Google Doodles

The creative doodles on the Google homepage always delight but one only sees a small sample as they are unique to your home country. Follow this link to view the 2012 Google Doodles from around the world to see what you have been missing out on.  

Graphic Design - Now In Production At Hammer

Yesterday I got to visit the Hammer Museum at UCLA to see the Graphic Design - Now in Production exhibit.  Wow, what a wonderful show.  The show reviews and exhibits graphic works that are pure inspiration.  The show ranges from typography to new media and everything in between.  Curated by Andrew Biauvelt from the Walker Art Center and the wonderful Ellen Lupton from the Cooper-Hewitt, they hit a home run in pulling together the wide range of work that we create and presenting in a compelling and informative manner.  

The show runs at the Hammer until January 6, 2013 so you still have time to take it all in.  Make sure you get the catalog from the show which includes articles that are sure to get you thinking.

Happy Gross Day

(The Gross Clinic)

Today marks not only 12/12/12 but also the last "special" Gross Day for a hundred years.  A gross is defined at a dozen dozen, 12 x 12 =144, thus today 12/12 is being declared Gross Day by myself.  I know many fellow Gross' have had their name picked on while growing up but today is our day! Gross Day is a day to remember the many famous and not so famous Gross' out there.  Those that have and continue to make this a better place.  So today I would like to remember Samual D. Gross, a surgeon from Philadelphia who is immortalized in a Thomas Eakins' painting of him in his clinic and has a statue.  This makes him famous in my book.  So say Happy Gross Day to those you know and to those who are fellow Gross'.

World Famous Bush Man

Today's Friday Funny is the World Famous Bush Man from San Francisco. If you have never experienced this gentleman at the Fisherman's Wharf area, put it on you list for a future visit. After doing this since the 1980's, it maybe the longest running performance art going. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Inkling by Wacom

This may just change how we work! Inkling by Wacom is a new system that lets you draw with a "magic" ink pen then download you images to your computer at a later time in vector or bitmap formats. You have to click on the video to experience what it will be able to do. The expected retail price is around $199 and if it works like it shows will be well worth the investment.

Denver Art Museum - DAM Fine Art

A visit to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) was pure joy to the heart and soul. I expected to see an amazing work of architecture by Daniel Libeskind for the Hamilton Building and it was. What I did not expect was the fine collections housed in the Denver Art Museum. The collection had a strong emphasis on Western art from historical to modern. The museum showcased a nice collection of classics and contemporary works. The museum dedicates several areas to design and furniture and is home to the AIGA collection. The design areas are well displayed and reminds me of a visit to the MOMA. A nice surprise are "reading / exploration rooms" throughout the museum. These spaces allow you to relax and look at a book about the subject you just viewed. The museum is also very children friendly with actives and exhibits just for them. The Denver Art Museum was a pleasant surprise just East of the Rockies with a collection that will fill your needs and inspire. When you are in the Denver area, you must put the Denver Art Museum on you must see list. You will love this happy surprise of an art museum.

Shea Hembrey - How I became 100 Artist

Have you ever said to yourself, "I know I can do better." Shea Hembrey, an artist from Arkansas, did so and made his own BiAnnual Art Exhibit made up of works of art he created with 100 artist he invented. The TED talk is humorous and has some great work showcased. The talk makes one wonder about all that is the "art world" and how silly it actually is at times.

Letters by van Gogh

We all think of Vincent van Gogh for his paintings but taking a look at his life really helps to express his passions and motives. A website van Gogh's Letters - Unabridged has posted Vincent's writings in a searchable format. Included with the letters are sketches that van Gogh completed. If you are looking for some summer reading this is a site worth the bookmark. Enjoy.

Illustrated Type - Gallery Nucleus

Gallery Nucleus has an outstanding show of Illustrated Type running through June 6th at 210 East Main St, Alhambra CA. The show features work by Ed Fella, Jessica Hische, and Takashi Iwasaki among others. So if you are here in the LA area click here to get further info on hours or to make a purchase online.

Red Storm Rising - Soviet Art

Today marks 50 years since a man first went into space. On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin took off aboard the Vostok 3KA-3 rocket and became the first man to enter space and to orbit the earth. The USSR made it to space first.

The USSR was proud of their state and its accomplishments such as Yuri's trip to space. The Soviet era brought about a great period of poster/propaganda art. This design style has become symbolic of the times and was inspired by the times. To read further on Soviet Art check out this link.

Here is to 50 more years of space exploration and all the good that comes out such programs.

Map Collages by Matthew Cusick

Matthew Cusick is a graduate at Cooper Union that took his artistic skills and blended it with maps to make these amazing images. See more great images at this link at Top Design Magazine. Great work, fun and creative use of found maps and artistic expression.

(via Top Design Magazine)

Small Art, Really Small

How small is too small when it comes to a work of art? Dalton Ghetti creates miniature masterpieces on the tips of pencils. Yes that is right, the tips of pencils. Dalton, who works as a carpenter, has been making his tiny graphite works for about 25 years and recently shown them at several shows. The detail and patience to create such miniature works is amazing. To read more about this craftman / artist, visit this link at OddStuffMagazine.com.