Honestly, there are no better words than were in  the original post:

Hello…First let me start off by saying that i paint as a hobby..i love to paint with paint brushes but i also paint with my breasts…there are alot of woman out there with breast cancer and once i start selling these painting and get my buisness going i will be able to donate to breast cancer research..here is the first painting that i have done and if you have any suggestions or requests i would be more then happy to take your order…The minimum for this painting is $50 (obo)..the size of this painting is 12×16..please email me with any comments questions or concerns and i will return your email asap

thank you

OK, I was going looking for stuff for one of my semi-regular This Week in Craigslist Art posts, but I had to find out more about this one.

Who are you (in a non-specific way)?

My names is Ashley.I currently am working in childcare. Its not great money but i love the kids.  I am a healthy 22 year old woman that just wants to make a difference in the world.

What is your art background?

I took art classes through out highschool and the rest i taught myself. I have always loved to paint and it has always been a hobby that i love.

How exactly does one breast-paint, technically?

It’s actually pretty hard. I start by painting one breast watever colors and design that i would like to put on the canvas. Then I place my breast onto the canvas to make a “Breast-Print”. (It sounds easy but it really isn’t)After i have done that i just touch it up by hand painting the backround and such. I would love to paint more pictures and expand beyond flowers. I want to make things that monthers that breast feed or even woman who have had breast cancer can hang in there homes as a symbol of woman hood as well as a gift of life.

What materials do you use?

Acrylic paints, my breasts, paint brushes, water, and a canvas to paint on.

What got you interested in raising money for breast cancer?

I have met countless woman with breast cancer. Breast cancer runs in my family. My aunt past away last year after a 3 year battle with breast cancer. I have watched my best friend of 6 years slowly wither away with this disease.I would love to donate the profits that i make to a breast cancer awareness foundation. I want women to know that it is important to get tested. You can never be too safe.

Indeed! So if anyone wants a breast painting, you know where to get one.

Breast Painting – $50 (montgomery county)

Upon first glance: Is that thing from a Dali landscape, Star Wars, Hell or a disco ball? 

I can’t wrap my brain around those shoes and everything around them. What am I talking about? Um, well, aside from presumably millions of dollars of borrowed couture, I’m talking about a music video that is impossible to watch only one time. Lady Gaga (and the Haus of Gaga) have really outdone themselves this time with Bad Romance… and I love it. 

In fact, the outfits attached to those shoes are compelling me to make-up words. Really– you take one good look at the McQueen shoes in front of you and tell me you don’t get all Anthony Burgess on me. I dare you.
 

This video has all the standards from our favorite Fame Monster: lingerie, hairless pets, Bladerunner Replicants, synthesizers, spirit fingers, a foreign syndicate, twitching, latex … and I’m pretty sure she’s single-handedly raised Ferragamo from the dead. Jesus.

Here are some stills from the Bad Romance video… She must wear 10 separate intricate outfits/ dresses/ works, including one by Alexander McQueen that leaves her looking like a creepy, bolted, gold-studded cupcake/geisha/ant with 10-inch heeled stiletto hooves.

“The singer-songwriter-pianist-provocateur seems to be one of the few pop stars these days who really understands spectacle, fashion, shock, choreography all the things Madonna and Michael Jackson were masters of in the 1980s.” (Speakeasy)

Closing thoughts? Lady Gaga and Alexander McQueen need to go pro-create and begin breeding their own little army of slicked back, shiny, matching offspring. Have you seen his Spring/Summer 2010 line that debuted to her soundtrack, with her custom dress from the video as the last outfit in the runway show? Music met couture and fell in love. In fact, they’re paired off  and make more sense than coupling milk and goddamn cookies.

Click here to view the embedded video.

When I was little, I always wanted a mood ring. A few years later, after too many Disney movies, I wanted a moon ring. Now, as a shiny-faced young professional, I want a ring with the 3-d details of Paris, France, San Fransisco or from the City of Brotherly Love.

While attempting to figure out who the people of The Posh Review are (and more importantly, who is helping them throw this), I stumbled across this awesome article about Philippe Tournaire’s (warning: entirely in French!) incredible architectural rings.

