“Porcelain Crustaceans” series by Mary O’Malley (2013) As if lifted from the wreckage of the Titanic, ceramic artist Mary O’Malley creates sculptural porcelain teapots, cups, and vases adorned with barnacles, tentacles, and other living sea creatures (she refers to them as “porcelain crustaceans”). Many original works from this series titled ‘Bottom Feeders’ are available over on Etsy. (via laughing squid) Brooding Cityscapes Painted with Oils by Jeremy Mann San Francisco-based artist Jeremy Mann executes these sublime, moody cityscapes using oil paints. To create each work he relies on a wide range of techniques including surface staining, the use of solvents to wipe away paint, and the application of broad, gritty marks with an ink brayer. The resulting paintings are dark and atmospheric, urban streets seemingly drenched in rain and mystery. Mann’s work is in no way limited to cityscapes, he also paints the human figure, still lifes, and landscapes. He currently has work at John Pence Gallery and you can see many more of his cityscapes here.
Video Showing the Huge Gap Between Super Rich and Everyone Else Goes Viral For much of the past decade, policymakers and analysts have decried America's incredibly low savings rate, noting that U.S. households save a fraction of the money of the rest of the world. Citing a myriad of causes -- from cheap credit to exploitative bank practices -- they've noted that the average family puts away less than 4 percent of its income. "Wealth Inequality in America," a six-minute video produced by a YouTube user named "Politizane," casts an interesting angle on the plummeting savings rate. It isn't hard to see why there is such a yawning gap between the richest Americans and the rest of us. But the distribution of this huge economic bonanza has been startlingly uneven. In terms of information, Politizane's video isn't offering anything new: Its analysis of American perceptions of wealth distribution, the line between rich and poor and the issue of America's wealth continuum echo stories that have been in the media for years. 9 Ways Sequestration Will Affect You Share Email
45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off These 45 health benefits and ways to use lemons will definitely motivate you to keep lemons on hand at all times and maybe even work lemon water into your diet. Credit: Au Feminin Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. 1. 2. 3. 4. Credit: Organic Facts 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Credit: Galore Mag 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Credit: Healthy Food Spirit 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Credit: Live Science 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. * If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure. John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. Credits: preventdisease.com This article (45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off) is free and open source. True Activist
"Anamorphic Sculptures" series by Jonty Hurwitz London-based artist Jonty Hurwitz creates ‘Anamorphic Sculptures’ which only reveal themselves once facing a reflective cylinder. Hurwitz took an engineering degree in Johannesburg where he discovered the fine line between art and science. He has lived in England for many years, working in the online industry though he quietly levitated into the world of art inspired by a need to make ‘something real’. All images © Niina Keks, Otto Pierotto, Richard Ivey Photorealistic Pictures Drawn With a BIC Pen EmailEmail At first sight they may look like some pretty sharp blue photographs, however all those pictures are actually hand drawn with a simple Bic ballpoint pen! Spanish artist Juan Francisco Casas uses up to four 14p ballpoint pens to create his incredibly photorealistic drawings, measuring up to 10ft (3 meters) high. The use of penballs makes Juan’s drawings even more original, which certainly has played a big role in his way to success, and his works are already a sell-out at exhibitions. His source of inspiration comes from his own photographs of nights out with his friends, so you can only imagine how wild his parties are, as half of his drawings include girls that forgot to put on their clothes. Website: juanfranciscocasas.com
Crazy Awesome Paintings by Vladimir Kush Here is a collection of the incredible paintings of Vladimir Kush. Vladimir has been creating these surrealistic paintings since the late 80’s. I’m extremely impressed by his work, and you should be as well! Related Plywood Paintings by Robert Romanowic Plywood Paintings by Robert Romanowic, very unique and awesome! February 8, 2011 In "Inspiration" Amazing Contemporary Paintings by Christine Krainock Christine Krainock creates original, abstract oil painting & acrylic knife painting. December 12, 2011 In "Fine Art" Ellison Design student based in CA who was one of the co-founder of AIA and CubeBreaker.com
30 Challenges for 30 Days Did you know that it takes 30 days to form a new habit? The first few days are similar as to how you would imagine the birth of a new river. Full of enthusiasm it gushes forth, only to be met by strong obstacles. The path is not clear yet, and your surroundings don’t agree. Old habits urge you to stay the same. But you need to stay determined. So, take a moment to reflect on the question ‘Who do I want to be in 5 years?’ Check out this short TED talk first to get inspired: Now pick one or more challenges and stick with them! However, be cautioned, picking too many challenges at the same time can easily result in a failure of all of them. #1 Write a I-Like-This-About-You note/text/email each day for someone (Easy) This is the perfect way to let someone else know you care. #2 Talk to one stranger each day (Hard) This is a great one to cure approaching anxiety. #3 Take one picture each day (Hard) #4 Re-evaluate one long-held belief each day (Intermediate) Do you love yourself? We recommend:
Giuseppe Colarusso "Unlikely" series (2013) In this ongoing series titled Unlikely, artist and photographer Giuseppe Colarusso imagines bizarre and humorous objects, each of which is either technically impossible, improbable, or simply useless in its proposed design. Colarusso tells me via email that many of the pieces he fabricates himself, however some are digitally created in Photoshop. So what’s the point? Rashad Alakbarov Paints with Shadows and Light This is kind of flying all over the internet right now, but I couldn’t resist sharing. Artist Rashad Alakbarov from Azerbaijan uses suspended translucent objects and other found materials to create light and shadow paintings on walls. The jaw-dropping light painting above, made with an array of colored airplanes is currently on view at the Fly to Baku exhibition at De Pury Gallery in London through January 29th. (via art wednesday, fasels suppe)