#fine art-adel

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Pietro Ayres (Italian, 1794-1878) Bildnis der Adele Elisabeth von Frantzius, geborene Ritt, 1821

[pj-art-things]

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A post shared by Peter Salter (@p_j_art)

I’ve been expecting you Mr Bond

Paintings by Peter James Salter | PJArts

Created using Acrylic paint on paper

[dinodogs]

Coco, Pyrrha, and Summer. I've had Pyrrha done since like, febuary I just forgor to post her.

[studioofearthlydelights]

Why graphic design? What is graphic design to you?

Mostly, graphic design was the only way I felt you could be creative and make a living in ~society~. Over the last decade and a half of my career, I’ve peeled layers off from graphic design to lettering to illustration to fine art to reveal a spectrum of art and commercialism. Art as expression, art as a mission vs. art as a service, art as a mode for someone else’s message. Graphic design is the most service-based of all of these practices, but I have found niches where my voice and skills of typography, analog/organic elements, kinetic work, thoughtful or ethical storytelling and use of imagery, and texture are best used. In 2014, I got into pole dance and pro sex work activism. 2016-2018, I published a sex art and story zine and had an erotica shop. In 2018, I taught sensual movement. And that same year, I quit all of it to pursue my fine art more seriously. Every endeavor that seems like it moves “away” from graphic design has informed my graphic design practice, focused it in, elevated my voice in the industry and brought in more aligned work that is more sustainable in the long run.

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

Troy by Adele Geras

The Siege of Troy has lasted almost ten years. Inside the walled city food is (Malacca). and death is common. From the heights of Mount Olympus The Gods keep watch. But Aphrodite. Goddess of Love. is bored with the endless. dreary war. Aided by Eros's bow. the goddess sends two sisters down a bloody path to an awful truth: In the fury of war. love strikes the deadliest blows.

Casson Family by Hilary McKay

The four Casson children, whose mother, Eve, is a fine-arts painter, have all been given the names of paint colors. Cadmium (Caddy), is the eldest; then Saffron (Saffy); Indigo, the only boy; and Rose, the youngest. When Saffy discovers quite by accident that she has been adopted, she is deeply upset, though the others assure her that it makes no difference at all. Saffy is the daughter of Eve's twin sister, who lived in Siena, Italy, and died in a car crash. Grandad brought Saffy, as a very small child, back from Siena.

At Grandad's death he leaves something to each of the children. To Saffy, it is "her angel," although no one knows its identity. How Saffy discovers what her angel is, with the help of an energetic new friend, lies at the heart of this enchanting story.

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth by E. L. Konigsburg

A lonely girl discovers a magical world and a new friend when she meets a young witch on Halloween.

Unicorns of Balinor by Mary Stanton

After a terrible riding accident, Ari cannot remember anything of her past and is sent to live on a farm with foster parents. What Ari doesn't know is that she is not from our world, but from Balinor, a land of sorcerers and unicorns! Her parents, the King and Queen, sent her to Earth to protect her from a raging war before they were banished from their homeland. Now Ari--Princess Arianna--has found the road back to Balinor. As she struggles to remember her heritage, she must face the challenge of restoring peace to Balinor.

The Divide by Elizabeth Kay

When Felix and his parents visit the Divide in Costa Rica, a place where the waters that run down to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans separate, he faints and wakes to discover an amazing back-to-front world where mythical creatures are real and humans and science are legend.

Phantom Stallion by Terri Farley

When 13-year-old Samantha returns home to her family′s cattle ranch in Nevada, she′s worried. She moved away two years ago to recover from a bad fall off her beloved mustang, Blackie, and she′s still not sure she can get back in the saddle. Her new colt doesn′t seem to like her, and the other ranchers treat her like the boss′s spoiled daughter, and Blackie has been missing since that fateful day. But that′s just the beginning. When Sam suddenly finds the fate of a mysterious mustang who may or may not be the missing Blackie - resting in her hands, she has to learn to be a real cowgirl, ready or not.

Miri and Molly by Annie Barrows

Miri is the only single child in the middle of a family with two sets of twins--older brothers and younger sisters. When the family moves to an old farmhouse Miri accidentally travels back in time to 1935 only to discover Molly, a girl in need of a real family to call her own.

Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone

Almost everybody who has grown up in Chicago knows about the Thorne Rooms. Housed in the Children’s Galleries of the Chicago Art Institute, they are a collection of 68 exquisitely crafted miniature rooms made in the 1930s by Mrs. James Ward Thorne. Each of the 68 rooms is designed in the style of a different historic period, and every detail is perfect, from the knobs on the doors to the candles in the candlesticks. Some might even say, the rooms are magic.

Imagine—what if you discovered a key that allowed you to shrink so that you were small enough to sneak inside and explore the rooms’ secrets? What if you discovered that others had done so before you? And that someone had left something important behind?

Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French

Her name was Heidi, and she was Hitler's daughter.

It began on a rainy morning in Australia, as part of a game played by Mark and his friends. It was a storytelling game, and the four friends took turns weaving tales about fairies and mermaids and horses. But Anna's story was different this time: it was not a fairy tale or an adventure story. The story was about a young girl who lived during World War II. Her name was Heidi, and she was Hitler's daughter.

As Anna's story unfolds, Mark is haunted by the image of Hitler's daughter. He wonders what he would have done in her place if he had known his father was an evil man leading the world into a war that was destroying millions of lives. And if Mark had known, would he have had the power and determination to stop him?

[ineedhjalp]

intro!!

hi!!!!!!!!!

I’m INeedHjalp, but you can call me Adele or Hjalp.

I’m a 22 year old currently finishing up my Master’s in Elizabethan literature. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont on a partial scholarship and am working through a TON of student debt. I’m from Colorado, in El Paso County. I’m trying to become a screen actor but right now I’m working at a local ice cream place.

My favorite things are Shakespeare (particularly M*cbeth), Hozier, Columbo, and my current hyperfixation, Dead Boy Detectives. (FUCK YOU NETFLIX!!!!!!)

Depending on when it crosses my dash, I also reboot stuff from NBC Hannibal, Good Omens, Doctor Who, or some of my old fandoms like Magnus Chase or Night At the Museum.

I’m queer! I’m some flavor of bisexual and biromantic, but I’m also on the aroace spectrum. (I might be demi, I think?) I’m also on the nonbinary spectrum (I’m a guy. But I’m also a girl. It’s complicated).

My preferred pronouns are she/her, though I’m fine with anything, really.

Some of my LOVELY mutuals are @flowers-of-anise, @a-chaotic-business, @gayoticbeing, @homoquartz, @judeisunsure, @ineffablefood, @understand-some-thing-some-time, @that-one-greml1n, @lunarsolar1, and, of course, @andiv3r. (I’m forgetting SO MANY PEOPLE. If you are a moot and see this post and you aren’t included, PLEASE reach out. I’m quite forgetful.

I have undiagnosed ADHD. I would go to the doctor, but Money.

My tags:

#ineedhjalp — my tag for posts I make myself.

#hjalp lives — personal posts

#hjalp writes — my fics (check out my new dbda multichap!

#hjalp draws — nothing on here yet!!!!! I do do art though.

#hjalp answers — my asks! PLEASE ask me things!!

I do a LOT or reblogging. A LOT. You have been warned. It’s 99% reblogs on this blog, folks.

As of this moment, I have 2,823 Dead Boy Detectives photos saved to my camera roll.

I support queer people and their rights. I support intersex people and their rights. I support disabled & chronically ill people and their rights. I support women’s rights.

I DO NOT condone Neil Gaiman’s disgusting behavior. He’s dead to me.

I do not condone racism or sexism of any kind.

I don’t get the hate towards furries and therians. While I’m not one myself, bullying is never ok and people should just live their lives.

Trans women are women and trans men are men. Fuck the TERFs!

I will be voting for Kamala Harris in November. KEEP TRUMP AND THE CONSERVATIVES OUT OF OFFICE!!!!!!

