Laura Konttinen

The Memory Project by Laura Konttinen is "a collection of reconstructed memories, built from, and into, photographs." Konttinen's work instantly drew me in because I can fully relate to those emotions and blurry bits of nostalgia found within our memories. I'm fascinated by the way Konttinen took a complex concept and put it into beautiful, tangible forms.

The Memory Project has also inspired my new year. As I draw closer to midnight it's only natural to reflect on last year's memories and feel a sense of renewal mixed with fear. I would normally want to evaluate, calculate, make lists and think of ways to improve...but just thinking about that makes me want to hide under last year's covers. This new year I'll try something different and let things go, listen more to my gut and remember the memories that make me...well me. Thank you so much for being apart of those memories and I look forward to many more. Happy New Year!

Link - Laura Konttinen

Paperwork Giveaway!

Milk Splash by Chelsea Fisher

My Heart Whispers... by JenMarie Zeleznak

Bairro Alto 01 by Cristina Guerreiro

Swing Set by Bryan Jerabek

Beautiful and inspiring art doesn't have to break your budget or your eco-friendly morals. I'm excited to share with you Ugallery's Paperwork, a new site bringing sustainable and affordable art from the nation's most talented emerging artists to the people. They gather their finest works and print them in limited editions that you can take home for just $20. Yes, $20! Your lovely art comes with information about the piece as well as a certificate of authenticity that is numbered and signed by the artist. Plus, all of their archival pigment prints are produced on the world’s first eco-friendly fine art paper - a smooth textured, natural white bamboo paper. Be sure to check Paperwork often because every Tuesday they release two new Paperwork pieces. Amazing right? But, it gets better...

Explore Paperwork today and then comment below to win a $25 gift certificate to their site! A special winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, September 7th and notified by e-mail (don't forget to leave your contact information). Paperwork is also offering a special Labor Day sale to readers - use the coupon code "laborpw" at checkout to receive free shipping now through September 6th. Discover, share and enjoy Paperwork...and then let me know what you think!

Link - Paperwork

Deborah Parkin

Deborah Parkin uses black and white film to create photographs based upon her childhood memories and to record the lives of her children. Her evocative photographs portray the feelings of childhood like playfulness, fear and loneliness. I find her work fascinating because even as adults we face similar childhood emotions and can easily be placed inside her photographs. Plus, can you imagine the beautiful memories her children will have as they grow older?

Link - Deborah Parkin via Tales of Light

Luis Beltrán

Luis Beltrán creates photographs that you can get lost in for days and still come back for more. Talent, illusion and magic combine within each photograph and conjure up intriguing story plots. Where is this playground above the city? What does the owl on the building stand for? Where is the butterfly going? What is that person thinking on a rainy bridge? Each new glance brings a more interesting story and perception. You can also just admire the beautiful photography and let your imagination soar.

Link - Luis Beltrán

Dan Estabrook

Working exclusively in 19th century processes, Dan Estabrook produces intimate, yet compelling photographs that illustrate the beauty of long forgotten methods. The Anthropy Arts Photographer Series beautifully documents Estabrook's design process and evocative salt prints, which explore personal issues such as love, sex and death. The final results are more than photographic prints, but highly personal and engaging objects.

I find his work truly inspiring because there is a deep connection between his subject matter and photography process. Estabrook says, "I want to make it not so that my work is interesting printed in another method, but that it wouldn't make any sense at all if it were printed in another method." I'm such a want-to-try-everything personality, so it's refreshing to see a current photographer thrive in a specific medium such as historical photography printing. Estabrook understands what works for his vision, and that in itself is a talent that takes many artists years to accomplish.

Links - Dan Estabrook / Anthropy Arts Photographer Series Video

Ethnic Finale: South America

Over the last two weeks we've explored ethnic fabrics and accents, and before our journey comes to an end I want to share with you where my ethnic curiosity started...South America. Several years ago my friend and I took a month long trip to Peru and Bolivia. Two blond-haired gringas in a foreign country filled with history, textiles and a little danger...yeah, it was pretty damn amazing. I came back with piles of fabrics, a TON of photographs and a new appreciation on life. I still have wondrous thoughts about my trip, and I hope you too can find ethnic and living inspiration in the selected photographs below...

From the vibrant color combinations and textural patterns...

to the architectural elements.

From the culture and people we embraced. By the way, the boat was completely made of reeds (including the islands!). Don't you want a rolled reed bench now?

To the new perspective gained from the Nazca Lines and mountainous farm land.

From the details found in boat necessities and spiritual rock stacks.

And of course, to the amazing sites we explored like the famous Machu Picchu.

Here's to embracing, discovering and adding ethnic inspiration into your daily life...

Chloe Aftel

The line between reality and fantasy are blurred within Chloe Aftel's stunning photographs. These particular photographs remind me of summer road trips and girls-only weekends. The wind blowing in your hair, good music in the background and friendships you never want to end. Sigh...

I'm sure we could all use a lingering vacation. The last two months have been very busy and I apologize for the sporadic posting. The warm weather doesn't help either. Even bloggers need a summer vacation, so I've been posting in a more relaxed way. Have you also been experiencing the same I-need-a-break-no-I-really-need-a-break feeling?! Start with unplugging and drinks at happy hour? Yes...done.

Links - Chloe Aftel Studio on Etsy and Flickr

Cluster Balloon Launch + Diana Camera

The cluster balloon launch with North Carolina pilot Jonathan Trappe was a perfect setting for the Diana Mini camera. The colors and shadowy vignettes in the photographs truly capture the inspiring and magical moment. To find out more about the cluster balloon launch click here.

Speaking of Diana cameras...I recently did an interview with Rose Eckford on R's Adventures discussing the joys of the Diana camera (along with some great tips!). If you're interested, please check out the interview and play along with Rose's Diana Camera Scavenger Hunt for the month of April!

Links - Cluster Balloon Launch & R's Adventures

Friday

Oh Friday...doesn't it feel great? (insert big sigh of relief) Even though the weather is still chilly I'm briefly heading to the beach this weekend. There may not be time or appropriate weather for sunbathing, but at least I'll get a quick peek at the ocean and maybe snap a few photographs. I hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead...any big plans?

Link - Anna Hurtig Photography

Forgotten Memories of Summer

Today I'm enjoying the Forgotten Memories of Summer photograph series by Amanda D'Arcy. In order to create these ethereal and faded photographs she uses only the infra-red light to make the image in the camera. Warm summer days and a sweet escape to a dreamy, wild forest sounds pretty good right about now. Here's to a peaceful weekend ahead...

Link - Amanda D'Arcy