This past weekend, some of my family was in town to celebrate my husband’s birthday a little early. And while we were waiting to start dinner, my mom told a few stories about when my brother and I were young, and the crazy things we use to do.

Long story short, I was reminded of the time that I made the mistake of roller skating down a huge hill while also attempting to ride my bike, when I was nine. Let’s just say, it didn’t end well. But the point is, it was a learning experience that I’ll never forget. And to me, bikes represent that playful coming of age nostalgia that we all reminisce about from time to time.

So for today’s fine art feature, I have a little bicycle roundup…

1. Pedal Power by Mary Kate McDevitt (nfs)

2. Green Lightning by Michele Maule $20

3. Freewheeling by Blanca Gomez $30

4. Keep Calm and Ride On by Please Be Still $39.99

Care to share your fondest childhood bike memory?

*top image via Allan Peters

Well, I figured since last week’s words to live by post was a hit, I could squeeze out one more post on the same topic: words to live by. So here is one last roundup of inspiring posters and prints…

1. Be Nice to Yourself $20

2. Make Something Good Today $39.99

3. Be Present Everyday $20

4. Make Do and Mend $18

5. Don’t Hold Back $16

What words inspire you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

1. Life is Like Riding a Bicycle $20

2. Let Your Worries Fall Away $18

3. If You Can Dream It You Can Make It $10

4. Re-Awaken Your Sense of Wonder $12

5. Let is Be $10

See you next week!

Top Image Become Who You Are

I recently read an interview with artist and illustrator Lulu Wolf in Rebel magazine. And although I was already familiar with her work, reading her answers helped me to understand her journey as an artist more. What I noticed about Wolf’s work immediately, that really impressed me, was her restraint.

Often incorporating vintage magazine pages with elements of drawing, this Brooklyn-based girl is careful to choose each piece and position rather intuitively.

Visit Lulu Wolf to view more of her work. Or click here to check out her blog.

With laundry piling up, the kids home for summer, and that never ending to-do list, life can get a little crazy sometimes. And when it does, I always make an attempt to get outside : take a walk through the park or a long bike ride to lunch – something like that. Being around nature, with the sunshine beaming down, helps me clear my head.

Which brings me to today’s artist: Lena Wolff. There is a wonderful balance of flora and fauna in Lena’s hand-painted paper cut and pinprick collages. And the often “blank” or uncluttered backgrounds allow those magically, simple bits of nature to shine through.

*Thanks Ez for introducing me to Lena’s work.

1. Edgar Allan Poe print by Top Hat Society $10

2. Lovely sewn print by  Taste Orangey $20

3. Portrait print by Be Happy Now $17

4. Alida print by TushTush $15

5. Going Green: Abstract Figure Portrait print by Abstract Figures $4.99

Throughout the years, I have seen a lot of artwork on wood: paintings on wood panels, wood boxes, and plywood sheets. But I have seen very few artists actually use the woodgrain to their advantage. And certainly no others whose work resembles that of Jacksonville, Florida artist Sean Mahan.

His paintings frequently include vast, unprimed backgrounds with sparing subject matter; starting off as graphite renderings, which are then layered with washes of acrylic paint on luan wood. There is definitely an eerie beauty to the figures in his work, being that they are for the most part, isolated from reality with often only one inanimate object to interact with. Really interesting work.

To view more of Sean Mahan’s work, visit his portfolio site.

My brain is on a serious summer kick lately. It’s all I can think about really: blooming flowers, heading to the beach, walking through the park, and getting rid of that dreaded farmer’s tan.

So naturally, this week I am again searching for that summer feeling for my fine art feature. And I think I found it with these limited edition Sprout prints from photographer Debbie Carlos. They definitely have that summer vibe I was searching for. Sure they’re more subtle than a rainbow beach umbrella or a poolside painting, but that’s what I love about them. They’re beautifully layered, delicate and airy. So, so lovely.

You can view all of Debbie’s work via her portfolio site and shop available works on etsy.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July weekend. I know many are still celebrating (or relaxing) with today being the official observation day. So, I thought I would just pop in and share some summer fun from Kiki and Polly.

Have a great week!

-Brittni

I am usually not the biggest fan of portrait work, but when your listed inspirations include Patrick Caulfield and Lucien Freud, I take note.

Which brings me to today’s featured artist: portrait painter, Kristyn Dors. These portraits by Dors are striking. The physical disconnect between the body and mind in these images is really powerful; turning the idea of what a portrait “should be” into something completely different.

With a combination of emotional and seemingly emotionless figures, Dors most definitely shows her influences, while remaining true to herself. Who wouldn’t love that?

To view more of Kristyn’s work, visit her portfolio site and etsy shop.