A Self Portrait by Andy Warhol

A Self Portrait by Andy Warhol

The Tenderloin Project

The best art isn't always the easiest to watch. Furthermore, the art that speaks to us most powerfully is often rooted in reality. Photographer/director Sean Desmond's Tenderloin Project most certainly falls into both categories. The project combines film and photography to paint what Desmond describes as "a compelling and honest portrait" of the Tenderloin, known widely as one of San Francisco's poorest and most marginalized areas. The result is something deeply resonant and meaningful, with a message and a purpose in mind. "The project will culminate in publishing the images in book form," explain the creators, "with proceeds from the sales being donated to organizations that promote and give access to art in the Tenderloin. This, we feel, will allow our project to live on for years and generations to come in the form of art within the community. " Check here for more info, videos and pics.

The Tenderloin Project

SheOne + Crash: Pop Crime Exhibition

Pop Crime, hosted by Newcastle, England's own Opus Gallery is a joint exhibition, showcasing the work of pop-art and graffiti artists SheOne and Crash. Though their styles are visually distinct from one another, Pop Crime is a natural pairing, bringing together two of the world's premier street artists. SheOne, known for his graffiti art in London, is behind the abstract black and white designs (as seen on the Mini below), while the Bronx-bred Crash did the more colorful paintings. Wetness. More details here.

via slamxhype

SheOne + Crash: Pop Crime Exhibition

Junk Sculptures by Brandon Jan Blommaert

These sculptures are pretty dope. Another series of artistic works that transforms everyday objects in something extra ordinary. If you look closely, the pieces are patched together using mostly trash or recyclables. I guess there's some truth to the saying about "one man's trash". Brandon Jan Blommaert is a Canadian artist and photographer. More from him here.

Junk Sculptures by Brandon Jan Blommaert

The Artwork of Juan Francisco Casas

Would you believe me if I told you each of these drawings was done by ballpoint pen? The detail Spanish artist Juan Francisco Casas puts into each of his sexually charged works makes it seem almost impossible, but apparently it's true. When considering how realistically he renders light, texture and motion, it makes the work that much more impressive. This is the kind of thing you can't help but be inspired by. If Juan can make something so perfect with just a pen, there's no telling what you or I could create using a paintbrush, a trumpet or even our own two hands. Sky's the limit I suppose. Check out more of Casas' work here.

via loudreams

The Artwork of Juan Francisco Casas

Avant Garde's Revaluation of the Dollar

Props to Hypebeast's Phillip T. Annand for digging this up. Annand found this piece in an issue of Avant Garde, an art and design magazine that was published between 1968 and 1971. In this issue of the publication, various artists were asked to reimagine the one dollar bill with which we are all so familiar. Focusing on social criticism and satire, as well as an attention to color and design, each of the reinterpretations are dope in their own way. Like a lot of great art, this project required the artists behind it to take an everyday, commonplace subject and turn it into something visually exciting or provocative.

via hypebeast

Avant Garde's Revaluation of the Dollar

3D Sculptures From Plastic By Robert Bradford

Often times it seems as though taking the slogan of Nike and Just Doing It, is all you need to become an artist. I know there's been times when we skeptically glance at a piece of art, saying to ourselves, "Damn I bet I can make some abstract scribbles and sell it for thousands too!" While I do not negate the creativity and brilliance of artists who create memorable and lasting works, I do think that the barrier to entry is extraordinarily low to become an artist. Just create something, anything. Whether a poem or a painting, a picture or a post, any creation can touch someone. Robert understands. His work speaks to anyone eager to create. If you've got an idea run with it.

via fabrikproject

3D Sculptures From Plastic By Robert Bradford

The Book By Xavier Barrade

Xavier Barrade is a french artist who is currently studying at the Fine Arts at Les Beaux Arts de Paris. His photography featured below, entitled, The Book, is in his own words, "a photo book about the presence of book." The contrast of backgrounds allows the books to exist on their own, remaining themselves while their context changes. Icy on all fronts, more from Xavier to come.

via todayandtomorrow

The Book By Xavier Barrade

Robot Art By Lawrence Yang

San Francisco based artists Lawrence Yang has quickly built an impressive resume for himself. Using various methods and mediums, he has shifted between drawing, painting and digital to create his lasting works. While his interests vary, Lawrence often times works with figures, manipulating their size and shape while creating unique backgrounds for them to exist within. Featured below are a selection of works focused around robots, each one created using different material. For more art and purchasing inquires please visit his personal website.

Paint

Digital

Drawn

via suckatlife

Robot Art By Lawrence Yang