WW148:BORDALO SEGUNDO, CHURROS, AND THE DAPPER GENTLEMAN!

1.) This mural is GREAT! Street artist Bordalo Segundo is super talented just look at this new mixed media mural installation titled "Arara Do Bosque De Telheiras".  He uses garbage and found objects combined with vibrant colours! WOW!

Find out more about Bordalo II here.
(thanks to Street Art News)

2.) This watch….I NEEEEEEEEED it.  Mr. Jones makes good watches!!!!

Mr Jones says:

"The hands on this watch are in the form of two circles, one circle is labelled "what I want" and the other "what I need". As the circles move to mark the time, they form a Venn diagram. The shifting relationship that the diagram depicts between "wants" and "needs" is a way for us to think about the changing nature of our own desires and their fulfilment.
The watch is a tool for questioning ourselves - how does the diagram reflect the relationship between our own wants and needs at any given time?

wants vs needs comes in two sizes: a smaller ladies-specific case as well as this larger unisex size. This watch is produced in an edition of 100 pieces, with each watch individually numbered on the case back. The watch comes in a MJW presentation box, with specially commissioned design by artist and illustrator Camilla Meijer."

COME ON!!!! I LOVE IT!

3.) OK…speaking of things I MUST HAVE…...This seems like a MUST have. Am I right??? The Electric Churros Maker by Nostalgia Electrics.

¡Ay, caramba!

4.) I enjoy this! Ok….it is a bit specific……for fancy dressing gentlemen….but I would like to share it with you…..http://thedappergentleman.tumblr.com

Perfect for the boy who wants to dress more dapper-like!!!!

5.) FINALLY! I love this clip of Paul Rudd and Jason Segel! They got a little high and then…..well….then they did this:

WW138: SIGN PAINTERS, WORLD'S TALLEST MURAL AND CARRIE BEHAVIOUR!

Here are the 5 things I love this week:

1.) Ok...this one may NOT be for you. But it IS for me. If you know my work, you know that I am OBSESSED by fonts and painting them! So this movie....caught my eye.....I wish it wouldf come here........but check out the trailer for the "Sign Painters" documentary. For information regarding screenings, and other news please visit signpaintermovie.com

SIGN PAINTERS (OFFICIAL TRAILER) from samuel j macon on Vimeo.

There was a time, as recently as the 1980s, when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our landscape. Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade.

In 2010 Directors Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, with Cinematographer Travis Auclair, began documenting these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft, features the stories of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States. The documentary and book profiles sign painters young and old, from the new vanguard working solo to collaborative shops such as San Francisco’s New Bohemia Signs and New York’s Colossal Media’s Sky High Murals.

The book published by Princeton Architectural Press in November 2012 features a foreword by legendary artist (and former sign painter) Ed Ruscha. We encourage you to pick up a copy at your local book shop, or directly from Princeton Architectural Press -goo.gl/aTZLq

PRETTY COOL, HUH?

2.) I NEEEEEEEED THIS!! This incredible chandelier from Hilden & Diaz is impossibly cool!! Created by Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz, “Forms of Nature” chandelier is a beautifully designed bundle of white tangled branches, casting shadows on the walls that look like forest trees. As the light bulb is placed in the center of the chandelier, it projects a 360 degree shadow formation on every wall and the ceiling.

LOVE IT!!!!

(via: caoine.org)

3.) The "tallest mural in the world," recently completed on the side of 200 Wellesley, a 32-story Toronto Community housing building. Funded by a $24,000 city grant for public artwork, the mural was coordinated by STEPS (Sustainable Thinking and Expression on Public Places), and is a colourful beacon of positivity after the building was engulfed by a fire in 2010. 

photo by UrbanToronto member Androiduk

THIS IS SO GREAT!!!

4.) I like this item. Is it one big promotion for coca-cola? Maybe.....but I liket the potential! EKOCENTER: water purification shipping container:

The idea is to help provide communities in need with access to safe drinking water and other basic necessities, the coca-cola company and DEKA R&D have launched ‘EKOCENTER’

 KOCENTER is a modularly designed kiosk with ‘slingshot’ technology at its core, transformed from a shipping container with solar panel awnings into a local community hub, offering clean, safe drinking water, alongside other services, such as access to wireless communication, electricity, vaccination storage, and more tailored to address community needs. the shipping container unit strives to help communities thrive – each and every community member – from the people using it, to the local entrepreneur operating it.

 The initiative aims to improve the holistic well-being of developing communities around the world, focusing on those within the ‘bottom of the pyramid’, the largest, poorest socio-economic group – representing nearly 4 billion people who live on less than us$2 per day

How cool is that?

