LED Lights Illuminate Layers of Organic Forms on Glass

In these Illuminated Paintings by New York-based artist Peter Bynum, the traditional expectations of a standard painting are questioned and then broken. Bynum creates each work by splattering, dribbling, and dropping acrylic paint onto glass and allowing it to take on its own natural structure. He then mounts the panes of glass together to form layers of shapes that create a certain depth to the otherwise flat organic forms. The glass can be placed at various distances, some so close that they almost touch, while others separated by up to one inch.

The most original aspect of this work is that each painting is lit from behind by flat LED panels. The consistent, bright light shines through the colors and gives new life to the static objects. The lights can be adjusted by viewers with a remote control dimmer, which provides not only a visually captivating experience, but also an interactive one as well. Through his work, Bynum connects his viewers to the wonders of nature. Up close, the colorful blobs appear to be something you might see under a microscope. From a distance, the pieces are gorgeous landscapes, abstract representations of our natural environment.

Comfy Sofa Design Mimics an Electronic Keyboard

If you like computers, then you will definitely enjoy this fun QWERTY Sofa by Italian architecture and product design firm ZO_loft. Using your basic keyboard as inspiration, the unique piece of furniture is composed of square cushions arranged in the same order as the rows of letters that we use to type out our thoughts.

The company explains, "Arms folded and cheek pressed on the keys. Sooner or later, at home or at work, we all end up by falling asleep on our computer’s keyboard." So, they transformed that uncomfortable naptime into a soft and comfy sofa bed. Each cushion, controlled by a remote, can be adjusted to any desired height, making the surface completely customizable to fit your level of desired comfort. ZO_loft says users will be "happy to finally sleep on their keyboard."

Amazingly Detailed Paintings on Tiny Canvases

The smaller, the better, in the eyes of Hasan Kale. The Turkey-based artist creates micro paintings on very unusual canvases, including the wings of butterflies, snail shells, lemon peels, and coffee beans. Since the 1980's, Kale has produced these tiny little masterpieces, all of which feature his hometown, the landscape of Istanbul.

Kale uses his finger as a palette to blend paints and to create his desired color palettes. With great patience and a well-trained, steady hand, the artist uses a very fine-tipped paint brush to achieve amazing details. Viewers have to look very closely in order to see and to appreciate the landscapes, which blend very naturally into his chosen, and unusual, backgrounds. You can watch the video below to see the artist in action.

If you enjoy this very tiny art, you will also definitely appreciate these miniature sculptures by artist Willard Wigan.

Thrill-Seeking Kayakers Paddle Across an Active Volcano

Extreme sports photographer Alexandre Socci accompanied professional kayaker Pedro Oliva and his team (including kayakers Ben Stookesberry and Chris Korbulic) as they decided to take on the turbulent waters surrounding Kilauea, an active volcano on the southeast slope of Mauna Loa in south-central Hawaii. Unlike a typical water expedition, though, the group kayaked alongside flows of molten lava as it streamed down the gushing volcano.

Originally in Hawaii to film the latest installment of their Brazilian TV program titled Kaiak for Channel OFF, Socci tells us that the group didn't really know what to expect. He recounts the day for us: "We got out of bed at 3:30 AM to be in the harbor at 4 AM and get there at 5:45 AM, before sunrise, to get the best light to see the lava and the kayaks on water. We got there and for the first 20 minutes we were just looking at everything and trying to figure out what to do... then Pedro decided to get on his kayak and go for it.... We didn't expect that.

"As a water photographer myself I was trying to get into the water but it was impossible, the water was about 90 degrees Celsius and there were lots of lava particles floating that could burn anything in seconds... even the kayaks came out of the water with some 'scars' from the floating lava!!!"

Socci's incredible images say it all as the fiery molten rock can be seen oozing its way into the water just a few feet away from the daredevil kayakers. Like a scene straight from an exciting action sequence, the area is filled with blinding steam, wavy waters, and flaming lava. In fact, Oliva even caught one of his oars on fire due to its exposure to the lava flows. As a cautionary message, he says, "I hope people don't see these images and think that it is safe to paddle so close to the lava because really it's not safe at all."

Alexandre Socci website

Contemplative Silhouettes Search for Their Path in Life

Artist Kasia Derwinska creates scenes with contemplative silhouettes trying to find their own paths in life. Each anonymous character is either standing at a distance or walking off in a vast and empty landscape. There are recurring visuals throughout her portfolio that include umbrellas, clouds, and a theme of pensiveness as her characters are stuck at a standstill. Like an artistic metaphor for life through a surreal lens, each frame presents characters with endless options to create their own reality.

Choosing not to refer to herself as a professional photographer, Derwinska says, "I use photography as a tool, like a brush for painting or an instrument to play music." She further explains, "My creations are an attempt to connect the visible with the invisible - feelings, emotions, fears, hopes and doubts about the world we live in. It is my personal journey through this unreal reality."