Move Monday: Vodoo In My Blood
I love the energy Rosamund Pike brings to the roles I have seen her play, with this music video for Massive Attack feat. Young Fathers being no exception. Aside from this stunning piece of art, the latest film I saw her in was Return to Sender – which I would definitely recommend. It’s a feel-good film, I reckon.
Anyway, to make Monday more bearable, here is a cool clip of Rosamund and some winning beats (as always) from Massive Attack. Enjoy.
Water Babies
Happy birth time you lovely Pisces people! I hope you are having fun in life. Today I came across some beautiful watery images that I just had to share. A collaboration between photographer Natasha Wiseman and model Alexa Jones, this series “In Bloom” uses simple colour themes and amazing flora to make a cohesive series that is dreamy and youthful. I hope you enjoy it too.
Beauty in Chaos
While taking a break from my menial copywriting jobs, I saw this stunning piece by Alexandra Levassuer. I love her. Like a lot of artists I love, I sometimes forget about them, so it is great when social media re-alerts you to something aesthetic that makes your heart warm. I just had to share it. I also would like to eat it. Hah. Enjoy your days beautiful people xxxx
Tadas Sidlauskas
Lithuanian oil-painter, Tadas Sidlauskas, uses colour, ornamentation, abstract shapes and human figures to bring strong emotion into his paintings. I especially like these three pieces from his portfolio, mainly the use of primary colours in these first two images and the Klimt influence in the final image. To see more visit his website.
Elizabeth Yoo x Alain Robbe-Grillet
What do you get when you cross one masterful filmmaker with another masterful artist? You get more art, of course! I recently chatted to the talented creative, Elizabeth Yoo, about her recent work that uses the erotic cinema of Alain Robbe-Grillet as muse. Yoo’s expressive artwork is a treat on its own but, incase you are yet to meet, let me introduce you to Robbe-Grillet in the clip below. Yoo’s interview and artwork follows.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about your series of paintings based on the films of Alain Robbe-Grillet. I’ve actually never seen his films, as embarrassing as it is to say, but I’ll definitely be checking them out soon.
It was the first series I’d ever done and it was also the first time I’d picked up a paintbrush in several years. But I guess I needed that long hiatus from making art in order for me to expand my frame of reference, collect my inspirations, see what my true interests really were. This series was kind of a rebirth for me. Through painting my interpretations of these scenes from the first four films Robbe-Grillet directed (L’Immortelle, Trans-Europ-Express, The Man Who Lies, Eden and After), I was coming into my own. I felt like I was finally freed from inhibitions. These paintings are not just scenes from films—I also see them as self-portraits. They communicate my own desires. Although more widely known as a writer, pioneer of the nouveau roman (“new novel”), and a screenwriter, his films deserve to have a wider audience. I’m drawn to the ambiguity of his films– the line between reality and fantasy is indistinguishable. And of course, I’m drawn to the sadomasochistic eroticism and this desire mixed with fear present in most of his films.
What about sexuality in art do you find appealing? Who are artists that you feel perfect the art of eroticism? I’ve always loved Egon Schiele and you can find newcomer Kaethe Butcher on most erotic art sites, she’s taking the world by storm.
Egon Schiele is definitely one of my favourite artists. His aggressive, expressionistic style heightens the eroticism of his paintings. The angular bodies, the bones jutting out, pale skin marked by bright spots of red or blue that look like smears, eyes looking directly at the viewer, intertwined lovers: you really feel the energy. Another favorite painter of mine is Balthus, whose style is kind of the opposite of Schiele—there’s a calmness and a stillness to the figures in his paintings. There are defined, domestic backgrounds unlike Schiele’s work which has all this negative space. Kaethe Butcher is fantastic. Her style is incredibly provocative and I love the way she incorporates text into her drawings.
You use a limited colour palate in your work, does this act as a vehicle to explore darker undertones in your subjects? Or is it purely an aesthetic/style preference?
