After our last excurtion, as we took some time to explore the art space, I stumbled upon an artist whose work really appealed to me.  She took found children's toys and framed them with the backround of pictures of abandoned buildings.  Her work was not only unique but also told a story.  I got the impression that these were all toys that she found while visiting these decrepit locations, and it makes me wonder how they got there.  Abandoned buildings have always been something that interests me, especially since Buffalo is so full of them.  Many of these were once beautiful family homes and feature great architectural detail, but now stand crumbling and desolate. 

In a way this stark contrast of beauty and decay make them an unintentional art.  At least that's how I always felt, so it was interesting to see an artist who actually manifested this.  I did some research trying to find some artists that have undertook similiar work, and stumbled upon a local artist, Dennis Maher, who took the remnants of some of Buffalo's very own abandoned structures and made them into unique sculptures. 

These are two of my favorite pieces of his.  I really like the variety of materials he used, everything from trees to rusted metal to what looks like a story.  His work makes me wonder about the story behind these buildings, where they were, what they were in their prime, what led them to their state of decay.  The process of transformation, the contrast of ugly/ beautiful, and the story behind a piece are some of my favorite aspects of art, and the artists that appeal to me most are the ones who embody this.