Mattise | Image: http://www.pebblebeachartheist.com

It’s gotta sting just a little bit to find out that the local sheriff is closing your case when $27 million worth of art from your art collection is still missing. That just happened recently in the exclusive California coastal enclave of Pebble Beach. As is often the case, the theft proved to be a dramatic one, full of intrigue, twists and turns – what is it with drama and stolen art?

Pollock | Image: www.pebblebeachartheist.com

The very valuable collection in this case belonged to a retired Harvard Medical School physician and his associate, and included “substantial works” by Jackson Pollock, Vermeer, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Miro, among other artists. At one point, the owners themselves were considered suspects, which complicated their somewhat significant insurance claim.

Miro | Image: www.pebblebeachartheist.com

Now, in the wake of an election of a new sheriff in Monterey County, the investigation has been closed due to a lack of physical evidence. Apparently, the owners are still hoping their art comes home. They have set up a website dedicated to the crime, where you can browse through the missing works and bone up on the details of the case. A $5 million reward is up for grabs if you’re inclined to do a little art sleuthing on your own.

Renoir | Image: www.pebblebeachartheist.com

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Dreamer by April Henderlong on Zatista.com

There is no shortage of high quality original art on Zatista. Behind each piece, there is an artist with a unique story. In this installment of Artist Glimpse, I had the pleasure to speak with Indiana artist, April Henderlong, who has been a Zatista member since 2010.

BS: Tell me a little about your background in the arts.
AH: I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil. Never a day in my life did I not know I wanted to be an artist. Upon graduating high school in Indiana, I immediately moved to downtown Chicago to attend the American Academy of Art. After my second year there, I transferred to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where I went on to receive a bachelors degree in traditional illustration. I’ve stuck to private sales and commissions. I draw because it makes my heart sing, and working for myself feels like the best way to tap into my individuality.

BS: Why do you like painting on wood?
AH: Wood grains are beautiful! There are so many different types of wood, all of which uniquely possess an organically delightful design. My companion is a carpenter. He cuts, sands, and brings me pieces he thinks I’d like. Since I started working with wood panels, I’ve been enamored with how I feel they add to what I draw or paint.

That Girl and Her Dog by April Henderlong

BS: What is the inspiration to keep you going?
AH: Everything above and under the sun is my inspiration to draw. I can’t think of anything that isn’t. I suppose existence is my ultimate inspiration, and ’til death do us part.

BS: Where do you see your work going next?
AH: My work has arrived at the point where it is, simply by my choice of letting it wander. I guess I’ll have to see where freedom takes my creative moods next.

Sincere by April Henderlong on Zatista.com

BS: What are your ideal working conditions?
AH: Solitude, along with hours of music, and/or alternative talk radio.

BS: How is business?
AH: I have zero complaints about business. I love being able to exhibit in galleries on the net. It gives the world a chance to see my work without me having to travel. Technology is really helping artists get their work out there, and business has been a blast!

Innocence by April Henderlong on Zatista.com

BS: What other art medium would you like to attempt or not attempt?
AH: Right now I’ve been using oils, acrylics, colored pencils, watercolors, and inks. It’s more likely that I’ll press forward with my favorites, rather than brush up on my Photoshopping skills.

Resonate by April Henderlong

BS: Do you have any advice for someone just getting started?
AH: Follow your heart!

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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Still from the movie Wasteland

Wasteland: A 2011 documentary about Brazilian contemporary artist Vik Muniz who collaborates with the ‘pickers’ of recyclable materials who live and work in the garbage from Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

Still from the movie Pollock

Pollock: A 2000 biographical which tells the life story of influential American abstract painter Jackson Pollock. Ed Harris is Pollock and Jennifer Connelly as his artist wife, Lee Krasner.

Work by Andy Goldsworthy

Rivers & Tides: A 2001 documentary about the British artist Andy Goldsworthy who creates intricate and ephemeral sculptures from natural materials such as rocks, leaves, flowers, and icicles.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat: a 1996 biopic/drama film directed by fellow painter Julian Schnabel which is based on the life of American postmodernist/neo expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat who used his graffiti roots as a foundation to create collage-style paintings on canvas.

Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi

Antonio Gaudi: A 1984 Japanese and Spanish documentary film by Hiroshi Teshigahara about the works of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. In this film with minimal narration, the director visits buildings and houses in Barcelona, and the Sagrada Família.

Eames: The Architect and The Painter

Eames: The Architect and The Painter: A 2011 documentary telling the story of the American husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames, widely considered America’s most important designers. Their creations include furniture, photography, interiors, and much more.

What films about artists do you recommend?

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The Mirror by Anita Clearfield on Zatista.com

In my last post, I talked about the different ways artists make use of shadows in their work, many examples of which could be found on a quick tour of the offerings of original art right here on Zatista. I found the same was true with artwork featuring mirrors – another way artists add depth and interest to a composition.

Still Life With Three Lemons and a Mirror by Lena Levin on Zatista.com

Mirrors are similar to shadows in that they extend or double the subject of a painting or photograph, providing an alternate or expanded reality. They can make an otherwise solitary figure less lonely because they at least have the company of their own reflection. Inanimate objects can seem more three dimensional, even more human when a mirror is present.

A Bar at the Folies-Bergere by Edouard Manet on Wikipedia.org

One of the most famous and controversial uses of mirrors in art is the 1882 painting by French Impressionist Edouard Manet in which a woman seems to be standing in front of her own reflection in a mirror behind a bar.  Critics have long debated whether this is actually a reflection or if there is simply another woman behind her facing in the opposite direction. Look carefully at the details. What do you think? Cast your vote in the comments section below. Whatever your opinion, it remains a compelling and beautiful painting.

Window Light by Blake Fisher on Zatista.com

Having a mirror nearby can add both intimacy and distortion to an image. We behave differently when we are alone with a mirror, perhaps dropping our guard and revealing our true selves. But mirrors are also in a sense optical illusions and can never present a fully accurate version of reality.

Spring Mirrored by Shawn Nelson Dahstrom on Zatista.com

Whether in polished glass or on the calm surface of water on a clear spring day, mirrored reflections will always be an appealing element in an artwork, drawing us in the way they do in our daily lives. Who can resist a mirror?

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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image: thisiscolassal.com

After constructing a very buttoned up, pristine, white, shining beacon of IKEA-ness, the artist turned thousands of young museum visitors loose on her work with thousands upon thousands of colored stickers. No strings attached.

image: thisiscolassal.com

Can you imagine the fun? The result is nothing short of amazing – like an outward projection of the inner workings of a child’s mind itself.

image: thisiscolassal.com

The installation, aptly-named “Obliteration Room”, proved to be very popular with visitors both young and old before talking on a life of its own on the Internet.

image: thisiscolassal.com

 &

image: thisiscolassal.com

The rest of the exhibit was similarly whimsical and brilliant, which really isn’t much of a surprise given the fact that its creator dresses like this:

© Yayoi Kusama / Image courtesy: Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo

Read more about the artist and her work on the QAG website, where you can play Kusama’s World of Dots Kids Interative game and also view the online show catalog, which is pretty cool on its own.

&

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leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

People are making art out of everything these days, and I always appreciate the use of unusual materials. Take Lorenzo Duran from Guadalajara, Spain. He takes his process to the utmost, using a scalpel to cut designs into leaves of all shapes and sizes.

leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

Inspired by ancient Chinese and Japanese paper cutting techniques, Lorenzo has updated his own approach with modern technology. First, he dries the leaves, then he gets to work with surgical tools and some seriously powerful magnifying glasses.

leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

The results speak for themselves. Details, designs, trees within leaves – Lorenzo has it down to a science.

leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

Even more amazing is what Lorenzo says on his website: “I have decided not to put a price on my work, but to leave it to your will to do what you should – only take into account what my work inspires you to pay for it.”

leaf art by Lorenzo Duran

Very inspiring art – he’s clearly invested not just in his work, but in his practice. Poke around his website, and any other fabulous original art websites you may come across (wink, wink!). We’ll go out on a limb and bet you’ll be glad you did!

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Night Shadows by Edward Hopper on whitney.org

It’s been said that in art what isn’t there is sometimes just as important as what is. There is something about things unclear, hidden, or absent that captures our attention. When faced with such mysteries, we naturally want to solve the riddle, finish the story, fill in the blank. Perhaps this is why so many artists use shadows in their work to draw us in.

Wave in the Sand by Doug Hockman on Zatista.com

Whether they are attached to figures or landscapes, the presence of a cast shadow in a composition can create many effects. Shadows can add both visual contrast and emotional depth to a two dimensional image. Along with a mastery of perspective, accurate and effective use of cast shadows is considered a milestone in the history of art.

April Shadows by Nikolai Kraneis on Zatista.com

With varying colors and length, shadows can suggest specific hours of the day or different seasons, and instantly take us to a familiar place and time. As they reach across a scene they can give a sense of human mortality or human longing, even when – perhaps especially when – human beings are not present.

Wandering Washington by Jennifer Childs on Zatista.com

Shadows cast by something not visible in the frame of the photograph or painting can be particularly haunting, implying a world continuing beyond the confines of the artwork and of our own grasp, but inviting us to use our imaginations to supply what’s missing.

Seeing Double by Katya Belilovsky on Zatista.com

At one time or another we have all played with our own shadows, but shadows can also play with us, challenging our perceptions, presenting a world of opposites and parallels, where everything has its dark twin, and who can tell which is real and which is the reflection? Without shadows, our world would not be nearly as interesting. The next time you are browsing for original art on Zatista look for the shadows!

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

Blanton Museum of Art on utexas.edu

As the weather gets warmer and thoughts turn to leisure activities and excursions, finding something a little different to do can be a challenge. For you lovers of original art, as an alternative to large museums full of tourists and overwhelming blockbuster shows, here is a short list of some of the wonderful collections to be found on campuses around the country:

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, Austin
As the largest university art museum in the country and the third-largest museum in Texas, the Blanton Museum owns more than 17,000 works of art, including works by European artists Rubens and Sebastiano del Piombo, while American and contemporary artists include Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko and Henry Farny.

William Faulkner's home on the University of Mississippi Museum grounds on museum.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi Museum
This museum, established in 1939, serves as a cultural center for the university community and beyond. Its collection includes Southern folk art, Greek and Roman antiquities, 19th-century scientific instruments, and American fine art.

The Davis Museum on davismuseum.wellesley.edu

Davis Museum and Cultural Center at Wellesley College
Just outside of Boston, this museum boasts an impressive collection with works by Andy Warhol and Willem de Kooning. It is open to the public, free of charge.

The Figge Museum, part of the UIMA on uima.uiowa.edu

University of Iowa Museum of Art
Established in 1969, this museum has one of the top university art collections in the country. Approximately 12,400 objects constitute diverse collections that include paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, ceramics, textiles, jade, and silver. The Elliott Collection includes paintings by De Chirico, Matisse, Picasso, and Vlaminck, among others.

Univeristy Art Museum at Colorado State University artmuseum.colostate.edu

Colorado State University Art Museum
The University Art Museum’s permanent collections consist of fine arts and ethnographic artifacts. The collection is comprised of approximately 3000 objects in a variety of media including prints, photographs, paintings, sculpture, textiles, and ceramics.

College art museums may not boast room after room of masterpieces, but there are always small gems to be found, often in uniquely designed spaces, and surrounded by campuses full of great architecture and history to explore. So consider including a visit on your next daytrip or vacation. What college art museums do you know and love?

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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image of William Second Gallery seen in USA Today: Richard Drew / AP

Before you hire just any artist to paint a portrait of your beloved schnauzers, you might want to consider the artwork’s potential impact on your future estate. That’s right, dog art is fetching (hey-yo!) big bucks these days, so think about hiring an artist who’s really going to capture Scrappy or Muffin’s essence – for your kid’s and grandkid’s sake.

Image: William Second Gallery dogpainting.com

Two such pieces by William Henry Hamilton Trood (1860-1899), “Dejeuner” and “Hounds in a Kennel”, sold for $194,500 and $212,500, respectively at a recent auction. Granted, the auction was the only one of its kind, specifically limited to the dog art market. The event is held each year after the Westminster Dog Show, so they’ve certainly pegged their demographic.

Image: William Secord Gallery dogpainting.com

In all seriousness, if you missed the show and want to take in some lovely dog art you’ve got a few options I can think of right away. The first is right at your finger tips – Zatista artist Leah McCloskey offers pet portraits by commission:

Pet Portraits by Commission, Leah McCloskey on Zatista.com

Next, Zatista artist and animal lover Georganna Lenssen also has some stellar canine portraits available:

Spotted Dog by Georganna Lenssen on Zatista.com

Finally, the next time you’re in New York, make your way to the William Secord Gallery in Manhattan. It’s the only gallery in U.S. devoted entirely to the subject, so you’re guaranteed to get a lot of bang for your bark. Er, buck.

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I Like Birds by Prints by Peskimo on Zatista.com

Any present-day ornithologist will tell you that our feathered friends that share the planet with us have a broad impact on our daily lives. Whether it be for their products such as eggs or feathers, or their ability to control certain insect pests, or their arrivals and departures signaling seasonal and climate changes, birds are an important part of our world.

Nevermore by Jeffrey Hummel on Zatista.com

Famous ornithologists of the past, such as Alexander Wilson, John James Audubon and John Gould, were not only interested in the scientific study of birds, they were also drawn to their beauty and aesthetic qualities.  Each of them was a brilliant artist who created lavish volumes cataloging and illustrating the different species.

Flight by Tracy Mewmaw on Zatista.com

In Wausau, Wisconsin at the Woodson Art Museum, the annual Birds in Art exhibit continues to focus on this inexhaustible and irresistible subject, showcasing some of the best artistic talent around.

Little Owl by Nikolai Kraneis on Zatista.com

Birds are a source of fascination even for those of us without scientific or artistic backgrounds and agendas. Birdwatching organizations and publications have enjoyed increased popularity among people for whom observing birds ranges from a recreational activity to a serious and sometimes competitive pursuit.

Cape May Warbler by Andrea van Voorst van on Zatista.com

To watch a bird in flight, on the hunt, tending its young, or at rest, is to understand why these free spirits appear as symbols in so many cultures, for so many different qualities, and why they are so universally admired. Who among us hasn’t looked at the sky and wished we could fly like a bird?

Lunchtime for Blue Bird by Anthony Dunphy on Zatista.com

One thing is certain, artistic images of birds are as plentiful and varied as the creatures themselves. They appear as motifs on just about anything you can print with a design, and paintings of birds make a wonderful addition to any home, bringing a little bit of nature indoors. What’s your favorite bird and why?

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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image: guylaramee.com

It’s not what you think. This has got to be one of the most amazing uses for books that anyone has ever come up with (besides reading them, of course). Canadian artist Guy Laramee painstakingly carves intricate landscapes into old books, an act that is steeped in commentary.

image: inspirationfeed.com

Specifically, Laramee is concerned with notions of progress and the erosion of culture that is an inherent part of it. Hence the amazing, but also destructive feat at hand.

image: inspirationfeed.com

image: guylaramee.com

It takes real vision to recognize the potential of an unconventional medium such as this. The pages, all in an immense variety of muted pulp tones, some yellowed with age or grayed with years of dust, lend themselves to transformation. The result is topographical, substantial, and I would guess, quite profound in person.

image: inspirationfeed.com

When you have a free moment or two, I strongly recommend browsing around on art websites (hint, hint). You never know what you’ll find, and you’re bound (no pun intended) to find work that will blow you away!

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Maria Gabriela Brito is an interior designer and authority on why, where, and how to display contemporary art in any environment. Frequent contributer to Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP lifestyle newsletter, Maria knows the art world inside and out and is able to create the perfect environment to showcase a well curated art collection. An art collector herself, Maria’s mission is to help her clients live beautifully and get dialed in to the art scene worldwide. She is also an avid believer in encouraging kids to grow up around great works of art. Contributing writer Nancy Cost interviews this month’s Guest Curator, Maria Gabriela Brito.

When did you become familiar with the world of fine art?
Since I had memories! My parents were art collectors and my grandfather was an M.D. who, in his spare time, painted gorgeous oil-on-canvas landscapes.

Do you see any differences between the way Americans and South Americans incorporate art into their lives or interiors?
Not really. Perhaps some Americans are more exposed and can push the envelope a bit more.

What is your advice on how to start an art collection?
Do preliminary research and buy the absolute best that you can within your price range. Go to art fairs and galleries and buy what you love, BUT, always do preliminary research about the artist.

Lifestyling by Maria Gabriela Brito

Does good art have to cost lots and lots of money?
Not really. I’m always after the thrill of discovering emerging artists whose pieces are way more affordable than mid-career or established artists.

What was your most recent art purchase?
An Assume Vivid Astro Focus Print and a Sculpture that they made out of one of the original Dade County voting booths from the debacle of the 2000 Presidential elections.

What is the biggest misconception you find people making regarding art in their homes?
That they can’t have contemporary art because it’s either too edgy, too expensive, or too hard to understand.

Where are your favorite places to go get inspired by art?
Anywhere! From chic hotels to galleries to collectors’ homes.

What’s your number one tip for making an interior sizzle?
COLOR!

What was the first piece of art you bought?
A Rothko print at The MoMA 13 years ago.

Lifestyling by Maria Gabriela Brito

Have you ever purchased artwork on line?
Yes, from different sites around the world.

What’s hanging on your walls at home?
Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, Assume Vivid Astro Focus, Flavia Da Rin, Faile, Mark Bradford.

What would our readers be surprised to know about you?
I love pop music from the 80s!

Elizabeth I, 1966 by Gerhard Richter image: Tate.org

Organized by the Tate Modern in London, the exhibition (next on display in Paris this summer) spans almost five decades and is a major retrospective that groups together significant points in the timeline of his impressive career.

Abstract Painting, 1990 by Gerhard Richter image: Tate.org

The Tate describes Richter as, “…known for the diversity of his approaches to painting. His practice can seem to be structured by various oppositions, with paintings after photographs countering abstract pictures; traditional still-lifes alongside highly charged subjects; monochrome grey works and multicoloured grids. Some paintings are planned out and ordered; others are the result of unpredictable accumulations of marks and erasures. Even a single painting can seem contradictory, with some areas seeming gestural, and other parts almost mechanic.”

Abstract Painting (726) , 1990 by Gerhard Richter image: Tate.org

“The title of this exhibition, Gerhard Richter: Panorama, evokes the intention to look around at the range of Richter’s practice, discovering contradictions and connections, continuities and breaks. Each room is devoted to a particular moment of his career. While the focus is on painting, the exhibition also features glass constructions, mirrors, drawings and photographs.”

11 Panes, 2004 by Gerhard Richter

11 Panes, 2004 by Gerhard Richter

“Lovers of the epic beauty of Rothko, Twombly and Hodgkin will have much to enjoy, as will those who appreciate striking portraiture or the crystal-clear precision of photorealism.”

Abstract Painting (Skin) (887-3), 2004 by Gerhard Richter

Abstract Painting (Skin) (887-3), 2004 by Gerhard Richter

In addition to solo exhibitions in Paris, Beirut, Ecuador and Berlin this year, Richter ‘s work will be featured in group exhibitions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, the UK, Hong Kong, New Orleans, Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, and Maine.

Curtain, 2012 by Gerhard Richter Image: Gerhard-Richter.com

Get out there and get to know a living legend of the fine art world, Gerhard Richter!

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If you haven’t heard about Pinterest yet, take a few minutes today to check it out. As lovers of all things visual, especially original art, we naturally love the site.  In the words of Pinterest:

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Best of all, Zatista is pleased to announce we’ve got some great boards going where we regularly post a selection of the amazing works on the site.

So head over, check out Pinterest and follow our boards!

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer on Wikipedia.org

Face it; reproductions in books or online are no match for viewing original artwork in person. With a nod to the recent popularity of “bucket lists,” here is my personal short list of seven paintings to see before you die. What’s on your list?

1. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, 1665
At 18.5” x 15.7”, this work is relatively small but demonstrates Vermeer’s mastery of light and figure. It is currently located at the Mauritshuis in the Hague.

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch on Wikipedia.org

2. The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, 1510-1515
Not much is known about the artist, but this triptych is one of Bosch’s most famous and most recognizable works. It is located in Madrid at the Museo del Prado.

Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Francis Bacon on Wikipedia.org

3. Study after Velazquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Francis Bacon, 1953
This dark and haunting portrait is one of 45 works done in the 1950s and 60s which were influenced by Diego Velazquez’s portrait of Pope Innocent X. View it at the Des Moines Art Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse on Wikipedia.org

4. The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, 1888
Based on a scene from Lord Alfred Tennyson’s 1832 poem bearing the same name. Located at The Tate Gallery, London, England.

Braids by Andrew Wyeth on Wikipedia.org

5. Braids by Andrew Wyeth, 1979
Part of The Helga Pictures, a group of 247 studies that the artist did of the German model Helga Testorf. Most of the paintings were purchased by millionaire Leonard E.B. Andrews in 1986.

Madonna by Edvard Munch on Wikipedia.org

6. Madonna by Edvard Munch, 1894
One of the five versions of the Madonna painted between 1894 and 1895. This version was stolen from the Munch Museum of Oslo in 2004 but was later recovered and remains there to this day.

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper on Wikipedia.org

7. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, 1942
At The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois since its completion in 1942, this painting not only displays Hopper’s love of extreme perspective and effects of light, but also his deep sympathy for the unique scenes and characters of New York City.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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Fish Waterecolor Original Painting by Liat Koren on Zatista.com

Not all works of art end up being large or on a grand scale. In fact, some of the most effective and deftly crafted works are considered small or even miniature. Some artists who mostly work in larger formats like to challenge themselves with the occasional small piece as a change of pace or a study for future work, while some are perfectly content working on that smaller scale from start to finish. Most artists will agree that any change of perspective can be refreshing and inspiring to their process.

A Bacchante by Jacques Jean-Baptiste Augustin on wikipedia.org

One of the finest examples of working small is the portrait miniatures that were popular in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. In the days before photographs, these miniatures were a perfectly compact means of carrying around the likeness of a loved one, family member, or friend. Some of the most stunning examples are in watercolor or on copper or ivory, and are as valued and visited in museum collections worldwide as more expansive and imposing works.

Still Life With Apple and Lemon by Livia Mosanu on Zatista

From the point of view of the casual collector, smaller works might be sought out for a number of reasons, among which limitations in living space and budget come first to mind. They can also be the perfect focal point in a tiny space or a subtle accent completing the décor of rooms already dominated by larger artworks.

African Sunset by Jean Lurssen on Zatista.com

Many contemporary art galleries now feature small works shows as part of their regular schedule of exhibits. These displays seem to challenge the belief that bigger is better, and, the way a whisper often commands more attention than a shout, invite the viewer to slow down, narrow their attention and engage in a more intimate exchange. The big picture is great, as they say, but sometimes it can be rewarding to think small.

Balancing Act by Pamela Sweda on Zatista.com

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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Houston, TX by Theron Murphy

It’s the newest craze that’s sweeping the Internet. It’s Maddie On Things!

17 March 2012 by Theron Murphy

Billed as a “super serious project about dogs and physics” (do I detect a note of sarcasm here?), this blog is a traveling show of sorts. Maddie’s owner, photographer Theron Humphrey, will be hitting all 50 states over the next 365 days with his noble hound in tow.

Austin, TX by Theron Murphy

How he gets Maddie to balance the way she does, is what I want to know. I mean, the photos are gorgeous and she is certainly adorable, but come on man, out with the secret. I have a giant coonhound of my own, and he won’t balance on our kitchen floor for long. In the blink of an eye he’s on his side, jowels flapping everywhere, howling in his sleep. I even tried to show him this website, but he just passed out next to me on the couch.

Cedar Creek, TX by Theron Murphy

Austin, TX by Theron Murphy

I digress, but you can follow Maddie’s incredible adventures at maddieonthings.com.

