Bringing Second Life Art to the Real World
The art world in Second Life is remarkably diverse, from sculptors to painters to prim twisters and snapshooters. Everyone with any kind of artistic desire is free to explore and create in this world we all love so much, displaying anything they like – from their real life work, to their Second Life only work. Clothing designers, jewelery crafters, sculptie lovers, digital artists all of you… the art is endless.
As you all know, I am a Second Life art enthusiast! I mean really, why else would I have 3 zillion links to Photoshop tutorials on this site? *cringe* The creative doors that Second Life has opened to me these last two years has been phenomenal, allowing me to create in mediums I would have never even thought of before. From jewelry design to render touch ups (i.e. Second Life snapshots) to sculptie crafting, it has been the creative adventure of a lifetime. And I am always happy to announce new developments in the art community.
The Avatrait Gallery, a spectacular in-world and real-world gallery that focuses only on Second Life art work (and a gallery I am proud to call my alma mater), has released a book titled AVATRAIT: From Second Life to Florence. The 108 page, hard cover book features work from fifty of Second Life’s best known artists such as Stephen Venkman, Kimberly Mirabeau, Prad Prathivi, Keiko Morigi and CodeBastard Redgrave. A description of the book from Lulu’s:
Avatrait is the leading gallery in the virtual world of Second Life, and is dedicated to bringing the art of SL’s top artistic visionaries to a real-world audience. This art has been dubbed “Virtual Impressionism” and in October 2008 this new genre is being welcomed by the global art community at the Festival della Creatività in Florence, Italy, and on-going in the Rinascimento Virtuale exhibit on the art of virtual worlds at the Florence Museum of Natural History. Avatrait is featured at these events, and this volume commemorates this ground-breaking interface of the virtual and real art worlds. Avatrait focuses exclusively on art made in Second Life, and AVATRAIT: From Second Life® to Florence offers a unique view of that world as filtered through the creative eyes of nearly 50 of Second Life’s finest artists. The book also features a Foreword by SL creator Philip Rosedale, an Introduction by Avatrait founder Greg Houston, and an essay on the genre by digital art expert Mario Gerosa.
The book is available for purchase at Lulu’s bookstore for $49.95 USD. Feel free to check out some sample pages here and here.
As a Second Life artist of many kinds, I can’t even begin to express how exciting it is to see this collection of imagery in a tangible book. Something to have on my bookshelf for years to come, look back on in the future, and think, “I was a part of that.” We all want that, right? I can’t think of a better way to commemorate this world we all love. And one day, when it’s all said and done, and Second Life has run its course, I look forward to flipping through the pages of this book… and remembering all of you, the friends I’ve made, the creators I’ve encountered and the inspiration you have all given me… and I’ll smile.
Own a piece of Second Life art history. Check it out now at Lulu’s.
Making Ariel a Part of Your World
Wow, that title is a bit cliche’, eh? Oh, well.
Let’s talk about Ariel, shall we? Ariel’s cute, rosie-cheeked, glamorous and sophisticated… but she is not an avatar. Oh, no. She is the new skin by Sita Loire, the creator behind the Beauty Avatar (SLURL).
Long have I been a Beauty Avatar fan, dating back to their Callisto line. All have been spectacular, beautiful, well created skins and offered many variations to my two most pet peeved skin parts: eyebrows and pubic hair. Ariel, the latest skin line, really is no exception to the fantastic product that Miss Loire has continued to bring us. With makeups galore, and eyebrow (and freckles!) choices, Ariel certainly is the new queen of B.A.
Creator: Sita Loire
Store Location: World of Beauty (SLURL)
Tones Available: Freckles, Light, Natural, Bronze, Dark
Price: $1600L per makeup (1 skin, 6 variations) / $4000L per makeup fatpack (3 skins, 6 variations each)
Notes: Each skin has the option of black, blond, or brown eyebrows as well as with or without a beauty mark right above the upper left side of the lip. How friggin’ cool is that? To beauty mark or not to beauty mark… that is the question.
