(image from Antler Magazine)

“I know not how I may seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with.”
~Plato

It has been too long since I’ve taken you on a journey around the world wide web, searching for the shiny things: things that are fun, inspirational, or just plain cool. On this first day of the month, traditionally April Fool’s Day, I will forgo the pranks and instead provide you with worthwhile distractions to get you over the hump! Let us begin.

I have always considered fashion a form of art and there are companies that have this same view, shooting their ads in such a way that they are as much pieces of art as the clothes are. Andi Strand has a similar desire to combine fashion and art and that desire has led her to create the online magazing, Antler.

“ANTLER is an online magazine which focuses on composing a collection of beautiful, inspiring ideas and designs from all aspects of life. We come in the body of a fashion magazine, but are more than just that. We look for ways to inspire through not only fashion, but art, design, literature, and culture. We strive to compile a new collection each month that meets this criteria.”

I thumbed through it online yesterday and was very impressed. Andi Strand has brought together some fantastic designers and photographers to create a truly interesting magazine. She has raised the standard of online zines to a new level, a level of extremely high quality.

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I never got around to doing a review of the Watchmen film. Suffice it to say that I thought it was top-notch! The opening sequence of that film, with the moving still-life photographs (you would have to see it to understand), is one of the best opening sequences of a film that I have ever seen. And Watchmen, though very violent, is one of the best graphic novel adaptations that has been made. I say all this so that I can brag about one of our own! Nicky (Stormfilled), who I have interviewed before, makes the most amazing journals over at Blackthorn Workshops. She was so inspired by the film that she decided to make her own version of Rorshack’s journal!

(image from Stormfilled)

Didn’t she do a phenomenal job? And be sure to check out the new Blackthorn Workshops Blog, which will feature more examples of her work, her process, and currently features some teasing images of her studio space.
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(image from SF Signal)

Some of you are already aware that yours truly has become the newest member of the SF Singal Irregulars over at SF Signal. It is a real honor. The guys and gals over at SF Signal do some of the most thorough and entertaining science fiction coverage out there. I will be doing art interviews/features over there on occasion, similar in nature to what I do over here. Rest assured, I will not be neglecting my site!

Yesterday I made my debut with an interview with science fiction songwriter, John Anealio. Do me a favor and go check it out. You are in for some catchy tunes. One of my favorite quotes from David Mack’s graphic novel Kabuki: The Alchemy is:

“Talent is the innate power to discover the hidden connection between two things… and create for the world a third utterly unique work.”
~Robert Mckee

That is exactly what John has done, combined two of his passions–speculative fiction and music–to create something unique and entertaining.
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(image from Terri Windling)

A few weeks ago, artist extraordinaire Terri Windling posted a link to this amazing short film. As she said:

“The poignant and magical video below is “World Builder” by Bruce Banit. It reminds me of the worlds we build when we make fiction…or a new home…or any other act of creativity…”

I think you’ll agree.

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.
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(image from Terri Windling)

While over at Terri Windlings site I stumbled across this mention of a newly released book, Ravens in the Library.

From the site:

A Limited Edition Collection of Stories and Art dedicated to the health of S.J. Tucker

Featuring short fiction by Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, Holly Black, Ari Berk, Terri Windling, and more bestselling authors.

Order your copy today… Before they fly away forever!

This special VERY limited edition has been compiled to defray the medical expenses and recovery of musician S.J. Tucker.

The collection will NOT be released in stores, and it is NOT downloadable! It will be available only as long as those expenses remain unresolved. After that, RAVENS IN THE LIBRARY will disappear.

Here is the author and artist list:

Nathan Ballingrud
Ari Berk
Holly Black
Francesca Lia Block
Phil Brucato
Storm Constantine
Charles de Lint
Ben Dobyns
Alexandra Duncan
Jaymi Elford
Neil Gaiman
Laurell K. Hamilton
Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg
Elizabeth Jordan Leggett
Shira Lipkin
Angel Leigh McCoy
Seanan McGuire
Kris Millering
Maria Nutick
Midori Snyder
S.J. Tucker
Carrie Vaughn
Catherynne M. Valente
Terri Windling
Erzebet YellowBoy

With Art and Illustrations by:

Jenny Anckorn
Theodore Black
Amy Brown
Echo Chernik
Heather Keith Freeman
Julia Jeffrey
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
Wendy Lyon Martin
James A. Owen
Brian Syme
Chelsea Wright

(image from Terri Windling)

This image, by Jenny Anckorn, accompanies Terri Windling’s contribution.

You can click here to order.
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Unfortunately that is all the time I have for today’s journey. I have to get ready for work.

However, I would love it if, in addition to your comments about the above destinations, you would share some of your own. If you have any cool places you’ve visited lately or fun things that you’ve found, feel free to share them in the comments section. If, for some reason, your comment does not appear it is no doubt safely nestled in my spam filter. It generally doesn’t like more than one or two links. I have a busy day but I will check throughout it to recover held comments.

Enjoy your wanderings!