EverydayBricks is a Lego blog featuring news, reviews, and photos from the world of Lego. Feel free to contact Everyday Bricks about your MOCs or Custom Minifigures.
American Gothic is one of the most iconic paintings of the 20th century. It has been recreated and reimagined in almost every way imaginable. Cole Edmonson has created a huge Lego mosaic of the painting. It measures in at 36.25″ x 30″ which makes it a little larger then the original painting. It’s always good to see a Lego mosaic in actual bricks rather then computer rendered.
Check out Cole Edmonson’s Lego American Gothic here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brickreplicas/23443558071/
Have you ever wondered how many colors Lego has in its collection? There are probably more then you thought. Jeremy Moody has made it his mission to collect and catalog every released color. Some of these colors go back decades, and are extremely rare.
“Here is my chart of all known named LEGO colors. This started as an attempt to collect colors of 2x4s, and turned into collecting every color in as close as possible to the size and shape of a 2×4. There are some color names LEGO is known to have used, not included in this chart. However, it is unknown what parts or sets were ever made in those colors, or if they were used at all beyond trial pieces.”
Check out hi-res versions of this Lego color chart over on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/64498969@N08/23456044745/
Lego artist Jin Kei has created this Rhinoceros. It is a pretty clear statement about the current state of the species and its dwindling numbers due to poaching of their horns. But, like all artwork there are a lot of different interpretations about it.
What is neat is that this whole thing has been created by (mostly) using basic Lego pieces. The transparent bricks also do a good job of creating the appearance that the Rhino is dissolving into nothing.
There is more about this Lego Rhinoceros here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lego/comments/3uzyrb/rhinoceros_jin_kei/
An Automaton is a movable mechanical kinetic device, usually imitating humans. These machines were extremely popular from 1860–1910. Some of them had very basic movements, such as arms/limbs, but others were much more complicated. The best Automatons could write, speak, serve tea, and sing. Amida, of BrickLink, created their own Lego Pegasus Automaton. A kinetic sculpture created entirely out of Lego. By turning a single gear, this graceful beast can flap its wings, move its tail, and pivot its body. All these movements come together in a pretty lifelike animation of flying. The white, brown, gray, and gold color palette, and some of the small details (the crystal knob) create a piece that could fit into any Jules Verne, or Steam Punk collection. Make sure to check out the video below.
“This Pegasus Automaton is moved by a series of mechanical gears and cranks. The Pegasus of white, hovering and flapping her wings, is recreated in balanced and correct body proportions to give vivid feelings. The gearbox has an antique beauty in clockwork style.” — Amida
Pegasus Automaton from Amida Na on Vimeo.
The Pegasus Automaton Lego MOC can be found over on BrickLink: http://moc.bricklink.com/pages/moc/mocitem.page?idmocitem=1284
This Tiny Lego Man Anatomy Study measures just 2.75 inches tall. The whole thing is even hand painted, including all the of the smallest details. Not only is there one finished Minifigure sculpt, but if you look into the background you can see another one being created. These little Lego Men are amazingly cool.
Check out the Tiny Lego Man Anatomy Sculpt by Freeny over on DeviantArt: http://freeny.deviantart.com/art/Tiny-Lego-Man-anatomy-sculpt-457396186
This Lego Fantastic Mr. Fox mosaic (or is it a relief?) is spot on. Capturing all of the feeling from the film. Wes Anderson has a lot of style, and the 1-point perspective shots that he is famous for are a perfect fit for Lego. This Lego mosaic is titled “Because I’m a wild animal.” and is currently on display at the Wes Anderson themed Art Show (at the Gladstone Hotel) by The Toronto Animation Community. Check it out if you are in the area.
Check out Hilary Leung’s “Because I’m a wild animal,” based on the Fantastic Mr. Fox, over on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hilaryleung/15767414606/
Hilary Leung has also been featured on LegoGenre in the past: http://everydaybricks.com/lego-mosaics-by-hilary-leung/
It is Pablo Picasso’s 133rd birthday today, and in celebration Veronica Watson recreated Picasso’s Guernica in Lego. Using just 800 black, gray, and white Lego bricks. The biggest difference is the size, the Lego version is 7 inches by 14.5 inches; while the original Picasso is an impressive 137 inches by 305 inches. All the main details are represented. The bull, the horse, the eyeball like light, and the various tortured humans are all recreated in Lego. Veronica Watson is a Lego Master Model Builder from Legoland Discovery Center Westchester.
Check out more details over on the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/24/lego-guernica_n_6038338.html
Most Lego creations are a form of art, but some strive to be a little something more. This Lego sculpture, titled Inside the Mind of a Lego Artist, is the creation of Kristal. This is a kinetic sculpture that can almost qualify as an Automaton. The feature here is that the human head can open up and reveal an inner working of the mind. A place of imagination and wonder. Which is an explosion of color when compared to the outer white shell.
Make sure to check out the video below. The opening of the mind is a great surprise, and features some slick work with pulleys and gears. The second half of the video goes into the details of the technical system created.
Check out more details of Inside the Mind of a Lego Artist at JK Brickworks: http://jkbrickworks.com/inside-the-mind-of-a-lego-artist/
“From reckless corporate consolidation of the media industry to the Presidential persecution of whistle blowers to the targeting of independent wartime journalists by our military, our system has completely failed us. The continuous stream of sensationalism feeds our addiction to drama, hyperstimulating the senses with fear and novelty. The war drums beat to the tune of our racing hearts – which rage with fury over manipulated messages driven by those in power.
Shut off the TVs – which drive us away from any meaningful existence. Ignore all mainstream messages – they are rooted in profit. Focus our thoughts and hearts to kindness, forgiveness and tolerance. The Fourth Estate will burn on its own.” — Mike Doyle
Sometimes you see something that you know will be the inspiration for many in the AFOL (Adult Fans of Lego) community. This MOC, called Sign of the Times is one of those that deserve renown. Created by Mike Doyle, Sign of the Times shows off a most impressive technique for building Lego smoke. Smoke is one of the toughest things to create out of Lego, typically the hard shapes and overall blockiness do not render the billowing clouds very well. What really sells this, is the combination of transparent pieces, and the color palette (only 8 colors!). Plus the decision to contrast the organic smoke with a very geometric building.
Mike Doyle is quickly becoming a huge name, check out Contact 1. A huge castle/city that had its own Kickstarter campaign: http://everydaybricks.com/contact-1/
Sign of the TImes: Failure of the Fourth Estate by Mike Doyle (photographed by Matt Doyle) can be viewed over on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7931559@N08/15429701386/
Pictures In Boxes is a great comic, that has consistently used Lego for inspiration. Most Lego comics use photography and it is rare to see an illustrated one. The goofy Lego Minifigures have a certain charm when drawn. Pictures In Boxes has recently “flooded” their site with Lego Superhero (Batman) Comics. Make sure to check them out.
Check this Lego Comic and more over here: http://www.picturesinboxes.com and here: http://picturesinboxescomic.tumblr.com