New World Notes

Friday Fashion: Swank SL Styles from Khitten Kurka

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

I almost did not blog about this lovely blush-colored dress and earrings because when I saw it was by Khitten Kurka, I was certain I had already blogged about her since she is an OG blogger. Just to be sure, I did a search. How in the world did I not blog about (k)iss (k)iss, her wonderful fashion blog? If you’re an OG blogger or photographer and I have overlooked you because you are so woven into my mental landscape, let me know. The dress is a winner for everyone since it is made with one of the four universal colors  that suit all skin tones. 

• dress – maria dress by beautiful dirty rich / b.d.r. (available at main store)
• earrings – kaya earrings by LaGyo

To see how Khitten dresses for success without being boring, click here:

Second Life Flickr User Posts Semi-Nude Protest Against Flickr's Coming Changes Blocking Nude Images from Unpaid Accounts

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

When I saw this pic from Sparklebottom Lasertits I laughed and knew exactly her point. Flickr has made some unpopular changes in the past year to encourage people to subscribe. As she writes in a long comment attached to this image: 

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Flickr will be making some changes to free accounts soon. Namely, free accounts will no longer be able to post moderate or restricted content. [I.E., images with nudity or porn. -WJA] That will now require a Flickr Pro subscription. There are other changes, but that is the biggest one driving Flickr’s business model from this point forward. This is the change I wish to address...

Flickr needs to make money. I get it. How? I don’t know. Will their current plan work? I very much doubt it. I’d like to see the data in a year or so from now to see the revenue they make from converted accounts compared to how much they lose from members quitting the platform completely. They may think that losing free accounts is not really a loss, but regardless of whether their customers pay or not, losing customers is never a good thing...

Read the whole thing here. I too hope Flickr finds a way to make money because it would really suck if they shut down. I think you can tell from her name that Sparklebottom is not shy. I love her stream but it took a while to find some Google-friendly pics. 

For more thought-provoking pics, click here:

Stunning Second Life Landscape Photos Teeming With Virtual Birds -- And Teleport Links to Visit in Person!

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Willow Cute takes pictures of Second Life landscapes. They are more than a little cute, though. They are stunning. They make our world come alive with beauty. Take “Flying High.”  This is from The Trace [SLURL to teleport here]. I’ve been there. I’ve stood in the same spot, but did I see it like a “Wish You Were Here” postcard? You can almost feel the adiabatic breeze off the ocean, the squawking gulls. And smell that strange fresh, yet funky smell of salt water, ozone, fresh air, and dying kelp. 

For more stunning landscapes, click here:

Today's SL Flickr Pick: Arresting Avatar Images Inspired by Pearl Jam Songs

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Krooked is not trying to make beautiful pictures. His pictures are arresting. They grab hold of you and don’t let go. Together with Pearl Jam lyrics, they have more to say than just look at how pretty I am. Take this picture “Just Breathe” She is bent over with her torso twisted and her hands contorted. The title is “Just Breathe” and the song so brilliantly balances different ideas, since it is played at both weddings and funerals. I think this picture captures the breathless passion in the lyrics and the equivocation between celebrating love and acknowledging mortality. 

For more striking pics, click here:

Fabulously Posed Avatars from Mya Audebarn Show What Fully Articulated Fingers & Limbs Can Do

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Mya Audebarn’s “La Petife Fille De La Mer” made me think of Alberto Vargas. I had to check to make sure it was Second Life, it looks so much like a painting. I love it when I see someone paying homage to the great artists through Second Life and showing how very versatile Second Life artists are. There is such great variety in how people express their love for Second Life. 

For more striking portraits, click here:

Look at How Much Second Life Avatars Have Evolved Through Subtle But Once-Impossible Poses & Gestures

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Dia’s pictures catch my eye with the excellent poses and her care in shooting them. Take this untitled picture. Both sneakers are on the floor, no slight hover or subtle sinking into the floor. Her fingers touch her hand, the elbow is behind but not in the leg. 

Using Bento and HUDs or third party viewers that let people fine tune poses, this kind of excellence is increasingly common. But for someone like me who fought with poses in 2007, it still is wondrous to see. Especially in such a striking picture. There’s something lonely about this pic, perhaps because the light is so dusty. I imagine her waiting for someone who is very, very late, wondering whether she should just give up and go home. 

For more, click here:

Here's How Color Filters Can Create Powerful Avatar Imagery

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Channon’s “It’s Complicated” is a wonderful example of how powerful a duotone can be. They don’t have to be black and white and different colors bring subtly different subtext. Blue is associated with the freedom of the wide open skies. It’s a futuristic color, frequently the color of lighting in space movies and tv series. Think of Tron. [See trailer here.] The bright, blue light of this duotone is the color of the future. 

To see more examples of Charron’s use of color, click here:

Today's SL Flickr Pick: Whirling & Romantic Dragon-Flavored Screenshots

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Kristal creates beautifully romantic fantasy-themed pictures such as “Fly Higher.” I love the movement created by her flowing hair, the blowing leaves, and the skirt. I love the bright light in the background blowing out the background and casting her avatar into semi-shadow. I love the color suggestive of heat and sunshine. She kindly included a SLurl. [Click here to teleport}

For more romantic fantasy snaps, click here:

Today's SL Flickr Pick: Musician in the Metaverse on Multiple Instruments

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

mSilverwolf loves music and it shows in his pictures of himself playing various instruments in Second Life. “The Sax” is a gorgeous black and white with lots of fog. It comes with a song, as well, an old favorite, “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan. [To listen, click here.]

For more musicianship, click here:

SL Style Blogger Toshiya Sato Features Action Fashion & Looks from the Okinawa Summer Festival!

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Toshiya Sato is a fashion/roleplay blogger whose blog is simply named after him. His most recent post is named for the date posted - in this case, 070822 and highlights the Okinawa Summer Festival happening all this August in SL: Click here to teleport.

I love his kimono to which he adds elements to ratchet up the menace. I also very much appreciate him including the dates of the events so someone coming along in January of next year does not hunt in vain. 

• OKINAWA EVENT: 05.08.22 - 30.08.22
• GABRIEL: KIMONO SUMMER 2022 FATPACK - Gianni, Jake, Legacy
• GABRIEL: FACE VEIL FATPACK (resizable)
• SEKAI: JAPANESE FAN FATPACK (animated, resizable)
• RAVEN BELL x CONTRAPTION: BLANC HAIR + THE GREAT FOX MASK UNISEX (on face, on hair)
• FAMESHED EVENT: 01.08.22 - 27.08.22
• REZZ ROOM: FOX ANIMESH (companion, holdable)
• LAOHU TATTOO UNISEX - Classic AV, BOM(Bakes On Mesh), Omega - 4 TONES @ JUNA ARTISTIC TATTOO MAINSTORE MARKETPLACE

For more great cosplay outfits, click here: