Now I've done it

It's taken me a while. I've been humming and haa-ing in the wings.
But now I've done it.
Put my foot well and truly into the world of internet commerce.
New World Cyber Market
I'm trying it out.
The irony of selling wooden postcards through the internet
was just too much to refuse.
Go forth and click.
Click.
Click.
Click.

Mary's Blue Hair

"Mary's Blue Hair"
Mary decided to color her hair one day when her mum wasn't home. She did it herself,,,, well, she had no idea it would come out blue,,,, but she liked it anyway,,, and so did her bird friend!



available in my shop

Rituparna Sengupta at home

The bengali starlet, Rituparna Sengupta, at home photoshoot. Nice casual poses showing off her bare feet and legs. Enjoy some Ultra High Quality photos of Rituparna below.
Rituparna is currently shooting for the movie "Main Osama" said to be a love story in the backdrop of the 9/11 attacks on WTC.

Vandana Gupta in Saree

Beautiful new telugu actress vandana Gupta looking stylish in a blue Saree and barefoot. I like the look of this model turned actress.

Tanushree in bed

After a long while, some updates to the blog,

Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta takes a nap and then wakes up on the bed in her night dress.

Breast Augmentation Using Stem Cells? Not Yet...

An interesting article claims that plastic surgeons in Europe and Japan are using stem cells for breast augmentation. It also states that some surgeons in the United States are also performing stem cell breast augmentation.

The closest thing to stem cell breast augmentation that I have experience with is fat grafting to the breast. Fat actually does contain a large amount of stem cells, and the procedure does work. However, due to significant controversy regarding its possible effects on mammography and breast cancer detection, I don't recommend it except in those situations where breast implants are not able to be used. The standard of care for breast augmentation is still the breast implant, and I expect that this will not change for a long time.

I know of no plastic surgeons in the U.S. who actually experiment with stem cells for breast augmentation.

Story credit: upi.com
Photo credit: The Soap Box

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Some more stuffies and fall

My stuffies are a mixed blend of painted muslin and felted wool. They are stuffed with new polyfill. I painted the faces on muslin fabric after first painting a layer of gesso. I enjoy painting right on the fabric, you never quite know for sure how they will come out. The faces create themselves. "Adele" the pumpkin girl was created when I first felt the first signs of crisp air of fall. I love the fall,,,,, for me it means making more stuffies and fiber art. They are for sale here.

Simple lines

This design works on any polish color, any nail shape, any ocation and even on any moode.
Really easy and fast to do, so i call it lazy solution he he. I just drow black and silver curved lines on the pastel purple base.

A master at stamp carving

When I was at the workshop retreat a couple of weekends ago with Tracy and Teesha Moore, I found Tracy busily carving away at his new rubber stamp for our "Odd Journaler's Club".

He demonstrated how to carve stamps, but I was too pre-occupied with working in my journal to make one.

He made it for everyone to use in their journals while we were there that weekend.

This is my journal page with Tracy's "Odd Journaling Club" stamp. I wish I had his talent for making stamps. Tracy makes it look so easy to do!

Pam Anderson - No to Botox but Yes to Juvederm?

Here is a photograph of Pam Anderson during a recent press tour in Australia to promote her new reality show on E!. As you can see, there is no sign of any Botox in her forehead, but her lips look pretty plump, possibly due to Juvederm injections. The cupid's bow of her upper lip looks obliterated, which can happen when a good amount of injectable filler is placed there. This is one of the few photos that I've seen where Pam looks all of her 41 years. Maybe the jet lag hasn't been kind. I always look (and feel) like hell after a long plane flight.

Juvederm lasts around 6-12 months, and I find it works very well in the lips when injected conservatively.

Photo credit: dlisted.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Off the Grid

Another rushed nail job last night…but they didn’t turn out too badly. I really need some more nail “jewels”…so I’ll have to place an order soon. I need to replace my Stripers too, but I think I may order some nail art pens from Nubar, for better control.

In any case, I like this design. It’s edgy, simple, and Nocti’s Nip and Tuck is a great “in between” summer and fall color. I did manage to ruin a thumbnail last night, unfortunately, but these things happen…

Got Google?

I must say, after finding some of my paintings online during a Google search, I’m a bit ambivalent about my feelings on that matter. On the one hand, it’s very satisfying to think that someone uploaded my paintings (how does that work???) but on the other hand, kind of creepy that someone found and uploaded them (without asking me first) which of course I knew could happen – once it’s on the web it’s free game. Anyone have any thoughts on this subject?

Tuned In

"Tuned In"
Trying to tune in to everything going on in the world. It can be overwhelming! Sometimes I am so overloaded, that I actually have to "tune out"!
I created this whimsical piece on 8 x 10 inch gallery wrapped canvas. It is available here.

