Born in Russia where he was educated in fine arts from a young age, Rinat Shingareev took an early interest in the subject, for which he showed an affinity and talent. Later moving to Italy to attend the Fine Arts Academy he has been described by Italian Maxim as “one of the most talented artists in the world”. Now based in London Shingareev continues to paint vibrant and thought provoking pieces.

Bryan Berg was introduced to card-stacking by his grandfather at the age of 8. He is a self-taught artist in all of the techniques he uses today. Berg's freestanding card structures are based on a grid-like arrangement, which Berg tested in a structural engineering lab to support 660 lbs per square foot―using no tape, no glue, no folding, and no tricks.

“Born in London in 1969 Robert has had a passion for photography since the age of 14. After studying photography at Blackpool and Flyde College he undertook and completed a personal project, which went on to be published into a book called ‘One, Images of a Goalkeeping Season’. Robert has been commissioned for editorial and advertising projects by client based throughout Europe and the U.S. and undertakes commissions for many of the top advertising agencies”. – Tim Mitchell

Scott Bisson of Quantum Creative Glass was first fascinated by the medium in high school chemistry class, at age seventeen. Since then, he has studied with five different masters, as well as at the world renowned Pilchuck School with Robert A. Mickelson, and has met and observed Dante Marioni, William Morris, and Peter Novotney.

Iranian artist and designer Mehdi Ghadyanloo, with the help of the municipality, is slowly brightening up the city of Tehran one wall at a time. The 33-year old street artist has been painting murals and walls in Tehran for the last 5 years age, during which he’s reported to have painted over one hundred walls.

Zappa, a toothless 15-year-old Italian greyhound that looks surprisingly like Sid the Sloth from the animated movie Ice Age, is redefining dog beauty. Owners Sadie and Rosalie Millen, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, say that Zappa started sticking her tongue out a few years ago when she lost her teeth.

At the end of rice harvesting season, the folks of the Kagawa and Niigata Prefectures in Japan hold a straw festival to celebrate the abundance of the harvest. Dried straws cover wooden frames to form larger-than-life sculptures from animals like sharks and gorillas to vessels such as ships and tanks. The family-friendly event invites visitors of all ages to engage, interact, and play on the enormous structures.

People stand under a giant Czech flag as they arrive to light candles at the base of a statue of St. Wenceslas to commemorate the death of former Czech President Vaclav Havel on December 18, 2011 in Prague, Czech Republic. Havel, who led the Velvet Revolution that forced communist rule in Czechoslovakia to crumble in 1989, died in the early morning today in his sleep at the age of 75. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)