my love for you is a stampede of horses.

volk.

okay, i think we are all pretty aware that etsy is female dominated - both seller and buyers. so it was such a nice surprise to find out that these amazing tote bags are sewn together by a very talented dude! it's rare to come across such a thing on etsy - but i'm sure glad i stumbled upon VOLK.

based out of his chicago apartment, danny focuses on creating something new from what others have thrown away - he works exclusively with found and recycled fabrics. i love how in each item description danny makes sure to tell us exactly where each piece of fabric came from. the above tote was made out of window curtains and seersucker shorts. the one below is from a wool blanket, upholstery remnants, corduroy remnants, and a duvet cover.

i'm also really into how danny puts together colors and textures. everything seems to just work so perfectly together.

these days danny is mostly focusing on his V market tote (an ideal way to carry your springtime farmers market vegetables!) and apostle bag, but is also working on a messenger bag which he hopes to have up soon. be sure to check out his shop or his website to get your hands on one of these gems!

the black spot books.

 

hi! i'm so excited to be guest blogging - i spend most of my time sewing away for forestbound, so it's a nice treat to venture over here for a week! i have a bunch of crafters lined up to share with you and i'm real into what they're up to these days... i hope you will be too. the first is one of my all-time favorites, the black spot books. margaux is based out of philadelphia and creates unique pieces with an aesthetic that runs true to my own heart.
 
her focus is mainly on hand-stitched books... these one of a kind pieces are constructed out of bits of leather that she uncovers with her own hands like forgotten about treasure. whether it has been stumbled upon inside of an abandoned house or salvaged from a 19th century british chair - margaux's books continually blow my mind with their intricate craftsmanship and ability to beautifully capture a small part of history.

lately she's been working on these necklaces - wearable (and useable) miniature books!

you think it couldn't get any better - but wait.. she also makes jewelry! jaw dropping jewelry at that. like this ring - a piece of victorian lace that has been hand cast in white bronze.

margaux also creates these amazing prints. oh and photographs too! she does it all. all of her wares are available on her etsy shop. she also has a website where you can see more of her work.

q&a with alex lukas.

Alex Lukas is a solid dude who means business.  I met Alex through a mutual friend two or three years ago.  Ever since then, time and again, I've been awed by his artist's energy and quality of work.  Looking closely at his portfolio, whether it's his drawings, prints or zines, one can sense the command over his media, as well as an attention to detail.  Alex works out of Space 1026 in Philadelphia, and was nice enough to chat with me on the Google box. He touched on his most recent series.

DS:  So I see that you've got some newish work up on the website.
AL:  Yes.

DS:  I guess I'm just curious how you feel about it.  It seems like an upgraded version of the stuff done previously.
AL:  Yeah, I think that I am just trying to explore some of the same ideas and thoughts but in a more, I don’t know, visually complex way?

DS:  Yeah I see that.  Is that mostly aesthetic for you or are there narrative things going on too?
AL:  Well, I have been thinking a lot about that lately.  I think the newer work, because maybe it is a little more complex, it might lend itself to clearer narrative ideas. I have some mixed feelings about that. I think before, when I first started on this series of work, it was very much about conveying more of an emotion, and less of a clear story. The goal was to inspire some vague sense of anxiety or un-ease, the drawings were intended to be "moody" in a way.  Whereas now, as they get more complex and more involved, I think they look more narrative, and that makes sense, but it is a struggle to not have the work be overly illustrative. It is something I am trying to be conscious of.

DS:  And that sort of parallels the apocalyptic subject matter.
AL:  Yeah, I mean, I think especially with the newer work—the flooded cityscapes.  People immediately jump to some global warming theme.  I mean I fully understand that interpretation but these pieces are not strictly intended as "warnings". I hope the interpretation can be more open then that, but I guess that is also something I am working on. I like the work to be open ended. 

alex demaria.

Alex Demaria twists animals, pattern, mythical beasts, and other organic forms into wonderfully intricate webs. He renders his subjects with equal sensitivity and boldness.  I'm especially drawn to his cut paper pieces.  Alex works out of South Boston and has some pieces in the latest east coast issue of New American Paintings.  Please check him out, he's a swell dude!!

caleb brown.

O.K. so I guess I should really stick to writing about artists who have websites or other places where their work can be viewed beyond this blog --but someone needed to post these paintings.  Otherwise they'd be tucked away in the far reaches of Caleb's Facebook, hidden from view.  Caleb works out of Portland.  He's got a real knack for producing manly, highly charged compositions, tightly rendered in an old master style.  How much better would Drop Zone have been if it had sky sharks?  Much better.

Caleb says one of these days he'll have a more of a web presence.  Until then keep your ear to the ground for this talented young man.