Square Peg, Your Curator

Happy Monday dear readers!  I am feeling particularly well this morning, and hope you are as well.  I had a great weekend, and have been out for a walk.  This is my kind of weather.  As you know, I see colors, shapes and patterns everywhere I go.  It's a gift....and sometimes a curse as my mind is oftentimes too active and doesn't allow me to rest.  Not a complaint really, I am grateful for the way I see beauty everywhere.

Today beauty is all about squares.  I'm Square Peg, Your Curator.  Hope you enjoy!

Umm.  I need this bracelet.  Designer unknown.  Please contact me if you know the designer.   For similar bracelet, see 80s Purple.

 

As you know, I totally gotta girl crush going for Nicki the Shizzz.

Photographer extraordinaire, Halim Ina, vicariously meets my need for travel.  I need a print of this photo. Love shots of hands.  Turkish man holding vintage tobacco box.  Hmm.  Always wanted to travel to Turkey. Don't use tobacco, but would display this box proudly.

Look at this fab wall light from ferm LIVING!  Drool. So gorgeous and geometrical!  My favorite - shapes and colors.  Also some organic thrown in there.  Would like great in an industrial loft or a mid century modern home.

Image by Peggy

I was so inspired by the ferm LIVING lamp, I thought I'd put together some bright colors in geometric shapes.  Lately, I want to make everything I see into lamps....and I just might.  :)

The beautiful Sade.  Perfect music for a gray, mellow day.  This screen capture from YouTube.

I've been in deep prayer and meditation for the last couple of weeks, and the gifts I've received are many. I know some think me crazy, but I'm in love with everything and everyone.  I see beauty everywhere.  And if this is madness, then I am mad.

Square Peg, your curator, Vol. III

Hello dear readers! Square Peg, your curator, is here to offer another online gallery tour. Today's show is entitled, "Faceless." I am not sure why, but I have always been fascinated by paintings of faceless humans. Perhaps it's the mystery. And mystery is very romantic. Have a look at some wonderful faceless paintings.

Flickr user jjlcooterpie.

Tran Quoc Dat via art-in-heart. I love how the ladies in this painting seem to float. If you are lover of Vietnamese art, you will love art-in-heart. The site is very addictive, there is one beautiful painting after another.

I love this painting! So romantic. It looks like the couple is walking in the rain. There is a spiritual quality to this one, this couple is in their own world. Alone and together. Angel D'Amico.

Beautiful earthy goddess. Stunning paintings by Laura Carter. Laura's Etsy shop is here. Her blog is here.

Here is art at its best, because of its limitless possibilities. Intriguing piece entitled "Conversation" by Etsy shop owner JBEREMAN2009. I've always been fascinated by pieces where the bulk of the story takes place outside of the canvas borders. The ambiguity of this piece instantly pulls you in and forces you to use your imagination. What is going on here? Perhaps these are two friends - comfortable with each other - speaking quietly in a corner with a party going on around them. Perhaps these are two beings on a parallel universe - maybe ghosts - and there is an unseen human between them. If I return to substitute teaching I'd like to use this piece in an assignment. It would be a great exercise in perception to have the students write a story about what is going on here.

I'd like to start sneaking some of my own work into my gallery shows. I know it probably seems egotistical, but I enjoy seeing my work among the work of other artists who I admire. It seems to gain strength. These are couple of my photos. I enjoy photographing faceless mannequins, and enjoy reflections.

Lastly, as you know, any show I curate must have sculptural pieces. When I attend an art show, I am always taken with a desire to touch the pieces. I've always wanted to come up with a way to make a show interactive and tactile. I think it would be cool to have faceless busts on acrylic cubes. Pretty boxes can be placed next to the busts, in the boxes are wigs, glasses, necklaces and scarves so that attendees can play with dressing them. This would be a good way to examine adornment's role in emphasizing facelessness.

