The Raging Battle of Brian Profilio

The Hunter ~ Brian Profilio

I'm lucky to be surrounded by a number of talented artist friends of different walks, and today I have the distinct pleasure of highlighting one of those people who is not only dear to me, but also very deserving of attention. Many fans know Brian Profilio as the long-time drummer for the genre-twisting, dark-side-luring, Budos Band. What you may not know, is that Brian is also a gifted fine artist. Having known him for several years now, I have watched him pass tedious tour hours sketching detailed illustrations in the back of a van, and I have seen his enormous aptitude for drawings, paintings, and other creations. Thus, I was particularly excited when, recently, he held an art show in his hometown of Staten Island,where he finally shared with the world many of his nefarious and highly skillful works of art.

Wight Night ~ Brian Profilio   

            The Budos Band ~ 2011 Tour of the South

You might have seen some of Brian's mythic and dastardly creatures without knowing it. Wight Night, above, was a tour poster for The Budos Band's tour of the south last year. And as a matter of fact, many other Budos Band posters, t-shirts, and collector's items were painstakingly drawn by him. Here are just a few.

The Budos Band with Pablo @ Bowery Ballroom, 2010

The Budos Band @ SF and LA, 2011

The Budos Band with Charles Bradley @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, 2011

Brian's bent for the grave and rotten is readily apparent. Like in his music, there is a veil of beastliness that shrouds all of his works. However, the complexity of each piece reveals a story that is far richer than what you might simply call "evil." Can't you sense the raging battle being wrestled in the eyes of the notorious characters below? The portraits are so well crafted they practically seem like photographs from a sinful tale in motion.

Captain Ahab

 Dracula

Captain Ahab

You may not be as attracted to the morbidity of humanity as Brian is, but it's hard to deny his utter capacity to render his wild imagination. When I saw The Groundskeeper (below) at his Enter the Summoner's Circle Art Show, I was floored by his ability to work with light. The photo doesn't do the actual piece justice. When you see it in the flesh, seeing every infinitesimal nuance sends shivers up your spine. 

The Groundskeeper

Grave in the Tree

Cthulu

Brian has a huge body of work that is not yet floating around in the public eye. Personally, I was sucked in by a painting of an icy landscape illuminated by a cold moon that was at this show, but that I haven't seen since. However, you can keep up with him best on his blog, which he seems to be updating, or, of course, on The Budos Band Facebook page which gets constant updates.  

Brian Profilio, photo by Kisha Bari

Have any thoughts to add about Brian Profilio's artwork? Share them here!

*All photos were taken from Brian Profilio's blog and The Budos Band's Facebook Page, except for the final photograph which was taken by Kisha Bari.

Catherine Campbell ~ The Magic of Women

"Black Stars" ~ Catherine Campbell

Every so often I come across artists who makes me proud to be a woman. Catherine Campbell is one of those artists. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Catherine creates magical art that in my eye celebrates the mysticism and power of women. Her mixed media creations are incredible melanges of pen, watercolor, collage work, and more. I love how the poncho in "Black Stars" above looks practically quilted on to the page.

"Sometimes of the Land" ~ Catherine Campbell

Catherine's prints honor the power and vulnerability of women. In some prints, like "Owl in the Attic" below, creatures who often appear supernatural seem to dance their way into the lives of the women she portrays. These images, for me, evoke an intuitive bond between women and the ecological and metaphysical worlds. They appear to be quietly, but spiritedly taking action. 

"Owl in the Attic" ~ Catherine Campbell

In another series, Catherine seems to portray young women just at the cusp of adulthood. It's as though you are peering into the tiny, sparse moments in their minds where they are just beginning to try their lives on for size. It reminds of that saying, "With great power comes great responsibility." 

"Dressing for a Full Moon" ~ Catherine Campbell

"Spring Heralds" ~ Catherine Campbell

"Sticks and Stones" ~ Catherine Campbell

The confident stoicism that emanates from the women in the prints below is dusted with a hint of secret intelligence. These women have embraced their lives, made them their own. Furthermore, they know something that you don't. But if you are patient and open, you might just be able to follow their lead.

"In the Pines" ~ Catherine Campbell

"Like Foxes Through Fences" ~ Catherine Campbell

I love that Catherine also appears to have a deep appreciation for and influence from Native American culture, as well as a number of cultures from around the world. For me that only adds the sensation of interconnectedness and sisterhood that pulses through each piece. One more quality I find so empowering. I see hints of Native, Eastern European, Asian, and Spanish inspirations in the pieces below.

 "Antoinette"~ Catherine Campbell

 "Eternal Muse" ~ Catherine Campbell

"There Used to Be a Girl" ~ Catherine Campbell

"Jane" ~ Catherine Campbell

I've only just touched the tip of the iceberg here. Catherine's portfolio extends far beyond the beautiful pieces I've shared so far. When I last read her enthralling blog (she posts such inspiring tidbits), she was watching a recent book illustration project finally take shape, and even taking on an intricate embroidery project which you can catch a glimpse of below.

Embroidery in progress ~ Catherine Campbell

What do you think of Catherine Campbell's work? Do you see different themes? I'd love to hear your thoughts! And since the weekend is just about here, may these last Catherine Campbell prints, The Owl and Pussycat Go to Sea, be clever winks that get going on the good foot!

*All photos in this post where taken from Catherine Campbell's blog and Etsy shop. Plus, you can keep track of Catherine on a number of different sites!


Portfolio: www.catherinecampbell.net
Blog: http://blog.catherinecampbell.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinecampbellart
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_folk_lover/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/myfolklover

Hello, My Love!