“Tournaire is brilliant, he has linked his passion for gems, diamonds, and precious metals to his passion for history and the sciences.  All of his pieces entail constructive abstraction, symbolic form, and color connections.  All rings are handmade in France, where Tournaire’s workshops are situated. The first shop was settled 25 years ago in Montbrison near Lyon. There, Philippe Tournaire combines both antique craftsmanship and the most up-dated techniques…” (The Posh Review)

It would appear that the rings are being marketed toward putting your own home (or “dream home”) on your finger (clearly for people that have the money to own homes that are jewel-worthy), but my fascination really is in the idea of having a small city on my fingertips. Buzz across the internet implies that the inspiration for the rings came from the Merovingian age.. which I believe is a fancy way of saying it was inspired by the middle ages in western Europe. Awesome.

Art in the Age is a cool gallery/store/performance space in Old City. It’s named for an essay (Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction) by a German cultural theorist. The mission and common theme behind each artist is to “bring integrity back to art in the spaces of everyday life.”

In Impermanent Bliss, mixed-media works by Eric Amling, Kirkland Bray and Matt LaFleur examine the fluctuating nature of memory and its effects on our ongoing sense of self and place. By manipulating and transforming man-made artifacts, the artists press the viewer to reexamine the identities of the familiar. We should be approaching our own memories with the same scrutiny that these works demand, as memory often distorts the places, events and emotional states of our past.

Check out some work from the artists:

Kirkland Bray

Matt Lafleur

Eric Amling

Eric Amling’s uses printed matter to create new forms of present space in motion through collage. He is the author two books, Twin Vapor and Split Level Igloo, and his collage and written works have appeared on albums by Dr. Dog and the Bowerbirds. Matt LaFleur’s paintings evoke an imaginative environment filled with cabins burgeoning spectrums of color and contrast.  He currently lives and works in Taborton, NY. Kirkland Bray’s recent paintings explore a series of elevated forms of construction on found surfaces of wood and canvas. He has exhibited on both coasts, and co-owns the leather goods brand BillyKirk.

Impermanent Bliss: Examining the Fluid State of Memory
Mixed Media Works by Eric Amling, Kirkland Bray and Matt LaFleur
November 6-29, 2009
Opening: Friday, November 6th, 6-8 pm

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
116 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia

Halloween is getting closer! It’s, like, this weekend. I’m so excited! So here’s another roundup of potential costumes, this time inspired by that Art History 100 class you took freshman year. But nothing where you’re going to have to carry a giant picture frame around all night, we’re aware that bulky costumes get real old real fast. Here’s some figures from art who are still recognizable when they step out of the frame:

ARTIST: Roy Lichtenstein

WORK: Any of his comic-inspired paintings (although the example we used is “Girl With Hair Ribbon”)

DIFFICULTY: 10

GOOD FOR: Women (or men) who have a lot of patience and don’t touch their face habitually

OK, MAC has posted a bunch of Halloween tutorials and ideas on their facebook page, and while they’re all pretty neat, this one is amazing. I have no doubt that if I were to attempt this it would be smudged within ten minutes, and the costume/hair parts look like a pain a half to procure, but still. That’s great.

Kahlo, Magritte and more, after the jump…

ARTIST: Frida Kahlo

WORK: The Two Fridas

DIFFICULTY: 3

GOOD FOR: Women with long, dark hair who were into Sienna Miller a couple of years ago

OK, I picked the costume example, taken at the LACMA costume ball (god I wish I could go to that), because it corresponded a specific painting. The heart/dress would take that one up to a higher difficulty level, but a less-specific Frida costume is super easy.

Just put your hair up, stick some flowers or wildlife in it and put on a bunch of flowy, organic-type stuff you have left over from that whole boho thing along with some big, long necklaces; the really recognizable part is the makeup, though, so strong unibrow and LOTS of blush and red lips.

Bonus points if you have a pet you can train to ride around on your shoulder (no hamsters) or coerce a friend into being the right-hand Frida.