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I hope you have enjoyed this online gallery. If you'd like to see more faceless art, please see my flickr gallery entitled "faceless (sort of)." This gallery is in process and touches on issues of being silenced and invisibility. Thanks for visiting! xxoo

Square Peg, Your Curator, Vol. V

Welcome to my online gallery.  I'm Square Peg, Your Curator, and I've got a very exciting show lined up today.  You are already familiar with my love of street art.  I love the idea of a public, open gallery, where everyone is invited to express and view creativity.  I have fantasies of an entire city being a gallery.  Today I am featuring art which is influenced by this visionary art scene.  All of the art featured is fresh, graphic and edgy, just like art should be.  Art should stretch your comfort zone, it should encourage you to look at things in a different way and to consider things you might miss.  And it can be pretty while doing so, as these works prove.  Hope you enjoy!

Stencils have become increasingly intricate, this is a skill I'd like to master.  I dig 'em.  I want this work by Rex and Poppy.

Another beautiful use of stencil.  Love it combined with the clean lines.  I adore simple, minimal works.  As you know simple is not easy.  This painting took some skill and a steady hand.  When the street is your gallery, you must set aside fear, paint quickly and learn to paint with a steady hand.  Painting by Tayac.

Update:  I received a kind email from Tayac.  I love hearing from the artists I support!  The link to his website is here.  It's fairly new, but looks like he's involved in some interesting work.

The public nature of street art allows some of these talented artists to gain worldwide recognition.  The very exciting movement in art toys (also called urban vinyl, which I've written about a lot on this blog), brings these works to life.  kaNO kid is one of those artists who has become very recognizable and has toys produced of his work.  I'm gonna let you in on a secret.  All artists want this kind of fame, but they might not admit it.  We want our art to be seen by the whole world.

I dig the work of Erin Crawford.  Sensual, otherworldly and psychedelic.  Is it just me, or do these groovy paintings remind you of Barbarella?  Love her use of color as well.  Her Etsy shop is here.  She has a really cool web site too, which is here.  I'd like to commission her to do a painting of Goldie Hawn wearing go-go boots.

I like art that is beautiful, and a little creepy too.  This type of art is inexplicably compelling.  It repels and attracts at the same time.  This artist is successfully communicating a deepness of thought.  The woman in the painting is preoccupied by her dissatisfaction, yearning and melancholy.  I think women can identify with this work, because these are feelings that are all too familiar.  Constant yearning is the state of contemporary woman.  The artist has communicated these feelings in a gentle and romantic way.  This is a painting I would proudly hang in my home.  Painting by Melanie Shewchuck.

I dig an urban montage.  Fab.  ByHandClothing. 

Painting by Robert Comire. I find this work extremely compelling.  The industrial laundry, now a ghost in a post-industrial age.  Floating on an island.  Post-industrial themes are often present in my photographic work.  In fact this piece speaks to me, as it reminds me of one of my photos (click here if interested).  I think I need to turn some of my photos into paintings.  My next series of paintings will be heavily influenced by street and urban art.  I have so many ideas I need like a million dollars to buy canvas, paint and brushes.  And oh yeah, time.  There's never enough time.  

If you liked this series, be sure to check out my my series on Chick Art.

Square Peg, Your Curator: Abstract Paintings

I'm Square Peg, Your Curator. Today I have a special treat for visitors of my online gallery.  We are going to examine abstract paintings.  I dearly love abstracts, it is fascinating to see what the human spirit is compelled to create.  For me there is no greater joy than putting paint on a canvas. I'm currently unable to paint due to allergies.  But back in the day I'd turn the music up, go into a trance state and let the canvas speak to me. Time would stand still.  But just because I can't paint at the moment, doesn't mean I can't admire art.  I've chosen a few beautiful abstracts to share.  Each one visionary in its own way.  They are poetry, even meditational.  I could sit and contemplate the forms, colors and strokes for hours.  Hope you enjoy.

Vesna Antic

I dearly love this painting.  Though the shapes are a bit brutal, the painting comes across soft. Quite an accomplishment, not as easy as it looks.  And look at the way the artist coaxes the light out of the canvas.  Amazing.  I'd love to have this work in my collection.

Belinda Marshall via LEIF.

I love the softness of this one.  And those colors.  Divine.

