" If you're like me, you love art, but I believe you can only truly appreciate a piece once you see the hard work and numerous steps that went into making it. Speed paintings let you do just that. Speed paintings are sped up time lapses of an artist's work and have grown greatly in recent years thanks to video sharing sites like YouTube. Here's 5 Superb Speed Paintings to Inspire You Today."
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I'm going to start this entry off with an actual fast painting as opposed to a time lapse of one. I do this because this particular street artist does quick small paintings so well that they deserve some serious credit credit. He does in 2 minutes what most landscape artists cant even do given hours and all on a tiny piece of glass. Did I mention it's finger painting too?
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The first true speed painting in this list goes to a watercolor portrait just bursting with color and creativity. This is a well done portrait of a little girl that uses a minimalistic style to draw your attention to her eyes and the hues surrounding them. A quick, simple, and beautiful painting awaits you in the video to the right.
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Now here's a true character. I was a little hesitant about the payoff towards the beginning of the video but wow, it really pulls together towards the end. This is a beautiful 'high energy' painting of waves under a golden sky done in oils. I love pieces like this because not only did I get to watch a great painting, but I also picked up a few techniques along the way. By the end of this video you'll understand what I mean.
I aspire to be this man.
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If you've ever been a part of the painting world, you've no doubt heard of this next artist. Tim Gagnon is a painter who specializes in acrylics and offers more painting videos and tutorials than almost anyone else out there. All of his timelapse videos are mesmerizing, but I've chosen a particularly striking one for this feature. If you like this, check out all his other videos on YouTube!
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If there's anything I've learned from watching speed paintings over the years, it's that spray painters can achieve some seriously awesome effects very quickly. This video encompasses exactly what I mean: in a few minutes, smooth shading, clean shapes, and an aesthetic completeness are all created by this artist. It all looks so effortless. Now, I'm sure that it's the result of many years of practice and training, but it doesn't stop me from being jealous. Check out this amazing galactic endeavor.
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On a related side note, if you're a fan of art, check out my work as well!
"I've been a huge fan of the mystery genre all my life, so to kick off my movie/TV review series I figured there was no better place to start than there. Here I'll be featuring 5 not so well known mysteries that are worth a look; you may not have heard of them but they may pleasantly surprise you. I've tried to include a healthy mix of sub-genres, popularity, and release dates to give you the most comprehensive look into the world of mystery. Just in time for Halloween, here's my list of 5 mystery movies and shows you may have missed. "
Clue lands a top spot in this list because it's a genuinely great movie that no one seems to have ever heard of. This is a classic whodunit based on the board game that is oozing with goofy comedy and a cast of wonderfully played characters. Pop some popcorn this evening and treat yourself to this little gem. Already seen it? Watch Murder by Death for similar mysterious fun.
"Director Jonathan Lynn's board game-inspired campfest finds six colorful dinner guests gathered at the mansion of their host, Mr. Boddy -- who turns up dead after his secret is exposed: He was blackmailing all of them. With the killer among them, the guests and Boddy's chatty butler (Tim Curry) must suss out the culprit before the body count rises. Lesley Ann Warren also stars in this hilarious whodunit (filmed with three different endings)."
Sherlock is really the only reason 'and shows' was included in the title above. A BBC original show that's absolutely brilliant, Sherlock has been gaining a small cult following since the first season came out in 2010. It's basically all the classic Sherlock stories reworked and placed in modern day London, but very well executed and with a touch of comedy; check it out!
"This modern-day reboot of Sherlock Holmes has Arthur Conan Doyle's deductive genius moving through London as a Web-adept consultant to Inspector Lestrade and Dr. John Watson as an Afghan War vet who shares his Baker Street digs."
This was one of Hitchcock's greatest masterpieces of mystery. Sadly, this, and many other older movies like it are going unnoticed by my generation, and I believe the classics are works of art still worthwhile to everyone. To relive a classic, or to discover a new favorite, check out the links above.
"Director Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of double-cross and intrigue stars Ray Milland as former tennis champ Tony Wendice, who concocts a plan to kill his rich but unfaithful wife (Grace Kelly), who's embroiled in a liaison with a writer (Robert Cummings). When Tony's plans go awry, he improvises a second act of deceit, but the entire bloody affair turns out to be far messier than he expected. John Williams plays a sly Scotland Yard inspector."
I'll warn you right off the bat, Gosford Park is one of those movies where you have to put in a bit of effort to get the full experience. It's very heavily an English film and has many undertones and subplots that one might not catch if not paying enough attention. It is because of this, I believe, it has always received mixed reviews, but I believe it's a worthwhile mystery endeavor the next time you have a couple extra hours on your hands.
"A weekend hunting party at the home of Sir William McCordle turns into a murder mystery when the host is found dead. This witty whodunit follows the subsequent investigation from the perspectives of the guests and their servants."
Is that Samuel L. Jackson as a fine violin connoisseur? You bet it is. I'll admit, this is the first thing that drew me into this french film, but what lies beneath that initial appeal is a wonderful and elegant mystery film. The Red Violin attracts tons of critical acclaim, but still isn't that well known despite being out for 14 years. Do yourself a favor and embark on this melodious mystery tonight.
"When the long-lost "red violin," a rare instrument crafted during the Italian Renaissance, shows up at a modern auction, it reveals its mysterious history -- and the lives of its previous owners -- in a series of flashbacks spanning three centuries. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as a curious connoisseur in this acclaimed production that won an Oscar for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film."
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{ Do you agree with these selections? Do you have future little known movie suggestions? Let me know in the comments below! }
In today's art world there's an absolutely daunting amount of artists out there and it can be hard to discover new favorites. Each Friday I put together a list of 5 quality artists that caught my eye the week before so I can pass my discoveries on to you. Here are the artists for this week:
Beautiful watercolor paintings and prints abound. Subject matter is usually avian in nature. Amber's Etsy store features over 14 pages full of unique art work and enough adorable creatures to satisfy anyone. If you're a nature lover of any kind, check out this amazing collection.
Pixie Cold is another incredible watercolor-style artist, but she also features original makeup looks that reflect the same artistry found in her paintings. If you like expressive and colorful paintings as well as some of the coolest face-painting you've ever seen, check out Pixie Cold.
Ann Marie Bone is someone I've been looking up to ever since I began doing landscape paintings. She specializes in ultra-colorful oil landscapes that are sure to catch anyone's eye. Check out her site above!
The Poppy Tree is a store that contains some of the most adorable characters I've seen in recent history. Kelly Ann sells prints of her wide-eyed original paintings through her Etsy page and they're definitely worth checking out.
Last but not least we have some seriously beautiful black and white paintings and sketches by Lauren Gray. A lot of her pieces pair sketched-feeling paintings with wood grain and it works together quite nicely. To see more work like this, click the link above.
If you're like me, you seem to put off buying a costume for Halloween until the last possible minute every year. With only 6 days left, it's certainly looking like that time of year again, and to save you all the hassle and extra cost that usually comes with last minute costume shopping; here's a list of 8 surprisingly good looking, online, Halloween costume ideas!
Simply click the images to go to the products. I only included costumes /accessories with available rush shipping for your last minute needs!
A huge shopping list of all my favorite last minute Halloween costumes and accessories is included at the very bottom. Don't forget to go through to the very end!
Alice in Wonderland is one of the most unique and prolific Disney movies to date, and serves as a perfect theme for a macabre filled night. For this category I've found two unique spins on the classic children's tale. The first is a female version of the Mad Hatter character, complete with hat and all. It's a maddeningly fun costume for anyone not afraid to stand out come next week. The second is a dark version of the main character Alice. This costumes serves as a perfect one for Halloween night, as it pairs well with very dark - even dead - makeup and accessories. To view these costumes and others like them, click either picture above.