5.) This is funny......well in a scary way......I am not much for prankster behaviour...but THIS is good:

Those poor coffee drinkers in New York City’s West Village!! I cannot imagine my screams as I watched that woman use her “telekinetic powers”! (The stunt was made as a clever promotion for Carrie, the upcoming remake of 1976 horror flick of the same name. The movie opens in theaters on October 18th, 2013.)

(Thanks Cindy - and Laughing Squid)

WW116: MELT, MURALS, AND MOTHER

Hey-oooo....
Here are 5 things that I 'dig' this week!
Check 'er out!

1.) Comfort food - fast. If you are a regular reader, you know how momma loves her cheese....and especially grilled cheese sammies. You also know how fast food is not something I am too keen on.....but this Canadian franchise is one I approve of. Melt.

Simple.....and deelish!

 

I was at the 300 Richmond location last week before a movie.....and it was YUMMERS! I had the regular cheese filled option - on asiago red pepper....mmmmmmm.....

You can also load your sammie with LOADS of stuff.

My only criticism was that there were only 2 'eat in' seats in the whole joint!!

2.) That same day.....I went to see IRON MAN. ACTION ACTION ACTION! I really enjoyed it!

As far as big blockbusters go, this was the perfect summer popcorn blowout! All the actors were in top form - I especially LOVED Ben Kingsley!!! I thought the effects were AH-MAH-ZING......and I even enjoyed the storyline.......which surprises me....usually the tentpole movies have better explosions than plot....but I thought this one was pretty good - and had a number of twists and turns!
I also especially enjoyed the 80's retro credits......it is a montage of all the Iron Man movies...but beware of the spoilers - if you didn't geek-out and see IM3 this weekend:

IRON MAN 3 end credit sequence from Danny Yount on Vimeo.

(if that didn't work go HERE)
FUN!!!!!!!!!

3.) Now on a more sombre note.........I have the new Natalie Maines (formerly of the Dixie Chicks) album. It is a HUGE DOWNER....but in the MOST delightful way!!! Now...don't fool yourself - this is NOT a country album. But it really is soooo good!!!

The album is Co-produced by Ben Harper and recorded with his bandmates! Yes...there are an abundance of covers....but I think I would listed to her sing the phonebook and be happy with it!!! She sings covers of songs that I am not very aware of....from the likes of Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley Eddie Vedder and Patty Griffin. So we are talking about some serious rock and roll here folks!!!

My bottom line? She has a LOVELY VOICE.......and the songs are dark and brooding..........which is great....but Nat.....seriously......would it kill you to have something upbeat on the album???
Buy it! Listen to it! (but not when you are feeling sad - it may convince you to end it all!! ;-)

4.)  I love these murals. Anders Gjennestad aka Strøk just completed this new piece in Porsgrunn, a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. He uses hand cut multi layered stencils to create these photorealistic images featuring his signature depth and complex details.....very graphic and very nice!!!

see more of his work HERE!
(via Streetartnews and Junk Culture)

5.) This made me laugh...it is a bit old now...but FUNNY. I love Jimmy Kimmel!!! Now...check out these d-bags:

(thanks CINDY!!!)

WW104: HENSE, VINTAGE LONDON and SOME SWEARING!

I BET YOU WERE EXPECTING A VALENTINES DAY THEMED WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY.......well......you are WRONG.....but please do enjoy these 5 things not so romantic things.....

1.) Barbara Franc from the UK creates beautiful bird sculptures using found and recycled metals! According to her bio she is fascinated by the shape & sculptural forms of animals. "I try to capture a feeling of their movement and presence in my sculpture." Franc says, "For this I use wire and other materials in a way that suggests drawing in three dimensions. This allows me greater freedom to add changes whenever I want during the construction to keep the feeling fluid and to reflect the diversity of movement and form." OK. Sure. I just know they are SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!

Check out more of her AMAZING sculpture on her website!
(thanks to junk-culture.com)

2.) HEY LONDONERS! This one is for you!!! Check out Vintage London's Facebook Page. It is really really really GREAT!

Here is a sample of some of the AH-MAH-ZING photos you can see on this Facebook page:

3.) Atomic ToyBot. Part toy store, part art gallery, part bookstore, Atomic Toybot has a little something for everyone. It is a great little store on Queen East here in T.O.

Lots of great - fun stuff!!!

ALSO I am showing a little original art piece for their Pony Paddock show (a show all about My Little Pony) Here are the deets:

Hours of Operation - Wednesday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
978 Queen Street East, Toronto

4.) This mural project is incredible! Atlanta-based graffiti artist Hense recently completed a new mural installation in Washington DC. The private commission involved completely painting a historic Church in Ward 6, an up and coming area located directly across the street from a planned 20,000 sqft museum. Hense completely transformed the church with latex paint creating a monumental installation. This is another great example of art vs architecture, where today’s artists are transforming neighborhoods and skylines with murals and paint. Remember to check out his website for more great stuff!!

