Artist Spotlight: Zaria Forman

Today's artist spotlight is dedicated to the truly amazing drawings of Brooklyn-based artist, Zaria Forman. She is bringing awareness to global climate change by capturing the evolution of the arctic landscape through her large scaled chalk drawings.  Her arctic landscapes are part of her Chasing the Light exhibition, in which she traveled up the coast of Greenland to observe the effect of climate change on the arctic landscape. She also traveled to the Maldives, the lowest lying country, to acknowledge that the rising tides will more than likely submerge this country first.   

When I think of chalk, as a medium, I usually think of fluidity and a general "smudginess"- and yes, I just now invented that word : )  But Zaria's work makes me rethink chalk completely.  I am amazed by the vast and detailed landscapes she is able to create. I can almost feel the jagged edges of the ice when I look at her drawings. They are both beautiful and haunting at the same time.  I absolutely LOVE them!

A big THANKS! goes out to my very good friend Kelly for introducing me to her work : )  

You can find original artwork available at Artsy, and you can purchase prints at ArtStar.

(images via Colossal and My Modern Met)

Artist Spotlight: Katerina Plotnikova

I am absolutely amazed by these surrealistic fairy-tale-esque (I know that is not a word, but it seemed appropriate : ) ) images by photographer Katerina Plotnikova.  You may think that some of these photos are courtesy of some mighty good photo shop skills...but they are not. Each photo is a real moment caught between the model and the animals.  Never fear though...all the animals' trainers were there to ensure they were on their best behavior : ) LOVE!

(via Fubiz and My Modern Met)

Artist Spotlight: Jacob Hashimoto and his epic "Gas Giant"

"Epic" does not convey how big and all-encompassing this art installation is. Right now, "Gas Giant"...the awe-inspiring paper kite installation by artist Jacob Hashimoto...is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles until June 8th.  

The Los Angeles Times likened Hashimoto's masterpiece to "weather", which I completely agree with.  The installation reaches to the highest point of the museum and spreads across the area, drifting low and rolling through the space.  I love that though the thousands of kites are not moving, taken as a group they seem to be  in motion as if they have become the clouds and are slowly dipping and rising to completely immerse people in the installation.  "Gas Giant" is an experience...which is the best kind of artwork.

I WANT to see this installation in person...but for now I will have to live vicariously through other people.  LOVE it!

(photos via Supertouch)

Artist Spotlight: Aneta Ivanova

I am in LOVE with these double exposure photographs by Bulgarian photographer, Aneta Ivanova. The color images overlapping nature with the feminine form are breathtakingly beautiful...both fragile and fluid at the same time.  And I LOVE how her black & white images soften city-scapes with the graceful lines of the female form.  While looking at these photos, you can almost hear the ocean...or feel the breeze blow through your hair.  I could sit here for hours and moon over the simplistically beautiful genius of Aneta Ivanova...but I fear I can not say enough to express my LOVE : )

(via My Modern Met here and here)

Artist Spotlight: Jane Perkins

Jane Perkins is a UK based multi-media artist who recreates some of the most well-known images of our time using found objects.  All of the pieces she uses are the original color- she never alters them to match the image she is creating.  There lies in her genius.  She is able to match color so well, that each piece she places seems to fit magically into place and reflect the original image perfectly.

Look closely...you will be amazed to see all of the different objects she uses- buttons, legos, animal figurines, beads, and lots and lots of tiny pieces of plastic.  LOVE it!

(via My Modern Met)