Been away

{ August 3, 2008 @ 4:03 pm } · { Music }
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So…It’s been a while since I’ve posted.                                                                                                            A lot has happened in such a relatively short time. It’s seems I’ve acquired myself one of those (what do you call them?)… real jobs? HA HA HA… and it seems to be pulling me away from everything else, which (I guess) will take some getting used to. I sat down after today’s events and wondered if I should start getting on and posting “the good stuff” again. So…to answer that question, I have another song for you all to enjoy as (hopefully) the beginning of a regular Sunday installment. (I have to start slow you know.)

This is a song that I hadn’t heard it until recently, by the band Bloc Party. It’s named “Selfish Son” off the “I still remember” maxi single from thier latest album “A weekend in the city”, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite pieces of their work. Give it a listen to see if you feel the same. If you like Bloc Party (or any derivation), I’m sure you’ll love it.

Talk to ya soon. Ciao

From the ipod

{ May 20, 2008 @ 8:26 am } · { Music }
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Well, this week I decided to recommend a pop infused rock band;… or are they a rock infused pop band…I can’t decide which, but they’re good never the less.
The band of which I speak goes by the name Carolina Liar and (having only but a moment to think about it) I would say that their sound is not unlike a mash up of the band “Train” and “The Killers”…if that’s possible. But, as always, I’ll let you be the judge.

A whopping 6 members make up this LA based band with front man Chad Wolfe leading the way as singer/song writer. Their album “Coming to terms” was just released today and after hearing (and enjoying) most of the album, I’m happy to recommend them…despite their mainstream appeal…HA HA HA HA HA HA…kidding, kidding. Have a listen to their albums sappy love song titled
“When you are near“.

Ciao all.

Blu Wall Graffiti

{ May 16, 2008 @ 8:50 am } · { Art, Movies }
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What can I say…this is just…cool. It’s a graffiti wall animation done on public walls in Buenos Aires by the artist Blu.
It must have taken day’s and is truly impressive (to say the least). Check it out.
Ciao all.

3D Masterpiece

{ May 16, 2008 @ 8:40 am } · { Art }
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Check out this amazing flash movie created by Lena Gieseke for her degree in computer animation from the University of Georgia.
To give you a little insight…Pablo Picasso was comissioned in 1937 by the spanish government to commemorate the bombing of Guernica by Nazi Germany. The result was this famous painting (of the same name) depicted here by Lena in 3D.

This has always been one of my favorite paintings and I truly love what she has done with it. Follow this link to check out her unique take on this masterpiece. Picasso’s Guernica in 3D
 

 

Still Here!

{ May 12, 2008 @ 10:56 am } · { Music }
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Hey all! Well, It’s been some time since I’ve posted. Sorry.
I seem to have gotten myself into a rut after going on vacation. You know…the ole’ post vacation blues that you get when you are looking forward to something for so long…and when it all comes to an end…it seems just a little harder to pick up and move on again. The good news is…that I think I’m clearing the woods and coming alive again.
I’ve been doing a little running up in the mountains lately and it always helps to bring me to life. There’s something about being outside, in the mountains, taking a moment to to observe the world around me (of which I so often take for granted) that it becomes almost religious to me at times. As if I’m recharging my soul. Cheesy huh?
HA HA HA HA HA….I love it anyway. ;- )

Anyway, I’m back… and in recognition of this, I think it only appropriate to (once again) offer up some of the little treasures I’ve found in hopes of opening up a little more of my world to you.
I think I want to start the week off with an old idea made new under the title “Off the ipod”. Where in (as you can guess) I showcase some new (or in some cases…simply great) music to you.
The “simply great” will apply in this case as this next song showcase is from an album from 2006, though none-the-less superb in my eyes.
It’s from a Los Angeles indie band who go by the name “Mezzanine Owls“. As I stated, the album came out in 2006, though I was reminded of them because they do in fact have a new ep that was recently released; Although…I’m such a fan of they’re previous album, I was compelled to give you a taste of the oldy but goody. The fore mentioned album is called “Slingshot Echoes“, the song is called “Lightbulb“. I’ve had this on my ipod recently and found it highly appropriate for my “return” post… as it seemed a great album to ingest while running around in the mountains. Give er a listen, I know you’ll enjoy!


