Strange Origins

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Spanish Painter

His work has been described as 'paranoiac-critical', a 'spontaneous method of irrational knowledge based on the critical and systematic objectivation of delirious associations and interpretations'. -phew!

Lighted Gireffes 1936-37 

Dali had studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, mastering in academic techniques. In 1923, he had been expelled due to indiscipline (damn the man!) leading him to branch out into screenplays and even a one-man show in 1925 exhibiting seascapes in Barcelona. 

In or around the year 1929, his earlier screenplay had lead him to be adopted by Surrealists like Picasso- which by glance at the last painting, is apparent. His works from this point into the early 30's exhibited erotica and his fascination for decay, making him quite the scandalous individual back in the day. Other works from this period included poems and symbolic objects; as well as another screenplay in 1930. Unfortunately, a break finally came between the Surrealist's ethics and Dali's 'contradictory methods' in 1939 (his fascination with Hitler didn't help!) 

Soft Construction with Boiled Beans - Premonition of the Civil War - 1936

As if Mr. Salvador wasn't interesting enough, he would soon after boast the backings of Freud himself, who declared "Dalí [as] the only interesting case in a movement whose aims he confessed not to understand" -say what!? More on the upside, the public would soon after refer to him as the "Surrealist par excellence." Which I'm sure boosted his ego into the upkeep of that reputation.

Young Virgin Auto Sodomized by her own Chastity - 1954

Between the scandals and extreme political views, my impression of this man is not so based on his morality, but more so on his pure talent for creating monsters you'd love to study, be friends with (and possibly help reassemble). Salvador Dali was in his own universe and somehow kept a firm foot in the door to our world. A friend you'd either despise to love or love to despise, but I guarantee you wouldn't pass up a chance to better acquaint yourself with the human and the beast within.

Posted by ZsuZsu

To The Girl With The Mousy Hair

Italia Ruotolo was born in Naples, Italy. She classicly studied ancient Greek and Latin and later graduated at the Fine Arts Academy of Naples. For many years she worked as a goldsmith and designer. Ruotolo's work is a broad range of pop art and art nouveau. Her source of inspiration is the world that surrounds her. In her work, there isn’t much distinction between high and low cultural level, because she’s aware that the man lives in a myriad of sensory stimulation and is itself the product of continuing contradiction between what is real and what is mere appearance or mere fiction. We find echoes of these contradictions in her work in constant search of a balance between past and future.

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Aunia Kahn

Aunia Kahn was born on December 5th, 1977 in Michigan. She was raised in an explosive and unpredictable home environment and sought refuge through art. In December 2005, her career officially launched with her first exhibition and gained immediate interest in fine art gallery showings Internationally.

She's also a graphic and web designer, the author of Obvious Remote Chaos and the Silver Era Tarot, and creator of the Lowbrow Tarot Project. I really enjoyed looking through all of her artwork. It really captivates you and it's just genius.

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Georgina Ciotti

This is Georgina Ciotti and she likes to paint murals. Couldn't find much information on her, but her website says she was born in Buenos Aires in 1973. Her latest works caught my eye instantly! <3

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Scott Rohlfs

I stumbled upon a really awesome artist lastnight on Facebook. His name is Scott Rohlfs and he lives in Portland, Oregon. He enjoys painting women with big eyes with an edge. He is currently running a contest to double his fanbase on Facebook. Right now we have 282 fans, if we can double that, Scott will raffle off eight 12"x16" hand signed prints of his painting "Minnie Meanie" (featured below) to the new 282 new fans. But not to worry current fans, he will also raffle off eight more prints. So come on people, click here to become a fan now!

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Candy Woman

Below is some of Edith Lebeau's most recent work for the '7 Year Itch Show' at the Strychnin Gallery in Berlin. I think I am inlove with almost every piece she's created. Definitely one of my favorites here recently. <3

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Welcome to Misery Land.

I love, love, love Dave MacDowell's paintings. Here are some of his most current paintings. To see more of his latest work, visit the Dirty Pilot.

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Daniela Uhlig

Daniela Uhlig is an amazing artist. She is from Germany and was born in 1982. Daniela's work consists mostly of comic pop art, but a lot of her work should only be seen by mature viewers. I love the colors in this painting, it reminds me of Pippy Longstocking.

