{ Who's the Painter }

Have you ever been hard pressed to answer who is the painter to famous pieces of art? Or just want to plain out impress your friends with your high brow art knowledge? Maybe you have an AP Art History Exam to ace and don't really feel up to memorizing every nuance and detail of every painting. I love the direct bluntness of the descriptions! I wish my art history was this fun. Now I did find fault in a few, but over all this was a funny lil' observation so definitely check out the rest.  {via}

{ Knoxville Murals: Sprucing Up Dead Space }

It looks like those Dead Spaces under the interstate by-passes are getting some love in north knoxville. A mural project was started a few months back by the north knoxville communities (Fourth and Gill, Parkridge, old North, and Knoxville) and led by Parkridge resident Lynne Sullivan and artist (chosen via contest last winter) Per-Ole Lind, also an East Knox resident. But it seems like the murals are finally taking shape and coming together and additionally bringing the communities together!

“It’s done more than create art,” Sullivan said. “It’s created community. And I hope it’s just the first of many projects the neighborhoods can do.” 

For additional pics see link {via}

{ Apparently Artists and Cats have a Bond }

While I'm no stranger to the benefits of having some great kitties. It's always nice to find others (artists I admire no less!) who share the same love for felines as me. Similar to the Freddie Mercury article, I'm in love with Dali and his beautiful Ocelot, and Warhol and his 25 kittens all named Sam.


The elusive, self-sustaining nature of the cat finds its human reflection best in the personality of the artist - as they often seek inspiration from their feline companions. similar to ancient egyptian culture - in the sense that they revered cats as borderline deities - cat domestication owed to the clear depictions of house cats in paintings from over 3,600 years ago. being viewed as both an object
of worship and an adored pet, the animals frequently were adorned with jeweled necklaces and gold earrings.{via}

{ Designer's Bookmark }

Best About Pages

Best About Pages: This is exactly as it sounds. Need Graphic Inspiration for your website's About page? Often these About pages are left unthought out and underwhelming, typically containing a small text 'about' the company / person / service, and maybe a picture or two of that said company / person / service. But luckily I found this gem, B. Which I think stands for Best? Regardless of the meaning of 'B', I'm in love with this categorized reference! {via}

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Art of the Menu

Art of the Menu is another categorized reference site, but as the name implies, it's for Menus. This site is particularly nice because you can search this gorgeous menus by location, cuisine, or date added to site. Another site that is worth bookmarking! {via}

{ Eye Candy: Streetscapes on Cardboard }

I just had to share this little piece of eye candy! These Streetscapes are spray painted on cardboard! I can hardly believe how beautiful some are... I've included my faves, but the imposition of the cardboard text (most look like ikea boxes, tehehehe!). Done by German street artist... I think that's a fancy word for graffiti artist... Evol, uses stencils to display an uncanny attention to detail using light and shadow on mundane consumer packings. {via}

{ Eye Candy: Cats + Classic Works of Art }

Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus

Who doesn't love a good classic work of art? Now infuse it with kitties (or one very cuddly looking orange cat) and I'm lovin' it! Great Artists' Mews does just that and very pompously too... check out this exert: Our name is Zarathustra. We are a cat. According to our assistant (named by ignoramuses as our “owner”) We are the best cat in the world. By the will of the gods, We have been relieved of our animal desires, therefore Our postprandial time  is given to the reflections on lofty matters. We are so gracious in Our enjoyment of repasts. And We are also very very fond of Art. {via}

Salvador Dalí, Dream caused by the Flight of a Bee 
around a Pomegranate a Second before Waking up

{ More Rubbish }

Ever had to bullshit your way through a review or artist statement? Now there is a sweet artist statement generator, to help you out with artist block... here's a sample of the Arty Bullocks Generator: My work explores the relationship between the tyranny of ageing and multimedia experiences. With influences as diverse as Wittgenstein and John Lennon, new tensions are crafted from both explicit and implicit layers.{via}

{ Eye Candy: A Great New Blog, and a Gallery Showing to go with it! }

Modern Sentiment, a blog from the mind of Sara Martin, is a great new addition to my weekly read and Eye Candy hunt. Martin's new business is based off her love and philosophy of design and style. These mixed media collages are now on display at the Emporium (on Gay Street, in Knoxville) and really a must see. I didn't get a chance to attend the opening last first friday, but I heard it was smashing, and the showing (of art) will be up for the month. I highly recommend stopping by, and also checking out the new blog, Modern Sentiment. Enjoy Reichstag, one of my faves from her online gallery! {via}

Reichstag 1

{ Rain Barrel of Dia de los Muertos: part deux }

Just a little update... and just in time, the clock is ticking to wrap this barrel up! I've had a too much on my plate lately, but was glad to find some time this weekend to start back up! this week I think this'll have to be my top priority!
Enjoy the Queen and her minions de lost muertos!

The Queen herself and the formation of her skulls...

