Kiss Me Cate - Found On A Friday

Lacy by Cate Rangel

At last it's Friday once again, and today's Found featured artist is one who's work speaks volumes all on it's own. Which is a great thing for a variety of reasons, it has been a very busy blogging week for me, and I may need the help. I initially happened across the work of the astonishingly awesome Cate Rangel on Etsy, and I just knew I had to share it with everyone I could.

Daydream by Cate Rangel

Cate is among the small number of self-taught artists that I would place in the "Are You Kidding Me" category. What I mean by that is, her work displays such an unbelievable level of skill and style that it is hard to believe that she hasn't been studying art her entire existence.  Her work is startling in it's expressiveness, and her images will stay with you, almost call to you, as they did to me, asking you to come and have another look.

Culinary Curiosities by Cate Rangel

Based in Los Angeles, Cate's paintings of primarily female subjects reflects what she describes as a "psychological mirror".  While her formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Rangel's work is a school in the elements of the feminine mystique.

Vera by Cate Rangel

Her portraits, of real or imagined subjects (it is sometimes difficult to be certain) are powerful in their apparent simplicity. They convey the "mix of boldness and fragility" that Cate herself identifies, but something more that is hard to describe in words.

Lilith by Cate Rangel

For me, art is all about the way it makes me feel, I know instantly whether I love something or if it not my 'thing'. The moment I saw Rangel's work, I was swimming in the pure joy of having connected.  Her work speaks to me, not only because of the subject matter, but the style as well. There is a haunting vulnerability in the eyes of these women, while at the same time, a sense of the power they possess.

Savannah by Kate Rangel

 A mix of pop art, pin-up, fashion illustration, and expressionism, with an ample dose of Suicide Girl sexy, there is a stark beauty to each and every painting.  Working primarily in acrylic on panel, Cate's skill is breathtakingly obvious, her images look like they are ready to come to life in some perfectly dark futuristic cyber-society or comic book, but I wouldn't be surprised to find them in a local Tattoo Parlor either.

Kristen by Kate Rangel

You can select from a lovely selection prints, many Limited Edition in Cate Rangel's Etsy shop, or visit her online store where you can find some of her original work alongside her prints.  On Etsy, prints range in price by size and edition availability, but generally start from $25 USD, while original paintings can be found beginning at $325 USD and up. Cate also has a website where you can see a large gallery of her work, her exhibiting calendar, and more.  Rangel also indicates in her Etsy shop information that some images not appearing in her store can be purchased as prints upon request, so I urge you to have a good look around. Aren't you glad that Cate Rangel was Found On A Friday? I know I am.

Cherry's Jubilee by Kate Rangel

LINKS:
Cate Rangel on Etsy
Cate Rangel Original Art
Cate Rangel Store 

Cotton Candy by Kate Rangel

Found On A Friday - Accidentally On Purpose

Illinois born Megan Carter is a rarity among the artist I have come across on Etsy. Her work is striking and powerful, and yet she seems so unaware of just how good she really is. Her shop name says an awful lot, why else would she have named it Accidentally Good. It may be an accident, but there is no doubt about it, she is beyond "Good", Megan's work is great.

The first image I saw of her's, I came upon quite by accident. Simply titled Morte, I saw so much in this painting. I reminded me of something specific, the face was speaking to me, and how could it not. Megan has the ability to turn a few colours, well chosen, into something beyond a composition of elements, her work is deep and affecting, and it has a way of staying with you. And I must admit, it will now be staying with me, I couldn't resist her.

The above work goes by the name Jinx, again it is minimalist abstract portraiture in style, but the play of positive and negative, dark and light, makes this painting another standout. Make no mistake, you are not looking at a print, all of the work currently on sale in Megan Carter's Etsy shop is one-of-a-kind [OOAK] original work. These are not copies or silk-screened reproductions, not photographs, this is the real deal. Most original work of well known artists on Etsy sells up into the hundreds of dollars. But this is a rare opportunity for you to "get in" on the work of an artist before she hits that tipping point.

Prices range from just $30 to $80 USD, and Megan uses primarily Acryclic, and some Water Colour, on Canvas, Wood, or Canvas Pad. The image above is of Megan's work titled Tatiana features an example of a Water Colour on Paper original.

I found Gloria, the image above to have a lovely retro feel to it, it looks very Old Hollywood Glamor to me. But then, that is what I like best about Megan's work, it speaks differently to each viewer, where I see Old Hollywood, you might see something entirely different, and isn't that the point of art?

