♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦ - The Oscars!

I've showcased some great artists of late...some of them with the beautiful, powerful words, like Matt Nguyen, or beautiful digital art like sheWolf294, or traditional artwork like those of last Monday's Art Appreciation by  DansedesSonges...but there are artists in this world who do not show their artistic abilities through stroke of a brush, by the colouring of the canvas...no...
The Internet has allowed me to meet these people in another way outside of our living breathing universe, rather through the technological universe. I have spoken to artists from all over, and the Internet made this possible. You know the Internet is a wonderful, wonderful thing, it brings a boundless information to us...but with the goodness of the Internet, there is also bad. People can make friends with new people in different countries, through e-mail, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter or even Deviant Art...but with these great and easy ways of communication, also comes a lot of horrible, rude, nasty comments- made by people who don't seem to think through what they say, before they say it. This isn't just about high school bullies, (so you know it isn't just you being bullied!) this is about people who can't see past their own self importance.

Today, I want to honour our celebrities, who "we" think have the life... but actually don't.
Many actors and actresses, are great artists, although they do not paint the scenery, or write the words...they bring reality to the fantasy- they help us visualise these stories.... things, people and places which we once saw only as words. As an author and avid reader, I have read many books which were lucky to be made into a live motion picture...we live in a world that is filled with wonderful technology, coloured tv, HD and 3D movies, and I believe that we've all gotten lazy and stopped appreciating all the people- all the work, and all the effort it takes to make these wonderful movies, so why do we abuse them? 
 Sometimes, I think people forget just how difficult acting is...
Jimmy Kimmel, recently began doing something he calls, "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets". At first I thought it was rather cruel, and mean- and for a little while I could have said something mean about Jimmy Kimmel, but I'm rather glad I didn't...because he wasn't being mean...he's trying to make us understand words do mean something, and have a lot more of an impact than we think they do. 

So Sunday during the Oscars, we had this humongous snowstorm and it kept making the electricity flicker...I was like, "STOP IT- Idina Menzel hasn't been on yet!!!!" 

Which is rather ironic, I waited to see her perform "Let it Go", and it was blizzarding outside. (I am aware blizzarding is not a word, but it sounds really cool!)

In case you don't know who Idina Menzel is, she is the lovely voice behind Queen Elsa from Disney's Frozen. :) As it was, I was sad because she had to sing it at a faster tempo then in the movie...so it was a little disappointing not getting to hear its original splendour. :(  Nevertheless, Idina Menzel has a gorgeous voice and she had a fantastic performance considering that it was live, and I must say  her dress was simply beautiful! :)

Although...I have to say, Sandra Bullock wins best dress...

Except that it needed a giant rhinestone on it! :)

Of course, my newest favourite actress, Lupita Nyong'o also had on a ravishing dress...

I loved her dress, except the top part...I wish it didn't plunge so... but all the same her dress was gorgeous!

Lupita Nyong'o knows how to dress! And she can certainly make a wonderful speech! ♥

I cannot understand why some people are so angry that Jennifer Lawrence didn't win the Oscar and are talking ill about Lupita Nyong'o. It's very sad, both she and Jennifer Lawrence are very talented women, and I think they're both great. Alas, I have not seen "American Hustle", which is what Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for, however, I have seen "12 Years A Slave", and Lupita's performance was brilliant! Her Oscar was very well deserved! It makes me terribly sad though, that people are willing to slam Lupita Nyong'o with ill wishes for winning. I don't personally know Jennifer Lawrence, but she does not strike me as someone who would approve of her fans speaking ill of another actress. I have seen where several people on the Internet were calling her foul, horrid names- names which she does not deserve. One person in particular said, "Nobodies don't deserve to win an Oscar!" 

Hmm...

Well, do you know something...nameless person on the Internet? 

Everyone starts out as a nobody sometime, and even when they start they aren't a nobody, they're a somebody. Lupita Nyong'o is a someone, just like I am, and my sister, and even you, even though you are a little- minded nameless person on the Internet. 

And because we are "someone", we have voices and we can aspire to do things in this world, and we must choose whether to do good things or bad things! It does not matter what our age or experience is! We can also make people feel good about themselves, by spreading a smile, hug or friendly "Hello", from one to another! We can make this world a truly wonderful place, if only we can stop the cruelness which our hearts shrink away from!

Is it your ambition in life to be an evil troll who likes to pull the rug of happiness out from other people's feet?

So why would you, or anyone, say something like that....or like this? 