FREE PALESTINE!!!! 🇵🇸

[blkdivinefeminine]

SILVER SPRINGS, a challengers story

✧˖° THE MIXTAPES ✧˖°

ramona’s mixtape

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one- silver springs, fleetwood mac

track two- storms, fleetwood mac

track three- drew barrymore, sza

track four- fade into you, mazzy star

track five- cellophane, fka twigs

track six- dear april, frank ocean

track seven- bad religion, frank ocean

track eight- boyfriends, harry style

s track nine- cool about it, boygenius

track ten-strangers, ethel cain

track eleven- the bomb, florence + the machine

track twelve-how to disappear, lana del rey

track thirteen- is it a crime?, sade

track fourteen- mirrored hearts, fka twigs

track fifteen- ex-factor, lauryn hill

track sixteen -nude, radiohead

track seventeen- all i wanted, paramore

track eighteen- the other woman, nina simone

track nineteen- losing you, solange

track twenty- linger, the cranberries

track twenty one- dancing on my own, robyn

track twenty two- the less i know the better, tame impala

track twenty three- lacy, olivia rodrigo

track twenty four - garden (say it like dat), sza

track twenty five-the end of love, florence + the machine

track twenty six- writer in the dark, lorde

track twenty seven- norman fucking rockwell, lana del rey track

twenty eight- landslide, fleetwood mac

track twenty nine-love ridden, fiona apple

track thirty- turning tables, adele

track thirty one-cayendo, frank ocean

track thirty two - cherry, harry styles

track thirty three - boyish, japanese breakfast

track thirty four-goodnight n go, ariana grande

track thirty five- love on the brain, rihanna

track thirty six- no ordinary love, sade

track thirty seven - fine line, harry styles

patrick’s mixtape

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one- house of cards, radiohead

track two- dark red, steve lacy

track three- flamenco, beyonce

track four- are we still friends?, tyler the creator

track five-chanel, frank ocean

track six- crack baby, mitski

track seven- killer, phoebe bridgers

track eight-self control, frank ocean

track nine- i want someone badly, jeff buckley

track ten-right down the line, greg rafferty

track eleven- crush, cigarettes after sex

track twelve- all i need, radiohead

track thirteen- moth to a flame, swedish house mafia w/ the weeknd

track fourteen-house of balloons/ glass table girls, the weeknd

track fifteen- west end girls, pet shop boys

track sixteen- baby came home 2/ valentines, the neighborhood

track seventeen-thunder, lana del rey

track eighteen- right my wrongs, bryson tiller

track nineteen-nature feels, frank ocean

track twenty- cinderella, mac miller ft. ty dolla sign

track twenty two- nights, frank ocean

track twenty three- s&m, rihanna

track twenty four- same ol' mistakes, tame impala

track twenty five- super rich kids, frank

ocean

track twenty six- slow dancing in the dark, joji

track twenty seven- favorite crime,olivia rodrigo

track twenty eight- do i wanna know, artic monkeys

track twenty nine- forget her, jeff buckley

track thirty- beetlebum, blur

track thirty one- don't let me down, the beatles

track thirty two - futile devices, sufjan stevens

track thirty three -i wanna be yours, artic monkeys

track thirty four- water under the bridge, adele

track thirty five-sanctuary, joji

track thirty six- something, the beatles

track thirty seven-congratulations, mac miller

art’s playlist

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one-white ferrari, frank ocean

track two-lover you should've come over,jeff buckley

track three- weird fishes/arpeggi, radiohead

track four- black star, radiohead

track five-don't let me go, cigarettes after sex

track six- uncle ACE, blood orange

track seven-somebody that I used to know, goyte

track eight-step on me, the cardigans

track nine-ivy, frank ocean

track ten- im your man, mitski

track eleven-champagne coast, blood orange

track twelve- last goodbye, jeff buckley

track thirteen- when the sun hits, slowdive

track fourteen- bad habit, steve lacy

y track fifteen- high and dry, radiohead

track sixteen- earfquake, tyler the creator

track seventeen-puppet, tyler the creator

track eighteen- close to you, frank ocean

track nineteen- apocalypse, cigarettes after sex

track twenty- no distance left to run, blur

track twenty one- pink matter, frank ocean

track twenty two-somebody else, the 1975

track twenty three- true love waits, radiohead

track twenty four- pride, kendrick lamar

track twenty five- glimpse of us, joji

track twenty six-distant lover, marvin gaye

track twenty seven- from the dining table, harry styles

track twenty eight-savior complex, phoebe bridgers

track twenty nine -to be so lonely, harry styles

track thirty- a boy is a gun, tyler the creator

track thirty one- two slow dancers, mitski

track thirty two- tomorrow never came, lana del rey

track thirty three- different this time, cornelia murr

track thirty four- say something living, the xx

track thirty five- kiss it off me, cigarettes after sex

track thirty six- seigfried, frank ocean

track thirty seven-pistol, cigarettes after sex

[some-loozzr]

SECTOR FYI...?

