It has been almost a month since I last updated, and I actually feel horrible for not doing so.  I’ve hit a bump in the road.  Grad school has consumed every facet of my life and tortures the inner recesses of my brain making it hard for me to even form coherent sentences at the end of the day.  I haven’t been very productive art wise and that has obviously spilled over into this blog.  I’m going to develop some sort of schedule soon.  No worries.

With that being said, I thought I’d share this series of ads for Levi’s.  I’m sure they started airing back in July, but whenever I see them on TV my inner patriotic soul is stirred.  Who would have thought jeans could do that?  Actually, I think it has more to do with the recording of “O Pioneers.”  Sadly, I don’t want to go out and buy jeans.  I’d much rather run in vast wheat fields or gather my belongings and head West.

The photos for the circulating ads are by Ryan McGinley.  I haven’t posted about him before, because I feel like enough people do that for me.  He is definitely an amazing photographer, but  to truly appreciate his work you have to see it in person.  I feel like you see them in print or on album covers too much.  They’ve become hipster folly.  That aside, he does capture some pretty dynamic images.

Of course, full credit should go to the agency Wieden + Kennedy.  They’re the obvious brain power behind this campaign and to them I say WELL DONE!  Well done, indeed.

For more:
Wieden + Kennedy
Ryan McGinley

Apologies in advance for the lack of updating.  I’ve been at a loss for words lately.  I never run out of inspiration.  It’s really the fact that I don’t want to post something with “Oooo!” & “Ahhhh!.”   I’m trying to add a little class to the web.   Not that it matters.  ha!

Anyway, the other day I was going through my favorites on Flickr and I was amused at how my brain works.  Or maybe how my eyes work.  Hmmm.

See a progression?  I kind of like when that happens.

What are some of your favorite forms?

p.s. – your regularly scheduled posting will resume soon.

I came across the work of Valeria Picerno through Olimpia Zagnoli’s portfolio (who needs an entry dedicated to her illustration work and it’s coming, I promise).  I saw the main photo and immediately fell in love with Valeria’s style.  The tones and contrasts of her shots are vibrant, and each subject takes on a certainly personality.  The way she composes her shots greatly contributes to that as well.  Stunning!

For more:
Valeria Picerno’s Portfolio
The Black Swan Archives

If I had been perceptive I would have noticed this video and posted it with the other Wild Beasts’ one HOWEVER this one deserves its own post.  After listening to the album on repeat while making a three hour trek back home, I fell in love with this song.  It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.  If you don’t enjoy it, something is clearly wrong with you.

With that being said…

Dear Wild Beasts,

Please make a return to the US of A soon.  I dream of nothing but your sweet melodies filling my ears whilst I dance around drunk off my own lust.

Yours sincerely,
-Hayley

Yeah, I just went there.

For more:
Wild Beasts on MySpace
Wild Beasts’ Website

These are the kind of photos where you think, “Mannnn, I wish I would have thought of that!”  I’m sure Maren’s photos would trump my efforts though.  I love how clever and playful they are and the tones are just exquisite.  They make the photos even more perfect.

Be sure to check out the collaborative effort she is also part of called Cashmere Club.

For more:
Maren’s Flickr
Maren’s work @ Cashmere Club

“Hooting & Howling” by Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts always manage to find the most creative folks to produce their music videos.  This one for “Hooting & Howling” is stunning!  I’m partial to underwater shots though so you be the judge.

For more:
Wild Beasts on MySpace
Wild Beasts Website

After receiving my Nineteenth-Century European Art textbook the other day, I started flipping through it and stopped on this work by Gustave Caillebotte.  It’s one of my absolute favorite paintings of all time.  Take a look at that lighting as it dances across the floor and over the backs of the floor workers.    The strong diagonals of the floor and the paneling of the walls create this mesmerizing composition.  It’s almost too perfect.  I read somewhere that photography greatly influenced Caillebotte’s work.  I can see that now.  His work is wonderful.

For more:
The Complete Works of Gustave Caillebotte

Even though I’m indifferent when it comes to Hunter S. Thompson, I do think that Ralph Steadman’s illustrations for a lot of Thompson’s work are insanely brilliant.  I discovered Steadman’s style while watching a documentary on Thompson, and I was in awe of how he controls ink.  Somehow his irrational lines and splatters create a disturbing harmony.  

Steadman’s writing is just as interesting as his illustrations.  

Steadman has also done illustrations for many classics like Animal Farm, Treasure Island, Fahrenheit 451 and Alice in Wonderland. 

Watch him in action:

For more:

Ralph Steadman Online

Sorry for neglecting this little ole blog.  I’ve been busy getting things in order for moving.  It’s not the greatest excuse but it’ll have to do for now.

Enjoy this video for “Dying is Fine” by Ra Ra Riot.  I fell in love with it when I watched it earlier today (Yeah, I’m behind).  Surprisingly, the playful imagery works for  it being such a serious song.

For more:
Ra Ra Riot’s MySpace 

YAY, SCIENCE!

In other news, I feel like a failure for not actually staying their entire set in Baton Rouge, BUT I did stand next to them before they took the stage and could have easily been mistaken as a long lost member.   If you need  someone who can play a mean tambourine and/or be an interpretive dancer, you know where to find me Passion Pit.  Just sayin’.

For more:
Passion Pit on MySpace
Passion Pit