Yep, they’re paintings {close-ups included as cold hard evidence}. This is the work of American artist Jessica Hess. All of these gorgeous pieces are part of her upcoming show, titled “Less is More”, that opens at Hashimoto Gallery in San Francisco this Thursday, August 31 / 6-9pm, and runs until September 23. Here is Hashimoto’s description of this exhibition:

“Less Is More” expands Hess’ ongoing survey of derelict spaces void of human presence. The vivid paintings transport the viewer to locations around the country, such as the Heidelberg project in Detroit or the rural backroads of New England. Hess’ new work develops the narrative set forth by her previous exhibition “More Is More” by detailing the continuous change in these vacated structures. Graffiti saturated buildings have been buffed over, abandoned homes are boarded up and repainted. These subdued moments provoke contemplation of the cyclical nature of our built environments.

The exhibition also highlights key developments in Hess’ creative practice. She continues to skillfully manipulate the reality of her subjects through interventions of painterly abstraction. One piece, entitled “North Adams” {first image above}, portrays an abandoned home, its vibrant color starkly contrasts the surrounding bleak forest. Hess renders the painting to resemble a physical photo collage, offering a glimpse at the intermediary process between her source and its final painted form.

You’re going to go, right? Yes!

Oooooh, “Shibori Bubbles”. This gorgeous ceramic series, from 2016, is the work of Martha Rieger, a Brazilian-Israeli ceramic artist and sculptor, working in Tel Aviv and in Jingdezhen, China.

“In a project from 2016, Martha Rieger created sculptures, shaped as a bubble meeting a horizontal surface, in that fragile moment before snapping. Adventurously crafted by using traditional Chinese techniques and contemporary innovation, the bubble sculptures are hand-painted by Rieger in the Japanese Shibori style, known in its western versions of Tie-Dye or Batik. By using sponges, fishing nets and duct tape, Rieger created an overall illusionistic pattern, transforming each bubble into a world of its own.

Under Rieger’s hands, the intangible short-living bubble, a perfect existence that suddenly breaks, is transformed into an entire universe that lures the viewer to its frozen beauty, encapsulating a potential of longevity, movement and the ability to grasp an existence that seemed impossible.

The manufacturing of the sculptures was a collaboration between Rieger and He Yongjun Lio and Wei Tong’s workshop in Jingdezhen, China.”

Some of Martha’s beautiful work will be shown at The New York Ceramics & Glass Fair in January 2018 (18th – 21st). Pop that in your calendar now!

Glass. I know, I was wondering what exactly I was looking at too! It’s glass… thousands of shards of reflective, delicate, glass. The still photos do not do the work of German artist Josepha Gasch-Muche justice! I saw some of her breathtaking work in person last week while attending Glasstress in Venice. Here’s a short video I took in an attempt to do the final piece above a bit of justice:

A post shared by the jealous curator (@thejealouscurator) on Aug 13, 2017 at 6:19am PDT

Happy Monday.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if artists got sent on week long trips around the world in search of inspiration resulting in gorgeous new work? Well, American artist Laura Berger did just that in Lima Peru, thanks to “The Jaunt”! What is “The Jaunt” you ask? Listen to THIS:

“For each trip we send an artist on a trip to anywhere in the world, to a destination where they have never been before. Once arrived, the artist will soak up all of the local impressions and inspirations. From freshly brewed local coffee to small boutiques, neoclassical architecture, overcrowded tourist sights or whatever else falls in their way. During the trip the artists keep a travel blog and document the many impressions they come across. This way everyone will be kept up to date with the travels and adventures of the artists, allowing a degree of familiarity with their perspective. Each trip is unique, because each destination and artist is different.”

What!? So fantastic. And, Laura & Lima? Literally a perfect combination! Now normally the art is bought, sight unseen, before the artist leaves – an exciting adventure for everyone {the print sales fund the trip}. But because Laura’s trip was in May, I can show you the results today! So, each artist is supposed to come home from their travels and produce one limited edition print based on their experiences but, Laura loved it so much, she made TWO {both shown above}. She didn’t stop there though – she also painted six original paintings! All of this work will be shown, and for sale, as of tomorrow – Friday July 28th. If you’re in LA pop by 3sixteen from 5-11pm. The prints are currently available online right here! ps. If you have any questions about the ins and outs of this amazing project, read The Jaunt’s very informative FAQ page.

Stunning! I wrote about the insanely beautiful paper folding / cutting work of Chilean-born, London-based artist Francisco Prieto way back in 2013. Well, I just found out that some of her work is showing this summer in Venice and I cannot wait to see her stunning pieces in person! Now, this piece features images of French cathedrals, but I’m guessing I’ll see my fair share of “profound space” in Italy as well. Here is what this particular piece is about:

“Profound Space” takes us to that hushed moment of awe that comes upon entering the overwhelming and embellished space of a cathedral. As our captivated sight tries to trace every detail through hallowed light and shadow, Francisca folds fluted pillars and archway’s gothic arrows to point our eyes higher and higher. Pausing to look into each open window, tiny figures remind us of these structures’ sheer scale and activity; the processions, funerals and prayers that take place under their watch. Cavernous eaves, ethereal beams and triumphant domes are celebrated in lines of gold that continue beyond the pages of what can be drawn or written, framing the vast expanse of what we cannot see but only feel. Empty and weightless lines multiply above, shimmering in diamond-like crosses whose mouths whisper of the lofty heights of sacred space.

