It starts with photographs of everyday objects, and then Kevin Van Aelst reassembles and rearranges them into new forms and illustrations. He attempts to examine existence and create order from randomness.

Selected by Real Art Ways as one of six emerging artists in the Hartford’s institutions Step Up call, Van Aelst’s solo show opened yesterday. The work will remain on view through August 15, 2010, a serves as introduction to the New Haven-based artist’s output.

I’m particularly taken by the pieces which deal with garments… one of the reasons highlighting Van Aelst seemed appropriate here.

A selection of his creations (taken from his website) follow.

Carol Padberg’s work poises questions about design, language and abstraction. Her compositions are based on found typography, allowing for interplay between eras of design and key moments in art history. With this she can piece together stories and use the three dimensionality of the lettering against flat paint. Her latest exhibition opens on November 20 at Hartford, CT’s Real Art Ways. Padberg will be on hand December 4 for a gallery talk on her material in Face Value.