Brooks Salzwedel "A moment either in the past or the future"

I stumbled upon Californian artist and accessories designer Brooks Salzwedel's work a couple of weeks back and I was immediately captured by his unique style. His work is deeply influenced by the conflict of human development and nature.
Brooks work can be seen in the New York Times, Juxtapoz, ArtReview, New Angels, and NY Arts, he has shown at several galleries throughout the West Coast, such as OKOK Gallery in Seattle, and most recently The Hammer Museum. Currently he is also assistant director at George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles. 

Brooks Salzwedel

In your work you can often see bridges and nature. What inspires you to your artwork? 

Most of my work is taking a moment either in the past or the future where nature has taken over. The fight between human development and nature has always caught my interest. From grant mountain ranges to towering buildings in construction with cranes and scaffolding around it.

Brooks Salzwedel

Brooks Salzwedel

What kind of projects are you currently working on? 

I  recently had a show at George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles. That's been taking most of my time. I'm also an assistant director at the gallery and I run a line of handmade belt buckles called "Shane."

Brooks Salzwedel

If you could give advice to young aspiring artists, what would you tell them? 

Have a pretty clear idea of what kind of artist you want to be (entertainment, commercial, fine art, etc) and know your audience. Have idea of what company you want to work for or what gallery you want to show in and focus on those...don't settle for less.

"Salzwedel makes landscapes for a world in which nature is under siege. Still, that doesn't mean his pictures appear post-apocalyptic. They are beautiful in a bittersweet way, the dark trunks and branches looking tapestry-like within their resin-coated surfaces. The mood is autumnal." 

- Robert L. Pincus, Art Critic, San Diego Union-Tribune

Brooks Salzwedel

More info on Brooks Salzwedel
Currently on view Brooks @

George Billis Gallery, LA

Sirio Magnabosco: "A Series of Unexpected Meditations"

In his study "3.3 billion" the Italian photographer Sirio studied the relationship between people and the presence of nature inside cities. I like the way he portrays one person in contrast to a vast scenery. Sirio attended the Joop Swart Masterclass in Amsterdam, you can see more of his photos in this book.  He currently lives in Berlin.

Sirio, http://www.mrsirio.com/

Sirio, http://www.mrsirio.com/

Sirio, http://www.mrsirio.com/

Sirio, http://www.mrsirio.com/

Sirio, http://www.mrsirio.com/

Californian Painter Kelsey Brookes "Art was simply more fun"

Kelsey Brookes is a well-known artist from California. 

He calls himself an "artist of contrasts" who works on mixed-media

 assemblages. His work  is represented in La Jolla, Los Angeles and London. 

It has appeared in magazines such as GQ, Modern Painters and Confused. 

Looking at them for the first time it seems like you are looking at an 

explosion, an explosion of colours and emotions. 

Kelsey decided to stop working as a scientist and devote his life fully to art. 

"Art was simply more fun than science and I put great value on having fun", he says. 

And Kelsey is sure, that it was worth the trade. His List of Inspiration is long: Nature, 

Animals, Instinct, Conversations, Jokes, Galleries, Museums, Art, Books, Blogs...

Any career advice for young artists, Kelsey?

And that's what he says: Have fun and work hard at what you love. 

Everything else is a distraction.
 
 

 

 Kelsey Brookes 2010: SOS ( http://kelseybrookes.com )

 Kelsey Brookes 2010: The Storm ( http://kelseybrookes.com )

 Kelsey Brookes 2010: JiffyJiveDooJee ( http://kelseybrookes.com )

 Kelsey Brookes 2010: Explosion Puzzle ( http://kelseybrookes.com )