TJ Cha, a resident of Seoul, South Korea, describes himself as a figure maker. And boy! The kind of realism he brings into his miniature figures is to be seen to be believed. Little wonder his creations are making waves on the internet.
It all started when Cha, as a small child, visited a toy shop and got hooked to small figurines of superheroes displayed in the show window. He soon became a keen collector of miniatures till one fine day he actually started making them.
It was in 2003 that Cha decided to try his hand at making dolls. His natural gift of molding and creating small figures was recognized by one and all and helped him bag a job in a toy company called Hot Toys. Here he worked and gained valuable experience from 2008 to 2013.
Working for a company did not give Cha the kind of job satisfaction he was seeking. His passion for clay work prompted him to set out on his own. And that’s exactly what he did. He started using polymer clay and aluminum wires to form the body and learned to bake it. To fill in the details he used epoxy putty and finished them with vibrant paints. Cha’s ultimate aim is to express the wonderful human body in all its glory through his amazing miniatures.
Not only did Cha create some incredible miniature figurines and showcased them on the social media, but also posted the tutorials of some of his creation on YouTube. This gained Cha instant fame and, today, his works displayed on this social media platform are going great guns. By taking recourse to YouTube, he aims to keep alive the characters he creates and also build a lasting relationship with his ardent fans.
Currently, Cha enjoys a following of over 60,000 fans on Instagram and many more on various social media platforms.
There are many people in this world who love animals, but this Irish photographer is actually passionate about them. This has enabled Allan Dixon to make countless friends in the animal kingdom and his incredible selfies with all kinds of animals certainly prove it.
So close is Dixon to his animal friends that he has earned the sobriquet of ‘animal whisperer’ as also modern-day Mowgli from the Jungle Book! This is because he is an outstanding photographer and adventurer, who has created a unique niche for himself with incredible animal photography. He is often found taking perfect selfies with animals.
If you may recall, there was an ad for the ‘Best Job in the World’ competition in 2013, where one was supposed to spend six months in the Australian wilderness. Well, this 31-year-old bagged the job and $AUS 100,000 along with it. He spent six months as an Outback Adventurer in the Australian wilderness.
This exposure gave Dixon a chance to be up close and personal with animals and also gave him an opportunity to collaborate with tourism agencies and conservation groups across the world as an adventure content creator. Little wonder he became a leading artist, developing his perfect selfie angle skills with diverse animals. He explains the difficulty in taking selfies on boredpanda.com, by saying it could take “anywhere between five minutes to three hours of being in the animal’s presence” to take the perfect selfie.
This native of Ireland is not only an expert in posing and getting perfect shots with animals, he is also devoted to their care and upkeep. According to him, his selfies with animals is all about respecting them and approaching them with caution and kindness. Allan Dixon’s animal selfies are popular on the internet and he has over 541,000 followers on Instagram alone.
We are generally left wide-eyed seeing identical twins. It is certainly exciting to find two different individuals a mirror image of each other. However, Peter Zelewski, a photographer, has taken upon himself not only to photograph such identical twins but also to delve into their special world.
What started Zelewski on this quest was his fascination for the incredible bond that exists between identical twins, their similarities and their differences. Not to mention the unique personalities of each individual.
According to him, “When I first started the project, it was without a doubt the visual attraction which I found most interesting when taking portraits of twins. But, as the series progressed, it was the subtle differences that became equally interesting.”
The Detroit-born Zelewski, residing in London since 1980s, found his subjects in this diverse and cosmopolitan city. Such was his desire to capture the identical twins in his camera that he would go after all identical twins he can lay his hands on, irrespective of their age, gender and background.
Zelewski’s superb photographic skills not only captured the physical attributes of the identical twins but their moods too. He prefers to shoot his subjects in the outdoor natural light. For effect, he ensures that the twins are similarly dressed and give similar poses to highlight their physical similarities as well as their invisible bond of togetherness.
You can very well feel the individuality of each of the twins, through their subtle differences in expression and moods. A case in point is Zelewski’s portrait of 15-year-old identical twin brothers, Joe and Duke. He was able to photograph the differences in their physical appearance and temperament by making them wear similar vests. The different personalities of these twins shine through in this incredible aesthetic masterpiece.
Zelewski photographic romance with identical twins is certainly delighting the net surfers!
Alfred Cheng, a thread artist, has this posted on his Instagram page: ‘Life is like a thread. It can be infinite possibilities’. And the thread portraits created by this thread portrait artist lend credence to this adage. What’s so special about Alfred Cheng string art is it’s handmade with a single thread.
