Archive
NEW #Painting : The #Brain and Recoil Sounds
Hey you!
How do you react when you hear an unpleasant sound? For example:
- Nails on a chalkboard
- Child crying at a high pitch
- Metal against glass
- Brakes screeching
We usually recoil, maybe even cover our ears. The sounds are so sensitive to us that we physically try to protect ourselves. Well, allow me to introduce my latest brain painting “Cacophony. ” The word cacophony means “a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.” Thanks to a good friend for the name suggestion!
The new painting has also been featured on the Scientific American blog!!
http://ift.tt/1mfw1SX
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Cacophony
20″ x 24″
Acrylic on Canvas |
** NOTE: No chalk was used in the making of this painting. It’s all acrylic paint. Cool huh 🙂
There was an interesting study published in the Journal of Neuroscience conducted by Newcastle University scientists with funding from the Wellcome Trust. The study, “Features versus Feelings: Dissociable Representations of the Acoustic Features and Valence of Aversive Sounds,” looked at the interaction between our amygdala (our emotion area of our brains) and our auditory cortex.
I came across this and other articles that referenced this study on recoil sounds published in The Journal of Neuroscience (http://ift.tt/1r1IatI). It inspired the painting.
Pink is the amygdala and it plays a large part in our processing of emotions
Blue is the auditory cortex
Yellow is the area of the auditory cortex that handles gauging frequencies. Apparently, sound vibrations of 2,000 to 5,000 Hz are considered to be unpleasant
The article came up with a top 10 list of unpleasant sounds from their research. I included a few of them in the painting, like:
1. Knife on a bottle
2. Chalk on a blackboard
3. Nails on a blackboard
4. Female scream
5. Brakes on a cycle squealing
6. Baby crying
Are there other sounds (PG) that make you cringe?
As always feedback is welcome!! I would love to know your thoughts and recommendations on other brain topics of interest!
IN PROGRESS PHOTOS:
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
In the below photo, I took a picture of myself holding a pen (because I didn’t have chalk) so I can use the photo as reference for painting my hand as you see it in the final painting.
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
| 2014 ©Michelle Hunter |
LinkedIn [http://ift.tt/TI7Kjy]
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Wonderful time at the #Neuromarketing World Forum in New York! #sciart
Greetings!
| Michelle Hunter by her work “The Brain and Smoking – Part 1” at the Neuromarketing World Forum Conference in New York City |
A couple of months ago I was contacted by the lovely Carla Nagel who is the Executive Director or the Neuromarketing Science & Business Association (NMSBA). They were having a conference in New York and she came across my work online as asked if I would be interested in attending and showing my work. Of course I said Yes!
Below are some images from the conference which took place in March. A couple of works of mine from the Brain Series were included on stage with the presenters and other paintings and prints were laid out in the sponsor area.
It was so cool to talk brains with neuroscientists and marketers interest in the brain! Thank you Carla for the opportunity, Elyte for helping me get set up and the rest of the NMSBA staff in attendance. It was a great experience!
Location: Hudson Theater on W 44th street A New York City Landmark
| Artwork has been set up on stage |
| Carl Marci, Chief Science Officer, Innerscope Research introducing the opening panel |
| Ale Smidts Professor of Marketing Research, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University talking about “How well do neural focus groups predict choice?” |
| Michelle Hunter’s brain art table at the Neuromarketing World Forum Conference in New York |
| Caroline Winnett, BrandNeuro during her presentation on “The Future of Neuro” |
| Antonio Damasio Professor of Neuroscience, University of Southern California delivering the keynote address on “Emotions, Feelings and Decisions” |
| Antonio Damasio Professor of Neuroscience, University of Southern California during his presentation |
| Antonio Damasio Professor of Neuroscience, University of Southern California during his presentation |
| Michelle Hunter with Antonio Damasio Professor of Neuroscience, University of Southern California in front of Michelle’s painting “Caffeine Headache” |
I welcome opportunities so share the Brain Series with an audience. Know of any opportunities I should consider? Shoot me a note via any of the methods below!
via Blogger http://ift.tt/1rDfzsp
New #Painting! The #brain and negative vs positive thoughts #sciart
Let’s test this…You do NOT want to read the rest of this post….
There are several interesting things that happen to the brain when we’re faced or are thinking about negative versus positive thoughts. We’ll get to that in a bit within this post and you are welcome to add your thoughts to the comments section.
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Cognitive Dissonance
20″ x 20″
Acrylic on Canvas
2013 ©Michelle Hunter
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When I first started the painting, I just intended to have the letters work into each other, like “Good” is connected to the word “Should” through the common letter “o.” Then I started thinking about that a little more. Usually when we’re children, it seems like we’re always told not to do something. While that was probably in our own best interest so we don’t break something or don’t get hurt, there is probably a more constructive way to get the message across. As noted at the beginning of the post, what are you most likely to do when you are told not to do something – you want to do it! Why is that you shouldn’t? With that in mind, I formed the letters as building blocks that children usually play with. Perhaps instead of saying “Don’t do ____[Fill in the blank]_____]” a request can be framed as “How about you do this instead, and this is why.…” or “This is really dangerous because….”
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DETAIL – Cognitive Dissonance
20″ x 20″
Acrylic on Canvas
2013 ©Michelle Hunter
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Another aspect is that it’s easier for the brain to process positive thoughts versus negative. For some people, their minds actually ignore the negative leaving them with just positive or neutral thoughts.
Now I’m sure you don’t want to share this post with one other person right?
Happy thinking!
