Inspiration Thursday #4: Wendy Given

Wendy Given's photography really grabbed me when I was attempting to create perfect compositions -- both aesthetically and perceptually. All of her series have different styles, which is something I really like about her work! They bring me to world that I wish existed -- like Hogwarts, or Narnia -- but a place far more mysterious.

The concept for A. hypogaea albus (peanut elves) originated from an extensive interest in the extraordinary and otherworldly occurrent findings hidden within the common world.


As a small child Wendy was taught a game by her mother and grandparents which involved searching for elves inside of raw peanuts. The true origin of the game is unknown, although, it traditionally passed through several generations of Wendyʼs maternal family in The Netherlands as a pastime of discovery, patience, and imagination.


In order to produce the peanut elves, hundreds of peanut halves are sorted through to discover the specimens that contain a recognizable elf "face" in the seedpod when viewed with the naked eye. Then, each seedpod is carefully carved very minimally to enhance the preexisting prominent features of each peanut elf. With focused lighting, careful placement of shadows, and the use of a macro lens, each peanut takes on a distinctive identity with elvish features.

By enlarging the peanut elves approximately thirty times the actual size, the complexity, realism and detail of the individual elves are readily accessible to the viewer. The outcome of the project initiates the viewer into a renewed awareness and piqued interest in discovering, or rediscovering, the typically unseen realm of our existence.

 

Check out her website here, or her tumblr here.

Like her work? Hate her work? Tell me in a comment!

Happy Holidays!

Whether you celebrate this time of year or not, have a great season! 

I documented my day here, check it out if you're interested. 

Much love, friends!

My Christmas List!

1. Pop-Up Bounce Flash
2. Photoshop Fridge Magnets
3. Remains to be Scene Paper Set in Pasture
4. Baby Rib Pocket Frock
5. Velvet Long Sleeve Mini Dress in Green
6. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
7. Vintage Camera Strap
8. iMac (This was my big ticket item that I know I won't get but it's always nice to dream!)
9. Round Velvet Pintuck Pillow
10. Hedgehog Canvas Tote
11. Green Squirrel Slippers
12. Wildlife Watching Skirt
13. Trimming the Mana-tree Ornament
14. Crescent Pattern Fishnets
15. Holiday Bliss Textured Scarf in Ruby Red
16. USB Mushroom Lamp

What was on YOUR Christmas list! I wanna know!

Leave a comment?

Inspiration Thursday #3: Kate Beaton

          This Inspiration Thursday features Kate Beaton, the famous cartoonist of the web comic, Hark! A Vagrant. I had the chance to meet Kate when she was in Boston on her tour for her new book, originally titled, Hark! A Vagrant, and can be bought in local bookstores, or here.

I was first in line because I'm kind of obsessed with her because I am a dedicated fan, and she even drew a character from my favorite comic, based on the book The Great Gatsby.

          I would say more, but her website pretty much speaks for itself. You can spend hours reading through them all if you haven't already. Kate started out as an anthropology major in college, and decided to illustrate through the campus newspaper. Everything erupted from there, and in May of 2008 Hark! A Vagrant was born. Since then, she has made over 300 small comics, each dedicated to a literary, historical, or fictional character.

 This one is hilarious and scarring all the same.

And in Hark! A Vagrant like fashion, I leave you with this:

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Last Week of the Semester

          Oh man, I have been so busy finishing things up and squeezing my last bit of love into Boston before I go home for the break! Here are some of the highlights of this week:

I went to the book signing of It's Lonely in the Modern World, a book by the same bloggers of Unhappy Hipsters! If you don't know what I'm talking about and you love interior design, check out their blog here! It was hosted at Twelve Chairs, this super chic interiors store in Boston.

My friend Lisa started her own blog after this adventure of ours, doing a Julie & Julia style blog through the cookbook of Joanna Chang.

Finally got my ceramic pieces from the kiln!

(I took ceramics this semester for the first time since... 5th grade?)

This is my, "HALLELUJAH I SOLD A PIECE IN THE ART SALEEEE, SOMEONE ACTUALLY BOUGHT MY ART!" face.

Came out with an $8 profit, and I am NOT complaining!

Christmas came early for my second-cousins ... aka the cutest babies you will ever see. Had a little get together today for them with some family, because they won't be spending Christmas with us (we must share them with the other side of the family, unfortunately.)

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!

 

Inspiration Thursday #2: Jeff Bark

          This week's inspiration is brought to us by Jeff Bark, a photographer whose quality of light is easily mistaken for painting. He works with subject matter from nudes, to natural landscapes, to the ethereal. What I really love about his work is that have such a dreamy, moody, quality to them that seem impossible to exist naturally.

          Here's some quotes from his interview with the Huffington Post:

"I always thought photography was so easy...if someone else can take the picture than I am not trying hard enough." 

"People have said that it was taking pictures of something they already had in their brains, like a dream, and I was showing them the picture of it..." 

