(sources: foster, bambino, rknickme)

There are an unimaginably large number of extremely talented artists creating extraordinary works of art from ordinary objects. Here we explore one such group of artists whose ordinary objects of choice are thumbtacks and pushpins.

Push-Pin Mario World

(source: ranadok)

These images are from the third iteration of a project that took approximately two and a half semesters to complete. The final version uses an astonishing over 17,000 pins and was created almost entirely by student members of the CIS Student Association at the University of Fraser Valley.

Thumbtack Buddies Series

(source: ladyraycello)

While the thumbtack buddies are not overly complex pieces, they accomplish their job perfectly. Undeniably adorable, with a cheerful disposition, and created with bright colors that will lift your mood, these pieces are a bundle of joy. All the anthropomorphic creatures that compose the series are available on etsy.

Eric Daigh’s Portraits

(source: daigh)

Not much to look at if you get too close, Daigh’s push-pin portraits come alive as you step away. Full of color and exquisitely composed, each portrait takes in the range of 10,000 push-pins and weeks to compose. While other artists prefer all sorts of subjects, Daigh limits himself strictly to portraits and believes that anything else wouldn’t be compelling enough.

Abstraction of a Thumbtack

(source: wrpindle)

Scant on details about this incredibly curious sculpture, the artist doesn’t offer much insight into the intentions behind the piece. While there are plenty of creations made from thumbtacks and push pins, scarcely do we see a replication of the object in other mediums to illustrate a point.

Thumbtack Obama

(source: zoomdoggle)

Jake from Zoomdoggle has recreated the now-iconic Obama image using over 20,000 thumbtacks, approximately one for each delegate. Whether you support(ed) Obama or not, you have to commend Jake’s effort, and while the outcome was not perfect, it is definitely amusing to watch the work in progress.