For the Birds: Luke Bartels & Jeff Canham

"Adorable" doesn't even come close to an accurate description of these handmade wooden birdhouses by San Francisco duo Luke Bartels & Jeff Canham. Admittedly, a bit pricey at $675 each at the Curiosity Shoppe, but if you don't mind shelling out the bucks, these little spaces have got to be the cutest avian nooks of the century. Unique design oozes from every clever quip painstakingly painted upon the collection; clean lines meet with tchotchke humor, and I can't imagine a more wonderful place to fly into and shake the dust of my wings every night!







How can I pick a favorite?! Whatever you do, please don't make me choose!!

Alexis Mackenzie

Usually I don't like to just completely re-post an email I've gotten, but Fecal Face is such a repeat offender of awesome shows that it is sometimes difficult. Their studio visits are always a fantastic glimpse into the minds of the young movers and shakers in American art; Alexis Mackenzie is the latest of the lucky featured. I wasn't familiar with her work, but the exquisite details and floral facets weave together in beautiful pieces on paper. Her hodgepodge ideas can be seen here, along with the rest of her studio.

Her show at Park Life opens June 26th - July 27th in San Francisco, so be sure to stop by the opening reception on June 26th at 7 pm to get the first look at what is shaping up to be an amazing show.

Ryan McClennan

Ryan McClennan is an artist from Richmond who's making big strides in the art world today. The first exposure I had to his work was his cover of RVAMag a year or so ago when he was promoting an in-town show, but now he's moved on past lil' ol' RVA! He's been featured on Tiny Showcase a few times already, and who knows what else he's got his fingers in. His intricate illustrations of nature beautifies the violence and intensity in a world we can't fully immerse ourselves in.

Check out his site and tinyshowcase to see more of his work.

RISD works

My sister emailed this to me, and I fell in love instantly. Seriously, tell me this isn't the freaking cutest thing ever. A totally whimsical touch that is sure to brighten even the gloomiest of mornings.

It's even better because it's part of RISD Works, the Rhode Island School of Design store created and run by RISD faculty and alumni. A great opportunity to get really cute stuff for good prices, and a guarantee that this isn't mass produced garbage. This is straight from the minds of innovators dedicated to passing along creativity and inspiration to continuous generations. "Calf & Half" is the brainchild of Liz Goulet Dubois, who declared that "toys are her true medium", which makes her a woman after my own heart. I'll sign off using RISD's tagline, "It's udderly irresistible!"

the one that i hope won't get away

Please. Someone. Anyone. Pretty pretty please with sugar on top.

day of the dead

I like Day of the Dead stuff. I like bunnies. I like drawing. This little number is just a weird take on things. I think it has promise.

updatez

today is my second to last critique of college. once i get through my painting crit on thursday, i am HOME FREE. this rules.
in the design world, New York Design Week is in 2 weeks, and Core77 has put together a schedule that is blowing my mind. I wish i could make it up there for all the festivities, but maybe next time.


I AM A BAT.

tomorrow

as of tomorrow i'm 23. this shouldn't come as a surprise, but i guess it's sneaking up on me. i have had older friends for many years and i guess i never thought of them as "old", but i still remember being 18 and thinking that was the shit. THAT WAS 5 YEARS AGO. FIVE. time seems to slip away and i suppose i'm starting to realize that. the last 2 years have been amazing, the best of my life, so i'm hoping to continue that trend. it seems pretty feasible.

still a child at heart.

DINOSAUR LAND.

SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE.

DINOSAUR LAND

i'm needing this.

I need a bulldog puppy in my life.

weird stuff

Here's some pictures that I took at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. a few months ago. I like octopii.