The artful dodgers.

A few arty folks worthy of a shout out are the following designers, artists, photographers and all round creative beings whose work I am astounded by for different reason. A advise actually clicking on each of the images to get a fuller resolution of each. The true beauty blooms in hi res.

Image by Sophie Delaporte.

First up, Amy Guidry. Here website states her work walks a fine line between "photorealism" and "Pop Surrealism". Says it all actually doesnt it? Im enchanted by her output. A little bit like Tim Walker with a bout of depression. Her new series "In our Veins" has a lot of connotations centers round the idea of the life cycle. Her previous series have dealt with destroying female stereotypes in "New Realm". The collection "Beneath the Surface" looks at modern day living, vanity and mortality.

*Hogret is a collagist living in South Africa. She marries vintage photo stocks, media and objects to create her work. 

Lisa Geue is a German photographer from just outside Berlin. She is very hip, very talented and balances the artistic with the real (containing the perfect amount of nudity). I adore her merging of images and overlays of light. Delightful. Read an interview with her *HERE*

My current favorite is Nicola Samori. An Italian painter who plays with the darker side of the psyche  toying with the idea of disfigurement, melting with an unmistakeable baroque influence. I think the beauty of her work lies in her ability to mangle beautiful objects into something deeply dark and disturbing if not a little painful to look at. I love it. I love all things dark and haunting. With in excess of 20 exhibitions under her belt and two highly acclaimed Italian Art awards, Nicola is one to watch out for at galleries near you.

A newer name to me, Ian Cuttler is a photographer with the skill, talent and directional abilities to take on any of the big names. He has worked for a dynamic range of clients including Converse, Christie's NY, GQ Germany, Maxim, Gillette, Axe and Sony BMG to name but a few.

And finally a few snaps from Sophie Delaporte. Her work centers around the use of beautiful and odd models in often very normal settings. All above board but her work also includes few surreal touches. Be it the models posture, lighting, focus or an additional object in the composition. Very sharp, sterile and imaginative work with an odd digital veneer.