Modern Luxury Living - The Architecture & Interior Design of the Balance Hill House.

The Balance Hill home by Kirkpatrick Architects, with interior design by Antonia Hutt & Associates, is situated on a dramatic hillside terrace, high above the LA basin. In addition to the home's dramatic exterior design, inside it has regulation size bowling lanes, a glassed in wall wine storage, and a home gym in addition to the bedrooms, bathrooms, a formal dining room, kitchen, casual dining area and bar.

Artists & Illustrators Draw On Their Love Of Animals For The Creative Pet Project.

I know there are many wonderfully innovative and creative projects out there asking for your funding on sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. But this one is truly worthwhile and supports two causes close to my own heart - Animals and Art. Rob Snow and the artists put a ton of work into it and the rewards for contributing are terrific (shown further down in the post), so I hope you will consider helping them fund the project.


above: "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow, the brainchild behind the Creative Pet Project

Over the past two years, 111 artists and illustrators from around the world have come together to form the Creative Pet Project. Their intent is to create a unique and beautiful book - but a book with a difference. The aim of the book would be to raise funds for numerous charities which support animals. For this reason the criteria for inclusion in the book was to have a companion animal and, at the same time, include animals in the artwork.





Many a well-known name in art genres such as pop surrealism, lowbrow art, and children’s book illustration have come together because they share a goal and motivation; to help animals.



Just a few participating in the project are Tara McPherson, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar, Dilka Bear, John Brophy, Ana Bagayan, Sas Christian, Brian Kesinger (of Teagirl fame) and Brandt Peters/Kathie Olivas. The talent in the book is endless.


above left: artists Sas and Colin Christian with Bunny and Brody; above right: artist Carol Rizzo with her cat, Bear.

Many of the artists (65%) have rescue animals. They have become passionate about their connection to animals, which shows in the amazing artwork which this project has selected. To give you an idea of some of the talent included, here is a selection of some of those featured in the project (click their names to visit their sites/article sites). Raffaele Bafefit, Ana Bagayan, Dilka Bear, Chris Brett, John Brophy, Chris Buzelli, Rachel Caldwell, Erica Calardo, John Casey, Mary Chiaramonte, Sas Christian, David Cowles, Chris Crites, Antonio Segura Donat, Lola Gil, Paulina Góra, Fabio Hurtado, Jon Jaylo, Andy Kehoe, Brian Kesinger, Jean-Christian Knaff, Anita Kunz, Jen Lobo, Tara McPherson, Jackie Morris, Ricardo Martinez Ortego, Yuko Shimizu, Heiidi Tailleferr, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar

Artwork from the Creative Pet Project:


The book is now ready, and ready to print. On Saturday, February 1st they launched a funding campaign at Indiegogo (igg.me/at/cpp-book), in the hopes of raising enough money to publish the book as well as continue the project for further volumes.

The charities to benefit from the book are planned at three per volume. The first volume's proceeds would go toward PETA, IFAW and Born Free USA. These charities are doing invaluable work for animals, the environment and education.

Below is the pitch from Rob Snow, the creative force behind the project, used on Indiegogo:


The perks/rewards:

For helping fund the book, perks include wonderful prints by the artists who contributed to it.

The Creative Pet Project asked the contributing members to add some pieces of work to the possible perks included for this campaign. Many have given permission to do limited prints of the work included, some signed, some unsigned. Original pieces, and other items to interest you in contributing. There are so many they have listed them so you can see and choose the week that you'd like to get the perk.

Week One ~ 1st - 7th Feb and Week Five ~ 1st - 7th March:


1. "Madonna" by Anita Cruz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5"x16" 1 available
2. "Boris" by Kristin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
3. "Foxes" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x15” 4 available
4. "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($150) Signed 27”x19” 10 available
5. "Pets" by Rob Reger - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 8”x10” 25 available
6. "Las Abejas No Tienen Rey" by Sergio Chaves - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
7. "Manny" by Rick Dienzo Blanco - limited edition print ($30) Signed 10”x10” 25 available
8. "Wisdom" by Jon Jaylo - limited edition print ($80) Signed 11”x17” 10 available
9. "Somewhere" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "untitled106" by Paulina Góra - original painting ($250) Signed 27”x19” 1 available
11. "Water Animals" by Rachel Caldwell - limited edition print ($250) Signed 13”x13" 1 available
12. "Wisdomseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available