A typical work of Alfred Cheng artist uses up to 5,000 yards of thread and about 300 nails. One can well imagine the backbreaking task of hammering over 300 nails in exact places, one at a time and aligning them precisely, keeping the shading factor in mind. However, the more strenuous part is stringing the nails to create thread art portraits.
Cheng starts by producing a digital version of the portrait he intends to create. He then changes the image to grayscale and adjusts the brightness and contrasts to highlight the regions of shadow and light. It’s the darker parts that require more crisscrossing threads for creating the shadow effect.
For looping the thread, Cheng uses an algorithm that tells him exactly how to apply the thread to create the portrait. He then transfers the result of the algorithm onto the canvas, after which he starts the process of hammering nails and looping the single string around the nails. Cheng is doubly careful while weaving the thread since a breakage means all efforts gone waste and starting all over again.
In his video on insider.com, he says, “You cannot imagine how many times I’ve experienced the issue of those pesky threads breaking when I first started making these portraits. Actually, the thread that I’m using right now is from Spain, and it’s made of polymer and (is) relatively stronger than others, but it’s still so thin and fragile. So, I’ve to stay completely focused during the entire process, and I’m getting better now.”
Cheng’s inspiration for thread art is Petros Vrellis, who is a proponent of algorithmic art. Cheng has not adopted this artist’s technique but also polished it. And the incredible results so obtained are for all to see on his Instagram page and various other websites.
Image Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng Instagram
Alfred Cheng, a thread artist, has this posted on his Instagram page: ‘Life is like a thread. It can be infinite possibilities’. And the thread portraits created by this thread portrait artist lend credence to this adage. What’s so special about Alfred Cheng string art is it’s handmade with a single thread.
A typical work of Alfred Cheng artist uses up to 5,000 yards of thread and about 300 nails. One can well imagine the backbreaking task of hammering over 300 nails in exact places, one at a time and aligning them precisely, keeping the shading factor in mind. However, the more strenuous part is stringing the nails to create thread art portraits.
Cheng starts by producing a digital version of the portrait he intends to create. He then changes the image to grayscale and adjusts the brightness and contrasts to highlight the regions of shadow and light. It’s the darker parts that require more crisscrossing threads for creating the shadow effect.
For looping the thread, Cheng uses an algorithm that tells him exactly how to apply the thread to create the portrait. He then transfers the result of the algorithm onto the canvas, after which he starts the process of hammering nails and looping the single string around the nails. Cheng is doubly careful while weaving the thread since a breakage means all efforts gone waste and starting all over again.
In his video on insider.com, he says, “You cannot imagine how many times I’ve experienced the issue of those pesky threads breaking when I first started making these portraits. Actually, the thread that I’m using right now is from Spain, and it’s made of polymer and (is) relatively stronger than others, but it’s still so thin and fragile. So, I’ve to stay completely focused during the entire process, and I’m getting better now.”
Cheng’s inspiration for thread art is Petros Vrellis, who is a proponent of algorithmic art. Cheng has not adopted this artist’s technique but also polished it. And the incredible results so obtained are for all to see on his Instagram page and various other websites.
Image Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng InstagramImage Via: Alfred Cheng Instagram
Artists use various tools to express their creativity, some of which certainly astound us. One such artist is Alexander Peter Idoko, a Nigerian artist, who has mastered the art of Pyrography. If you are wondering what that is, it is simply writing or drawing with fire. He creates incredibly realistic ‘paintings’ on wood by means of fire!
Idoko was always passionate about art since his younger days. He tried different tools of art, such as pen, pastel, pencil, and the like but what caught his fancy was Pyrography. He mastered the skills entirely on his own and has received no formal training.
Idoko creates his art on a wood canvas and uses a blowtorch to give dark shades by burning the desired portions of the canvas. He then uses sandpapers and razorblades to lighten the shades on the burned portions. He uses charcoal for infusing minute details, such as water droplets, and the like. In some of his works, he also resorts to hyperrealism. His works of art are masterpieces and it is difficult to believe that they have been created by burning, sanding, and scraping wood!
Pyrography Art On Wood Using Only Fire & Razorblades
Through his art, Idoko portrays the challenges faced by Black people in Africa and other parts of the world. His art brings the Black people into the limelight by touching upon sensitive issues affecting the Black community. He explains on his website, “These artworks are created to lend voice to all who lack the power to speak in the public domain about sensitive issues that affect humanity.”
Idoko’s art has been exhibited in Omenka Gallery in Ikoyi in Lagos State, Nigeria; Moniker art fair in New York, USA; Commonthread exhibition in London, UK; Context Art Miami Fair; and many more. He has also been conferred with the ‘Award of Excellence in the 2016 Benue Youth Choice Awards.
