More Skeleton Art

My skeleton tank post reminded me of the artist, Michael Paulus, whose illustrations I find so clever and fun! It clearly appeals to my artistic/scientific duality. It's one of those things you wish you had thought up! Some characters lend themselves better to more interesting skeletal renditions, like Snoopy here! His prints are for sale on his site as well as on etsy.com. Anyone want to buy me one? :)

Random Filler

I took this photo on the subway a while ago. I really like the design of the old woodcut skeleton print and how it perfectly overlays exactly where the bones would be on the wearer. It's probably some indie manufacturer who made it. I found similar ones online, but this particular print (yes, you can't get rid of the designer in me yet) is so much nicer. I really wanted to ask where she bought it, but I didn't. Oh well. If anyone sees this exact one, buy one for me? :)

Medical Images

So I was browsing the web for public domain images to make a desktop wallpaper for all you *3* blog followers. ;) In the process, I came across this cool site from the National Institutes of Health's Library of Medicine Web site. Lots of fun images, many of them public domain. There are scary prints of medical instruments used long ago. Suddenly you understand why people feared doctors and dentists, way back then.

There are cool posters from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. And several current images, like the one at left. Who knew cells could render so beautifully in a Miro'esque way! I'll doubt my drawings will look like this when I take Microbiology.

I spent hours browsing this site! On the most part, not many images would appeal as a desktop picture. But I did find a few—like this one! It's colorful and abstract, and not too nerdy? :) One of these days, I'll create a desktop wallpaper for you.

Organic Design

Similar to my post about origami art inspiring mathematicians and scientists, this TEDTalks focuses on nature and science as inspiration for design. Sometimes, nature offers the best solutions for practical structures.

Ikigai (or Reason for Being)

Between the Folds: The Science of Art; The Art of Science. I stumbled upon this film back in December. As it turned out, it was about to be on PBS so I made sure to watch it. (It's also available on iTunes) In one segment, a group of scientists at MIT discuss studying the folding of proteins that may help develop drugs to fight diseases.

Not only am I a paper fanatic, but I find it so fascinating because it deals with two disciplines that I constantly find myself see-sawing between: Art and Science. Who's to say they should even be separated? This short film shows the interconnectedness of both. For much of our life, we are taught as though they are divided; in fact, they make a whole. As the film mentions, "It seems artists and scientists are not as different as we often think."

I was originally a Botany major till late in my junior year when I changed to Environmental Studies in order to graduate on time. But I had been fascinated by Graphic Design and ended up making a career of it. Ironically, here I am, coming back around to science.

This film also made me think of the Japanese term "ikigai", or the reason for being. That which gives you reason to live. I liken it to finding a passion for something that makes you want to get up every day. Since starting my studies I feel I've found my ikigai. I felt stagnant in a job that wasn't satisfying. I thought one day: what can I do to make it different? Do I want to be doing this forever? Or do I continue just not feeling fulfilled in a job? Suddenly, my stagnant job has less control of my well-being and I'm moving in a direction I'm much more excited about.

I highly recommend watching this film and finding your ikigai.