[CW/TW: Disturbing Imagery]

(2/2)

The Team had enough, Plantazia decided to go all out this time. Building a machine that scans the person's brainwaves to know their mood, status, and how they're seeing. After running a few psychological tests and simulations the results were...concerning... Full Name: Carol Carlson Codename: 1/6 Age: 11 Gender: Non-Binary Height: 5'0 Anxiety: 89% Sleep: 34% Percentage for Dreams: 0.3% Percentage for Nightmares: 99% Percentage for Hallucinations (Visual, Auditory..): 100% After speaking to Carol about the data and asking on what hallucinations and/or nightmares she had this week, and asking for how and what her dreams looked like...Well....

THE WILTED

(Chatter amongst the Operatives): Plantazia: "Is this how you're hallucinations see me?" Carol: "..." Plantazia: "Carol, I'm not mad, really! I'm just...not used to seeing things like this...Has this......"version" of me done anything, good or bad, to you in your dreams?" Carol: "You-...She-....It chased me down the halls of this treehouse..It tried to tear my arm off, but...I got away." Plantazia: "Did anything happen after that?" Carol: "Yeah, flowers, and moss started growing near me..It tried to rip my head off...but I woke up." Plantazia: "...." Carol: "..Is something wrong?" Plantazia: "No shit, if this's been happening to you for a long time, then we need to know what's going on with you. This can't go long any longer!" Carol: "..." Plantazia: "Look...it may look like all hope's gone, but We can help ya. It'll take a bit long depending on data, but We're always here for ya." Carol: *smiles*

INERTIA

(Chatter amongst the Operatives..): Carol: (giving the paper to Irk) "...H-Here." Irk: "1'M N0T L00K1NG 4T TH4T." Carol: "..." Carol: "...I-....I know this isn't what you're used to seeing on...yourself, but I swear, this is only in my dreams and-" Irk: "1T'S F1N3, OR..WH4T3V3R..." Carol: "N-No Irk, it's not-" Irk: "QU13T, B3 GR4T3FUL I B0TH3R3D 3V3N T4LK1NG T0 Y0U 1N TH3 F1RST PL4C3."

"ADELLE"

((Chatter amongst the Operatives)): Adelle: "Aw Carol, is this for me? That's so sweet! Your art looks great!" Carol: "..." Adelle: "Hey, it's not ugly, in fact, I look great in your artstyle! You can keep practicing and you'll improve in no ti-" Carol: "T-Turn the page around...." Adelle: "Oh? Another drawing? Cool-" PRETENDER // TRUE FORM

Adelle: "...Oh." Adelle: "Soooo....the "me" in the Nightmare world is just a faker?" Carol: "Y-Yeah...I thought it was really you, but...I guess I should really be making sure that every...."normal" person I see in my dreams are actually normal of not..." Adelle: "It's fine, I have weird dreams too!" Carol: "N-..Not those dreams! It's....worse." Adelle: "...." Adelle: "I-I'm so sorry Carol, I didn't mean to-" Carol: "N-no Adelle, it's fine.."

AU by @kandykatz Adelle belongs to @catchingrockd

[stelladess]

Spoiler ahead for the CN livestream, so chapter 14 stuff and brief IS5 mention (also anime season 3 confirmed now). Do not keep reading to avoid spoilers. Just some of my early thoughts. Stream of conciousness, not having thought things through much kind of thing. Kind of just rambling. But tl;dr is that I am excited and it looks good to me.