Week Two ~ 8th Feb - 14th & Week Six ~ 8th - 14th March


1. "Mr.Froggy" by Erica Calardo - limited edition print ($60) Signed 5.83"x8.27” 1 available
2. "Crow" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 3 available
3. "Where are you" by Jen Lobo - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 10 available
4. "C'mon Baby Light My Fire" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "pro32" by Paulina Góra - original sketch ($35) Signed 8”x11” 1 available
6. "Betula" by Kristen Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
7. "Sunrise" by Cole Lemke - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
8. "Gatorcat" by William B Hand - limited edition print ($80) Unsigned 16”x21” 10 available
9. "Somewhere - part 2" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "India" by Jean-Christian Knaff - limited edition print ($90) Signed 16”x11” 80 available
11. "Blancaflor" by Tesa González - limited edition print ($100) Signed 16”x11” 10 available
12. "Pimp My Ride" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($120) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
13. "Pet Portrait" by Lou Pimentel - limited edition print ($150) Signed 4.5”x6” 1 available

Week Three ~ 15th - 22nd Feb & Week Seven ~ 15th - 22nd March


1. "Cat Lover(s)" by John Casey - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
2. "Hope for Rain" by Marco Piunti - limited edition print ($60) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
3. "Zephur" by Kirstin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
4. "The Monkees" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "En Attente Expectations" by Marty-Cruz - limited edition print ($30) Unsigned 8.27”x11.69” 10 available
6. "Girl Green" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 3 available
7. "Human & Pet #1" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
8. "Morphseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
9. "Shell" by Elena Ospina - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 20 available
10. "Jimi Hendrix" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
11. "Rod Stewart" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
12. "The Unloved Ones" by Mario Sánchez Nevado - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 16”x11” 50 available
13. "Tea" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available

Week Four ~ 23rd - 28th Feb & 22nd - 29th March


1. "The Stones" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
2. "Bioseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
3. "Can't Resist" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
4. "Hex" by Mary Chiaramonte - limited edition print ($50) Signed 18”x24” 1 available
5. "Steampunk Girl" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
6. "Fox with Baby's Breath" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
7. "Hide" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
8. "Elvis" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
9. "Postcard Set" by Liran Szeiman - limited edition print ($22) Signed 4”x6” 1 available
10. Human & Pet #2" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
11. "Come Closer" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available


The Impact
The impact of your help will be to provide much needed funds to help animal charities in their crucial and critical work with animals, and environmental issues alike.

• To stop deforestation and land erosion.
• To stop animal trafficking and the extinction of species.
• To stop over fishing of the seas and illegal whaling.
• To stop animal abuse in many aspects from domestic/industrial and wildlife.



For more information, and to pledge some money to make this project work, or to pre-order a copy of the paperback or hardback versions, please visit the campaign site here . They have many perks and rewards to help you choose how to fund the project. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you could help make a difference.

Hardback
Beautiful hard back book with presentation box sleeve. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.
• Comes in a box sleeve presentation.

$65 + P&P - Order here

Softback
Beautiful soft back book with satin finish cover. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.

$50 + P&P Order here

PDF of the book
An exact copy of the book in PDF format, to view on computer or tablet. Printing has been disabled.
$15 - Order here

eBook
A ePub version of the book. Redesigned to suit the ePub format.
$10 - Order here

Infographic


For your interest, they have created a very cool infographic (of which a very small part is shown above) to help explain the contributors presence. The full PDF version can be seen here: http://www.creative-pet-project.com/pdf/infographic.pdf

The Creative Pet Project on Indiegogo

All 5 Of The Brian Williams Rap Mash-Ups Including The Epic Rapper's Delight.

I posted this on Faceboook a few minutes after it aired Wednesday night because I was so impressed with it. Apparently, I'm not alone -  it was the number one trending item on Facebook all day Thursday. So, for those of you who have not been watching Jimmy Fallon's first week as host of The Tonight show, I will share it with you.

You may not know that this was not the first mash-up with NBC Nightly News managing editor and anchor Brian Williams edited to appear as though he were rapping. Although the previous versions were not as seamlessly done nor were they nearly as funny. The Brian Williams Gangster Rapper feature became somewhat of a running gag on Jimmy's Late Show with versions to Warrne G, Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch, N.W.A. and Snoop Dogg.

Aired feb 14, 2013
NBC Nightly News managing editor and anchor Brian Williams raps The Sugar Hill Gang's classic "Rapper's Delight" -- and, yes, he brought two friends along:


Prior to this epic one, there were these four - albeit not quite as well done.

The first one aired on June 5th, 2013:
Brian Williams Rapping Snoop Dogg's verse from the classic Dr. Dre song "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang.":


Followed by this one on June 6th, 3013:
Brian Williams Raps Warren G's "Regulate"


The third one aired on June 7th, 2013:
Brian Williams Raps N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton":


and then on Jul 29, 2013 was this one:
Brian Williams Raps Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's hit "Good Vibrations.":



Perhaps now that Jimmy Fallon is hosting The Tonight Show, more eyeballs are seeing them. But he has many more tricks up sleeve and I'm looking forward to them.

Mary Katrantzou's Wild 2014 F/W Collection Is A Big Departure for The Greek Designer.

