amanda briggs at dear ada

ivonne mace.

The birds are slow to awaken in the mornings these days. It doesn't help that it's near 7:00 before it even starts to get light. But regardless, stir they do and the sound of their morning singing is so reassuring. I love birds so it's not surprising that I find these lovely oil paintings by ivonne mace so appealing. There's a terrific moodiness and depth of them. And I love their stillness too, just like this morning, just before the birds started to sing.

ayelet iontef.

I love this image of buttons I found by ayelet iontef. It reminds me of one of my favorite stores of all time, tender buttons in new york city. Isn't it funny the things that make you happy or nostalgic?

jesse bransford.

I'm liking these mixed media pieces by jesse bransford an awful lot. Layered and a bit frenetic, there's also a surprising stillness about them too. Like a dream you might have after looking at the stars just before bed. Nice.

joy taylor.

Aren't these collages by joy taylor a sweet find? I'm just loving the muted color palette and the organic floral motifs, all brought together in an ordered, mirrored layout. Yes it's a collage but one that has minimized the random feeling through a compositional grid. I like the tension that this creates, but most of all, I like the beauty of the work itself. Patterned, layered, dynamic. Sigh. I'm a happy woman on this snowy morning!

lord marmalade.

I would so not cry nights if I received one of these faux letter beauties by lord marmalade in the mail. I mean come on. Aren't they intriguing and romantic? Lovely, lovely indeed!

aesha kennedy.

I'm loving this acrylic and charcoal painting by aesha kennedy. The color and compositions make for such a remarkable, contemplative feel. Like a window on a cold, wintery day. Or this beautiful oil painting below. Again, translucent, moody and oh so very lovely. Mm, such nice work!

robert goodman.

I'm loving the feel of these amazing paintings by robert goodman. The incredible crafting of the images, the use of color and the frenetic compositions take my breath away. They feel like a storm, chaotic yet also very beautiful. Just like the one we're having this morning, yet a lot more colorful and considered. It's hard to capture motion and disorder so well in a still medium, which is one reasons I think these paintings are so remarkable. One of many reasons.

david jones.

I'm liking the intensity of these paintings by david jones. These simple compositions and blasting color make for an arresting combination. Fabulous!

raania durrani.

I've had this image of ceramics by raania durrani for ever. I love the rough, raw textures, the stout, strong forms and the resulting calm spirit of these pieces. And oh my, how nice is the thick white glaze over the sandy brown clay? So, very nice indeed.

anne mae.

Now here are a couple of stunning rings by jewelry artist anne mae worthy of a little desire. Ok, a lot of desire. Mm, I love the rawness of the settings, the cut of the stones, the stones themselves. A couple of stunning baubles that most certainly get the heart racing on a chilly winter day!