Monday, March 28, 2011

Big Hairy Apes...

Hello Lovelies~

I hope you are all doing well out there. A lot to share as usual. To start, I added some close-up shots to the Okoterru pieces I listed in the shop so you really see what you're getting. They're cute, they come framed and matted, and about half of them have sold, so don't delay too much longer or they'll be gone!


What else? Oh, I am venturing back into the studio this weekend to work on a new mini photo project that I think you'll find hilarious. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I'll give you a hint, it has to do with this:


And speaking of corny, vintage-inspired mayhem, have you seen the work of Jon Kelly Green yet? His work is sort of a throwback to 1960's cereal boxes and he does this fun thing on his blog where he creates characters almost daily and pits them against each other. I really don't know where he comes up with so many different ones. It's a little daily treat for me. Take a peek:


Tom Whalen is another illustrator with a bright, ingenious style that I really can't get enough of lately... He's a master of vector art, and his layout and design as well as his typographical choices are really top-knotch. I want his The Fly poster so bad I can taste it... eww. Take a look!


And I'd like to wrap up this week's post with a picture a friend posted on my Facebook wall the other day. I have no idea who took it (disclaimer), but I loved it and wanted to share!

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Empty Stations...

Hello Lovelies~

I hope you are all doing well out there. A lot of things happening here as usual! To start, I have listed a new print in the shop that I think is a nice spring piece. It's called Maine Train Station and it is being featured this week on Phantomas with a nice accompanying fictional short story entitled Pullman Berth. Beautiful stuff, take a peek:


Last week was my 8th anniversary with my Sweetie and we enjoyed a beautiful meal at Fore Street Restaurant in Portland to celebrate. If you're local and you haven't had the pleasure, you need to check it out. Beautiful atmosphere and the food really is delicious. I also got two beautiful bouquets of flowers straight from the Boston Flower Show. They make the house smell delicious. I am a lucky woman...


While we're on this bright, spring kick, I want to show you the work of Johnny Miller. Heard of him? He is a photographer and stylist who's done work for Martha Stewart Living among others. You know his stuff, it's the signature MSL look; bright, modern, clean, creative. On his site (linked above) he also has a section of personal work and I found the love letters he documented between his parents when his Dad was in Vietnam, an especially moving series. Check it out. Oh, and here's more of his great work:


It's been a long time since I've read a good book, life gets busy and most days, I fall into bed and watch a movie instead. But, I just got Alice Hoffman's The Red Garden (she wrote Practical Magic), and I can't wait to start it. It's whimsical and set in New England and I don't know much more about it because I've avoided spoiling it by reading the synopsis. Do you like Alice Hoffman? Have you read this book?


Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Monday, March 14, 2011

Lollipops and Clowns...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are doing well out there. I have a lot to share as usual. To start, I finally got my new business cards in for my photography business and I think they came out really well. I used a full bleed image on the front and very spare information on the back. I'm trying to keep it simple. What do you think?


And, I had more adventures in the studio this past weekend. I photographed two toddlers and while they were a handful and a half, I got some good shots and some really good experience. With most of the folks who model for me, I have an agreement where I will discount the sitting fee if they help me create pieces for my portfolio in addition to their shots. In this case, I shot these little guys in their normal clothes and then I put them in my costumes and shot a series of 4 photos you can see on my Flickr page. So much fun... Here's a teaser:


And speaking of babies, I went to a baby shower over the weekend and I put one of my clown cupcake toppers to good use as a present topper! I think it made the present... take a peek:


Also this past weekend, I got a chance to see the Shanghai Circus at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH. First of all, the venue itself is really fun and historic with old wooden floors and velvet curtains, it's beautiful. And the acrobats/performers?! Wow. I've never seen anything like it. I was blown away, literally. If you ever get a chance to see them perform, go.


And speaking of bright, colorful and inspiring things, have you seen the photo styling of Rebecca Thuss? First of all, her site is beautiful of course and apparently, there's nothing she can't do. She's a crafter, a photo stylist for Martha Stewart Living and Wedding among others, and she's a designer. Her photos are so bright and cheery, just go to the site and take a look, or take a gander at these:


Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Monday, March 7, 2011

Wee trains and big knives...

Hello Lovelies~

I hope you are all doing well! It has been warmer (40's) in Maine this week and I got out there and shot some stuff despite the muddy flood conditions. I think I'm starting to get a feel for my new camera and I truly love it. I posted some of my new shots to my Flickr album for your enjoyment. One of my favorites is the top one, I don't know if that's gum, or candy or what, but it had melted through the ice and I thought it was beautiful for some reason...


Oh, and this shot, entitled Real Toy Train, is actually being sold as a print in my shop!


I have started using Stumbleupon lately and I have found some great things out there you guys. First, the art of KeFe, a creative duo out of San Francisco blew my mind. I truly haven't seen a woman depicted in this particular way ever. I love the eyes. And they sell originals on their site too. Beautiful work that almost made me sell my dignity to come up with the money to buy a piece...


And while we're on cute, feminine art, allow me to introduce you to another artist I found recently: Mizna Wada. Why do I love her work? Oh, because she mixes cute little girls and murder seamlessly and with a real eye for composition and color. I mean, take a look:


And to completely switch gears (you're used to that by now, right?) I have a movie recommendation for you: Machete. Now, this movie is really violent and some people hate that, so if you're one of those people, you may stop reading. For the rest of you, who, like me, realize that Alex Rodriguez is merely mocking slasher flicks and 70's grind house features, this is a good one. Between the male lead's face, the gratuitous sex and violence and the soundtrack, I was laughing during the entire thing. Maybe there's something wrong with that. But if that's wrong, I don't want to be right you guys... Check it out.

Because the only thing worse than the violence are all the bad wigs.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...