsy posts [insert moody girls in woodland sweaters here]

{fyi… her etsy shop, aka the black apple, is full of fantastic/affordable prints}

Yep, that’s on the top of my list for this brand new, fresh and shiny year… and you’re planning on doing the same, right?! I can’t wait to see what you make! xo

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

{This bit of painted inspiration brought to you by New York based artist Trey Speegle … and ps… he’s offering 25% off everything in his shop with free shipping over $100 through midnight on Feb 2. Use code: BYE13 & SHIP13}

Dear 2013,

This is our last day together, so I just wanted to say… you were amazing.

You were filled with art that was delicate, mysterious, funny, touching, strange, controversial, and breath-taking.

You were there when I finished my first book, and started on my second.

You took me to all sorts of lovely places like Salt Lake City, Chattanooga, Austin, LA, and Maui. {ps. In January, Stefan Sagmeister kissed me in SLC, so that was a pretty great way to kick off the year!}

You gave me the chance to guest write for lovely folks like Victoria Smith on sfgirlbybay, Emily Henderson, and Anthology Magazine.

You were the first year that I really gave my own artwork a shot… even if I resisted. A lot.

You were the year I spent settling into a new town, and home, with my amazing husband and super sweet little boy. We had twelve months of adventure ~ making new friends, swimming in the lake, fishing, jumping off docks, and eating more ice cream than three people should ever consume.

You were also the one that introduced me to so many lovely new friends {like Stephanie, Emily H, Ginny, Leah, Emily L, Samantha, Mark, Alyson, Melinda, & Diana}, and gave me time to visit with some really wonderful old friends {Autumn, Kathleen, Jessica, Mary-Jo, Janette, Melanie, Meleny, Christy, Janna & Jason, Kira … love you guys!}. AND there are so many more of you who I plan to catch up with in 2014… I’m talking to you Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, New York, Toronto and Vancouver friends! I might even make my way to Paris and London {fingers crossed!}

And finally, you did a pretty good job of teaching me how to slow down, so that I could truly enjoy everything along the way. Thanks. I needed that!

So, with that I’ll say bye bye, 2013. I can’t wait to meet your pal, 2014… I’m pretty excited to see what she’s got in store for all of us.

~ danielle xo

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you have an amazing, fun, safe night tonight! Thank you so much for being part of my little world, I appreciate it more than I could ever put into words.

Ok, are you ready? 2014. Let’s fill it up with creative genius… GO!

{1. Prospect Goods 2. Rachel Castle 3. CONFETTI SYSTEM 4. Max Wanger 5. ROTGANZEN}