one of my very favorite artists, jennybird alcantara, has a lovely new show 'treacherous gardens' over at varnish fine art. i'm increasingly impressed by the amazing work jennybird produces for each show, the details and colors are always surprising. the hybrid female/animal creatures are steeped in myth and the duality between our dreams and nightmares. her paintings generally always feature these parallels and opposites in their structure; the central figures are in balanced, perfect symmetry. the various 'magical' objects around the figures may serve as omens or talismans, as the animals/creatures provide comfort and the symbolic nature of our instincts. for more haunting and macabre strolls into the subconscious landscapes of the wonderful jennybird, go here.