Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Monday, August 3, 2009

Photographers Who Inspire Me

Pamela Hanson creates breathtaking stilllifes in black and white. Her photos are extremely emotional and passionate, usually commenting on a relationship between two people.


This photo on the left always makes me want to believe it takes place in the fifties, just because of her dress, the lamp and desk. But it is beautifull juxtaposed by the unlady-like way she is sitting while she applies her makeup, with her significant other watching, nonetheless.


Do you think this photo is raunchy or alluring?






This photo is so passionate there is nothing I can say that will do it justice. I have this photo framed in my room and people often comment that they can't tell whether or not it is a woman kissing a man or a woman. I think the shape of his sholder, the texture of his hair and his eyebrows makes the answer obvious, but maybe she wanted it to be a mystery.

Do you think the artist meant for one of the model's sex to be ambiguous? Or is that just ignorance on the viewer's part?












Nigel Barker took this photo. He is a judge on America's Next Top Model and is great at coercing award winning shots from his subjects. He has a way of interacting with the models he shoots that translates to a certain level of comfort in his photographs.





What comes to mind when you see this model's gaze?

Is it reminescent?
Lustful?
Sorrowful?




Marilyn Minter influenced my final thesis for Advanced Darkroom my third year at UW-Eau Claire. I love the way her photos seem to mock the fashion and modeling industry. Though her photos seem to mock real advertisements, her main purpose is to instill the idea into her viewer's mind that glamour is all about magic spells and illusory attractiveness. She wants to make it clear that glamour is not a natural condition, but that it involves chemical beauty and requires a lot of hard work and pain. The thing I appreciate most is that she seems to be doing
this is not to glorify or degrade glamour in the fashion industry, just to bring attention to it.










What kind of words/feelings come to mind when you look at these photos?







































My attempt at capturing Marilyn Minter's style...



Sunday, August 2, 2009

Wedding Stationery

Your wedding should reflect your personal style. It should also be a comprehensive collection of one theme- from the invitations, to the programs, to the place cards, to the thank you notes. It can be overwhelming, but I can help you by helping you choose a theme that fits your personality and the type of wedding you are planning. I will worry about all the details and do all the printing, cutting and folding for you- so you can enjoy your special day!


6.6.2009 Theme: Blue cherry blossoms with orange accents; classic yet modern

I designed these table layouts alphabetically by last name. People just have to find their last name and table number, then go to their table and find their place card. It was easy and made for less traffic. The blue ribbon brings out that main color again and the floral piece in the background ties it all together.






I decided to have one menu per table, instead of one per person, both for the sake of paper and to use the menu as another focal point in the center of the table. It was easy to find, right next to the flower arrangement, and easy for all to read. Here you see the blue cherry blossom pattern theme as it is carried throughout all of the stationery.













The mugs were favors for our guests! We thought they were creative yet useful, and a great way to remember what a fun time they had at our wedding. The front is simple, showcasing our wedding date, our names and the location of the wedding. On the back is the blue cherry blossom design again. This may seem repetative but what its doing is helping people remember the theme after they leave your wedding- without continuity, there is no theme.











The invitation inner envelopes were on Stardream Flame cardstock and die cut to create a small pocket for the information cards. A piece of Mica Weave cardstock in Sorbet was used to add depth, texture and a contrasting color. White Stardream text stock was used for the information cards and main piece. The cherry blossom pattern on the sides was carried out throughout the whole wedding- from all the stationary, to the centerpieces, to the cake.






The ceremony programs were printed on Stardream white paper, which was a specialty paper with just a hint of shimmer. This same paper was used for the invitations and envelopes. The layout was a tall and classic 8 1/2 x 11 vertical page- easy to assemble! On the front page was an exerpt from "She Moved Through the Fair," an Irish hymn that was sung during the ceremony.













The place cards were designed more closely to the Save the Dates (not yet pictured) on white cardstock. On the back, the cherry blossoms are now white. The colors were reversed for variety, it makes the blossoms look like silhouette's for an artistic touch and it added a pop of color to the table arrangements. On the front, a simple line of polka dots nicely merges the blue and white sections on the front of the card together.
























I would be honored to design your dream wedding and create a beautiful theme for your special day! Please email if you have any interest and would like to discuss your ideas: mvesta9@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Graduation Announcement

I designed this card for Rachael, a fashion-forward, creative girl who wanted bright colors to offset her black and white senior portrait. She also liked a damask pattern, a big trend right now. I tried a few different layouts and she ended up choosing the one with her full name, paired with the "Class of 2009," for a simple layout. Rachael also preferred rounded corners on the photo for a softer look and polka dots for added interest. The fonts were carefully chosen to reflect her girlish style. Rachael and her mom were very happy with the outcome!