Video Inspiration Week – Day 4!

For my final video of the week, I share with you another short film from the talented folks over at The Scout.  Good reminder that when you get down to it – it’s all about craft.  Whatever you make. Do it well.  Even if it’s only a few things.

Billykirk from The Scout on Vimeo.

Video Inspiration Week – Day 3!

I clicked on this video last night simply because I thought the kitty was so great, but was ultimately drawn in by Mirjam’s wonderful illustration style and her capacity to communicate a struggle that all women struggle with to a certain extent.  That sometimes not so subtle push and push of wanting to be beautiful and seen by others and just being comfortable in your own skin.  Is there a trade-off, are these two things mutually exclusive?

With such a simple and beautifully whimsical animation, this artist got my mind a buzzing with questions beyond the realm of beauty – specifically, how I view myself as an artist and my work.  When I look for inspiration in this design or that photograph, when I check that blog, website, or twitter feed – in the end, I’ve realized there comes a time when there can be too much of a good thing.  When the inspiration slides slowly into envy, strolls on down to that deflated place of, “Man, I wish I were making (doing, creating, experiencing…) that….”  and meanders into “All the cool stuff is already made, my stuff is lame, why should I even try….”.  It’s  a pretty dangerous place to end up – cause it usually means you’ll be stuck standing still for a little(long) while.

This morning I felt myself heading down that scary trail….and by grace alone did I remember the title of this post and the things I have been saying all week…I’ve got my own work & creative perspective. That’s all I’m responsible to be faithful with.  Nothing more. Nothing less.

Right now, it’s simple:  Create.  And encourage others to do the same.

Made-Up from Mirjam Plettinx on Vimeo. Quote via Oscar Wilde.

Video Inspiration Week – Day 2!

I’ve been running into so many beautiful and wonderful videos/short films lately that I decided yesterday afternoon to declare an impromptu theme week here on Rough Hewn. (Plus, it gives me a few days more to finish editing photos from the beach…) I know for me, watching things like this light up my own curiosity and I’m hoping they also light a flame under my ass and I’ll go out and make some work.  Maybe the same for you, no?

The Mast Brothers from The Scout on Vimeo.

This is the kind of work I want to make. Simple. Beautiful. Truthful. A visual feast. Elicits interaction and discovery. Delights. Conjures laughter. Contains within it the sacred and mysterious. Makes you cry with joy.

Not sure what form it will take, but I know it will first require that I get out of the way.

Video via RadioLab (watch this video big on itunes….it will knock your socks off)

In honor of my beach vacation starting tomorrow – I thought I’d scour the web and find photo inspiration for a week of salt water taffy, kite flying, niece & nephews sand castle-making, bike riding, sand dollar finding, ice cream licking, sand in unmentionable places, concert going, Powell’s scouring fun!  Excited to shoot it all!

{PHOTOS  via : Once Wed, Design Sponge, Sweet Little Photographs, Steep Street, Jagger Photography, 100 Layer Cake}

Film Burn & Color Correction from Zack McTee on Vimeo.

Chronicle Books + McSweeney’s = My ultimate Design Crush

Pull up a chair!

Today’s Photo Love is all about gathering around a (stylish) table and eating a meal.  Who wouldn’t want to have a meal at any one of these settings!?!

The warm summer nights lately have me thinking I want to once again have a regular meal with friends. Once a week.  Every other. Doesn’t matter.  All I know is that there was something special that went on during those meals I had in the cafeteria during college.  We’d sit on the deck in the warm breezy evening and our long meandering “can’t-remember-how-this-started” conversations were filled with laughter, teasing, debates, stories, brainstorming, flirting…the stuff of life and friendship.  And while I know that I can never recreate that time again, I look forward to setting my table for new friends -  sharing meals… sharing life.

{Photos via:  Once Wed,  A Cup of Jo, Hugh Forte }

Lately, I’ve been so inspired by these two ladies.  Sometimes I’ll take their book on the bus as a type of tranquilizer. I sit there, page after page, calm, amidst the strangers left and right, and smile and smile.

Here’s a few from my Sunday.

LOVE love loving the work being shot lately by Kristen Marie (above) – perfect summery shot to lead us into the weekend.  I plan on taking a little trip to the fruit stand and having a special fruity photoshoot.  Maybe even use some of the bakeware I snagged this winter at an estate sale  – to bake it all up!

Had to share this photo that I caught on 100 Layer Cake (one of my new faves for styling ideas and great event photography). How great is his reaction!?!

PHOTO BY: Max Wanger