February 25, 2013

And the Oscar Goes to...

...Derek McLane

Who is that? You frown and ask! 

Well, he didn't actually get an Oscar Statue last night, so you probably won't recognize his name or his face.  But his work glittered and shone on stage for the full 2.5 hours.  He is the Scenic designer responsible for the beautiful stage set ups. 

Scenic design (also known as, stage design, set design or production design) is the creation of theatrical  as well as film or television scenery. One of the most difficult challenges in creating a scenic design is helping your audience to visualize and experience feelings that can trigger memories toward a particular setting. The beauty of a scenic design can produce the most unforgettable memories of life. Scenic art should provide an experience that engages your heart and mind. It takes you to a person, place or thing that can cause us to value it.

 A few times in the broadcast I found myself admiring the background more than the outfits that were parading onto the stage.  Derek created this amazingly, glamorous, set up with simple rows of lights. 

In an article in the  Huffington Post McLane is quoted as saying: "I like the fact that when you look at each one of these individual lamps, they just look like a sort of ordinary, industrial lamp that is, quite frankly, the last thing in the world that you would think of as warm. And yet, together as a pattern, they create something that I think is magical and beautiful."

In the wide shots it the light sculpture had the effect of being in a magical underground cave.
84th Academy Awards - Stage Design by Derek McLane

Magical Cave Photo source: Flickr
 In the tight shots, the lights sparkled in the background adding just the right amount of "Hollywood Glam" to every shot, without distracting from the main event.  

Derek McLane is a Tony winning, Broadway stage designer.  In an article for Broadway World, McLane related that the main inspiration for the half-moon shaped caged lighting sculpture that frames the gigantic stage of the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles came from an object d'art in his own home - a wall installation featuring dozens of antique lamps in cubbyholes backed by iodizing mirrors.
McLane related that the main inspiration for the half-moon shaped caged lighting sculpture that frames the gigantic stage of the theater came from an object d'art in his own home - a wall installation featuring dozens of antique lamps in cubbyholes backed by iodizing mirrors.

HELLO???  Sign me up for his next dinner party so I can check out HIS home!!! 
rendering of Academy Award stage


 

February 18, 2013

My Effing Offspring

If you have been following my Blog from the start you will remember when the talented Jason Duncan aka the Recent Paterfamilias, used to post weekly musings about being a new dad.  (And if you don't remember you can click HERE to view some of his past posts) 

Now that his daughter is nearly two years old, he is hardly new to parenthood, so he has changed his moniker and can now be found posting regular on his own blog: My Effing Offspring.  A hilarious insight at being a stay-at-home dad in Manhattan.

CHECK IT OUT:  


February 14, 2013

Love Songs and Last Minute Valentines


So here it is, Valentines day is upon us.  If you don't have a gift, chocolates or flowers are an easy fix.

My thought: Why not write a love song.

However, if you have no musical or writing abilities (like me) then you should just visit songlyrics.com and search for a song.  Maybe it's one that has special meaning, maybe it's one you just like.  Then you can write it out, or type it out or maybe just take a line or two and give it to your Valentine.  Voila - the perfect gift. 


If you need a little inspiration here are a few example I found online:

Found on Poppy talk



Lunimeers: Hey Ho lyrics by Stoic Design on Etsy


All You Need is Love note card by Texas Girl Designs on Etsy


Rainbow Connection - Custom Song art by Skårtshop
How Sweet it is by Creative Spark

February 07, 2013

New Skårt: A Bicycle Built for Two

I can never get enough elephants and I love to bike.  These two things merged last week and this popped out:
Also, in time for Valentines day, I did a smaller version with just the bicycle built for two.  It's available in my ETSY shop.

February 04, 2013

Infographics to Make You Smile

Because sometimes you need a little visualization to help with the important decisions....

I kinda wish I had both these posters -- one in my bathroom and one in my kitchen, respectively.
 There are a ton more of these at Stephen Wildish's Friday project. And some are available to purchase HERE.

February 01, 2013

Superbowl Sunday - GO 49ERS

Go 49ers print by License2sell on Etsy
Who am I kidding? I know nothing of football. 

All I know for sure about  Superbowl Sunday is that it means that I can eat Nachos to my belly's content with no guilt. 

But this year I have a little more of an investment in who wins.  It's not because I live in California, its because I happen to have one Football Reception print left in stock - and guess what color it is? Yup, you guessed it,  it's in the San Francisco 49ers colors.  So ... GO 49ERS!!!
Football Reception - 49ers colors available at Skartshop on Etsy