Skulls: they just won't die. Maybe it's the McQueen show at the Met, or maybe the growing popularity of Mexican graveyard art. Whatever the reason, this most mortal of motifs is everywhere from tattoos to artisanal candles.

Round here, no one does the humble skull justice like sculptural ceramic artist Julie Moon, whose work is currently on display at Narwhal Art Projects. One of my favourite affordable objects she's done is this delicate, Day of the Dead style piece. Far from a bare bone, it has the madcap innocence of a near-senile grandma; plus, it's really pretty.

Not since Hamlet has a skull been so worthy of a soliloquy. —Sarah Nicole Prickett

$200 at Magic Pony & Narwhal, 680 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-861-1684,www.magic-pony.com

You won’t find the prim symmetry of a “basic French,” or the luxe trend-baiting of magazine manis, on the nail art blogfolio of local artist and OCAD grad Mahban. But the ad hoc presentation of colours, lines and patterns is what makes the completely custom, lo-fi designs so necessary.

“I want my art to be a portrait of the wearer,” says Mahban, who digs bright colours and bold patterns; she likens nails to moving, temporal canvases. Last summer she showed (and did) nails at cool contemporary art space 52 McCaul. You can e-mail her to set up an appointment, but Mahban's back next Sunday, August 28, with nail artist Michelle LeFebvre for an afternoon nail party at Dundas West creative co-op Miracle Thieves.

Just in time for the September debut of the fall clothes you've been hoarding all month. —Anupa Mistry

www.mahban.tumblr.com

“Someone called my friend a miracle-thief one day,” says Tiffany Naval. “So we miracle theived it.” But of course. That's the M.O. at Miracle Thieves, an art practice-turned-community gallery, now open across from Trinity-Bellwoods Park on Dundas West.

Lots of artists use found objects; Naval and her partner, Jen Maramba, use stolen ones. Sort of. “We noticed that people had great ideas and weren't doing anything with them,” explains Naval. “So we'd rescue the idea and make it happen, maybe by collaborating with the person. Or we'd overhear something at the grocery store and turn into a piece. Or rescue and repaint an abandoned chair that still had life in it, but no one cared.”

Now, this merry band of two is giving back. Their new storefront gallery will contain not only their own works, but objects, illustrations and more by cool local artists and makers, sold on consignment and curated by Robin Lacambra. Look for Wild Moon jewellery, Juliana Neufeld drawings and more. And, if you want to be something of an artist yourself, sign up for workshops in everything from art history to life drawing to visual branding.
—Sarah Nicole Prickett

Miracle Thieves, 249 Crawford Street, Toronto, www.miraclethieves.com

The MoMa's most bombastic, triumphant show—Abstract Expressionist New York—is coming to Canada.

Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, de Kooning: are you lining up yet? The history of America's first, and still-best (since you asked me), art style is splendid enough to enthrall even seen-it-all gallery-goers.

For its sojourn at the Art Gallery of Ontario, AbEx NY (as it's affectionately called) will have to be pared down—which might make it easier to appreciate. Still, it'll be impossible not to see how big (literally and figuratively) this movement is. In the Eighties, painting was declared dead. The rumours turned out to be exaggerated, as anyone can tell you now. But while Abstract Expressionism lived, painting had never been more vital. —SNP

Tickets to Abstract Expressionist New York at the AGO go on sale this Saturday, April 30 (opens May 28). Adult admission is $25. For more information, or to purchase, see call 416-979-6655 or visit www.ago.net

Round the corner of Queen West and Brock, and hello, Chelsea. The Neubacher Shor Contemporary Gallery, with its 3,000 square feet of semi-raw splendour and its just-opened garage door, has the post-industrial air of Manhattan's classic art district.

“We wanted to come out with a big bang,” says Manny Neubacher. He and Anya Shor, his partner in art and in life, founded The Art Stylists a year ago. This - a gallery doubling as “The Venue” for private events, which will in turn fund exhibits - is their next step. Given the scale, we'd call it a “leap.”

The first exhibit is a teaser, says Neubacher. It stars Ray Caesar, Thrush Holmes, Aboriginal graffiti artist Andrew Dexel and nine others. The works are capacious, like NSC's New-York-in-the-'80s ambition.

