After a few technical difficulties with the blog in the past few weeks,  and a few weeks of lost posts (major sad face), we're BACK! And soon to be looking better than ever because we're getting a stylish spring makeover!

But until then, let us just say that we missed you. And we can't wait to share more art, inspiration and news with you soon,

Here are some snaps from what we've seen at the Armory so far. There is so much to see and do that we're still digesting but we'll have more thoughts for you soon! The preview night at the Armory show was packed but we saw some really strong work in the Nordic section and some excellent, unexpected photography coming out of the Korean galleries - definitely worth a return visit and with a pared down exhibitor list, better lighting, and more seating, the visiting experience was much more enjoyable. Overall, however, the Armory felt a little tame.

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We also checked out the Volta Show where galleries spotlight one artist per booth. There were strong showings from Matt Rich at Samson gallery (Boston) and exciting 3D pieces from Aakash Nihalani at Carmichael Gallery (LA). Monumental portrait painting from Janet Werner was a highlight at Parisian Laundry from Montreal, a consistently strong Canadian gallery.

Aakash Nihalani

Janet Werner

Matt Rich

Thursday afternoon we also stopped by the Independent Art Fair, which has vertiginous stairs (if you're afraid of heights, bring a buddy and hold their hand!) but an otherwise beautiful space in Chelsea. Galleries are more experimental and feature more installation and object-based work and its a pleasure to wander around the different floors. Our favorites included small geometric wooden sculptures by Lucy Skaer at Murray Guy Gallery and collages by Oliver Payne at Herald Street Gallery. Today - the Pool Art Fair, Moving Image and a reception at the Norwegian Consulate (we can't wait to see the nibbles!). More to come!

Oliver Payne

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March is Women's History month, and to kick things off, we're posting one of our favorite artist portraits of all time (of any gender). We miss you Louise Bourgeois!

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In Quebec

When we need a little mental getaway in the office we love to sneak a peek at this wonderful tumblr all about remote, beautiful, secluded cabins. The title & url may not be the most appropriate thing to have on your work browser (!) but the rewards are definitely worth it; gorgeous shots of places where your blackberry will never get any reception and the only thing in your inbox is chopping wood and making pancakes. Subtitled "inspiration for your quiet place somewhere" we'd happily be swept away.

Between Silverton and Durango, Colarado

Powell River, British Columbia

We sat down with photographer Dolly Faibyshev, who we're very excited to introduce to ArtStar collectors to talk to her the story behind Pink Pants Poodle and watching cowboys bite the dust.

AS: Pink Pants Poodle is an amazing photograph. Can you tell us the story behind it?

DF: Thanks! I first noticed the pants on this woman walking her dog to a makeshift break area, so I followed her. I also tend to favor the perfect mix of glamour and over-the-top ridiculousness that poodles represent. If they didn’t require hours of grooming, I’d own one in every size and color.

AS: Rodeo Man was taken at your first Rodeo which must have been an intense experience as a photographer. What was the atmosphere like?

DF: It’s kind of a sickening rush watching the Rodeo up close. At one point, a spectator looked over at me and yelled “I’m rootin’ for the bulls!” with a crazed look in his eye. It’s disturbing at first, but watching the cowboys eat it is sadly the highlight of the show.

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AS: Your work involves an element of portraiture, but of unconventional things instead of people. What do you look for when you're shooting an event?

DF: I usually look for a balance of humor and color and try to catch moments that tell a story. I feel that body language can show as much, and often more, than a facial expression.

AS: You seem drawn to distinctly American places, like Palm Springs, and experience, like rodeos and dog shows. What appeals to you about these spaces and cultural groups?

DF: As an American born to Russian immigrants, the vicarious fantasy of America became ingrained in me from an early age. I think that’s the reason I look for meaning in these niche environments that represent a bigger picture of the American Dream.

AS: Where to next? Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?

DF: I’m recovering from my latest round at the Westminster Dog show earlier this month, but I’m working to expand on some works in progress.

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Dolly with her book, Palm Springs: Mid-Century Modern published by Schiffer.

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We're getting ready for the spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair in April and we're very excited that the fair will be featuring ArtStar's own Firelei Baez! Firelei has a major solo show coming up in April in Los Angeles and then will be working in the live artist studio at the Affordable Art Fair from April 18-22nd during which visitors will be able to meet Firelei and observe her working process. We stopped by Firelei's studio today to get a peek at her new work and pick out some pieces from the fair (including the originals from the Natural Grooming Series which are among our favorites!). We also talked Bower birds, found paper and textiles, of course! Stay tuned for more info about Firelei at AAF and spoiler: there are going to be some stunning pieces!

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The ArtStar wall featuring (from left) Prada Marfa by Noel Kerns, Shower by Peter Gates, 1976 and 1980 by Sophie Crumb,  & XOXO by Roni Feldman

We just helped our friends at Dagny and Barstow install a whole wall of ArtStar pieces in their new boutique on the Bowery and it looks fantastic! Emily made us lovely almond milk coffees to stave off the chill and we also perused some of their new collection. We're particularly coveting hats for spring from Satya Twena (the green one pls!) and Rawandan precious metal bracelets by Kora.

Candlelight by Roni Feldman

Guenter Knop's Mannequin next to some accessories that we would very much like to own.

The new shop on Bowery between Houston and Prince.

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We spied John Waters at the opening for the Cindy Sherman retrospective at MoMA on Tuesday night (along with Michael Stipe, Martha Stewart, Chuck Close and lots of other fun people), and we couldn't resist posting one of his pieces as a bit of daily inspiration. The piece may be a little tongue-in-cheek but we love Waters and the genuine passion and support he shows for boundary pushing art and the avant-garde  (is that a Comme des Garcons jacket he's wearing?).

Michael Stipe and John Waters. Photo via Artlog.

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We know, we know, Valentine's day is over (phew!) but we couldn't help but post these photos from the latest series of urban interventions by Montreal street artist Roadsworth. I've actually been following Roadsworth's career for many years since I went to college in Montreal and remember his road stencils around McGill that included wonderful visual puns and simple gears and tools - a flat-headed screwdriver was a particular favorite . His images became so familiar that they became like signposts around the city and my route to and from campus and when the municipality would paint over them it always registered as a loss.

Says Roadsworth about his latest series Dead Hearts: "The hearts are a metaphor for dead spaces that exist in urban areas in particular, spaces that nevertheless exude a certain kind of soul. And yes, these dead spaces also speak of a certain kind of environmental neglect that is endemic of our time. Former industrial areas for example – and in cities around the world these areas are legion- which have been abandoned and which exist in a state of limbo of sorts. No longer are they used for industrial purposes but they are also often too toxic or problematic for whatever reason, to be exploited by developers or used by people. But aside from the physical spaces that these “dead hearts” occupy, they are also metaphor for a human state of being which is characterized by a sense of alienation, disconnection and general loss of soul that a modern urban world can bring about.  The dead hearts speak of loss but also of the beauty that is apparent once that loss is recognized."
via PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2012/02/street-art-urban-hearts.html#ixzz1mUBd5wpG

We still think they're beautiful.

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Be sweet to yourself and to those all around you today.

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