Mark Ryden.

 These are some spooky pics.  Remind me of Keane + Dali.  Unsettling.  Fun.  And apparently this guy has been around for some time as I see he did the cover for Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album way back when MJ was dangerous.

Check it out and tell me he's been on your radar screen for years where have I been all my life.

Susan

PS  Booth, have you seen this book The Upset ?  I'm really loving the art within.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I like this one: http://www.markryden.com/paintings/index.html

and this one: http://www.markryden.com/paintings/index.html

I have seen his work before but never knew who he was until now. Thanks for posting the info, Susan! 

Check out this guy, Michael Birawer: http://www.michaelbirawer.com/. I love his work!

I opened this thread as I was browsing Morbid Anatomy. He happens to be included in their sidebar link list of Contemporary Artists.

Contemporary(ish) Artists

* Alex Kanevsky * Angela Singer * Ben Kruisdijk * Berlinde de Bruycker * Beverly Ress * Brian Calting * Catherine Truman * Chantal Pollier * Cindy Rehm * Craig LaRotonda * Damien Hirst * David Altmejd * Diane Arbus * Diane Bertolo * Dino Valls * Edward Gorey * Eleanor Crook * Elizabeth McGrath * Géza Szöllos * Harald Koeck * Herbert Pfostl * Ian Goulden * James Mundie * James Walsh * Jan Fabre * Jane Wildgoose * Jason Briggs * Jeff Love * Jeff Wyckoff * Jessica Joslin * Jo Ann Kaplan * Jodie Carey * Joel-Peter Witkin * John Byrd * John Isaacs * Julia deVille * Justine Gasquet * Kate Street * Kerry Kate * Kristen Alvanson * Laura Splan * Lida Drummond * Louise Bourgeois * Lyndie Dourthe * Mad Meg * Mara Haseltine * Marilene Oliver * Mark Dion * Mark Powell * Mark Ryden * Maud Larsson * Max Aguilera-Hellweg * Melli Ink * Natalie Jeremijenko * Nathan K. Menglesis * Nicole Natri * Nina Katchadourian * Pascalle Pollier * Paul Rumsey * Richard Russell * Robert Quint * Rosamond Purcell * Sarah Sudhoff * Saul Chernick * Shannon Rankin * Shardcore * Stephen Berkman * Steven Gregory * Susan Aldworth * Suzanne Anker * Tanya Marcuse * Zoe Beloff

Smeds, that artist you linked reminds me of Hundertwasser.  Here's one painting I found but I have an old poster of one of his street scene paintings that is more reminiscent.

zoom

Austrian artist, Friedensrich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) paints eye-catching distortions and patterns in vibrant palettes based on Art Nouveau principles. Having lost 69 Jewish relatives during the Nazi rule, eventually he designed the Peace Flag for the Near East in 1978. Both Vienna and Syria decorated him with their Gold Medals of Honor. Often compared to Klimt and Schiele, the decorative and technical aspects of work flames controversy among critics yet he is exceedingly popular with people.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

http://psychskull.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/the-disembowelled-doll/

"What? Did your life pass before your eyes? Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea..."

http://www.porterhouseart.com/product_p/po65.htm

It's very retro, early Americana and reminds me a little of the Twin Peaks Access Guide, for some reason.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin