“Poet’s food is love and fame.” — Percy Byshhe Shelley
From cigarette ashes to fossilized couch crumbs, faceless fog inhabitants to nihilist badgers, rest assured that this week’s edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has something for you all.
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. If that’s the case, as soon as you cover said windows you detour to a dank alley of facelessness and morbid curiosity. This collaboration by artist Denise Grunstein and fashion designer Sandra Backlund creates a moody vision of fog and sculptural entities that loosely resemble humans. As clothing designer Backlund states, ”I am really fascinated by the ways you can highlight, distort, and transform the natural silhouette [of the human body] with clothes and accessories. I build my garments by hand from a couple of basic bricks which I multiply and attach to each other in different ways to discover the shape that I want.” [Via Melissa Dixson]
Photographer Paul Octavius makes me want to go on a school field trip (and be eight-years-old) again. These elegant portraits document Omarion’s trip to the Yale Peabody. [Via The Scout]
There’s something very moving about impermanent art. Hannah Bertram’s The Silence of Becoming and Disappearing is a series of art installations in privately owned homes, each composed from locally-sourced dust applied to various surfaces. This dust is collected in many forms: marble, ash from bushfires, dust in sheds, artists’ studios and behind couches. Even cigarette ash was applied to a French polished table. According to Bertram, “The imagery created for each work is influenced by decorative elements in the homes such as wallpaper, carpets and family heirlooms, and through stories told by the residents.” [Via All the Mountains]
I’ve always known that Dave Eggers was something special, but I didn’t realize that special also encompassed pithy illustrations. “My sense of the nearness of death is different than your sense of the nearness of death”? Amazing. He states, “This past year I went back to drawing animals. The process for these pictures is pretty simple: I find an old photo of an animal that somehow has some intrigue, and I use a China marker to freehand a version of that animal onto very smooth paper. Then I think of what that animal might be thinking — if that animal had an antagonistic relationship with humans and was vying with those humans for the favor of a Catholic God.” [Via Lost]
Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!
115 comments
Sign in to add your ownNaturalAmber says:
There are some really creepy pictures there, I have a fear of clowns and the above may be why lol.
1 year ago
TheCuriosityClub says:
Wow. Those are some seriously dramatic and eerie pics up top!
1 year ago
VivaGailBeads says:
interesting pictures, really beautiful
1 year ago
Radness says:
whoa! thanks for the inspiration. i really like the german doll mask!
1 year ago
MaMagasin says:
WOW. All this stuff is amazing! I particularly love Hannah Bertram's work.
1 year ago
kclarkphotography says:
Love those wise animals. The kids are super creepy.
1 year ago
kissadesign says:
Eerie images, thought-provoking specimens, beautiful textures ... Intriguing!
1 year ago
moonstr says:
love love love this collection its dreamy and mysterious and alluring.
1 year ago
KarKarStyle says:
What a beautiful pic... fantasy world
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Wow great finds, I love the detail thats captured in the photos. Its just the texture of the feathers and bricks which is captured through light. Beautiful.
1 year ago
whimhandmadejewelry says:
I LOVE the one that says, "The wind knows nothing, don't flatter her with questions." Such unique pieces of art... I LOVE these! Thank you so much for bringing them to our attention! :)
1 year ago
kodashii88 says:
Holy moly! Those eerie foggy pictures are to-die-for.
1 year ago
manvsgeorge says:
Fantastic photos here...they transport me utterly.
1 year ago
Secia says:
Absolutely LOVE that first set of photos! Like something out of a good horror film.
1 year ago
JordanRou says:
wow! love the creepy foggy photos!
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
fantastic photography - loved them all : )
1 year ago
IAmaMajorGeneral says:
This.Was.Great.
1 year ago
BetaAccessories says:
Dave Eggers illustrations inspires me to go and finish my "What Is Love Zine" !
1 year ago
LuRuUniques says:
Hmmmmm, Interesting. But think of the talent there is here!!!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Once again, a fabulously interesting buffet of visual images. Naturally, I am drawn to the bird portraits! Thanks.
1 year ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
The chandelier photo is absolutely gorgeous... and the "dust art" ~ how lovely and yet so fleeting!
1 year ago
TwinBella says:
Wow, beautiful talent and pictures. I love the installations and the artwork on the tiles! Drool
1 year ago
sublimejewel says:
Who new Dust could be so gorgeous! However so sad to know the installation could only last a couple of hours. Beautiful Photos!
1 year ago
creativityismessy says:
Love that table. It is had to believe it is done with dust and ash... It is so beautiful!
1 year ago
Slowshirts says:
yes yes yes. thank you.
1 year ago
Pinkpjs says:
Those creepy foggy photos are in the true spirit of Halloween!
1 year ago
inmyigloo says:
The top photo collaboration is wicked awesome. I am in love.
