This weekend is the annual Somerville Open Studios, where artists and designers from all over Somerville, MA open up their homes and workshops to the public. Over 300 artists participate every year, which makes it a wonderful (but lengthy) hike through the city to check things out. I went browsing through a couple studios today, and was so impressed by both the work I saw, and the incredible lofts and buildings these artists get to work from. Yes, I might be a tad jealous of the tenants of The Paper Factory in Union Square – one of the many gorgeous old factory buildings gone the way of loft studios in Somerville.

While visiting The Paper Factory today, I ran across the work of freelance animator Gina Napolitan, who creates incredibly unique, detailed characters for animated films. I absolutely love the haunting quality of the little figures she creates. I absolutely love this little shadow box type house she created with some characters from a recent animation piece:

The detailing on each figure and their costumes just blows me away. I have such an appreciation for artists that can lose themselves in the minutia of design, probably because I envy that eye for the smallest detail.

Another stand-out artist on my limited tour today was Alethea Roy’s work at The Little House. She describes her work as “terrifyingly beautiful art”. I don’t necessarily agree with the terrifying part, but it is definitely beautiful. I tend to gravitate towards art with ocean scenes, so naturally I fell in love with her Lost At Sea triptych from the moment I laid eyes on it.

The haunting imagery, the vacant eyes, the squid tentacles! The triptych plot seems to unfold as such: girl captured by pirates (obviously), girl escapes from pirates only to be sucked into a whirlpool (not the nice spa bathtub kind either), girl rescued and possibly seduced by giant pink squid, the end. You’re welcome for that very deep and meaningful interpretation.

Anywho, the fun continues tomorrow from 12-6 pm all over Somerville. If you’re in the area, definitely stop by any of the studios that might interest you – there is something for everyone.