Diego Cusano Turns Everyday Objects into Clever Illustrations

Diego Cusano is an Italian illustrator and an artist who is also a self-proclaimed Fantasy Researcher.

"I’m more of a ‘fantasy researcher’: every day I get up and look for an object and think of how to represent it in my own way, outside of reality and its constraints. Everything is a question mark, I don’t want to be living a routine.”

After he gained a Master’s degree in Visual Arts and Graphic Design, the artist traveled in Europe seeking new creative stirrings and developing artistic identity along the process. It was in 2013, Diego started creating these amazingly clever collages combining pencil drawings and everyday objects. His work gives an unusual twist to things that we are used to seeing as casual - half fried egg becomes eyes for an owl, orange slices take form of sting fish, roses turn into hot air balloons etc.

He has worked in partnership with Warner Bros., Adidas, Diesel, Dior, Cartier, Haribo, Gruppo and Mondadori to name a few. His account on Instagram which is a great source of inspiration currently has over 177,000 followers.

Felted Sculptures Perched on Vintage Sewing Machines and Letter Blocks

UK based artist Dinny Pocock needle felts creatures with lot of personalities and a bit of humor. The one-of-a-kind creatures are perched on vintage sewing machines, colorful spools, old books, typesetting letter blocks, kitchen graters etc.

"I’m always on the lookout for ‘small joys’ – that’s where ideas hide. Seeing a blackbird intently pecking at the ground recalls the motion of an old sewing machine and sets my mind to thinking, how could these two images be combined to create a narrative?"

Dinny gained a degree in Ceramics at Camberwell School of Art, London in the 80’s. She developed a technique of making thin layers of porcelain over wire frames which later on she used into creating needle-felting. She recently exhibited her work at Cheltenham Open Studio, you can find updates on her upcoming shows on facebook.

Sculptors Inspired by Spiritual Connection Between Human and Animal Spirit Worlds

Hib Sabin was born in Baltimore in 1935 presently lives in New Mexico. After he earned BFA in Studio Art and Art History at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, he taught art history at a number of institutions until 1970.

Sabin is a student of shamanism which largely influences his work. His work explores the spiritual connection between the human and animal spirit worlds often featuring owls, wolves, ravens, bears, coyotes and eagles into his pieces. He uses juniper wood to carve animal spirit bowls, spirit canoes, sculptors, and shamanistic masks.

“I am very interested in mythology and spirit. When I say “spirit,” I mean the spirit of nature. I’m basically looking, from either an aesthetic point of view or a ritual point of view, for these objects to reach into the heart of nature. What I try to do is imbue these critters, these power animals, these animal spirits, which are like an alter ego, with this spiritual energy.”

He has done many solo exhibitions all over the country. His work has been featured in Southwest Art magazine and has been displayed by the Port of Seattle at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. He is currently represented by galleries in Connecticut, Colorado, Vermont, New Mexico, New York, Washington State, Arizona and Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, Oregon.

Artist Captures the Movements and Freedom of Birds in Paintings

Nadine Dudek is a watercolor artist born in Melbourne and grew up in Canberra. In 2015, she left her 20 year career to pursue her decision to paint as a full-time artist. She has a great passion for wildlife particularly for birds. She uses watercolors as a primary medium in her paintings, and developed a unique fluid style to capture the movement of the subjects she paints.

"For me the most rewarding paintings are those with the fewest strokes, created with a minimalistic approach."

She has participated in several solo exhibitions and has won many awards including People's Choice Award 'Before the Dance', watercolour at Marysville Art Show 2018, and Highly Commended 'Duet', watercolour at Whitehorse Art Show 2018. You can find art prints of her originals in her online store. To know what's she working on currently and announcements related to upcoming events join her on Instagram.

Life-like Sculptures Made With Discarded Metal

David Groenjes is an artist based in Freedom, Wisconsin. He hand makes amazing life-like sculptures inspired by nature using salvaged and discarded metal. The sculptures of owl, deer, frog, squirrel, bison, hedgehog and more are constructed with discarded sheared sheet metal, recycled steel rods, tubing, flat stock, and other automotive parts.

You can follow his progress and get updates on new pieces on Instagram. To get your hands on his one-of-a-kind sculpture go to his online store.