Sources:
http://ift.tt/iI5Bk2Cognitive_dissonance
http://ift.tt/hFWySejames-clear/positive-thinking_b_3512202.html
http://ift.tt/k2OXzthealth-15214080
via Blogger http://ift.tt/1kbNRBD
100 yrs of smoking studies @PopSci | #Brain & #Smoking paintings | @JAMA_current
There was an article published recently on the Popular Science blog marking 100 years of studies done/reported on regarding the health implications of smoking.[1]
While it has been proven that smoking can be a cause of lung cancer, what is it that makes it hard to quit and how does smoking impact those around you, neurologically?
Well those are the questions that prompted two paintings in my ongoing Brain Series, an image which is included at the beginning of this blog post. Check out the links to those respective blog posts to see how smoking impacts the brain of the first and secondhand smoker.
Regards,
Michelle
Instagram [
[1] “100 Years of Smoking in Popular Sciance” Diep, Francis, http://www.popsci.com/article/science/100-years-smoking-studies-popular-science, January 10, 2014
via Blogger http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2014/01/100-yrs-of-smoking-studies-popsci-brain.html
World #Stroke Day! You and your #brain
While the next painting in my brain series will be on the brain and stroke, I wanted to use this post to help bring awareness to the topic.
Do you know what a stroke (aka “Brain attack”) is?
It’s when blood flow is cut off to any portion of the brain. The brain is a marvelous organ that can suffer great harm if it’s not properly taken cared of. So…
How can one prevent a stroke?
Majority of strokes can be prevented! Consult your healthcare professional to determine what your risk factors may be. In addition, consider:
- Do you monitor your diet? Are you aware of how many fatty foods you may be consuming?
- Do you stay active? Exercise regularly to help keep the blood flowing?
- Are you a smoker? It can DOUBLE your risk of a stroke.
- Do you consume more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day? Strokes have been tied to alcohol consumption.
- When was the last time your blood pressure was measured? High blood pressure is a strong risk factor and should be regularly monitored.
- Do you know whether your heartbeat is normal or now? Work with your doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat.
- What’s your cholesterol level? It should be checked by your doctor also. What is cholesterol? When checking your blood, it’s a fatty substance that is not only made by the body but can also come in food. Clogged arteries can a side effect of high cholesterol.
Experiencing a stroke can have devastating results from being in a vegetative state or loosing mobility or the ability to speak.
I look forward to exploring more on this with you. In the meantime, here are a couple of links to help you learn more:
“Stroke Prevention” http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT
“Anatomy of the brain” http://www.uhnj.org/stroke/anatomy.htm
“Effects of a Stroke” http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/brain-effects-stroke.page
Here’s to YOUR brain health!
Michelle
via Blogger http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2013/10/world-stroke-day-you-and-your-brain.html
World Suicide Prevention Day – The #Brain and Serotonin #sciart
Regards,
Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
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2: “NPR The End of Life: Biology of Suicide” http://www.npr.org/programs/death/980429.death.html April 29, 1998
via Blogger http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2013/09/world-suicide-prevention-day-brain-and.html
Ok, by a show of hands, who else feels overwhelmed?
Whew, it has been a busy summer but gratefully it has been productive. This summer I wanted to make strides when it came to my artwork and I certainly did. Doing 11 paintings in a month is no easy feat but I knocked that out of the park. A plus to that is I like each one I did. Sure I could have spent some more time on a couple of them, but I’m proud of each one of them!
Also I’ve participated in 3 exhibits (so far :-)) and I want to do more. I’ve been checking craigslist regularly since that’s where I’ve found these 3 cool opportunities. However, these legitimate “Call for Artist” entries are becoming few and far between. Do you have any suggestions of other websites I should browse around for exhibit opportunities?
At the end of August, I’m going to swap out a painting that has been in Brooklyn for 2 months now. I’m working on a new piece similar to one that is currently displayed at Cosi’s. I’m concurrently working on the Zodiac series. All 12 paintings for this probably won’t be done by the time school starts at the end of August. During the semester I plan to go back to oils and my Four Questions series which has gained some interest so I want to at least finish the 2 that are half way done.
As always, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for reading and I’m available if you have questions or feedback.
You are invited to…
Two showings in Brooklyn! A nice start to the summer as the semester ends!
Here are thumbnails of what will be on display.
Sunday, May 25th at 9pm ~open bar~
Southside Speakeasy
245 South 1st ST and Roebling in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The “Four Question” painting will be on display here starting Sunday May 25. This is a new type of exhibit setting for me so it will be an interesting experience and I hope you can join me. There are various artists participating and each artist will be showing 1 piece. So if you are in town for Memorial Day Weekend (and remember, there’s no work Monday), join me here for a drink and a chance to see this piece in person! The show lasts for 4 weeks.
Wednesday, June 4th (8-10pm mingling, live music from 10pm-12am)
Cornichon Wine Bar & Cafe [http://www.cafecornichon.com]
251 Grand St. Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Here the painting I have had on my wall for a while will be on the wall of Cornichon Wine Bar for 4 weeks. Title is “Coming or Going” and I would like you to come and join me and the other participating artists in this opening. Show your support afterwork with a nice glass of wine and chance to talk to me and the other artists for the first half of the evening. In their outdoor patio, the evening continues with live music. Hope you can be there with me for this experience!
If you are interested in option 2, an evite is being prepared so I can forward that to you.
Again, hope to see you there! Feel free to forward this to others you think will be interested in coming. If you have any questions, you know how to reach me.
Thanks all!!
Michelle
Hunter Art 