Sexy nurses are no strangers to halloween parties. For this list I've first chosen a playboy branded nurse costume. Wheteher or not you find the logo tacky, there's no denying that playboy produces some of the highest quality pre-packaged costumes out there right now, and this is why I chose it. You can be assured that the corset has structure and the cuts are flattering in this white eye-catcher. For the second costume, I found perhaps the strangest themed costume yet... sexy rehab counselor? That aside, this costume is a flattering slim black dress with red nurse accouterments abound. You might say this costume is... addicting? I'm done. To view these and other costumes like them, click either picture above.
I don't know that anything is more quintessentially 'Halloween' than the classic witch costume. Long, dark, and flattering to many shapes and sizes, the witch costume has long been a go-to for women all over the world. The first witch costume I picked has a more elegant and detailed vibe than traditional ones. A beautifully adored hat tops features like mesh arm coverings and filigree patterning. The second costume is more of a traditional one, but includes detailing around the bust, shoulders, and arms that will make it especially flattering to anyone who wears it. To view these and other witch costumes, click either of the pictures above.
Vampires have long been lurking in the shadows of our Halloween visions, but in recent history they've taken a popular turn. Thanks to media like 'Tru Blood' and the 'Twilight' series, vampires are action-packed sex objects that have character depth we've never seen before. Gone are the days of Count Dracula and here are the days of striking men saying 'Sookie' in a strong hushed voice. Here, I've picked two more traditional and elegant looking vampire costumes, but to give your costume a more modern twist, check out my recommended accessories tab below and buy some fangs to wear with an everyday outfit. To view these costumes and others like them, click either picture above.
Most people use Halloween to masquerade as a unique human profession or a famous person, but why not break the species barrier? Probably my favorite costume of 2012 falls under this category and it's a peacock outfit. The second costume featured is the classic tuxedo bunny look. Both of these costumes are made by Starline, which is a company owned by Trashy Lingerie (who make the highest quality lingerie and costumes on the market despite the name, just far too expensive for this list. If you like to drool or have extra money, check them out!). As such, these two are a little bit pricier, but you definitely get what you pay for here. Plus they're not a quarter as expensive as their 'Trashy' counterparts. I've owned Starline decorative corsets like the ones above in the past and I guarantee you won't find a most structured or detailed costume company anywhere for the price. To see these and other wild animal outfits, click either of the pictures above.
And now we arrive at the pirates. It seems pirate costumes for Halloween have grown to be the most popular choice recently for both genders. Still, it's hard to find a female pirate costume that isn't baggy around the midsection and actually seems to be designed with curves in mind. Above are two awesome and detailed lady-pirate costumes that you're sure to look great in and even shiver some timbers with. Although the red costume is more affordable, the costume on the left has much more detail and better materials for those willing to spend a little extra. Either way you'll soon be prepared to sail the high seas in these swashbuckling costumes! To view these and other pirate costumes, click either picture above.
Not all Halloween characters in the service industry are french maids. Clicking through to either of the costumes above, you'll find a variety of women who are in the business of serving others that you may not have considered. The first costume I chose is another Starline selection, and, again, this brand is worth the extra money in any category. This particular outfit is a cigarette girl who is a reminder of service professions long gone. The second costume IS a french maid, but I tried to pick one with the best detailing and fit. Pair either one of these with sexy patent pumps and fishnets and you're set for a sexy evening. To view these or any costumes like them, click either image above.
Men's costumes often get overlooked in lists like this, so I wanted to reserve the last spot for the guys out there. The first one I chose is a Top Gun jumpsuit and all you need to throw this look together is a pair of aviators and a popped collar. Every man has probably had the fantasy of someday running around in this suit, so why not make it happen this Halloween? Additionally, this suit is available in women's and kid's sizes too for matching family fun. The second costume is a good pair with any of my lady-vampire costumes, and is one of the best deals on this list at under $30 for it all. Additionally, I've thrown in lots of guys/kids costumes in the Halloween products I've chosen for the box below because I know that two slots just doesn't do them justice. To view these costumes or similar ones, click either picture above or see the box below.
