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, 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.

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?