Author Archives: Aaron Berger

Aaron Dunn Carves Portraits Out of Poured, Drippy Piles of Paint

by

 

Diggin’ Heads, an aptly titled series from Baltimore-based artist Aaron Dunn. From the artist:

Heads is a series of carved paint pour(traits). It’s my likening of artists to Doctor Frankensteins, and a contemplation of what we might owe our work if it lived and breathed. Heads began as a parody of macho chest-thumpers like Pollock and Koons, but grew into a joyful exploration/recontextualization of the possibilities of ‘traditional’ painting media: this includes the physical incorporation of paintbrush bristles/handles and other hardware into the work, as well as poured, dissected and dripping paint in all kinds of messy 3D applications.

Really creative process and it seems to be working out well too- the works are definitely bee’s knees material. See more after the jump, including Dunn’s take on Homer Simpson.

Read More>

Kristine Five Melvaer’s Designer Lamps that Look like Plant Buds and Water Droplets

by

 

Kristine Five Melvær is a Norwegian designer who brings a really subtle, but affective approach to the table. This Bloom lamp series is great. Inspired by natural forms, the shades call to mind “buds, fruit, or water”. Each of the three lamps are a different height, which promotes a sense of organic incongruity.  The shades are made of canvas, which, though a possible fire hazard, goes along nicely with the earthy vibe of each piece. (via)

Read More>

Advertise here !!!

Andy Ristaino’s Psychedelic Insanity

by

 

Andy Ristaino is the lead designer at Adventure Time. His online portfolio is insanity. Yeah, Ristaino’s got the whole psychedelic thing pretty much down. But he’s also doing a lot more. This is what it looks like when you reach a high level within your craft. His blog is worth a click as well. (via)

Read More>

Nick Pedersen’s Overgrown Post-Apocalyptic Environments

by

 

“My goal with this project is to create striking juxtapositions between the ruins of modern civilization and a futuristic ecological utopia.”

Brooklyn-based artist/illustrator Nick Pedersen -whom we featured in the 6th installment of our limited edition book series- recently finished a new batch of work entitled Ultima. The loosely narrative series depicts a post-apocalyptic environment in which conflicts between modern and early cultures, and man and the natural world are given prominent attention. In the world that Pedersen has conjured, overgrown cities (though absent of their typical, busy inhabitants) are full of life. The lush, green environments project a vibrancy that’s really appealing. But the digital works have their quiet aspects too- deer slowly pick their way through the brush; and stoic, masked tribesmen explore their bizarre surroundings. Check out more images from Ultima after the jump.

Read More>

Colorful Mounds of Sugar Form Fantasy Landscapes in Pip and Pop’s Installation Work

by

 

These bright, candied installation pieces are the work of Australian artist Tanya Schultz. Working under the name Pip & Pop, Schultz employs sugar, glitter, fake flowers, and a myriad of other materials to produce the colorful mounds of awesomeness. It’s not a far stretch to picture the works as actual landscapes- to fantasize about walking around in Pip & Pop’s unique world. Diabetes was never so easy on the eyes ’til now. More after the jump. (via)

Read More>

Chloe Early’s Sublime Oil Paintings Contrast Beauty and Destruction

by

 

London-based artist Chloe Early works primarily in oil, creating paintings that set themes of “love, beauty, and innocence” against “worldly symbols of agression” -bombs, bullets, urban development, etc. And we’re talking right up against each other. Subjects as disparate as weapons and flowers seamlessly come together  as one to create a kind of informal pattern. Missiles, engines, and guns -harsh, metallic things- spiral away from lovers and graceful figures. In creating such a sharp contrast of subject matter, Early captures an elusive, sublime moment. That perfect, last second of beauty before everything falls to shit. That enormous show of strength in the midst of destruction and decay. More paintings after the jump.

Read More>

F. and D. Cartier’s Pink-Hued Fashion Photograms

by

 

As part of our ongoing partnership with Feature Shoot, Beautiful/Decay is sharing Alison Zavos’ article on F. & D. Cartier.

Husband-and-wife duo, F. & D. Cartier started working together in 1998. They are well known for their pink-hued photograms—cameraless photographs made by placing personal objects, in this case feminine fashion items, in contact with a black-and-white photosensitive paper surface. The result are these sexy and dreamy images which can be seen in their book Roses.

F. & D. Cartier are represented by Hous Projects in New York.

Read More>

Matt Mahurin’s Widely Varied Creative Output

by

 

Illustrator/Photographer/Filmmaker Matt Mahurin has published illustrations in Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, The New York Time, and more. He’s compiled photo essays on the homeless, people infected with HIV/AIDS, the Texas prison system, and more. He’s directed music videos for artists like Tom Waits, R.E.M., Metallica, David Byrne, and MORE. That word- “more”, comes to mind a lot when going through Mahurin’s work. He just seems to be doing everything at once. And he does it so well. I’m always astounded when I come across a multidisciplinary artist making work in each of his or her chosen platforms that’s just as good, if not better than that of artists who choose to focus in only one area of practice. I mean it’s just not fair. Check out more of Mahurin’s widely varied projects after the jump.

Read More>