Nothing to see here folks, just some exceptional mountain photography. Or is it? Artist Brendan Austin actually creates these rugged looking landscapes with crumpled paper. CRUMPLED PAPER. The images start with existing photography snapped by Austin on various trips, then through a whirlwind of folds, shadows, textures, reworking, and rephotographing Paper Mountains are born.
A few months ago I discovered Quercus & Co and immediately shared them with you. Since then I’ve happily added one of their incredible pieces to my home – the eat-in area of the kitchen to be exact, right next to my depression era kitchen cabinet. I chose this space to hang my Scarf in Freya No. 1 because I love the way the greys in the print play off of the wall behind it and the slightly darker shade on the wall adjacent to it. The artwork is actually printed on canvas which gives a great physical weight and texture to the entire piece. I’m hoping to use one of Quercus & Co’s more graphic wallpapers in a small area of my new house, too!
Disclaimer: I received product for this post. However, all words and opinions are my own as usual. Thank you for supporting the brands that help to keep Design Crush going!
Posted In create, house and home, illustration, walls
These watercolored faces from artist Sylvia Baldeva are mildly eerie… which I of course love. It’s almost as though you’re looking at these beauties from underwater instead of from under layers of blurry, translucent jewel-toned colors.
Texas born, New York City livin’ artist Alan Reid manages to pull together three design elements in his paintings that I don’t believe I’ve ever seen employed together prior to this. Low-contrast, color blocks, and graphics. Honestly I’m loving the result. Reid makes a motley crew of elements pull together in harmony and manages to make you look deeper into his work all at the same time.
(via BOOOOOOM!)
Posted In create, painting
Designing to make an impact in the world is a noble cause, and it’s exactly what DAAME is attempting to do. Their bags – a mini cross body/fanny pack, a 13″ laptop tote, and a 15″ laptop tote – are made with women on the go in mind. Each piece is handcrafted in the USA and with high quality Italian leather and a specially engineered Japanese lining. You can feel good making a DAAME purchase because 5% of all profits go towards providing long-term services and education for girls in impoverished circumstances.
Because art is my bread and butter, I was completely thrilled when UGallery reached out and asked if I wanted to play guest curator for their online art gallery. YES, I replied without a second thought – nevermind that becoming a curator was a dream of mine before the reality of life set in. It was so much fun searching through all of the artists they carry, looking for just the right pieces. Here are five of my favorites, but you can see the entire collection of thirty here. (You can also check out UGallery’s other guest curators, I’m sure you’ll recognize a few!) These pieces and manymanymany more are all for sale should your walls look too barren.
1. Gregor Hochmuth 2. Kimberly Poppe 3. Mark Elverson 4. Michael Wedge 5. Mark Yaggie
This post sponsored by UGallery. As always, all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Posted In create, sponsored post
01/ A giant Ophelia painted atop a boat floats down the River Lee in East London.
02/ Tom Blachford‘s tranquil photos of the ocean are the next best thing to being there.
03/ Time is Dancing is a clock has hands that are read as different ballet poses.
04/ Lightovo’s Milo Lamp also acts as a greenhouse!
05/ Exobiotanica sent a series of delicate plants into the stratosphere.
06/ Anatomical undies… because why not?
07/ Check out Wink Space, an immersive kaleidoscopic mirror tunnel in a shipping container.
08/ I Love Summer is a series of high-speed photos of people emerging from a waterslide.
09/ The Tree of 40 Fruits does exist! (But this is Photoshopped.)
10/ Undress Me is the sequel to the smash video First Kiss. You can guess what happens.
This week on Design Crush:
Erik Olson seems to have located the intersection between cubism and expressionism.
Marble and copper statement necklaces from RillRill.
Folksy, story-telling illustrations from the hand of Sarah Burwash.
Now that my OKC home has sold I’ve got new home essentials on my mind!
Jaclyn Conley paints some mean hair art (in a good way).
I gathered up some fun cards to send to loved ones as summertime hellos.
Lovely whimsical illustrations from Lizzy Stewart.
A bevy of awesome socially + environmentally conscious design is available at Grain.
I’m crazy about these countour key rings that could double as jewelry.
Design Crush elsewhere:
Patio party tips and picks for the ultimate outdoor get together over on Wayfair.
Aside from creating beautifully designed wares, Grain has another purpose – a dedication to social and environmental responsibility. (You know how I love a company that gives back.) As committed members of 1% For The Planet, one percent of Grain’s annual revenue goes back to environmental non-profits. Their work unites current manufacturing technologies and age-old craft techniques, and goods are produced in small batch runs in their Bainbridge Island studio. Good design plus conscientiousness equals all the more reason to buy! Check out my favorite pieces: Hung Mirror, Circlet Triple Sconce, Bound Hand V1, Grail Cassoulet, and Strung Sconce.
(via Honey Kennedy)
Posted In accessories, do good, house and home, kitchen
It seems like the artists I’m gravitating towards lately are extra whimsical in their style. Lizzy Stewart is case in point. Her work makes me simultaneously long for late summer evenings and crisp fall days. A tall order for a July day in the south!
Summer snail mail is some of my favorite to send and receive. Maybe it brings back memories of simpler times, when email and cell phones weren’t commonplace and summers were spent at camp. My mom would send me a card with a letter every. single. day. (She’s the best.) And I still have every one to this day. (In a box alongside my color war flags and camp crafts, obvs.) I think I need to read them over again sometime soon, and maybe send off a few of these summertime hellos to surprise some friends!
ROW 1: Bobbies – Note to Self: The Print Shop // Handsome Marble A2 Stationery – Paper Source // Happy Camper – Red Cap Cards ROW 2: Volcanoes Notecards – Marie Delafon // Letterpress Scorpio Star Sign Card – Hammerpress // Golden Rule Thank You Cards – Pei Design ROW 3: Blueberry Print Everyday Card – Hooray Today // Heart Card – Karolin Schnoor ROW 4: Amigo Postcard – Lilco Letterpress // Water Melon – Muchoucas Design // Be Steadfast – Survival Letterpress ROW 5: Home in the Woods – Red Cap Cards // Hello Letterpress Card Set – Allison Cornu // Wrapped Bundle of Three – The Hungry Workshop
Posted In cards, paper goods, round up