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4 Gift Ideas For Art Enthusiasts And Creatives

With the holidays nearing, you may have already begun planning for gifts to give your friends or loved ones. This can be quite tricky, especially if the person you’re gift-shopping for is an art enthusiast capable of making the things they want. However, there are a number of creative gifts that are sure to delight them, whether it’s a unique piece of décor they can display at home or supplies they can use to further enhance their skills.

If you’re stumped for ideas, you may want to consider getting one of the following items for your art-loving friend or family member.

Canvas Prints

Canvas prints with photos of you and your loved one can make for good personal gifts, especially for people who have photos or canvas paintings displayed around their home. If you’re planning to gift it to someone who loves photography, you could give them a canvas print of one of their favorite shots. Since these prints allow for customization, you can easily get the recipient a print that showcases their personality or that symbolizes something significant in their life. It’s a unique gift idea, and your friend may be surprised by your thoughtfulness.

Canvas prints can be used as prominent pieces of décor in a home. If your loved one’s home has a more sophisticated feel, perhaps framed canvas prints would suit them better, provided that you choose a tasteful frame that matches the rest of their décor. These would make for good wall décor in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, or bathroom, and the recipient can be reminded of you every time they walk past it.

Canvas prints can be made with premium quality ink, so if you purchase from the right shop, you can expect them to last a very long time. They’re slightly more expensive than regular paper prints, but for their durability and how unique they are compared to paper prints, it’s a reasonable price to pay.

Creative And Artsy Pillow Covers

Pillow covers aren’t a common gift idea, and if you’re able to find some with creative or art-inspired designs, your choice of gift could be seen as doubly unique. There are psychological benefits that come with having art in your home, so, when choosing a pillow cover to gift someone with, consider what kind of art they’re interested in. Of course, it’s important to choose one with a fabric or material that works well with their home, but equal consideration should be given to the design.

You can check the nearby stores in your location for options to choose from, but you might also want to search online to broaden your range of choice. You could choose pillow covers with patterns or prints that remind you of your friend’s personality or art style. Alternatively, if their home seems to have an art-themed look, you could search for designs that are inspired by famous artists or that mimic the strokes and textures of different art mediums. This would be a particularly good choice for friends looking to elevate the look of their home.

Art Courses

If your loved one has recently expressed interest in a certain medium of art, you can gift them with a course on that medium. Though art courses are often conducted in physical workshops, you can find online courses that are just as effective. There’s a wide range of prices, and these may depend on how extensive the course is and on what platform or institution it’s being hosted by. Choose one that fits your budget but that also promises to deliver good-quality lessons.

If your loved one hasn’t mentioned anything new they’d like to learn, you can still find something that could work for them. Perhaps it could be a course that can help them improve on their art style, or perhaps you can secure a slot for a workshop held by an artist they admire. Anything that can help them elevate their skills will surely be appreciated.

Calligraphy Set

Calligraphy has risen in popularity in recent years, and considering how writing by hand has been proven to be good for your brain, it’s no wonder that many people find it to be a calming hobby to have. With that said, perhaps a calligraphy set would be a good gift for the art enthusiast in your life. If they already dabble in the activity, they’re sure to appreciate it. And, if they’ve never tried it before, then you’ve provided them with another avenue in which they can exercise their creativity.

Conclusion

The gift ideas mentioned above are great for creatives and art enthusiasts. However, you should remember to take note of their individual interests or art styles. Giving them something related to art is a good idea, but giving them an art-related gift that’s tailored to their specific interests is better.

Eddie Vedder Details Solo Album, Shares New Song ‘The Haves’

Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder has revealed the details of his new solo album. Earthling is set for release on February 11 (via Seattle Surf/Republic), and it includes the new single ‘The Haves’. Give it a listen below.

Earlier this year, Vedder previewed the new album with the single ‘Long Way’, which will be available as a limited edition 7″ vinyl single along with ‘The Haves’. Vedder recently contributed music to the soundtrack of Sean Penn’s Flag Day, collaborated with Elton John on a song for The Lockdown Sessions, and joined Tom Morello and Bruce Springsteen on a cover of AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’.