Our Costumes

I really had hoped to make a lot of new paintings this weekend. Well, that never happened. I did however have time to make one painting. These little guys have their bunny slippers on, they wear them wherever they go. They are all ready for dress up,,, or,,, halloween?

Has Jennifer Aniston Had Her Lips Plumped?

Photos of Jennifer Aniston have recently surfaced, showing a possible lip augmentation. If she's had it done, it is a subtle job, possibly with Restylane. Some may argue that her lips look the same, but if you compare the 'then' to the 'now,' you can see that the lip proportions have changed. In the 'then' photo, her upper lip is slightly smaller than her lower lip. In the 'now' photo, the upper lip is actually larger than the lower lip.

I have stated many times on this blog that the natural lip proportions (with some exceptions) have the lower lip 1.5 times the size of the upper lip. Quite often plastic surgeons become overzealous in augmenting the upper lip, making it appear larger than the lower lip. This creates the all-too-common 'trout pout.' Whether Jennifer Aniston has had her lips done or not, I'm sure John Mayer would agree that her "Body is a Wonderland."

Photo credit: Daily Mail

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Button Jar Inspiration

Months ago I alluded to this painting that I had begun:


I let the painting sit in the above state for a while until I finally got up the confidence to commit to actually finishing the piece. I am much newer to painting than I am to jewelry making, and sometimes I let the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not I'll be able to translate my mind's desire for a piece into reality overwhelm me.

The first stages of working on a painting, before I know whether or not I will be satisfied with the final product, are pretty daunting to me and I really have to focus in order to push through my feelings of self-doubt. I guess this sensation probably applies to many other experiences that people encounter, like an amateur runner as she starts a long run, before she settles into a flow.

I've also had a similar experience recently with beginning a new job. Even though I can consciously tell myself that it is OK to make mistakes and to feel unsure of myself at work while I learn the ropes, I am so anxious to get to the point where I actually own the confidence I try to project at work.

With my button jar painting, eventually as I pushed through the brush strokes that I wasn't sure of, attempting to paint both impulsively and intuitively, I found that I had created something that I was happy with. There wasn't a specific touch or detail added which moved me into this new ground of the painting, but somewhere as I immersed myself in the process the painting came to be.
I'm hoping that this will happen at my job as well, that one day I will recognize that I have gradually moved from feeling like I have to go through the motions in order for them to feel natural to the motions actually being natural.

The Top 10 Worst Female Celeb Body Parts?

CelebSlam has named their Top 10 Worst Female Celeb Body Parts. Here they are:

10. Jennifer Love Hewitt's Hips
9. Jennifer Garner's Toes
8. Paris Hilton's Wonky Eye
7. Jennifer Lopez's Buttocks
6. Tori Spelling's Breasts
5. Sarah Jessica Parker's Hands
4. Mischa Barton's Thighs
3. Jenna Jameson's Lips
2. Tara Reid's Stomach
1. Amy Winehouse's...Pick Something

I would definitely disagree with a number of their choices, especially Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Lopez. I wonder what a list of the Top 10 Worst Male Celeb Body Parts would include? Maybe Kenny Rogers' eyelids, Fred Thompson's neck, Mickey Rourke's cheeks, and Brad Pitt's face? ;)
To see photos of the 'offending' body parts from Celeb Slam, click here for their post.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Christina Applegate Breast Cancer and Reconstruction

As you may know by now, Christina Applegate has undergone a double mastectomy for possible breast cancer. She has the BRCA1 gene, which is a marker for high breast cancer risk. Ms. Applegate elected to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy, essentially removing all her breast tissue in order to prevent a potentially deadly cancer from appearing. In an interview, she stated that the next eight months would be spent undergoing breast reconstruction surgery.

What reconstructive surgery may she be having? It sounds to me that she is probably going to undergo breast reconstruction using breast implants. This process can take several surgeries. Most commonly, temporary breast implant expanders are placed at the time of the mastectomy. These implants are gradually filled over several months to expand the remaining skin and muscle. When they are the desired size, then another surgery is performed where the expander implants are replaced with permanent breast implants. Usually a few months later the nipples are recreated during a third surgery. The final step is often tattooing of the nipples and areola, in order to get the darker color of the real thing.

I wish her the best in her recovery and future treatments. I thought she was great in Married with Children.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Hobbies for Life

I have just finished six weeks of classes at Evergreen Retirement Community.

One gentleman, Don, is 90+ and still a wonderful painter.

It got me to thinking about the aging process and how important it is to have something that you love to do that will keep you interested in life until the end of life.

Hopefully that is what art will do for me. That is, if I can remember where I put my art supplies!

(Sorry, no photos with this one - forgot to bring my camera to any of the classes!)

SoulburnScripts Updated Aug 20th 2008

Max script update:

Updated several older scripts, here's the major updates:

nameManager: Added a new mode for renaming maps, not just bitmap maps.
texmapPreview: Added some simple mentalray support.
bitmapCollector: Now gets maps associated with UnwrapUVW modifiers.
selectionHighlighter: Now when you turn off the script, it will turn the Preview Selection mode of your objects to what they were before you entered Selection Highlighting mode.
parameterManager: Now handles the CastShadow property of lights.

http://www.neilblevins.com/soulburnscripts/soulburnscripts.htm

Thanks to everyone for your support.

Journal pages

Here is the beginnings of the inside of my journal. There are 16 pages in all. I LOVE the flaps and folds. The front cover is covered with clear tape, giving it a glossy feel. I have only just begun and wanted to share it with you. I will be adding daily, and writing in my journal as I go. The size is about 8 x 10 inches. There are photocopied imges of my original work, and original paintings. Some small bits of Teesha's collage sheet are added for border texture.

Cancer-Free Christina : )

Christina Applegate is 100% clear of cancer! The Samantha Who actress had a double mastectomy three weeks ago to completely kill the disease. Her reasoning, she tested positive for the breast cancer gene BRCA1. Appearing on Good Morning America this morning, she described her emotions as this, "Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I scream, and I get really angry and I get really into wallowing in self-pity sometimes, and I think it’s all part of healing."

She will be going through reconstructive surgery for the next eight months in which she says, "I'm gonna have cute boobs till I'm 90."

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Wow, Can We Say Muscles?

Dear Zacky,

Where you been hiding those big guns?

XO,

Erin

Photo Credit: WireImage

Team Audrina

Last night kicked off the season 4 premiere of The Hills and there were no dull moments.

Looove Whitney, Doug's a hottie, Lauren's always the peacemaker, (at least she's trying) as far as Audrina and Lo's friendship goes, opposites don't attract this time, still can't stand Heidi and Spencer, um and how big is Lo, LC and Audrina's house?!

From the Laguna days to this, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm gonna have to take Audrina's side on this one. Sorry Lo.

Looks like this season won't disappoint!

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Cute Amrita Rao

The very beautiful and cute Amrita Rao from a old photoshoot wearing a salwar kameez looking gorgeous as she relaxes on a cane sofa set.

Namitha red hot

Tamil actress Namitha looking hot in a red Sari.

Starting a new journal....

This is the cover of a new journal I am starting. I took a workshop with Tracy and Teesha over the weekend. This journal has lots of pages and flaps and I will show more later. I can see how one could work in their journal forever and never be finished. Teesha offers very cool collage sheets and it is a balance to try to "make it your own". I added only small bits of collage images. I made photocopies of some of my original art to add to my journal. I will show more later when I can take photos with my camera.

California Senate Approves "Donda West Law"

The California Senate has approved, by a margin of 37-1 the Donda West law, named after Kanye West's late mother. This law makes it mandatory for anyone undergoing a cosmetic surgery to have a history and physical performed prior to surgery.

Ho hum. Most plastic surgeons already do this. Instead of enacting unnecessary laws, why not limit plastic surgery to those who are actually trained at it? The California legislature has recently approved a bill allowing oral surgeons (DDS dentists) to perform all sorts of facial plastic surgery. How ridiculous! You wouldn't want me performing your root canal, so why have an oral surgeon do your facelift?

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

What is the Most Nipped and Tucked City?

Men's Health Magazine has recently released its list of the most nipped and tucked cities in the United States. Guess what's number one? San Francisco!

Do you think this may have to do with Senator Nancy Pelosi's influence? She does look mighty good for her age.

Here is the remainder of the top 10:
2: Honolulu
3: Sacramento
4: Miami
5: Tucson
6: San Diego
7: Richmond, VA
8: Washington, DC
9: Rochester, NY (not Rochester, MI)
10: Seattle

Other notables:
34: Grand Rapids, MI
48: Los Angeles, CA

Which are the least nipped and tucked?
Lincoln, NE
Fort Wayne, IN
Montgomery, AL
Toledo, OH
Madison, WI

I actually get quite a few patients who come from Toledo to have plastic surgery here in Metro Detroit...

For the full list from Men's Health, click here.




Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Retreat Paintings - Part 2

Here are a few more paintings/sketches from our retreat.

These two are by Sharon:
This painting is from a photo taken in Africa by friends of her. She worked diligently and SLOWLY on this one and it's beautiful!

This one is a sketch of my son, done in Russian Sauce, a very different medium. She did a good job, but he thinks it looks like a "mug shot"! (Everyone in my family is a tough critic!)

These three are by Sue:

Plants outside her gallery in Statesville, South Carolina (I think???).

The next one is from a family trip she took; I love the sky!

And the last one is a drawing she has made in preparation for a painting of the building across the street from her gallery. It is quite ambitious, but I know she will do a great job.

This one is by Monique:
She has a sketch book to die for - I always admire people who do that. She is so meticulous, and does a wonderful job.


She also did a full sheet poured painting but she was not totally pleased with it. She may be doing it again.

Quite a talented group, wouldn't you say!