So, they keep using Civilight Etherna to describe "Theresa" and even outright ask "is she really Theresa?" in the live stream, so no its not a full on resurrection... so from a certain point of view, I was right. Her kit seems super good, she a bard also the freebie operator. Since I do not have Skalter this is good news for me. Big buffs, can do true damage... is neat. Logos is... outright busted. His S1 is insanely good AFK skill which can just auto kill weaker enemies who enters his range, not even an attack and his S2 seems fine, his S3 is also insane. Depending on the numbers he might outperform Eyja but we´ll see, that is always the test is it not? Amiya gets to be an incantation medic, with an outright busted talent (passive health regen on skill, off and on skill gives max HP boosts, this applies to all operators for both it seems?) and a pretty good looking S1 (attacks two enemies, bonus damage) and an amazing S2 with a big burst of damage at first, then slow and true damage with targeting two enemies and.... once per mission... again. Its... fine, I´m not salty.... Anyway, the big star, is limited (I had hoped she would be freebie since her original was limited but oh well) Walter.... or, W has now picked a name for herself, we will have to learn the context in chapter 14, Wis´adel (she has a different S but my keyboard lacks it, it is pronouched as a "sh" sound though). Wis´adel is a flinger sniper who makes all other flingers irelevant and is absolutely busted. Because I am a big W fan (depending on the day it is either her or Kal´tsit who is my second favorite operator) and flingers were in a really bad spot I am kind of ok with this but I still prefer they do not just blatantly directly power creep operators or go too far on insane damage numbers. Her damage seems... a bit too high in my opinion, but because I love her as a character and am excited for her story going forward and her kit seems fun, just really overtuned, I will be pulling. And I guess Degenbrecher and Mlynar already brought us up to this insane damage level so I should not be surprised. Power creep is something I have kept up in many many games I play and there are times where a later power crept state was my favorite period of the game so I will not go and get too hung up on the power creep. Also, I was right to take notice of the floating black crown parts I think cause it is even more prominent now. Bunch of story related stuff here but I wanna wait with talking about that until I have sorted my thoughts and maybe even read chapter 14. On that note, story for chapter 14 has me INCREDIBLY hyped. 13 was my favorite chapter, dethroning chapter 8. And I really wanna know what they are cooking next! Also IS5 has a Kal´tsit boss... she wields a sword!!!! (There are some interesting stuff about Kal and weapons that comes up occasionally, this is in the past it seems so maybe we find out what the deal is?)

I do think its a kind of bad decision to make IS5 sarkaz themed though, I like the sarkaz stuff but I feel IS is best used for parts of the world not explored in as much depth elsewhere. (I think it works with IS3 doing something explored a lot elsewhere but I kinda do not want them to keep doing that). But back to positive stuff the character designs are great. Wis´adel design has really grown on me, I think its a huge downgrade from what she wore before but it feels like it fits her so I am fine with that. Amiya has improved her fashion sense, at first I was sad at no more big coat/cape but that turned out to just be cause the blurry art... she went for a long coat instead of big coat that was actually a normal coat but just too big for her. So it still is something actually made to fit her but still retains the big coat look to some extent. Civilight Etherna boobs seem bigger then Theresa´s(?) Is it to contain the myriad souls? Deep lore implications about this at least! Logos uniform is good but like, so are all Rhodes uniforms. I do not feel it is exceptionally good for a Rhodes uniform but it suits him. Oh and also we see Wis´adel studying in one of the PVs, Hoederer must be so proud she is finally taking her education seriously~! Lastly on addressing the name situation... I will keep using W until chapter 14 is out on global to avoid spoiling people, after that I will probably switch to using her new name. Names are a very important thing especially when you pick them yourself.

[moonlitmistyforest]

Adele Romany - Portrait of a Lady at a Pianoforte, circa 1808 oil on canvas, 129.5 x 94 cm Museum of Fine Arts Boston

[adelleandlaura4ever]

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️   ❤️ ❤️ ❤️  

Adelle,

You are my Rose, red and fine. You are my longing, please be mine, as I am yours deep in your heart forevermore.

I love you deeply my beautiful Lover ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🌈

 

@adelle4ever

@adelleandlaura4ever

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Pietro Ayres (Italian, 1794-1878) Bildnis der Adele Elisabeth von Frantzius, geborene Ritt, Detail, 1821

[patrickjonesblog]

Top Albums of 2023

Hey, how ya doing? I got sick the last week of 2023 when I intended to write this so here I am in 2024 looking back on some of my favorite long players last year.

I saw so many of my favorite acts in 2023, it was probably the best live music year ever. So much so I spent what felt like a whole morning creating a "reel" on "instagram". The fruits of which you can watch here.

Enough about live music though, this is about wonderful studio recordings, so here's what's made the long list and then we'll kick straight into the top 10 with accompanying videos.

