All Purpose Art
Design Studio Raw Color has designed and is selling the most beautiful blankets, scarves and socks. But these items are not only beautiful, they are woven with climate change data embedded in the design! Scarves that keep you warm and warn of warming temperatures. Socks the quite literally measure the rise of sea level. You have to see their collection, and stop by their about page to learn more about their future-forward angle on design.
I learned something today. Shonen, a form of Japanese Manga, similar to American comic books, has a history. The Shonen genre is a super hero type of storytelling, so of course it grabbed my interest. BoingBoing blog has an article about the origins and, get this, they go WAAAAAY back. Like 1800’s back. Check out the video for more detail on the origins – you might find yourself interested in checking out this type of comic if you haven’t already. I can attest to its attraction – been reading them for years and the storytelling and the artwork are very exciting and engaging.
NPR has featured Ukrainian women artists who have expressed their thoughts, fears and emotions on the current war through their artwork. The images are arresting and while there is weariness and torment, there is also a sense of pride, strength and resilience. Art tells a story and offers a means of communication that transcends the limits of words. Check out the images, story and short video at the link below.
NPR.
Not normally associated with something as mundane as a humble air purifying appliance, Bauhaus is an iconic mashup of Arts & Crafts Style and the Modernist Movement. Designer Keereem Lee has applied this beautiful form to an air purifier concept design that I wish I could purchase. A simple yet stunning arrangement of shapes, it resembles a modernist sculpture, but would look at home in most environments. Controls include a power button, fan intensity btton, auto button, selectable timer, and double mode switch. It also comes in some pretty gorgeous colors
Learn more at Yanko Design.
A timely ode to women authors, Samantha Zabel highlights women recommending works authored by writers who identify as female. The list is varied and eclectic and wholly interesting. There is little to bind the recommendations together, apart from the gender of the authors and the intriguing descriptions of their works. Celebrate Women’s History Month in style with one of these missives and a hot cup of chamomile tea.
Hat tip to Apartment Therapy.
Been thinking about comics a lot lately. A great story line and awesome art, standing alone, are something to applaud. However, I find the most important aspect of comics, the feature that truly hooks me into a book, is the visual storytelling – the light, angles, and viewpoints an artist uses to dramatize and embellish, to convey the message without using words. The legendary comic artist Wally Wood understood this and created this awesome visual reminder of the best angles to use in comic frames. To say it has become iconic would be an understatement. Via Neil Gaiman’s Tumblr.
The New Yorker is one of two magazines that I have ever subscribed to, the other being Rolling Stone. I can’t tell if I loved it more for the articles or the artwork, but there is no doubt in my mind that I always eagerly awaited the next issue’s cover art. CBS is featuring some of the best covers from the 1925 debut issue to the present and it is a real graphic treat.
I love decorating Easter eggs almost as much as I love eating chocolate rabbits. These gorgeous recipes for beautiful eggs and more are collected over at 2ModernBlog – check them out and have some fun with your colorings this year.
Walking the fine line between fantasy and reality, but firmly grounded in stellar artistic form, Steve Thomas has whipped up some mighty fine vintage-style future-perfect travel posters around everyone’s favorite intergalactic destination – a galaxy far, far away. Enjoy these amazing posters and Thomas’ fine art at the jump above. Hat tip to Bit Rebels.
Shared by one of my Facebook friends, this enchanting duet between world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and L.A. hip hop dancer Lil Buck may enthrall and entrance you. Check it out for yourself. Thanks Carol!
Martha Sperry 