Shavings Portraits

These are just su fun.. and would make some awesome wall art if framed and enlarged.

Pencil shavings by Kyle Bean for Wallpaper Handmade 2011

Paper Cut

This artist profile is unfortunately not of a friend of mine, but of someone I came across in my everyday research of all things cool and fantastic. Jeff Nishinaka is a paper artist, and if you're thinking papier mache or origami, think again. His process is so unique and his final results so clean, pure and beautiful they really stuck with me.

Before all you environmentalists out there get the wrong idea I will say that Jeff only uses recycled paper, vegetable-based inks and recycles as much as he can.

Jeff has worked with Coca-Cola, Penn State and Universal Pictures who used his paper sculptures in their displays.

To see Jeff's process in creating these works of art and to check out his final result for the Lexus launch of their CT Hybrid visit this short interview with Jeff Nishinaka.

ixxi mad

Just when I was running out of ideas for a post, along came ixxi. Ixxi is a modular connecting system made from small panels, x's and i's which you can personalize any way you want. It's a pretty simple idea with a very, very cool impact. http://www.ixxi.nu/

These are just a few examples, as really imagination is the only limit of what you can put up there. Also, it is not limited to a flat surface, you can create spaces with them, as the following, very cool image shows.

Prints & Paintings

It is time for my second artist spread. Scott Parker is a close friend who moved to Santa Fe, NM a few years ago to pursue a friendlier crowd than us thankless New Yorkers. His block prints, paintings and pastels are directly taken from his wonderful travels around the world. As my husband likes to say, Scott's the guy who caught a fish in every single national park. I like to say, Scott's the guy who has captured nature (and everything in-between) in every corner of this expansive country and brought it to us city dwellers. Here are a few of my favorites (aside those that are hanging on my wall).

Apres Moo

Glade

Northwoods

Valley

Denver Botanical Gardens

Enter Manhattan Bridge

If you can't get away from your cubicle as much as you'd like, take a look and live vicariously through the eyes of someone who has kayaked with whales. Scott's entire work is available to view and purchase on his website www.scottwparker.com.

Surf's Up

I am blessed to have quite a few friends who are themselves blessed with sheer artistic talent. I love their work, their aesthetic and their interpretation of life. As Thanksgiving has just passed to give way to Christmas and the holidays, and these being times to stop and think about all you have, I decided to give thanks for friends (and family but we are not so artistic) by giving them center stage on my blog.

My first 'crush' is Brown Cannon III. Brown is a brilliant photographer and surfer who travels the world to capture it through a lens. His photographs are worth a look. www.browncannon3.com but his one project I am still not quite over is his surf board one, they literally give me shivers when I look at them. Take a look and you'll understand why.

Selection of boards

Stinger

Balsa Wave Farmer

Balsa Free Range Egg

Early 60's Pig

V-Bottom

You need something to be a conversation piece, make a statement or just look stunning on a wall? This is it.

A trip to the optometrist

While waiting to take my daughter to have her eyes checked I noticed these cards on the shelf among the leaflets. I originally thought they were actual eye charts, but it turns out they were merely disguising as such. Their message made me smile and the patterns made me get up to have a closer look.

"I'm walking on sunshine" Acrylic paint and vintage wallpaper on canvas. By Peter Tunney

"We live in a beautiful world" Acrylic paint and vintage wallpaper on canvas. By Peter Tunney 

Cartoon Art

I stumbled upon the cartoon artist Robert Marble while watching a TV show (which will remain undisclosed) and loved his lighthearted animals and drawings. Perfect for a kid's room, bathroom, office or wherever you want really. 

This is a small sample, his "Office" print, which I found appropriate for this particular blog. But check out the rest on his website http://www.robertmarblehumorousartwork.com/. I find the penguins particularly endearing.