Detail Pictures:
Full Body, Face, Ears, Torso, Hands, Legs, Back, Privates
I love the whole, “You have the choice of keeping or lasering off your beauty mark for the day,” thing. That’s really very clever. One particularly striking thing about this skin is how smooth it is. The torso, belly button and nipples… the stomach skin especially. It’s all smooth like butterscotch, and makes me want to just… touch it through the screen. Definitely the best body on any of Beauty Avatar’s skins I’ve seen yet. “Ariel” even has her own Flickr account… check it out here for even more pictures of the beautiful skin.
My only real suggestion for the next variation of Ariel is this: the shadow under the bottom lip is a taaaaad bit harsh. It kind of gives a “pout” look, but a little TOO much, know what I mean? At least, that’s my personal opinion. It sure as hell wouldn’t keep me from buying this skin (no way… the body is just too dang purdy), but I want people to be able to say, “You sure got a purdy mouf,” to me too. Other then that though… the lips aren’t too glossy and they’re just… so beautiful, and FULL without looking “fat” like the orangutan lips that have become all the rage these days.
Absolute love, right down to the little toe nails. I can’t wait to see what the next line will be like — Sita Loire, you never cease to amaze, or disappoint me.
Run on over to Beauty Avatar (SLURL) and see this gorgeous girl for yourself, in your shape, on your own time. Know what I mean? *wink wink nudge nudge* And while you’re there, be sure to pick up the freebie Halloween skin on the counter near the eyes display!
Dawn at the Rookery Cove
I stumbled upon Rookery Cove last night whilst out doing various trick or treating… omg with the pumpkin hunts. o.o And I just happened to run across this fantastic series of stores known as Dawn Designs (SLURL). Little did I know that upon my discover, I was about to fall madly in love with… you guessed it… a new skin.
Dawn Memorial, the owner and mastermind behind Dawn Designs (SLURL) has done a lovely job creating Lizette v.2, the beautiful skin I will be showcasing for you here tonight. I truly did fall in love immediately with this beautiful face… I am almost certain you will too.
Creator: Dawn Memorial
Store Location: Watersedge Rookery Cove (SLURL)
Tones Available: Milk, Latte, Cappuccino (yummeh!)
Price: $1000L per makeup (1 skin), $4000L per fatpack (28 skins)
Notes: Each skin comes with an eyebrow shaper, but forget about THAT… how about that DISCOUNT you get if you buy all 28 skins, eh?!? $4000L for 28 skins… you just can’t beat that. That’s like… $150L per skin… Wow. o.O
Detail Pictures:
Full Body, Face, Ears, Torso, Hands, Legs, Back, Privates
The first thing that struck me about this skin was the lips. They are, in a word, luscious. The face is gorgeous, and the skin itself is positively *glowing*. The work on the knees is exquisite with clearly shaded knee caps, which I just love. And the abdomen work is spectacular, right down to the nom-nomable belly button.
The skins all come with one eyebrow color, which is unfortunate and the top of the hands aren’t terribly detailed (which is no big deal to me, personally, but). However, the skin itself is Brazilian (aka sans pubes, aka Ryker’s selling point), which as you all know, I love. Wouldn’t it be great if all skins in SL were pubic hairless, and then we could start a pubic hair underwear layer market (if there isn’t one already)? /endrandomthought
If you haven’t yet, and you’ve made it this far, check out the detail pictures linked above… then when you’re done doing that, pop on over to Dawn Designs (SLURL) and grab a demo or six. Then when you’re done doing THAT, just buy the skins fatpack… $4000L for 28 skins. O.M.F.G. In the immortal words of Nike:
Just do it.
Self-proclaimed skin whore, over and out.
Cutest Hunt Ever. No, Srsry.
At the Loco Pocos landing point, click the pumpkin to teleport to the hunt location. Grab a candy bag ( for human) and then touch the doors and a trick or treat menu pops open. Click on trick or treat and you’ll either get a candy or the owner sends you away.
