Frida Kahlo

Hey Everyone,
For the last sketch book assignment my class had to create, we had to make a page from Frida Kahlo's or Leonardo de Vinci's journal. I thought I was going to do de Vinci's journal, but once I researched Kahlo I was hooked. Personally, I find her art rather grotesque, but the shock of it drew me into it.



This is one of her paintings. She often painted herself in her art. She was injured very badly one day as a metal bar from a train collision pierced her breaking her pelvis and spine. I think this painting shows how she felt, broken. Her journal is full of images like this and many more disturbing. I can't seem to understand why she painted herself the way she did. Some of her paintings made her appear very ugly. Perhaps she had low self esteem. I'd be interested to know why she created what she did.

I think she based her art of self-reflection where as De Vinci's art was more technical and mathematical. She is inspiring in an odd way. I think her art is depressing yet it inspires me to be more self-reflecting. tell me what you think? I may just read her biography to learn more about her.

~K

Philipe Beesley

Hey Everyone,

Recently I was talking with a friend about design and he told me to check out this designer, Phillipe Beesley. He is mainly an architect, but also designs sculptures among many other things. Here is a link to his website. I found his work very interesting. It reminded me of some of El Anatsui's work when we worked with him last year.

This is one piece I found very interesting. It is called Hylozoic Soil and resides in the Netherlands. I found all the intricate details and movement on this piece to be really inspiring. It really is a work of art. It reminds me of an under ground cave and the beauty all the rock formations make. Beesley is really inspirational to me for creating pieces as complex as this. I also admire that he creates, not only unique pieces of art, but functional buildings. His buildings are beautiful and functional which is something I think all designers should inspire to do.


This is his plan for the University of Toronto, Southwest Campus House of Study. I find it to be a very clean and interesting layout. I really enjoyed his use of space and how each part of the campus has purpose.
I hope you found this designer to be interesting and inspirational. Comment below with any other designers I should check out or anything you'd like to say about this one.

~K

Kaki King

Hey Everyone,

Today I wanted to share a really talented musician with you. Her name is Kaki King and is a guitarist. She is really talented and plays in a very unusual style. By genre, I suppose she would be called a classical guitarist, but I think she should have her own genre. I first heard about King when I played classical guitar and needed some motivation. It totally worked.
Check out her website and find out a little more about her if your interested. From her music I've been able to come up with many ideas when I've been in a funk. Her music has so many different levels and sounds it just makes your mind wander. Maybe it can help you out too. Below is one of my favourite songs played by her. Pink Noise.

Ian Ruther

Hey Everyone,

I love looking at pictures in any shape or form. I love when people take things that they see as beautiful or controversial and take pictures to show their feelings. This is one photographer that caught my eye. I learned about him through reading another blog and eventually ventured to his blog to see what he was all about. His photos are amazing as well as his character.



This video talks about his project called "Enabled". It is a project for those with disabilities. Through this some truly inspirational stories came out and he photographed all the athletes. I really like his work and hope that if I ever have the audience to make big changes through art, that I will do so. He is Enabling all those who see his work to be better people whether they are able bodied or not. Nicely enough he is pretty talented as a photographer as well. Check out his Website here to look at more of his work.

Kandee Johnson

Hey Everyone,

Last year I stumbled across this amazing person while scanning through youtube videos in my boredom. I cannot believe what a strong, kind and talented person Kandee Johnson is.

She is a professional make-up artist that has worked on movie sets with celebrities as well as normal day folk such as brides or her friends. What makes her such an inspiration is her story and how she got to be where she is today. I'll try and briefly explain but go check out her blog and videos if you want a more rounded story.
At a young age she got married to a guy who was not the best for her. She had a son and struggled living with this guy who did not treat her well. She felt like her dreams were dying but managed to get away. Then she ended up marrying another guy who was also not the best choice. She had another son and a daughter at a very young age. Again she felt her dreams falling apart but she finally managed to break away and start her career. She had gone to beauty school and knew she wanted to do make-up so she fought to follow her dream.

That is a small summery that may not be as clear as she could tell it but to me she is an inspiration. She came out of probably one of the darkest times in her life and realized her dream. She supports herself and her kids while having plenty of ideas to make other peoples lives better. She makes her own videos and edits them herself, she makes jewelry and she paints. She may not be a cyber artist but I think she is an inspiration to all artists. She shows that we might not make it on the first try but if you keep trying you will make a break through. Personally I want to be an artist like her. One that is kind, full of creativity and uses her talents to make herself and others happy.

Katelynn

Mystery Guitar Man

Hey Everyone!

Once again wandering through Youtube videos, I came across something great. The Mystery Guitar Man. Below is his latest video.



I cannot begin to think of where his ideas come from. It is so interesting to see what new musical sounds he can create. On his Youtube channel he has posted videos of him making music out of the oddest things in the weirdest places. He created a samba tune out of phone books and another cool tune at an airport by using the sounds in the terminal. How did he think those up? I like that he actually has music talent and that he is interested in computer animation. In another video he animates a fake laptop made out of Styrofoam. It appears to work like a real laptop but a in weird imaginary up way. How cool is that? He seems to play every instrument you could think up including the guitar, drums, rubber band and cereal bowl. Now that is knowing how to play music. I also admire that he likes to include those who watch the videos as if they were right there with him. He has created videos that you can react with and asks for viewers to leave comments about different opinions he brings up.
Below is my favourite video that he has made.



The song, although made by someone else, is just made to be put with a video like this. I was truly inspired by this. It is a technological flip book. Old animation traditions are being brought into the year 2010!
He is a great artist and I hope that he one day is able to inspire the world like he has me.
Here is a link to his store. Check it out! Don't forget to comment, leaving your thoughts :)

Katelynn

Tim Burton

Hey everyone,
I wanted to share with everyone my favourite creative mind, Tim Burton.

The reason I say creative mind instead of something else is that he does soooo much. He draws, makes clay animation, directs... He is a true artist. I am a big fan of his. I enjoy that all his work is so conceptual and looks beautiful. Check out his website (2010)! When I opened it I could instantly tell that it was his website. All his work leaves a unique impression. You can tell when something was created by Tim Burton. Some of his works include Coraline, Edward Scissor Hands, Sleep Hallow,The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride.

Corpse Bride

Edward Scissor Hands

All his works seem to feature dark, mysterious characters but in my opinion usually aren't as dark as they seem. I find that most of his works show positivity hidden in darkness. From watching documentaries and interviews featuring him, I learned that he used to work as a storyboard artist at Disney! I could not believe it. His style is far too enchanting to be locked up in with singing animals and happy little dwarfs. Some other interesting facts about him are that he works with Johnny Depp in many of his films, he is dating Helena Bonham Carter, has two children and his character Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas appears in several of his films in the background or as part of objects.

I don't think I'll ever get enough of seeing his artwork or films. They are all so creative and entertaining. They offer Humor, Romance, Mystery,Action... Everything I could want to see in a film.
I'm not sure if i could pick a favourite film of his but I can say that I can watch Coraline, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas over and over again. Comment below if you are a fan of Tim Burton too. If you aren't.. Comment and tell me why! :)

Katelynn