Art Hound

I’m in love with Vanessa Skiles’ ceramic creations. They’re magical.

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Hobo ghost rubber stamp by nikoart. $5.

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Bau bau Bear Brooch by teconlene. $22.

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“Blossom pin” print by Mint Parcel. $6.

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My Egg & Soldiers by Takae Mizutani on Welcome Home. £19.50

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Bear coin purse by OneLittleRedFox. $28.89

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“Roundy: colored rays” print by Laura George. $20.

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Monty the Fox wool plush. $66.

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Ghost zip wallet by La Lisette. $40.

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“Mallow Roastin’ Mallow” print by nutandbee. $6.

Juri Ueda is another artist I discovered thanks to LA gallery Black Maria.  Ueda studied illustration in San Francisco and now lives in Osaka, Japan. Her work looks straight out of one of my favorite art book, Drop Dead Cute which features the work of some of Japan’s new leading female artists.

The book’s description could be aptly applied to Ueda’s work as it “combines the pop charge of Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara with a thrilling personal mixture of sweetness and power… blend(ing) aspects of manga, anime, and traditional art with their own idiosyncratic visions…”

This new wave of Japanese female artists has created a world that combines cartoons and fairy tales and mixes innocence and with emotional depth. At first glance this art may seem totally rosy and sweet but there is sadness, loneliness and heartbreak too.

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Juri sells prints and originals on her etsy shop.

Shaina Mote’s Garden Print Dress (via Moxsie) immediately reminded me of Saelee Oh‘s sweet paintings of animals in the forest. This particular painting is from Oh’s group show, I Know What You’re Thinking, from back in March 2009.

Portland-based “partners in crime,” Ashley G and Drew, recently opened a great show, All My Little Friends, at Art Star Gallery in Philly. You may remember my interview with Ashley on her amazing custom portraits back in October. If you’re a fan of their work, don’t miss this opportunity to scoop up some of their original designs. Much of the work is under $100 and everything is available online. What’s not to like?

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Check out the newest addition to my collection! It’s a print of Going to the Mountains by Daphne Cellophane aka Katie Milloy-Parry. As soon as I saw this cute little number I knew I loved it, but I debated buying it anyway because I thought it might be TOO cute. After coming back to Katie’s print again and again (if this happens to you take it as a sure sign to go for it!), I finally made the purchase… for a mere $15 on etsy.

Affordability is the best thing going for prints. Don’t have much money to spare? Buy a print! Interested in art that might be too trendy/ cute/ dark/ etc.? Buy a print! Worried your taste might change in 6 months? Well, you get the point. The investment is negligible meaning that you can and should take risks and buy what you like today.

Here is the print framed and hanging in a little corner of my bedroom. I love looking at it when I get in and out of bed. It’s so happy and sweet and makes me smile. For more photos of my art collection, click here.