Photos You Won’t Believe Aren’t Photoshopped
But they aren’t. Before computers made photo manipulation a relative breeze, Sandy Skoglund created amazingly detailed studio sets.
Decades before Photoshop was available, American artist Sandy Skoglund started creating surrealist images by building incredibly elaborate sets, a process which took months to complete. Her works are characterized by an overwhelming amount of one object and either bright, contrasting colors or a monochromatic color scheme.
Born in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1946, Skoglund studied studio art and art history at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts from 1964-1968. Moving to New York City in 1972, she started working as a conceptual artist, dealing with repetitive, process-oriented art production through the techniques of mark-making and photocopying. In 1978, she produced a series of repetitious food item still life images.
Skoglund was an art professor at the University of Hartford between 1973-1976. She is currently teaching photography and art installation/multimedia at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
REVENGE OF THE GOLDFISH © 1981 Sandy Skoglund
THE COCKTAIL PARTY © 1992 Sandy Skoglund
RAINING POPCORN © 2001 Sandy Skoglund
A BREEZE AT WORK © 1987 Sandy Skoglund
THE GREEN HOUSE © 1990 Sandy Skoglund
SQUIRRELS AT THE DRIVE-IN © 1991 Sandy Skoglund
BREATHING GLASS © 2000 Sandy Skoglund
GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE © 1984 Sandy Skoglund
RADIOACTIVE CATS © 1980 Sandy Skoglund
BODY LIMITS © 1992 Sandy Skoglund
ATOMIC LOVE © 1992 Sandy Skoglund
CATS IN PARIS © 1993 Sandy Skoglund
THE COLD WAR © 1999 Sandy Skoglund
Source: mymodernmet.com
The Satirical Art of Paul Kuczynski – Stop and Think
I am a fan of great art, especially those expressing great satire like the works of Banksy. Recently I came across another amazing artist, Polish born Paul Kuczynski (Pawła Kuczyńskiego).
There are an immense amount of Paul Kuczinski’s images on capu.pl, but below you can see my favorites from that site. These images definitely make you think about your environment and what is really going on. Enjoy.
TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY, SEXY, POSITIVE, AND THRIVING RELATIONSHIP
It should be obvious that when we take care of ourselves our relationships will benefit, but sometimes we don’t always hear the message loud and clear. That’s why today we have relationship guide and counselor Janelle from Inward Oasis™ back with us today to share 8 Tips on How to have a Healthy, Atractive, Positive, and Thriving Relationship and starting from within is key…
Find Love in a Healthy & Thriving Relationship…
Life is full of changes. We move through our lives with hopes and desires. Yet, we often find ourselves unhappy, stressed and with a sense of feeling hopeless and undesirable. Wouldn’t it be an amazing and a wondrous experience to live life feeling healthy and Atractive? Instead of having that, many of us continue to wonder just how we are supposed to maintain positive attitudes and thrive in all of our relationships. We may not even be aware that positive thoughts are a golden key to thriving – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, sexually, and even financially.
Even when we are aware, this beautiful space that we encounter, occasionally, seems to evaporate as old patterns begin to re-invade our blissful state. Have you had this happen? You are filled with joy and excitement about life and about your partner. Then, suddenly the discord, the monotony, the “ho hum”, the trials and tribulations start showing up. You feel that just once you would really like to be in a relationship that fills you up instead of tearing you down. You want to just enjoy the relationship instead of having to work so hard to keep it strong and healthy.
This is understandable, but life is not a bowl of cherries. It is about love, but it is about growth – personal growth, spiritual growth. We cannot grow and expand if we do not experience any “growing pains.” Only we can judge when the pain is too much. No one else can tell us when it is time to walk away. No one else can tell us when we must stay either. At the same time, there are a number of things we can change. Now is this about changing your partner? No! We cannot change others unless they want to change, but we can change ourselves. When we do this we will uncover the joy and happiness within ourselves and not rely on anyone else to create this for us. Our change will affect us individually and it will also have a tremendous impact on those around us.
So, what are some key things you can do to change or do differently that will help you develop and then stay in a healthy, positive, lovely and thriving relationship?
1. Have love and compassion for YOU…
Imagine a time in your life when you were a child and experienced something that upset you. Now, imagine your adult self wrapping your arms around your child self. In your imagination, offer gentleness, an outpouring of love, and have deep compassion for your child self. Tell this part of you that everything is going to be all right – that she is loved. When you learn to do this for your inner child you can shift it and offer this same love and compassion for yourself as an adult today. This is not about being selfish. This is about loving and respecting yourself. The more you can love and have compassion for yourself, the more you will be able to do so for others.
