Fake Identities, paintings by Dario Ballantini

We first discovered Dario's work on a chance visit to the Fiumano Fine Art Gallery, near Hyde Park in London, when they were exhibiting this incredible Fake Identities series of acrylic on board paintings.

Images (c) Dario Ballantini

Ballantini is originally from Tuscany in Italy but regularly exhibits all over Europe. Please visit his site to see more of his work... Dario Ballantini

Recycled Toy Dog

Check this out for a novel way to use all those discarded or broken toys that today's kids get through!. Created by British artist, Robert Bradford.

"I stared into my kids' toy boxes and they made a great combination of colors, shapes and textures. It gave me the idea to turn them into new 'beings'," says the artist

Baby Blue Snail

Check out this freaky little creation! Originally spotted for sale on Etsy this is what the artist had to say about Blue Willow the Sleepy Snail...

"Blue willow is made from a giant snail shell, old porcelain doll head, clay and raccoon penis bones for antennas. She has turquoise blue flocking for body. She is approximately 7 inches long, 7.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches deep.She is an original, one-of-a-kind sculpture."

WTF???!!!

Red Overflow Vase

This clear glass vase with encasing opaque red glass was created by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, c 1970. We found this beautful object over on Gordon Watson Ltd

Fish Bone Chair

CO9Cloud have a thing about chairs as you probably all know by now. We have fallen in love and now covet in an unhealthy way this stunning K2 Fishbone Chair by designer Nicolas Marzouanlian. What do you make of it? Please #sharethelove by commenting below!

Vinyl Fish

"Scales" the fish, made from old vinyl records and wheat paste, was made for the Jackonsville Public Art Commission street art project back in 2009.

Black Crow Beak Mask

Found over on Kaboodle, this Black Crow mask would be sure to make a statement at your next fancy dress costume party. Just imagine the wings you could make to go with it, a little black dress and heels!

Commode "Losange" Sideboard by Aymeric Lefort

We spotted this stunning Commode "Losange" Sideboard over on Decoratum.

Images (c) Decoratum

Kartell Infinity Wine Racks by Ron Arad

We love the design of these contemporary wine racks by Ron Arad which we spotted over on Mac&Mac Interiors

As they put it... "To infinity and beyond, curvilinear modular wine rack made of colourful polypropylene. Two or more may be fastened together to form an indefinite number of rings to store bottles. Available in 4 opaline colours: white, blue, yellow or orange. Sold as a pack of 16 modules".

Images (c) Mac&Mac

Never burn your toast again!

We first spotted the Magimix Vision Toaster in House of Fraser and are seriously considering adding one to our shopping list... liking the slide in drawer and fact that you can see when your toast is just the way you like it!

Images (c) Magimix

Sculpture and Sport: A Celebration for 2012

John Buckley – Paralympic Athletics Sprinting

To celebrate the London Olympics and Paralympics, the Ashmolean Museum will display a group of bronze sculptures from 'Art at the Edge', a specially commissioned series of works representing different Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Sophie Dickens – Judo

Each sculpture is cast in bronze and made by a different artist to reflect a cross-section of contemporary British sculpture.

The exhibition runs until 20th May 2012 and admission is free.

Images (c) Art at the Edge

Life is a Game We Play by Scott Carruthers

Roll The Dice (c) Scott Carruthers

We were delighted when artist Scott Carruthers agreed for us to feature his work on our blog.

The "Life is a Game We Play" series is inspired by children and childhood, a new perspective focusing on growing up, the choices we make and the paths we take.

Pawn in the Game (c) Scott Carruthers

Please visit Scott's site HERE or make friends on Twitter @ScArtCarruthers .

Who Are You? (c) Scott Carruthers

This is Scott with his "Keys to the World" painting which sold at auction last year for £1800 in aid of the 'Children at Play' charity in conjunction with the Kings Road Gallery and Chelsea FC.

1950s Bowling Ball and Pin Decanter

Spotted for sale over on Carmen and Ginger's Etsy Store, check out this fantastic bowling ball and pin decanter. Its authentic mid-century and we just LOVE it!

If you fancy getting your hands on this little beauty, head over to Carmen and Ginger

Time to spell it out!

Shared with us by a good friend, CO9Cloud are now hankering after one of these sleek and stylish clocks by Biegert & Funk. Winner of a 2010 Red Dot Award, "The Qlocktwo" spells out the time in either English or German in five-minute increments with four lights in the corner to add the extra minutes.

Please check out Qlocktwo to see their watch and alarm clock too.

Image (c) Biegert & Funk

Vespa Rocking Horse

This little beauty was made (if my translation is correct) by a grandfather for his grandson. Seriously stylish and sure to make any little boy or girl smile (as well as their parents!).

Heat Flowers and Butterflies by Julia Ogden

We first spotted this beautiful painting by Yorkshire artist, Julia Ogden over on Heart Gallery's Blog

To see more of Julia's work please check out her site HERE

Image (c) Julia Ogden

Le tailleur de pierre by Bruno Goury

"Le tailleur de pierre", meaning The Stone Mason, is by artist and metal sculptor Bruno Goury.

Goury works at The Forge in Maison Dieu, between Clamecy and Vezelay in the Nievre (Burgundy).

To see more of Goury's work, please check out his site HERE or connect on Twitter @GouryBruno

Image (c) Bruno Goury

Where would you choose for a soak in the hot tub?

If CO9Cloud could lie in a hot tub anywhere in the world it would be in this Panacea hot tub on Buttermere in the Lake District! Where would you choose?

The "Panacea is an expandable and travelling artwork currently being developed by Michael Pinsky, Zoë Walker & Neil Bromwich to function as a universal formula to cure social, economical and political problems. Pinsky, Walker & Bromwich search for artistic ‘solutions’ that simultaneously offer viewers/participants an aesthetic experience and a practical tool to improve life."

Panacea Project

CO9