The Venus Project

In her Venus project, Italian artist Anna Utopia Giordano gives the goddess of love a Photoshop makeover. She takes famous paintings of Venus and slims bellies (and increases busts) to fit today's standards of beauty. Fascinating, don't you think? These images make me appreciate the sensuality of curvy hips.
(Via Flavorwire)

Paintings vs photographs

The Remake project challenged art students to remake famous works of art, using photography. Aren't they compelling?
(I found this remake of "The Artist's Mother" by Whistler to be really touching.)

(Via Leigh)

The invisible man

Chinese photographer Liu Bolin is meticulously covered in paint so that he disappears into his surroundings. Apparently, it can take up to 10 hours to prepare for a single shot. Aren't his photographs mind-blowing?! You can barely see him!

P.S. Remember these painted people?

(Photos by Liu Bolin. Via Honestly...WTF. Thanks, Leigh)

Guest Post: Sophia's Palette

One of the many things I love about vintage Sophia Loren (besides the fact that she's such a babe) is that she's almost always in colourful outfits that perfectly reflect her wonderful character. Her palettes remind me of the work of Gustav Klimt.

Paintings, top to bottom: Houses at Unterach on the Attersee; Ria Munk On Her Deathbed; Fruit Trees; Flower Garden

-- By Miss Moss

Van Gogh tilt-shift

Have you guys ever seen tilt-shift photography? By playing with depth of field, it makes real cities look like miniature models (see examples here and here). Well, Serena Malyon, an art student, used Photoshop to give the same effect to Van Gogh paintings. Aren't these beautiful? See more here.

Painted people

Twenty-four-year-old artist Alexa Meade paints portraits on people. She puts acrylic paint directly on live models, so they appear to be two-dimensional paintings of themselves. These blow my mind!

(Via The Senses Five)

Striped couple

Love these boy and girl prints by Blanca Gomez. They'd look adorable facing each other.

Home Inspiration: Dog portrait

Isn't this dog portrait awesome? He looks hilariously regal! What a playful and surprising touch in a home.

P.S. Happy Menocal paints pet portraits.
P. P.S. Two more cute portraits.

(Photo from Living Etc, via Design is Mine)

Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Portland artist Lisa Golightly of Kiki and Polly. She's offering a large print of the Girl in the Yellow Suit. How sweet is that? The print would add a pop of cheery color to any room, from a foyer to a living room to a nursery. (I'd love to hang it above my desk.)

For a chance to win, please visit Kiki and Polly's etsy shop and leave a comment below. Good luck! xo

Update: Parker is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is this sock monkey print from Marisa Haedike. It would be so cute in a nursery.

For a chance to win, visit Marisa Anne's etsy shop, Creative Thursday, and leave a comment below. (She's also having her annual print sale right now.) Good luck!

Update: Yummy Mummy is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

Hollister Hovey paints pictures.

Brooklyn-based blogger Hollister Hovey is rad. Not only does her house look like it's out of a Wes Anderson movie, but she also paints ridiculously amazing portraits, which remind me of both Elizabeth Peyton and Loretta Lux. Some are personal paintings, some are commissioned and some are party invitations. I love her strong style, colors and mood. Isn't she such a talent?