I think I express myself better in black and white than in colour. Black is the colour of nighttime and sensuality—perfect for my subject matter. I don’t have to think as much when using only black paint and ink—I can transmit all my raw emotions onto the paper without hesitation or forethought; spontaneity is key in my work. When I use colour, I’m usually drawn to bright, primary colours– but I worry if the colours will work together. Sometimes the cheerful colours contrast with my dark themes— I like that disparity.
Eros And After: Pleasure & Pain in the Films of Alain Robbe-Grillet was your first solo exhibition. How did you find the process? Was selecting the final work for display difficult or are you a total planner? How did outcomes meet expectations?
Originally, I was going to paint scenes from several more of his films. But due to lack of time, I ended up only doing his first four films—and I like that limited focus. I’m happy with how I ended up with twenty paintings. The perfect symmetry: we hung ten paintings from the ceiling on one side and ten on the other. I tend to over-plan and since it was my first show, a lot of stress was definitely involved! But I was very happy to see that people who came to my exhibit understood the work and saw how powerful and in control of their sexuality the women in the paintings are.
Your second exhibition is underway as I write this. How does this compare with your first exhibition?
The audience is very different and the way in which my paintings were exhibited is also very different. The walls of the gallery at my second exhibition are coloured (blue, orange, and magenta) so I feel like that becomes part of the artworks and changes how they look, which is interesting. At my first exhibit at Holyrad Studio in Brooklyn, we showed one of Robbe-Grillet’s films during the reception—so the audience (mostly twenty-something year olds) got a really full experience. At my second exhibit at Home Art Gallery in Long Island– it’s a suburban area and it’s an area with people of all ages, so the reaction was a bit different. Most of the Robbe-Grillet paintings were shown, as well as other artworks of mine with thematic and stylistic similarities. Most of the people at both exhibits had never seen a Robbe-Grillet film—so it was a pleasure for me to introduce them! I was able to meet Robbe-Grillet’s widow (and a very famous dominatrix in France) Catherine Robbe-Grillet twice shortly after my show and she told me I was “converting” people into “Alain fans”—so my work was done!
How important do you think exhibiting work is as an artist, especially given the plethora of online spaces art can be showcased these days?
I think it’s extremely important because you don’t get a real sense of the size, texture, and detail in a work of art unless you see it in person. I like to stand for a long time in front of an artwork when I’m at a gallery because I try to see the artist’s process: the brushstrokes they made, how many layers of paint they used, etc. It’s a totally different experience, too, seeing an entire series or a body of work in a gallery—you’re totally in that artist’s world and there’s almost a private communion between you and the artworks. Online,you may get a more scattered, incomplete experience.
You obviously love film. Can you recommend five films and/or directors to us?
Alain Robbe-Grillet’s Trans-Europ-Express (which I screened at my first show) is very playful and sexy—about a film-within-a-film. A director (played by Alain Robbe-Grillet himself), a script supervisor (played by his wife Catherine), and a producer, riding the Trans-Europ-Express from Paris to Antwerp, discuss ideas for a crime movie about a man who will travel on the same train they are on. This character, played by Jean-Louis Trintignant, smuggles cocaine into Antwerp and becomes involved with a prostitute played by Marie-France Pisier. The two have daytime trysts involving sadomasochisticplay that eventually become fatal.
Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï. Melville is my absolute favourite director—a Frenchman who loved American gangster films and film noir, like me—this film stars my favourite actor Alain Delon playing a quiet hit man who follows the code of a samurai.
Roger Vadim’s Barbarella: Jane Fonda in some of the sexiest costumes ever. I adore her combination of innocence and total lack of shame about her sexuality. Campy fun. Shirley Clarke’s The Connection. I worked with director Immy Humes on an upcoming documentary about Shirley, who was an independent filmmaking rebel. My favourite film of Clarke’s is about a group of jazz musicians jamming in this Greenwich Village apartment as they wait for their drug dealer to come. A documentary film crew shoots them and it raises all sorts of questions about “realism.”
