"The only place my heart knows no bounds is in the world of art. Come join me!"
This is an "anything goes" blog. I write about art in any form, whether it be abstract, classic, different, ugly, tacky, or something completely new. I'm here to introduce the boundless world of art to the rest of the world. Stepping out of mediocrity is the last thing I'm afraid of.
This post will be mostly photos, because I've recently become infatuated with photographing sunsets and sunrises. I love the sky, I think it's one of the most incredible features of the earth. No matter where you are, you can always look up and see something amazing at all times. Sunrises, sunsets, clouds, stars, thunderstorms, etc. It's spectacular! So I want to share some of my experiences with everyone.
Pretty in Purple. Heather McCuiston, Oct 2010
I'll start with my personal favorite, which I call "Pretty in Purple." I was at the grocery store and happened to look up and notice the vibrant colors. I just had to capture that moment.
Barnyard Skyline. Heather McCuiston, Oct 2010
This was right after a light rain, just as the clouds were starting to clear and the sun was going down. It's surprising what an amazing picture can result from two completely ordinary and routine events.
Key Largo Beauty. Heather McCuiston, July 2009
This is another one of my personal favorites. I took this one when I went to the Florida Keys last summer. Me and the family went out to the docks every evening to watch these sunsets.
Silver Lining. Heather McCuiston, Oct 2010
This was just before dusk began. It was cloudy all day that day, and the clouds were amazing all day long. So I took a snapshot for everyone to remember October of 2010.
Falls Lake. Heather McCuiston, Sept 2010
This was at Falls Lake as the sun was setting over the water. If you look closely, you'll notice the shoreline on the far right side. It was perfect.
Sunrays at State. Heather McCuiston, Sept 2010
I was on Hillsborough street right behind the NC State campus when I took this. I thought the effect was incredible. Even when there are holes in the clouds, something beautiful can come of it.
Thespian Moon. Heather McCuiston, August 2010
This didn't come out as clear as I would have liked, but the clouds still look pretty amazing. I loved the way the clouds were seemingly masking the moonlight, yet they ended up magnifying its light.
Sun Through the Trees. Heather McCuiston, Oct 2010
Last but certainly not least, this is another shot I took at the lake with my Holga. The explanation is simple: Dusk through the trees over the water.
Who would ever imagine a woman painting...not with a paintbrush, but with her breasts? Surprisingly enough, a new artist named Kira Ayn Varszegi has been recently discovered and made famous for her paintings, which are never touched by a paintbrush., but by her breasts.
Kira Varszegi displays one of her more notable breast paintings (2008.)
When Varszegi first entered the marketplace, people rightly thought that her idea was crazy. But when she produced surprisingly beautiful paintings, everybody was shocked. Since 2001, Varszegi has sold over 600 paintings on eBay and through her online store. In her autobiography, she claims that she sees herself as one of the first professional artists to see breast painting as an art form instead of a fetish or sexual activity. "I enjoy life's gray areas," she says, "working with nontraditional methods and mediums."
When it comes to the mediums, Varszegi has a large variety that other artists would never think to use, such as coffee, red wine, blueberries, tempera, and many others. She has managed to be very successful with her out-of-the-ordinary style, as each painting sells at an average of $570.
For a complete autobiography and gallery, visit her website.
Did you ever expect to see your dollars being put to a use other than spending or saving it? Most people cringe when they see Justine Smith's different spin on art. Not only does Smith make sculptures out of paper, but also out of money itself. Readers call her work "priceless...literally!"
"Specimen (IV) Turkmenistan" made with wire, German currency, and a real fly
This talented artist came almost out of nowhere, having come from London and bringing with her the idea that money, in a physical aspect, is only paper. It is the value with which we mentally associate it that makes it so valuable. Therefore, why can't art work be the same way?
Justine Smith
Because her idealistic approach holds its own truth, Smith's work has been highly exhaulted worldwide. She now sculpts for the British Council and the UK Art Collection, two of the most prestigious collectors in Europe. Hats off to this young artist for creating her own money's worth!
So I stumbled upon a small trivial website called "Fun Forever" and found a few interesting pieces done by various retailers as an attempt to sell their products. What has customers confused, however, is how the extremity of the ads can help the retailer instead of stealing all the attention away from the original product.
Chanel Ads:
Chanel designer Erwin Olaf brings the jazzy denim boot to center stage by putting some heads together
On FunForever's list of the top 10 weirdest artists in marketing, Erwin Olaf topped the list. His unique photographs are famous not for their brand-name fashion specifics, but rather for their ability to catch peoples' eye and draw attention almost immediately. Not only do his pictures fuse the heads of beautiful women with the walls behind them, but also bizzarre ideas with the marketplace. To view his entire online gallery, visit his website.
PS2 Ads
PlayStation's recent ad with Sony technology...quite the eye catcher
With a little help from some of Sony's latest technology, the PlayStation video gaming retailers put together advertisements that have effectively gotten customers' attention. Thanks to an online video gaming forum, NetGeo.com, I was able to view peoples' responses to some of the ads that were being produced by the company. Customers reveal that while the pictures definitely grabbed their attention, they were a little too creepy for someone who doesn't know about PlayStation's new marketing trend.
Pepsi Ads
Pepsi's new topsy-turby taste
Although Pepsi is no stranger to the art world, its new compilations of ordinary pictures and Photoshop certainly are. This particular picture is a few years old and is still getting attention from online forums and discussion boards, such as MG's Blog and Ad Busters.
Here are a few of Pepsi's newest and weirdest ads:
For the Mini Cans
Pepsi Twist advertisement
For the Pepsi Lite
Those were a few of the weird advertisements I found earlier tonight...if anyone wants to see more let me know!
DISCLAIMER: Some of the images published in this post may be disturbing or unsuitable for certain audiences. View with caution.
The ancient art of tattooing as we know it has taken a strong stand in peoples' lives in the past hundred years. From the time of its earliest forms of Native American war paint to its most modern form, the concept of the tattoo has continued to evolve along with the various cultures of mankind. Today, tattoos are used as a symbol of character, each image reflecting a certain facet of one's personality and lifestyle.
A sketch of the earliest tattooing tools made of bone
Modern tattooing tools
While tattoos may not be everyone's cup of tea, their industry has definitely reached a very broad spectrum of people as the technology to create these designs advances.
In recent years, the tattoo removal industry has begun to grow. More and more testimonies arise within the market regarding peoples' desire to remove tattoos they have grown tired of. Already in Los Angeles, there have been a few businesses come to center stage offering laser tattoo removal. Because of the dangers this procedure has on the skin, however, not many people are willing to undergo the process and walk away with scar tissue or possible skin damage.
The very first removable tattoo ink was tested on Schmieg himself
In response to this growing business, Martin Schmieg, CEO of a company called Freedom-2 Inc., has recently introduced the idea removable tattoo ink. This ink is made with all natural pigments that match most skin tones and are reversable with the use of a laser. Because this ink is placed just beneath the dermis, the body is able to easily disperse the pigments and get rid of them easier. Freedom-2 will officially launch this ink to the retail market autumn of 2011.
Jewel Eye
Although technology is generally a good thing for most people, it can also introduce a few speed bumps. Although new heights and capabilities have been reached in this industry, most of the latest technology is too controversial to quickly gain popularity. In the Netherlands, for example, the newest trend for tattooing is Jewel Eye, or tattooing on peoples' eyes. As the name may imply, a person can now get a small metal shard inserted beneath the top layer of the eye. The means by which this process is made possible are far too dangerous to avoid controversy.
The controversial eye tattoo
In case the idea of inserting a jewel into someone's eye isn't bizarre enough, there is always the new possibility to change the whites of your eyes to be a different color. The unnerving idea has the people of Canada dumbfounded, as Canada is the home of the innovator of this technology. The tattooing of eyes has not yet reached the United States simply because many people see the idea as unethical or inhumane. We'll just have to watch the process spread and see what happens!
A 135 3D Slide Mount. Used to accompany 3D negatives when inserted into camera
Available color gels give photos a single color
Latest model Holga Film camera, added flash
Last but not least, the Holga digital, also known as the latest and greatest of vintage lomography
So I hope these pictures helped give you guys a better idea of what the Holga looks like as well as its capabilities. The Holga is moderately inexpensive, starting at $50 for a basic 135 mm film camera. [All photographs courtesy of HOLGA online photo archive.]
Known largely for its old fashioned style and make, the Holga camera was originally created in the earliest years of the Chinese industrial era so that people could take pictures of every day life without having to pay a lot of money for a nice camera. As the camera reached the Americas in later years, however, its popularity slowly began to climb. It was just an ordinary film camera, that is, until artists got a hold of it.
