If it’s possible, Canadian artist Susannah Montague, has taken Dutch vanitas to an entirely new and disturbing level! I’ve written about Susannah a few times already {plus, she’s one of the artists featured in my upcoming book}, so I happen to know that a lot of her work revolves around her twins and the struggle she faced trying to bring them into the world. Her detailed, meaning-packed work is stunning, but even more so in person… AND if you happen to live anywhere near Calgary Alberta you could see these bizarre, flower-covered delights this weekend! Her latest show, titled “Lucid Dreams” , opens this Saturday {March 16, from 2-4 pm} at Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art. Here is Susannah’s statement about the show:

“… The inspiration comes from mysticism and esotericism which touches on daydreams and the fantastical elements that haunt our nights. Within the eerie beauty of these ceramic sculptures is an exploration of the intersection between dreams and reality – at the same time, fusing innocence and corruption in the flowers, dolls, lizards, toys and skulls that fervidly explode in these contemporary baroque compositions, asking us to revel in the beauty of the absurd.”

I have to share a story Susannah told me about the final piece above … “The piece with the gold halo is my daughter. She was born “unresponsive”. The necklace – with the arms – is from Mexican religious iconography which symbolizes “embrace and touch”, because after 36 hours of labour, I fought to keep my twins together, close with me and out of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by doing “Kangaroo care”. The artichoke at the core has a heart, symbolizing love – and, throughout history, artichokes have represented hope, peace and a successful future.”   I’m not crying, you’re crying. A beautiful story from a beautiful person {And, I’ve met her twins. They are creative, kind and amazing … just like their mama.} 

*photos by Lilly Louise Photography

“Uncommon Thread” is my latest curatorial endeavor, and I could not be more proud! Soft sculpture made with thread, embroidered thread, paintings with thread, paintings of thread, and knitted thread… just kidding, that’s knitted GLASS. I mean, come on! Here’s my curatorial statement:

Thread – an everyday, utilitarian, domestic material – until you put it into the skillful hands of these artists. Winding, tying, twisting and stitching its way through the work of all seven featured artists, this is in fact the common thread that ties their work together. However, there is nothing common about the way these women manipulate their materials of choice, and their reasons behind the work itself. Paint, glass, ink and – yes – actual thread will be on display, resulting in a very uncommon group show. UNCOMMON THREAD features artists from Seattle to New York, Los Angeles to small town Canada.

The show is now open at bG Gallery in Santa Monica, but the opening reception is this coming Saturday March 16th 6 – 9pm. Go, be amazed, buy art. Thank you to bG for inviting me to do this, and thanks to these seven wonderful artists for participating : {the order above} Natalie Baxter, Sarah Detweiler, Nike Schroeder, Lindsay Arnold, Ellen Schinderman, Michelle Kingdom, and Carol Milne.

Marshmallow-like dots and green lettering that I desperately want to touch. Speaking of which: “beyondthebrittletownsasleep”  “hereandnownotforever”   “imayimightimust”   “idespair”   “nevereinthefieldofhumankindness” … there, now you don’t have to squint/guess what they say! These amazing ceramic wonders are the work of Australian artist Glenn Barkley. I was already so impressed by his work, but then I read his bio:

“Glenn Barkley is an artist, writer, curator and gardener based in Sydney and Berry NSW, Australia. His work operates in the space between these interests drawing upon ceramics deep history, to popular song, the garden and conversations about art and the internet. He was previously senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (2008–14) and curator of the University of Wollongong Art Collection (1996–2007).”

impressiveandinspiring.

“Thursday’s Drawing Class Had Run Its Course”, and, “Roger Worried That His Hair Style Was Out of Fashion”… So. Good! I always love whatever LA based artist Kelly Puissegur does, but these two? Oh, YES. Kelly created these for a curated collection on Saatchi Art, titled “Refuse To Be The Muse”, in honor of International Women’s Day. Nailed it. 🔥

psst… Kelly happens to be one of the 75 female artists featured in my book, “A BIG IMPORTANT ART BOOK – Now With Women” , which is also very appropriate for today!

Ah, the stunning work of Rome based artist Micaela Lattanzio. All of these images are from her ongoing Fragmenta series, but these ones are extra special because they’re part of her latest solo show. Fragmenta – A Journey Beyond the Body, opens this Friday, March 8th at 6:30pm at Galleria Ca’ d’Oro in New York {179 10th Ave.}. Sigh, can you imagine seeing these fractured beauties in person? Go if you can!

“Reading Between the Lines” {Looz, Limburg, Belgium, 2011} This is the breathtaking work of Belgian architects, Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh. Their collaborative projects beautifully blur the line between architecture and art, “their primary concerns are experiment, reflection, a physical involvement with the end result and the input of the viewer.” I could definitely do a little reflecting in this amazing space.

{via This Is Paper}

I always wondered what was in those old, falling down buildings… famous works of art! This is the beautifully painted / brilliant work of Scottish born, London based painter Andrew McIntosh. All of these gorgeous paintings are part of his latest show, titled ‘I Saw This Coming’, that opens this Thursday. And, as artists, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the description:

It’s the first full week in March! Okay, fine, I know it’s not the first day of spring, but at least we’re in March now… I’m hoping the flower and bird filled collage work of American artist Vivienne Strauss will help move things along. Hilarious and beautifully made… perfect combo. Happy Monday.

{Vivienne’s work – both prints and originals – available in her shop.}

Yep, I feel like that gal in the middle right now! A gorgeous collage show is opening this weekend at Hashimoto Contemporary in San Francisco. “Lizzie Gill + Hope Kroll: Fragmented Memories” opens tomorrow, Saturday March 2, from 6 till 8pm. Here’s the curatorial statement:

“Fragmented Memories” : two artists with distinct approaches to collage were brought together in order to consider not only the varying techniques utilized within the medium, but also overlapping themes. The contemplation of memory, the past and the incorporation of vintage ephemera create unifying elements in Lizzie Gill and Hope Kroll’s work, calling to question how we recall the past, as well as the ability to create something new, transforming our own sense of memory. ~ Jennifer Rizzo, Curator

If you’re in the Bay Area, you should go! ps. Lizzie and Hope will both be there. 

Be still my collage-loving heart! Look at those perfectly matched lines and shapes… gorgeous. (un)intentional cuts is a collage series by Lithuanian artist Ieva Sliziute, and here are her words about this work:

(un)intentional cuts is a personal project of analog collages, designed by visual coincidences. This assemblage technique paired with creative intuition merges images found in fashion magazines into new scenarios, where everything is seamlessly interconnected through either shape, colour or context. Becoming an extension of each other, all photos are removed from their original stories and layered in unexpected ways to both celebrate the aesthetics of contemporary collage and provide a new contextual setting for visual material.