Category: Art & Design

February 8 2017

In Hawaii, Stunning New Art That Will Stop You in Your Tracks

My favorite art gallery, Thinkspace, is again teaming up with Pow! Wow! Hawaii to put on heck of an art show. This will be the fourth time the two have collaborated on an exhibition. Located at the Honolulu Museum of Art School from February 12 through February 17, 2017, all are welcome to see the most exciting art in the New Contemporary Movement.

Personally, I love Tran Nguyen’s piece (seen above). Maybe it’s because I’ve dyed my own hair pink or it could be the bright blue tattoos on the woman’s body that draws me in.

Wish I was in Hawaii to see this show in person!

Above: Tran Nguyen, “The Magenta Maiden”, (2017), Acrylic and colored pencil on paper

Tatiana Suarez, “Pink Matter”, (2017), Oil and aerosol on wood panel

Sail, “Long Exhale (Cycle or Staple)”, (2017), Ink, watercolor and acrylic on paper

Molly Gruninger, “The Pursuit”, (2017), Oil on canvas

Amy Sol, “Wayfaren”, (2017), Oil on wood panel

Alex Garant, “From Her Ashes”, (2017), Oil on canvas

Wiley Wallace, “Flying Away”, (2017), Acrylic on wood panel

David Cooley, “Theater of the Mind”, (2017), Acrylic and resin on wood panel

Mari Inukai, “Blue”, (2017), Oil on canvas

Oak Oak, “Flying Donuts Homer”, (2017), Stenciled spray paint on wood panel

Brian M. Viveros, “We Can Do It”, (2017), Oil and acrylic on maple board

Art & Design

February 1 2017

New Surreal Art is On the Border of Dreams and Reality by Jolene Lai

My favorite art gallery, Thinkspace, is exhibiting new works by Jolene Jai. The show is called Beside You. Here’s how they describe her style:

“Known for her narrative paintings in which characters are caught somewhere between dream and dread, Lai reimagines archetypal stories drawn from myth, Chinese folklore, and fairytale and transforms them into surreal compositions. By combining the uncanny with familiar scenes and contexts from the everyday, Lai arrests our imaginations in a state of suspended disbelief. Her world is full of contrasts, extended metaphors, disorienting manifestations of fantasy, and hallucinatory dreamscapes weaved into otherwise familiar settings. In Beside You, Lai explores a progression of childhood scenes gone strangely awry, where the imagery is both whimsical and increasingly phobic. The playful naiveté of the children’s story ebbs into an ever encroaching sense of darkness and ends, entangled, in shadowy linings.”

You can see more of her works at Thinkspace.

Art & Design

February 1 2017

Stunning Illustrations Merge Birds With the Female Form by Linn Wold

I came across the work of Linn Wold and was intrigued by its unusual beauty. I love it when artists merge nature with the female form. Here, she takes feathers or birds and incorporates them nicely into hair, shoulders, arms and eyelashes.

Wold is a Norwegian artist, illustrator and graphic designer.

Linn Wold’s website

Art & Design

January 20 2017

Fun Links of the Week

Today we officially say goodbye to Barack and Michelle Obama and we welcome a new family into the White House. It’s a sad but monumental day.

Have you seen the side by side comparison of Donald Trump and Barack Obama’s inauguration crowds?

I like how the White House is/was referred to the People’s House.

Street art inspired by Bob Dylan, writers and poets. I dig it.

A hotdog topped with pickled peppers, wasabi relish, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce, minced onion, furikake and seaweed? Sign me up!

Let’s look back by viewing these 15+ intimate photos Of Barack & Michelle Obama.

Ellen DeGeneres honors Barack Obama in the only way she can.

One day, I’d like to decorate my house (and dress up) in only gray, white, pink, and gold. Here’s a pink chair that I’d want to start with. (See it in blush.)

You’ve got to give it to the new first lady. That sky blue inauguration outfit was classy.

We can all learn a little something from Hillary Clinton today.

Yay for Amazon Prime!

20 habits that could change your life. via CupofJo

Shepard Fairey’s new protesting posters are stunning.

This gold mirror leather zip pouch is calling my name.

Watching Bri Emery’s (of Design Love Fest) Stockholm subway series makes me want to travel.

Art & Design

January 19 2017

La La Land Gave Me All the Feels!

Though I had heard about the movie La La Land early on, it was only when I read this article about how Tom Hanks praised it during his own Q&A at the Telluride Film Festival that made me really want to watch the musical. “Who does that?”, I thought. (This was back in September.)

Hanks had a chance to watch La La Land at the festival and just sold it to me.

Said Hanks, “I like to think we approach movies the same way we approach being members of the audience in that you just want to see something you have never seen before. It’s funny. Who saw La La Land yesterday?” (Many answered in the affirmative by their applause.)

“When you see something that is brand new, that you can’t imagine, and you think ‘well thank God this landed’, because I think a movie like La La Land would be anethema to studios. Number one, it is a musical and no one knows the songs.”

