it's been so long

Our apologies to you, Darkened Forest readers. We realize that it's been almost a month since our last post. Chris and I have both had a lot going on, between work, art shows, preparations for ComicCon, and home rennovations...that doesn't leave either of us nearly enough time for blogging.

But I'm going to try and make it up to you this week, while Chris is at Comic Con.

For my first trick, behold the art of Paul Toupet:


His fondness for rabbit masks, rotting fabric, and tattered cotton ticking has every ingredient to make me love it instantly.



His website is, admittedly, a bit of a pain - made in flash with load-times seemingly for no reason at all. But the work is great, taking inspiration from old tribal masks, baby dolls, and childhood toys from a forgotten age.

The work is ambitious, especially considering the fact that the artist is somewhere in the vicinity of 28 years old.

of fog and bicycles

Louise Robinson creates illustrative works of a quiet, desolate, archaic tone. Anthropomorphic girls, animals on bicycles, and repeated figures lurk out of backgrounds of neutral shades and stained paper.

Her technique is a mix of digital collage, painting, and heaven only knows what else, the images are rich and seamless, with a striking sense of color and just the right amount of restraint.



She sells her prints in her Etsy store, so be sure to stop in; if you're in the market for some unique, unusual, and haunting wall decor, you have stepped into the right place.

And hey, her first name is my middle name, so maybe I'm biased, but I really love the aesthetic she presents. Louises of the world, unite.

a tale of two rabbits

It just so happens that Chris and I are both participating in an upcoming custom vinyl show featuring artists' takes on Frank Kozik's Smorkin' Labbit (see Figure 1 below):


Chris overhauled his into a new species of jaunty and amazingly cute ungulate...



...which is clearly herbivorous, spending its days quietly stalking low-lying plants.


Mine ended up like something excavated from the attic of a centuries-old home...



...complete with bendable wire ears, rotting frills, and a little cart that rolls when you pull it.



The show is at Rivet Gallery in Columbus, Ohio - I think we'll both be at the opening on the night of May 3, so if you're in the area, be sure to stop and say hello.