I found this shoot on dazeddigital.com, photographed by Richard Burbridge the shoot is called War Hero. I liked this shot particularly because of the contrast of meticulously styled fashion and hair, with the intensely detailed and morbid make-up. The muted tones also work really well against the red make-up. I think I might have to copy the haircut, it is mesmerisingly well coiffeured.

Penrose Gallery

Another exhibition I really enjoyed whilst in Edinburgh was of Surrealist art in the Penrose gallery. The gallery contained works by Dali, Magritte and Picasso, but it was several by Yves Tanguy that really caught my eye. I remembered first finding Tanguy's work whilst researching a project during my GCSE's. Pictured is 'Divisibilite Indefinie' - 1942, this piece really appeals to me because the objects and shapes described are so graphic and sculptural at the same time. There's something about Tanguy's work that I find really intriquing, the way a lot of his works feature these objects within eerie landscapes sets him apart from the other Surrealists and give his work a really distinctive, and very modern feel for me.

Diane Arbus

I was recently in Scotland and spent a couple of days in Edinburgh visiting the many galleries and museums in the city. One of the most memorable exhibitions I saw was in the Dean Gallery, and was an extensive collection of Diane Arbus' photography.

Diane wanted to photograph as much of society as she could, but often focussed on subjects who had been marginalised or stigmatised. The image shown is 'Young Man and His Pregnant Wife in Washington Square Park', N.Y.C, 1965. The subjects would obviously have been stigmatised at the time due to them being a mixed race couple, yet the attitude of the subjects is one of defiance. As with a lot of Diane's work, the subjects seem to challenge the viewer and the views of the general public.

The exhibition spanned several rooms and really gave an insight into the photographers passion, and also an interesting look at America during the 60's and 70's.

Imaginary Prisons

I had a little walk up to Graves Gallery in Sheffield on my lunch today, to see the portrait of Shakespeare I'd been hearing about. I'd missed Shakey by 2 weeks but I did see some amazing etchings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Piranesi was an architect but he etched these Prisons from inside his mind... which must have been a very interesting place. They look rubbish on screen but in real life they looked amazing, the longer I looked the more I saw and the more I admired his skill.

Tom Pearson

I just found Tom Pearson's work whilst looking at the degree show website for Camberwell Illustration graduates.

I like this poster a lot, it gets across so much information, yet is very easy to follow and digest. It also has some really cleverly designed icons.

Child's Play

These images are from a shoot by Ben Rayner for Wonderland Magazine.

I really like the concept behind them, they also made me smile and feel nostalgic for my childhood, which was nice.

Namesake

These images named 'Jessie at 12', are from Sally Mann's series 'At Twelve: Portraits of Young Women'. They depict the conflict felt by a girl becoming a woman, and the physical and mental transformation that is taking place. Shot on medium format, the series has a charming yet sometimes sexual feel as they document these young women.

Summer Style

Just thought I'd give you a little look at what I've been making for TigerMilk recently, these are both in Syd & Mallory's now, to see what else I've been making check out the facebook page here.

Incred

I love this animation from Johnny Kelly.. I think everyone can relate to it! I'm loving the mixture of photography and animation as well, showing how when you procrastinate you leave reality in favour of ridiculous imaginings and thoughts. Incred.

Powerful

I just found a photography blog I remember seeing some time ago, called Powerbastard. I really like the series Young Fathers from the end of June. The photographer captures not only the subjects environment and living conditions, but the relationship between father and son, (one that isn't often celebrated) in a really beautiful way.

Amazing

A friend recently lent me a copy of this book, 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' by Jean-Dominique Bauby. Bauby wrote the book after he had a severe stroke and became completely paralysed except from the use of one eyelid, he blinked his way through the alphabet in order to tell his story.

I found it amazing to see in to the world of someone with such a severe disability, yet so much determination. Bauby describes the world of imagination he creates in order to escape from his hospital bed, making the reader appreciate on a new level some of the things in life we often take for granted, such as solid food. It is a fascinating read, although I felt more than a bit guilty when I read it in two hours.. considering it took him a year to dictate.