Imogen Heap - Lifeline

Light Boxes

Light Boxes, a novel by Shane Jones, is what I'm currently reading. It's very different from anything I've read before, but I am enjoying it very much. One of the reasons I picked it up in the bookstore is it's cover. I love the design and the pops of saturated color that appear. The illustration is done by Ken Garduno and the design and lettering of the cover is done by Paul Buckley.

After I'm done reading it, I'll try to write up a coherent review. No guarantees that it will be good, but I'll try my best. For now, here's an image from the cover.

Kevin Van Aelst

Kevin Van Aelst is a photographer whose work has been commissioned by the likes of New York Times Magazine, Wired Magazine, and the Boston Globe. The images are colorful, creative, and fun. Many of them feature underlying critiques on society. I especially enjoyed the series of images featuring the fingerprints. It's something I've never seen done before!

Kathleen Hawkes

Kathleen Hawkes is an MFA student at the University of New Mexico. Her thesis show is coming up this April in Albuquerque, NM. Her more recent photos deal with the surface of the photograph. She composites her photos together seamlessly. The images above are from the series "Tableware" in which she photographed tableware in a variety of ways. One of my favorite series done by her is titled "Belonging." In this series, she has catalogued burned objects and objects in suitcases that people would bring with them if they could. Her work is beautiful.

Jan von Holleben

Jan von Holleben was born in 1977 and brought up in Germany. He is the son of a cinematographer and a child therapist. His work has been exhibited globally. He creates photographs that are fun and filled with youthful spirit. However, his more "mature" works (of which there are many images on his site) are no less beautiful or insightful as the ones shown here. Some of the aspects I enjoy most about his images are the vibrant colors and creativity embedded in the pieces. They inspire me to no end.

E. E. Cummings: Somewhere I Have Never Travelled, Gladly Beyond

somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

'Nuff Said.

Sometimes everyone needs a little bit of a confidence boost. It's a part of life, these ups and downs we have. 100% natural. But when we're down it hurts. So here's to all those who need some support. In truth, you're awesome. You deserve to have some holiday ice cream from a beautiful tin and to smell candles scented like cranberries and pine trees. You deserve to window shop for a full day try on anything you like. Literally anything. You deserve to cuddle up by the fireplace and watch Christmas movies like White Christmas and A Miracle on 34th Street. You deserve to wear fuzzy socks and dance around your living room even when there's no music. You deserve to wish upon a star. You deserve to make snow angels on your driveway. So many things to do. So be happy!

This Is SO On My Wish List:

Buy the Fuji Instax 210 Wide Instant Camera at the Photojojo Store!

I've decided that if I had this my life would be complete. Well, that's not strictly true, but it would be close.

Levi Weaver

I think these videos by Levi Weaver are very beautiful. His narration and lyrics are emotionally charged, with lilting melodies and peaceful/thoughtful pauses. This artist, though I have only just discovered him, appears to be talented and creative. Please enjoy these videos.

Perfectly Perfect Swap Songs

These two songs are a couple of my favorites on a mix cd I just received from Australia! I participated in a swap and wasn't disappointed in the least. I think these two songs really apply to my life right now. This cd came at the perfect time. Many thanks. :)