Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo

By Nichole Camarillo

Alright, not that I need any more reasons to indulge my thirst for liquor, but today I am DEFINITELY raising a glass to this woman. Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo. Thank you for everything you were, are, and will continue to be. <3

"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint."

"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality."

"I hope the leaving is joyful; and I hope never to return."

Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954

The Art of the Brick

By Nichole Camarillo

I'm sure everyone's had those moments where you're bored out of your mind, fed up to here, and contemplating dropping your job in true Half Baked fashion to follow your dreams. But not everyone's job is as dead end as our buddy Scarface there, and not everyone's dream is to...play with Legos? That's right. Lego artist, Nathan Sawaya, up and left his career as an attorney to pursue his Lego dreams full time. The result of such stupidity? Genius...

"The worst day in the art studio is still better than the best day in the law firm"

-Nathan Sawaya

[My personal favorite...]

Anyone that needs to see it to believe it can catch Nathan's work at Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum where it is currently on display. For more sculptures, shows, and tour dates please visit the artist's website.

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Take It To The Streets

By Nichole Camarillo

Whether it's a well written and thought out commentary on the social and political issues that litter our society, or a sudden burst of anger vented in the form of a million and one F bombs, most of us have something to say. Not many, however, actually have the balls to stand up and say it. Very few are willing to step out and shake things up, in hopes of sharing and conveying what it is they have to say. I think that's what's so intriguing about street art. A street artist is not only willing to step out and speak up, but they risk numerous penalties to leave their message out in the open for everyone to see and ponder. Peter Gibson, better known as Roadsworth, is one of those artists.

Peter's style is so subtle that it would be very easy to pass it off as something less than what it is. Especially since there are no words to accompany his visuals. But rather than push his own words, his art is more of an invitation to come about your own. His intention is not to impose his opinions, but to push back at the ones imposing on him. He states, "An open-ended quality of expression would lend itself better to interpretation and dialogue than the "FUCK BUSH" or "OIL=WAR" kind of language that is typical of a protester‘s placard and that I felt people had become desensitized to."

[My personal favorite, "Affordable Housing"] 

If you're interested in the full breakdown of what he does and why he does it, definitely check out his website, Roadsworth.com. You'll find much more of his work there, as well as a little insight to what each piece is about. Enjoy!

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Dropped

By Nichole Camarillo

Quick! What's the coolest thing you've seen paint do? Too late- K, Look at this...

Tell me that's not awesome. You can't. Well, you could, but then you'd be a liar. These photos were taken by photographer, Mark Mawson. Unimpressed with the mundane and repetitive slew of photos he had been seeing of ink in water, he thought to kick it up a notch. By experimenting with different paints and densities, Mark was able to bring a bit more body (and a lot more life) into the mix. It's incredible how much life and you can see in these photos. They're so full of energy and evoke so many thoughts and images. Which is actually one of things Mark loves about these photos.

"...People see different things in them and they can make their own mind up about what they look like. Comments I've had range from looking like jelly fish, sea creatures, alien worlds, old men even Jimmy Hendrix setting fire to his guitar."

Now, as much as I'd love to both embarrass myself and scare you guys, I think I'll leave my thoughts of what I see off the Freudian chopping block for today. I would love to know what you guys think, though. Your thoughts are always so much more sane. It's comforting. And for those of you who are as curious as I was to find out what it is the artist sees, I went ahead and got the juice for ya. Mark's favorite is the white drop (up toward the top of the photos) because it seems so pure and calming. What he sees in it is a strange jellyfish hovering above some strange cloud.

Big thanks to Mr. Mawson for taking a moment and answering some questions of mine. You can check out more photos from this set, titled 'Aqueous', and more styles from this artist on his website, MarkMawson.com. Enjoy!

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Porn VS Presidents

By Nichole Camarillo

Admittedly, I may not be the most patriotic person. Even the little things don't receive much enthusiasm from me. I don't like baseball. Apple pie creeps me out. I haven't seen a fireworks display in who knows how many Fourth of July's. I mean, even terrorists can get behind a colorful explosion, right? Right. My point is, even if you're coming to me with something I am interested in like, let's say... some paintings? But these paintings are of... hmm... United States Presidents, maybe? You have a time frame even Speedy Gonzalez couldn't break through, before my attention span has ran for the hills never to return. Yeah.

Having recently came across such presidential pieces and NOT running, I figured the least I could do is showcase them for you guys. Why did I not run, you ask? What is it about these paintings of our country's leaders that didn't bore me to death? Well, if your attention span is longer than mine, and you can think back to the title of this blog post, you may just have your answer. Ready? You're not ready. ...Okay, ready? On three. One... Tw-

I know, I know. I didn't count to three. Oh, and yes, you did just see Abraham Lincoln receiving fellatio. Creeeepy. The woman in the painting is the artist who painted it. Creepierrrr. Nevertheless, if there is anything that can sustain my flighty focus, twisted art and sex would definitely top the list. *shrug

Justine Lai's series of paintings entitled 'Join Or Die', are a collection of portraits of the artist in various sexual positions with United States Presidents (in chronological order). In these portraits, Justine hopes to "locate something intimate and mortal". So, if you haven't been keeping up, humanizing elite historical figures means you must have sex with them in your head and then show everyone what went down.
Aaand how! ;D

Sure to ruffle some feathers and raise some eyebrows, including herself in this vulnerable mess is Justine's way of playing a fair game.

Although the artist explains herself and her art very clearly, that doesn't make me want to call kinky power-trip any less. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with a kinky power-trip. I'm just saying... Call something what it is.

So, what do you think... Is the artist truly touching on her so-called 'playful', 'tender' and 'humanizing act' with these portraits? Or is she exploiting these men and their roles at all costs to resolve some of her own personal issues?

...Mmhmm. Well, either way... I enjoyed them. :)
For more in this series, or for more about the artist, please visit her website.

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More Interpretations

By Nichole Camarillo

In seeking out others art, I do not always look for art similar to mine. In fact, it's quite possible that I almost never do. Ha. I love to express myself through my own art. It is very much a release. So with that 'release' satisfaction filled through my own creations, I don't look to others art for a release... I look for an escape.

A simple, honest, beautiful escape.
And that is subjective to my own interpretations of those words, of course.
Well, just this morning I came across some lovely design and photos that offered up just that. Just thought to share...

These images were found on More Interpretations Flickr Photostream.
You can view the full collection available, here. Thank you. :)

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Polite Graffiti

By Nichole Camarillo

Kentucky artist, Ed Franklin, has been grinding daily for hours at a time, manifesting his artistic genius through found wood. He has been skillfully transforming these scourings into whimsical little creature creations. He then gives away these treasures in the utmost brilliant and playful style. That's right... a treasure hunt.

Every day this June, Ed Franklin has been masking these little bits of excitement throughout his home town of Lexington. Like, "polite graffiti," as he calls it. "It doesn't deface anything, but it's definitely there. It changes the way you see your environment ... without leaving a permanent mark."

Left with a photo and a clue, the enthusiastic treasure seekers go on the hunt for these darling gems that [once found] are then theirs to keep. No strings attached. Simply a fun game, amazing art, and a good old-fashioned attitude of finders-keepers. How... AWESOME!

Sadly though, as with all good things, this will also come to an end. 'A Doll A Day In June' has merely three days left. If you would like more info on Ed Franklin, more photos of these tiny masterpieces, or to possibly get one of the last three dolls left in the hunt... here are Ed Franklin's Facebook and Flickr links. Happy Hunting!

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