By: Christine Liu, decor8 contributor

The ink sketches and watercolour paintings by Stella Im Hultberg perfectly exude the sad, sophisticated energy of the postmodern ingenue. Women pout with seductively disillusioned lips; limb-entwined couples wait in silence for a sadder truth. Every character is shadowed, stained, and soiled with glamour.

Working as an artist in New York City, Stella features her work in galleries (view her work at the current exhibition at thinkspace gallery, running from now to September 3) and sells her prints online at her momomoogie shop. Trained in industrial design and toy design, she currently applies her creative energy to her print works. Treat yourself to the delicious darkness of her online sketchbooks and portfolio.

Stella broadcasts art updates at her livejournal, and her daily report covers all sorts of life's delight from green tea soba salad to a mottled seashell collection.

In addition to the prints for sale on momomoogie, she boasts a design collection of wallets and shirts at art-collective-vinyl-wallet company Poketo. Plus, you can purchase her oh-so-precious my favorite mirrors at Art Star Philly.

In Stella's world, the city self-reflects with beauty and sorrow alike.

Your thoughts on Stella?

(images from Stella Im Hultberg)