Until next time…
Ciao.

John Hughes Revisited?

{ April 15, 2008 @ 11:38 am } · { Music }
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So…here are some sample tracks from the musical artist M83 that were recently released from the new album titled Saturdays=Youth. I have a couple of their/his previous CD’s that I really enjoy and this is no exception.
As it goes…I’m currently aware that there is an 80’s throw-back scene going on as of recently… and this album (in my opinion) is the icing on the cake. Aside from the Karate Kid skeleton costume reference,…even the cover art (as you can see) seems as if it were pulled straight from the John Hughes movie cover archives.
M83 is comprised mainly (though with help) of a single musical architect named Anthony Gonzalez. Much (though not all) of his previous work has been instrumental and experimental in sound. This album seems a little different with a twinge of pop and more lyricism injected into many of the albums tracks.

I’ve decided to include two songs for your listening pleasure as…I couldn’t decide which one to post. One has more of the 80’s film soundtrack tone to it… and the other seems more like a “staring at the night sky” kind of sound. If this is your bag…I think you’ll enjoy both. The song titles are listed above each track. Have a listen.

Graveyard Girl


We own the night

Here’s the website for those interested…M83.

Up Close

{ April 15, 2008 @ 7:14 am } · { Art }
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Here is some great work by artist Christopher Shill. He’s an old friend of many years and I love his work.
I found these examples of Chris’s work on a web page for a Park City gallery located here in Utah and wanted to give you guys a look-see at some of his stuff. I’ve known Chris since his art school days at the university and had the opportunity to see his talent displayed in his school projects. I love the composition and colors he uses for each piece.

Check out a few more at this link…Christopher Shill.
Ciao.

Literary Art…Literally

{ April 14, 2008 @ 8:58 am } · { Art }
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This is the sculpture work of artist Nicholas Jones. He takes old books and creates new works of art with them. There are many more photos of his work, as well as an interview that you can read via The Design Files blog here…Nicholas Jones.

Also, I mentioned in a previous post about seeing artist work spaces…there’s a lot of that here.

Ciao.

Creature Comforts

{ April 14, 2008 @ 8:35 am } · { Movies }
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To be honest…I don’t think I would normally put this on my blog, but since it got my smiling and all, I thought…what the H. E. double hockey sticks.
It’s done by Aardman animations, who I’ve been a fan of for some years now, and it turns out to be quite appropriate for my blog. What they do is simply conduct candid interviews of…whom ever…and then animate the interview(ies) statements into their work.
You can check out more Creature Comfort videos via YouTube here…they’re quite funny.
Creature Comforts.

Ciao.

Drawings by Jim

{ April 14, 2008 @ 8:18 am } · { Art }
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Check out some of the great drawings and illustration of Jim Stolen. He’s a freelance illustrator from London and I love his work.
I always enjoy it when I find photos on an artists website that display even a little of the artists workspace (you’ll find one on Jim’s).
Not only does it give you an idea about the sizes of some of their work, it also makes me feel better about some of the clutter that can accumulate while I work on a piece. HA HA HA…
Click his name to get to his site.

Ciao all.

Dreaming

{ April 11, 2008 @ 2:15 pm } · { Art }
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Well, …here it is, I’m finally finished with the new piece. I’ve named it ”Dreaming”.
This piece is a hefty 5 ft 7 inches tall and 4 ft in width, which makes the women pictured very near actual size.
It was done using acrylic, pastel and charcoal on top of wood.
After a number of studies on paper… I actually started this piece on a large canvas, only to realize later that the look wasn’t what I wanted. Having worked with wood as a painting surface in the past (see “Journey” in the pastels gallery) gave me the confidence to use it again for this piece. I think it turned out every bit as good as I had hoped. Enjoy.

