I came across mad-talented Russian artist Sasha Tudvaseva the other day. Her work is totally exceptional and she totally deserves to be at the top of the contemporary art scene. Los Angeles, you'd better get her into your galleries while you can.

Yesterday I discovered (via my dear mom) about Japanese Shodo (Calligraphy) artist Shouko Kanazawa.


Despite the difficulties of having Down's Syndrome, Shouko has become a renowned artist, with her work being displayed in temples and in exhibitions all over the Japan. Now, for the fact that I moved to the US when I was 6 years old, I have extremely limited knowledge of "good" or "bad" calligraphy. But I know when something moves my soul, and Shouko's work affects me so very strongly. I don't even know why, but watching her paint makes me cry! And I can't remember the last time an artist's work made me so emotional.

I've decided to designate Thursday as my "Artist Interview Day" in which I'll bring you interviews (or just reviews) of wonderful artists that I have discovered in my web browsings. So
mark your calendars and set an iPhone reminder!

Today I present to you Sam Lane, an amazing New Zealand artist I discovered the other day. I am just totally crazy about her detailed pen-and-ink drawings of native wildlife. Seriously, who draws flawless-enough-to-be-in-a-field-guide wildlife and makes it contemporary art? Sam does!

I will start having artist interviews now-and-again, when I find someone whom I think is exceptional, and when they are kind enough to answer my interview questions! Today, I'm featuring Odile van der Stap, who is a digital artist from the Netherlands.

Below is the first piece that interested me in her work. I love the interesting composition and angle of the nun's face, and the sweep of hair. I lover her use of symbolism, interesting composition and angles, and her great technical skill.