16 - Romy - Mid Air

15- Jessie Ware - That! Feels! Good!

14- Gracie Abrams - Good Riddance

13 - Lana Del Rey - Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?

12 - Bombay Bicycle Club - My Big Day

11 - The Bug Club - Rare Birds: Hour of Song

10 - Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy

If you haven't seen Young Fathers Glastonbury set in 2023, I recommend you do so after you've read this blog. Gutted they cancelled their brooklyn show, but I hope to catch it this year.

9 - Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You

Caroline Polacheck is the closest we've got to Kate Bush in 2023, the detail she puts into her visuals and the choreography of her performances, its high art. The track below isn't on the album, but it was the moment I realized her brilliance.

8 - Gorillaz - Cracker Island

This felt like an under the radar release from Gorillaz, at least here in the states. It's the first time Albarn has worked with Greg Kurstin (Adele, Mccartney, Kendrick) and you can hear his influence as it's a bit more poppy than previous releases.

7 - Jeff Rosenstock - Hellmode

If you've read any of my blogs over the past decade you will have seen a lot of appearances from US Punk / Ska legend Jeff. The reason being; he doesn't make bad records.

6 - Sleaford Mods - UK Grim

How do you follow 2021's career highlight Spare Ribs? With more of the same, that's how. 12 albums in to their career now and they're still gathering pace. Blistering, acerbic, hilarious as ever.

5 - The Hives - The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

The first new music from The Hives in 11 years and they return with a literal bang. This album is as good as anything they came out with when they first charmed their way onto the scene in the early 2000's. The bellies may be podgier, Pelle's kicks aren't as high, but the riffs are as spritely as ever. Still one of the greatest live bands around.

4 - Blur - Ballad of Darren

I always get a bit anxious about a new blur album, they don't have to release new music, they have a back catalog that guarantees them legend status already. Releasing new music risks tainting that legacy so far into their career. I needn't worry, Ballad of Darren is a beautiful record with a legitimate brand new stadium filling anthem to add to their repertoire.

3 - Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS

Bit of a surprise this one, maybe more for me than you dear reader. I didn't get the fuss of the first album (still don't) it sounded like any one of a million young pop darlings. But GUTS is different, it's eclectic, it's beautifully written, it tears at your heart, it raises your fists, it makes you dance. It has everything really. She's the real deal. It's objectively not made for a 42 year old man, but great music is great music and I bloody love this.

2 - Jenny Lewis - Joy'All

It was a tough call between this and Olivia, but i've given it to Jenny for the 20+ years experience she has on the young upstart. Jenny Lewis is maturing into a fine groove, she's replaced Ryan Adams as a much more palletable country-folk spot in my heart. Her songwriting continues to get better with age.

1 - The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein | Laugh Track

Stadium filling, Taylor Swift collaborating, David Letterman approved super band The National. It's a wild trajectory my favorite band has taken over the last few years. No longer critically acclaimed everyones favorite unheard of band, they're rightly at the upper table of indie-rock and its fully deserved. Not satisfied with releasing one beautiful record this year they follow it up soon after with the surprise Laugh Track an equally brilliant album in its own right. Most bands would kill to have one record this good in their whole career, its frankly not fair they can do two this good in a year. A joint number one for me as I can't separate them.

There you have it, 2023 all wrapped up, full of BIG acts with a smattering of newbies thrown in for good measure and probably the most female representation I've had in an end of year list.

You can hear these and LOADS more in my 2023 playlist.

And if you like any of this and trust my judgement follow my 2024 playlist which I curate throughout the year adding newly released tracks.

Aaaaaand away...

[damianpapciakdivergentpractice]

Art Doll

I was calling this sculpture a puppet, which is kinda gonna be cause I want to move it around however puppet is made to be acting like its alive, having its mouth moving and arms to gesticulate. I think what Im going for is gonna be more an Art Doll.

To put it simply, an art doll is a doll created not primarily as a plaything, but as a piece of art meant to communicate an idea to the observer. Canadian doll artist Adele Sciortino explains this concept related to her work: “Each figurative sculpture is as important as the next, each with their own souls and personalities.  I have captured the enlightenment and spirit of true fine arts in the figurative sculpture medium.”

