Cosmic Animated Gifs From Ignacio Torres

Texan photographer Ignacio Torres  now lives in New York city. His work explores youth, identity and scientific theories through the use of photography, animated gifs and video. His most recent work 'Stellar' is based around the idea that humans are made of cosmic matter as a result of a stars death.

These pictures are not digitally enhanced, instead Ignacio used dust and reflective confetti to create the impression of celestial galaxies.

Table Beggar by Loose Fit - Music Video

I'm clearing out my drafts after being away for a while (yet again) and came across this beauty. A stunner of a music video by London-based director/animator Abbie Stephens (this is her first music video!! OMFGHERTALENTMAKESMESICKINMYMOUTHWITHRAGE) So you now it wasn't a walk in the park the making of is below.

Making of the video:

The Craft Off - Event

I haven't updated for ages because I have been a bit busy moving house and ting, but now have the perfect excuse to start again:

This Sunday the gorgeous people at Spinsters Emporium and MerriMaking are joining forces to host a fabulously fun and seriously creative night of competitive crafting. The Craft Off takes place from 7pm at The Malt Cross, Nottingham.

Expect live music, drinking, dancing and general frolocking in a jungle of decorations. As for the crafting, they are keeping the competition brief secret until the night. But the Jungle theme suggests rain forests, giant snakes, birds of paradise, tigers, man eating flowers, sunshine Gods, totem poles, Tarzan, monkeys and more.

All craft materials are provided and there are prizes up for grabs including:
Merrimaking hoods
Spinsters Emporium goodies
Home-baked cakes
Twisted Hearts Club tickets
More T.B.C

If you don't live in the Nottingham area, don't be sad! Check out Spinsters Emporium and MerriMaking websites for lots of gorgeous creative goodies and wonderfully unique Christmas gift ideas.

The event is £5 to working folk, £4 with student card!

Buy tickets here and here.

Richard Burbridge, Maurizio Anzeri & Robbie Spencer for Dazed & Confused

A friend actually bought me this June 2011 Issue of Dazed and Confused when it first came out, she was so confident that I would be in love with this editorial and I absolutely am, it just took me ages to get it together to post it.

The shoot is a collaboration photographer Richard Burbridge, Italian artist Maurizio Anzeri and stylist Robbie Spencer.

Black and white photographs taken by amazing Richard Burbridge were embroidered by Maurizio Anzeri an artist who is best known for his series of embroidered portraits made from photogrpahs found in flea markets. His work is spectacular trust me, but this editorial is something else.

English National Ballet Design Competition

So there isn't long left on this (just under 2 weeks) but if you are into ballet and like to draw, design, paint, crosstitch, photograph etc. etc. etc. then it could be for you.

The globally renowned English National Ballet is inviting artists to get creative and design the visual identity for ‘My First Sleeping Beauty’, the first in a series of classic ballets for children. The selected artwork will be displayed at the world premiere of ‘My First Sleeping Beauty’ in April 2012 and on marketing and promotional materials in the United Kingdom.

Participants may submit one design in JPEG or PNG format but must retain their original artwork should they be chosen as the winner. Designs submitted must incorporate the following:

• Title ‘My First Sleeping Beauty’
• Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) with dark hair
• A strong reference to ballet

The selected artwork will be produced and featured on 500,000 marketing and promotional materials, press advertisements in the United Kingdom and theatre websites for the ‘My First’ tour.

The winner will receive $2000 and will earn global exposure by having their artwork featured on English National Ballet’s website, their social media platforms and on CultureCritic.co.uk. The winner will also have the opportunity to design the visual identity for future ballets in the ‘My First’ series.

The winner (and one guest) will be invited to the world premiere of ‘My First Sleeping Beauty’ at the London Peacock Theatre in April 2012 (travel and accommodation in London are the responsibility of the winner).

Three runners up (as selected by English National Ballet and Gerald Scarfe) in addition to the highest voted artist will receive:

• Global exposure by having their designs featured on English National Ballet’s website, their social media platforms and on CultureCritic.co.uk
• $300 each

• Two tickets each to the world premiere performance of ‘My First Sleeping Beauty’ in London in April 2012 (travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the runners up and the highest voted artist)

So yeah, draw the picture, you might win a prize.

More details here.

Sue Blackwell - Artist

Su Blackwell is an artist and art director, working predominantly within the realm of paper.

She has worked for Nicole Farhi, Pilsner and O2 among others and I love the fairytale feel of her work. Find more amazing paper stuff here.

Arty Bollocks

I really could have done with this at art GCSE.

Go here to check it out: http://www.artybollocks.com/#ab

Derek Nobbs - Artist

Derek Nobbs draws 'dirty dead sailors' on heavyweight hot-press paper, giving it an aged look with all of the usual artist's vices; coffee, tea, whiskey, tobacco and tears.

I am really glad to have found his work because I think it is just amazing. Inspired by all that nature has to offer, his unique compositions create a wonderful spectacle around his sailors, who each seem to have their own individually intriguing personalities.

Eme - Artist

I really love this retro style street art from Spanish artist Eme which features nihilistic slogans in the pitch perfect vintage typography alongside characters that walk a flawless line between cutesy and sinister.