Hanks continued: “This is not a movie that falls into some sort of trend. I think it is going to be a test of the broader national audience, because it has none of the things that major studios want. Pre-Awareness is a big thing they want, which is why a lot of remakes are going on. (La La) is not a sequel, nobody knows who the characters are…But if the audience doesn’t go and embrace something as wonderful as this then we are all doomed.”

Sam and I finally got a chance to watch it yesterday night and we both absolutely loved it. Sure, there was a lot of hype surrounding it, it did break the all time record for most Golden Globes won for a movie (it took home seven). This included one each for the two leads, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. The story was sweet, the dancing and singing were mesmerizing, and the the surreal scenes were absolutely breathtaking. Today I had to make sure that Ryan Gosling did actually play the piano during all of his scenes (he did!) and that Emma Stone did actually sing (she did!!). Of course, this made the movie all the more amazing.

Writer and director Damien Chazelle, who’s only 32, deserves tons of praise for creating a movie this enchanting. I particularly loved the way it was shot, the way they used different color lighting and how they showcased all these distinct scenes of Los Angeles.

This is definitely one of, if not the best, movie of the year!

Art & Design

January 19 2017

Preview: Stunning New Illustrations of Women Touched by Nature by Kelsey Beckett

The Corey Helford Gallery, based in Los Angeles, just released their online preview of artist Kelsey Beckett’s new show. Starting this Saturday, January 21, you can see these stunning illustrations of women swept up by nature. Called Murmutations, it’s a must-see exhibition that showcases Beckett’s beautifully powerful work.

Beckett is a Michigan born illustrator who graduated with a degree in Creative Studies. She currently works freelance as an illustrator and fine artist and has shown work in numerous galleries across the country. Her colorful work is created using mainly acrylic and oil. Her pieces have been featured by Juxtapoz and Supersonic Art.

I love how some of her heroines have pink or blue hair and how she liberally uses flowers, feathers and animals. Just gorgeous.

(On a personal note, I may be dyeing my hair metallic rose soon, too!)

Kelsey Beckett at Corey Helford

Art & Design

January 18 2017

Must See Sci-Fi Film: Arrival

This past weekend, I tried to get my friends to watch La La Land with me. They insisted on watching Arrival, a movie I hadn’t heard of, instead. This year, Arrival was up for two Golden Globes, one for best original score and the other for best actress in a drama. Amy Adams delivered a phenomenal performance to a movie that knocked my socks off. Sure, in the beginning, the film felt a bit disjoined and it was a little slow going but once you hit the middle and end, you’re hooked.

Here’s a description of the movie:
Critics are calling Arrival “the best film of the year.” When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team — led by expert translator Louise Banks (Amy Adams) — races against time to decipher their intent. As tensions mount between fearful governments, Banks discovers the aliens’ true purpose and, to avert global war, takes a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity. Jeremy Renner and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker co-star in this mesmerizing masterpiece with “a mind-blowing ending” that “you will want to see again and again.”

After it was over, I kept playing certain scenes back in my mind. It was one of the those movies that you truly want to watch over and over again so you can have those wonderfully delicious “aha!” moments.

All in all, I just loved the movie and had to share my excitement. I can’t emphasize enough how good the ending was. It’s by no means a new movie, it was released in theaters November 11, but it was new to me. Arrival will be available on DVD February 14. Make sure to watch it!

Arrival on Rotten Tomatoes

Art & Design

January 13 2017

Fun Links of the Week

What are you up to this weekend? We’re headed to Lake Arrowhead to celebrate my sister, Carol’s, birthday. I’ll be taking MLK off (Monday) as well as Tuesday (which is Logan’s birthday). Be back on Wednesday. Have a spectacular weekend!

Just scooped up this rainbow set of tattoos. Rainbows just make me happy. (So does anything to do with stars, owls, fox, unicorns, hearts and balloons.)

I like how this Alexander Calder tray is both functional and beautiful.

Last week, I got this as a gift. There are three differently colored rings. It’s so subtle, though, you almost can’t tell. (It’s my new favorite piece of jewelry.)

Why the most productive people do these six things every day. (I need to get more sleep.)

On Creative Live, I’m watching Family Photography: Photojournalism in the Home by Kristin Lewis. She’s an entertaining and inspiring speaker.

I wish they made these baby hoodies for grown-ups. (I’d take the heart one, the rainbow one, and the apple one.) So adorable!

Ready for a simple, modern bike? IKEA’s got you covered.

Probably could have guessed this but success depends more on your ____ than your ____.

Let’s all take a moment and appreciate these unicorn macarons. Cute!

Yes, I’m going to miss Obama and I’m going to miss Pete Souza’s funny and touching photos of the president.

Footwear brand Toms is going to launch a clothing line. I’m kinda excited.

First Lady Michelle Obama never ceases to amaze me. She’s strong, beautiful and funny! (Now, will she please consider running for president or will she at least consider being a talk show host? We need to fill the Oprah void!)

If I was going to redesign my house, I’d add these lights or this chandelier.

Love that this craft is making a raging comeback.