1 year ago
TipsyTimeMachine says:
Isn't it funny how quickly a mask causes things to look creepy? Just love Grunstein and Backlund's collaboration. Also I had no idea that Dave Eggers was talented at drawing besides writing.
1 year ago
skrocki says:
wow those photos are amazing!!
1 year ago
TheLittleRagamuffin says:
You've done it again Alison. Thanks for the amazing inspirational collection!
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
I love the mysterious photography featured here. It is extremely moving. Lisa LeafandInk
1 year ago
HornCatCreations says:
Wow! There's so much talent here!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Wow! So cool!
1 year ago
christianmazza says:
rad pictures!
1 year ago
ArtistBeingHuman says:
I feel like a nihilist badger some days.
1 year ago
ilovemysoldier03 says:
A little creepy..... but it deff draws attention and makes you think.
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Great pictures. Love the dust art!
1 year ago
bysweetmom says:
wooow fantastic, thanks for sharing
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
The thriller pics were scary but it's lovely to bring contrast...art is all about expression...great job!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Cool and interesting picks ! love painting !
1 year ago
abbytrysagain says:
Lovely post! Thanks for featuring my photo at the top-it made my day :)
1 year ago
SewMuchMoreDecor says:
So interesting and inspiring!
1 year ago
KnotOriginal says:
Sandra Backlund's knits have always left me in awe, but with these new photos...speechless!!!
1 year ago
PlastikWrap says:
Those fairy tail images are amazing, so much talent and creativity...very inspiring.
1 year ago
trillium says:
Fabulous images, so evocative...
1 year ago
louloudo says:
I am a big fan both of Sandra Backlund and Dave Eggers, so it's great to have this update of crazy stuff they are doing!
1 year ago
Chandeluse says:
Oh yes. This is how I feel, not how I look. It's a translation problem.
1 year ago
zwzzy says:
Ducks! I went to this crazy house today that had tons of taxidermy animals, and plastic- almost paper mache looking creatures. Total trip!
1 year ago
SatinandBirch says:
Ah my favorite writer this one made me gasp. The woman painting on the floor, now we must weep no more.
1 year ago
SatinandBirch says:
no It can't be! my painter is painting in ash.
1 year ago
jadjusjewelry says:
The floor designs are awesome!!!
1 year ago
heidiburton says:
Thanks Alison, really enjoyed your post, as always. The art/fashion collab is just fantastic, I must pass these findings on!
1 year ago
sonyarasi says:
Love the dust art.
1 year ago
heidiburton says:
Love the interior design and other photography on Denise Grunstein's website as well!
1 year ago
hankietankie says:
wow!!! thank you for introducing me to the amazing art of Hannah Bertram!! XOX
1 year ago
glasspondstudio says:
I love the photography/design collaboration of Backlund and Grunstein. Yes, it has a certain eerie and mysterious quality to it, but I like the fog and the facelessness of the models, the clothing could not have a better photographic theme. It is very clever and well done.
1 year ago
rozzie says:
WOw breathtaking photography :)
1 year ago
prettystardesigns says:
gorgeous photographs, especially the ones in the mist...but absolutely terrifying though, the stuff of horror movies
1 year ago
choisette says:
the paper mache mask. i want it.
1 year ago
SuiteOneStudio says:
Gorgeous images! Thank you for sharing these amazing heart-stopping visuals! I am so proud to see my porcelain vase included at the end of the article! Thanks again!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Stunning! The dust art rocks! Just beautiful! MegansMenagerie.etsy.com
1 year ago
LovMely says:
beautiful work all around but i really loved Denise's and Sandra's work!
1 year ago
secretjewellz says:
I love morbid curiosity. The photographer/designer collaboration of Backlund and Grunstein is amazing.
1 year ago
NestedYellow says:
The ghostly photography with misted backgrounds are so eerily beautiful! I love that the hot pinks and florescent yellows become splashes of whimsy.
1 year ago
odiliafu says:
Love the gorgeous photos! This is the blog post I never missed.
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
AMAZING!!!!
1 year ago
PurpleDeerVintage says:
Dark...I like it.
1 year ago
blueskyclouds says:
Sigh. Wow. Amazing stuff. Eye candy. Thank you.
1 year ago
MeAndBoo says:
Love the atmosphere in the top photos, and those illustrations are great. I like that it's from the animals' perspective. Interesting.
1 year ago
LaurenBPhotography says:
What a brilliant way to be creative...and the fact that the paintings are done with dust particles, that just blows my mind. Absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
bedbuggs says:
Love them all! Very Fun and inspiring! ;)
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
inspiring as always! love dave eggers ~ had no idea he could also draw :)
1 year ago
nakedvavang says:
bam! you"ve got findin skilz!