Some people are saying Lupita Nyong'o, is ugly and undeserving, "very overrated she played in 1 big movie,just because her character's life was the hardest doesn't mean she deserves to win it doesn't take much talent to cry in a movie and get beaten up.plus Lupita will never land a role like this again she isn't that good of an actress she can play depressing characters which isn't that hard..."

It is because the people who say this are jealous and angry, and I have to say this to those of you who comment mean and hateful things like this, without thinking, about any person that has succeeded...this doesn't get you recognised...Jennifer Lawrence won't like you better because you slammed Lupita Nyong'o for winning...quite opposite actually... she won't. 

And by opening yourself up to hateful thoughts towards a woman who deserved her award and is an inspiration to other young women, encouraging them to dream and believe in themselves...then you're wrong...and in that sad, depressing state of mind you'll stay, and to what avail, that one day you can brag that you made an actress cry? Just because they're famous doesn't mean they don't have feelings. I'm not saying you aren't entitled to opinions, I'm simply stating that we shouldn't say mean things about others just for the attention it will get us. So, your mean tweet made it in a news article, whoop-dee-doo, I want to ask you, how would you feel if you won an award and someone said that to you? 

I hope with all my heart Lupita Nyong'o has the most successful career ever! 

As for me, I cannot wait to see Lupita's next big movie! Because I know she is one of those actresses who will achieve greatness, not only by her superb acting abilities, but also by her sweet nature and goodwill towards others. :) 

Congratulations to all the winners of the Oscars! 

So that is my post for this Art Appreciation Monday! If you know of an artist, musician, writer, dancer, actor or actress please let them know how much you appreciate their hard work and effort at making all of our lives just a little bit more beautiful, funny and entertaining!!

♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦

To get over the Monday blues, I've decided to do an Art Appreciation Monday. On which every Monday (I hope!), I will spotlight an Artist of some sort, whether they are traditional painter/drawer or photoshop artist, or photography,writing, poetry, pottery, crafts or sewing...I'm going to spotlight only the best! :)

Today's artist is Matt Nguyen of Deviant Art!

**Before we start, I ask that you please remember to not, EVER use any of the art from the artists without their consent! If you see something you like- just ask. They will appreciate it!**

I thought we'd start off with a short biography on MattNguyen, so we know and understand the artist a little better! :)

Ariana: What's your name outside Deviant Art? Is Nguyen your surname? If it is how do you say that- it looks really cool.

Matt Nguyen: My name full, official name is "Matthew Đại Dương Nguyen," though I've been going by "Matt" recently.

To explain the name, I'll do it part by part. "Matthew" is because I'm Catholic, and it's highly common to give children saint names. My dad in particular, wanted to have four kids and name them after the four gospels, Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John. He had me and my brother, John.

As for my middle name and last name, those are Vietnamese. In our culture, we usually put the middle name after the last name because it just sounds better that way. My middle name, Đại Dương, translates directly to "big ocean," which also can be seen as the Pacific.

"Nguyen" is a/my surname, yes. It is a very common Vietnamese surname. You can pronounce it "gwin" or "win." The "ng" is a sound most non-native speakers can't pronounce, but you can get close.

Ariana: Are you human/boy/girl?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I'm a male, since most "Matt's" are males.

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?

Matt Nguyen: I was born in southern United States, but am Vietnamese.

Ariana: Do you have brothers/sisters/only child?

Matt Nguyen: I have one younger brother. He's four years behind me, and though he's stubborn as well as some other things, he is still my brother in the end.

Ariana: Do you have any pets?

Matt Nguyen: No. My parents don't really like them, and I never had the largest interest in them. If I were to get one, though, it'd be a cat.

Ariana: Birthday? 

Matt Nguyen: The fifteenth of May.

Before we continue with the questions, let's see some examples of Matt Nguyen's great work!

My Favourite Matt Nguyen's poem:

*****

Someone Like Me

Sometimes, on a lonely and cold winter night,

I stare up at the radiantly glowing full moon,

And subconsciously, I begin to think to myself:

I wonder if there is a living soul somewhere,

Who is seeing the same beauty that I'm seeing.

Even more so, I long to meet a breathing soul

Who thinks and has the same thoughts as I,

When they see this spherical grandness.

A person like this is out there,

There just has to be, I know it!

It is all about up to whether or not

I will ever meet this amazing person.

Will I meet him or her in my lifetime,

Or will we both be deceased before then?

Is it a male, who will become my best friend,

Or a female, who will become my ultimate lover?

Have I already met this spectacular person,

And have not yet realized?

We will just have to wait and see, won't we?

