Found: Nude Timelapse

Aren't these images incredible? It's been entirely way too long since I've shared some art with you, and these are just too beautiful to keep all to myself.

New York based photographer Shinichi Maruyama created these awe-inspiring images using nearly 10,000 photographs of a nude dancer in motion. Don't they look like paintings? I find myself getting lost in each image, following the elegant, flowing lines, trying to get a glimpse of the body buried in the movement. Here's what he had to say about this series...

I tried to capture the beauty of both the human body’s figure and its motion. The figure in the image, which is formed into something similar to a sculpture, is created by combining 10,000 individual photographs of a dancer. By putting together uninterrupted individual moments, the resulting image as a whole will appear to be something different from what actually exists. With regard to these two viewpoints, a connection can be made to a human being’s perception of presence in life.

Here's a few of my favourites...

More of Shinichi's work can be found on his website.

P.S. More art finds here, here, and here.

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found: Negative Space

Using negative space in artwork is a technique that either works or it doesn't. What the artist does is focus on using the empty spaces around the main subject to create something unique, engaging, and beautiful.

I've always been drawn to artwork that's thought-provoking and inspiring, while maintaining a sort of simplicity and minimalism. Just take a look at the above piece and take away your own meaning from it. When you dive deep into the meanings behind any work of art, the outcome can be some pretty powerful stuff. Here, the main subject is the man sitting while smoking a pipe, and what's evolved from him - from the negative space above him.

I love thinking about how something inspiring can come from this - from the nothingness new thoughts, ideas, and feelings start to emerge. It's the nothingness from which everything else sprang from.

That same idea that applies to these simple works of art can also be applied to our lives. Except, in life, what's in that negative space isn't directly in front of our faces, we have to search for it.

These pieces were created by graphic designer Tang Yau Hoong, take a look a some of my favourites...

P.S. Get inspired! Click here to see more of his work.

found: Private Moon

How romantic would it be to have your very own private moon?

The "Private Moon" project was started by Russian artist Leonid Tishkov and has since travelled all over the world - Paris, Italy, New Zealand, Taiwan, and more. But what's more than that is the story that goes along with it.

"Writer Chesterton once said that there couldn’t be a personal faith as there couldn’t be a personal sun or a personal moon. In Russia everything is the other way round: we are faced with life one to one, and we are completely lonely in the face of the problem of time, that is, the problem of life and death, the problem of losses and gains, the moon, the sun, and everything in this life. We could, conceivably, turn to someone for support. But we are still lonely… However, that shouldn’t make us grieve or suffer. Loneliness of this sort means that we exist, we are here, we are at the center of the universe and we are comparable to the Moon, to the other celestial bodies.

“Private Moon” is a visual poem telling the story of a man who met the Moon and stayed with her for the rest of his life. In the upper world, in fact in the attic of his own house, he saw the Moon falling off from the sky. Once she was hiding from the Sun in a dark and damp tunnel. But the passing trains frightened her. Now she came to this man’s house. Having wrapped the Moon with warm blankets he treated her with autumn apples, gave her a cup of tea, and when she got well he took her in his boat across the dark river to the high bank overgrown with moon pine-trees. He descended into the lower world dressed in the clothes of his deceased father and then returned from there lighting up his path with his personal Moon. Crossing the borderline between the two worlds across a narrow bridge, immersed in a dream and taking care of this heavenly creature, the man became a mythological being living in a real world as in a fairytale. Each photograph is a poetic tale, a little poem in its own right.

So it turns out that the Moon overcomes our loneliness in the universe uniting many of us around it."

Beautiful. I think this private moon has now stolen my heart.

words: How I Know I Love You

The word love is short and sweet, but what comes with it is a heap of emotion and meaning. It's not a word to be used lightly. Love is complicated. It can be the best damn thing in the world, and at times can leave us with that heart-wrenching feeling in our guts.

This article that I'm about to share with you embodies those feelings. It's raw, beautiful, and honest. Anybody who has ever been in love can relate to this on some level. Sebastian sent this to me, with these simple words: "Wow. This is so...accurate."

It's appropriately titled, "How I Know I Love You".

I know I love you because I want to get you soup when you’re sick. Not only do I want to get it for you, I want to make it for you so you can eat something made with love instead of with crushed insects and preservatives. I know I love you because I want to slap anyone who hurts you, even if it’s your boss. I want to hold you when you’re having a nightmare and kiss the spot that hurts when you bump into something. I know I love you because I want you to be healthy even when you’re not sick, and that’s why I keep bugging you to change your crappy eating ways even though I know you’re over hearing about it.

I know I love you because...

The Vatican Museum & St. Peter's Basilica

Looking back at our vacation photos has been a pretty surreal experience for me. I go through an array of emotions. Remembering all the fun we had, all the incredible people I met. At times, it fills me with great joy looking back, and others, sadness that it's over. And most of all, I find myself having to pinch myself because I can't even believe that this is real life. This happened and it was the most incredible adventure.