The above 9x12 Original Acrylic on Canvas Pad work, entitled Robyn is a perfect example of why you can have original artwork in your home for less than the price of most art prints. This image is a steal at just $35 USD, and illustrates perfectly why Accidentally Good is the most ironic of names for Megan's Etsy Store. Click on over to see the rest of Megan's work currently up for sale, and see what you "Accidentally" fall in love with. I found it on a Friday, but I will treasure it always.

LINK: Accidentally Good on Etsy.

Found On A Friday - Pinkytoast

If there is one thing I can say about today's Found On A Friday feature, is that it was love at first sight. Sometimes I can easily put into words why I love something, other times I am not entirely sure, I just know that the object in question "speaks" to me. In the case of Pinkytoast, these fabulously creative works of original art didn't just speak to me, they screamed. It seems fitting that this post lands on a Friday the 13th, because it's a little scary how wonderfully addictive this artwork is.

Pinkytoast is moniker of an incredibly charming and creative artist from Brooklyn, New York and her work is simply enchanting. Pinkytoast calls her original artwork, prints, and dolls Big Eyed and Sweet and Sour, and it is all that and so much more. Pinkytoast's images of Sad Eyed Vixens, Stylized Pin-ups, and Kawaii Cuties with liberal dashes of delicious pinks and yummy pastels are instantly recognizable and ultimately desirable. She has a huge following of fans and collectors, and her work has been blogged to the nth degree. My personal feeling is that you can never have too much of a good thing, and so today I bring you an ample sample of Pinkytoast and tell you where you can find her work and how you can get it home for yourself.

The artist's self-described 'Sweet and Sour doll art' is inspired by "retro kitsch, fairy tales, little kiddles, mod fashion, blythe, dollfie, vintage rag dolls, sad clowns and circus shows, the melancholy of goth, and all things pink". From pencil sketches and original paintings, art prints, handmade pillows and dolls, and items created with her original printed images as adornments, there is something for every fan of Pinkytoast at every price point.

In her Etsy Shop, Pinkytoast offers a wide range of goodies, such at the original painting at the top of this post entitled Swan Song-Angel Cage My Heart, the Spring Rain Kokeshi Doll Home Decor Pillow featured above. The Vintage Boxer Sings A Rainbow 7x10 Art Print is an example of what Pinkytoast refers to as a one of her Sweet Tooth Girls.

Things take a little turn away from the "Sweet" and head into "Sour" territory in some of Pinkytoast's other work. Little Blue Bat Girl in a Gothic Garden 6x9 Art Print [above] and Winter Deer Wear Your Feathers 11x14 Art Print [below] are a little more abstract and even creepy images, but equally attractive and stylized works of art.

Prints are priced starting around $10 USD and up, depending on size, and original works of art move into the $500-$900 USD range. Original dolls and ornaments made of custom Pinkytoast fabrics, paper, other fabrics, and other mixed-media findings are hand-made one-of-a-kind items that can add a touch of whimsical fun to your home or office. The current selection available in Pinkytoast's Etsy Shop are all offered for under $60 USD, and they are hot sellers to be sure. A few of these fabulous dolls are featured below.

The best bargain by far for the budget bound and penny wise are the Pinkytoast pocket mirrors, buttons, coasters, bottle openers, and key chains created by the artist using her original artwork prints and featuring many of her most delightful works. For around $6 USD/CDN you can put some Pinkytoast in your pocket, on a key chain, or on that boring coffee table. Check them out following this preamble and then head over to her Etsy Shop to get a sweet and sour sampling of Pinkytoast.

Link: Pinkytoast Original Big Eyed Art + Sweet and Sour Dolls on Etsy

Found On A Friday - Barking Art

If you love your Dog(s) [and who doesn't] you will want to check out this amazing artist on Etsy. Shauna Morrissey does custom portraits of your puppy or puppies and her style is out of this world fabulous. When I saw this portrait I thought it was a one-off, but she actually specializes in animal portraits. From $150.00 USD upwards you can have this amazing one of a kind art memento of your favorite couch companion, or give it as a gift to the dog lover in your life.

This Piece is called "POLLY The Pug". 'Barking Art' by Shauna Morrissey is her Etsy shop. Head over and find out how you can get one done of your dog(s). Personally I think the bright colour is one of my favorite things about Shauna's style, I love the way she blends and shades, and the cartoon like style is so enchanting. Here is another example of Shauna's work, entitled "THEODORE", this Great Dane is beyond great!

LINK: Barking Art