Tulsa, OK by Theron Murphy

Okesa, OK by Theron Murphy

What type of photography captures your attention these days? We may not have Maddie, but we have lots of great images here on Zatista!

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Image: Collider.com

Via SF Gate

Ralph McQuarrie, the artist and illustrator who brought George Lucas‘ Star Wars script to life, passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. He will be remembered as a pioneering collaborator, one of the first illustrators to work widely with filmmakers, giving shape to their words and vision.

Image: movieline.com

Lucas credits McQuarrie’s images for landing him a production deal for the Star Wars series with 20th Century Fox. After first being turned down by United Artists and Universal, Lucas hired him to draw the martian landscapes, super villains and hyper-futuristic spacecraft that made the films famous. Everything from Darth Vader‘s mask to Boba Fett’s helmet and C-3PO’s golden skin began with a stroke of McQuarrie’s hand.

Image: thesuperficial.com

The artist went on to work extensively in the movies, eventually contributing to the production of other classics including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T. He and a cast of collaborators also won an Academy Award for their work on the 1985 film Cocoon.

Image: wharferj.wordpress.com

As a member of the generation that grew up with his drawings all over everything from our bed sheets to our underwear, I can attest to McQuarrie’s powerful ability to capture the imagination. I’m sure the global creative community is mourning the loss and light of his artistic talent.

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Impossible Beauty of Water by SUZ Shippey on Zatista.com

As seasons change this month, one of the first obvious signs is the shift from the icy colors of winter to the warmer tones of spring. Just looking up at the sky is a reminder of all the different blues there are, from the palest to the deepest, and our reactions and associations that vary accordingly.

Andante con Brio by Sharis DeJaynes on Zatista.com

Even without knowing that scientific research has confirmed the calming effect of the color blue, most of us have experienced the serenity of gazing up at cloudless sky, out at a body of water, or into a cluster of bluebells or blueberries. It continues to be a popular choice when deciding the color schemes of workplaces and homes.

Lady Barbara by Douglas Hoover on douglashoover.com

Throughout history, blue has had many connotations both visually and linguistically. Classic and contemporary artists have found inspiration in its many moods and effects. One thing is common to all – blue makes a statement and an impression not soon forgotten.

A Bigger Splash by David Hockney on Wikipedia.org

Artists as diverse as David Hockney with his clean iconic poolside images, and Van Gogh with his haunting night skies, have conveyed the power of blue. Painters of coastal themes, such as Edward Hopper, have made use of the seemingly inexhaustible palette of blues from sky to water, to shadows, to the structures and characters typical of a maritime scene.

Anthropométrie Sans Titre (ANT 30) http://www.yveskleinarchives.org/

French artist Yves Klein even had a tone of blue named after him when he was the first to mix and use a unique and dramatic shade of Ultramarine. His works in this shade remain among his most compelling and recognizable.

Going Home by Konnie Kim on Zatista.com

So, next time the weather allows for a long walk outdoors, or even if you are indoors, have a look around at all the different blues around you. Then let us know – what’s your favorite shade of blue and why?

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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NIMBUS II: Artist Berndnaut Smilde creates indoor clouds. Photo: Berndnaut Smilde

Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde really has his head in the clouds. Specifically, he’s deep in thought, wondering how to create clouds indoors. As these pictures show, he’s gotten pretty good at it.

Photo: Berndnaudt Smilde

So, how does he manage to trap one of nature’s most magical amalgamations? Well, he doesn’t – not really – although he does come close. Smilde uses a smoke machine to create the fluffy white stuff, but that’s where the challenge begins.

Photo: Berndnaut Smilde

From there, he has to very carefully manipulate the temperature and humidity in the room where his work is displayed. When done correctly, the clouds hang in place, part performance, part ethereal sculpture. With a little back light for effect, they transform any space, although the artist is careful to choose venues that emphasize the dramatic associations that go along with bringing weather indoors.

Low Lying Clouds by Scott Spencer on Zatista

While Zatista is indeed awesome, we can’t send you clouds. We can, however, send you awesome paintings of clouds. If owning a painting is more up your alley than owning a cloud, then check out our clouds today. They’re heavenly!

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