the clothes 2011

I bring you the surrealist and wild images of Brian Walker. Walker says he uses "photography as a tool to represent the ideas of the impossible." His images are meant to at first seem real, but on closer inspection are completely unreal. Enjoy.

I'm sure all of you have been there, in the process of taking you own pictures you waste so much time! There are so many things that go wrong: the timer isn't long enough, you nudge your camera and suddenly it's not what you wanted to photograph, you don't get in position in time, your camera falls, etc. I take so many pictures and usually end up with only a couple I like. I thought for today, I'd share some of my outtakes. Inane expressions, weird body positions, everything that can go wrong and usually does...

//EDIT//:Your wish is my command. The images are small because I don't like most of them big. But here are my picks, click and they're even larger:

I've been making an effort to wear more jewelry (I own more than anyone I know), since most days I go without any. I always feel slightly fussy when I start putting on jewelry; earrings are good--usually discreet, but I tend to forget to put some in. I adore bangles and cuffs of all kinds (bracelets are my favorite jewelry item), but bangles make so much noise and I like to be silent when moving (like an assassin). For jewelry I am drawn to the unique or odd. My porcelain Dutch clog pendant was originally a what-not shelf item that I converted into a necklace and this tends to be the theme with most of my jewelry. Point being, I own a lot of jewelry and I need to give it more wear.

Today I wore my cloisonne necklace from the Honolulu China Town and it just served to remind me how much I love cloisonne (and why I can never resist buying more jewelry).

All of the other eggs disapproved of her dream,

She knew her dream would come true one day.One night, she pushed and pushed with all her might...

When suddenly an arm burst through--oh happy sight!She showed her limb to all her friends,

They ooh'd and ah'd and thought her dreaming at an end.

One limb was good, it was great,

But for more limbs she couldn't wait!

Again she tossed and turned, for more and more she yearned.

Three more limbs were hers,

And such long, elegant limbs they were.

She pranced, she posed,

She didn't care if she became an egg side-show.

One day, while swaggering along, she never suspected her fate,

She didn't look down, until far too late.

The other eggs mourned, they wept, and ultimately they said,

"You see, we were right all along, no good ever came of an egg who dreamt of legs."

I thought I would share these images of everyone's favorite possessed-looking, wild-eyed model Sasha Pivovarova looking quite the opposite of her typical self. Shot by Mario Testino for UK Vogue, here is a soft, playful, dare I say approachable (?!) Sasha.

I like to travel (not that I get to a lot) and I think the final item I require to complete my traveling wardrobe is something chic to carry all my clothes (and books) in. Sensible, no? So, the hunt is on for me to find the perfect vintage suitcase. I want one of the suitcase/carpet bag combinations you occasionally see with a beautiful vintage print. My family used to have one, I can dimly remember it, but it has probably disappeared for good or been locked away in storage for a good while...

Other pictures I took this weekend:

Late nights are the only time from conversation, aren't they? I find myself most productive, creative, and open in the late night or early morning hours. Tonight a friend stopped by work and I coerced her into staying until we closed and then convinced her to talk even longer with me because according to "fall back" it was really an hour earlier than her watch said. Our subjects ranged from the serious to the absurd, but always personal. When a moment felt too tense I read her my latest egg comic, complete with Dr. Seuss-worthy rhymes, she approved (I'll share the comic later). Now, back in my room and it is almost 2 am and I want to play with my camera or write a short story or even just clean my room (it's a mess). But I should be reasonable and go to bed.

Pictures from today:

What's a girl to do a on Friday night after she's gone and seen a movie (and been carded because despite being twenty apparently she looks sixteen or younger!!!), eaten pizza and had girl talk with the ladies, and people-watched at a free salsa dance with yet another friend, and still isn't tired? A stocking and flat themed photo shoot naturally!

It is a well-established fact that young fillies require a lot of sleep. But what are young fillies to do when Alfred Hitchcock comes on the television with "Dial M for Murder" late at night? Darn you, Alfie, you make me lose so much sleep! But what self-respecting clothes horse can resist Alfie and the Princess (Grace Kelly)?

My sister gave me a link to an article on reverse graffiti artist Alexander Orion. Jumping from that article I decided to poke my nose into this whole reverse graffiti art movement. Pioneered by Paul Curtis (aka the Moose), the idea is to graffiti a surface with soap, not spray paint. These artists work their magic by removing layers of dirt, rather than painting on top of it. It is also called clean-tagging or grime wiping. Despite this rather clean and green movement it is still out of favor with authorities. Paul Curtis has been charged in the UK for it, but for Orion's skull work there was a happier outcome. The authorities decided the only way to beat Orion was to out-do him, they cleaned the tunnels where he drew skulls--which was his point after all, since he was speaking out against pollution.

Since I was up at the crack of dawn for work (they don't pay me enough to afford my lifestyle) my outfit is a bit more laid back today. I figured out why I'm not uncomfortable taking my own picture and I am having my picture taken. When I take my picture it is about completing a mental image of how I want to portray what I am wearing or doing. I might be influenced by a designer, an artist, or just my setting. But ultimately the subject of the picture is the clothing and style, not me. When my picture is taken, suddenly I become the subject with questions like "do you want to be centered" or "smile." So, here I am posed and comfortable, focus on not me.