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Cate Rangel

For those of you who remember my original Strange Candy album that inspired me to make this blog, this painting was one of my favorites. I didn't know who the artist was for a long time, and after doing lots of research and link clicking, I finally found the artist's name! Her name is Cate Rangel and she was born in Washington DC and raised in Southern California. She is a self-taught artist and her portraits are drawn from emotion, mood, and personal experience. They are pieces of residue from her past, and a glimpse into her psyche. She had her first gallery show in 2008 and I hope there is much more to come.

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Saints and Angels.

The Roq La Rue Gallery in Seattle, Washington is currently exhibiting some of John Brophy's new work. The exhibtion will run through December 5th and they will have music by DJ Vodka Twist. Don't be surprised if you see frequent posts from me about John Brophy. His work is captivating and leaves me in aw.

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Country Western Star.

I love, love Kelly Haigh. Her paintings are beautiful, but they never let you forget just how cruel the world can be. Her website has an interesting story she wrote and she talks about her others talents, Victorian taxidermy. In the mean time, you can catch Kelly singing in her band, Ashley Park. She is working on her first solo album, 'Country Western Star'. Featured above is her most recent painting. Talk about multi-talented. She is by far, one of my favorites..

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Mr. Clean is hot..

Mr.Clean, also known as Veritably Clean, made his debut in 1958. He was drawn by Ernie Allen of the Tatham-Laird & Kudner advertising agency. Originally, he was going to be shown as a United States Navy sailor, but the idea was changed. Though his motto has varied throughout the years, he is still as tough on grime and dirt as ever and can be seen on TV often. :D

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Edith Lebeau

Edith Lebeau grew up in Beloeil, a little town of Quebec, Canada. Her mother and father are also artists. This helped her to explore her own imaginary world and inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts at l'Université du Québec à Montreal where she graduated in 2005. Edith's work often refers to Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythologies, movies, and fairytales.

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Isabel Samaras

Isabel Samaras is best known for lush and meticulously painted of pop culture icons of the '70s. Her ribald images are a form of visual story telling – witty, mysterious, and tender, woven with references to classic horror movies, ancient mythology, cheesy television, and childhood fables. Her painted narratives revolve around issues of secret love, unrequited lust, and making things end the way we wish they would.
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Frustration Attraction..

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Heidi Taillefer began drawing at the age of 3, and was brought up in a rich family in creative talent. Always attracted to the bizarre and unusual, she was fascinated by strange animal specimens and haunting turn of the century side show oddities. Frustration Attraction is a painting which depicts Salome holding the head of John the Baptist in her hands. Despite her longing for him, he remained unattainable due to a conflict of ideological principles. The only way she could satisfy her desire was to have his head brought to her on a platter, where she could finally kiss her would-be lover’s lips. The painting is about unrequited and courtly love, where distance increases desire.

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Saratoga Sake

Saratoga Sake is from El Paso, Texas and was born in 1969. Sake began his art career with inspiration from New York City's subway graffiti. He was one of the first graffiti artist in San Diego County at the age of twelve. Eventually, Sake gained the attention of the San Diego art scene, taking home two EMMY awards for his portrait work for the Fox network.

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Doug Bloodworth

I just came across this artist yesterday. His name is Doug Bloodworth and his work is a little similar to Natalia Fabia's. Bloodworth was influenced by a rural upbringing, morning cartoons, cowboys and Indians, and dinosaurs. His art bounces back and forth between pop art and western art.

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Natalia Fabia

Natalia Fabia was raised in Southern California where she graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. She is inspired by light, colors, punk rock, beautiful women, and sparkles. Fabia is fascinated with "hookers", which fules her paintings of sultry women. Her work has been featured in numerous gallery exhibitions including Thinkspace Gallery, M Modern, and Shooting Gallery. She has been featured in Angeleno, Juxtapoz, and New York Arts magazine as well as appearances on Miami Ink, Fox 11 News, and Indie 103.1.

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Dean Fleming

This is Dean Fleming's work. I love how he used hands and made them noses for the two faces at the top of the painting. He also works with polymer clay which makes me love him even more! His artwork will be displayed at the Eclectix Gallery on October 16th, The Limner Gallery on November 7th, The Strychnin Gallery on November 13th, and The Congregation Gallery on November 14th. He is also featured in the current issue of Dangerous Ink. You can find more of his artwork in Juxtapoz Magazine.


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Hey we all die sometime.

Tara Mcpherson certainly knows what colors to paint with. She is an artist from New York City and creates art about people and their odd ways. Many of her paintings recall issues from childhood. She has created numerous gig posters for rock bands such as Modest Mouth, Beck, and Melvins.

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