Painting
September 5, 2018

8 Contemporary Portrait Artists Who Are Reinventing One of Art’s Oldest Subjects

Prior to photography, painters were the ones who captured visual snapshots of mankind. Some the earliest portraits are believed to have been painted onto stone by ancient Egyptians as a way to immortalize their rulers and gods. Over the centuries, the traditional genre continued to be reserved for depicting royal families and religious figures.

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Portrait Photography
September 3, 2018

Surreal Swimming Portraits Highlight the Eye-Pleasing Symmetry of the Indoor Pool

The swimming pool is a site of unintentional eye-pleasing symmetry. The decorative tiles coupled with the reflections in crystal clear waters create mirrored imagery that often abstracts the surrounding environment. Photographer Maria Svarbova captures this serendipitous repetition—and more—in her ongoing series of surreal synchronized swimmer portraits. Known for the distinct style of her swimming pool photos, Svarbova seeks spaces that lend themselves to mirroring.

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Creative Products
September 1, 2018

15+ Textile Wall Hangings to Add a Touch of Vintage Style to Your Home

If you’re looking for a way to decorate your bare walls but want an alternative to store-bought framed prints, textile wall hangings are a great way to add a splash of color, pattern, and texture to your space. Synonymous with 1970s bohemian decor, macrame, weaves, and tapestries are currently having a major trend revival. However, contemporary textile artists aren’t just creating throw-back renditions—they’re modernizing the craft by using a variety of techniques and materials.

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Resources
August 30, 2018

Incredible Online Archive Lets You Download Hundreds of Ancient Maps for Free

Cartography, or map-making, has a long history. From cave paintings to ancient Greek explorations, maps have always been used as a vital tool to help us visualize and navigate our way through the world. “Cartography was not born full-fledged as a science or even an art,” wrote map historian Lloyd Brown in 1949. “It evolved slowly and painfully from obscure origins.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.