We were pretty sure that the Darth Vader hot air balloon was the pinacle of dream hot air balloons...until we saw this: Patricia Piccinini's Skywhale hot air balloon. Are there more custom hot air balloons out there? We might have to do some research on this... How about the house from UP? Who’s with us? Jabba the hutt? The possibilities are endless... Watch a video of the Skywhale in flight after the jump.

This morning we take a look at the incredible sculptures of Australian artist Patricia Piccinini. Her alien-like, mutated animal/human hybrid characters are startlingly lifelike. Fascinated with medical science and bio technology, Patricia's work encompasses sculpture, photography, video, and drawing.

Having this job, you are presented really interesting artwork that expands your mind and makes you appreciate what the creative world is producing at any given time. Rarely have I been more blown away and/or in awe in seeing the mixed-media sculptures of Australia's Patricia Piccinini. Perhaps even disturbed. In a good way.