Keep clicking the doors until you collected enough candies and you’ll get a rusty key. Be warned! It may take a while… you may get the key on your very first click… you may get it after an hour of searching. It’s all random! But do not despair! The prize … is WELL worth it in deed!
Go to the wooden chest with your key and open it, to win a cute little ferret avatar with a very nice AO and some extra effects, like blowkiss with particle hearts! Anyone that has ever seen the Loco Pocos avatars know they are in for a treat with this little baby! Don’t miss out! Get to huntin’!
Rejuvinated at Truth
Truth Hawks, the fabulous man and mastermind behind Truth (SLURL), has some new skins at his place… and they call her Rejuvinate. A really appropriate name for a skin line, don’t you think?
Having relaunched the new build and product line a few weeks ago, naturally the skins got an upgrade as well, and boy-howdy (omg, redneck), they are amazing. The face is beautiful, the skin tones are yummy, and the lips aren’t too glossy for you, “Yuck, glossy lips!” types out there. Me, personally… I like a little gloss. But these skins, even without a shine, are just… mmmmm. *licks* Take a look at the pictures, you’ll see what I mean.
Oh, and did I mention that, not only are they pretty, but they’re CHEAP too?!
Creator: Truth Hawks
Shop Location: Truth Island (SLURL)
Tones Available: Lychee, Fossil, Kashmir, Guarana, Bronze
Price: $800L per makeup (1 skin), $3800L per makeup pack (5 skins)
Note: Individual skins come with 1 skin, 2 pubic hair variations (shaved and unshaved), an eyebrow shaper, and free shape. Makeup packs come with 5 skins (also with two pubic hair variations, shaved and unshaved), an eyebrow shaper and free shape. I must admit, I’m really loving that skin designers are catching on to this “give us pubic hair options!” thing. XD
Detail Pictures:
Full Body, Face, Ears, Torso, Hands, Legs (Front), Legs (Back), Back, Privates, Privates (Shaved), Privates (Unshaved)
As stated above, the tones on these skins are really beautiful and natural looking. Right on par with the gorgeous face, and highly realistic skin texture. I especially love the torso of this skin… it’s so well done. The perfect teeny belly button, the grabable booty, the nipples are perfect, and the HANDS… omg, the hands. Seriously, if you haven’t looked at the detail pictures yet, and you’re reading this, omg… back up a paragraph and, for the love of all that is skin-whoreish, click the links!
The only thing I see on this skin that could use some upgrading are the ears. For some reason, they seem awkward to me. Hardly a stopping point for my shopping pleasure, but I thought I’d throw that out there anyway.
As stated above, the skins come with TWO pubic hair choices, shaved and unshaved (omg… I love you, Truth). I really am very happy that skin creators are starting to offer more pubic hair options in their later releases. Nagging works! Yup. Soon, all skins will be Brazilian, and all pubic hair will be on underwear layers and all eyebrows will be on hair pieces with multiple color choices. For the win! \o/
Truly, Truth has outdone himself in his new re-launching. Not only should you check out these skins, but clothes, shoes, hair… it’s all been redone and it kicks ass and takes names. Totally. Go head on over to Ana Lutetia’s blog and check out some input (and pictures) on the new clothes. And while you’re at it, run over to Truth (SLURL), pick up some skin demos ($800L per skin… for this quality, you just can’t go wrong!), and spoil yourself on his cute new hairstyles! The new Ruby hairstyle is ADORKABLE!
Until next time, this is the skin whore, signing off.
SLink’s Crown Jewel: Bijou
Siddean Munro’s latest skin release at SLink (SLURL) is, plainly put in the spirit of the season, to DIE for.
The lips, the belly button, the butt, the KNEES… everything about this skin is just lickable and then some. Having seen the skin blogged once or twice, I had to naturally hop on over and check it out for myself. Skin whores of the grid, be warned: what you are about to see may cause a leak in your Linden wallet.