Agnès Varda’s Le Bonheur—absolutely beautiful, colourful film about a happily married couple, which takes a devastating turn after the man cheats on his wife. I really love the disparity between the colours and this dark undercurrent.
From your website I can see you are a total all-rounder when it comes to creativity! I love this. I also dabble in many art/creation forms. I’ve often felt the pressure to pick one art-form to focus on and excel in. Can you relate to similar concepts? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by having such an active mind?
I often do feel very overwhelmed! I have terrible insomnia due to my overactive mind. I often do most of my work into the night because I have no sense of time passing. My other passion besides painting is writing. I write very dark, twisted noir stories, psychological thrillers—a bit like Patricia Highsmith—and stories that fuse eroticism with horror. Once I am completely happy with my stories (I’m too much of a perfectionist which is why it takes me so long to complete a story!) I will eventually post them on my website with an illustration to accompany each story. My goal is to find a way to link my love of visual art with my writing.
See more of Elizabeth’s work on her website.
Merry Christmas
Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and festive season! (It’s already Christmas here in New Zealand! The sun is shining and it is super quiet and peaceful)
This is my ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’ artwork which seemed more than appropriate for this time of year.
Thanks for all your support. Stay cool, artful and open.
Move Monday: Earthly Delights
Mmm loving this fashion film. You will too! Check it out below.
Beth Hoeckel
I’m loving these fun, feminine collages by Beth Hoeckel. Each piece connects femininity and sexuality with everyday objects like waffles and plants to create super powerful imagery with an understated connection to the goddess. Oh yeah, what more could you want? Plus, you can grab them for under $20. Links below each image. Peace and love x
Perfumed
And he removed my underwear with the force of an eager man,
hardened by desire.
Only to find:
the blooms of innocence,
still fresh, undamaged,
smelling like the cries of a thousand women raped.
His nostrils filled with a perfume
he could not contain.
Poem: Anna McKay
Top image: Kimber Beck
Bottom image: Alexandra Sophie
Maggie Dunlap
Like Petra Collins, Maggie Dunlap is another young Sagittarius whose work focuses on the exploration of girlhood with amazing results. Dunlap’s work is bold, true and sometimes dark – she does have an illustrated alphabet of serial killers after all. She is a huge Marilyn Manson fan and brings her love of horror and gore into some of her pieces while others are boldly feminist and unapologetic. She’s one of those artists that makes art out of just about anything and someone I recommend getting to know, if only on the internet. Karley Sciortino interviews her here for Slutever which is well worth reading. For me, I felt a lot of Dunlap’s answers were my inner thoughts.
Here is some of Maggie Dunlap‘s work I enjoyed, but you will find more on the web if you dare.
Juliette Caron
I probably don’t post as much loose painting as I should. There is always something so magical about art that isn’t super refined or desperately seeking realism. Art like Juliette Caron‘s has a special energy, brought to life by the relationship between painter and paintbrush. I’ve picked three pieces of Caron’s work that are available as super affordable prints for you to look at. While you won’t be able to smell the paint, I’m sure they still look just as good in the flesh! Links below, of course. xx
It’s all an act…
Okay, so I have some news. I’m in love with Emma Roberts. She’s not aware of this fact yet, so things aren’t moving as quickly as perhaps you’d like… But seriously, she’s pretty damn cool and just watching her on my humble television screen makes me smile. I recently came across these divine pics of her rocking a 70s vibe which reminded me of a shoot of Mia Goth I adored too. So on your Tuesday I give you a little mash-up of two fresh, talented women who rock the camera – as killer actresses and smoking hot vintage babes. There’s also some moving Mia down the bottom. Stay cool. xxxxx
Read more at Dazed
Frances Sousa
Toronto-based artist, Frances Sousa, has many talents. Her diverse portfolio showcases a range of art styles and mediums ranging from photography to paint to wool (yes, stitching). Dreamy colour palettes and feminine energy present across her portfolio. Here are a few pieces I really liked, but to see more go here.
