Although it’s certainly not the most practical accessory, I must admit I still checked to see if this life sized octopus backpack by Olga Kotova was for sale (it’s not…but I swear I would’ve had restraint!).
I’ve seen cutesy octopus bags before, but I admire her choice to throw caution to the wind and go for realism here.
Would you use this backpack just for the fun of it?
I’ve been looking at a lot of historical nautical maps lately. What maps lacked in accuracy 500 years ago, they sure made up for with extravagant design. I’d be pretty thrilled if this guy showed up on my GPS.
Sadly, it’s pretty clear that “solitudes” has a double meaning here.
I don’t think this is what she meant by “Calgon, take me away!”
Actually, he said you guys were more like acquaintances. Just sayin’.
Breathtaking…
DY-NO-MITE! Actual mites, I mean.
You mean cats can saw wood and build things while mine have been eating and sleeping all day? Freaking freeloaders.
Speaking of cats…
That new fertilizer did wonders for the harvest.
Ugh. One of those evenings.
This requires careful planning.
I stared at this for like five minutes in a futile attempt to decide which one is creepier.
How about some marvelous monsters and other strange goodies? Today I bring you the captivating creatures of Juan Jose Surace.
At least on my computer screen, these are showing up very small, so definitely click to enlarge. You don’t want to miss the details of these…aquatic bereaved.
…or this fellow.
Lisha’s Body Art is the work of Lisha Simpson. She paints some fantastic cut-out illusions on her own hand!
Yes, this is embroidery!
Meredith Woolnough sews intricate leaves, coral and other forms found in nature on her sewing machine with a special fabric that dissolves in water, leaving only the gorgeously fragile skeleton of the design.
I love the way she mounts them on a crisp white background to show the subtle shadows.
Nanami Cowdroy creates gorgeously detailed, lively monochromatic paintings.
Her pieces are whimsical, elaborate and imaginative, often combining mismatched elements.
She was born in Sydney, but has also been deeply influenced by her Japanese heritage. The magic happens where the two intersect.
From the artist bio:
Referring to Tokyo as “a big concrete mass,” she says she finds the lack of space and the size of its population ultimately incredibly inspiring. “What could be viewed as ‘ugly’ like tangled up power lines, cramped alleys and gritty streets, I feel has it’s own ‘raw’ appeal … as it’s not trying to cover up anything.”
In contrast, Sydney is her complementary muse and a fitting balance to the mega metropolis of Tokyo. “We’re lucky to have such great open spaces, and leafy areas in and around the city. It’s not that hard to find a place to sit down and take a break, or catch a breathe away from the concrete shadows.”
We also see fish and sea creatures recurring in her work. Cowdroy sees them as the ultimate embodiment of contrast; “elegant and quirky, delicate yet spirited.”
Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka were a German father and son glass sculpting team who created stunning, detailed biological models in the 1800’s.
As a child, Leopold was a apprenticed to a goldsmith and gem cutter. He then gained experience in the family business making glass ornaments and glass eyes, during which time he developed a technique which he termed “glass-spinning” (allowing highly precise works in glass).
His son Rudolph assisted him in making 131 marine invertebrate models in a single year (circa 1880), and after a great deal of effort and prodding by proprietor George Lincoln Goodale, their work ended up in the Harvard Botanical museum.
I wonder how many of these beauties are surviving today. These photos are taken from Guido Mofacio’s photography exhibit, on display at Hamilton’s Gallery until May 24th, 2016.
Let’s start with some sea inspired fashion…
And a gorgeous octopus ice sculpture:
A stunning still frame.
I like the way this woman thinks. Pizza will never break your heart.
A beautiful soul is made of rabbits.
Oh thank you, Rachel, for this…and your other invaluable contributions to this post.
I’m sure it’s happening somewhere…
Traveling in style.
I approve of this progression.
Yep, it’s a wig made of countless earbuds on strings…for people who want to have listening parties and don’t care about personal space.
Who remembers this?
All of my outfits are based on various diaphonized specimens. Fashion at its finest.
Just an Insta-Goodies post today, as I recover from an endoscopy…
This “tentacular” night light by Ibis and Orchid is cast in bonded marble, and is approximately 3″ x 6″. The product warning says it is not a toy and should be kept out of the reach of children (I don’t have kids, but they’d have to fight me for this thing).
I’ve never had a night light, but this makes me reconsider the idea of using one for decorative purposes.
You can buy it here if you don’t want to become a member just to browse the Ibis and Orchid catalogue.
SheWalksSoftly 