Creator: Siddean Munro
Shop Location: SLink (SLURL)
Tones Available: Pale, Fair, Sunkissed, Coco Latte, Mid Coco
Price: $1200L per makeup (1 skin), $3800L per makeup pack (4 skins)
Note: Individual skins come with multiple pubic hair layers (that’s right, the skin itself is SHAVED! \o/). Makeup packs (4 skins) come with multiple pubic hair layers, and four different types of eyelashes. Pick up the demo skins to get the free eyebrow shaper and colors (4 colors of eye brows available).
Detail Pictures:
Full Body, Face, Ears, Torso, Hands, Legs (Front), Legs (Back), Back, Privates
Having blogged one of Siddean’s very first skin releases, Cate & Madison, back in May… I have to say that these skins are a HUGE step up from where they were then to where they are now. The face, while it was beautiful back then, is STUNNINGLY gorgeous now. I am absolutely in love with the lips on this face… the sheer gloss makes me just want to pucker up and kiss somebody. While I know that the glossy look isn’t for everyone, when done right, I absolutely love it. And this skin is no exception.
The belly button on this skin is another adorable feature on it that I love (I think I mentioned that above). It is a far cry from the typical belly button on skins these days (you know the ones… the small-as-a-button ones) which makes me very happy.
The choices you get in pubic hair and eyebrows on this skin also… ACE. Srsry. ACE. I can’t stress enough how much this is a huge selling point for me… optional pubic hair and the ability to have eyebrows that MATCH MY HAIR COLOR… = a hundred times better chance of getting my Lindens. Siddean, you are the answer to all of my skin whoring prayers. I love you. Truly.
I strongly encourage everyone to skip, hop, trot, jog, whatever you have to do, on over to SLink (SLURL) to pick up a demo pack of these positively gorgeous skins. Might I suggest the Sunkissed tone? I have yet to try the Coco Latte tone yet, but that one also strikes my fancy. *runs over to grab more demos and drags all of you along with me*
See you at the door! I’ll be the one cutting up metacards at the entrance! Don’t forget the taxi.
It’s Halloween at ..:: Genesis ::..
I’ve been toiling away for the last week or so making lovely little Halloween themed pieces, and even made a cute little Halloween ring for both men and women. Not to mention T-SHIRTS… omg. Did I mention the t-shirts? See them for yourself (SLURL)!
Three different shirts, two colors each with captions such as ‘Your Worst Nightmare’, ‘Bad Girls Like Candy Too’, and ‘Death Becomes Her.’ I think the Bad Girls one is my favorite… but that’s just me. :P My male friends say the black shirts are totally wearable, but considering there’s still boobie shading on there any way you slice it… meh! You metrosexual guys could rock them, eh? ;) Each shirt set is set at $75L a piece.
Now, on to the jewelry! (SLURL)
We have the Trick-or-Treat Set, listed at $100L, that includes a choker and two color variations of bangles for both the right and left wrists. And to match the Trick-or-Treat set, we have five (count ‘em!), FIVE pairs of earrings to match (lovingly titled the “Haunted Charms” earrings), each sold individually for $50L a piece (click for larger image):
And last but certainly not least, we have my first sculpted ring EVAR… the Spooktacular Ring, fitted for both men and women, and scripted for gold AND silver texture change by touch menu, listed at $50L. And of course… the freebie dish o’ Halloween sweet corn. :)
Enjoy! And don’t forget to take the taxi! :)
Hairspray Lurve
My freebie for the Hairspray 2 sim opening! You can grab it at the new Hairspray 2 sim along with several other freebies! Take the taxi.
Hairspray 2 Grand Opening!
Ahhhhhhhhhh! Queue hair freak out now, kthxbai!! XD
Hairspray, the famous sim-o-hair, will be opening hair-obsession-sim part deux TONIGHT! The obsession begins at 6PM and goes to 8PM. The press release:
HAIRSPRAY 2 GRAND OPENING
Short and sassy, long and flowing, whatever your preference may be, it’s clear that we all LOVE hair! Come celebrate with us as we open Hairspray 2- the second full sim devoted to nothing but beautiful, luscious hair.
