Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Dear Photograph: A Picture to the Past


So a few weeks back I was enchanted by the work of Christopher Moloney. A friend and reader sensed my delight and told me to immediately visit Dear Photograph.

Much like the Filmography collection of Moloney, Dear Photograph holds a snapshot so that past and present blend into a new image. The collection is compiled via the contributions of site visitors.

I love the nostalgic feelings these images evoke, and I cannot wait to salute my own life and past with a few montages. The idea is so simple, yet the result is a rich visual experience.
See the compilation in Taylor Jones' new book or submit your own photo online!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Real Life Ending

It's a sad twist in a story of innocently happy art. 

Michael Den Beste, a 33-year-old Calvin + Hobbes enthusiast from Portland, OR developed a gorgeous set of mash-ups that place the iconic and beloved characters of Bill Watterson's famous comic strip in real settings. The results were stunning and made these memorable drawings from my childhood meaningful again. 

The response to Den Beste's work was overwhelmingly positive, however, after this Gizmodo article and other national coverage came out last week Mashable announced yesterday that Den Beste was hit with a violation of copyright and the images were removed from his site.
I understand the right to artistic property, but I feel Watterson should be honored by Den Beste's creations, which have moved so many. Watterson stopped drawing C+H in 1995 and tributes such as Den Beste's make him current and bring his work to new audiences. I think asking Den Beste to cease his project is a mistake and Watterson should be flattered that he's inspiring talented new artists. That said, I am a fan of Watterson and C+H and do not want to cheapen his work in any regard. 

You can read exchanges and a bit of debate in the comments of the Mashable article, where Den Beste expresses his disappointment at how this project ended, but also chooses to explain and honor copyright laws in a very dignified and well-meaning manner.

Burger of the Week #98

This tomato burger Le Mondu cover I spotted on CoverJunkie makes me crave spring and garden fresh veggies!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Burger of the Week #97

I love burgers and I love shoes. I just cannot get on board with burgers on shoes. These are a big miss for me. It's like a bad sticker job.
Via juliasegal

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Pinned with Pride

In spoof of all the pin-up girls they've seen strewn across polish chrome, Janet Schürmeyer and Magdalena Schaarwächter have released Autowäsche— a calendar that pairs the evolution of underwear with the history of automobiles. Oh, and offers a little well-toned eye candy as well.

Schürmeyer and Schaarwächter started the calendar project in 2010, this is their third full set of images. See more from the ladies', and of course the men, their undies, their milestones, and their cars—here.

via fastco

Friday, February 15, 2013

Tater Temptations

In an exercise of self control (and in effort to lose a pound or two) I decided to give up potatoes for Lent. .... I'm going to give that a second to sink in. 

So now, in addition to depriving myself of the well-respected hamburger, I'm without the consolation of my beloved tubers. And this, right smack in the middle of Potato Lovers' Month!
As a means of filling the void, I've decided to take this time to try some things I haven't tried before. So far, this includes brussel sprouts and roasted fennel. Consider the void unfilled. (But I gotta say, I don't hate brussel sprouts!)

When I gave up meat 3 years ago, it started as a 30 day experiment. It's success has led to what I consider full-fledged vegetarianism and burger idealism. One might consider it  self-inflicted torture, I simply consider it a personal and unique relationship with food. 40 days from now, I have no doubt I'll be on the tater-train again. But my faith in my own self-control will be renewed, and hopefully I won't rely on the thick-skinned tubers to get me through my days!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Lace it Up

Now I'm pro (non-offensive) graffiti in general. But I absolutely adore the delicate lacework of NeSpoon.The Polish artistalmost always incorporates a lace pattern in her projects. The intricate patterns are a beautiful juxtaposition to the gritty urban surroundings.

Here's some of my favorites, but you can see lots more here.

The remind me of these Laced Tile Coasters from Martha Stewart that I tried making last summer. I had mixed luck—but after seeing NeSpoon's work, am determined to try again!


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Burger of the Week #96


A dear friend saw this amazing work of automotive art and doubled-back to get pictures for me. I was unable to find any information about Don or his grumbling beef, but the intrigue is made all the more awesome by the license plate... I'm may not know who Don is, but rumor is he's a Knitwit. 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

A (Furry) Leg Up

It's hard to say whether the internet has done more to increase the popularity of pictures of cats or naked women. We can argue about which of these is more adored, BUT, I can say the Tumblr Cats That Look Like Pin Up Girls is the most perfect combination of both!
Creator, Rachael Aslett, worked with the cheeky clothing company Hurly-Burly to conceive the series of images that juxtaposes sexy ladies with funny felines. Hurly-Burly carries pin-up inspired clothing, and in effort to reach a teenage audience, they turn to Tumblr and it's endless sea of kitties.
 
