Mad Men

Mad Men is back on for the fifth season in a row and more popular than ever.  I always find it fascinating how business was conducted back then with no computers, internet and cell phones.  A couple humorous shots from photographer Markku.  

http://www.markkuphoto.com

Chalk it up

When Oprah places your work on the cover of her magazine, you know you've got it made.  Graphic designer Dana Tanamachi resides in NYC and creates custom chalk pieces for various clients as commission pieces.   
Pretty unique way to make a living in my opinion! 

Persian Pride

This is writer/director/producer Asghar Farhadi's fifth feature film - 'Nader and Simin, A Separation'. Really excellent storyline, acting and cinematography.  The full length feature is available free on YouTube but with no subtitles.

The film recently won a Golden Globe for best foreign film and nominated for best foreign film and best original screenplay for the Oscars - The first Iranian to achieve this nomination.






Sundance in London

The largest independent festival held in Utah every year is going to London! Between 26-29th of April, 2012 - founder Robert Redford will take the Sundance institute to the capital of UK, for a four day multi-disciplary arts festival.  14 films from the line-up will make their premiers at the festival which will be held at the O2 arena in south London.  Best part is there will also be live music acts - confirmed so far, PLACEBO!

Should be interesting how UK audiences will react to independent American film makers.

Buy your tickets.....

Eames documentary

My friend recently told me about "Eames. The Architect and The Painter", a new feature documentary about husband and wife team, Charles and Ray Eames and their offices in Venice Beach, CA.

Though they were most famous for the creation of the 'Eames chair' - its nice to see how this film will portray not only their impact on furniture and modern architecture in the 60's, but also their impact on industrial design , graphic design, art and film as well.  Really looking forward to watching it.

3D mapping

3D projection is any method of mapping three-dimensional points to a two-dimensional plane. Making everything thus seem 3D!
In May of 2010, Samsung was the first brand to launch a large scale ad using this technology, which they displayed on the Beurs Van Berlage building in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  The experience was a spectacular audio and visual presentation taking the viewers into an alternate reality in which the building seems to come to life. Samsung also launched a big viral campaign to support the marketing of this megaprojection event. 

http://www.starstowatch.com/samsung3D/English/

Since then, several brands have come up with their own projection stunts.  Out of all the copycats out there - I think Adidas did a great job with their 3D mapping display, launched in 2011 on the “Palais du Pharo” in Marseille, France.  Amazing stuff....



Slinkachu


Slinkachu is a London based artist who has created “a tiny street art project” called Little People. He has been documenting his work since 2006 - check out his blog, really great stuff! http://little-people.blogspot.com/
He creates these amazing life like close up shots of his figures and then he zooms out to reveal the real setting of the piece.
Here are some of my favorites.










Vault 49

Who needs illustrators when you can get design guys to create it digitally?

Met with Vault 49's managing creative director, Jonathan Kenyon a few days ago.

http://www.vault49.com/

Their work really speaks for itself....

Carl Warner

I had the joy of working with British photographer and artist, Carl Warner on a photo shoot for our Healthy Choice website 

http://www.healthychoice.com/

.  Carl's amazing talent is creating food landscapes.  Sugar waterfalls, salmon sea, potato rocks and cauliflower clouds!

He has published two books and had a special on ABC's Sunday morning special.

http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Warners-Food-Landscapes-Warner/dp/081098993X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321558305&sr=8-1

I wanted to share his incredible work and show a few behind the scene pictures I captured myself.

It was hard not to eat our set!!

Geniuses 'hanging out'

How lovely would it be to sit amongst these people and just talk?

This post is a shout out to some of my favorite old school celebrity photographers:

Yousuf Karsh

Annie Leibovitz

Philippe Halsman

Brigitte Lacombe

Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Clapton

Elvis Presley, Joe Esposito, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire

Michael Jackson, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas

Paul Newman and Robert Redford

Brigitte Bardot and Pablo Picasso

Federico Fellini, Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren

My Favorite!! 

Salvador Dali and Walt Disney

Andy Warhol and Alfred Hitchcock

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

Sex with Emily

My neighbor has a sex talk radio show called Sex with Emily.

http://www.emilymorse.com/

She discusses a variety of topics from dating to relationships to sex.  Not much different than our Carrie from Sex and the City. She also just published her first book titled - 'Hot Sex'.   This little clip explains it all....

And to top it off, Emily has been contracted to do a reality TV show about her fruitful life. 

I was lucky to be invited to her book release party at Harlot in downtown SF, where the filming for the first episode of her reality TV show took place.  Super fun night! I got my book signed and got a taste of what its like to have cameras follow you around. 

I'm sure i'll be bumping into the filming crew at my apartment any day now!  I'll try and snag some shots if I do.

Best of luck to Emily!

Stevie the dog

This is our wonderful friend, Stevie Wonder.  Yes, Stevie has no eyes and therefore he is a blind dog.  He deserves his very own special shout out since he is such a precious sweet heart of a dog and you can't help but fall in love with him.

I thought it appropriate therefore to show Carl Davidson's Pets with disabilities project.  So cute!

Sculpture class

I've been taking really amazing sculpture classes with instructor Tebby George. 

http://www.tebbygeorge.com

She is a wonderful and warm hearted teacher who is exceptional for beginners to advanced sculptors.  The classes are offered through San Francisco city college and take place right by the water at Fort Mason.

Here is the progress of my very FIRST piece.  I have to say it was very addicting and I don't think I'll ever stop now.

Grant Delin

Met with celebrity and portrait photographer Grant Delin today. 

http://www.gdelin.com/

My favorite shot is this Mos Def image - Apparently he's a really nice and accommodating celebrity to work with, he's just a chain smoker.  <3

Angel of Culture project

My rep Anja Schaefer from Recom Farmhouse recently introduced me to her German artist friends who have launched the Angel of Culture project.  

http://www.engel-der-kulturen.de/

They have created a beautiful sculpture that represents the symbols of the three main religions displayed in a circle - forming the shape of an angel.

You can also purchase this necklace jewelry piece from their website - international shipping is not yet available but will be very shortly.

Zachary Scott

Met with a great photo rep today - John Sharpe from Sharpe + Assosciates who reps one of my favorite photographers, Zachary Scott.  I just found out that he is only 30!  He has such a distinct style, hope to work with him soon.

Tintin the movie?

What is this?

 The adventures of Tintin was one of my favorite comics growing up in Europe.   Created by the belgium cartoonist Georges Remi, the story follows a young reporter, Tintin and his dog Snowy (who i consequently named my bunny rabbit after) on their many adventures around the world.  I can't believe they are turning it into a movie - directed by Steven Spielberg no less.  I'm not sure how I feel about the CG/Animation on this.  Guess we'll have to watch.....

Jeff Soto, The Seeker

I love Jeff Soto's work - an artist from southern California and a graduate of Art Center.

I love his mix of pop surrealism and street art/graffiti.  I couldn't pick a favorite if I tried, and not to mention how hot he is! ;)

Here is a great interview with him where he discusses the process of his art making - fun read.

http://www.subvertmagazine.com/blog/jeff-soto/

So recently i purchased a much needed treat for myself - The Seeker

Here is my little guy.

I got him from Neon Monster in Noe Valley that unfortunately recently closed down :( - but it wasn't due to lack of funds which is a nice change for once.

They have a great blog thats fun to follow and keep up to date with juicy collectors stuff -

http://blog.neonmonster.com/