When I first introduced you to fashion designer Mary Katrantzou in 2008 - 2009, she had barely broken into the fashion world. At that time her clothes had printed textiles which emulated chunky jewelry and perfume bottles and were accompanied by jewelry of her own design:


In 2011 I showed you that Mary's work had progressed to combine her digitally printed textiles with lots of embellishments and structured shapes inspired by home decor. Again, her own chunky jewelry was incorporated in to the collection:


As time passed, Mary simplified her designs in terms of silhouettes and materials, but mainly stayed with the photographic textiles as recently as her 2014 Spring/ Summer Collection. You will notice her jewelry designs seem to have disappeared from her work:


Mary is currently best known for her bright figure hugging dresses with digitally printed landscapes, like those shown below:


Now, considered one of the top designers in fashion, her work has continued to evolve.

Mary Katrantzou Fall/Winter 2014 Collection:



In a big change from her usual digitally printed textiles, the 2014 Fall/Winter collection from Mary Katrantzou is a very tactile, highly embellished and unique collection. The silhouettes are a big departure from her previous collections, fabrics are varied and mixed (even patches are woven together to create a textile) and the imagery shifts from photographic and cheerful to a darker, more serious, three dimensional style. Pleats, asymmetry, applique patches and metal hardware embellishes the collection.



Here's a look at a few of the more unusual pieces from the collection which debuted this week in London:













Mary Katrantzou

Darth Vader Appears At London Fashion Week - On Dresses and Blouses By Preen.

In the Fall/Winter 2014 Ready-To-Wear collection from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, there was an unexpected appearance from Luke's Father on the runway during London's Fashion Week. The image of Darth Vader's head was integrated into 7 pieces from the new collection, appearing printed on geometric print dresses, atop dark busy patterns and on one crisp white blouse amongst the orange, lace, knits, furs and metallics in the rest of the collection.

Kate Upton In A Bathing Suit In Zero Gravity For 2014 Sports Illustrated - 15 Pics and Video.

As part of the enormous 50th Anniversary Edition of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, the buxom and beautiful Kate Upton was photographed at Cape Canaveral in their zero gravity chamber by James Macari.

Meet Angela Clayton, An Impressive 16 Year Old Who Has Cosplay All Sewn Up.

16 year old Angela Clayton is blowing away the world of Cosplay with her impressive costume-making skills. After having designed, dressed and styled herself at Frozen's Queen Elsa (complete with photo shoot in a snowy forest), she's being cited as 'having raised the bar' by sci-fi and Cosplay fans alike.





above: Angela as Disney's Queen Elsa from Frozen in her own costume, makeup and styling. The cape alone took her 170+ hours to create.

Having read about her Queen Elsa costume, I was intrigued and looked into the talented designer and seamstress. I couldn't believe what I saw - an uncanny dedication and skill for someone so young.


above: Angela Clayton as herself (photo courtesy of facebook)

The 16 year old, who recently graduated high school and is presently preparing her portfolio, was born in Phoenix and now lives in Long Island. She was home schooled (with a few classes at Suffolk County Community College) and has only been sewing for two years. She is almost entirely self-taught, with a little help from the internet.



above: Angela as Merida from Disney's Brave

She began cosplaying in 2010 and a year later started to make her own costumes. Her historical, Disney, anime and Japanese illustrator Sakizo -inspired character costume designs are as impressive looking as they are time-consuming to make.


above: Angela's home studio

It doesn't hurt that she, herself, has porcelain skin, giant eyes and a perfect pout, much like a human version of a doll or an anime character:


Angela says says "I started sewing when i became interested in cosplay, since it combined my love of creating, makeup, photography and dressing up perfectly. Though I have a few more cosplays planned for 2014, I'm no longer attending conventions."



above: In addition to being inspired by Anime and Disney characters, some of Angela's costumes are from her own sketches

She is delving into historical fashions more and more. At present she is working on creating a portfolio for future college as well as filling out internship applications. Throughout the year of 2014, she will be working on designing and creating two mini collections, each consisting of five or six looks.

Here are several images of her dressed in various costumes, all created, sewn and styled by herself. Even some of the wigs were made by Angela.

Angela in a red Renaissance gown:



Angela as a Royal Canadian Mountie Policeman:


Angela as illustrator Sakizo's Royal Milk Tea Character:



Angela as Mio Ayoama:


Angela as Napolean Bonaparte:


Angela as Glass Angel:


Angela as Vlad Tepes:



Angela as a Christmas Queen:


Angela as a female fighter:


Her Queen Elsa Gown:


•Her blog includes detailed information about the making of her costumes.

•For detailed information and pics as to how she created the replica gown from Frozen (above), go here

•See her Cosplay portfolio of characters here 
 
•Angela on Deviant Art

Her work is amazing for someone so young. She has a bright future ahead of her and I wish her all the best.

all images courtesy of Angela Clayton
several of the photos on this post were taken by Anna Fischer and many of the character designs were inspired by the artwork of Sakizo