'Starry Night' on Dyed Water

It's nice to see an artist's process, the way their composition evolves out of nothing. Ever since I stumbled upon Garip Ay's videos, I haven't been able to stop myself from watching them over and over. In this clip, the Turkish artist demonstrates how to replicate Van Gogh's The Starry Night. It's mesmerizing to see how the oil-based inks in a tank of dark water transform into a richly detailed picture.

Ebru, also called paper marbling, is one of the oldest Turkish arts. A gum called tragacanth is added to the water to yield a thickened liquid, and horse hair brushes are used to apply paints which are insoluble in water. Once the design is finished, a piece of paper is laid on the water and absorbs the pigment, creating a dyed page. It's truly fascinating.

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The Adorable Sculptures of Yen Yen Lo

These images are from a series of wall sculptures created by Yen Yen Lo . Here you can see her intricately textured ceramic pieces, looking downright adorable. Yen Yen Lo's eye for the unique and whimsical is delightful. Apparently they are not intended for kids under 16. Fifteen-year-olds cannot be trusted with fragile stuff. Get them a Funko Pop instead.

Why Walking is Basically Magic

I like walking. It's really convenient and no fancy equipment is required. You can do it anywhere, anytime. It's also good for my heart and can somehow untangle the chaotic mess that is my brain. It's meditative, allowing my thoughts to flow freely and my anxieties to melt away. Whether it's a short stroll through your neighborhood or a long vigorous hike in the countryside, this TED-Ed video explains why walking is lauded as a cure for everything from boredom to slightly-too-tight jeans.

A story about a duck who likes being different

The hilarious "Duckie Duck" by Kate Toms is one of my recommendations for kids learning to read. My son got this book from his aunt in Calgary a few years ago and since then has become one of his favorites. First of all, this is not your average duck tale. This is a story about a fowl who, candidly, seems to have missed the memo on duck protocol. Most ducks quack, but Duckie whistles. Others love to swim, but not him — Duckie likes boat rides. While other water birds fly, he enjoys floating inside a hot air balloon. The rhyming text and delightful hand-stitched illustrations make the book visually appealing to children. So, if you're looking for a book to teach your quirky little kids to read, "Duckie Duck" is just perfect.

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