In her delicate crafted porcelain sculptures conceptual artist Kate McDowell expresses her interpretation of the clash between the natural world and the modern-day environmental impact of industrialized society. The resulting works can be equal parts amusing and disturbing as the anatomical forms of humans and animals become inexplicably intertwined in her delicate porcelain forms.

“Cloud” is an interactive sculpture that lights up and rumbles with simulated thunder and lightning (video). Motion sensors on the Arduino-controlled sculpture trigger the lightning displays accompanied by sounds of thunder played on an internal speaker. “Cloud” can also be triggered by music, allowing it to serve as a unique music visualizer. The sculpture was created by Richard Clarkson, a student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Giuse Modica is ‘a young designer who strives to be modern yet timeless, colorful and original. His art is for young and old who loves nature and all it’s cuteness. Guise graduated in 2009 from Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam. He also studied abroad at the art institute Boston. Where he spent most of his time studying traditional animation, comic art and character design. As a former assistant for Stefan Thijs and his children book series Borre en de gestreepte boekjes. He found out that he loves illustrating for younger audience.

” I believe that change is evident in nearly every aspect of our daily lives and comes in numerous forms. The people we know, the world in which we live, and even the technology we use on a daily basis is in a constant state of flux. With nature undergoing this perpetual transformation, everything derived from nature is subject to the same cycle of growth and decay – life and death. Often, the process of change occurs at an almost unnoticeable rate. For this reason, we become attached to the world around us, and we expect that things will remain the same. So we take for granted what we experience each day of our lives. But, permanence is the ultimate illusion. Today, we attempt to subvert impermanence through technology and science. We isolate ourselves from the natural world, viewing it from the perspective of a spectator rather than a participant. Going about our daily lives, we rarely notice nor appreciate each unique experience our surroundings offer. For me, there is a peace that can be found in even the simplest things – a decaying piece of wood, rusted metal, crumbling brick, the growth of moss and lichen. These ordinary elements within our environments offer both visual and physical reminders of our connection with nature. I am inspired by the small, overlooked aspects of our environment, finding enjoyment in the unexpected discoveries that come from simply being observant of the minutia and incorporating those mundane forms into my work. In my observations I also see similarities between the processes that occur in nature and those that drive us. By combining both human and natural elements within my work, I hope to highlight the fact that we are not separate from nature, but are in fact part of it, and in being so, we are as impermanent as a flash of lightning in the sky. Through the use of trompe l’oeil, we look closer; we rediscover the amazement, joy, and tranquility that come from our environment. At the same time, we witness our impermanence by evenhandedly dialing in on decay. Neither good nor bad, decay is simply a natural process of our world that at times can produce deeply moving and beautiful effects.” – Christopher David White

Land artist Michael Grab creates astonishing towers and orbs of balanced rocks using little more than patience and an astonishing sense of balance. Grab says the art of stone balancing has been practiced by various cultures around the world for centuries and that he personally finds the process of balancing to be therapeutic and meditative.

Russian artist and photographer Stanislav Aristov creatively blends burnt matchsticks and fire to create beautiful photos. You can see all of the Matches photos from his website.

“Plexus no. 19″ by Gabriel Dawe is a beautiful thread art installation at the Villa Olmo in Como, Italy. The installation consists of two colorful thread structures spanning the atrium of the ornate 19th century mansion near Lake Como. The installation changes throughout the day, depending on how the sunlight interacts with it. “Plexus no. 19″ is on display at the Villa Olmo as part of the 2012 MINIARTEXTIL COMO exhibition, through November 18. We previously wrote about Dawe’s thread installations back in 2010.

By adding sculpting compound and paint, Austin-based artist Debra Broz turns cute ceramic animal figurines into monstrosities: cows merge with pigeons, ducks grow extra heads and dogs grow yard-long tongues. View them all at the link.

POP! 2: The Art of Pop Culture Returns at Ltd. Art Gallery is a pop-culture themed art exhibit celebrating the gallery’s very first art show POP! The Art of Pop Culture put on back in 2011. The opening reception party will be on Thursday, November 8th from 6 to 10 PM and the art show will be on display until Wednesday, November 28th at Ltd. Art Gallery in Seattle. Art giveaways, door prizes, and a raffle will take place during the opening reception party with proceeds from the raffle helping to support The ProEquality Project. You can RSVP for the art show via Facebook.

This is Justin. He’s a horse. A horse with a person-name. He’s also a horse with person abilities: he paints. The purebred Friesian has his own studio and gallery featuring his work. His paintings are for sale at his website with prices ranging from $150 to $2500. Wow, it’s stories like this that remind me of how inept I am. Plus, broke. I mean, what the heck’s he gonna do with all that money, anyway? Buy a car? Because if so, then I totally support him and I take back everything I said. I would LOVE to see a horse driving a car. That would be hilarioooouuuuus!