Okay, so they're not new new. I'm just betting you'll find something new to you. If you're familiar with any or all of them- let me know. And please tell me your favorites! I definitely want you to expand my horizons and expose me to something you love.
Listed below you'll find links to contemporary art, street art, home decor and design, literature, and smart humor. (yes, I think reliably eliciting laughter is an art form.) In the interest of full disclosure, I want to be clear that I don't know much about any of the above topics. I do, however, find a lot of joy while browsing these sites of people who do.
All of these talented artists and art-gatherers have significant followings. So it always surprises me when my IRL friends aren't familiar with them. I hope you find something new and enjoy these online treasures as much as I do.
The List
1. the jealous curator I've been following this amazing art finder on Facebook for a while now. She has around 84,000 "likes" but I'm going to be checking back on that number because she just announced that her book, Creative Block, is featured in this month's O! Magazine. She's also done some segments for upcoming shows, so if you haven't heard of her yet, you probably will soon.
Browse her blog for these amazing types of art: silkscreen prints, giant paper flowers, envelope houses, textile moths, collage work, paintings on linen, mixed media, hole-punched painted canvases that look like photographs, and much, much more.
The article that has stuck with me, however, showcased the work of artist Katharine Morling. The Jealous Curator featured a selection of her stunning ceramics which resemble line drawings that have been brought to life.
2. morley Morley is an L.A. based street artist with a very distinctive style. (I am a HUGE fan!) His black and white posters have encouraging, funny, and thought provoking sayings. He paints a picture of himself on them, too. The communication and images he shares is the same no matter how you want to follow him. Find him on his blog, Facebook, or Instagram. Earlier this year he released his first book, "If You're Reading This, There's Still Time." I'm sure it won't be his last. (here's a secret for you: owning an original Morley is high on my bucket list. I'm saving my pennies...)
3. the pink pagoda The things featured on here are just so. damn. beautiful. I appreciate a wide variety of decorating styles (I can never make up my mind enough to have a favorite) but this one is speaking to me now. Not only will you find the loveliest rooms featured on her blog, The Pink Pagoda also has an etsy shop that is filled with the most delightful, affordable prints, and an online shop full of home decor and accessories.
4. tin house- The Tin House is a veritable smorgasboard of all things literary related. There is a quarterly magazine, they are a book publisher, they offer writer's workshops, they have a blog, and there is also a shop featuring some of their artist's really cool merchandise. The reader-submitted story I'll never forget is Cussword ABC's. It was featured as part of their Flash Fidelity section, which is "non-fiction in 1000 words or fewer."
I follow them on Facebook, but there is so much more going on that I'll probably subscribe to the magazine. I've also got these Matt Kish Moby Dick Prints, and Allen Crawford's Whitman Illuminated Postcards on my wishlist.
5. the onion- With over 4 Million Facebook friends, this is by far the largest site I'm featuring today. I used to follow it on Facebook, but they have so many posts that I couldn't keep up. Now I just keep them on my favorites bar, so I don't forget about them when I need a guaranteed laugh.
Billed as "America's Finest News Source" they are a satirical website with sections for video, politics, sports, business, science/tech, entertainment, and my personal favorite: local. Back in 2012, The Onion was even featured in the real news. CNN ran a story confirming that The Onion's first selection for Sexiest Man Alive fooled the Chinese government. If they can't make you laugh, it might be hopeless.
Where do you waste time and feel good about it find inspiration that makes you smile?
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