Lina
There’s something really powerful about this image by Marco Michieletto. The whole series (available here) has a very sensual energy but this image has a darker side that made me love it. The black and white colouring, amazing setting and pose and expression model Lina delivers all work together to make a piece of art. I just had to share! Hope you are all having a good week and getting through Mercury Retrograde… My computer keeps restarting itself with no warning…better post this lest I lose it! xx
Faces
I found this stunning picture by Kebba Sanneh yesterday and was in love. Today, I found the second image on Tumblr, unfortunately with no credit to the artist, but I had to share them both as they work so well as a pair. Yum, nothing like some good art to keep you alive.
M3LL155X
The visual EP, M3LL155X, is a self-directed project form FKA twigs. I watched it today and really, really enjoyed it. I would recommend taking the time to clear you mind and really watch it. If anything, it gets better as it goes on. So sit back and immerse yourself in the work of an inspiring woman and a true creative.
If you want some more written content on the project, you check out this article at Dazed.
Sorry I have been absent lately. Life takes over. But I’m back now x
Eros Omnipresent
As an artist, I know how many cool ideas you have and how the only thing that gets in the way of actualisation is money. Yes, money. As sad as it is, I’m sure a lot of amazing projects never get off the ground due to this limitation. In recent years, Kickstarter and other donation-based websites have launched to help creatives realise their dreams. So, as an artist and blogger, I am asking my readers to consider giving a little to help Melissa Tofton Leather launch her new collection as well as short film and photo-shoot that will lead to the coffee table book ‘Eros Omnipresent’. Let’s help her bring these into the real world.
To get you excited, here are a few photographs of Tofton’s 2015 collection. I absolutely love them. And by giving a little, you could get your hands on some photo prints as well as leather products and much more! Check out the Kickstarter campaign here. Bring some good karma into your life! Every bit counts xx
You may also like…
Sandra Chevrier
I love this mixed-media artwork by Sandra Chevrier. The mix of sultry women and pop-art imagery really works, making striking art that I would love to have in my home.
From her website: “She exposes the limitations within our world, our self-imposed expectations and the cages we have allowed to bar us from fullness of life’s experience.”
You may also like…
Move Monday: Chelsea Wolfe
Chelsea Wolfe is the perfect addition to Move Monday. Her music is right up my alley and her hauntingly beautiful videos are the icing on the cake. Here’s Carrion Flowers to help you through your Monday. Enjoy.
You may also like…
Move Monday: Young Girls, Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212,
June – Elsa Isabella
Visual Female of the Month for June (yes, it’s still June) is Sydney-based artist, Elsa Isabella. I featured Elsa on The Visual Female many moons ago, showcasing her amazing skills at drawing tiny beauties. Since then, Elsa has been dedicated to her craft and journey as an artist. I wanted to get to know more and, of course, share it all with you. You can read the inspiring interview here.
Louis Ghewy
I came across Louis Ghewy today and discovered he is a hairstylist. Never before have I showcased a collection of work from a hairstylist or make-up artist, as I usually focus on the photographer or sometimes the model. But there is always a first for everything. So today I have selected some beautiful images connected by Ghewy’s mad skills with hair.
You may also like…
Beauty + Magic
Here’s two more videos from the ‘Making Art’ series by Jesse Brass. Beauty looks at Melanie Norris while Magic gets us closer to Jen Mann. These are great videos to watch for some inspiration, whether you are an artist of just a lover of art.
You may also like…
Erik Jones
I love the vibrant artwork of Erik Jones. His work combines realism with abstraction and surrealism to create striking statement art that revolves around women. Here’s a few pieces I like, but check out a whole lot more here (it’s worth it, I swear).
