Monday, June 29, 2009

Vintage German Octopus Chromolithograph

I had originally found this little work of art on Ebay months ago and forgot to post it here! It's no longer available for purchase, however I thought you might enjoy a little German ceph art. Big shout out to the squid, nautilus, and cuttlefish - cephalophilia in tha house!!!


Item Description:
Artist Etzold.
An original old German colour chromolithograph print/book plate(not a modern reproduction)comes from a German "Brockhaus".
The chromolithograph has been printed by Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig. Litho by Brockhaus, Germany in 1894.
Very decorative. It looks great when framed.
The overall size of this print with margins approx 10" x 7".
Condition can be see from the scan.
The print in the original is brighter and better.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

"My Tentacled Friend" Octopus Art

Check out the octopus art of Jasmin Becket-Griffith!




Product Description
The new original painting - "My Tentacled Friend"! A beautiful, slightly grumpy girl (a mermaid? a sea nymph?) is hugging a lovely great octopus! I love octopi and all cephalopods. Yay for tentacles! It is a tall, narrow painting - 24" in height by 6" wide - this really is a stunning piece - it truly can be the focus of any room. This is an ORIGINAL PAINTING - not a print of any kind! It is on WOOD CRADLED MASONITE - Matt has added a hanger on the back, so she is READY TO HANG! No frame needed! Of course you can always add a frame if you want (if it's gallery profile, as this is 2" thick!), but she looks awesome by herself too. I've painted the wooden sides a glossy black, so it looks pretty sharp.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Octopus Circulatory System

Here's a great article I found about the octopus's unique circulatory system on A Moment of Science.

When it comes to weird sea-creatures, octopuses are hard to beat. There's the well-known ink-squirting defense system, the bird-like beak, the eight tentacles with their double rows of suckers. What's less well known is that octopuses have more than one heart. They have three, to be exact, each one crucial to maintaining the robust blood pressure that allows octopuses to be active hunters and powerful swimmers.

Human hearts have two main jobs. One is to pump blood to the lungs, where it dumps carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen. The second is to distribute freshly oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Making sure enough blood gets to the lungs is so important, in fact, that two of the human heart's four chambers are reserved solely for that task.

Octopus hearts solve the circulation problem a bit differently. They have one main heart, called the systemic heart, and two smaller hearts located near their gills. The two smaller hearts perform the same task as the right side of the human heart. They pump blood to the gills where it dumps waste and loads up on oxygen, then pump the oxygen-rich blood back to the main heart. The main heart then pumps the refreshed blood through the octopus's body.

Besides having three hearts, the octopus circulatory system differs from the human system in one other way. Humans blood contains the protein hemoglobin, which helps it absorb oxygen and causes its red color. The blood coursing through the three hearts of the octopus is blue, thanks to a different protein called hemocyanin.

Octopuses are rather shy, so despite their blue blood they are not exactly kings of the sea. But there's no denying that they've got a lot of heart.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Octopus Art from Etsy.com


Etsy.com seller, SepiaLupus has a beautiful collection of prints for sale. Many of of her illustrations feature octopuses! Here's one of my favorites:


Product Description:
This is a print from an original watercolor and ink illustration. It is printed on archival paper and signed and titled by the artist. I have always had and interest in submarines, rabbits and cephalopods and they re-occur quite often in my work.

The image measures 8"h x about 3 5/8"w and is printed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. There is room to trim to fit into a standard 8"x10" frame.

It is mailed in a bend proof mailer.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Video: Atlantic Pygmy Octopus

I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?

Ok, the bad news: There's not a whole lotta' Atlantic Pygmy Octopus video action going on online. In fact, I only found two videos.

The good news: I found two videos of the Atlantic Pygmy Octopus!

It's not the most action-packed octopus video you'll ever see, however it does offer a close-up look of this tiny ceph. Enjoy!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Video: Unique and Fascinating Octopus!

Octopus strange behavior, Passing cloud display from Matteo Guardini on Vimeo.


Video Description
During a night dive in Philippines, I filmed a strange octopus.
It was in 1,5 meters of water in sand and rock bottom.
Its size resemble those of the blue ring octopus.
I was very impressed by his behavior.
Compared to the other octopuses, it did not camouflage with the bottom but it relesed a strange skin effect.
Frequently a dark row start from its head and goes down till the front arms like a flash.
I had the impression that he told me: be careful, I am dangerous!
This effect is called "passing cloud".

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Octopus Cufflinks from OctopusMe on Etsy.com

I had posted a pic of these in an earlier post about Etsy.com seller, OctopusMe, although I didn't give proper credit and attention to these beautiful little works of art.

I have to admit, while I'm not so thrilled about the use of real octopuses in making this jewelry, OctopusMe, makes some of the most beautiful octopus jewelry I've ever seen!

Check out these very fabulous cufflinks:

Product Description
Ah, finally, the unveiling of the Men's Octopus Jewelry! These are Hand Cast from a REAL Octopus and made in Solid Sterling Silver! All of the detail of the tiny suckers to the beautiful skin is amazing! There are only two in stock so be sure to get yours this Valentine's Day at this special price! Comes packaged in a classy black velvet box with a material ribbon so it's ready for gift giving. Be sure to spoil him today with this punky and unique handmade gift!

Finish: Dark oxidation with bright high spots and hand added textures

Size: 20mm by 20mm (Diameter the size of a nickel)

Be sure to check the other listings for the matching tie tack pin, cuff links, pendants, etc. Also can be made with a blue diamond or other stones. Convo me for pricing :)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Octopus Glass Art Lamp

Here is a snazzy little octopus lamp I found at CozumeGlassArt.com.


Product Description
These unique lamps are illuminated cameo engravings on hand blown glass. The glass is blown in multiple layers of colored glass, cut to shape, and painstakingly engraved. The cameo is achieved using fine diamond wheels to partially or completely reveal the underlying layers of coloured glass. The wooden base is made of mahogany. The smaller lamps, which have a price range of $270 to $400, use a 7 watt light bulb and measure approximately 8” wide, 6” tall, and 4” deep. The larger lamps vary in size and use fluorescent bulbs. All lamps use 110 volts. The lamps are handmade and no two lamps are ever identical. Each engraved glass work is entirely unique and a guaranteed original work of art for your lifetime's pleasure.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Art Deco Octopus Lanterns

I'm not sure where these octopus lanterns reside, although these art deco beauties are both unique and captivating:



Monday, June 8, 2009

More Octopus Pulp!

Here are some more rad Octopus Pulp covers that might tickle your fancy:






Sunday, June 7, 2009

Duke to Share a $7.5 Million Study on Octopuses

From Triangle Business Journal

May 20, 2009

Researchers at Duke University will share part of a $7.5 million grant to study how octopuses and squid use mental powers to camouflage themselves.

The five-year Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) study is funded by the Office of Naval Research and includes researchers from Duke, the University of California at Santa Barbara and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

Sonke Johnsen, a Duke associate professor of biology and the project’s principal investigator, says they are looking to study how cephalopods, the hundreds of species classified as octopuses or squids, see the world and respond.

Cephalopods have the ability to adjust their skin colors and patterns to hide from predators or prey. Some are even able to emit their own light to eliminate shadows that would expose their silhouettes.

To conduct their study, the researchers will construct a “Star Trek”-like underwater holodeck that will allow researchers to manipulate lighting to mimic ocean conditions and see how enclosed creatures respond.

"We will be able to change the colors, resolution, speed and everything else so that we can step inside their visual world under laboratory conditions," Johnsen said. "We will be able to show them natural scenes, but then also scenes that have been altered in different ways. The holodeck will be like a virtual reality machine for the ocean. In the world of marine biology we know of no other like it."

A second group of researchers led by the University of Texas at Austin will work toward similar goals. They also received $7.5 million from the Navy.

The Duke-led researchers will conduct expeditions on islands off California and the Pacific Island of Palau while the Texas group will work in the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Species: Atlantic Pygmy Octopus


The Atlantic Pygmy Octopus, scientific name Octopus joubini, also known as the Small-egg Caribbean Pygmy Octopus, is a tiny species of octopus. Fully grown, this cephalopod reaches a mantle length of 4.5 cm (1.8 in) with arms up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long.  

The Atlantic Pygmy Octopus often seeks shelter from predators in empty clamshells, beer cans or small openings, pulling the opening closed with its arms, combining sand and gravel to form a lid. The Atlantic Pygmy Octopus employs the two defensive mechanisms typical of all octopuses: ink sacs and camouflage.  

Like all octopuses, Octopus joubini is carnivorous. It is able to bore into the hard shells of small clams or other creatures and, after secreting its poisonous saliva to paralyze its victim, eats its prey. While the Atlantic Pygmy Octopus feeds primarily on small crustaceans, only a few species have been recorded as prey of this species in the wild. In laboratory conditions this diet is expanded considerably.  

Females of this species brood between March and June, laying elliptical amber eggs in a sheltered place. The hatchlings are relatively small (0.04 g), but are fully formed and can hunt within hours. They reach maturity in around 182 days and weigh about 30 g at this time.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Pottery Barn Octopus Pillow

Octopus decor is all the rage these days. Check out my latest discovery from Pottery Barn:



Product Description
A textural mix of pillows adds warmth to a white sofa. Our sea life pillow covers showcase aquatic creatures embroidered across ivory cotton casement. 18" sq. Imported. $49

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Tonmocon III

For those who haven't discovered the glory that is TONMO.com, it is The Octopus News Magazine Online, and a wonderful resource for everything octopus (and squid, and nautilus, and cuttlefish).

For the third year in a row, TONMO is hosting TONMOCON, a cephalopod convention bringing together cephalophiles form around the world! Here are the details for this year's event:

PLANNING TO GO? It's FREE -- but please let us know you're planing to go!

CAN'T MAKE IT? No worries -- we plan to broadcast at least some of it live!

Location:
Monterey Bay, CA. Conference room and group rates for overnight stay at Monterey Bay Travelodge. Area visits are still being planned (e.g., Monterey Bay Aquarium).

Cost of Event:
It's free!

Lodging (Group Rate):
Call and mention TONMO.com, get room for $99 per night -- specify single bed or double bed, and smoking preference

Presentations:
June 20th (Sat) in banquet room (seats up to 105) - room opens 10:45am, presentations begin at 11am

Agenda:

Friday, June 19:

Arrival / evening meet & greet (location TBD)

Saturday, June 20:

11am: Tony Morelli (tonmo) - Introduction

11:20am: Greg Barord (gjbarord) - new research (past two years) on cephalopod husbandry

11:40am: Richard Ross (Thales) -- O. chierchiae husbandry

12:00pm: Kevin Bylund (architeuthoceras) - Cephalopod Fossils

12:20pm: LUNCH / CUTTLE RACES

1:00pm Jim Cosgrove -- "No Mother Could Give More"

1:45pm: Stephanie Bush -- Deep sea squid defensive behaviors

2:15pm: Erich Orser -- topic TBD

2:45pm: Richard Ross, Mark Montague, others, plus Live Chat room -- Ethics round-table

3:15pm: Olaf Blaaw (OB) and his colossal squid experience

3:45pm: Kat Bolstad (Tintenfisch) -- topic TBD

4:15pm Lou Zeidberg -- Dosidicus gigas

Closing remarks (Tony Morelli)

...meet out for dinner / drinks

Sunday, June 21:

Aquarium visits - Monterey Bay and/or Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Octopus Cufflinks

In my hunt for everything octopus, I came upon these cephalotastic cufflinks. Perfect for the ceph-loving man in your life!


Product Description
The most intelligent of the invertabrates, the octopus is one of mother natures great wonders. Octopus cufflinks are in a shiny sterling silver finish.
Approximately 3/4"H x 5/8"W
13 grams (.46 ounces) sterling silver total pair weight
Square bullet back closure

Visit the link to get your own pair: Octopus Cufflinks. The site also had other cool critters available. I liked the lobster cufflinks too!