Thomas Hammer

Thomas Hammer uses abstract geometry and organic fluid shapes to create works that focuses on precision and chaos. Living and working in New York, Hammer has been producing pieces that are filled with movement and fluidity alongside straight edged lines that really contrast against each other. He also explores many mediums using this concept. In this particular series, he uses both digital and traditional mediums. Concentrating on Hammer's pieces that don't encompass the whole canvas, I enjoy his cleverly thought-out composition, making the two different styles and mediums connect with one another by using a specific color or direction of line. 

View more of his works below!

Andrew Lyman

Alone Together is a series constructed by American artist, Andrew Lyman. In each photograph there is a feature of two similar if not same things. The title itself are contrasted to each other.  The number two is connected to many meanings and symbols. 'Duality' is an ongoing theme in the history of photography, and if used correctly the image is very effective. The first image coming to mind is 

  'Twins' from Diane Arbus. The figures in each image might be similar, although they are not identical. There is an interaction between each object or figure. Each has their own characteristics, however tied in with clever composition each photograph stands out. Lyman also uses analogue which brings a sense of nostalgia in the natural tones it captures. Some photos have odd set ups such as the two hands being dipped in milk (below) although I think this brings a quirky quality to the series. 

Eli Craven

American artist Eli Craven cleverly folds these classic hollywood portraits in his series 'Screen Lovers' and mends two subjects into one. Craven uses found images from old vintage books and brings the characters together by literally folding the image and creating something new. The way that the Craven chooses to fold over the faces of the figures leaves a dimension of ambiguousness. You can't help but to think whats going on behind the fold. I also enjoy the newly formed shape that occurs naturally when folding and escapes the traditional rectangle photograph. 

More beautiful folded photographs after the jump!

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman produces these quite large (around 30") waterfalls of paint. There is a cleverness in which Coleman sticks with his color scheme, similarly resembling a painter's color pallets from which he mixes his paint. He shows the real capabilities of a brush and qualities of paint on paper.  Somehow within these clouds of paint Coleman depicts movement and organic-ness as well as depth in these ambiguous shapes. He allows the pain to drip and mix with the other colors although it is very controlled despite the chaotic compositions.

There is certainly an essence of Pollock, just a 2013 take on it. Engage with the painting as you will. Coleman states:

"My paintings and drawings combine elements of nature, cel animation and design to create obscured narratives through ambiguous form and brush work. I explore the relationship between abstraction and representation, revealing hints of narrative and imagery while leaving the sensation of the work at the forefront. Overlying themes in my work include spirituality and the sublime."

More of his work after the jump.

James Jean

I have long been a fan of James Jean. His drawings are so detailed and full of interesting characters and patterns. No shame in saying that I could look at his works for hours. Here are a couple of his newer works. I love how Jean has steered away from simple black on white illustrations and went for a bright blue background with the drawings in the center.

The characters look so delicate and soft while surrounding them in fantastical things that are very nature-like. The details in his patterns draw the eyes in and makes it very easy to get lost into the drawings - almost psychedelic. They remind me of old book illustrations about greek mythology or fairies. Jean has done many commissions including the likes of Prada, Atlantic Records and DC Comics.

He's also released an iBook called 'Parallel Lives' and from what I've seen, it's absolutely gorgeous.

Rik Garrett

Tests for Symbosis series               2011              analogue print and oil pastel    

Rik Garrett is an American artist who's focus is to explore the "ideas of love, relationships, magic, Alchemy and mutually beneficial partnerships in nature."

Symbosis is a series from 2011 that has been getting a lot of attention. His works are interesting and really showcases the concept of a sexual relationships. He manipulates the images with skin-toned acrylic paint (painted directly on the print), binding the two figures to look as though they have become one person. Although what I really love is Garrett's rough and textured brush strokes giving a more raw aesthetic look to the works. He overlaps paint over their faces and binds them together only allowing very little space in-between them. The figures are unidentifiable and hiding within each other only revealing some limbs. 

Garret has other series as well, exploring the themes of Alchemy and magic. They are available to look at on his website! Be sure to check him out on his Facebook, tumblr and personal blog. 

More lovely photographs after the jump!

Letha Wilson

Ghost of a Tree  2011/12
digital print on vinyl, drywall, wood, wood column
10' x 8' x 14'

Check out these photographic sculptures by American artist Letha Wilson!

 Born in Honolulu, raised in Colorado and living in New York, Letha Wilson has been producing mixed media works; playing with the physicality of photography and combining the element of 3D. They come across as abstract and interesting. Wilson cleverly places her 3D feature of the work which forces the focal point into view. She ranges from site-specific installations to photographs hanging on a wall. She either folds, cuts, adds to her photographs which heightens the character of a simple 2D photograph to something else. And definitely makes landscape photography less boring to look at! 

"My artwork uses images and materials from the natural landscape as a starting point for interpretation and confrontation. My work creates relationships between architecture and nature, and the gallery space and the American wilderness. In the photo-based sculptures the ability for a photograph to transport the viewer is both called upon, and questioned; sculptural intervention attempts to compensate for the photograph’s failure to encompass the physical site it represents. Landscape photography as a genre is approached with equal parts reverence and skepticism. In another body of work, site-specific installations juxtapose re-claimed wood and drywall material in innovative ways that respond to both interior and outdoors environments, and comment on the glut of material discarded in the contemporary art exhibition cycle." via.

Be sure to check out her website portfolio  for more of her works and updates on her next shows if they will be near you!

More after the jump!