The original Hairspray opened in Early 2007, and was quickly filled with wonderful designers. Before long, the waiting list grew to the point that one thing was clear- the people of Second Life wanted more!
Hairspray 2 is now better than ever, proudly featuring Mirada, Savoir Hair, and Panache! Now there is twice as much to see and buy, all together in one location!Join us for a party from 6-8pm SLT, with music by DJ Kennef Riggles. Or perhaps you’d be more interested in the “Stars of Hairspray” hunt, showcasing items from our fabulous designers? Whatever you do, it’ll be a great time on Hairspray 2!
Date: October 8, 2008
Time: 6-8pm SLT
Location:
Hairspray 2, Hairspray 2 246, 128, 50
I will be contributing a goodie bag (yay!) and I am very much looking forward to seeing the HUNT! God, I’m such a … hunt fantatic. It’s awful, I tell ya. I hope to see you all there! (TAXI!)
Before I head off to work, here are a couple of previews that surfaced on the grid this morning (posted originally by Chic Aeon who wrote about her recent visit to the island! Click for larger images):
Out With the Old School
I am *so late* on this post, but… better late than never, eh?
Kari’s (SLURL) newest release tickled my fancy like no other. Not only because it was a collaborative effort between four of my absolute favorite designers, but because… well, let’s just say the new “Kicks” hold a very special place in my wittle heart. XD
An entire outfit… jacket, pants, shoes, hair… all in one ginormous, collaborative effort of awesomesaucetasticness. Kari, TorridWear, Celestial Studios, and Panache all teamed up to form what I can only describe as the kick-ass-and-take-names team on this release.
First, let’s talk about the new Kicks. Menno, being the friggin’ sweetheart that he is, tapped 20 of his friends for their favorite colors… and immortalized them in a texture change menu for these awesome new shoes. Each color combo is named after one of his friends (you’ll find the yelow/black combo under my name XD) and honestly, this makes these shoes so diverse that I could literally wear them with anything. Choices are what we liiiiiiiike… and Menno certainly is a pro at giving us that! The shoes themselves are no mod, but come with a handy-dandy resizing script for all your resizing needs.
Next up, the New School and Girl’s School hair styles, a collaborative effort between Kari and Panache (SLURL, by Zyrra Falcone), is an absolutely adorable, rough and tumble couple o’ hair ‘dos with a BEANIE… a BEANIE!!! I love mah beanies. Oh, ho ho yes. And this beanie is also scripted for texture change… an added bonus in my book. Unnngh. Lurve.
The New School Suspenders are just killer, and so well made. I often find myself looking for suspenders that aren’t just hollowed out cylinders bent at an angle… and these certainly take the cake. Sculpted and scripted for texture change, these suspenders rock my old school socks off. And they’re SO CUTE… ugh. *drools*
The New School Jeans are a collaborative effort between Kari and TorridWear (SLURL, by Torrid Midnight) and I think Menno actually describes these on his blog best… “These are worn out, ripped up, dirtied, and well..just plain comfortable jeans. What better way to compliment that track jacket? You’ll get two pair of jeans, blue and black, including sculptie cuffs in two sizes.” Again with the choices! God, I love diversity.
And last, but certainly not least (no seriously, not least) is the New School Jacket, a collaborative work of Celestial Studios (SLURL, by Starley Thereian), TorridWear and Kari… an awesome track jacket that is perfect for that rebellious street look. Available in ten different colors, with a sculptie collar included! I love this jacket… it has definitely got to be one of my favorite pieces added to my ridiculously extensive wardrobe.
I don’t think I could possibly explain how excited I am about the future of this store, its future collaborations, and its future blow-my-mind-kthxbai releases. :) Head on over to Kari (SLURL) and endulge yourself in a little New School newness!
