NOW I'M REALLY IN LOVE

MUST SEE ARTIST: Mugwort

It's graphic artists like Issac Mills aka Mugwort of Mugwort Designs that make me sit back and my seat and say "Damn."

Click on the pictures provided in this blog and really look at the detail put into them.  I mean come on!! I came upon Mugwort while surfing for vector images as I was in need of inspiration (I'm a graphic designer) to create some cool new graphics.  Looking at Mugworts graphic art in only black and white vector even makes me think, "Do I really want to do this?" HA!

It's inspiration though and while I may never obtain this level of artistry it is most definitely cool to see that someone has.

Now I need to buy one of Mugworts shirts... Trying to make money not spend it people.  Enjoy and don't forget to support!

DAILY MESSAGE

NATURAL LIVING: Salt Dough Keepsakes

Although this came to me as a DIY footprint stepping stone, I've found several useful ways that this salt dough recipe can be used for natural, easy and fun crafts.

Use it to make stepping stones every year with your children or perhaps personal Christmas ornaments! Let your imagination go wild and please share what you come up with!

Salt Dough recipe:

1 cup salt

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup warm water

Directions:

1. Mix together into a large bowl. 
2. Knead until smooth and stretchy. 
3. If dough remains sticky and granular from the salt add a bit more flour.   
4. If too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water. 

NATURAL LIVING: Easy Kid's Paint

Here's an easy way to make non-toxic paint for your kids!

Easy Kid's Paint Recipe
1 cup salt
1 cup flour
1 cup water
Add food coloring to desired shade

DAILY MESSAGE

"Don't Compare Your Beginning to Someone Else's Middle" - Jon Acuff

MUST SEE ARTIST: Dmitriy Samohin

I think we've all seen the "oops" tattoos online that usually involve a portrait gone awry.   Ukrainian tattoo artists, Dmitriy Samohin is the antithesis to a bad portrait tattoo.  He has become known as one of the best tattoo artist in the world in a relatively short amount of time (10+ years) considering the reputation that he holds and the fact that he's completely self-taught!

Enjoy a few of his extremely realistic pieces below and if you "like" what you see, click that button on his Dmitriy's facebook page in support and check out more of his amazing pieces.

 

 

Short Film: Dmitriy Samohin Tattoo Artist

 

MUST SEE ARTIST: M a n j e

While searching pinterest for mermaid art for my newborn daughter's nursery, I fell in love with this photo.  My husband and I are both musicians and I'd love to have a piece like this for our daughter who's name will be Aria, means "song."

 No artist credit was given so I put on my internet stalker hat until I finally came across Maldivian artist, M a n j e.

This piece, a commission, uses a medium of acrylics and sharpies, finished with matte fixative.  While I won't be seeing this particular guitar anytime soon, it has definitely inspired a DIY project.  Now, I just need to acquire another guitar and some patience!

While M a n j e is well known for her fantasy art, I was very impressed with the detail in her pencil portraits.  Click on the image for a larger more detailed version:

     

As always, please support this artist by "liking" her facebook
You can also follow M a n j e on the artist website, DeviantArt.com

MUST HEAR MUSIC: The Shook Twins

"Hauntingly beautiful" my first thought in hearing the The Shook Twins.  I was so taken aback by their talent that I immediately went to share them with everyone I know in the Northwestern states. Although, I'm not quite sure of all the dates of their tour (check out one of their pages for more info) those in Seattle should know that they'll be playing the Tractor Tavern in Ballard on April 5th.  Please let me know if you go because by then I'll have experienced the birth of my daughter, Aria and most likely won't be able to attend.  I'd love to live vicariously through those who are able to go!

"The Shook twins are identical twin sisters originally from Sandpoint, Idaho. They play banjo and guitar with beatboxing, looping, whistles, wawa pedals, tambourines and djembes intertwined. Their identical, chilling vocal harmonies take the lead on most of their unique, quirky folk songs. “The sisters’ voices blend and braid with amazing clarity and depth, their guitars percolate brightly, and the intensity builds to incendiary proportions with layers of percussion gradually added to the mix.” -Spokesman Review (Spokane WA)

Although this isn't a live video, I wanted to share this song "Time to Swim" from their 2011 album "Window" which you can find at Amazon.com here.  I'll provide other links below as means to listen or find a show near you.

This second video is a little snippets of their tour, an interview with twins (and Kyle) talking about their adventures with the created genre "Quirky Folk," their start in music, and how they write, among other things set to their songs "Window" and "Rose."

As always, please support The Shook Twins by "liking" their facebook page and attending their shows.

• The Shook Twins Facebook
• The Shook Twins Website
• The Shook Twins YouTube

MUST HEAR MUSIC: Xavier Rudd

I'd also like to feature Australian artist, Xavier Rudd who you may have seen during a guest appearance with Medicine for the People at the Byron Spirit Festival, in my last post.