Photos by Andy Seliverstoff

Art & Design

January 11 2017

My 9 Favorite Blogs and the Inspiring People Behind Them

I’ve been blogging for the last eight years. (Wow, that’s almost a decade!) Blogging is something that’s second nature to me now. Before, I’d be worried about every letter I typed. Now, I just let things flow. During my time at My Modern Met, my admiration for other blogs grew, not just in the fields of Art and Design but in Lifestyle. Today, I thought I’d share with you nine of my favorite blogs and why I love them.

I chose these nine blogs because they’re run by an inspiring person. I’ve personally connected with some of these people, meeting them IRL or exchanging emails with them. Believe me when I say that they are a force to be reckoned with. Many of them have been in the blogging business near a decade and have either grown their blog by adding in team members or have started whole new companies. It would be an understatement to say that I’m inspired by them.

Colossal – I have to start off by mentioning Colossal. When this art and design blog first started, I knew it would be a game changer. Christopher Jobson, who runs the site, keeps the content level high, meaning he just sticks to amazing, mind-boggling art, design and photography. It’s the number one art and design blog, in my humble opinion. Here’s an old Q&A I did with him way back when. If you don’t have Colossal bookmarked, you should. Also, don’t forget to check out their shop.

A Cup of Jo – Joanna Goddard is the cool girl who you wish was your best friend. She’s kind and approachable yet she has great taste. She only partners with sponsors she believes in or whose products she’s religiously used. It’s been fun watching her blog grow – she now has writers who make her blog even more interesting.

SwissMiss – You can always count on Tina Roth Eisenberg to fill her blog with clever, design-related products or ideas. I’ve watched her grow Tattly and it’s been inspirational. I receive the SwissMiss blog posts in email form. It’s one that I reliably click on every day.

OhJoy! – Joy Chen is the blogger who got me into blogging. She’s also someone who I witnessed going from a one person team to a full fledged company. Come to this blog to see cool DIY tricks, styling tips, or ideas for LA day trips.

Design Milk – I love that Jaime Derringer makes design approachable. Her website is chock full of design related products or spaces. The Design Milk Instagram, with 1.4 million followers, only puts out the most interesting stuff.

DesignLoveFest – Bri Emery has a beautiful eye for design. She can make anything girly and pretty. I took the blogging class she taught a few years ago and met her at a lunch for an agency we both worked with. Her Instagram is visual candy. I’ll never forget that DIY floral Christmas tree!

Emily Henderson – Stylist Emily Henderson can somehow take a bland room and make it look amazing. She mixes and matches patterns and colors in an effortless way. I wish I could have her redesign my home.

Cupcakes and Cashmere – Emily Schuman’s style is on point. She infuses herself into her posts in a way that’s not contrived. It almost feel like you know her. Recently, I was amazed by her backyard transformation.

Brain Pickings – Maria Popova is the brains behind this must-read blog. She’s a voracious reader, you can tell by all the book reviews. Her blog posts will both inspire and educate you.

Photo credit: Steven Medeinbauer

Art & Design

January 11 2017

Underwater Sculpture Museum Includes Spooky Wall, Portal and Vortex

The final phase of artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s monumental project Museo Atlantico, in Lanzarote, Spain is now complete. It was officially inaugurated on the 10th of January 2017 by the President of the island, Pedro San Gines.

Consisting of over 300 works spread over 12 installations, it is the first time Taylor has created large-scale architectural works. The new installations include a spooky 100 ton 30m long wall, an underwater botanical sculpture garden referencing local flora and fauna, and a colossal formation of over 200 life size-human figures in a swirling vortex.

I personally love three of these large scale installations. The first is called Crossing the Rubicon and it consists of 35 figures walking towards an underwater wall. As the artist states, “The wall, which is part industrial, part organic, stretches 30 meters long and 4 meters high and contains a single rectangular doorway at its center. The wall is intended to be a monument to absurdity, a dysfunctional barrier in the middle of a vast fluid, three-dimensional space, which can be bypassed in any direction. It emphasizes that the notions of ownership and territories are irrelevant to the natural world. In times of increasing patriotism and protectionism the wall aims to remind us that we cannot segregate our oceans, air, climate or wildlife as we do our land and possessions. We forget we are all an integral part of a living system at our peril.

“To cross the Rubicon is to pass a point of no return. The work aims to mark 2017 as a pivotal moment, a line in the sand and reminder that our world’s oceans and climate are changing and we need to take urgent action before its too late.”

jason_decaires_taylor_sculpture-07053_jason-decaires-taylor_sculpture

The second installation I really like is the one called Portal. A hybrid animal/human sculpture looks into a large square mirror, which reflects the moving surface of the ocean. The diver becomes a part of the artwork. It’s intended to portray water within water, an interface or looking glass into another world.

The third last one I enjoyed is The Human Gyre, which consists of over 200 life-size figurative works creating a vast circular formation or gyre. “The artistic installation reminds us that we have evolved from marine life, and are all subject to the movements and will of the ocean,” the artist states. “The piece embodies our naked vulnerability to its inherent power, and our fragility in the face of its cycles and immense force. It provides the oxygen we breathe, it regulates our climate and it provides a vital source of nutrition to millions of people.”

Jason deCaires Taylor website

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