The time will come when two paths intersect,

Two lives converged, inseparable forever.

But until then, we must be on alert,

Our eyes and hearts opened wide,

For no one knows when this time will be,

Not even the greatest scientist or genius.

The man upstairs might know, but it would be ruined

If he ever told us before it happened,

As this is a life filled with surprises,

And not a predetermined destiny we are condemned to.

*****

I don't know how Matt Nguyen can capture in words the feelings which you feel when you are alone! He not only captures the feeling of loneliness but the beauty of it... And without any elaboration or special details he captures the mood and the soul of his audience!

Another Favourite of mine, is his recent artwork,

Into The Void

The reason, I love this picture is because I think it could go on for an eternity! The swirling colours, with the dark shades of blue on the left and the warm golden colours on the right leading into the white, it's so beautiful to look at- I think it looks like an entrance to another world... :)

Ariana: What inspires you most to write?

Matt Nguyen: The crazy and imaginative ideas get me going. Once I get one, I feel the rush and need to get it out to the world in hopes that they will feel what I did. So in the end, "all that could be" inspires me to write.

Ariana: How do you cope with lack of inspiration?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I just simply take a break to be honest. Sometimes it ends up being longer than I meant for it to be, but something usually gets me back on my feet, whether it be inspirational music, a show, or nature.

Ariana: Do you have a favorite subject to write about?

Matt Nguyen: I write mostly science fiction, emotional stories, and some poems. My favorite is the creative ones, though.

Ariana: When did you decide you wanted to write/be an artist?

Matt Nguyen: It gradually sort of built, as I've been drawing since I was little. Mostly, it was because I didn't want to sing or dance since I'm shy. As for writing, that came freshman to sophomore year of high school, when I wrote a piece for school and really liked it. Now, I want to be able to do it for a living.

Ariana: What would your advice to other writers/artists be?

Matt Nguyen: I'll steal Nike's slogan for this one. "Just do it." There's no harm in doing so. You miss all the shots you don't take, so take them. There's so much you don't know you can do. Also, get help and assistance from others, and try to learn from the best, not be discouraged by them.

Ariana: Do you have any interests outside of writing/art?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I play games sometimes as well as watch television. In addition, I read and use the computer.

Ariana: How do you wind down after writing/art?

Matt Nguyen: I just go back to doing other hobbies or showing my art to others. Eating or sleeping are classics, too.

Ariana: Do you have a favorite food/drink?

Matt Nguyen: The best food is probably spaghetti or pasta, and the best drink is sweet iced tea. Brownies are also nice for dessert.

Ariana: What is your favorite Doctor Who villain/and/character?

Matt Nguyen: My favorite Doctor is Ten, and then Eleven. My favorite companion is either Rory, Amy, or Clara. My favorite villain is the weeping angels, though the Daleks are a classic, too.

I asked Matt Nguyen to pick a favourite of his work, and he sent back,

The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth)

Our story begins on my home planet. It was once a beautiful place, full of life and wonder, until it was stripped down of its resources by the greedy inhabitants that lived there. I could have stopped them if I wanted to, but that was not my duty. So for several millenniums, I watched my planet slowly being destroyed by my own people. The destruction of my planet only got worse as nations fought each other with advanced technological weapons of mass destruction. Soon, a good percentage of the planet's population was gone.

One nation was so desperate for resources that they developed and released a biochemical gas on the planet, one that would kill everything living, except them. Forgetting to protect themselves, the planet's species went extinct within a couple of days. The only thing, or person rather, that survived was me.

I am an immortal, the only one to have existed, at least in my universe. You'll understand more as this tale continues. Barren and deserted, the planet was definitely post-apocalyptic. Going back to my shed, I could see nothing but a desert like landscape for as far as the eye could see. The sky was blue, and so was I. I knew this would happen one day; I had just hoped it wouldn't come this soon.

.......

*****

If you want the rest of The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth), click on the links provided. I would have included all of it, but I think you should go and check out Matt Nguyen's other artwork and written work as well on Deviant Art yourself, because it is definitely worth every second of it! :) So go finish reading  The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth), right now, because it's awesome! :)

Special thanks to Matt Nguyen for agreeing to be the first artist of Art Appreciation Monday, and for letting me post some of his amazing masterpieces on my blog! :) 

*****All the artwork and written work belongs to Matt Nguyen, there are links in blue which will direct you to the originals.**********

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE ARTWORK/WRITTEN WORK POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

If you want to use some of the artist's artwork or written work, contact him through Deviant Art, here.

Thank you!