(via designformankind )

5.) This is SUUUUUPER OFFENSIVE. Please cover your children's ears. Sadly, I cannot get the tune out of my head!!!! (I assure you the words are just as unsuitable to READ - but read them HERE)

(thanks CINDY for your filthy forward)

WW80: CARO EMERALD, HERE'S THE THING and FONT MANAGEMENT!!!

HOWDY!!!
Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday.
I hope you enjoy these 5 things that I am LOVING this week:

1.) Here's the Thing. Ok...granted....Alec Baldwin is a hot head, with a pension for attracting bad press.....but he absolutely has a way of making interesting conversation - from unlikely sources. I LOOOOOOOVE his bi-monthly podcast. LOVE it. You must give it a try!!!!!!!!

"Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin gives the listener unique entrée into the lives of artists, policy makers and performers. Alec sidesteps the predictable by taking listeners inside the dressing rooms, apartments, and offices of people such as comedian Chris Rock, political strategist Ed Rollins and Oscar winner Michael Douglas. Here's The Thing: Listen to what happens when an inveterate guest becomes a host." 

Truthfully, at first glance, some of the people he interviews are NOT my regular cup of tea. 
But they have ALL been FASCINATING!!!!!!!! 
I highly recommend getting the free pod casts from iTunes!!!
(thanks to Cindy for pointing me to this many months ago!!!!)


2.) I love this mural-like installation work. Makes an eyesore much more appealing!! I introduce you to  Martin Heuwold (aka MEGX) of Wuppertal, Germany. This is  “Lego-Brücke”, or “Lego Bridge”- he makes a bridge look like giant lego blocks..and the result is AH-MAH-ZING! The piece took 4 weeks to complete.,,,check it out...and look an his website for more stuff...

http://www.megx.de/#1

...before you check out his site....you might want to brush up on your German! Here's the mural I like:

\

(thanks to Beautiful Decay for this!!)

3.) Caro Emerald. O-M-G!!!!!! LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I have been listening to "Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor"...which took me to the remix album. It is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I know that is a lot of exclamation points) 
Here are her wiki-deets:

Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw (b. 26 April 1981 in Amsterdam), best known by her stage name, Caro Emerald, is a Dutch jazz singer. She debuted on 6 July 2009 with her single "Back It Up". Her debut album Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor set a new all-time chart record on 20 August 2010, spending its 30th week at number one on the Dutch album chart. The album has become the biggest selling album of 2010 in the Netherlands, selling over 300,000 copies so far. In total more than a million copies have been sold so far. On 3 October 2010, Van der Leeuw was awarded the Dutch Music Prize "Edison Award" for Best Female Artist.

Ok...here are a couple tunes that are toe-tappingly spectacular:

That Man - cool and retro:

Back it up - also cool and retro!!!!!:

and sorry but this remix........is soooo good.....

AND this cover.....so delightful (it starts a little weird if you don't speak Dutch...but stick with it!!!!!:

4.) Ok...I gots no good recipe/food items this week......but I do have a GREAT app for those of you artists/designers out there who are font collectors - like I am. I use photoshop a lot....and download a lot of fonts for my paintings.....what I didn't realize was  that: 
'every font that has been activated on your system requires the deployment of system resources to applications. This can be an unproductive use of resources, particularly for fonts that are used infrequently. Font management allows you to activate fonts solely for the period of time you actually need them, freeing up precious resources so your system can run more efficiently.'

This great app will:

• lets you activate and deactivate your fonts.
• shows you a preview.
• shows you the font name.
• tells you which fonts are missing in a document.

Download it HERE!! It has made a MASSIVE change in my computer wait times....I get the pinwheel a LOT less these days - which means a LOT less swearing!!!!!

(thanks to Warren for installing this for me!!!)

5.) This week we lost a great humorist. Awful when smart people die so early. Here is his wiki-bio:

David Benjamin Rakoff (November 27, 1964 – August 9, 2012) was a Canadian-born writer based in New York City who was noted for his humorous, sometimes autobiographical non-fiction essays. Rakoff was an essayist, journalist, and actor, and a regular contributor to Public Radio International's This American Life. Rakoff described himself as a "New York writer" who also happened to be a "Canadian writer", a "mega Jewish writer", a "gay writer'" and an "East Asian Studies major who has forgotten most of his Japanese" writer. On August 9, 2012, Rakoff died of cancer, surrounded by family at his apartment in Manhattan.

So I wanted to share with you this smart little tidbit...it is long...very funny and a bit sad too.....enjoy: