I’m Dee, I am an artist and curator living and working in Chicago. I make embroidered illustrations and comics and sometimes I make drawings and paintings too. I use standard polyester sewing thread instead of embroidery thread in my pieces because I like the way the line quality looks like a drawing from afar. Embroidery is a way for me to draw with thread to combine two things I love in art; drawing and sewing. The content of my work comes directly from life and the dreams I have when I sleep. You can see more of my work on my website or on my blog.

I am also in the process of opening a gallery in Chicago. It is called Simple Gallery. Our first Gallery benefit is coming up on February 7, 2009 from 6-10 pm. If you live in Chicago please come by. [ed note- The Blue Ribbon Glee Club is performing too!] Check out website and blog for further details & participating artists.

{Thank you soooo much, Dee! I’ll definitely be there! -Margot}

Stunning rehabbed mid-century furniture, casegoods, jewelery, posters and accessories at this UK shop, Fears & Kahn. Not cheap alas, but one can dream, no? Source.

Awesome! Bike porn blog!! Man I wish I looked this put together when I ride my bike. Also really makes me envy the cycling culture of Europe that just does not exist here. So much safer over there too, and look, not-a-one is wearing a helmet. Via.

After a long hiatus wrestling with the music industry giants, Muxtape has been restored. They’ve switched things up this time round, using the platform as a way for bands to promote themselves and the music they love, all for free in the same beautiful, streamlined interface. Eventually, us regular folks can sign up and make mixes from the available music as well. I really hope this takes off like it did the first time around; there really can’t be enough resources for discovering new music.

A couple weeks back I was dutifully making my way through my feedreader and was immediately taken with one of UPPERCASE’s posts on the 1958 Penrose Annual. Knowing I had to have this treasure, I ordered it from Abe Books for a whopping $20 (shipping included). And finally this weekend it came! My expectations were blown away. Most books these days just don’t have this level of detail with tip-ins, vellum overlays, various stocks of fine paper, diecuts etc. Not to mention the juicy mid-century design that would make any designer drool. Even the articles are an interesting read, covering subjects like The Importance of Electronic Colour Correction and Advertising Art in an Atomic Age. More images on my flickr and please stop by UPPERCASE too and see Janine’s excellent write-up as well.

Mixed media artist Emily Clayton uses collage, paint & fabric to create a variety of work. I find her tongue-in-cheek treatment of the body amusing as well as her use of texture. I get the sense that her work is much more tactile than the photos convey. Love to see them in person!