The image above is by the very talented Sam Wedelich of Dwell Deep...who I'll have you know, was one of the very first artists I wrote about when this blog was wee and not even what it is today! :)

The latest work from prolific street artist Dan Witz is at both intense and unreal. It seriously has blown me away. Always one to simultaneously work and play with the natural urban settings around him, Dark Doings is no exception. Dan's work always leaves me feeling inspired and in a state of "holy shit". But this new group, took me to another level entirely. It left me feeling haunted in only the way incredible art can. It also left me unable to look at creepy steel doors the same again. Dark Doings opens tomorrow night at Carmichael Gallery in LA. Should be an incredible show. You can see more on Dan's flickr page.

Christopher Russell's print over at Little Paper Planes almost makes me look forward to winter. He has such an amazing way of capturing landscapes and weaving fantasy within them. There is an incredible warmth to his work. This print would add a touch of gorgeous to any wall it hung on. It's hand numbered in an edition of only 15, so don't wait. Christopher is LPP's artist of the month and he talks candidly about his influences of nature and his own travels outdoors. Along with the interview are some beautiful examples of Chris' work.

Awwww, sometimes you just need a pick me up. You hear me barkin' big dog?I know you're pickin up what I'm puttin' down. Roll & Tumble Press make super adorable (and affordable) prints that'll make anyone feel all pretty again. Or just make your house look put together and rad.

How can you not absolutely fall in love with something that says: "You made me a mix tape. Now you are my boyfriend."?! I just go nuts over crazy ass statements that are drawn well. Zookimono has a bunch of awesome skins from a ton of talented folks including two of our very favorite illustrators, Gemma Correll and Julia Pott. Holiday season is barking y'all!

"I am fascinated with butterflies and knots. My interest lies in the delicate yet resilient characteristics of a butterfly as opposed to the robust and stabilizing mechanisms of a knot. Natural examples of conformity and a deviation – both are symbolically used to describe physical characteristics brought on by strong emotional reactions. Having butterflies or knots in your stomach may physically feel similar but evoke completely different emotional connotations."

Below are some of Gretchen's pieces she is referring to...these pieces will be in a group show at Edge Zones in Miami.

I was introduced to Brad Woodfin's haunting animal portraits through Atelier Gallery, that has since closed, :( last year. I was awestruck by his ability to capture animals in such a moving way. Brad's latest show The Holy Goats opens next month at Jacana Gallery in Vancouver. His latest work still manages to mesmerize me, I'm also really excited by what he is doing with the found books. He told me in a recent email that a lot of this show was painted listening to the new Fever Ray. I love little facts like that! See more on his website.

The very first thing that drew me to the band The Decemberists were the illustrations on their first album Castaways and Cutouts by Carson Ellis. The scratchy, old-timey drawings seemed so epic and full of stories. I was taken immediately, then of course the band blew me away. I'm not sure I would have picked up that album if it hadn't been for Carson's drawings. Her work, the bands style and the lyrics go hand in hand (no surprise as Carson is married to front man Collin Meloy), the whole package in and of itself is pretty amazing. (I saw the band on tour in 2004 at Bottom of the Hill in SF and scored a cute t-shirt with a bicycle drawn by Carson.) Nationale has original work of Carson's right now for sale. Oh what I wouldn't do to have an original. Just look at how beautiful these are. See more here.

I was charmed by Michelle Hailey's work. Her paintings have certain nostalgia that avoids flaky sentimentality. When I look at her interiors or still-lifes I begin to feel like I'm the figure in the piece. For me, they have an enigmatic "this is what I did and this is what I will be doing" quality that makes me feel warm.

Michelle is in a group show in Bushwick that opens Saturday, November 7th at 1717 Troutman Street. Catch it please!

A few weeks ago I previewed a little sneak peek of the show NONE MORE BLACK that I am curating at 4th Wall Project, featuring work by Bill Dunlap, Chad Chesko, Tony Bevilacqua and Elisabeth Timpone. We're getting ready for the show to open this Friday. There is lots to do so there will probably be limited posting here on the bloggy. To tide you over and for those of you who can't make it to Boston, I've got pics of Chad and Tony working on the mural they painted for the show at Bodega last week.

Outside the infamous, secret Boston sneaker store.

The wall before.

Tony taping down kraft paper to get prepped. Look at his cute little stockinged feet.

Chad and Tony working their magic.

Local artist Nick Z and some sweet kicks.

Tony drawing rainbow drops.

Andrew helping to paint the drops in.

Me painting the drops, look out...I may be hanging up the blog to be a session artist.

Mmmmm, paint.

Tony putting the wash, the finishing touch on the mural.

Ta-da!

I love it. Check it out at Bodega. Hope to see you at the show!

Below is the above linocut live and out on the street. Elbow-Toe wrote me this about it: "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, But she got an adjustable rate mortgage and her house got foreclosed." Brilliant.

See all those cut up magazines and catalogs? All the cut up bits make up Elbow-Toe's INSANE collages, like the one below:

This becomes this:

The view from the studio.