Dolls have been around for centuries in many different cultures. They have played many roles, including as ceremonial objects, representations of deities, burial symbols, commercial figures meant to communicate native costumes and cultural norms, and socialization tools to help children define roles related to gender. 

Works Cited

“Art Dolls: Expressions of Artistic Equity and Diversity | ETFO Voice.” Etfovoice.ca, 2015, etfovoice.ca/feature/art-dolls-expressions-artistic-equity-and-diversity. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.

[my-music-1460]

How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It: From Creativity to Cash Flow

The music industry is one of the most competitive fields, where thousands of new songs are released daily. However, the dream of creating a hit song that resonates with millions of listeners and generates income is still achievable with the right approach. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a hit song and sell it, you’re not alone. Many songwriters, musicians, and artists face the same challenge. The truth is that songwriting is both an art form and a business. To succeed, you need to master both sides.

In this article, we'll delve deep into the intricate process of writing a song that has hit potential and explore strategies to sell your music effectively. From understanding the basic elements of songwriting to tapping into modern-day music distribution and sales platforms, we’ll walk you through how to turn your creative ideas into cash flow. So whether you're a beginner looking to get started or a seasoned musician aiming to fine-tune your craft, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of songwriting and selling music.

Nailing the Intro and Verse: The Foundation of a Hit Song

The first few seconds of a song are critical. It's often said that a listener decides whether they like a song within the first 30 seconds, making the introduction and the first verse some of the most important parts of your composition. This is where you must hook your audience, drawing them into your song with a compelling melody or intriguing lyrics.

Start with a simple yet memorable melody for the intro—something that sticks in the listener’s mind and makes them want to continue. When writing the verse, focus on storytelling. The lyrics should introduce the song’s theme and build an emotional connection with the audience. Think about songs that have deeply moved you in the past. What is it about their opening lines that grabbed your attention? Try to emulate that impact with your own unique touch.

Lyricism That Sells: Crafting Words That Connect

The lyrics of a hit song often balance universality with specificity. On one hand, they should connect with a broad audience; on the other, they need to tell a compelling story or express an emotion in a unique way. Hit songs like "Hello" by Adele or "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran demonstrate how strong, emotionally charged lyrics can leave a lasting impact.

When writing lyrics, keep in mind that less is more. Don’t overcrowd your song with too many words or overly complex ideas. Aim for clarity and emotion. Make each word count, and ensure the lyrics flow naturally with the melody. Additionally, the chorus is the emotional core of the song. This is where you want your message to hit the hardest. Repetition is key here—most hit songs have a catchy, repetitive chorus that sticks in listeners' heads long after the song ends.

Protecting Your Music: Copyrights and Publishing

Before you even think about selling your song, it's essential to protect it legally. This means securing the proper copyrights and understanding how music publishing works. Copyright ensures that you retain control over your work and are compensated for its use. In the U.S., for example, you can register your song with the U.S. Copyright Office, or use a service like TuneCore to handle this for you.

Publishing is another vital aspect of protecting and monetizing your music. A music publisher can help you collect royalties when your song is performed, streamed, or used commercially. They also play a significant role in placing your music in films, TV shows, and advertisements, opening up multiple revenue streams for you. By securing a publishing deal or self-publishing your songs through platforms like ASCAP or BMI, you can ensure your music generates income whenever it’s played or sold.

Crafting a Quality Demo: Bringing Your Song to Life

A strong demo is crucial when trying to sell a song. You don’t need to go overboard with production, but the demo should capture the essence of the song and present it in its best light. Even if your song is later re-recorded by an artist or producer, the demo needs to showcase the potential hit qualities of your track—melody, lyrics, and arrangement.

If you're on a budget, you can record a demo at home with relatively inexpensive equipment. However, it's still important to invest time in making the demo sound polished. Basic editing skills, good microphones, and knowledge of recording software can make a significant difference. If possible, collaborate with a producer or fellow musicians to ensure the demo reflects the full potential of the song.

Monetizing Your Music: Selling on Digital Platforms

Once your song is ready to be released, selling it on digital platforms is one of the most accessible and effective ways to monetize your music. Platforms like TuneCore, RouteNote, and Ditto Music allow you to upload and sell your music on major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. These platforms handle distribution for you, making it easier to reach a global audience without needing a record label.

