What am I Lego-loving?
June 25, 2015
Oh, yes! Lego-loving and food art, all in one! From Grant Thompson – “The King of Random”
What am I amazed by?
June 24, 2015
Artist Rogan Brown (previously) just completed work on his latest paper artwork titled Outbreak, a piece he describes as an exploration “of the microbiological sublime.” Over four months in the making, the work depicts an array of interconnected sculptures—entirely hand cut from paper—based on the smallest structures found within the human body: cells, microbes, pathogens, and neurons. Outbreak represents nearly four months of tedious planning, cutting and assembly. He shares about his process:
“I am inspired in part by the tradition of scientific drawing and model making, and particularly the work of artist-scientists such as Ernst Haeckel. But although my approach involves careful observation and detailed “scientific” preparatory drawings, these are always superseded by the work of the imagination; everything has to be refracted through the prism of the imagination, estranged and in some way transformed.”
You can see more details over in his portfolio.
From thisiscolossal.com
Whose birthday am I noting?
June 21, 2015
Rockwell Kent, born June 21, 1882
Rockwell Kent, artist, author, and political activist, had a long and varied career. During his lifetime, he worked as an architectural draftsman, illustrator, printmaker, painter, lobsterman, ship’s carpenter, and dairy farmer. Born in Tarrytown Heights, New York, he lived in Maine, Newfoundland, Alaska, Greenland, and the Adirondacks and explored the waters around Tierra del Fuego in a small boat. Kent’s paintings, lithographs, and woodcuts often portrayed the bleak and rugged aspects of nature; a reflection of his life in harsh climates.
Kent had an unusually long and thorough training as an artist. He was a student at the Horace Mann School in New York City and subsequently studied architecture at Columbia University, toward the end of which he felt a strong inclination toward painting and took up the study of art under William Merritt Chase at the Shinnecock Hills School. He studied later at the New York School, under Robert Henri and Kenneth Hayes Miller, and finally as an apprentice to Abbott Thayer at Dublin, New Hampshire. Henri encouraged him to go to Monhegan Island where Kent painted on his own. He was absorbed in the awesome power of the environment; nature’s timeless energy and contrasting forces influenced his work throughout his lifetime. His early and lasting relationship with the sea was portrayed again and again in his work.
Biography from The Plattsburgh State Art Museum.
What do I think is pretty awesome?
June 18, 2015Volcano Calbuco erupted on April 22, 2015, for the first time in four decades. Located close to the cities of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt in southern Chile. We (Jonas Dengler and Martin Heck) spend the prior couple of days on the neighboring volcano Osorno (~20km linear distance) shooting timelapses. After an amazing night under the nightsky we took the cable car downwards after a delay caused by repairs. Already late we headed south to catch the ferry on Routa 7 down to Patagonia. After 10min on the ferry we noticed a massive, almost nuclear looking cloud boiling upwards just were we left a few hours ago. Frenetically looking for a good outlook we then rushed to the only non-forested place to get a decent view of the show. We quickly put every bit of camera-equipment we could find on the constantly growing mushroom-cloud. We shot timelapses in 8K and 4K with a Pentax 645Z and Canon 6D. On the A7s we shot 4K video to the Shogun using Kingston HyperX SSDs. We filled almost all of our memory cards in the prior night so I had to do backups while shooting all this stuff.
This was for sure the most incredible show I’ve ever seen. I think this is a once in a lifetime event and I am so happy that we were able to capture it in all its glory.
WEBSITE: http://www.timestormfilms.com/
What am I celebrating?
June 17, 2015
It’s Pollinator Week! From butterflies and bees to hummingbirds and beetles, these small but mighty species are important to our everyday lives. Without them, we would have fewer fruit, vegetables and nuts – not to mention chocolate and coffee. Learn more: http://on.doi.gov/1R1OFXQ
Why am I saying, “wash your hands, dammit?”
June 16, 2015
Bacteria grown from the hand print of an 8-year old who was playing outside.
Created by Tasha Sturm using sterile plates, agar, and her son’s hand print.
It is Tuesday, so here is an appropriate tattoo: Salmonella
Where am I shopping?
June 16, 2015Summer is fast approaching. In my town, summer is that short interval when people venture out of doors, and the attractions of the city are briefly open. One of these outdoor attractions is the Cleveland Flea that sets up in Tyler Village, an old industrial part of the city.
Here are some photos of a recent Flea:
The location – note the interesting terra cotta motifs on the tops of these buildings.
Some mid-century modern treasures.
These boots are made for marching.
A poor child being devoured by a shark.
And food . . .
I did not try these, but they sound interesting.
I always wondered how they were made.
Are ramps popular other places?
I loved this little bakery trailer.
And handsome crafts!
It was fun. We’ll go back.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 