We are surrounded by amazing things, and I’m sure many of you are collectors of beauty, as I am. The thing I love about usable art is that you get to enjoy works that please your senses while doing mundane things, like eating for example. Above is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. An art plate by Indiana-based Mab Graves. She has been releasing limited edition melamine plates with some amusing designs (and I just looooove the angry foods).

So this got me thinking. Why don’t we strive to make everyday things pleasing to our tastes? Why are things like plates boring? Why do we eat on placemats that only serve to catch spills, but don’t add anything to our day? I don’t think it would be as tough as it seems to add art to our daily activities.

Of course, some art would be destroyed by actual use, but things like melamine plates are meant to be used, and with a very reasonable price, why not make them daily dishes? If you’re a writer, why not use pens that inspire, like these gorgeous works from J&S Turnings?

This post is a bit off my usual fare, but I am just loving my new plate so much, I felt the urge to remind people who may stumble across my little ramblings that it doesn’t take much to add cool art to your daily life.

If you have cool functional art, please share it, I’d love to see what others are using in their daily life.

Embrace the awesome!