Art: Deanna Staffo

Fashion illustration and portraiture by Deanna Staffo.  Visit her site, blog, or flickr for more.  

Art: tuesday mourning

These giclée prints by tuesday mourning ($20 each) are seemingly simple and yet each subject seems to be feeling a very specific emotion.  I really like the pencil drawings with a touch of blush on the nose and cheeks and the exaggeration of the heads' size.  Lovely and mysterious.   

Art: Catherine Campbell

I really enjoy the use of prints and texture in these illustrations by Australian artist, Catherine Campbell.  You can find illustrations as prints available in her shop, My Folk Lover.  Aren't they enchanting? 

Art: Figurative Works by Camila do Rosário

I'm really enjoying these gorgeous figurative works by Brazilian artist Camila do Rosário.  Her line work is pure elegance.

images: Camila do Rosário

Wounded Art

These drawings by Inga Birgisdóttir are beautifully rendered while the subject matter walks the line between endearing and off putting which I suppose is why I'm intrigued.  No one likes to see a wounded animal but I suppose if you're going to see one, these are quite beautiful. (Please excuse the terribly cheesy title.  I couldn't help myself.)

images: Inga Birgisdóttir

Art: Amy Blackwell

I'm liking these playful and fun illustrations by British artist Amy Blackwell.  Her imagery and smart use of color (look at those color combos!) makes me intensely happy. This piece particularly reminds me of my sister and I'm thinking it needs to be added to my art wall.
Amy's links:  Flickr / Shop / Blog

Currently Into

Happy Monday!  It was a great weekend and it's undoubtedly difficult to get back into the swing of the work week, but these "Currently Into" illustrations by Spanish artist Melissa Chaib cheer me up.

I love the idea of a visual journal of sorts, and Melissa Chaib's picks are adorable and a great way of keeping track of one's favorite things.  Some of my current favorite things are on her list as well: headbands, green tea, film, books, and pixie boots.  Do you see any of your favorites things in her picks?

images:  Melissa Chaib (seen on Pikaland)

Art: Diem Chau

Amazing ceramic and mixed media pieces from artist Diem Chau.   The juxtaposition of textures in these pieces is intriguing while the simple imagery and pops of color create balance.  Interesting, no?

images:  Diem Chau  (seen on what katie saw)

Artist: Sarah McNeil

I'm smitten with the soft palette and incredible line work of New Zealand artist Sarah McNeil. 

I'd love to commission a portrait of my niece, maybe with a small mouse on her shoulder? 

Artists' Links:
Blog / Shop / Flickr

Blissful Thinking

Have you seen some of the artwork over at Olio United? These pieces by Jill Bliss are just what a I need to brighten up a dreary day.

Treehouse with Red Door


Poppies


Wetland Dandelions


Treehouse with Red Trim

{all photos via Olio United}
See more on Jill Bliss' website, flickr, or Etsy.

Obsession: Claire Coles Design

Sometimes, when I'm deciding what to share with you all, I bring up the imagery I've seen that I simply cannot get out of my head. Some time ago, I ran across Claire Coles designs on the ever inspiring blog, Design Lovely. These wallpaper designs simply will not leave me alone-they're gorgeous.

Claire Coles designs consist of stitching vintage wallpapers together to create a collage type design.
She also creates work on porcelain...these pieces make me uncomfortable for no explainable reason other than the stitching takes function away from the cup and adds a tactile element that I've never seen before (on a cup!). Being uncomfortable with a piece of work is NOT a bad thing...so please don't read me incorrectly.
What I wouldn't give to have one of her illustrations hanging on my wall! The detail and texture is astounding.
Look at the layers of color in that bird...
{see the full portfolio here}
Thank you Design Lovely for giving me something else to become obsessed over.
What do you think of these designs?

Ana Laura Perez

Have you seen Ana Laura Perez's work? She an Argentinian artist and she's stolen my heart.

Her style is reminiscent of Egon Schiele (of my top 5 favorite artists) and Gustav Klimt (another favorite). It's pretty easy to see why I find her work so intriguing.
It's obvious that this artist has a strong sense of fashion and style.
Ana Laura Perez doesn't stop at with 2-D work, she also has her own shop entitled "Alps" that includes pieces like this...
You can check out her blog here if you like what you see.

Mapping the obsessions

I'm beginning to worry that I'm exhibiting signs of ADHD as seen by my numerous little obsessions that keeping popping up. No, these are not OCD obsessions, more like I get really fixated on something for the house and although I don't forget about previous obsessions, I just keep adding new ones (i.e. plate wall, mobiles) and now vintage maps. I suppose part of my wandering eye has to do with the blank wall space that B and I are tirelessly trying to fill. Here's my inspiration for the map idea:

source: AT
As I began searching for maps online, I ran across Rachel Austin's paintings on Modish and now I'm completely obsessed with these (look closely and you'll see the maps behind the paint):




source: Rachel Austin's Etsy
I mean, forget the regular maps, I want these! All of them, thank you very much...(dang it my birthday list is getting long.)
{Giveaway ends tonight at 6pm! Click on the bison to the right for your chance to win.}

New header!

I can't tell you how excited I am about my new header. This was designed, specifically for Down and Out Chic, by a very talented friend of mine. Since this blog is new, I had been waiting to get a header that would fit the feel of it (kind of like waiting to name your new puppy so the name is just right!) Keith Rein is a designer who's work covers "graphic and multimedia design, from stationary, invitations, and business cards to fine art prints." His design business, Paper Thin, is fairly new but well known in Athens. I hope you'll take the time to check out his website.

Keith does very unique custom portraits. This is of our mutual friend, Jenna. The great thing about these portraits is his ability to capture someone's personality through colors, symbols, and patterns. The background pattern is also available in wrapping paper!
This is of our friend Sam who is, to put it simply, is a rock star (literally). If you know Sam, you know this portrait fits her perfectly.
This is a self portrait of the artist and yes, he is that good looking. I think I've mentioned Keith before in the context of being my most stylish (straight) male friend.
If you love pattern as much as I do, you can understand why I love this work. There's always more than what meets the eye (see the shoes?).

'Corie wrapping paper'. This is named after his wife, and my good friend, Corie. Who doesn't love a good bird pattern?'Anchors Away' Wrapping paper.
There's so much more on the website so if you're in need of a gift or invitations, business cards, or wrapping paper for yourself, I hope you'll consider Paper Thin. For the more provactive side of Keith's work, check out his blog here. (Please note that the key word is 'provactive' as in not for the bashful).