Friday, April 3, 2020

Karl Martens Uses Calligraphy Brushes and Watercolors to Paint Birds















Karl Martens is an artist based in San Francisco who creates amazing paintings of feathered creatures using watercolors, and Japanese and Chinese calligraphy brushes. What makes his work unique is that he paints his birds from his memory, he never uses any photograph or an image as a reference for his work. He begins with broad strokes of brushes on a blank canvas and gradually adds fine details. Karl's work is inspired by Chinese painters in the early Qing dynasty, Shih-t’ao. The washes of watercolors make his paintings fluid and delicate in nature.

“Just as the union of calligraphy ink and paper always provides unexpected results, so does the watercolor on this rough hand made paper. Especially when calligraphy brushes are used. Each paper reacts differently to the medium. Sometimes it absorbs immediately, and other times it doesn’t absorb at all. A simple brush provides less control than fine one, and sometimes the opposite is true. This uncertainty is what inspires me. What will happen this time? In order to give life to some areas I sometimes use salt on the paper, which creates unexpected patterns as the paint dries. All in order to confront the unexpected.” via

You can watch the following video to learn more about the artist and his work.



Thursday, April 2, 2020

Landscapes and Animal Portraits Painted with Flowers




 






 



Bridget Beth Collins is a self-proclaimed "petal painter, magic weaver, and flower nymph." She uses flower petals and natural materials to "paint" animal portraits, stunning landscapes and objects. Her illustrations are filled with amazing details, she pays close attention to getting the colors as close to real in her work. She uses a variety of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables as well as twigs. Her work has moment and feminine, delicate quality to it.

I have featured her work on the blog in the past, and I also follow her on Instagram - Flora Forager


Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Alexis Savopoulos of Meadow and Fawn












Alexis Savopoulos is a painter, a sculptor and the mastermind behind Meadow & Fawn. I have blogged about her mesmerizing work a couple of times before here and here. I follow her on Instagram, I just stop scrolling as soon as I see her work to just stare at it for a long time. The details in her work is out of this world, the miniature paper flowers and textures make her animals look real. Her owls, deer, badgers, swans and foxes seem as if they are living in a forest, roaming about and the artist stepped into their magical world to capture that moment into her sculpture art.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Sabrine Timm Personifies Tables, Chairs and Sofas














 


Sabine Timm of Virgin Honey is a self-described “artist, creator, beach-trash collector, flea-market lover and photographer.” She creates playful characters using a wide variety of everyday things and found objects. She arranges cups, plates, spoons, kitchen towels, fruits, breads, pillows, caps and gloves on tables, chairs and sofas in such a way that the end result is funny and has lots of personality. To see her other amazing creations and to get update on her new work follow her on Instagram.