You May be Selected to Win Original Art

Subscribers to my posts through Feedblitz, are now entitled to enter a monthly withdraw that will offer an original postcard size watercolour.
On the first days of each month, the work will be shown and the withdraw will take place on the 10th.
One subscriber will be chosen (by an aleatory method) to win the painting. Substitutes will be chosen in the case of the lucky one does not want the painting (the substitutes will only be informed if the winner does not want the work).
The winner will not be eligible for the next month's withdraw.
When the winner accepts to receive the free painting, he/she will be responsible for shipping and handling : $5 USD to all the World, payed through Paypal (tm) or Money Order.
Winners from the following list of countries are exempt from paying shipping and handling.
The name of the winner/substitute and country (only this and no other personal info) will be announced, after being contacted by me.
Any contact as to influence the results of the withdraw will result on permanent removal from the list.

Kind regards,

José Carrilho

Foodscapes by Carl Warner

Carl Warner is a british photographer. He lives in Kent, England.
Besides the more common photography, his way to call our attention is through foodscapes. And what are foodscapes ?
Nothing more and nothing less than landscapes made with food.
Carl Warner composes his landscapes over a table with about 1,2m by 2,4m.
The photographs are shot in layers so that he doesn't have to depend so much on how much time the elements will stay in mint conditions. Afterall it's real food that we're talking about.
Carl Warner has plans for a book featuring his foodscapes as a way to educate children on eating healthy food.

Carlos Paredes and the Portuguese Guitar

Once in many years a person with a rare talent is born. That was the case of Carlos Paredes (1925 - 2004).
Son of the also well known Artur Paredes, he took the portuguese guitar to new levels.
Born in Coimbra, he inherits a family tradition of guitar players and although somewhat influenced by the popular portuguese songs and fado, he reinvents the way of playing the portuguese guitar, especially during a generation of the 60s, revitalized by new social and cultural concepts.
In 1993 he is diagnosed a myelopathy, which prevents him from playing in the last 11 years of his life.
The song that you can listen on the video is called "Verdes Anos" and was translated to english as "Tender Years".

The Walters Art Museum

Located in Baltimore, Maryland (USA), The Walters Art Museum has an impressive collection gathered from around the world. From the ancient Egypt to the 20th century Europe. Great part of its collection has been part of the assets from Henry and William Walters.

Art from the Ancient Americas, Medieval and Baroque Arts, together with manuscripts are part of a vast collection that will delight the visitor.

Like any great museum, The Walters Art Museum has visit programs that will meet expectations, turning one's visit into a rewarding experience.

And you know what ? The admission is free. So, make sure to visit !

Saul Santos Diaz

Saul Santos Diaz, born in Fuencaliente de la Palma (Canary Islands) is younger than I expected. And why do I say than I expected ? Because he is an amazing photographer. His photographs seem to be taken by someone with ages of experience; experience that he does possess as one may easily verify.

He studied at the Art Institute of Santa Cruz de la Palma and in 2003 he goes to Tenerife for his master degree in graphic design and multimedia. There he also takes several courses, namely photography.

From then on his curriculum developes as expected from a great artist.

Visual Illusions

Visual illusions are always something that brings up our curiosity. How do they happen, why they happen.Our sight is probably the sense that we most rely on and yet is such deceivable.Al Seckel's website presents us a more scientific approach to the subject and some good resources, while Michael Bach's gives us a vast number of great links and visual illusions.Another website worth visiting is the one by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, professor of the department of psychology at the Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto (the image is from his website).

Attention : optical or visual illusions may cause negative effects on some sensitive people.If you feel dizzy, please leave the website right away. Thank you.

Art and Architecture in the Subway

Metro or metropolitano in portuguese and french, tube in England, or subway in USA, going underground doesn't have to be a dull experience.
The subway stations are places places where one can enjoy Art and cultural events.
Their architecture has improved over the last years, improving the aesthetic experience of the user and turning the travel in the subway into a more pleasant experience.

Lego Art by Nathan Sawaya

Nathan Sawaya is an artist from New York who creates awesome sculptures with LEGO, many of them life-size.

The artist has more than 1.5 million blocks in his studio, which can give us an idea of the complexity of his works, which in many cases also show a great sense of imagination.

Sawaya's art has been touring north american Art museums and his next show will take place at the Stamford Museum in Connecticut, from March the 2nd to August the 18th.

Quadratura

Quadratura is a version of trompe l'oeil and is introduced during the Baroque period to describe simulated architecture.
The simulated architecture is painted in a one focal point perspective on a flat or barrel-vaulted ceiling continuing the existing architecture. The foreshortening of the figures, together with architectural elements creates a convincing illusion of deep recession.

The image is from a painting of 1703 by Andrea Pozzo, in the Jesuit church of Vienna. Courtesy of Wikipedia.