A Room With a View

Clouds Cast Thousand-Mile Shadows into Space When Viewed Aboard the International Space Station Currently aboard the International Space Station, geophysicist Alexander Gerst spends his free time taking in the view, camera in hand. From this incredible vantage point, Gerst is able to capture stunning photographs of clouds and their shadows as they stretch to the horizon.   Murals Composed of Frenetic Linework by DALeast Muralist/sculptor/painter DALeast has been completeing bird themed murals all over world. His latest stop in New York saw the completion of this towering painting of a bird clutching another bird on the side a Manhattan building.     Photographer Thomas Herbrich Took 100,000 Smoke Plume Photos Looking for Unexpected Shapes Over the last three months photographer Thomas Herbrich snapped some 100,000 individual photographs of smoke, looking for unexpected anomalies and fortuitous coincidences where familiar shapes emerged.   Paintings by Michael Kerbow Warn of Dire Consequences for Current Actions Michael Kerbow is an artist based in San Francisco who works in a variety of mediums including painting, assemblage, drawing and digital photography. Of particular note are his large oil and acrylic paintings that depict surreal and at times nightmarish visions of the future, where industry and human development has grown without regulation or care for the environment.   Mineral Admiration: Watercolor Paintings of Crystals by Karina Eibatova  Mineral Admiration is a new series of watercolor paintings by Vienna-based artist and illustrator Karina Eibatova. The juxtaposition of using a water-based medium to create images of stone is in line with Eibatova's desire to only create images from nature, an exploration that has lead to dozens of publications in magazines, newspapers, and journals around the world.   In Her 'Self-Portraits with Men & Woman' Photographer Dita Pepe Seamlessly Integrates into the Lives of Others Since 1999, Czech photographer Dita Pepe has explored this idea of identity and environment in two photographic series where she seeks to completely assimilate into the lives of other people. Working with people from all walks of life, Pepe engages in their hobbies or daily routine, creating images with a hasty-snahapshot feel that lends a fascinating sence of authenticity to her work.   From the Colossal Shop: Bourbon Barrel Staves from Studio 1a.m. Objects and materials are lucky to have a long first life, and maybe under some circumstances even a second, but these amazing wood staves from Chicago-based design shop Studio 1a.m. are experiencing a rare third transformation. These hefty wedges of charred oak were first part of bourbon barrels used by Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky before being acquired by Chicago's Goose Island Brewery to create their coveted Bourbon County Stout. As part of this limited-edition Colossal exclusive, the staves have now been transformed into functional wall art. The pieces are available as individual objects or a set of three and can be mounted horizontally or vertically. All Barrel Stave orders ship free to any U.S. location.