For serious photographers, the Holga was a phenomenal discovery. Not only was its classic frame an attractive feature, but people also liked the different effects it has on an image simply by altering the camera in certain ways. For example, one can achieve a light black border around their picture by taping black construction paper to the inside of the plastic film cover. This blocks out light from the small crevices and forces the image to darken around the image. Photographers can also alter the zoom on their Holga to its maximum length in order to achieve an image of the film itself.
Border effect, Holga 137. Photograph by Heather McCuiston
Although all Holgas are made of a plastic exterior, they have proven to be extremely durable over the years. The creators of the Holga say on their website to "take your Holga everywhere," meaning to travel with the camera at the photographer's side 24/7.
Shadow effect, Holga 137. Photograph by Heather McCuiston.
Manufacturers and representatives of the Holga brand also encourage their customers to alter the perspective from which a photograph is taken. For example, instead of placing the camera directly in front of something, try holding it slightly tilted or just above it. This simple alteration enhances the overall quality of the picture and makes an ordinary event appear to be a professional shot.
Light leak. Photograph courtesy of Holga photo archive
Although the Holga produces amazing shots, its primary purpose is to be independent of modern technology. With its old-fashioned outer frame and view finder, only film can be used with an Holga. The original models do not come with a flash, however newer models have been released with an automatic flash installed.
To find out more about the Holga vintage camera, visit their website and check out the impressive gallery!
I figure that many of you are wondering what this blog is all about. It's simple really: Art. I'm very interested in every aspect of it, from the most conservative classics to modern concepts to fashion. Art is all around us, whether it be in the architecture of a church or the color coordination of graphic advertising. No matter how far we look, the means by which art affects our lives reaches further.The world of art knows no bounds or restraints, so why not explore it?
How often do you hear about a local hospital funding a secret project to give back to its surrounding community? What if a surprise tribute awaited the community?
Just outside the double doors of the Duke Raleigh Hospital, a whole new world can be discovered, a project that has remained secret to the public until now, as its construction has come to a close. In an attempt to better satisfy patients and their families, this hospital has been setting aside private funds for the sake of building an outdoor garden laced with various pieces of art made of mediums from all over the outdoor spectrum. As patients and staff alike walk along the new stone pathways of the garden, they stroll through what some might refer to as a “photographer's Heaven” as different works of art such as sculptures created from greenery as well as unique fountains, vibrantly painted birdhouses, and a lush brook accompany them.
Through this effort, Duke Raleigh Hospital has been able to not only maintain the construction of this project without delay, but also to ensure patients with a brighter, more uplifting atmosphere by providing a place to go on walks and relax. The garden provides visitors and family with a place to go with loved ones under the hospital's care to explore and have a cup of coffee. This project took five years to complete and has proven to be worthwhile, as locals claim it's the "perfect getaway from the whole hospital atmosphere," and "gives you a place to go while you're waiting on people to be cared for or are undergoing an operation." Perhaps this garden is the perfect solution for easing the tensions acquired while in a hospital awaiting a loved one to feel better.
Cynthia Ann Shore, registered nurse and volunteer pediatric assistant at Duke Raleigh Hospital, was able to provide insight as to just what was going into the project behind the scenes. “It’s been going on for several months,” she says, “but no one really knew about it except for the staff and a few patients that were here during the time of construction.” This well-kept secret has proven to be more than worthwhile, as family and friends of patients can stroll along the pathway outside and feel more relaxed.
The garden consists of a short path that is surrounded by various pieces of art, their medium being nature itself. Ordinary bushes have been trimmed to resemble flowers, as well as various statues of children that represent past patients who have turned to the hospital for help. In the center of the garden is a gazebo which overlooks the entire path.
Not only are there tributes through artistic pieces, but there are also words of thanks in the path itself. If observed closely, the concrete stones from which the path is created reveal specific memorials to staff, volunteers, patients, families, etc. As one of the tiles reads, “Thank you to the nurses who provide compassionate care to our patients,” one can be reminded that the Duke Raleigh Hospital cares.
Having been proven as one of the largest private, non-commercial projects in the city of Raleigh, the tribute garden at Duke Raleigh Hospital has been proudly completed and will permanently serve its purpose of providing comfort to all who see it as well as set the hospital apart from other hospitals in surrounding cities.