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Idoko states on his website, “My goal is a driving force that keeps me burning in the art to create meaning in diversity and to inspire the feeble minds of those who hunger for the true essence of existence as I connect them to nature and beyond.”
Ever stumbled upon a digital artwork so mesmerizing that it made you stop and wonder, “Who created this masterpiece?” Well, chances are, you’ve been captivated by the works of Alex Kunchevsky. A digital artist par excellence, Alex is not just any regular artist; he’s a maestro in the realm of Procreate. But who is he, really? Let’s dive in!
Alex Kunchevsky is a name that resonates with vibrancy, creativity, and innovation in the digital art world. With a portfolio that boasts a unique blend of digital techniques, his appreciation for color and form is evident in every piece he creates. From ethereal landscapes to intricate character designs, Kunchevsky’s versatility knows no bounds. And if you’re wondering whether his talent has been recognized, oh boy, has it ever! Esteemed brands like Google, ClickUp, and Discord have all been graced by his artistic touch.
But wait, there’s more! (I promise I’m not selling a blender.) Kunchevsky isn’t just about creating; he’s about educating. With a passion that’s palpable, he’s taken on the mantle of a digital art educator, guiding over 100,000 students worldwide. Impressive, right?
Procreate: The Digital Canvas of Choice
“Why Procreate?” you might ask. Well, why not? Procreate has emerged as one of the leading digital art tools, and who better to champion its cause than Alex Kunchevsky?
User-Friendly Interface: Even if you’re a newbie, Procreate’s intuitive design ensures you don’t feel lost.
Versatile Brush Library: From fine lines to broad strokes, there’s a brush for every artist’s whim.
Animation Assistance: Want to bring your art to life? Procreate’s got your back!
Now, imagine mastering all these features and more. That’s Alex for you! His prowess with Procreate isn’t just about using the tool; it’s about pushing its boundaries and exploring its vast potential.
Courses, Masterclasses, and More: Kunchevsky’s Treasure Trove of Knowledge
Ever thought, “I wish I could draw like that!”? Well, with Alex Kunchevsky’s series of courses and masterclasses, that wish might just come true. Catering to artists at every level, from the hesitant beginner to the confident brush master, Alex has something for everyone.
Beginner’s Bootcamp: Dive into the basics and build a strong foundation.
Advanced Techniques: Ready to level up? Alex’s got the tricks up his sleeve.
Mastering Animation: Who doesn’t love a bit of movement in their art?
And the best part? Each course is infused with Alex’s signature style, ensuring learning is fun, engaging, and oh-so-enlightening!
A Palette of Projects: Kunchevsky’s Work with Global Brands
When global giants like Google, ClickUp, and Discord come knocking at your door, you know you’re doing something right. Alex Kunchevsky’s collaboration with these brands isn’t just about creating art; it’s about shaping visual narratives.
Imagine the challenge: conveying a brand’s essence, its values, its very soul, all through artwork. But for Alex, this isn’t a daunting task; it’s an exciting opportunity. His creations for these brands aren’t just illustrations; they’re stories, tales that resonate with audiences worldwide. And if that’s not testament enough to his unparalleled skills, I don’t know what is!
Beyond the Canvas: Kunchevsky, the Committed Educator
Art is as much about creating as it is about sharing. And Alex Kunchevsky, with his commitment to education, embodies this philosophy. But what drives him to teach?
Is it the joy of seeing a student’s first successful artwork? Or the thrill of witnessing their growth as an artist? Perhaps it’s the satisfaction of knowing he’s played a part in their journey. Whatever the reason, one thing’s for sure: with over 100,000 students under his tutelage, Alex’s impact on the digital art community is undeniable.
In Conclusion: The Digital Maestro We Didn’t Know We Needed
In a world inundated with digital content, standing out is no small feat. Yet, Alex Kunchevsky does it with aplomb. His mastery of Procreate, his unique artistic style, and his dedication to education make him a beacon in the digital art community. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just an admirer, Kunchevsky’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and Procreate.
So, the next time you come across a digital artwork that leaves you spellbound, take a moment. Appreciate the art, the artist, and the incredible world of possibilities that tools like Procreate bring to the fore. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, you’ll be inspired to pick up a digital pen and start your own journey. After all, with mentors like Alex Kunchevsky lighting the way, the digital canvas is yours to conquer!
Alex Chinneck opens up houses like a can of sardine and ties concrete pillars, grandfather clock, and much else in knots. No, he’s not a strongman displaying his brawn, but a sculptor showcasing his artistic talent. It’s his fusion of art and architecture that makes his creations so unique.