{ The Find of the Century }

This guy in New York claimed to have a real Michealangelo behind his couch, yeah... I'm totally not making this up. So he finally called the right guy to identify it, and viola! he is now the owner of a 300million dollar painting, what some are calling the find of the century. Martin Kober, the owner of this 'find', had the painting behind his couch for 27 years after his children threw a tennisball at it. {via}

{ Pencil Toppers }

Yes. The image is not photoshopped this old dude actually spends years (yes, I said YEARS!) carving away wood + lead to make pencil point sculptures. Some of the detailing on these are pretty incredible! But not every pencil he touches is a masterpiece... he still keeps the broken lead and refers to it as the cemetary... "I have quite a few broken pieces so I decided to glue them on pins and into styrofoam for a display case. People might think it's weird I keep them but they're still interesting. I worked on them for months so they might be dead now but at one point I gave them life" {via}

teeny tiny alphab

{ First Friday }

Tonight should be a better First Friday than normal! there is a bad ass open house at the Southeastern Glass Building (worked on by Michael and his awesome firm Sanders Pace) is having a pretty awesome open house, and my dad is having a show at Urban Bar and Cafe! It's the first time in like 20+ years he's had a show! so be sure to come on out and enjoy the festivities and drink and maybe buy some art! (below are a few of my faves)

Christmas Gifts, Yes Please!

to all those hoping to woe their creative loved one, or me! Go with this! Its way cooler than one of those Omaha Steak Subscriptions. 500 pencils in 20 months! yes, yes, yes! (via)

Eye Candy part VII

stumbled upon this artist, Micca. and its reminescent of Egon Schiele, atleast for me, so it makes it an automatic fave. love the selective coloring, contour-esque lines, and the use of negative space on the pages. Its very fairy tale-sy. Enjoy!

Eye Candy (part III)

Stumbled upon Marek Haiduk, a Graphic Designer and Illustrator from Germany. His flicker page and website is total inspiration... The use of collision and montage is great, with a nice lil' nod to constructivism (my fave)... Here's a few I found on his flicker page.

the Bauhaus, 90 years of Inspiration

What artists (graphic, music, or architect) aren't inspired by the Bauhaus. Walter Gropius founded Staatliches Bauhaus Weimar in 1919 in a bankrupt Germany and the younger generation was eager to make positive changes. (via smashing mag)


Bauhaus selected some of the best talent from each trade to become Master Instructors. Not only did they teach the student, they motivated and inspired.


L-R: Josef Albers, Hinnerk Scheper, Georg Muche, László Moholy-Nagy, Herbert Bayer, Joost Schmidt, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Vassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger, Gunta Stölzl (whom I believe is the only rockin lady on the staff... hot hot!) and Oskar Schlemmer




now for some eye candy...

What to do with those old cassettes...

Come on, I know we all have them. This artist found a great reuse of cassettes.
Resound states: In this series I showcase a number of portraits of musicians made out of recycled cassette tape with original cassette. Also included are portraits made from old film and reels. The idea comes from a philosopher’s (Ryle) description of how your spirit lives in your body. I imagine we are all, like cassettes, thoughts wrapped up in awkward packaging.

The Building that got Left Behind

a great image and stumble, thanks to Pruned. Images by Marcus Buck, imprints of demolished houses left on other houses.

This Weekend...

sorry I've been lacking on all the awesomeness that is mizmargauxxx, but let's get started with this past weekend. First off, what a fun town Chattanooga is! I was not expecting much, but instead I saw a great band (at Jj's), met a new friend (Rodger somethin), drank alot of PBR, ate at the Vine Street Market, and got my art on! Kat's new place is in the cutest neighborhood, and really all of Chatt (the parts we hung in) were too cute! It made me jealous and sad that Knox wasn't planned as nicely on the river. Well here is a pic of the Mural I'm paintin up in Kat's new bedroom... Its my first in years!!! (try 8 - atleast back in highschool was the last night I seriously painted a wall! ha!) But it made me fall in love all over again! Get me outta architect and put a paint brush in my hand!!! well, this is the first one, but I think I'm gonna try to moonlight this a little bit, atleast see where it goes, so if you guys know anyone (willing to pay o.c.) let me know... thanks! and more pics as it progresses

Best Gallery Showing I've Seen

Maybe ever. I, bored at work, began exploiting my time by taking pics of me in the bathroom (I know I'm narcissistic, but I was lookin' really cute that day) but... luckily Dianna came to my rescue and we (with Patrick and Dave) walked around the corner to the UT MFA thesis exhibit, titled A Fork In The Road. The Research and Information that went into this exhibit was potentially overwhelming, but the artist, did such a great job of presenting it, graphically and also very much interactive-ly! I felt so comfortable and in awe. The exhibit discussed energy usage and how local agriculture can affect energy consumption. After my initial passing through the gallery I did decide to take part of a smaller installation where the artist provided rainbow chard seeds and soil for my own planting and future eating enjoyment (I can't wait til it sprouts! pics will be added!). The information concerning local products, really astonished me... I mean, I know alot of energy went into the transporation and production of food, but the difference that could be made from local farmer grown or your typical grocery store.