Matisse is by far my favourite artist, so to come across a young Mexico City based painter who’s portraits are infused with Henri’s jubilant colour and distorted perspectives, made me happy. I love these bathing beauties, and the faces on these demoiselles epitomize jolie laide. Have a look at Ana Leovy’s prints, they’re exuberant.

I came across the work of Argentine artist, Francisco M. Diaz today, specifically his large scale murals. Diaz, who goes by the street name Pastel, paints flora and fauna on walls all over the world. His locations are never arbitrary, but rather selected due to their historical significance. Pastel’s, ‘Two peasants’ mural in Kiev (below) was inspired by the Makhnovist movement. How poignant, that he looks to nature, local nettle plants, to explore such a charged and thorny moment in history. This quote was posted on his social media, shortly after he completed the work. “We have all flirted with freedom and, deep inside all of us have the urge to make it a serious relationship. The Anarchist values of individual freedom, grass roots democracy, and the decentralisation of all forms of power are, if anything, more pertinent today then over. See you on the barricades.” Tony Allen, Kiev.

I’m learning how to make pinch pots, and then adding coils for additional height. It’s kind of amazing to me how large a vessel made entirely from coils can get. Lawson Oyekan‘s monolithic sculptures are entirely pinched and coiled. I find Candice Methe‘s massive hand-pinched pots so very exciting, too. A friend showed me Maria Martinez‘ work last week; a legendary native American potter who made pots using long tubes of clay. Mine are still quite small, and they very often crack as I still have so much to learn. Timing is key, and as with all things pottery, the best vessels are ones made slowly. Here, Marea Gazzard, one of England’s most significant mid century ceramicists, coils a pot.