Dangerous Yet Beautiful

If you think these colored pencil sculptures look like sea urchin, then you are correct.  Jennifer Maestre was inspired by their form and function.  "Pencils are common objects, here, these anonymous objects become the structure.  There is true a fragility to the sometimes brutal aspect of the sculptures, vulnerability that is belled by the fearsome texture."

Jennifer graduated from Mass College of Art.  Current exhibitions,  "Out Of This World" at Albany International Airport, New York, until November 29, and "The Colored Pencil" at Schmidt Art Center, Belleville, Illinois, until October 24.

Planet Playground

The beauty of exploring the world of Damon Soule, a place with a hint of abstract and M.C. Escher. These paintings are hypnotic, where I could lose myself in a place with beautiful colors and organic shapes. I asked him about his process, he replied, "My process, it really depends on how I feel like working. Sometimes, I like to just wing it and let things happen spontaneously, and other times I plan things out fairly methodically. It really depends on my mood and what my intention for the piece is. Most times I'm inspired by whatever book I happen to be reading."

Damon studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and later became the Art Director and co-founder of FIT skateboards and clothing, but he sold it to pursue his passion in art.

Damon currently resides in Portland, Oregon. His up-coming exhibition, Thinkspace Art Gallery in Los Angeles, February 2010, Strychnin Gallery in Berlin, July 2010, and Fecal Face Gallery in San Francisco, May 2010. Please check the website for updates.

Clear Point Of View

Mike and Maaike is an award winning product design studio in San Francisco.  Their work have been honored and recognized by the industry: Dwell, I.D. Magazine, Time Magazine Green Design, Wallpaper Magazine Design Award, and more.

Mike Simonian is originally from Los Angeles, a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.  Maaike Evers is from the Netherlands, graduated Cum Laude from the Academy of Industrial Design in Eindhoven.  Mike and Maaike designed the first mobile phone which runs on Google Android Operating System and leading the design with Astro Studio to design the XBOX 360, as well as many multifunctional furniture and accessories.  Some of their products include Thermoplastic Pillows, Flowlab Skateboards which allows you to sure without the waves, and Windowseat Lounge, where you have your personal private space in public.  Please check their website for additional and in-depth information on their innovating products.