amy stein.

These images come from photographer Amy Stein's series entitled "Domesticated." As the title suggests, Stein takes a look at human life set against nature. Aren't these images fascinating? I discovered her work over at the Harvard Gazette, and wish I could go see this exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. (Side note: Just a few short months ago, I lived a good ten minute walk away from this museum. Sigh. Cambridge, I'm missing you. . .)

(Photographs by Amy Stein, via the Harvard Gazette)

wall art inspiration round 4.

Here's a seasonally appropriate photo. So pretty, right?

(Found via You are my Fave)

wall art inspiration round 3.

Awesome.

wall art inspiration round 2.

This little birdie is named Maude. Isn't she adorable?

maria kalman.

I know many of us have been following Maria Kalman's Pursuit of Happiness blog over at the NY Times. I was sad to learn that the George Washington post she did in December was her last, but very happy to find out that these posts she will be turned into a book. I adore her book The Principles of Uncertainty, and think her work in published form would make for the greatest gift.

eco-friendly edition #19.

i think this just might be my favorite eco-friendly edition find yet. i love letterpress. i love the lorax. i love art that is printed on reclaimed paper. i would love to hang this up in my classroom or office. you can swoon over this here.

found via design crush

apostles of beauty.

a new exhibit, "the apostles of beauty: arts and crafts from britain to chicago" just opened at the art institute of chicago. the collection includes work from frank lloyd wright. i'm putting this on my list for a good weekend activity once we have a cold november weekend here in chicago.

this picture, an armchair designed by gustav stickley, is one of the selected works listed on the aic website.

egg photography.

abby of abby try's again takes the most captivating, ethereal photos. when i was a child, my grandmother gave me a nest with miniature robin's egg blue eggs, and i was strangely fascinated by them. maybe that is why i'm so drawn to these. regardless, abby's online store is certainly full of swoon-worthiness.

neal jones.

i'm really digging neal jones' self-portraits, and the other work on his site, too (including the "rosie" print above).

found via design for mankind.

grand ole bestiary.

while browsing through etsy last night, i stumbled upon these prints. they are made using old photos with a focus on the "faux-antique." kind of wild, but also funny and fun. i think these make for some wonderful (and affordable!) wall art. check out others in the shop here.

eco-friendly edition #14.

i'm head over heels for this calendar. it's refined, bold look would make for some great wall art, don't you think? and, i love how it's displayed with the wall plants in the first photo.

cindy tomczyk.

i've been meaning to post about cindy tomczyk for a few weeks now. let me tell you, my friends-- not only is her work fantastic (she creates both illustration and letterpress masterpieces), she's also a complete doll. i found a print that i loved when at her booth at renegade, but someone snagged it before i could. she didn't have any left, but told me she'd check her studio and provided her e-mail. when i went back to the fair the next day, she had the print that i wanted. she went to her studio that morning, and brought the final two she had left, hoping i'd come back. she's just an incredibly generous, zany and cool gal, and the exact type of person whose art you feel great about supporting.

also, i was excited to discover that cindy is having a studio party this friday in ravenswood. i'm hoping to stop by!

hubbard street.

the other day at the aic, there was an impromptu performance from hubbard street. so cool, right? this year, the two organizations are collaborating, so hopefully there will be more shows. there might be a hint when the "surprise shows" are coming on aic's twitter page. i love all of these pictures-- they make me want to go sign up for a dance class right this minute.

photos via art institute of chicago's photostream

bucktown arts fest.

who's planning to go to the bucktown arts festival this weekend? i'm planning on it and am very excited. you can check out all the deets here. lots of talented artists, including hiroshi ariyama, are scheduled to be there.