The Vatican Museum is by far one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. As you walk through the museum, you are surrounded by beauty and history. You can't help but be in awe and at the same time, it was incredibly overwhelming.

Sebastian and I took a three-hour walking tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, and although we had those little earpieces in listening to an abundance of information, I couldn't help but block it out and just stand there completely overwhelmed by everything that surrounded me. Some of the most famous and influential works of art can be found among the gigantic collection. Paintings so big that walls had to be destroyed just to fit them inside. Tapestry so intricately designed, you have to wonder how they possibly did it all. And then, of course, beautifully painted frescos covering the walls and ceilings. It was unbelievable. I could have spent days in there.

There's really no way that words, or even photographs could paint an accurate picture in your mind. To say it was massive, to say it was lavish.... all seems like an understatement. It was truly like nothing I have ever seen before.

Have a look at our photos, if you'd like...

found: Three Dimensional Art

How cool is this?! Artist Riusuke Fukahori became inspired by his pet goldfish and used his creativity and unique style to create these three-dimensional works of art. The fish are painted in extreme detail, layer by layer using acrylic. Each layer is separated by clear resin which is poured into containers, creating their lifelike quality.

I’m absolutely blown away by this extreme optical illusion. For a better understanding of the process used in Fukahori’s work, I highly recommend watching the video, “Goldfish Salvation”.

P.S. You can view more photos here.

Exploring the City

Over the weekend, Sebastian and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather, hop on our bikes, and explore the city! We didn’t have a plan in mind, just peddled off and went wherever we happened to end up.

While biking east on Lakeshore, we came across the new waterfront park. Toronto has had plans to redevelop the waterfront for a while now, since it looked horrible and industrialized. I had no idea that they already completed some of it! It was such a wonderful surprise. I’m so excited to see the rest of it when it’s all done! Being near the water is such a luxury and it’s pretty sad that it’s not being utilized the way it should be right now.

We admired the pretty tiny waterfalls, the new splash pad, and splashed around in the cold water.

… Then went on to take photos of our footprints. Because apparently, we’re cute like that.

We biked around some more and ended up in St. James Park. I actually had never been to before, which kind of seems ridiculous since I’ve been living in the city for over a year now. (I’ve officially decided that we’re coming back here for a picnic just because it’s so beautiful.)

One thing that I’ve truly come to love about living here is that there are so many hidden gems everywhere. That awesome burrito place, that hole-in-the-wall café that makes their own lemonade, and the parks that make you feel like you’ve left the city even though you’re smack in the middle of it.

…Then we found this tree branch that was perfectly parallel with the ground! It looked so crazy that I instantly wanted to climb it.

…Then I came to the realization that a) I am incredibly short and b) I am far too weak. Unlike Sebastian, who is a giant in comparison.

The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) currently has a Picasso Exhibit running until sometime in August, and I’ve been wanting to see it ever since it first started – so when Sebastian suggested we go there, I pounced on the idea! (We did the audio tour, and I snuck this picture of Sebastian without him knowing:)

“I paint the way some people write an autobiography. The paintings, finished or not, are the pages from my diary.”—Pablo Picasso

We saw paintings like this 1925’s Le Baiser, or The Kiss, from his Surrealist period.

And this moving piece, entitled “Massacre in Korea”, which is seen as a criticism of American intervention in the Korean War, and was influenced by Goya’s, The Third of May 1808.

I think what I was most surprised with was how Picasso could so easily go back and forth between different styles of art. From expressionism to cubism to realism, experimenting with different ideas and techniques, switching between different mediums - paintings to sculptures to a combination of both. He was a true genius, and he knew it.

If you ever get the opportunity to come to Toronto, I definitely recommend hitting up the AGO! The museum itself is a work of art and worth exploring.

I can’t wait for the rest of the summer where we can explore even more of the city and discover all sorts of new things.

found: The Best Creativity App

Have you guys heard of Paper by FiftyThree? It's a drawing/sketching app that's available for the iPad and is one of the most creative apps I've seen to date!
When you launch Paper, you're greeted with a series of beautifully designed notebooks. You can customize each one with different images, and change the names - we have one just for ideas and another for sketches. Then, just tap or pinch open a book and it unfolds in front of you, displaying a blank piece of paper just waiting for your next creation.

Once you open your notebook, you are given one free tool - the drawing ink pen. Which is actually extremely useful and very expressive - depending on how fast you draw determines how thick or thin the lines are. It's like being able to write out calligraphy without the years of practice to perfect the skill.

Although the app itself is free, the additional tools are at an additional cost. But trust me, if this is something that you're interested in - it's worth it. Adding these tools is actually what makes this app so incredible. You have a sketching pencil, a thick outliner, a writing pen and a watercolour brush. You can buy each separately, or the whole lot at a reduced price.

Each tool acts basically how you would expect them to, which in itself is simply remarkable. In no time, you are mastering watercolour techniques, sketching like a pro, and creating your own masterpieces. Even if you make a mistake - not to worry! By holding down two fingers on the screen and moving them in a counterclockwise motion, it reverses the actions you've just done.