Chinneck shares his art with boredpanda.com, thus, “I try to make the everyday world that surrounds us momentarily extraordinary, weaving fantasy into familiarity. My work attempts to playfully challenge perceptions of possibility, refusing to let physics get in the way of imagination…”
In an interview with mind-mag.com, this British sculptor reveals how he fell in love with art, “I’ve always made art, but I didn’t become particularly passionate about it until I was 16. As is often the case, it began with a passionate person, who was an art teacher, and he helped me fall in love with art.”
Chinneck began as a painter and went on to graduate from Chelsea College of Art in London, UK. However, his desire to experiment with different materials led him to sculpt. He found the possibilities endless in creating sculptures and loved handling materials and processes in pursuit of this art.
Chinneck’s mammoth sculptors are not easy to create and require a lot of material. For example, in his first creation, he created the illusion of 312 identically smashed windows using 1,248 pieces of glass. This was his first piece on an architectural scale and was very well received. This acted as a great motivation for him and encouraged him to make his creations both enjoyable and visually pleasing.
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According to Chinneck, different things inspire him and one of them is location. He loves creating public artworks that people can see and enjoy. He shares with mind-mag.com, “…there are certain elements that I like, such as playfulness and fun. Moreover, I like this illusion of flexibility in materials that aren’t typically flexible.” For instance, putting a knot in solid pillars, clocks, beams, and what have you!
Chinneck is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. His works and installations are visited by millions and have been featured extensively by the international media.
What can a real diehard reggae fan do is exemplified by Alex Bartsch, a photographer and a reggae fan? Bartsch turned a reggae fan listening to Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican singer and songwriter. It was his father who introduced him to reggae music when he was only 10 years old.
This craze for reggae goaded him to start collecting the record albums of all the reggae artists as part of a ‘music experience’. His collection spanned a decade, from 1967 to 1987.
Bartsch’s next step was to trace out the original locations depicted in UK reggae covers in London, photograph it along with the cover and turn it into a photo series. For this, he started a detailed search in the city for these locations.
Once he found the exact location, he did something exciting. He superimposed the album sleeve cover against the original background in a way that the image on the album cover completed the scene. He then photographed the two to create his photo series.
However, by Bartsch’s own admission, this task was not easy. Says he, “It often starts with the information on the record sleeve but many of them don’t offer much to go on. I’ve learned through doing this project that a good place to start is the area where the label was based. Sometimes, it was just outside the door of the record label.”
Was Bartsch able to trace out all the locations depicted on reggae album sleeves? Not by a long shot, since many were untraceable, probably turned into some other structure or building, such as supermarkets, flats and the like. However, many more were traceable and were intact since the time they were first photographed for the cover.
With his photo series, Bartsch created a photography book that displays a total of 42 photographs. This book documents the original sites that had found a place on the reggae record covers between 1967 and 1987.
Bartsch endeavour has not gone unnoticed, as various websites vie with each other to pick up his story and his unmatched photo series depicting the original locations superimposed by the UK reggae covers.
As a little boy, Alan Williams loved to make fantastical hybrid creatures using old toys and glue. It was his love for the natural world that made bugs, insects, and weird creatures of all shapes and sizes his favorites. He developed a special affinity for such creatures.
Williams’ interest in metal sculpture was ignited, when, as an eight-year-old, he happened to watch a man making a horse from bits of scrap metal on television. The noise and sparks accompanying the creation fascinated him, but what really impressed him was the man’s protective clothing and the welding helmet!
When Williams was 16, he tried his hand at forging and welding and simply loved it. It became clear to him that this was what he wanted to do. This was the stepping stone he needed for expressing his creativity. After he graduated from Brighton University, England, he set up his workshop from where he now produces his amazing metal sculptures.
Williams’ sculptures are completely handmade and require hours of back-breaking labor in the hot surroundings of the metal forging furnace.
He scours for scrap metal in local flea markets and recycling centers. He uses anything and everything he can lay his hands on…auto parts, cycle components, sprockets, gears, old tools, and metal scrap. His artistic gift is what gives a new lease of life to them.
Williams’ process of creation involves sketching out his ideas in a notebook and then transferring it on a board in the size he wants to create his metal sculpture. The next step is the selection of metal parts that’s appropriate for what he’s making. He then handcrafts each piece by heating and beating it, and welds it to the right place to build his sculpture. For this, he uses traditional metalworking tools. Once the sculpture is complete, he highlights its portions to make it aesthetically pleasing.
It comes as no surprise that Williams’s works have been featured in print and television. A documentary about his work by ‘Gnarled Apple Productions’ went viral. He has also held a number of exhibitions in England, Kuwait, and France.
Deepak Mehla 
Deepak Mehla
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