New Art / Devin Troy Strother

November 24, 2011 | New Art | by Kristin Farr |

Devin Troy Strother knows how to throw a party on a canvas with his mixed media explosions of color and cut paper. He’s a California artist transplanted to Brooklyn, and he’s one to watch. When I look at his work, I hear loudness (in a good way). Read more

New Photography / Holly Andres’ new series: The Fall of Spring Hill

November 22, 2011 | New Photography | by Kristin Farr |

Holly Andres’ new series, The Fall of Spring Hill, illustrates a narrative where something serious and mysterious is about to go down. An earlier collection, Sparrow Lane, was full of Nancy Drew moments, luscious color, and feminist undertones. Andres continues this thread in her new work, where it appears the women of Spring Hill are taking matters into their own hands. Check out a video interview I did with Holly in ’09. Read more

November 16, 2011 | New Art | by Kristin Farr |

I’ve been recently obsessed with, and inspired by, hex signs found in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art. My own Hecksagons have a crazy neon color palette, but the old school originals were already eye-popping juxtaposed against weathered barns. I remember seeing them on country road trips as a kid, and one of my favorite artists, Clare Rojas references them in her work.

November 16, 2011 | New Music | by Kristin Farr |

I saw Youth Lagoon (Trevor Powers) play a sold out, sweaty show in San Francisco and I suspect he’ll require a larger, less intimate venue next time he rolls through town. This talented young lad sings in a kind of granny falsetto that yanks at my heartstrings.

Cool Websites / Arty Bollocks: instant arty jargon about your work

November 16, 2011 | Cool Websites | by Kristin Farr |

Attention, artists who dread explaining your work. Put down that blank Google doc you’ve been staring at and visit Arty Bollocks where you can generate a statement with one simple click. Blammo! Instant arty jargon. ‘My work explores the relationship between acquired synesthesia and unwanted gifts’. Perfect.

New Fashion / Custom-made winter wear by Yokoo

November 16, 2011 | New Fashion | by Kristin Farr |

In some parts of the world, it’s chilly enough to justify purchasing a luxurious Yokoo scarf. An Etsy legend who knits like mad, Yokoo produces custom-made winter wear that she models herself. Her scarves are like a hug around the neck, and she just opened a second Etsy shop for vintage finds, Autobiographie, where she magically makes an old Liz Claiborne dress look hip.

New Art / Sad Stuff on the Street Tumblr

November 16, 2011 | New Art | by Kristin Farr |

Abandoned undergarments, misplaced notes, and a pathetic stuffed animals are just a few of the sad things you might find on the sidewalk in your daily travels. There’s a Tumblr for everything and Sad Stuff on the Street is a sarcastically fun one started by New York author, Sloane Crosley. Submit your own photos of sad stuff. It’s surprisingly satisfying. Read more

New Art / Terrifying monster art by Elisabeth Higgins O’Connor

November 16, 2011 | New Art | by Kristin Farr |

Elisabeth Higgins O’Connor creates looming 8-foot-tall creatures wrapped in cozy, ripped-up fabrics. These monsters are large and in-charge, and weirdly endearing. But also terrifying if you imagine them coming to life in a dark alley. The artist has a new body of work with an apt titled borrowed from that macabre folk song that begins with, “Oh my darling,” and ends with, “Dreadful Sorry Clementine”.