Book Trends: What Readers Can Expect in 2022

Spending more time at home than usual during the pandemic both prompted dedicated readers to read more and non-readers to start reading for fun as well as learning. Here are a few trends that readers can expect to impact book sales in 2022. 

Technology

Changes in technology impact both the ways some books become popular and the ways people read.

Ebooks and Audiobooks

While books sales in all formats increased over 2020 and 2021, ebooks and audiobooks saw especially significant growth. Ebooks sales increased 16.5% and audiobook sales increased 14.3% over the past year. The popularity of both formats will likely continue to grow.

TikTok Recommendations

Many authors have seen substantial bumps in sales when their books have become popular with TikTok influencers. This trend has both helped new authors find an audience for their work and brought books that were published several years ago back into the spotlight.

For example, Adam Silvera’s “They Both Die at the End” ended up back on the New York Times’ young adult bestseller list four years after its publication thanks to its popularity on the platform. While it’s difficult to predict what books might become popular through influencer recommendations, social media generally and TikTok in particular are likely to continue to impact reading choices in 2022, especially for younger adults.

Social and Political Issues

The intense political news cycles along with the growing public discourse about discrimination and systemic racism have encouraged readers to choose books to help them understand these issues.

Diversity

Social movements and public conversation in 2020 and 2021 brought growing awareness to systemic racism as well as the lack of diversity and representation in the media. This has had a substantial impact on reading choices, with nonfiction books written to educate about racism as well as novels and memoirs by a more diverse group of authors becoming extremely popular. Readers will likely continue to care more about the diversity of the authors whose works they read in 2022.

Political Nonfiction

Political books have been extremely popular over the past few years, especially books written by and about presidents and former presidents. With midterm elections coming up in 2022 and the ongoing tense political environment, these books will likely continue to be popular as readers look to understand their government.

Pandemic

The pandemic and resulting sense of instability naturally impact the books readers are drawn to. This can go in two directions.

Escapist Fiction

Some readers will be drawn to books that are lighter or that otherwise allow them to forget about problems in the world while reading. Romance is always a popular genre and will likely remain so, and fantasy books will likely remain popular for their escapist reading experience as well.

Dystopian and Science Fiction

Some readers will prefer works that engage directly with the issues they’re concerned about. These can include speculative science fiction novels and stories with dystopian elements. Both of these genres will likely continue to be popular in 2022.

Arca Announces New Album ‘kick iiii’, Shares New Single ‘Queer’

Arca has announced yet another new album. Like the accompanying KICK ii and KicK iiikick iiii will be released on December 3 via XL. Along with the announcement, Arca has shared a new track titled ‘Queer’, which features Planningtorock. Check it out below.

In addition to Planningtorock, kick iiii also features contributions from Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Oliver Coates, and No Bra. Arca said of the new album in a statement:

kick 4 is an entry of sensual charge in the cycle; my own faith made into song, a posthuman celestial sparkle, psychosexual pulsewidth modulation, queering the void, abyss alchemically transmuted into a deconstruction of what is beautiful, it is a healing spell, recognition of the alien inside, a bursting apart of old skin, fresh new sinew rippling outward from a beating core, the first prenatal kick — proof that there is a sentience with a will beyond its creators’ control expressing itself from within the womb

Planningtorock added of their collaboration:

I remember finding “Meditation” back in 2011/12 on Arca’s SC and becoming completely obsessed with the track. Then we finally met a few years later at a festival we both where playing in Krems, Austria and we instantly bonded. I threw my prosthetic nose into the crowd that night and found out later that it was Alejandra who had caught it.
I love her so much and I’m so grateful she exists. The lyrics “Tears of Fire” and “Queer Power” are words I live by and where we connect. So proud to be duetting with her inside this gorgeous epic universe of a track, a queer dream come true

Arca announced KicK iii last week, revealing that it includes the previously released track ‘Incendio’KICK ii, announced in October, features the songs ‘Prada’ and ‘Rakata’.

kick iiii Cover Artwork:

kick iiii Tracklist:

1. Whoresong
2. Esuna [feat. Oliver Coates]
3. Xenomorphgirl
4. Queer [feat. Planningtorock]
5. Witch [feat. No Bra]
6. Hija
7. Boquifloja
8. Alien Inside [feat. Shirley Manson]
9.  Altar
10.  Lost Woman Found
11.  Paw

Foo Fighters Share New Jason Sudeikis-Starring Video for ‘Love Dies Young’

Foo Fighters have shared a new music video for their Medicine at Midnight track ‘Love Dies Young’. The clip, written and directed by Dave Grohl, stars Jason Sudeikis as a demanding swimming coach. Foo Fighters’ faces have been pasted onto the swimmers’ bodies. Check it out below.

