We often think of ceramics as being made with porcelain clay and, a lot of times, that is the case. But did you know there’s another way to create sculptures without a kiln? Oven bake clay is a popular way for crafters and professional artists alike to build ceramics.
Portland-based artist Yellena James creates kaleidoscopic, biomorphic artworks that resemble colorful ecosystems, filled with imaginary flora and fauna.
Today, in the era of smartphones, social media, virtual reality, and 3D printing, technology is evolving faster than ever.
Dating back thousands of years, miniature art had its heyday during the 16th and 17th centuries when tiny paintings were often enclosed in jewelry cases and given as gifts. Today, contemporary artists continue to create incredible, itsy-bitsy masterpieces—some of which are no bigger than your finger tip. In celebration of these present-day painters, crafters, and makers, Chronicle Books has recently published an art book called Think Small that features “the tiniest art in the world.
Singapore-based artist Grace Ciao creates fashion illustrations that combine hand-drawn lines and watercolor brushstrokes with real, three-dimensional flowers.
Colored pencils aren’t just for kids—they are powerful tools of creativity for people of all ages.
Since 2011, Californian artist Ashley V. Blalock has been creating site-specific installations filled with gigantic, hand-crocheted doilies. Back in 2014, Blalock’s ongoing Keeping Up Appearances installation series was sprawling across gallery walls, stairwells, ceilings, and floors. Today, the red cotton crochet doilies continue to grow in size, as they spread across indoor and outdoor locations. Resembling giant spider webs, Blalock’s textile installations sometimes reach as high as 15 feet.
Oakland-based artist Gabriel Schama creates mesmerizing, laser-cut wood relief sculptures that feature layers of intricate swirls and abstract patterns.
Artist Ramon Bruin creates striking anamorphic illusions on paper.
Most people balk at mold, like the type that appears as spores on old loaves of bread. But not artist Elin Thomas; she pays homages to fuzzy fungus through her felt fiber art. Using techniques including crochet, needle felting, and embroidery, she creates one-of-a-kind petri dishes that really look like mold. The shallow vessels are filled to the brim with exquisite textures—including fuzzy, hair-like spores that invite you to touch, making them unexpectedly cute.
French street artist Vinie Graffiti is celebrated for her larger-than-life portraits of women.
If you like art with an edge, you'll love Paul Jackson‘s illustrations.
