Birds of a feather

Talk about some serious patients and talent! These handmade birds pieced together by Colombian industrial design artist Diana Beltran Herrara and are simply mesmerizing. I love how she captured movement and expression in her pieces, truly one of a kind. You can find quite the flock over on her site, Pine, as well as super intricate tridimentional hand cut paper pieces.

images via pine

Delicate wood

I cannot seem to stop staring at this amazing wooden sculpture from artist Ben Butler, each layer is just so mesmerizing. Made from ceder each piece was carefully crafted and the longer you look at it the more it takes on a gentile draping shape. And this thing is massive at 44" x 74", I wish I could see this in person!

photo via ben butler

Aili Schmeltz

I found L.A artists Aili Schmeltz over on 20x200 and just loved her style. Unfortunately for us, all but 2 are available at a nice $2000, but we can still look and enjoy right? They have such an interesting look with impeccable detailing, I just love that bright orange one, so vibrant with great patterns. Aili also produces wonderfully intricate sculptures, the Striped Hilltop is simply fabulous.

photos via aili schmeltz

Bits of art

Its been a while since I've had a trip out to any museums, although I heard a fun rumor that now that I am a local to San Francisco, there are possible free days.  Must figure out if this one is true!  Photos never do sculptures and masterpieces justice, just like these amazing pencil tip works of art.  Handmade by Brazilian artist Dalton Ghetti, each pencil is crafted into teeny tiny bits of creativeness that leaves you wondering just how he does it.  Check out his fan page on Facebook, he has some pretty talented fans too.

photos via pink & blue

One steady hand

Get ready to be stunned by paper.  Charles Clary, a hand cut paper artist, creates amazing worlds with a few thousand sheets of paper and xacto knifes.  Using creative color combinations and a super sharp point, Charles creates these wonderful creations keeping nature and topography as inspiration to these eye catching sculptures.  Browsing his blog and society 6 page makes me want to pull out my old cutting utensils from school and a few sheets of cardstock.

photos via charles clary, percusiveart

Watching paint dry

So it seemed I jumped the gun on the whole 'I'm better' thing, I got sick again last week, making it an entire 10 days this month of sickness.  Fun fun.  At least it led to a little you tube time.

I am loving these tall paintings from artist Holton Rower out of New York.  It may be literally watching paint dry, but its totally worth it.  Holton, along with a design team, intricately pour gallons of paint over a standing structure and wait for gravity to do its job.  So cool!  Along with the painting structures, Holton also does a series of sculptures, paintings and slight oddities that are worth a browse through his portfolio.

I love how he uses different mediums, textures and shapes to create interesting pieces.  Totally loving his money collection, that money cyclone fence is amazing, I wonder how much it cost to make.

photos via holton rower

Shannon Rankin

Now that things are starting to feel a bit more normal around here, I finally got a little me time on the computer over the weekend.  I stayed in bed all day Saturday to recoup from our New Years festivities, and boy did I need it.  I'm not a night owl so staying up till 3 really did a number on me... not to mention those darn vodka and ginger ales.

Anyway, while browsing, I came across the works of Shannon Rankin, an instillation artists inspired entirely by maps.  Her work is stunning, I wish I could see it in person.  Using different techniques to cut, crinkle, warp and even paint, Shannon creates a more 3 dimensional feel and recreates her rendition of said map.  Very cool if you ask me.  Aside from maps, Shannon also dabbles in beautiful 3d sculpture using wax, just look at the detail on the "Floret" (bottom right), all made from wax, pins and fiber on paper.

photos via shannon rankin 

Element Clay Studio

Always a fan of lovely ceramics, I can't stop looking at all of the amazing goodies from Element Clay Studio.  Handcrafted by Heather Knight out of GA, each piece is a work of art and made with great detail in mind.  The wall tiles are perfect for creating a focal point in any room and the tabletop accessories are simply stunning.  From bowls to vases to wall tiles and sculptures, they are all fantastic and made with love.  And do stop by Heather's blog for the behind the scenes action in the studio and to stay on top of her new creations.

all photos via element clay studio