Art Snacks

When it comes to subscription boxes, it’s hard to determine which ones are worth the money and which ones actually give you things worth having. We like to think that the hard part in choosing a box to subscribe to is already taken care of for you! We continue to test the best of the best, and Art Snacks is a monthly subscription box that we are proud to support!

What would you say if someone told you that for one very low monthly price, you would get a box containing some of the worlds best art supplies in it, a snack, and information on the products to help you use them to their full potential? It sounds almost too good to be true! However, that is exactly what Art Snacks delivers to their subscribers each month. It’s not uncommon to find fantastic brands like Copic and Prismacolor in the box, and you’re sure to discover other cool brands that make the highest quality art supplies available through this box.

If you’re an art major in college, an illustrator, or the guy or girl who likes to draw in their notebook at the local Starbucks Coffee, then this is the monthly subscription box for you. So many boxes offer quality products that they rarely if ever deliver upon, and when they do it is as if they are lacking any sort of thought or meaning. Art Snacks is a box that you can trust to put your artistic goals first! They care about the items that they send you, and make sure that there is meaning behind each product selected for the box. Unleash your artistic side by visiting their website at www.ArtSnacks.co and requesting your invitation today!

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Option 22 Brings Us The Change

 

Option 22 is a brilliant band composed of multi-talented artist. Their latest album, The Change, introduces listeners to a collection of songs that are not only a pleasure to listen to, but that contain important messages for us all! The album cover is calming and gives you a sense of the type of music that is on the album. One of the most interesting things about this album that really sets it apart from others, is it’s ability to entertain while still telling a story.

There is not one song on the album that won’t have you singing along and thinking about it’s message. The band is comprised of some very talented people. Lori McKinney is vocals and drums, Jordan Furrow is drums and guitar, Brandon Dunn is bass, keys and guitar, and Robert Blankenship is guitar, didgeridoo, shamisen, banjo, bass, and keys! With a band that talented, it’s no wonder The Change is such an inspiring album. The opening song on the album is Some Say, and we get the feeling that “many” will be saying that they love this album! One thing is for sure, The Change by Option 22 is a sure hit, and a favorite of everyone at Toast Pop!

Cute Cats–Cool Gift Ideas for Cat-Lovers

Da Vinci was most certainly right when he said that the smallest feline is a masterpiece! I mean, who wouldn’t stop and stare in googley-eyed awe at the sight of a kitten? Likewise, cats are a popular subject for online entertainment. From YouTube to blogs, nearly everyone everywhere is showcasing or parodizing the cat’s personality and antics in some form or fashion. More popular and successful works have been published, publicized, and franchised—which is convenient if you’re stuck trying to find a gift for someone who adores cats. There are a few cute and cool cats on the internet that I know which also have some of their own merchandise! Their comic craftsmanship and charming nature will make them the gifts you’re looking for to give to that cat-loving friend or family member!

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From left to right: Simon’s Cat, Pusheen Cat, and Gemma Correll’s cat comics

Simon’s Cat—Simon’s Cat is a delightful cartoon phenomenon from YouTube! Hand-drawn frame-by-frame, this feline is aesthetically simplistic, but lives the hilarious and crazy life all cats lead!  Just recently produced for Simon’s Cat are a brand-new cartoon book, an animated short, and even a few iPhone apps!

Pusheen the Cat—Pusheen the cat is a cute, plushy GIF character that lives on Tumblr! In addition to being a blog-able statement, Pusheen is quite a fashion statement too as she is on a number of apparel and accessories.

Gemma Correll—Gemma Correll is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist. Her artistic interests are a wider range beyond just cute pets and her style, especially those of her cat cartoons, is satirical and sketch-like. Her cats can be found on several of her nick-knacks and in her book “A Cat’s Life”.

Naturally, felines are beautiful and graceful creatures. Artistically, they are even more ingenious as a statement on their dispositions is expressed for entertainment! Any feline-fan will appreciate a gift with any of these internet sensations this holiday season! They’re each a masterpiece in their own right, and totally the cat’s meow!

Cosmic Images

There are so many talented artist who dabble in experimental photography and ways of making the impossible seem real and possible. One photographer has literally taken those moving images we all know and love from the Harry Potter books and movies, and they have made them a reality (even if it is just online) in a way that is quite cosmic. Animation and art like this give hope to the future of photography. Will we one day look at a newspaper and see a moving image in the headlines? Microsoft even features an interactive and ever changing newspaper in their vision of the future video that is circling the internet. The day that we see moving pictures in places we never thought imaginable may be closer than we think.