2. Be Present with Your Partner and Others…
When you are with your partner really be with him/her. Pay real attention to what he/she has to say. Practice deep listening. Do not interrupt, change the subject or avoid conversation. Hear what he/she has to say. Put away the cell phone, turn off the television, shut off your computer and focus your attention on those around you. Show your partner and others that they are truly important to you.
3. Change the Words you Use…
Pay close attention to the words you choose to use. Do you use negative words? Do you call yourself or others “stupid” or “fat” or even “foolish? These are hurtful words to others and ourselves. Even when we use them in a joking tone, they carry negative energy. The energy we send out is what we are going to get in return. Do you want more stupid, fat, and foolish people around you? You can change your words. Try saying, “I do not feel as thin as I prefer to be in these clothes,” instead of “These freaking pants are too tight on my fat butt!”
4. Let Go of the Need to be Right…
This one can be challenging, but it is well worth all of the effort you may need to put into it. When you are discussing something with your partner or another person and you do not agree with them, what do you typically do? It is more common than not that we want to correct him/her, say he/she is wrong, and tell this person what we think is right. But, if you can stop and take some time to simply see it from the other person’s perspective, you may just be amazed at what will happen. For one thing, you are showing your partner or whoever that you value his/her perspective. And, it is possible that you might just shift your view a bit. If you don’t change your mind, that is okay – just be willing to respect and appreciate the differences between you and your partner.
5. Eat Healthier…
This may seem obvious, but sometimes we forget. Certain foods can make us feel heavy and bloated, or on the opposite end, some foods leave us feeling hungry and unfulfilled. No one can tell you exactly what we should eat. Everyone’s bodies are different. Therefore, you need to find a nutrition coach, a ayurvedic practitioner, or read up on various ways to have a healthier diet. Changing your diet can have a tremendous impact on your physical and mental health as well as your emotional health.
6. Exercise Regularly…
Yep. It is true. We need to be active. Our bodies are designed to move. They are not made to sit in front of a computer all day or become couch potatoes. It is important for all of us to be active in one way or another. This keeps the body younger, maintains higher metabolism and it keeps the mind younger too. Going through life in a body that is in shape also helps us feel more confident.
7. Connect to your Spirituality…
Our busy lives can often get in the way of noticing the beauty all around us. We trudge to work everyday without sensing or hearing the call of our soul. Your religious or spiritual beliefs are yours and you should follow what resonates with you. This is not about changing your beliefs. This is about paying attention to your Spirit and your Soul. This can be done in so many ways. Here are two simple ways 1) Take five minutes a day to just sit quietly with your eyes closed. Breathe in deeply and then slowly release that breath. Continue focusing on your breath throughout this break in your day. 2) Listen to your inner voice, your instinct, your gut. Those little ideas or thoughts that just pop into your head are often from your soul or spirit trying to get a message to you. Pay attention.
8. Mix-up your 6 Life…
Making changes in your 6 life with your partner can deepen the bond between the two of you and enhance your emotional as well as your physical intimacy. Trying new things, learning what each other’s desires are, and honoring one other through physical communication can have a profound impact. We suggest adding Atractive Challenges andIntimate Adventures: Sacred Ceremonies for Couples to your intimate life. You can rekindle or enhance your passion with the exciting scenarios shared in Atractive Challenges.
10 BEST CITY SKYLINES IN THE WORLD
Whether the sun’s going down or just coming up, if you’re at home or away, the view of any one of the world’s best skylines will take your breath away. Buildings, monuments, lights, colours, statues and sculptures all combine to make each city’s horizon individual memorable, and special. Here’s my guide to the 10 Best City Skylines in the World
1. New York
Changed irrevocably after 9/11, the skyline of New York is one of the most iconic sights in the world. In its centre the Empire State Building, itself one of the most recognisable structures in the world, provides a unique focal point for one of the best city skylines in the world.
2. Chicago
Chicago’s first high-rise, built in 1885 was the first example of a new form of steel engineering which would eventually change the skyline of every city on earth. It now has three of the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, as well as some of the finest mid-century architecture. The Sears tower is the most famous, and remains the focal point of the skyline.
3. Hong Kong
Hong Kong has no fewer than 43 buildings over 200 metres tall packed into this relatively small City. It’s the closeness of these distinctive skyscrapers together with their brilliant night lighting, backdrop of the mountain peaks, and the reflections in the Harbour which makes Hong Kong one of the best city skylines in the world.
4. Kuala Lumpur
The Malaysian capital has fewer than 2 million residents, yet it boasts three of the world’s 25 tallest buildings, including the magnificent twin Pretonos Towers, and the 420-metre high Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower. The range of modern skyscrapers is less densely packed here, which allows the individual architecture to stand out.
5. Sydney
Sydney’s skyline is immediately recognisable, due to its position on one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. The monumental Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House are two of the most distinctive structures of the twentieth century.
6. Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s five new skyscrapers provide a startling contrast to the wealth of low rise European architecture, some of which is more than a thousand years old and which makes up the majority of the City. Together they elevate Frankfurt’s position to one of the best city skylines in the world.
7. Dubai
In the middle of the desert, Dubai is already home to the world’s tallest hotel as well as the tallest residential building. As the skyline is well planned, and still relatively sparse, each building is an individual example of some of the greatest architecture of modern times.
8. Seattle
The famous 184metre high Space Needle observation tower is the focal point of the skyline of Northwest America’s commercial, cultural and technology hub. Seattle is also a major port city for Pacific and European trade, and surrounded by mountains and water, provides truly picturesque views to the horizon.
9. Pittsburgh
It’s the bridges which make the Pittsburgh skyline one of the most impressive. Three rivers turn the City into a triangle, surrounded by hills and valleys, all of which provide access to fabulous views . Nothing like as modern or huge as its competitors perhaps, but its beauty is testament to but good planning and great surrounding geography.
10. London
As London prepares for the Olympics, major skyscraper projects are reshaping its skyline. As the latest, the Shard, rises above the City just a stone’s throw from the historic dome of St Paul’s cathedral, London remains one of the world’s best city skylines.
What Men Find Sexy About Women
1. She’s Playful
Women who take themselves too seriously are seriously not Atractive. There’s something about a woman who is comfortable enough to be playful, flirty, and not worry that she is risking her reputation. Please don’t confuse playful with silly. Silly women who are clowning for attention are vexing. In fact, one man suggested that playfulness is a great sign of maturity—a woman who loves life and isn’t ashamed to show it.
2. She’s Beautiful
We had a solid discussion about what this means, and the standards were all over the map. Most every man agreed that a beautiful woman a) dresses in a way that flatters her figure, b) puts effort into grooming, and c) cares how men perceive her, even if the end result is very laid-back and simple. There were few absolutes, except to say that a woman who thinks that going through the effort to look nice is somehow beneath her probably won’t be Atractive to our test group.
3. She’s a Grown-Up About Things Related to 6
Some men were comfortable with 6 only after marriage. Some men were comfortable with it much earlier in the relationship. But all of the men wanted a woman who is comfortable talking maturely about 6 when the time is right.
4. She Likes and Understands Men
You might say, “Don’t all women who are dating like men?” Not according to this group. Women who know how men function and love them for it are very Atractive. There’s something about giving a man the rope he needs to pursue his passions that makes a woman irresistible.
5. She’s Affectionate
It is hard to overestimate the impact of a physical connection to most men. A woman who understands this and gives affection freely is very Atractive.
6. She Knows How to Say “Thank You”
Whatever your personal policies, early dating for most men is a time when they are spending money and making plans to arrange a nice evening. Our men greatly valued a woman who was able to say, “That dinner was fantastic,” and appreciated the work that went into planning the evening. A woman who has a spirit of gratitude signals to a man, “You can make me happy,” which is a primal component to attraction.
7. She’s Willing to Bend the Rules
A woman who has rules, respects the rules and can still say, “This weekend the rules don’t matter,” is very Atractive, and rarer than you might think according to our band of brothers. It’s this “partner in crime” mentality that men seem to find irresistible.
8. She’s Willing to Set Aside Her Fear
It isn’t being fearless that is Atractive. It’s having the fear, feeling the fear, and saying, “I’m going to set this aside and go forward anyway.” That woman is Atractive. She is truly living life. She is going to suffer some failures along the way, but men will be chasing her and asking for her number the whole way.
9. She’s a Great Kisser
Every guy considers himself putty in the hands of a woman who knows how to give a great kiss. It can take a woman’s 6 appeal from 0 to 10 in 30 seconds.
10. She Likes to Laugh (at His Jokes)
Humor often comes up as a valuable trait, but it can be misleading. Men aren’t interested in women who crack jokes every other sentence. In fact, when he says he wants a woman with a great sense of humor he’s usually saying “I want a woman who thinks I’m funny.” Not surprisingly, when she does think he’s funny and laughs out loud he finds that very Atractive.
Source: eharmony.com
Beautiful Wonderland of Kirsty Mitchell
About the artist:
I was born in 1976 and raised in the English county of Kent, known to many as the ‘Garden of England’. My earliest memories were always of the stories read to me by my mother as a child … how it felt to be curled into her side, listening to the rush of her breath as she paused for effect, before launching into yet another characters voice. She was an English teacher, and read to me almost everyday, to an age I could no longer admit to my friends. She instilled in me the most precious gift a mother could, her imagination and a belief in beauty…… it became my root, and the place I constantly try to return to in my work, and my dreams.
Make sure you check her portfolio for more wonderful photography work.
