Holy Stalactitie! These Images of Gems are really Paintings

 

 

These Absurdly Realistic Images Of Gems Are Actually Paintings

Holy stalactite!

Carly Waito is a young Toronto artist who paints pictures of semi-precious gems and minerals that are so frighteningly realistic, they’re virtually indistinguishable from a photograph. Every last facet and minute imperfection is captured in astonishing detail. The kicker: The paintings are tiny, some just 4.5 inches wide.

“I start by collecting the mineral specimens, usually from dealers online or at shows for mineral collectors, or from eBay,” Waito tells Co.Design. “Then I photograph the specimens using my DSLR with a macro lens and a complicated setup of lights and mirrors to get the reflections on the facets just right. I take many subtly different photos of each specimen before choosing one to print to use as my reference to paint from.”

Each piece is executed on masonite board with oil paint and small (very small) brushes. Waito’s first solo show, at Narwhal Art Projects in Toronto, stays open until October 2. To buy a painting, contact the gallery at contact@narwhalartprojects.com.
[Images courtesy of Carly Waito]

For the complete story, please visit FastCoDesign:  http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665050/these-absurdly-realistic-images-of-gems-are-actually-paintings

If you'd like information on paintings for your offices, building or facility please call us at (888) 440-9260.

Salt More Precious than Gold? This Painting that is...

By Bettina Werner, The Salt Queen
The artist in front of "Salt More Precious Than Gold" painting created with textured colorized salt.  Courtesy the Salt Queen Foundation, New York

For the complete story and more amazing images, please visit our friends at Sensational Color: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/media/set/?set=a.61586545599.98007.61567350599

Another Salt Painting by Bettina Werner - fantastic and sensational color!

 

Copyright Bettina Werner 2009
Courtesy The Salt Queen Foundation, New York
http://www.bettina-werner.com/

Experimental Glasses That Turn Wine Into Art

I love wine and art....this is the perfect combination!  Thanks FastCoDesign and Belinda Lanks for a great article that we've shared!

Wine glasses generally come in two varieties: red (with a big wide bowl to facilitate oxidation) and white (with a smaller mouth and tapered bowl). We’re far from sommeliers, but, to us, it seems a shame that, with so much energy devoted to developing wine, so little creativity goes into the glasses in which it’s served. Gumdesign, an Italian design collective, fixes that disparity with playful twists on traditional crystal stemware.

Most of them are subtle, clever interpretations of the usual form: One, for instance, comes with its own cork stopper; another has a dainty spout. We’re partial to the one whose tulip bowl sits slightly tilted on its stem; when paired, they can lean in or away from each other.
If you’re a wine snob who holds fast to the belief that a glass’s shape can impact bouquet, these designs may not be for you. For those who select wine by the look of the label, these glasses might have the power to make box wine palatable.

They’re made by ColleVilca, an Italian factory that makes crystal objects by hand. To order, send an email to: mirella@vilca.it.

For the complete story, please visit:  http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665037/experimental-glasses-that-turn-wine-into-art

Amazing 3 D Printer Technology!

What is 3 D Printer Technology? An art form!!!

From Wikipedia:  3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material.^[1] 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. 3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. Advanced 3D printing technologies yield models that can serve as product prototypes.

See a cool demonstration video on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboxMsSz5Aw

Rotating Lobby Artwork Really "Makes It" Stunning

A beautiful photographic triptych installed in a client's lobby, rotated every 3 months.  We use a Gallery Systems hanging system that makes it easy to hang and doesn't damage the walls.

For information on a rotating art rental program, please call us at (888) 440-9260

Saturn Photo - Stunning Piece of Eye Candy

Taken by NASA's Cassini robotic orbiter, the shot was captured from the dark side of Saturn as the Sun's bright rays illuminated every piece of dust and debris circling the planet. Cassini has offered astronomers a never-before-seen look at Saturn and revealed more information about the planet than any craft before it. The craft has taken so many pictures of the ringed wonder that they were recently made into a short flyby film that looks like it was created by George Lucas rather than a robotic space explorer.

For the full story please visit: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/nasa-cassini-orbiter-snaps-unbelievable-picture-saturn-144133480.html