Studio, 2006. Oil on canvas, 14" x 14"

Introducing Ariana Huggett: Seeking beauty in the ordinary -- and finding it in an AT reader’s Outbox?

AT reader Martha called our attention to Huggett's recent work, “which involves spending time at other people's homes and creating paintings of the objects and arrangements she finds there.”

See more than interiors, plus the portrait-worthy “Outbox” below.

Refrigerator, 2006. Oil on canvas, 8" x 6 "

Public Restroom, 2004. Oil on canvas, 9" x 12"

…and here, Martha’s and her husband’s apartment “Outbox”, circa winter 06/07. (What's an outbox? see here and here)

Outbox, 2007. Oil on canvas, 8" x 10"

In Huggett’s words, “the paintings become portraits of how humans accumulate and live, and they become a snapshot of the times by showing what people have and use in this moment. I tend to focus on the utilitarian and day-to-day, because I enjoy the challenge of seeking beauty and order among our clutter."

Take a peek at a few earlier jewel-like works of quite a different sort - in installation and multiples - below.

Pinwheel, 2005. Oil on wood shape, 17 1/2" x 17 1/2"

Banner, 2005. Oil on wood shape, 17 1/2" x 29 1/4"

Installation View of Mini-Series in 4 Parts. Oil on wood shapes

Coil Detail, 2000. Oil on canvas, embroidery hoop, 9 1/2" diameter

extraORDINARY. Installation Jody Monroe Gallery, 2005

Hugget’s paintings from the “Being and Seeing” series (interiors) are on view until September 30, 2007 at Preservation Framing on 219 North Milwaukee Street (Phoenix Building, Third Ward) in Milwaukee. (call first 414-298-9830)

Inquiries? Please contact the artist via her website or the gallery via email.

Know any artists whose work would make a home a lovelier place? Send ideas to The Gallery. Thanks!