Washy, colourful figures, intermingled with ridiculously recognizable brand icons. Surely, after spending years in the world of advertising, I should have been able to think of something like this. But I didn’t. Damn. Well, not only did Swedish artist Alexandra Hedberg think of something like this, she also got out her brushes, sat down, and executed the final pieces beautifully… did I already say damn?

{I read about Alexandra’s current show on Camilla Engman’s blog yesterday morning. I was instantly smitten, especially by Alice and her tiny puma… oh excuse me, Puma™.}

In the second year of my undergrad, our painting teacher gave us an assignment. ‘You have one week to make a humorous painting’ he said nonchalantly. Huh? Until that moment I hadn’t painted much more than a few nudes and the odd still-life, and I had no idea how to make either of those things funny {although now I could think of a few ways, but I digress}. So being a totally literal 19 year old I did my best… which was awful. Now, had the dynamic art team of Michael Dumontier & Neil Farber been in my class I’m quite sure that they would have aced this assignment. A knitting monkey? A ‘batshit crazy’ girl reading a psychology book? I’m telling you, that’s A+ material right there!

These photographs are from a series, titled Women, by Toronto based photographer Daryl Banks. I chose my favourite four, and then played with the order I wanted to show them in. Maybe it’s because they look so much like film stills, but as the order changed, so did the narrative. It was almost like reading one of those ‘choose your own adventure’ books from childhood… of course with the one glaring difference being all of the topless women. I wasn’t allowed to read that kind of adventure book.

Well, my birthday might be over, but I could definitely go for a piece of this rich & gooey chocolate cake by Claire Grill… and I have to say, whatever it is inside of that beautifully painted mountain is looking pretty good too. My guess would be rainbow sorbet {or is that just a weekend of too many sweets talking? Yeah, maybe.}

So, today is my birthday, and what better way to celebrate than curating the ultimate birthday show for myself! A special location, great music, a delicious menu, VIP guests and a short list of gifts I’d like sent to my home {What? It’s my special day… I can make a fantasy gift list if I want to!}

It’s my party, and you’re invited…

If you love pop art, then you really have no choice but to love this work by The Design Conspiracy {a graphic design shop from London}, because these stunning screen prints literally are ‘pop’ art. Every single one of these bottle caps reminds me of being a kid… I can almost taste the ‘Imitation Black Cherry Soda’ right now. Yum. I’m sure Andy would be very impressed, and probably in the mood for an ice cold soda pop.

{Unfortunately, I can’t help you buy a cream soda at this very moment, but I can send you to Keep Calm Gallery to buy one of these prints at this very moment. Ahhh, so refreshing!}

{via Poppytalk}

Today’s bizarre collages are brought to you by Japanese artist Toshiaki Uchida. Clearly, I cannot get enough weird mixed media. Deer heads, women made of hair, ladies swinging from rainbows… quite simply, I love it all.

{via crisaris}

I don’t know where to look first… Ooh, the giant panda clown! Oh, wait maybe that lady with a poppy for a head? {…is that a poppy?} Or maybe I’ll start with the kids interlocked in some kind of retro stretch below a giant owl and handful of huge strawberries. Ok, I could start just about anywhere, and then allow myself to spend a ridiculous amount of time exploring these collages by British designer/illustrator/artist Ciara Phelan… um, hang on a minute, is that guy holding a giant tuna fish over his head?

I don’t know if I’m hungry, or slightly grossed-out? Oh well, either way I end up jealous of photographer Jeff Vespa, and here’s detailed list to explain why:

1) His work has appeared in LIFE, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Rolling Stone, GQ… you get the idea.  2) He is the official photographer for the Sundance and Toronto Film festivals, taking portraits of every fancy celebrity that shows up.  3) In 2008 he made a short film called Nosebleed starring David Arquette that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.  4) He shot, and probably ate, all of the burgers shown above. Mmm.

{Some of his work, I’m assuming these burgers, will be shown in Palate at Scion Space, May 22nd – June 12 in Culver City California. Bon Appetit!}

I seem to have a portrait theme going this week, so I’ll just roll with it… although, does the back of someone’s head count as a portrait?  These beautifully layered photographs are from a series titled Inside the View by British artist Helen Sear. The landscape and the portrait are taken at different times, at different locations and then superimposed over each other. Through a technique {that I don’t even pretend to understand} she hand-draws/digitally erases parts of the image, revealing the other underneath. I don’t know how she does it, but the final result is lovely… almost like a delicate veil over the entire photograph.

{Helen currently has a new show titled ‘Beyond The View’, featuring work similar to the pieces shown above, at the KLOMPCHING GALLERY in Brooklyn until June 11th. There is an artist reception next Thursday, May 13th from 6 ~ 8pm}