Hushed moment of awe, indeed.

Oh! Now if these don’t say HAPPY 4th of JULY to all of my American friends, well, I just don’t know what does! These paintings are part of the latest series by Massachusetts based artist Jessica Brilli, which happen to be in a show titled very appropriately, “Holiday”. The show opens this Friday {July 7, 7-9pm}, at Kobalt Gallery in Provincetown. It’s only up until July 13 so go to the opening if you can! Happy holiday : )

Oh, where do I begin? This show is so important to me. It’s an ode to a Canadian great – singer songwriter and front man of The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie. If you’re Canadian you know all about The Hip. For those of you who don’t, they are an iconic band that so many of us know and love. Gord is a musical genius, and sadly was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last year. You could hear a nation gasp when that news was made public. I wanted to do something, but what? An art show, of course. Here is the curatorial statement for the show that opens THIS SATURDAY, JULY 8th at Mayberry Fine Art in Toronto {4-7pm}

“That Night In Toronto” 

Poetry. That is the best way to describe any and all lyrics written by Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip. From “wheat kings and pretty things”, to “musical chairs, double dares, memorized stairs” the words from these generation defining songs strike a chord in, well, anyone who has ever heard them.  As a curator, and artist, I want to honor this poetry the only way I know how – visually. I asked ten Canadian artists to create original work inspired by their favourite Tragically Hip lyrics. FYI, it was very difficult to choose, which is why some artists have more than one piece in the show! Originally, I was going to assign bits of Hip poetry to each of them, but every artist came back with stories of their favorite songs – memories from road trips, University, concerts, breakups, dance floors, house parties and the list goes on. The paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, paper-cut pieces they’ve created are beyond what I ever could have imagined. Stunning artwork, each with the magical power to conjure up a song.

This show is a heartfelt tribute from one group of Canadian artists to another – and simply our way of saying, “Hey man, thanks”. 

ps. Twenty per cent of sales will be donated to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research via Sunnybrook Hospital. 

If you can come, please do. I will be there with bells on, or at least a Hip t-shirt. Mayberry is just across the street from the AGO {324 Dundas Street West}. Send your RSVP to toronto@mayberryfineart.com – see you soon!

Artists {in order shown} : Annyen Lam, Ben Skinner, Meghan Hildebrand, Danielle Krysa {me!}, Sara Genn, Sean William Randall, Don Proch, Jay Dart, Brandy Masch, Sarah Gee Miller

Seriously, how does she do it? Just kidding, I totally know how she does it because I had India born, Sydney based artist Gunjan Aylawadi on my podcast and she told me everything! These are just a few of her latest, and always insane, woven paper sculptures. The series is titled “Place for Prayer” and will be hanging in a new show that opens THIS SATURDAY, June 24th in Sydney at Koskela.

“In the last few years, my slow meditative paper weaving practice has evolved from two-dimensional paper tapestries to three-dimensional geometric sculptures. In this show, I have attempted to create a body of work exploring the idea of prayer and carving out a place for personal meditative contemplation. Inspired by the geometry, architecture and arabesque patterns in temples/churches/mosques that I grew up around, these works are an invitation to viewers to pause, observe, contemplate and rest.”

Sigh. Beautiful. The shows runs until July 23rd. {Also, how great is it that her clothes match her work!?}

The overgrown Starbucks sign pulled me in, but as a proud Canadian… yeah, the Timmy Ho’s sign sealed the deal! “Franchise” is the latest brilliant show from American painter Scott Listfield. These gorgeous paintings {yes, paintings!?} are currently hanging in LA at Gallery 1988 until July 8th. If you can see Scott’s clever, beautifully painted work in person … GO! 

ps. Scott was on my podcast last year, and it’s such a great episode! Listen right here.

Gasp! These are just a few pieces from American artist Kirstin Lamb‘s latest series, “Embroidery Paintings”. Sure, they might look like embroidery at first glance, but when you get up close ‘n personal you’ll discover they’re actually paintings made up of zillions of tiny, colorful dots of gouache on Duralar.  LOVE! You know what I love even more? The final piece above, titled “Floral With Butterfly”, will be hanging on the wall at this year’s Hotbed Benefit in San Francisco. Yes, a few months ago I was asked to curate the artwork for this annual gala, in which 100% of the proceeds will go to Planet Hope, an organization that provides outreach and educational resources to homeless, abused, and terminally ill children. Obviously, I said YES. Twenty very talented artists donated (donated!) work for this show, including the wonderful and talented Kirstin Lamb. I will be at the benefit tomorrow night – with Kirstin! – so keep an eye on my Instagram feed for highlights! ps. It’s hosted by Sharon Stone, as Planet Hope was started by Sharon and her sister Kelly in 1993. Amazing. All of it. Happy Friday!