"A multi-instrumentalist, world class surfer, animal rights activist and nature conservationist, Rudd’s widespread appeal transcends genres and categories, creating an atmosphere that Aquarian Weekly describes as “easy, feel-good listening that musically keeps you interested for its entirety.” His legendary live performances replete with his indigenous didgeridoos, has been hailed by About.com as a communal dance party that “takes almost no time for the crowd to start its bouncing, twirling, and all-out dancing.” 

Please enjoy the amazing didgeridoo groove in this song, "Lioness Eye."  Drumming is hard enough let alone playing several instruments and singing.

Xavier Rudd, is multi-talented.  Check out this acoustic version of his song "Bow Down." This was recorded by OurVinyl.com during the Texas leg of the "Spirit Bird" world tour.

As always, please support by "liking" Xavier Rudd's facebook page

You can find Xavier Rudd's 2012 album "Spirit Bird" here
and his official website here which includes all touring and show dates.

MUST HEAR MUSIC: Medicine for the People

Portland native band Medicine for the People is not just a "band" they are a movement and anyone can see why when they perform.

"Medicine for the People is a third year non-profit organization working with every kind of community imaginable to rekindle old traditions and spark the fire within the youth and elders to live their truth...Live by example. Live your truth. Sing loud. Be heard." -Medicine for the People WordPress

I've been moved beyond measure watching the freedom of expression that Medicine for the People exude.  As a musician, I've felt blocked lately... THIS is what I want to give to others.  The evocation of spirit through music.  They make it seems so easy and I suppose it should be, shouldn't it?

Another beautiful video featuring Nahko of Medicine for the People.

And lastly, Xavier Rudd joins Medicine for the People for a live performance at the 2013 Byron Spirit Festival, creating a truly remarkable moment while calling the spirits to the land.

As always, please support this amazing talent.  "Like" their Medicine for the People's facebook page for more information or here at Nahko.com which provides a free download.

MUST WATCH FILM: Graffiti Artists Vs. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Featuring artist MEAR ONE, who was introduced in a previous post, along with other graffiti artists in California (Vyal One, Werc, Griffin One, and Ernest Doty) standing against GMOs using their talent. Very informative and impressive video.

"We're literally just a science experience for them.  They're like, well, we're not really sure what it [GMOs] does so lets just feed it to them and make a few million dollars and in the end we'll figure out what works and what doesn't.  In the end they've already made their money."

Short Film: Graffiti Artists vs. GMOs

"Some of California's dopest graffiti artists -- Mear One, Vyal One, Werc, Griffin One, and Ernest Doty -- have created high-impact murals to raise awareness for the labeling of Genetically Modified" 

Facebook pages of featured artists:
(As always "like" to support!) 

• Mear One
• Vyal One
• Werc
• Griffin One
• Ernest Doty 

MUST SEE ARTIST: MEAR ONE

I came across artist MEAR ONE today.  Definitely someone to check out as his political graffiti and talent give much to think about.  Check out his facebook here to keep following.

"I am a story teller, a thinker and I use paint to express my thoughts first and foremost. I am a sculptor, a writer, and a lover of the experience that blesses us all as a gift, life." - MEAR ONE 

Back of a restaurant called "The Wood" in Culver City, CA

Fueled by Greed

Rise Up Humanity

Beware! America is dying to kill you, or get paid for every step you take

Lesser of Two Evils

 As this is a rather ambiguous painting, I'm including some of the posts from facebook that MEAR ONE posted himself to shed some light on his expression.  There were a lot of posts with many different interpretations as you might imagine. 

"I have an intention but I find your take[s] more intreaging. To get it you have to look deep into the language of art and symbolism. Enjoy and see what you will." 

"I'm talking about the corporate face that is a mask, everyone wears it at one point or another, metaphor." 

"So I believe the trick or the mystery behind door number 2 is the man behind the curtain. I like Obama but I recognize he is a puppet of a broken system. A two partied system. Democracy... sure more like NDAA. Wake up." 

"The meaning is how external forces play at a persons will till they are just a mask for what goes on behind the scenes."

"Revolution," 2012

Lastly, in dedication to his mother and women alike, he tributes this painting "Revolution" for International Women's Day (last Friday) and asks that his fans share this as their facebook profile picture in honor and celebration all month long.

"Join me today and all month long in celebrating the working rights, indeed human rights, of women everywhere by sharing "Revolution" as your new facebook profile picture."  

"Today, being International Women's Day, I am honoring the struggles my mother, and countless women around the world and throughout history have endured. I honor their greatness, beauty, and intelligence, paying them the respect that all human beings inherently deserve with my 2012 silk screen, 'Revolution.'"

You can find MEAR ONE'S facebook page here. 

As always,"like" him in support and keep following.