brahmsian tomato raleigh

(Actual poster from the mid-50’s issued by Senator Joseph McCarthy at the height of the Red Scare and anti communist witch hunt in Washington. All artists were suspect.)

A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it. 

Rabindranath Tagore 

Artist Ed Fairburn utilizes the chaotic patchwork of roads, trains, and rivers printed on maps as the framework for his large-scale portraits. Almost like a sculptor carving a subject from a block of stone, or a constellation highlighted in a clump of stars, Fairburn uses meticulous ink or pencil crosshatching to create portraits hidden amongst the topographical features. You can see much more of his work over on Facebook.

Sandcastles:  Sand castle artist Calvin Seibert manages to construct nearly impossible shapes from one of the world’s most delicate mediums.  I’ve never seen anything so perfectly angular and geometric. See much more of his work over on Flickr.

Yikes!  Anamorphic Illusions!

Check out the others over on YouTube, mind-blowing!

Huge mounds of firewood are a common site in the midwest, but in the capable hands of Michigan artist Michael McGillis a row of logs becomes a unexpectedly beautiful sight. Titled Wake the piece was originally installed back in 2006 at the Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minnesota and consisted of a 95-foot long trench of cut trees painted purple in the middle as if to reveal a suprising new species of plant. A simple idea, wonderfully executed.

If anybody is wondering what in the world to get ME for Christmas, I found the answer here: Princeton Artist Brushes, 'Catalyst' wedges and brushes! I absolutely NEED them, can use with acrylics, encaustics, and manipulating dye, cooking, and even ceramics if you're so inclined!  I want the whole set so you can start with just one piece and add to my collection for years and years.  Aren't they pretty?  I made the image extra big so you'd not miss these.

And speaking of extra big images, Moustafa Ismail and his  31" arms.  

Bet he has to always wear these sleeveless tee shirts.

Ugh.

And that, my bunnies, is the end-  all except for the prerequisite squirrel cookie jar!  (Now available on West Elm.)  Perfect for Pecan Sandies, eh?