But selling your music isn’t just about making it available online—you also need to market it. Social media plays a huge role in promoting songs today. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are powerful tools for showcasing your music and building a fan base. Regular engagement, teaser clips, and collaborations with influencers or other artists can help your song gain traction.

In addition to streaming platforms, consider licensing your music. Platforms like Songtradr and Artlist allow you to sell your songs to content creators, filmmakers, and advertisers who are looking for tracks to use in their projects. This opens up another revenue stream, especially if your song finds its way into a commercial or viral video.

Where to Sell Your Song: Explore Various Channels

While digital distribution platforms are a great start, there are other avenues to explore when selling your song. Sync licensing is a powerful tool for songwriters. By licensing your music to TV shows, movies, video games, and commercials, you not only earn revenue but also expose your song to a wider audience. Additionally, getting your music featured in prominent YouTube videos or used by popular content creators can lead to unexpected boosts in both sales and streaming numbers.

It’s also essential to explore more traditional routes, such as pitching your song to record labels or publishers. While this route may take longer and involve more hurdles, landing a publishing deal with an established label can provide long-term benefits, including better promotional resources and industry connections.

Conclusion Songwriting is an incredibly creative and fulfilling process, but it’s only the first step. If you want to turn your musical ideas into a sustainable income stream, learning how to write a hit song and sell it is crucial. Protect your music through copyrights and publishing, craft a professional demo that showcases the song's potential, and take advantage of modern platforms for selling and promoting your music.

With persistence and the right strategies, you can successfully navigate the music industry’s challenges and turn your passion into profit. Whether you're an aspiring songwriter or a seasoned musician, the journey from creativity to cash flow is achievable if you’re willing to put in the work and continuously hone your craft.

[drownmeinbeauty]

CHEWING THE SCENERY

Atlas of Es Devlin at the Cooper-Hewitt is a mid-career restrospective of the acclaimed British theatrical designer's work. She's completed, sets for plays, operas, the Olympics, the SuperBowl halftime show, for artists including Beyonce, Adele, Ye and U2, and installations for the 2020 World Expo, London Design Festival, Art Basel Miami, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The show takes pains to position her as a fine artist. It opens in a gallery mimicking her studio, with visitors seated at a large table cluttered with books and tools. A second gallery displays her student notebooks, with color studies and figure drawings. The bulk of the exhibit is made of process notes, sketches, drawings, paintings, and models. This all gives a sense of her mind and hand at work, but doesn't explain exactly what she does.

Not until the end, in a gallery with a large video screen looping photos and films from final productions, do we understand her gifts, the way she exploits mechanics (rotating platforms, pneumatic lifts, tilting ramps, levitating screens) and video screens (typically immense and often made into boxes that performers stand inside or on) to claim space, mediating the scale between the human figure and the theater. Her work is especially powerful for solo performers, single figures who need to command attention in enormous auditoriums and stadiums.

The videos are artfully crafted to enlarge a performer's presence rather than merely project it. We see, behind Beyonce as she takes the stage, her giant-sized figure prone and pristine, being born goddess-like from the waters. Adele enters between canted screens projecting giant images of her eyes, slowly and quietly blinking and scanning the crowd. Ye performs below screens with primeval unblemished landscapes of snow and clouds, an epic hero. Devlin has a gift for contemporary myth-making, something every pop star needs.

It's Devlin's work for theater that leaves me unmoved. In her set for The Lehman Trilogy, her best-known work, for which she won Olivier and Tony Awards, the giant glass box on stage, in which all the scenes unfold, spins like a carousel as scenes shift. The mechanics aren't terribly innovative; they're not so different from the way backdrops are raised and dropped from a traditional Broadway theater's fly space. The play's box and its dark metal frame evoke the modern office towers of lower Manhattan, where the scenes unfold. And its movements craft a mood of perpetual agitation that suits the story's financial and familial upheavals. But the big glass box becomes the story. It's bigger and louder than the words and gestures of its actors. Now the scenery is no longer part of the scenery.

A wall text explains of Devlin, "As a designer of temporary spaces, she views theater as an architecture of the imagination." Theater is traditionally a narrative of human drama, and a stage set opens a space for its telling. When the stage set makes its own narrative it's no longer a stage. As in this exhibit itself, the stage set is the story.

The Weeknd, Coachella, 20XX. Stage set by Es Devlin.