And while this may not compare to real paper, where you can see the textures and smell the paint, it's as close as it's gonna get for something electronic. And this way - you can carry it with you where you go! Paper by 53 allows us to capture everyday on the fly - whenever you get an idea, you can easily open this app and write it down or do up a quick sketch.

Just check out some quick drawings that Sebastian created...

Then we named them. Meet Luigi (above) and The Sorcerer (below - this one's my favourite).

And best of all? You can link your drawings to your facebook, twitter, and e-mail and share with your family and friends.

You may not be an artist, but this app will make you believe you are. So get in touch with your creative side, and start creating your own works of art.

(All sketches are made by Sebastian)

found: I Paint

"I paint" was created by artist Thijme Termaat. It can really only be described as genius. Pure genius. It actually reminds me of The Sorcerer's Apprentice from Fantasia. You know the part where Mickey falls asleep?

Take a look and watch him create masterpieces before your very eyes.

found: Realistic Art

It's no secret that I have a passion for art. I could spend hours in a gallery by myself staring into paintings... soaking in the ideas, the skill, the techniques.

I am completely blown away by the work of Pedro Campos, an artist from Madrid.

How many of you scrolled through these images thinking they were photos? They are, in fact, remarkable paintings that can be easily mistaken for photographs. Using oil paints, Campos re-creates seemingly boring subject matter and transforms it into incredibly realistic works of art.

Just imagine the amount of time it would take to perfect this process. Simply stunning.

found: 'Before I Die' Project

It’s all too easy to jump on that proverbial hamster wheel and just keep going and going, sticking with our everyday routines. And it’s been proven that people actually do function better with a regular routine. But sometimes it can feel like my days mesh together, never changing, and then become increasingly difficult to differentiate.

How often do we stop and examine why we do the things we do? We’re all driven by different factors; working to provide for your family, putting in overtime to get that promotion, wanting to become your own boss, saving up for a vacation, the list can go on and on. But it’s all very simple and comes down to this: our hopes and dreams. Don’t you find that sometimes you get so caught up in your life that you actually forget them?

Candy Chang is an artist who turned the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans into a giant chalkboard where the community can write on the wall and remember what is important to them. This is why I love art. It makes you think. The Before I Die movement is an interactive art project that invites people to share those hopes and dreams that they may have forgotten or brushed to the side.

The wall is painted with chalkboard board and stenciled with “Before I die I want to _________” and the responses have ranged from thoughtful to heartbreaking to downright hilarious. Before I die I want to… write a book, be ok with not understanding, explore this world, understand why I’m here, tell my mother I love her, travel the world, see my daughter graduate, be tried for piracy, save a life, plant a tree, abandon all insecurities, be the exception to the rule…

This project has expanded to cities all over the world including Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Querétaro, Almaty, San Diego, Lisbon, Brooklyn, London, and beyond and is being called one of the most creative projects ever. Even “O”, The Oprah magazine had this to say about the movement “Through a series of large-scale projects that combine installation art with social activism, Chang has encouraged people to engage with public spaces to let their voices be heard.”

Not only does this amazing project give us insight into what really matters to our neighbors and the people around you, but it connects you to them, helping us all realize that a lot of us aren’t so different after all. It forces us to reflect on our own lives, ultimately helping us to live a better life. A more fulfilled life. Encouraging us to chase the dreams that float around in our minds.

What do you want to do before you die?

P.S. Now, you can even transform your own community with the Before I Die toolkit! Or take a little piece with you and remember your dreams at home. (I just might have to order one for myself!)

(Via Candy Chang)

found: Sound Sculptures

Dentsu, an advertising agency based out of Japan, teamed up with biochemist and photographer Linden Gledhill to create these sculptures of paint reacting to sound. This series – which are more like time-lapse paintings - was designed for an ad campaign for Canon’s Pixma brand.

These sculptures are made by wrapping a membrane around a small speaker, then drops of water-based paint are applied to this material. Once the paint is set in place, the speakers are turned on and a high speed camera catches everything in between – shooting at 5400 frames per second. The designer’s experimented with a variety of colours, sound frequencies, and volume to get the perfect images.

So rad! I would love to have a collection of these photos framed and displayed in my home. Don't you think they would be perfect for an office or workspace area? It would be such a lovely source of inspiration.

Check out this video to see what happened behind the scenes:

found: The Brain

How cool is this? (Click to enlarge)
Here's what it says:

Left Brain

I am the left brain.

I am a scientist. A mathematician.

I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear.

Analytical. Strategic. I am practical.

Always in control. A master of words and language.

Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers.

I am order. I am logic.

I know exactly who I am.

Right Brain

I am the right brain.

I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion.

Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter.

I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.

I am movement. Vivid colours.

I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas.

I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel.

I am everything I wanted to be.

Which side of the brain are you?