This project began from the theory that humans are made of cosmic matter as a result of a stars death. I created imagery that showcased this cosmic birth through the use of dust and reflective confetti to create galaxies. The models organic bodily expressions as they are frozen in time between the particles suggest their celestial creation. In addition, space and time is heightened by the use of three-dimensional animated gifs. Their movement serves as a visual metaphor to the spatial link we share with stars as well as their separateness through time.

– Ignacio Torres

     

Sounds of Summer

Lawnmowers, hot days, swimming pools

Baseball games, cookouts, time off school

Vacations, beaches, roller coasters

Fireworks, bonfires, marshmallow roasters

T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, flip-flops

Ice cream, sodas, frozen ice pops

Long days, cool nights, fireflies

Skateboards, scooters, bike rides

Sunburn, sunscreen, suntan

Sprinklers, fountains, ocean waves, sand

Didi Benami Gasoline

New artist and their talent never ceases to amaze us. One new artist making an impression on the music industry is Didi Benami. She just recently released her new single, Gasoline. With inspiring and thought provoking lyrics this song is already making its way across the internet and onto the iPods of many. We are always excited when we find out about an artist who somehow slid under our radar, and Didi is no exception. The lyrics say you can’t fight fire with gasoline, how true. Lyrics are just as important as the voice in my opinion, yet Did has both, fantastic lyrics and a beautiful voice. Don’t miss out on getting her new single, we know we didn’t! For more information or to show your support pay a visit to Didi’s facebook, twitter, or website. Also don’t forget to buy the single which is available on both iTunes and Amazon!

CLICK TO WATCH & LISTEN!

Owl City Midsummer Station

We all had Ocean Eyes for Owl City’s first major album, and began to see All Things Bright And Beautiful after his secoand, is it time to pay a visit to The Midsummer Station? Adam Young of Owl City has revealed the cover art for his new album that is yet to be released. He did so in an odd but fan favorite way, he let them reveal the cover bit by bit through a challenge he presented them. The cover is now public and of course the fans are in awe of the majestic beauty derived from the scene on the cover for his next album. The date is set and August 14, 2012 the world will be able to enjoy yet another journey provided by the tunes created by Owl City.

Diela Maharanie Makes Magical Art

When redecorating a space, be it an office or room in your home, you always need to consider the walls. Walls are boring on their own, but luckily there are tons of new artist to choose from when picking out the perfect piece of art for your wall. One of those artist by the name of Diela Maharanie is making an impact on the world of art with her creative tones of color and imaginative scenes that are depicted in her work.

Her art is not average, it possesses a creative quality that makes the viewer of the art become engulfed within the blocky chunks of color and precisely drawn characters. One look at her art and you will quite possibly want your entire wall to be covered in Diela Maharanie originals.

The patterns that are used in her art are nice and vibrant, yet they still only just add to the overall beauty of the art instead of consume the piece. It’s rare to find an artist who can incorporate elements that are borderline supernatural and those of the real world so well.

So if you are looking for some art, I suggest you consider Diela Maharanie’s work. You are sure to love it, and it is sure to love your walls. Make note of this artist on the rise because I have no doubt that we will be seeing great things from her in the future.

Tellez Tells All

On the rise YouTube user, TellezTelevision sat down to give us an exclusive interview telling all about how her creative process works! Turns out this creative genius is fueled by Vitamin Water and the happenings of her everyday life. From covers of popular songs to originals written by her, the videos you will find on her YouTube channel are creative and professional to say the least! While she is in the early stages of her career we here at Toast Pop can already see that she’s going places fast! Whether she’s tweeting her fans or replying to comments, you will find that she not only appreciates the support, but turns it into the driving force behind her work. Go ahead and check out the exclusive interview with Tellez only available on Toast Pop!

CLICK TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW!

 

Spring Set Free

Winter besieged nature, like a country at war

Captivated by cold, from outward to the very core.

But springtime brings hope to barren ground and branches

For life will be as it was before.

When the ice thaws, when the chill subsides

Springtime warmth welcomes new life.

Snow-laden branches are weary no more

When the strength of the new season is rife.

Grass can grow green with the light of the sun

Now free from the shackles of frost.

The budding flowers now emerging are young

Their life of exuding beauty has now begun.

Refreshing rain soaks into the ground

Quenching a desperate thirst.

Sweet sips submerge, but will not drown

A meadow of life that will soon abound.

Springtime sets free what winter once contained

Bleak turns beauty, white turns color

Wind and ice, turns sun and rain.

Springtime brings freedom, and gives life again!