the multi-purpose game

My six-year-old daughter and I recently started a new game where we choose an object and think of as many different ways that object can be used as we can. For example, a tree might be a home, mailbox, paper, maple syrup maker, etc. This portfolio piece, A Dozen Pencils, reminded me of that game. Manipulating size and context, the artist shows how an ordinary object can take on unconventional roles, if you let your imagination and creativity flow.

This also reminds me of Wallace Stevens' "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," a similar concept. I did a copycat piece of the poem in college (16 Ways of Looking at a Bed) ... but I won't share that here :) To be honest, I wouldn't even know where to find it.

i want to hold your hand

As humans, we are always finding new ways to blur the line between nature and man-made creations. Point in case, a door handle shaped like a human hand. Ingenious. Why are doorknobs shaped the way they are anyway?

This one, created by French interior and product designer Naomi Thellier de Poncheville, offers a pleasant, although kinda creepy, parting gesture: opening the door is a partnership, a communal effort. I’d wonder, “Whose hand am I holding? I wonder if he/she is still alive?” while I’m reaching for my hand sanitizer.

(From GeekAlerts.)

find the artist in you

Deviant Art is one of my favorite websites for artistic resources. If you are in a creative slump and need some ideas or just a little inspiration, then this is a great site for that! I've downloaded tons of stuff for photoshop. They have brushes, textures, backgrounds, stock photos, almost anything. There is also a lot of art that you can purchase if you are looking for something in particular. I mainly just use it for the photoshop resources, but it has a variety of things to offer.