Ciao all.
-Tom

Fleet Foxes

{ April 10, 2008 @ 8:32 am } · { Music }
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Check out this song from Fleet Foxes. Their Ep was just released via Sub Pop Records just this month… and their 70’s throw-back sound is quite unique. This just may turn out to be some of that great road trip music that I love so much.
This song is named “Drops in the river” off the fore-mentioned Ep “Sun Giant“. Have a listen.

Here’s their Myspace for those interested…Fleet Foxes.
Ciao.

In the mean time…

{ April 10, 2008 @ 7:51 am } · { 2 cents, Art }
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Hi all. As I stated 2 days ago. I’ve been a little out of sorts trying to get together with a friend in order to get some photos of my latest up on the site. I have been spending these days with a relative who has needed some help with things around the house (FUN!). I’ve found it much more difficult to post any findings of interest from their computer as It doesn’t have some of the
capabilities as mine.

In the mean time…take a look at some illustrations by the artist Joe McLaren. Also, click his name to check out his website for more examples. Great stuff!

Happy, Hair Pulling, Relief

{ April 8, 2008 @ 8:50 am } · { 2 cents }
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Well, aside from all the “technical difficulties” I’ve experienced with my blog as of lately…I have also been spending a lot of my time finishing my latest commisioned piece. I have also been busy building a frame for said work, which is quite large at just over 5 feet in length (as I have previously mentioned). 

I will be adding the piece to this site as well as getting back into the swing of posting all the great and wonderful art I find out there as soon as tomorrow. I’m sorry for the lack of updates and new material…

Until tomorrow then. Have a great day!
Ciao.
 

Invisible Headache Compliment

{ April 7, 2008 @ 8:20 am } · { Art }
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These are some great examples of work done by the artist Tom Haubrick as part of an exhibition called “Color Blind, a study in black and white”. I really love the sepia tone look and accents that Tom uses in his work. Have a look at more examples via the Project Gallery here…Tom Haubrick. Great stuff!

Ciao.

King Trash

{ April 3, 2008 @ 10:33 am } · { Art, Illustration }
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Check out the art and illustration work of Michael Deforge (AKA…King Trash). There is a large amount of work for everyone to check out at his sites here…King Trash and…
He also has a Livejournal called “New Drawings” here…Michael Deforge.
If his art work interests you, I highly recommend checking these out.
It makes me long for the day when I can produce that amount of quality work. Well Done sir…well done.

Ciao.

French Kicks

{ April 3, 2008 @ 10:08 am } · { Music }
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Well, Finally the new French Kicks album is out (though currently only on itunes). If your not familiar with them, here’s the perfect opportunity.
French Kick are a New York based rock band that I came across in 2006 after the release of their album “Two Thousand”.
I was truly excited to hear some new stuff coming from such a great band! Listen to this sample song named “Abandon” off the album “Swimming”.
BTW…Turn it up! It’s better that way.

Here’s their website for those interested…French Kicks.

Ciao.

No Joe Blow

{ April 2, 2008 @ 8:37 am } · { Illustration }
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I love the illustration work of Robi Joeleht! His website has much more including a few t-shirt designs that I wouldn’t mind owning. Check it out here..Robjoe.

Ciao!

Photo Bliss

{ April 2, 2008 @ 8:24 am } · { Photography }
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fabian2sm.jpg
(I guess that answers that question.)

Check out the photo work of Fabian Unternährer. His website has some really great and unique photos, as well as having a beautiful “ease of use” design. See more here…Fabian Unternährer.

Kyte Flying

{ April 1, 2008 @ 10:03 am } · { Music }
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I came across this band from the UK that I really enjoy. They’re named Kyte and their self-titled mini-album just came out in February. The album (although short) is chalked full of big chords, great vocals and sweeping atmospherics. Have a listen to this sample song called “Planet“. Like a few other tracks on the album, it’s a long one, with a playing time of over 7 minutes so sit back, relax… and enjoy.

Ciao

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