My Picks for the Eastside Culture Crawl

The Eastside Culture Crawl is coming up fast, this weekend to be exact, and from past events, I know that it is best to have at least some idea of what you want to see. Otherwise, if you're like me, you go to one studio, see something that catches your eye, wander off in another direction and before long, it's dark, your feet are killing you and you still haven't vistited your friend's friend or that pottery artist you were wanting to buy something from. So anyways, here are my top 5 picks, after the jump.

1 - Collage artist, David Bircham. Unfortunately he doesn't have a website, but he has good stuff. You can hang it on the wall or give it as a gift and everyone will be happy.

2 - Siobhan Humston's ethereal, abstract paintings are guaranteed to be thought-provoking *and* look beautiful above your couch, or you know, instead of it, depending on your priorities.

3 - You may recognize jewllery maven Jessie Turner from her heart series at Blue Ruby, or from all the movie stars wearing her pieces around town, but don't let that stop you from owning something for yourself. Her work is both edgy and brilliant.

4 - You may have different ideas about art, but I for one cannot resist a guy who makes rayguns, exquisitely crafted out of fiery glass and looking like they came straight from outer space. Joe Blow Glassworks makes other things of course, and just as beautiful, but I am still stuck on the ray guns.

5 - I have linked to her before but I have a serious art collector crush on Arleigh Wood. Her mixed media pieces are so tactile and deep and moving that you cannot turn away. Of course I have not yet managed to actually collect anything of hers yet, but I keep thinking about it. Maybe this weekend.

Image courtesy of Arleigh Wood, who will be in the Parker Street Studios this weekend.