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{Even more well reviewed costumes and accessories! : }
We all love the rush of doing scary things, watching scary movies, even reading scary books, but no spooky experience is more immersive than the one found in video games. Gaming includes a full range of sights and sounds to set the scary environment, but also make the player an active participant in the horrible events that unfold. Here's my list of 5 terrifying games perfect for this Halloween season.
Released in early 2011, Amnesia is a game that's quickly gained vast internet popularity due to its terrifying gameplay. The user plays a character named Daniel, who is suffering from a self-induced case of amnesia. Daniel must follow the clues he's left himself to make his way through the monster filled castle he's woken up in before it's too late. To figure out this deep mystery and complete the game, the player must face their fears and move through the castle to complete a series of exploration based puzzle games. This game is made especially horrible by its combat system, or lack thereof. The user is not given any way to fight the creature that patrols the castle and is left only with the option to try to hide from it whenever it approaches. All and all, Amnesia's sound effects, visual distortions, deep story line, and unique monster combat make it one of the scariest games to date. Don't believe me? Here's some gameplay footage of someone playing it for the first time >
Penumbra is an older game from the same people who brought you Amnesia, so you know it's going to be good. This story starts off where the first game, Penumbra Overture, leaves off. Protagonist Philip wakes up in a locked room of an underground research facility and must use logic and solve exploration puzzles to navigate his way out of the room. Once outside he realizes that the ruins of the old facility go much deeper than he anticipated and are much deadlier than he could have possibly imagined. Although the story line isn't quite as polished as Amnesia, intriguing puzzles and plagued lab workers are enough to distract you from its shortcomings. Here's a trailer to give you a better idea of what I had to go through for the sake of research >
Slender has recently been gaining a lot of attention online as being one of the scariest games in recent history. This psychological horror game is based on the legend of Slender man (Read here if you dare) and lands the user in the middle of a vast forest at night with nothing but a slowly depleting flashlight. The Forest consists of 10 landmarks scattered about that the user must venture to in order to find each of the 'eight pages'. Did I mention? The only other living thing in the woods is Slender Man and he is bound and determined to find you and stop you from getting those pages. This game is fairly short and consists of the player collecting as many pages as he or she can before Slender Man closes in. Can you get all 8? I couldn't. The sound and lighting effects make this game truly horrifying and it's an experience you have to try if not just for the bragging rights. Here's a trailer before you try to play the full game >
Video games not your thing? Stay tuned for my post on 5 Netflix instant horror movies for horrifying fun on Halloween night!
"We're all constantly searching for ways to make life easier, and the internet is a great place to research how to do just that. Whether you could use some shortcuts in the kitchen or tips on how to easily improve your look, I've found 5 great life hack collection videos for everyday tasks below. Each video is short enough to keep your attention, but information packed enough that you'll probably have to pause a few times to write things down. By the end of these videos I hope you'll leave a more informed and productive individual. Without further ado, here's 5 life hack [collections] that you should probably know "
1.Enhancements in the laundry room-
-This video shows how to revolutionize the way you fold and hang your laundry. Lots of useful tips here for anyone from laundry-doing novices to seasoned professionals.
2. General basic life hacks; household and cleaning-
-This video includes tips on various tasks that most of have to face at many points in our lives. From cleaning to general household shortcuts, I'm very glad I found this video. Be sure to check out parts 2 and 3!
3. Hacking your kitchen life and cooking skills-
-This video features a ton of tips and tricks for working your way around the kitchen. It also includes life hacks for various cooking skills you thought you had mastered. I'm loving the suction cup for appliance cords!
4. Innovative tips for makeup and skincare-
-This video has a whole assortment of different tips for spicing up your makeup routine and taking better care of your skin. I've been using the asprin one for a long time; a great tip!
5. How to do any hairstyle with just your flat iron-
-Waves, curls, and crimps, oh my! This video gives an in-depth description of how to style your hair in various ways... using just your flat iron. These tips are great for anything from quick and elegant curls to that classic beachy wave look. I'm definitely trying some of these myself!
And there's 5 life hacks you should probably know. Do you feel more knowledgeable? Get out there and put some of these tips to use!
