Many people have seen feathers as decorative items before. Today, ostrich, peacock and bird of paradise feathers can be seen in haute couture and in the costumes of indigenous peoples. They can be colorful and spectacular in their own right, but how much more stunning might they be when used as canvases for artists, eager to demonstrate their talent for the unusual? Alaskan-born and -bred artist Julie Thompson is an astounding exponent of this incredible art form.

Realistic impressionist whose art, prints and posters express his love of nature and a man gifted with a rare talent. Having studied with some of the great Italian masters of fine art, he has developed a brilliant and commanding style. Born in Castelluccio, Italy, in 1954, Egidio Antonaccio graduated from the Institute of Fine Art in Castrovillari, Italy, in 1973. Then in 1978, he graduated with honors from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.

Kim Haskins was born in 1981 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Throughout school she was known as the class artist - the one who drew pictures in other peoples’ exercise books, made posters for school plays, designed t-shirts etc. Even growing up she pictures always fell into one of two categories: humorous or still life.

“Born in Bellshill, near Glasgow, Scotland, George studied at Blackpool College of Photography before moving to London, where is currently based. George is a multi-faceted talent, equally at home on location or in the studio, working with people, animals, locations or still life. He produces strong and vivid images with a distinctive and unique photographic style. Many of his images have been described as having an other worldly feel”. – Tim Mitchell

“Ой, да не вечер” – the Russian national song. It is also known under the name “Stepan Razin's Dream”. It is sung on behalf of Cossack Stepan Razin ((1630–1671) was a Cossack leader who led a major uprising against the nobility and Tsar's bureaucracy in South Russia) who tells the bad dream foretelling trouble. Sings: Pelagea Sergeevna Efimova (born 14.06.1986 in Novosibirsk, Russia).

A baby hippo swims under the water in its enclosure at Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, February 24, 2016. The baby was born on January 28, and is yet to be named. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Model Demi Rose proved she's got the Midas touch as she posed in a gold bikini in Los Angeles, California at the weekend, June 28, 2019. The Birmingham-born beauty sent temperatures soaring as she showed off her curves in metallic swimwear during a photoshoot for her new bikini range with fashion brand Oh Polly. (Photo by KP Pictures)

Heesco, Windsor. Born and raised in Mongolia and now living and working in Melbourne, Heesco is well known for his skill in rendering photo-realistic portraits. They speak to the viewer in a way that the subtext is enjoyable to decipher. Just what is the Blue Lady’s message? The sunglasses might mask the confronting gaze but her body language fills in the gaps. Heesco’s characters often wear traditional jewellery and clothing that remind us of his Mongolian cultural heritage. (Photo by Lou Chamberlin/The Guardian)