Hello, Shuzo Ikeda, 1964

At last!  My love has come along!  Today I am as happy as ever because the breathtaking woodblock print above, "Hello" by Shuzo Ikeda, is finally mine! As a long-time admirer of Sunny Day Vintage on Etsy, I was lucky when Sunny happened across a collection of Japanese Hanga artist, Shuzo Ikeda, at an estate sale. It was love at first sight for me. The tender humanity and love of nature captured in this moment reaches something deep inside of me. Right away I began to save my money to own this print, and today it is part of my personal collection. Love.

Daffodils, Shuzo Ikeda, 1967

I am by no means overflowing in knowledge about Shuzo Ikeda. I've done a bit of research, but haven't found much beyond the fact that he was from the Akita prefecture in Japan and that he taught for years before devoting himself to his woodblock prints. What I can say with certainty is that his prints convey such an optimism and sense of possibility. His wide-eyed children invite you to re-experience the world as you did when you were young and innocent with wonderment and a pureness of emotion.

Sunflowers, Shuzo Ikeda, 1965

It seems that Shuzo Ikeda was quite prolific in his lifetime. I've found countless block prints, all of which are astonishingly beautiful, but not many of which are for sale. Sunny Day Vintage still has two available for purchase- "Sunflowers" and "Ophelia." They are probably not impulse purchases for the average person, but if you love them as much as I do, it's worth saving up your pennies. As soon as I opened my print, I knew I had made a choice that I would be appreciating for a lifetime.

Ophelia, Shuzo Ikeda, 1964

Here are a few other favorites I came across. They are from collector, Ross Walter's personal collection, and therefore not available for purchase. I especially love "Chrysanthemum."

Chrysanthemum, Shuzo Ikeda, 1966

Flower Curtain, Shuzo Ikeda, 1973

And here are a few more I found at liveauctioneers.com and artelino.com, respectively.

 Child and Bird, Shuzo Ikeda, year not listed

Fireworks 2, Shuzo Ikeda, 1962

What do you think? Have any knowledge to add about Shuzo Ikeda, or favorites of your own? Perhaps you know a bit more about Hanga artists or it's history as an art form.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Embracing the Animal Kingdom

I often fantasize about the day that I might own my own home.  When I came across Julia Janeway's Pumphouse Studios creations, I couldn't help but be transported into that daydream of my perfect kitchen housing a collection of beloved ceramics and pottery.  I learned of Julia's work a few months ago while looking for a Christmas gift for a dear friend who loves birds.  All Pumphouse Studio pieces don't feature birds, but they are celebratory of nature with a touch of humor. They are like still frames from a clever, beautifully-drawn cartoon.  Doesn't the interplay of texture and crisp color in the Magpie Platter above make it feel almost animated?  It's as though the little guy just flew on to my kitchen windowsill to sing me a song.

I feel such an attraction to birds.  It might be the gracefulness of their sloping bodies and glistening feathers, or it might be how they always seem light and free.  In any case, these Swallow Plates capture that grace and freedom I envy.  And this Hummingbird with a Heart Dish is so sweet it's practically a confection.

As I said, all of Julia's work does not feature birds.  This Bear Bowl with Leaf Rim feels a touch rustic, but carefully designed with a cute, little wink.  

Julia sells her Pumphouse Studios pottery through her Etsy Shop.  However, there are other ways to keep up with her.  She has a Facebook page where she seems to put up her most recent works in progress.  A new collection of bunny and chicks will be coming soon in anticipation of the Easter holidays.  She also has a blog where she shares a bit about her process, in addition to humorous snippets from her life as a mom.

I like that Julia infuses a smile into everything she does.  She is a wonderful craftswoman, but her pieces clearly reflect the appreciation and amusement she has towards the world around her.  I mean, can you really resist a Sexy Fancy Chicken Portrait?

 Or Cappuccino Drinking Chipmunks??  She's just too, too good.

  

 *All photographs were taken from Pumphouse Studios' Etsy Shop and Facebook page.

Kari Herer Photography: Romance is Everywhere

When I first moved into my apartment, I went on a hunt for some interesting artwork for my newly painted kitchen.  While trolling Etsy (if you haven't noticed by now, it's something I do regularly) I discovered the photography of Kari Herer.  I was smitten.  Kari sees romance in everything she photographs.  The purity in her imagery transmits an aura of ease and innocence.  It's not naivete.  It is an ability to view ordinary objects with grace, whether by honing in on their color, form, or texture.  I find it so uplifting.

I purchased the three prints above for the kitchen- The fork with Protea, knife with Protea, and ladle with robin's eggs.  Kari printed them on a really lovely, lightly textured, acid-free paper.  They are perfect in small, black frames.

When I visited the official Kari Herer Photography website, I learned that Kari doesn't only photograph still life.  She shoots weddings, Parisian streetscapes, and animals, and photographs lots of kids, including her own whom she features regularly on her blog.  Nevertheless, her still life remains the magnetic attraction for me.  This Magnolia Bug no.6657, pictured above, has been captivating me for months.  I love this mixed-media concept of a botanical illustration.  The soft white background allows the textures to tell the story.  The bug's body comes to life under the velvety magnolia petals.

Above:  Fairy-tale-like rabbits made from roses and ranunculus.
Below:  Rich colors and deep textures make this botanical piece feel simultaneously vivid and elegantly decadent.

  

I can't get enough of Kari's work.  I could literally fill an entire room with it and still never get tired of it.  Why?  Because I love romance, and because Kari's photos find romance in everything her lens settles upon.  It's contagious in the best possible way.  Bravo.

All images in this post were by Kari Herer.