ARTIST: Magritte

WORK: Son of Man

DIFFICULTY: 2

GOOD FOR: Men who already own a black (or dark blue or gray, really, who’s going to notice) suit

Just find yourself a bowler hat, a red tie and a green apple to hang in front of your face and you’re golden! Doesn’t matter what you look like, everyone looks the same with an apple in front of his face.

ARTIST: Picasso

WORK: Harlequins

DIFFICULTY: 9; I’m going to assume that because I can’t find a single costume picture on the whole internet that it’s a tough one

GOOD FOR: People who won’t be sad when 99% of people just think you’re a weird clown

If picking out and befriending the one art history major in the room is your goal, this is the one to do it with. Easily mistaken for your standard jester, the costume might be slightly more recognizable if you stick to the mustard/olive/red color scheme in the right-most paintings and make sure you get the hat right.

Actually, we’re gonna upgrade this one to a difficulty of 10, this sounds like such a pain. Here’s an easier one:

ARTIST: Andy Warhol

WORK: Andy Warhol

DIFFICULTY: 1

GOOD FOR: Skinny people who own black clothes

Whatever, Andy Warhol was a pioneer of living life as performance art. I feel OK  using him as artist, work AND costume wearer.

This one is totally easy, just wear something along the lines of black pants, black turtleneck, black leather jacket, big glasses or sunglasses and white shock wig and walk around acting affected. Maybe wear a scarf. Just don’t let anyone see your neck.

ARTIST: Edward Gorey

WORK: Gashlycrumb Tinies

DIFFICULTY: 4

GOOD FOR: A group of 3-26 people who always secretly (or openly) thought that goths looked pretty cool

I’d stop short of calling Gorey’s illustrations High Art with a capital HA or whatever, but they’re definitely recognizable and not super hard to do. Dress like you’re in a really dark Dickens novel and hang a tombstone off your back with your designated letter. The hard part is convincing other people to be the rest of the alphabet with you.

OK, that’s all I got for today! If you missed the previous Halloween roundups and you still need costume ideas, they are:

1: Nerd reference costumes

2. Unnecessarily sexy costumes

3. Childhood nostalgia costumes

One more thing today:

Inspiring Fashion: Gifts from Designers Honoring Tom Marotta presents a collection of runway styles donated by 17 designers in recognition of the creative legacy of the late fashion visionary Tom Marotta, who was vice president of couture at Saks Fifth Avenue. Obtained through the auspices of Saks Fifth Avenue, the garments are all gifts to the Museum and have become part of the permanent collection.

Designers include Peter Som (that’s the purple one above), Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Burberry Prorsum, Badgley Mischka, Ralph Rucci, Nancy Gonzalez, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Zandra Rhodes, Missoni, Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen.

Neat! And why’s it at the PMA, again?

Tom Marotta (1933-2007) was born and raised in South Philadelphia and spent more than 40 years working in fashion, including many at Philadelphia’s highly regarded Nan Duskin specialty store. He worked in Los Angeles in the late 1950s and early 1960s as road manager for singers such as Fabian and Frankie Avalon; after marrying a Philadelphia native, he returned to his hometown and began his career in fashion. After working in menswear at The Blum Store in Bala Cynwyd, he started work at Nan Duskin, first as a tie buyer, and eventually rising to senior vice president. In 1994 Marotta was hired by the luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue as vice president of couture; responsible for overseeing the buyers of over 50 department stores, he insisted on maintaining Philadelphia as his base.

OK, then! Cool!

This post at Space 1026 about a show opening at Hudson Beach Glass Gallery today reminded me of a low-tech version of that iPhone app I mentioned the other day, in which the obsessive among us can compulsively record and catalog every article of clothing in their closet.

Hudson Beach Glass Gallery says:

This month’s wall show is really fun. “All My Clothes (not to scale)” by Alicia Eggert is 343 drawings that chronicle her personal wardrobe. They are sweet and well drawn. Each color penciled drawing measures 4.5″ x 3″ and is signed by the artist. On Friday night each one will cost $10. For the rest of the month they will be $15. So stop by and build yourself an outfit.