The project has turned into a semi-lucrative venture. Aslett  has already received an offer for a book deal for the concept. She says she has accumulated a decent library of both pin-up and cat imagery. She relies on her strong visual memory, and when she sees a particular image, she knows she has a match. 

This project combines two of my favorite things, pin-up girls and kitties. I am just thankful someone had the visual foresight to connect them! I can't share nearly all my favorites here, so get obsessed with the Tumblr feed.

via fastco.

Friday, February 8, 2013

This Valentines... Who you Gonna Call?


Looking for a romantic Valentine's Day outfit? Try the Stay Puft hoodie footie from welovefine.com. I actually think this could play out decently if partnered with a sexy Slimer outfit.

Alright, maybe not. Perhaps you're right, Fido and Spot make a cuter couple.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

As Seen in NYC

I love this idea!—TV writer and filmographer, Christopher Moloney began recognizing scenes from movies on the streets of NYC. So he started matching stills from movies to their locations and creating new images. 

It's like collision of two worlds, and the effect is magical. Scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Home Alone, Ghostbusters, The Secret of my SuccessYou've got Mail, (etc. etc.) are instantly recognizable in the iconic city that's home to Central Park, Grand Central Station, Lincoln Center, (yada, yada, yada).
It's such a simple concept, I would love to try this in my city–I'm just not sure GR has the arsenal of hollywood imagery to choose from. I may have to do it with photos from my own childhood— Which isn't really going to appeal to anyone but me!

See more of Moloney's collection, about 300 in all, on his Tumblr

source: Design Taxi via the Daily Beast.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Chic Out of Convenience

Circa 2003, as I was preparing to move into my first college apartment, I built a coffee table in one of my studio art classes. The assignment was to make a tile mold, make tiles of a repeating shape, and then produce a piece of art. I was tired of project that didn't really serve an ultimate purpose and my roommate and I needed a place to eat our TV dinners. Thus, the table was conceived.
I knew the table top would be heavy, on account of the tiles and grout. And as my construction skills are limited, pipe became the most practical structure for the table legs. It was a simple build, setting the tiles around a small inlay that originally housed photos of friends under the glass. The table has moved with me, from apartment to apartment, and now sits in my home living room, still tying in seamlessly to the room aesthetic. So much so, you'd think it was planned. 

Turns out, I accidentally hit on something that would become a trend. Industrial furniture. The January Martha Stewart Living, outlines a DIY project that evolved from a very similar situation as mine: A first apartment in need of furnishing.

The article outlines the How-To for a bench, a desk, end tables, and a storage unit. All at minimal cost and with easy to secure materials. Like Legos, the plans can easily be converted and adapted. The result is nothing short of a beautifully unique, and sturdy piece of handmade furniture.  

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

February is Potato Lovers Month

In this frozen land of grey skies and slippery roads, February does have a redeeming quality.... it's for lovers... POTATO Lovers that is.
It's a time to celebrate, rejoice and to chow down on your favorite tubers. All with only the slightest bit of carb-filled guilt, because this month, we are honoring the greatest of all root vegetables

Let's do this.


Burger of the Week #95

Found this vintage beauty on lookatthesegems.com. I think it's from a 1972 issue of Esquire. Just check out those pickle pillows! The rest of it is kind of creeper!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

For the Crazies who like Snow

I just finished snow blowing the driveway for the first time this season. And while I admit, the view was momentarily beautiful this morning... I'm so over snow!

But that is not the case for Simon Beck! Originally an orienteering mapmaker, the 54-year-old from Southern England began taking long walks when an injury left him incapable of running. He began walking in precise geometric patterns, growing so attached to his artistic, oversized, snow crop circles he moved to France chalet in 2004. 
He maps his designs on paper before heading out on foot. Each design takes around 10 hours of walking in snowshoes—over frozen lakes and football fields. 

One wonders, with such precision and dedication what happens when you're struck with additional snowfall midway through a design? I know how infuriating it is when a snowplow tumbles by immediately after i clear the driveway entrance! For Simon Beck, ideal trampling conditions involve a heavy snowfall with 6 days of fine cold weather before the next snowfall. This gives him time to make design, photograph it and then reuse a location.