‘Love Dies Young’ is the latest single from Medicine at Midnight, which arrived back in February. The band, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month, are set to star in the upcoming horror film STUDIO 666.

Watch the War on Drugs Perform ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’ on ‘Kimmel’

The War on Drugs appeared on last night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where they were joined by Lucius for a performance of their single ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’. Watch it below.

‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’ is the title track from the band’s latest LP, which follows 2017’s A Deeper Understanding and arrived in October via Atlantic Records. The War on Drugs are set to embark on a North American tour in support of the album in 2022.

Holy Other Unveils New Single ‘Shudder’

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Holy Other has shared a new single, ‘Shudder’, which features NYX Electronic Drone Choir and Daniel Thorne. It’s the latest offering from the British producer’s forthcoming album Lieve, following the previously shared songs ‘Groundless’ and the title track. Check it out below.

Lieve, Holy Other’s first new album since 2012’s Held, is out tomorrow (November 19) via his own imprint.

Milan Ring Releases New Single ‘Sydney Hue’

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Milan Ring has enlisted fellow Australian artist BLESSED for her latest single, ‘Sydney Hue’. It’s taken from her upcoming debut album, I’m Feeling Hopeful, following previous entries ‘Pick Me Up (feat. Jean Deaux)’, ‘BS (feat. Che Lingo)’, and ‘Hide With You’. Check it out via the accompanying video below.

“It’s such a clear visual to me, what this city looks like at dusk: industrial, a beautiful, polluted glow,” Ring said in a press release. “’Sydney Hue’ is one of those songs that always played out in my head like a movie. Blue hour, when the sun has set yet the remaining light glistens across jagged edges of the high rise buildings. Blurred street lights and peoples faces reflect on my windscreen, as I drive through streets that burst with life yet feel so lonely. I am filled with memories and nostalgia until everything builds and swirls into chaos, cars collide, guitars squeal and we call out to one another – even if only in thought.”

I’m Feeling Hopeful is out December 3 on Astral People Recordings via [PIAS].

Taylor Swift Shares ‘Sad Girl Autumn’ Version of ‘All Too Well’

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Taylor Swift has released another new version of ‘All Too Well’. Recorded with Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond Studios, ‘All Too Well (Sad Girl Autumn Version)’ follows ‘All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)’, ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)’, as well as a live acoustic rendition of the track. “One of the saddest songs I’ve ever written just got sadder,” Swift wrote on Twitter. Listen to it below.

Following the release of Red (Taylor’s Version) last Friday (November 12), Swift released an All Too Well short film starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien. Earlier this week, she shared the Blake Lively-directed video for ‘I Bet You Think About Me’.

Viji Drops Video for New Song ‘Cali’

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Viji, the moniker of London-based singer Vanilla Jenner, has dropped a new single called ‘Cali’ (via Dirty Hit). Check out its music video below.

“I wrote it early last winter from a small apartment in rainy London,” Viji said of ‘Cali’ in a statement. “Winter months always affect me, I hate when the light comes and goes so quickly. Without being able to travel abroad, I wrote this song directed at California. ‘Cali wait for me / I promise that someday I will be there’. It’s only the second track of mine without guitars, a side of my music I haven’t shown so much.”

Of the video, she added: “The video was shot on VHS in a friend’s room. Most of it is me lounging, I wanted to capture a general restlessness. Props like playboy magazines and McDonalds meals made it quintessentially American. The light fades from day to night on a loop, until it becomes just night for the second half of the song.”

‘Cali’ follows the release of Viji’s two EPs, Are You In My Head and Suck It.