Maira Kalman, illustrator and author, has started a pictoral blog on the NYTimes site called “And the Pursuit of Happiness.” Her first piece is a visual journal of her feelings about the inauguration. Sometimes pictures really do say more than words. Her pictures (and some words) really capture the exultation and relief so many of us felt during the inauguration.

Found this ages ago via Colourlovers (OK, maybe only a month ago,but it’s been sitting in my tabs ever since). It’s a gorgeous short film made entirely of a series of paintings (the film description begins “What if you watch a film and whenever you pause it, you face a painting?”).

I am so impressed I can barely stand it.

Khoda from Reza Dolatabadi on Vimeo.

You can also watch the HD version on the Vimeo site (but the creator of the film has, understandably, disabled the HDversion for embedding).

So this year, the International Year of Astronomy don’tcha know,  I’d love to get as good a look at the sky as the makers of this video (found via Astronomy Picture of the Day). I’m looking more and more forward to camp all the time. If only it weren’t in February, it would be perfect.

túrána hott kurdís by hasta la otra méxico! from Till Credner on Vimeo.

This fantastic video, found via Craft magazine’s blog, is … well … fantastic.

In my head, I sometimes feel like I live inside my books, but it never looks this cool.

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

The story of Monkey, and his journey to the west, has always been one of my favorites. I’ve read my favorite abridged translation about 3 or 4 times, and I just recently finished reading the 1400 page original version (well, yes, it was a translation, too, but you know what I mean).
As much as I love the story, I love artists interpretations even more. This is why I will probably buy myself the new album by Hewlitt and Albarns (yup, the guys behind Gorillaz have made a Monkey album, based in part on their opera). This is also why I love this painting.
Phew… I never thought I’d ramble so much using this tiny onscreen keyboard.

SLAM BOSMA: Paintings

by Patrick Moberg (via Conscientious)

This artist creates the most amazing abstract “photos”, without a camera. Very inspiring.

Bending Light & Color With Alan Jaras by COLOURlovers

Gerry Pacher takes some of the most amazing photos. I’m inspired every time I see a new photo on my aggregator. This one really caught my eye, minimalist, but infinitely appealing.

I highly recommend taking a gander at his blog, new photos fairly frequently, or use his RSS feed to subscribe to the site (his feed includes full posts, including images. Big thumbs up from me for that.)

A little photographic and color inspiration, on the Life in Color galleries at National Geographic. Each image is also available as a wallpaper. I know I’ll be downloading a few. And I’m sure my Mom will nab this one.

(via Colourlovers)

In a word, inspiring.

jeffmasamoriphotography.tk (via Digital Photography School)