“The gallery should be a living, breathing space,” Shor says, adding its size makes possibilities almost limitless. She's thinking full-room projections, ceiling installations, performative art and so much collaboration: “film, music, art, fashion, digital media, contemporary dance.”

What bust? —SNP

Neubacher Shor Contemporary Gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday. For hours and information, or to book the space, visit http://nscvenue.com

Will that great gallery art piece mesh with our beech Cherner chairs?

We’re solving décor dilemmas (and finding inspiration) at Love the Design. Christine Flynn’s new east end space carries hand-picked mid-century modern and French Industrial finds that create a perfect backdrop for her stunning photo and graphic-based art.

We love the resined vintage maps of Muskoka (from $225) and 1940s Toronto trolley roll signs ($950) set against 1920s apartment mailboxes ($3,495), Louis chairs upholstered in coffee bean burlap ($995) and walls papered in pages from an old Farmers Almanac. 

Still to come?  One-of-a-kind stationery and Flynn’s own line of gothic-style of pillows.

On second thought, the Cherners might be moving into storage.

Love the Design, 1362 Queen St. E., Toronto, 416-408-1727, www.lovethedesign.com – MW

Anyone with a cellphone can document a runway show. But as Laird Borrelli, author of Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers, noted in The New York Times, “An illustrator can capture its poetry, document its mood or energy — those are subtle things that evoke something more than mere attendance.”

As fashion illustration continues it journey back into mainstream media, we are drawn to the work of Toronto artist Monica Smiley. An alumna of Ryerson’s School of Fashion, we love her high fashion series of stick thin models in cheetah print boots, palazzo pants and decadent ruffled ball gowns.

Smiley’s whimsical artworks appear on rich, fabric-like paper and are coupled with humorous, inspiring words from the likes of Bill Blass, Cecil Beaton and Sophia Loren.

“A woman’s dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.” —AT

Find stockists at www.eightyseventhst.com

There are some things too special to get rid of—mum’s go-go boots, your daughter’s first doodle and the book that made you fall in love with reading. 

A new Toronto company makes cherishing those keepsakes easier.

ReFormed takes your beloved mementos and stores them in stylish perspex ‘art cubes’ (from $95) ready to hang or display on a wall or shelf. The result is both sentimental and stylish.

Now, go ask mom to dig up your Duran Duran T-shirt.

www.re-formed.ca

Your dorm walls were covered in Thai fabric and Degas prints. Today your tastes have changed. Manny Neubacher (an artist and gallery owner) and Anya Shor (a fashion stylist) of The Art Stylists have some fabulous tips:

1. We love Open Studio for affordable original works on paper by Canadian printmakers. It’s perfect for great art on any budget ($50 +) or specific stylistic preferences. In addition, all artists can be viewed online and the studio/gallery is a pretty cool space. Open Studio, 401 Richmond St. W., Toronto, 416-504-8238, www.openstudio.on.ca/

2. We utilize Circuit Gallery for affordable contemporary photography. This online store has a great selection of affordable photography that feels very current and cool. We often find pieces that can add a great pop of colour to a room. Why not get it mounted on dibond and plexi for a very clean and original look? www.circuitgallery.com

3. Elisabeth Legge is the best spot for finding antique prints. It takes a little bit more time and patience, but you can find pieces that won't break the bank. Elisabeth Legge, 37B Hazelton Ave., Toronto, 416-972-1378, www.leggeprints.com

4. Sometimes a great vintage poster can add a great element to a room depending on the rest of the decor. They range in price depending on many factors (size, rarity, etc.) but many can be had for $100 to $500. I Desire Vintage Posters, 438 King St. W., Suite 1607, Toronto, 416-977-7932, www.idesirevintageposters.com

5. We use Toronto Image Works to mount all our photographs.

Sure you were blue boxing before it was hip to be green, but there's always room for eco-innovation.

Enter SHFT, a media platform (co-founded by Entourage star Adrian Grenier) that has plenty of funky and thought-provoking environmental and cultural crossovers, like an interesting shop with non-toxic dog bowls, chairs made from an upcycled chain link fence, and this ultra sleek cardboard desk, along with blogs featuring super cool finds from the international art world and provocative videos.

But if we stare at hottie Adrian Grenier too long, we might unwittingly contribute to global warming.

Read our interview with co-found Lauren Gropper, a sustainability and design expert, today on our Editors' Diary.