1 year ago
Serrelynda says:
The pictures are definitely kind of freaky! I always love looking at your picks. the art dust particles is amazing... I wish the dust in my house could form itself!
1 year ago
MetroGypsy says:
Wonderfully subversive and full of amazing imagery!
1 year ago
Dewella says:
Holy cow. Is there somewhere I can buy one of Dave Eggers' drawings?
1 year ago
Laughingdogstudio says:
Mysterious and wonderful!
1 year ago
lorenabr says:
Very cool!
1 year ago
bethsknits says:
Any picture, be it a painting, or a photograph that evokes an emotion or a mood change (yes, My mood has actually been changed by looking at a picture) has value. I can't say that any of these pictures change my mood but they do something. For me, they tend to bring some memories to life.
1 year ago
ElizabethOHara says:
What an interesting visual experience - the images are disturbing and provocative and mysterious! Such a creative mind and sensibility - enviable! Thanks for the post and the items - very cool, too.
1 year ago
CorvidDelights says:
Brilliant, your blogs are the best. What a collection. Paul Octavius' photography is stunning.
1 year ago
goldminetrash says:
<3 <3
1 year ago
dkshopgirl says:
very interesting and amazing pictures. Thank you. Really love those ghoulish pics.
1 year ago
nowonder says:
Inspiring! Great pictures. I love the first set and the "Hannah Bertram" projects.
1 year ago
designMatter says:
Amazing!!!
1 year ago
HouseOfMoss says:
I love Dave Eggers' work! So much truth to the words.
1 year ago
artfields says:
I love the idea of the dust art. It tells a very personal story and then it is gone. Thanks.
1 year ago
ilgattoselvatico says:
Spooky! I love the Dave Eggers illustrations...
1 year ago
Jodaycraf says:
Very nice - animals. Related Items: A little spooky but interesting.
1 year ago
kawaiipiepie says:
WOW these are amazing O_O especially what I thought was paintings onto floors/tables which is actually dust/ash!! :OO
1 year ago
PoisonGarden says:
I love this article!
1 year ago
TiaraAlissa says:
stunning photos
1 year ago
waukeshapottery says:
Love it. Great pics!
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
The dust, impermanent art paintings are amazing. They really touching...I love the concept and the execution is stunning. And, the spooky fog photos are just in time for the coming of my favorite season, yay!
1 year ago
leighmade says:
those make me love dave eggers even more..
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
That sneeze photo reminds me of why I don't like taking the airlines! SARS mask? No, sneeze guard.
1 year ago
frogprincessdesigns says:
The dust art is just amazing! Overall really nice but a bit creepy~
1 year ago
ElvenWreathsJewelry says:
LOVE THESE PICTURES!!!!! especially the costumed/masked people!!
1 year ago
recycledwares says:
those first few photos are a bit spooky, but wonderful at the same time.
1 year ago
krichain says:
The Mission Guild Studio offers Mission and Arts & Crafts furniture and decor. Our selections are all individually artisan-created here in our New York studio. Leanspa
1 year ago
TheVintaquarian says:
Wow. Beautiful. Compelling. Curious. The intricacy of the dust art is amazing. Fleeting beauty, all about the process... captured in a photograph!
1 year ago
yogiodie says:
I think your younger sister would love to peruse those Halloweed pics. Love the tile and animal photos.
1 year ago
GracefullyGirly says:
The ash "paintings" are amazing. Such intense work that oges into them and then they're gone... It's reminiscent of sand paintings by Tibetan monks.
1 year ago
boatsandblue says:
I am absolutely disgusted by the use of mounted deer heads in your home and blogs- particularly as these are then sent out to the etsy subscribers to use as 'inspiration'. Did you kill them yourself, or do you outsource that to other rednecks? It reeks of desperation and contempt for life.
1 year ago
kerenbydesign says:
Very inspiring. I love the dust paintings. They remind me of Tibetan sand mandalas.
1 year ago
OhDearWatson says:
cool. funky stuff.
1 year ago
10eisha says:
wow i absolutely love this post...
1 year ago
carlossantiago says:
so much to love here! specially ALice in Ga-GaLand
1 year ago
SaraFeiss says:
I really love the photographs at the beginning, they are incredibly eerie, beautiful, and dramatic. They remind me of The Shining a little bit, but are very original and unique. Great post!
1 year ago
xoazuree says:
I really liked the museum photographs but i LOVE LOVE LOVE the animal illustrations! I am a total sucker for animal anything, especially photos and illustrations! SO CUTE!
1 year ago
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1 year ago
FordArt says:
Very interesting. I agree that figures without faces spikes a curiosity and almost morbid feeling for the viewer. Especially because of their environment they are places in. The fact that they are still standing creates that controversy of dead, alive, or somewhere in between? I enjoyed the pink skirt on the one figure.
1 year ago
glaciermilk says:
Cool article! Great photography!!
1 year ago