There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

— Shel Silverstein, “Where the Sidewalk Ends”

Jason Allemann (True Dimensions) created this awesome LEGO version of Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein’s unforgettable illustration for his wonderful poem of the same title. The level of detail is impressive. Jason even included the little worm peeping out of the dirt under the edge of the sidewalk. We can’t help but think that it would’ve made Shel smile.

[via The Brothers Brick]

Italian artist Aron Demetz uses traditional woodcarving techniques to create these awesome sculptures of human bodies that are perfectly smooth in some places and covered in the raised texture of the wood’s grain in others. Their unusual appearance provokes an intensely tactile response in the viewer. They are at once beautiful, fascinating, and distinctly unsettling.

From a distance these figures appear to be in the process of shedding layers of skin, but when viewed up close it’s clear that the textures are still very much a part of their bodies. Aron’s sculptures are a thought-provoking fusion of humanity and nature. The textures of these pieces make our own skin crawl while we desperately want to touch them at the same time.

Visit My Modern Metropolis to check out more examples of Aron Demetz’s arresting wooden artwork.

British artist Claire Moynihan uses a variety of freeform embroidery techniques to create these awesome, itty-bitty sculptural insects perched atop small felt balls. 

“After completing a collection of work Moynihan then organizes the pieces inside traditional entomological boxes which from a distance could almost pass for the real thing.”

Visit Claire’s online gallery to check out more of her wonderful creations.

[via Colossal]

When Tim Stellburg, a particularly geeky Minnesotan who also goes by the name Buggeye, had to have several troublesome cottonwood trees in his yard cut down, he asked that 9-10 feet of one of the trees be left standing so that he could later hire an artist to carve it into something awesome.

As soon as he figured out what he wanted, Tim hired Curtis Ingvoldstad of Wood Sculpture by Curtis to transform the stump into a magnificent Silver Dragon based on fantasy artist and illustrator Todd Lockwood’s creation for Dungeons & Dragons third edition (3.5).

“No matter how badly I mess up a Star Wars/Star Trek/whatever trivia quiz - Nobody can take away my geek card ever again.”

The process of sculpting the tree took place over 13 four hour sessions. Curtis painted the beast as well, but Tim painted the eyes himself. Click here for more photos of Buggeye’s awesome Silver Dragon.

Then click here to view more of Curtis Ingvoldstad’s on-site commissioned carvings.

[via Nerd Approved and Redditors Aboiement and Mozleron]

Mia Pearlman is a paper artist based in Brooklyn, New York who creates awesome site-specific cut paper installations that look like she’s managed to pull organic and abstract images out of people’s dreams and install them as 3D works of art for the rest of us to encounter.

“Pearlman’s process is very intuitive, based on spontaneous decisions made in the moment. She begins by making loose line drawings in india ink on large rolls of paper. Then selected areas are cut between the lines to make a new drawing in positive and negative space on the reverse. Created on site by trial and error, a 2-3 day dance with chance and control takes place during each and every installation. Existing only for the length of the installation, the weightless world totters on the brink of being and not being, continually in flux.”

Visit Mia Pearlman’s website to view more of her wondrous cut paper installations.

[via Beautiful Decay]

Russian paper artist and graphic designer Yulia Brodskaya uses a technique called quilling or paper filigree (previously featured here) to create beautiful and expressive illustrations.

“Her highly detailed pieces are constructed of rolled, folded, and carefully placed strips of color paper. The intricate curls of paper are intriguing in themselves while creating a larger image…”

Yulia lives and works in the UK, where her lively style and colourful palette have attracted an impressive list of clients, including Starbucks, Anthropologie, Penguin Press, and HOW Magazine.

[via Beautiful Decay and Colossal]