Above three paintings by Jaime Derringer 

Jaime is one of the writers of the popular blog, Design Milk.  I've followed Design Milk for a long time, and I am astounded how Jaime's artistic talent has grown.  I'm especially jealous of the painting with the large amount of yellow.  Wish I'd painted that.  Again, it might look simple, but it's not easy.  Try to paint with the innocence of a child, it's not easy.  It amazes me when an artist can capture that childlike innocence.

Above two paintings by Laura Letchinger

I love the organic shapes in these two works.

Ella Carty

Chris Mundwiller

Any of these pieces would work well in an industrial loft.  I dream of an all white loft and large paintings.

Above two paintings by Cristina B Studio

It fascinates me how Christina was able to produce a light painting, and then almost its antithesis in the dark painting.  In both of these works she has successfully captured that childlike quality I described above.

Square Peg, your curator

Dear readers, I am a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. I admit it, I'm a sensitive soul, but I'm no longer ashamed of that fact. The stress of corporate America is overwhelming me. I find solace in paint and canvas. Unfortunately, I only have time to paint on the weekends. Sometimes the longing for a brush, paint and canvas are too much to bear. During those times, I obsess about color and the work of artists I enjoy.

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Thank you for visiting my online gallery, today I have curated a special show for you. Each of these artists' work is aesthetically pleasing. I would be proud to display any of these works in my home. Hope you enjoy!

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Have you ever wondered who creates the the soft, ephemeral paintings in Frank Roop's lovely rooms? Wonder no longer. It's Bernd Haussan.

Beautiful organic work by Christina Narwicz.

Beautiful combination of bold color, white and simple shapes. Love it. I found this image on Apartment Therapy. Please contact me if you know the artist.

Sensual painting perfect for a bedroom. Looks great with the dark wall. Reminds me of an vintage Hindu print (see copy of print here). Bo Bedre via Desire to Inspire. Again, if you know the artist, please contact me.



Paintings by Justin Tolentino. These works are a fascinating study in dichotomy. Simple, yet complex. Strong, yet soft. Bold strokes juxtaposed with the soft hues. Intensely sensual, these brave works embrace elements of femininity and masculinity. Okay, enough of the pretentious, pithy words, I simply dig 'em. Great work, and affordable too. Snatch these up, I am sure this artist will soon be featured in shelter mags. Is it Friday yet?

Square Peg, your curator, hosts the Edge

Dear readers, I dream of owning a gallery. I dream of shows I'd like to curate. Shows of contemporary artists, illustrators and painters. Here are the elements I'd like to display in such a show:

1. Artists' sketchbooks. (I adore this peek into the private thoughts of artists).

2. Videos of collaborative works.

3. Cuting-edge graffiti artists, juxtaposed with -

4. Sweet works.

5. Tactile works - I'd like to display urban vinyl toys as sculpture, on acrylic cubes.

Why dream? I do have a gallery! Welcome to my e-gallery! I am Square Peg, your curator, and I have curated a special show for you today. The show is entitled, "Edge." Here is a peak into the heart of artists, who create simply because they must.

1. Artist's sketchbook. I adore the sketchbooks of Darick Ritter. More of his sketchbooks can be seen on his blog, Lumi 9 News.

2. Video of collab work. This video features two of my favorite artists collaborating! Tara McPherson and Buff Monster. This work was created at Art Basel Miami 2009. The painting they create is amazing!

3. Cutting edge graffiti-inspired works. These paintings by TEF Studio fit the bill perfectly. Just the right amount of cute and creepy.

4. Something sweet. Love these new works by Julie West. Nobody does faces better.

More sweet. I can't get over the lush, mystical work of Sam Flores. His sensual, surreal worlds pull me in and keep me there. I can almost hear the sweet chirps of the birds.

5. Sculptural elements. Fatima by Sam Flores, image via Highsnobiety. Treedweller by Nathan Jurevicius, probably my favorite vinyl toy of all time.

Any good show should always have a couple of extras. There should always be a nod to the omnipresent influence of Picasso as well as a perfectly-executed abstract, both of these elements are provided by the lovely and talented Jessica Torent.

I hope you have enjoyed this view into the Edge. Stay tuned for more virtual gallery shows.