I was already so  jealous of Gary Taxali‘s work, but now I’m even more jealous because his first solo show in New York, “Hindi Love Song”, is opening tonight at the Jonathan Levine Gallery. If you’re jealous of Gary too, there’s an exclusive interview with him in Juxtapoz Magazine about his work, his process and this new show.

The woodgrain + the colour palette + the weirdness = why I love Toronto artist Derrick Hodgson’s silkscreened wooden characters. He has lots of paintings of these guys too, but I like the sculptural-ness (is that a word?) of the figures… all of whom have names by the way.

His work can also be seen, and bought, at Magic Pony. And if you want even more, there’s a good interview with Derrick online at Format Magazine.

Domestic imagery pulls me in every time – simple & sweet at first glance, but below the surface there always seems to be a hint of something dirty going on… or is that just me? Anyway, add a bit of a traditionally domestic technique (ie embroidery), like Lisa Solomon has in both of these pieces, and I’m sold.

~watercolour, acrylic and embroidery thread on duralar

Australia’s Ann Newmarch did this screenprint in 1975. Thirty three years later I saw it in WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It was easily my favourite piece in the show. I have to admit though, as much as I can appreciate the meaning behind the work, it was those purple panties that got me.

If Art met Craft, through online dating or something, ended up falling in love and getting married, this would be their baby. Knitted graffiti. Seriously, how awesome is this? A bus cozy. You’ve had a way to keep your tea warm for years and now, finally, your local abandoned eyesore can have the same privilege, thanks to Magda Sayeg and her crew at Knitta Please.

That’s it, first thing Monday morning I’m signing up for a ceramics class.

I don’t know if I’m more jealous of Wendy Walgate’s beautiful 3D pieces or the fact that she’s got her own studio in Toronto’s historic/artsy Distillery District where she can focus on her work full time. She’s probably in there right now making another turquoise baby head…

[You can also see more of her work at the Ferrin Gallery]

Cute & Creepy. I’m beginning to discover that that’s one of my favorite combos. Leslie Supnet certainly achieves a fine balance in this piece… cute bear, cute little elf people… that appear to be really drunk and are one by one being taken away and locked up by the cute bear? Hm.

…G is for Greg Lamarche

H is for http://www.greglamarche.com/home.htm

I is for Inspired

J is for Jealous… and so on… you get the idea.

Jonthan Burton is a British illustrator – drawing and mixed media. Both are great, but it’s his mixed media pieces that make me wish that I had thought of creating an image using a nude woman wearing a bunny hat, a sheep and a banana.

I couldn’t decide between this, and a sea lion parade balloon. The red mary janes pushed this one into the lead though… and the jaunty bow around the polar bear’s neck didn’t hurt either. You can find the sea lion, among other great pieces, at Jennifer Davis‘ site. And if that’s not enough for you, you can check out Davis’ blog to see her most recent work.