An interesting idea! Since this is of her wardrobe circa 2006, don’t judge the ironic eagle t-shirt.

I find it adorable that she took the time to do each pair of underwear and socks. Entertain yourself Where’s Waldo-style at the opening by looking for the laundry-day pair of underwear; everyone’s got at least one, right?

Hudson Beach Glass Gallery
26 S. Strawberry St., Philadelphia, PA
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2nd, 6-9pm

The Ground Report discusses why it might be good to have oily skin after all. This article reminded me of my grandmother, who says that she doesn’t have wrinkles because her skin is so oily, and the wrinkles just slipped off.

There’s a blog that illustrates the New York edition of ‘missed connections’ as featured on Craig’s List. It’s pretty interesting. The New York Times is a fan too.

The Frisky highlights celebs with tattoos, Glamour helps a girl pick out a handbag that costs a small fortune, the New York Times gives a review of Milan’s fashion week, which isn’t as flashy as it once was, and NBC10 asks whether backless dresses are trashy or not.

FACT: I want to wear this thing and unsuspectingly roll into a day care’s nap time and see what happens. Would the kids love me or fear me?!

The Teddy Jacket was designed by Sebastian Errazuriz. After looking at this…  mound of cuteness again (on around Errazuriz’s website) I realized that this isn’t his first readymade fashion piece. He also has a crazy zipper dress (that was floating around the internet earlier this summer) and a sweet dress and purse set made entirely of white gloves.

Each of his fashion pieces has an interesting idea behind it and a blunt, usually funny, commentary. I like it because there is a distinct theme yet he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. He’s so quirky! I think The Teddy Jacket is a tongue-in-cheek commentary about wearing fur, but comes off as more humorous than anything. Perhaps that’s the point?

But… this jacket. What can I say? Take a moment and really look at it. Theme aside, is this not the most hilarious/ awesome/ absurd piece of actual outdoor couture you’ve ever seen? As wacky as it is, it’s not nearly as trippy as Lady Gaga’s Kermit the Frog dress– but it is equally as silly. In my mind, I imagine Sebastian to be a Harry Potter look-a-like getting a cauldron and carefully placing children’s toys, a sewing kit, Teddy Grahams and a bomber jacket inside.. and poof!: something awesome. Go Sebastian!

When I think of Ikea, I think of efficient, clean, simple and functional items and design. When I think of the typeface Verdana, I think of making my US History papers look longer in APA Format. This is why my head hurts a little, as a designer, when I think about the fact that Ikea has changed– for the first time in 50 years– the design for their international branding. 

I took a look at the new catalog with my roomie (also a designer) and we both sighed a little bit. We wondered out loud,Verdana?! It’s not clean looking! Verdana was made for computer screens, why the heck is it being used for a print catalog? … It doesn’t look right. It’s ugly. 

Ikea used a modified version of the typeface Futura called Ikea Sans. It was used on EVERYTHING in the store in different colors and weights. Futura is severely overused by amateur designers, but it’s very sharp and particular, and is visually associated to Ikea. It’s also the only typeface to make it into space.

After a few minutes of seeing if it would grow on us, we came to a final verdict: Verdana is clunky and generic looking. Ikea is cheap, but the design and presentation never looks cheap.  It would seem that the author of this NYtimes article had similar feelings. I’m over it, and –as an analytical artist, I’ve moved onto other rationale for a switch (functionality).

Either way, I don’t think it deserves a petition. Yes, someone made a petition.  The Short Form Blog got pretty sassy about it, too. Um, I say that we save petitions for something other than typefaces. What do you think?

After reading a few more articles while writing this, I’ve decided I agree with Ikea for the switch and not with the thousands red-faced designers across the land. Designers out there are probably raising their T-squares in protest at me, but Ikea has sold me with their rationale:

“….abandoning its own version of the Futura font because it wanted one that would be effective in many different languages and on the Web, and that Verdana was designed for just that purpose.”

I agree. But this still feels like the argument you have when your Mom wants you to get a pair of butt ugly– excuse me– ’sensible’ shoes for school.