"I used to write to photographers in New York and never heard back from them - now since I've been doing this - almost everyday I get a call from some kid." 

My favorite series of his is called, Abandon.

"It makes you feel a voyeur. If you're in the room by yourself you are totally relaxed, but if someone else was in the room you wouldn't do it, if your boyfriend was in the room, you wouldn't do it...it's about the most intimate time when you are alone, and it's a record of it."

Note: his website could be considered "not safe for work."

How do you feel about his work? Let me know if the comments!

Things keeping me sane this week...

          The dreaded finals week is upon us college student. As someone once said on the Internet, "99% of the stress in 1% of the semester... time to Occupy the Library." Which I know I'll be doing later this week. I only have one final (one of the few perks of being an art student), but it's a doozy psychology class.
          Other than that, I've been finishing up my art history course (which ended tonight), in the digital lab printing my photos, working on my last few ceramic pieces, and acting like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to remember if I've done everything.

Here's some things that have been keeping me from reaching the brink of insanity:

          1. Document a Day // A Day In My Life
If you have a livejournal account, pop over to this community: Document A Day. Seriously, this photo concept really got me into photography when I was 13-14 years old, and I have fallen in love ever since. And (I feel like a creeper saying this, but) I love looking at other peoples' lives and what they do in their days. If you can, try the project for yourself and see how much fun it is! But please, read their guidelines before posting.

Image of DaD's front logo

          2. TED Talks

If you haven't heard of this website yet, you've really been missing out. TED presents videos on new and exciting ideas, people with extraordinary abilities, and even some comics! Whether you have five minutes or hours, these are sure to brighten up you day. My personal favorites: 

• Helen Fisher tells us why we love + cheat
• Douglas Adams: Parrots, the universe and everything
• Tan Le: A headset that reads your brainwaves

TED's front webpage

          3. Louis CK
This guy has easily become one of my favorite comics. Famous from his stand-up, his show Louie (available on Netflix), and his reoccuring role on Parks and Recreation, I can't say I've seen anything that I DIDN'T like him in. He's a bit edgy, but if you don't mind the vulgarity and language, he's super funny. His stand-up, Louis C.K: Chewed Up is on Netflix and Youtube, and he also just recorded a show at Beacon Theater which you can download for $5 off his website -- that's my activity for tonight!

Source

          4. EOS Products
An odd jump from Louis CK, I know, but I can't stop obsessing over EOS lip balms. Anyone who personally knows me, knows that the amount of stress I am under equals how raw my lips become. Bad habit -- I literally bite into my lips when I'm stressed. EOS products are so fun and I really want to collect them all. You can find them at most drug stores or on their website.

Totally didn't realize I have Christmas colors until I took this picture... now my purse is so festive!

... and check out that manicure! ;D

          5. Storycorps
Storycorps is a website dedicated to having people record their own stories. Easy and functional, I imagine I'm going to be spending a lot of time listening to these at work this Christmas break. They're just so cute and fun. I haven't indulged as much time as I would like into this website yet, but I'm sure it's coming. Here's a prime example of what kind of stuff is on there:

What's getting you through this week? Let me know in a comment below!

Harvard Square Adventure

Yesterday, I got some work done and explored Harvard Square with my friend, Lisa. Here's some pictures from the adventure of the day. Includes; going to school, what I wore, Wagamama, and shopping! 

 

 

 I get ready for my day. I have to say it was nice to sleep in for a change.

(I'll have the entire outfit later in the post!) 

 

My school mascot is decorated in his (her? I always assumed it was a male rhino) best attire to greet everyone coming in for the art sale.

 

I go to school for a while to work on some art history analyses... god knows I can't focus on these things at home.

 

 

I change into something warmer when I get home -- I've become accustomed to the warm Fall we've been having up here -- and then I head out to the T again.

 

I find Lisa in Urban Outfitters.

 

 What a classy item to be selling at your registers, UO.

 

I had never been to Wagamama before, nonetheless had calamari -- our appetizer. Lisa suggested it and we just went for it. And I have to say, I liked it! 

 

 

I got the chili ramen, and Lisa got the salmon. I think this has easily become one of my favorite Asian cuisine places. Everything was so fresh and delicious, the seating and tables were comfortable. Awesome! 

 

We end up heading into Anthropologie. Although I hate to admit it, the really pretty displays always seem to draw me in. This new store was four stories of perfection. 

 

I tried a few things on from the sale bins (the only way I can afford shopping there at the moment) and nothing fit right. But the lighting in the dressing room was so pretty that I couldn't help but snap a picture of the outfit I was already wearing!

Tank top: Forever 21

Skirt: Ruche

Leggings: Macy's

Short-sleeve Cardigan: Anthropologie

Boots: Blowfish

 

Oh hey, Harvard. 

 

We headed back to the T and end up watching movies at my apartment. Good day.

What's your favorite restaurants? Shops? Let me know in the comments!