News: Disney Buys Marvel and its 5,000 Characters

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Disney purchases Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. From a marketing perspective, this is a very interesting buy, as this will enable Disney to gain a wider (male) audience. Disney has a strong appeal to young girls (princesses and magic castles) through its depth of global licensing and technology. With the acquisition of Marvel, they could market to a older demo--Marvel has a "coolness" that Disney does not. "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Nightmare Before Christmas" were successful for Disney in reaching different audiences, but Marvel will be key to retaining the young audience through adulthood via the numerous well-loved superhero characters and depth of story-telling. For Marvel, the licensing and distribution of characters and products will be easier through different venues. I'm sure we'll soon see the X-men or Spiderman as a theme park ride.

Artwork: Carnival Twins

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Carnival Twins is a mixed media piece inspired by the HBO Show "Carnivale", the 1932 film "Freaks", and my fascination with vintage Victorian fashion.

Photo: Traditional West Java Dance

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This traditional Javanese Folk Dancer was performing at the Oakland Chinatown Street Fest.

Inspiration: Success is. . .

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Found this Installation Art at the Galleria in San Francisco. It's an inspiring display of various quotations on what success is. One of my favorites is Michelangelo's: "I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish."

Photo: Art & Soul Festival, Michael Jackson Dance Tribute

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The legacy of Michael Jackson still lives on. Here are a few photos from a MJ Tribute through dance at the Art & Soul Festival in Oakland.

Artwork: The Chosen One

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The Chosen One is a mixed media piece (graphite and digital) based on the multiple myths and stories of "the one" who's born to save or cause destruction to the world. I've always thought of pregnancy/creation of life as a mysterious, almost supernatural affair.

Photo: Pop & Lock Dance Crew

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Hip hop galore! This hip-hop dance crew looked quite fashionable as they strutted to and fro across the stage at Oakland's Art & Soul Festival.

Photo: Rhythm & Blues Musicians

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The annual Art & Soul Festival in Oakland showcases a wide range of talented musicians from Blues and Jazz to Latin Pop. Here are a couple of fellows from the event.

Artwork: Purple Beaded Earrings

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

I created these earrings for a friend. They're a result of several trips to the bead/art store, numerous design variations, wire-work with the pliers and presto!

Resource: Photography Tutorials

Portrait Photography Tips

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Check out video tutorials from the photography pros at Studio Lighting here (and 5min.com). It's mostly for indoor studio subjects. The videos are free, precise, and most of all, informative.

Photos: Octopus Kites at the Berkeley Kite Festival

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

These photos were taken at the annual Berkeley Kite Festival.

Artwork: Scarabs and Their Eyeballs

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This piece was inspired by the King Tut Art Exhibition at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. I've always been fascinated by the incorporation of the dung beetle into the Egyptian mythology as a Scarab, a creature associated with the god Khepri, who pushed the sun through the Egyptian underworld. In my version, I replaced suns with eyeballs, as eyes are the windows to the soul--our own suns. The beetles are created in a bio-mechanical style and the minimal colors elude to the Ancient Egyptian influence.

Photo: Portraits from Different Cultures

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Various representations of the human form from the De Young Museum.

Photo: Playing with a Feather

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This photo was taken at the Pistahan Filipino Festival at Yerba Buena Garden, San Francisco. I love the spontaneity and pureness in this moment.

Photo: Deer Sighting

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This lovely creature was captured in Angel Island, near San Francisco.

Photos: Festival of Chariots Hindu Festival

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Artwork: Flower Girls

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Flower Girls is another pen/ink and digital media piece inspired by the beauty of nature. The shirt is available here

Artwork: IYTI Street Art Events

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Here are my art donations for two upcoming street art events: Southsea (United Kingdom) and Vancouver, BC (Canada). The events are part of the "It's Yours, Take It" series that have been popping up worldwide. According to the Flickr group, it's an "impromptu street gallery created in a public space"--basically free art for the public.

Video: Break Disciples, B-boy Documentary

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The opening visuals of this clip are simple, but stunning--black and white with selective coloring--creating a dynamic montage. I'm a huge fan of hip-hop, so I had to share this great video, directed by the incredible b-boy, Roxrite.

Photo: Water Lily

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Taken at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers.

Artwork: Guns and Nature

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Guns and Nature is a decorative illustration exploring the opposing themes of fragility and aggression, represented by pretty flowers and gun silhouettes.