waltham open studios 2011: superlatives

Cara Bean:

coolest/most inspiring art educator

Cat Albro:

cutest/brightest/best use of toys

Elli Crocker:

most beautiful/mystical/best use of math & science

Handcranked Film:

creepiest/most awesome

(the film below is by one of their crew, Bryan Papciak. when i saw the excerpt from their new film american ruins i knew they must have been involved in the met state film that i remember seeing quite a few years ago. we used to go to this place at night when i was a rowdy teen. not advisable.)

MET STATE from Bryan Papciak on Vimeo.

online tarot reading

The Two Paths spread provides insight into an important decision ahead of you, the possible outcomes, and the forces that draw you towards each of these outcomes. The Benedetti Tarot is a highly stylized deck painted on gold leaf. 7 years in the making, the images were inspired by the Visconti Tarot, the earliest Tarot deck still in existence. The Benedetti Tarot is the favorite deck of those who seek simplicity and elegance in their lives.
	The top left card represents the first possible outcome. Four of Swords (Truce): A time of tranquility and intellectual repose in the midst of a great struggle. A temporary retreat from stress to regather inner strength, reaffirm convictions, reorganize thoughts, and formulate a new plan. The need for vigilance in a moment of calm. May suggest a withdrawal from the material world to find spiritual guidance.
	The top right card represents the second possible outcome. Two of Swords (Peace), when reversed: Indecision due to contradictory characteristics brought together. Tension in the aftermath of a quarrel that has been resolved. Scheming, abuse of trust, and agreements made in bad faith. Allowing the mind to block off the emotions. Self deception as a means of justifying cruel acts.
	The middle left card represents the force drawing you towards the first possible outcome. The Moon, when reversed: Clarity, control and peace in troublesome times. Increased psychic abilities. Temptations, small problems and minor setbacks overcome. The dawning of a new day.
	The middle right card represents the force drawing you towards the second possible outcome. Three of Cups (Abundance), when reversed: A time of shallow overindulgence, followed depletion. The successful but utterly unfulfilling conclusion of a matter. Satisfaction from sensual pleasures divorced from any sense of love. May indicate problems prematurely dismissed or a victory claimed before it is certain.
	The bottom card represents the critical factor that decides what will come to pass. Knight of Pentacles: The essence of earth behaving as fire, such as molten magma: One slow to action, but decisive and unrelenting once set in motion. A force of nature whose methods are as predictable and dependable as they are unstoppable. The voice of duty, honor, and responsibility. The will to the change the world, not through bold action, but through the thorough and unwavering application of proven means.

messing around: elmer's, acrylic, oil pastels, modge podge. on wood.

things i've been noticing a lot lately

people who are definitely talking to themselves
bunny rabbits
amputees

redon at the mfa: "lumiere"

lo and behold, the mfa is featuring redon in their 'works on paper' room. 'lumiere' (french for 'light') is one of my favorites in the exhibition but there are a number of other beautiful works in the room (by both redon and his teacher rodolphe bresdin). well worth the time spent dripping sweat down my back in the stifling park street station waiting for that E line.

boston globe blogger mark feeney points out how the figures resemble moviegoers looking up at a glowing screen, which he found particularly interesting because motion pictures weren't rolling as of yet when the lithograph was created in the late 1800's.  

(link to post here)