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10 Bushwick Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram

A number of artists caught our eyes and held our interests—and they all just-so-happened to be women.
Rachel Stern, Still Life Black at Humble Arts Foundation, Photo courtesy of the artist

At Bushwick Open Studios, an annual, weekend-long block party where artists and galleries in the neighborhood open their studios, warehouses, and even apartments, to the public, the already artistically-saturated Brooklyn neighborhood becomes an expansive art carnival. With so much to look at, it’s easy to lose interest and go straight for the booze, but luckily there were a number of artists that caught and held our interest—and they all happen to be women.

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Showing in three very different settings, including a collective group show called Declasse held in an apartment, an experimental exhibition highlighting artist couples called Swingers WKND, and at the NEWD art fair in a large warehouse, these are artists both new and old to the growing scene. Their presences may vary, but thanks to blessings from the art lords, we've got Instagram to fill the void after the art parties are over. Without further adieu, here are 10 lady artists you need to follow now:

Nandi Loaf 

Nandi Loaf, Only God Can Judge Me blanket, at Declasse. Photo by the author

@nandi_loaf

It’s all about the ego when it comes to Nandi Loaf, the self-proclaimed “most important artist of the 21st Century” (from the rap-meets-art-fair, Black Market) for art products donning her own face and slogans, like this woven "Only God Can Judge Me" blanket. Follow her for anti-art world memes and keep up on the latest Nandi swag.

Rachel Stern

Rachel Stern, Untitled, at Certain Age. Photo by the author

@rachelstern

Whether it’s a jellyfish-inhabited fishtank sculpture, a photograph of a man’s bedazzled pubic hair, or royal portraits of young men in drag, Rachel Stern brings glitz, glamour, and humor to every project. Her Instagram feed is just as satisfying, but with more fake boobs.

Jennie Jieun Lee

Jennie Jieun Lee, Boots, at Swingers WKND. Photo courtesy of Swingers WKND 

@omenlee

Jennie Jieun Lee takes pottery to new heights, producing stunning expressionist ceramics for both the wall and the table. Follow her to witness her process, from clay to product.

Trudy Benson

(Right) Trudy Benson, Script, at Swingers WKND. Photo courtesy of Swingers WKND

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@trudybenson

Trudy Benson’s paintings, like the Kid Pix come to life, are a real treat. Her works—and a ton of weird photoshopped images of her cat—are exactly what you need in your feed.

Saira McLaren

Saira McLaren, Untitled at Swingers WKND, Photo courtesy of Swingers WKND

@in_the_pink

You can never get enough dreamy watercolors, especially from Saira McLaren. Follow her for a behind-the-scenes look inside her studio and a curated collection of artwork from the latest openings.

Caroline Larsen

Caroline Larson, Night Tropics at NEWD Art Show, Photo by Greenpoint Terminal Gallery

@_caroline_larsen

Caroline Larsen may be a fresh graduate from Pratt, but her colorful, textured oil paintings are already a hit, and her Instagram feed puts them front and center.

Priscilla Jeong

Priscilla Jeong, Untitled at NEWD Art Show, Photo by Kate Messinger

@priscillajeong

Priscilla Jeong’s steam-spewing basketball was a mus-see at the NEWD, and so is her feed—showing off all her quirky sculptures, photographs, and impromptu installations.

Melissa Brown

@boogiebrowntown

Animator and image maker Melissa Brown has a surrealist’s eye and a comedian’s wit, and the two, mashed together, make for a more-than-entertaining Instagram.

Morgan Blair

Photo by NEWD Art Fair via Instagram

@mmorgannbblairr

Like those "magic eye" books from our youth, Morgan Blair's paintings take on psychedelic qualities that leave our eyes wanting more. Follow her process creating the works on photograph to stenciling and painting the finished image. And for even more fun, check out her brilliant Seinfeld oil paintings series.

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Dawn Kasper

@Dawnworrybkasper

Dawn Kasper’s installation-based work, featured at the 2012 Whitney Biennial, is as eclectic as her Instagram. Follow her for experimental films that always less than 15 seconds, of course.

So, who did we miss? Share the artists you follow in the comments section below.

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