Longing for Spring

It hasn't been a horrible winter at all, but I'm not a fan of the season in the first place, so about this time of year I'm ready for it to be over. I love wisteria, it makes me think of Spring.

Cyndi Waldron

"I Don't Need a Babysitter!"

"Me and My Best Friend"

"What Is This Thing Called Snow?"

"The Three (Little) Pigs"

Cyndi Waldron is an amazing illustrator. If you'd like to see more of her work check out her blog at cyndiwaldron.blogspot.com. I can't wait to see what her future holds!

Alice in Wonderland

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by John Anthony Miller.

by Fernando Falcon

Lace

Is there anything more feminine and romantic than lace? I've always loved lace, I can't remember a time when I wasn't completely fascinated by it. These days lace is incredibly fashionable, mainly due to Kate Middleton's gorgeous lace wedding gown. Today you can find it on everything, from clothing to shoes to furniture.

Irish Lace gown

Irish Lace

Irish Lace

Art Installation: 100 Million Sunflower Seeds

I spent most of my summer in London on an Art History study abroad. It was an amazing experience that I would have no problem repeating. While in London I spent a good deal of my time visiting museums, which, if you didn't know, are numerous and free in London (well, most of them are).

I must admit, I've never been a huge fan of contemporary art. I thought maybe this had something to do with my lack of education on the topic, so while in London I took a 20th Century art class. I won't say I was completely converted to modern art, but I have gained an appreciation. There was one particular installation at the Tate Modern that I wanted to see but got there a couple of days too late.

100 Million Sunflower Seeds spread across the Tate's vast Turbine Hall. But they weren't regular old sunflower seeds. They were handmade, hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds, crafted over a two year period by about 1600 Chinese artisans.  Ai Weiwei was the artist that thought up the concept. Did I mention there were 100 MILLION of them?!

Unfortunately I can only appreciate this vast undertaking by photograph, and still it boggles the mind.

Ai Weiwei, conceptual artist

PS: Don't they look real?! Awesome.

Altered Books

You might not know what an altered book is. I didn't know until a few years ago and I've wanted to give it a go ever since. Basically you take a book and you use any and all creative means necessary to make it something else. Some artists have a theme in mind, some artists just go with the flow. Basically its the art of self expression...and they're beautiful.

This first group below is what I categorize as a 'paper cutting' altered book. They are amazing! I can't even begin to imagine the patience a person must have to do this sort of work. I personally would give up after five minutes. The next type of altered book is more my style. It's color, paint, glitter, images, stickers, ribbon, etc. etc. etc. This is my kind of beautiful chaos.

By Tom Bendtsen

By Su Blackwell

By Brian Dettmer

By Brian Dettmer

By Jennifer Hibbard


I don't have the name of the artist who created the book below, but I found it here. Isn't it amazing! I want to start something like this right now, but unfortunately the semester just started up and I don't have the time for it at the moment. Some day!!!

Beautiful India

India, the largest democracy in the world, second largest in population with 1.5 billion people. An ancient land where four of the worlds major religions began (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism). It has the worlds 9th largest economy but it suffers from painful poverty, illiteracy and corruption.

It has it's faults, but boy is is beautiful.

Jantar Mantar, India

Holi or Festival of Colors. A religious Spring festival celebrated by Hindus.

Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India

If you want to see more amazing images of India go to Smashing Magazine.