You may also like…
June Print Picks
June is here and I am loving the energy of the new month after a pretty sluggish May! To celebrate, I am sharing some uplifting print picks with the common theme of music. So, click on the link under each image to redirect to affordable prints that combine the joys of art and music. Go on, spoil yourself!
May – Claire Doyle
Visual Female of the Month for May is the fearless feminist, Claire Doyle. Claire is a multi-faceted artist from England whose work looks at gender and the body. This month I got to know more about the eloquent and passionate woman that is Claire Doyle. And you can too.
Sophie van der Perre
Sophie van der Perre is a photographer from Belgium who, being a free-spirited Gemini, may be experiencing the effects of Mercury Retrograde (read more on this here). Her portfolio showcases a range of styles and subject matter with a general ethereal nature and freedom. I have selected some black and white photographs (with a slight horror vibe) that I think work well together from various series on her website. You can check out more of Sophie’s work here.
You may also like…
Amanda x Eli
I’ve shared Amanda Charchian‘s photography on The Visual Female before and could possibly share it everyday if I had the energy. I really love her style and what she chooses to capture. I recently discovered a collaboration between Charchian and Eli Craven which I adore and just had to share with you. Here’s a few snaps I liked, but to see more and also get to know Charchian better you can check out this interview at Oyster magazine.
You may also like…
Genital Panic
Valie Export’s photograph Action Pants: Genital Panic shows her sitting with genitals exposed while pointing a gun at the viewer. Export’s work draws attention to the ideas of phallic power and whether it truly comes from biology or can be attained otherwise. Export showcases her lack of penis by exposing her own vagina but reclaims the gun as her phallic object and power. It was rumoured that this photograph came after a live performance, where Export walked around people seated in a theatre, her vagina at their eye-level, and pointed a gun at them while offering sex until the theatre was empty. This imagery reminds me of the film Magic, Magic where, post-hypnotism, the female protagonist walks into the room of a man who has been sexually harassing her (verbally) and rubs her naked vagina in his face, all while being asleep. The woman has no recollection of events the next day and appears mortified when the man confronts her about it. This scene acts to remind us that such overt sexuality is not ‘acceptable’ in a woman with both male anger and female humiliation driving this. Export’s photograph works in the opposite way, purposefully pairing femininity with macho aggression (common in a lot of her work) to blur set gender boundaries.
Performance artist and photographer, Claire Doyle, recently paid homage to Export’s work in her performance piece Habitual Body Monitoring: The Costume. Doyle draws attention to female body hair through her performance which you can watch above. The acceptance and freedom of female body hair has been gaining support in recent years with other artists like Petra Collins and Rhiannon Scnhiederman springing to mind.
You may also like…
Alex Garant
Alex Garant is a painter that specialises in double vision. That is, in pretty much all of her work you will find at least two pairs of eyes. This disjointed, pop-surreal nature makes her work so captivating. When I was studying cinema at university, we made a surrealism film where we made use of layering shots and had several scenes where eyes (and other things) would float out of the character, sometimes floating back into place, sometimes out of shot. It looked pretty cool and helped to reimagine reality and we got an A for the final work! I imagine Garant would like the film and a little escapism from the daily drag. I’ve chosen a few pieces from her portfolio that I like, but you can see more here.
Land
I fell asleep
in the land
and when I woke
it had consumed me.
I wrote this super tiny poem about this image ‘Winter Migration’ by Belgian artist Sammy Slabbinck. Sammy’s collages are always really lovely and combine people and nature seamlessly.
You may also like…
April – Marta Julia Piórko
Visual Female of the Month for April is the amazingly talented Marta Julia Piórko. Marta’s art is really fascinating. Her realistic style showcases animals and humans, sometimes interacting in interesting ways, and allows us to remember our own creativity as humans. You can check out the interview here.
Elena Kulikova
I love these beautifully spiritual photographs by Russian-born photographer, Elena Kulikova. So much magic in the poses, colours and duality of the images. Kulikova moved to California when she was 10 and began modelling at 17. