amazing smart painter
articles d'intérêts général agrémenté d'une image ou d'un dessin personnel
Sunday, July 06, 2025
Abandonment
Thursday, July 03, 2025
Plastics
Illustration of technology, mixed media
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Street Art
For a long time, I think since the end of the sixties, I have been fascinated by street art or urban art. These artists had no choice but to perform on the walls of big cities, buildings, trains, bridges, and other public spaces to make themselves known. From my perspective as a spectator and a sketch artist, I was delighted to see ugly dark walls in remote corners or in degraded urban spaces adorned with colors and ingenious drawings, sometimes featuring captivating perspectives or trompe-l'œil effects. Here and there, the artist conveyed their message through the careful execution of graffiti. Their courage lay in confronting the authorities, as their actions were considered vandalism. No wonder they acted anonymously or under a pseudonym. Fortunately, over the decades, street art has evolved to become a recognized and respected form of art. Artists then experiment with various techniques and mediums, including stencils, posters, stickers, and temporary installations alongside graffiti. As a form of free and accessible expression, it allows artists to express themselves without filters and to interact directly with the public. Many street artists use their art to denounce injustices and inequalities. Street art thus becomes a form of resistance and protest, giving a voice to the voiceless and the marginalized.
From now on, during every urban getaway to
Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, or Paris, we delight in the artistic treasures that
unfold before our eyes. Over the years, this artistic movement has transformed
into a true mosaic of expressions, captivating our attention with its ability
to constantly push the boundaries of creativity and social engagement. Whether
by infiltrating urban facades or taking over exhibition spaces, urban art has
managed to secure a prominent position within the current cultural landscape.
Keith Haring had just injected a dose of creativity into the subdued atmosphere
of the casino and cultural center of Knokke, this popular seaside town on the
Belgian coast, famous for its array of art galleries.
Kid Acne
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Solar energy and navy
Sailing with a solar sail at sea offers numerous
advantages: it helps reduce emissions, lowers operational costs, and actively
supports sustainable development. However, a few obstacles remain. The
investment costs remain astronomical, adapting to ships already in service
proves to be a real headache, and the results are subject to the whims of the
weather.
Solar sails at sea take advantage of advancements made in various fields: more
efficient solar panels, innovative materials that are both strong and lightweight and corrosion-resistant, navigation assisted by intelligent automated sails, and the use of lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries to store energy
(valuable during nights or cloudy days).
As global rules tighten—with bodies such as the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) aiming to halve CO₂ emissions by 2050—solar sailing at sea
is set to become a cornerstone in the ecological transition of transporting
goods and passengers.
Pioneering rigid solar sails, such as "EnergySails" or wing-type
sails, have demonstrated remarkable fuel savings, reaching up to 30% on certain
routes. These advancements pave the way for broader adoption in the field of
maritime navigation.
Many shipping companies and shipyards are
embarking on the adventure of solar sails, thus sailing towards a more
ecological and innovative future. Among the notable initiatives, we can mention
the Eco Marine Power project in Japan, which envisions hybrid rigid sails
cleverly combining solar panels.
The Oceanbird, a proud Swedish vessel, will sail through the vastness of the
Atlantic, carrying its precious automotive cargo, propelled by imposing sails
and the benevolent power of the sun. Luxurious yachts and leisure catamarans
are exploring the use of flexible solar sails to generate electricity on board,
ensuring autonomy at sea and the well-being of travelers.
The Norwegian cruise operator is embarking on the adventure of creating a ship with zero carbon emissions by 2030. Hurtigruten unveils the first images of its revolutionary electric ship, proudly featuring solar sails to sail towards an eco-friendly future. In pursuit of an ecological transformation, Hurtigruten plans to reduce the size of its fleet by opting for customized ships to ensure a carbon-neutral footprint. The initiative called "Sea Zero" brings together a dozen maritime partners in collaboration with the SINTEF research institute. Its goal is to cover distances with no carbon footprint whatsoever. The ships will sail using electric energy and will recharge their batteries once docked at port. They will face a significant challenge with their retractable sails of 1500 m² of solar panels, capable of meeting a multitude of energy needs on board. Hurtigruten also offers the possibility to navigate with propellers that turn in reverse and retractable thrusters. This giant of the seas will stretch over 135 meters, housing 270 cabins to pamper 500 travelers and accommodating 99 dedicated sailors. Thanks to its streamlined silhouette, it will be able to slice through the air with elegance, thereby reducing its energy expenditure. Artificial intelligence should make maneuvers easier. This artificial intelligence will gather information to perfect docking techniques tailored to each port, thereby optimizing maneuvers during unfavorable weather conditions. Travelers will have the power to regulate the airflow in their cabins using a mobile app while closely monitoring their energy footprint.
Navigation using solar sails at sea represents a silent but crucial revolution for the maritime industry. It skillfully merges heritage and innovation, harnessing natural energies to reinvent the art of sailing towards the future. Despite the persistent technical and economic challenges, the advancements made suggest a future where oceans will be traversed by silent, ecological, and autonomous ships sailing, thanks to human ingenuity and the alliance of wind and solar energy. thanks to human
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Beauty
Watercolor by Amarie
Beauty, both varied and profound, exerts an
infinite fascination on me. It transcends the physical realm to impact my
heart, my mind, and my soul. Beauty, whether it manifests in nature, human
interactions, or artistic works, represents a universal ideal that inspires,
elevates, and enriches me. By celebrating the vast diversity of human aesthetic
characteristics, I learn to appreciate the specificities of each individual on
Earth.
The human brain's appreciation of beauty highlights the importance of symmetry,
proportions, and colors. Symmetrical faces or harmonious landscapes stimulate
brain regions associated with pleasure and appreciation. With passion, I began the analysis of the relationships between beauty and attraction,
highlighting the influence of aesthetic standards on our social interactions. I am convinced that beauty possesses the ability to provide comfort, inspire, and motivate by promoting well-being and fostering flourishing. Aesthetically pleasing
environments, such as a functional modern house with soothing shapes and
colors, a botanical garden with an innovative structure and carefully
maintained original flowering plants, watching or creating a captivating work
of art, reading a poem by Victor Hugo, "Les Djinns," or listening to the
moving music of Jean Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites, have the ability to enhance my emotional
well-being by reducing stress levels.
Writers and philosophers such as Victor Hugo or Socrates have emphasized the
idea that true beauty lies within, in the soul and actions, and not in physical
appearance. Indeed, apart from physical appearance, inner beauty reveals itself
as complex and profound. It is frequently associated with moral, emotional, and
intellectual attributes. Kindness, generosity, tolerance, intelligence, and
inspiration represent manifestations of beauty that transcend age and physical
appearance.
The media and advertising have significantly influenced perceptions of beauty.
The press disseminates unrealistic aesthetic standards, thereby creating social
pressure on our current youth regarding physical appearance. It is true that
ancient Greece imposed beauty standards close to human perfection, equally
unattainable, and that the multi-talented artist Leonardo da Vinci adopted them
as criteria of excellence in his works. Over the centuries, beauty standards
have evolved according to different historical periods and various cultures.
The perception of beauty is subjective and influenced by various factors, such as temporal, spatial, and emotional contexts, thus surpassing the limits
imposed by cultural, social, and individual differences. The Romantic movement
in literature and the arts highlighted the relationship between man and nature,
bringing to light the imperative to maintain a balance between society and the
environment. Moreover, true beauty resides within nature. From the mountains to
the ocean, passing through the twilight sky, nature offers a diversity of
visual and sensory experiences that have a profound impact on human beings.
Builders and architects throughout the ages have always aspired to excellence
by examining how natural elements, fractals, and symmetrical patterns
contribute to a universal aesthetic, boldly combining modern forms with ancient
classical currents.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Young Talent or Virtuose
When one looks up the definition of this term in the dictionary, one can only
be struck by the lack of detail and precision surrounding it. Indeed, it is
described as an exceptional ability in the intellectual or artistic field,
without specifying other criteria or characteristics that define this talent.
Is it possible that this ability is the result of a skill developed gradually
through experience, a natural gift present from birth, or a simply innate inclination,
or is it rather the result of a complex combination of one or several of these
factors? The question of the nature of talent sparks lively debate among
specialists, researchers, and people passionate about this subject. Indeed, the
complexity and diversity of talents, whether innate or acquired, the multiple
forms they can take, as well as the different fields in which they can be
expressed, their genetic or non-genetic origins, their simultaneous
manifestations of multiple gifts, and their evolutionary potential thanks to a
supernatural physical and mental capacity. These fields notably include art in
all its forms, the sports domain with its various disciplines, and the
intellectual domain encompassing thought, creativity, and problem-solving.
At what level of skill or ability must a
person reach to be recognized as talented? Is it possible to spot certain signs that can
reveal these talents? Yes, of course, such
as an ability to quickly assimilate new information, a skill in finding
original solutions to complex problems, or a passionate and constant interest
in a particular field.
see Youtube: Violin virtuoso Yeonah Kim (10j) playing Vivaldi in airport of Rome with Julien Cohen on piano in august 2024
https://1drv.ms/v/c/d423ee36d84c527d/EZs6xZo-9IVCiJSWSyCsVEBFtC2_qr3l-cMm65X4Qr-3g
In summary, talent is a valuable component of human diversity, enriching society through the creativity, performances, and exceptional achievements it allows.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Healthy Proteins
One of my ancestors, a merchant, traded all kinds of seeds, selling them
wholesale or retail, whether they were intended for consumption or not, to
individuals, institutional kitchens, gardeners, or nurserymen. This profession
shone brightly before, during, and after the Second World War.
During the turmoil of the war, faced with the scarcity of meat, people
gradually embraced legumes, those precious seeds nestled in their plant-based
pods, to sustain themselves. There were individuals who had completely given up
meat, and at home, a large amount of beans, lentils, and peas were incorporated into the weekly menus. Everyone became engrossed in gardening, transforming every available space into fertile land: from terraces to balconies, each person passionately sowed vegetables, accompanied by delicious legumes in simple yet tasty recipes. After the end of the war, surprisingly, the general nutritional state had
considerably improved. Nowadays, it is essential to highlight this food in our
diet due to its numerous benefits for our well-being. Their nutritional
qualities are already shining through. It is important to distinguish between
forage legumes such as alfalfa, sainfoin, lupin, birdsfoot trefoil, clover,
and vetch, and grain legumes intended for human consumption such as soybeans,
fava beans, lentils (brown, green, coral, etc.), broad beans, beans (black,
red, white, mungo, azuki, etc.), peas, and chickpeas.
Starchy foods include cereals (such as rice, semolina, and pasta) and potatoes, as well as various cereal flours used to make bread and pancakes
(such as wheat, buckwheat, spelt, millet, and many others). On the other hand,
let's look at legumes, which are packed with top-notch energy and play a
crucial role in regulating hunger due to their high carbohydrate content with a
low glycemic index. Presenting themselves in the form of starch accompanied by fiber
and protein, these components offer top-notch fuel for the brain and muscles.
They have the fabulous characteristic of containing no traces of gluten. Thanks
to their exceptional fiber content, ranging from 4.5 to 16.5 g per 100 g once
cooked, these foods make the goal of 25 g of fiber recommended per day more
accessible. They serve as vigilant protectors, obstructing the absorption of fats and cholesterol, delaying the conversion of sugars, and averting the accumulation of undesirable residues in the intricate intestines. Dietary fibers
play the role of a conductor in the intestinal ballet: they bulk up the stools,
juggle with water in case of diarrhea, and prevent constipation. They encourage
the flourishing of intestinal bacteria and help maintain a healthy gut
microbiome.
Abandonment
Graphic watercolor Whether it strikes suddenly like a clap of thunder or creeps stealthily, whether in a tangible, emotional, or symbolic ...
-
Narrow street in Bruges, watercolor by Amarie In this sanctuary of tranquility and quietude,...
-
As a child playing with colors rapidly, I noticed the harmony and beauty by juxtaposing contrasts. The most evident are black/white, dark/l...
-
Nowadays it's not rare to live with four generations together. Conflicts have always existed, but they are more obvious, actually. A c...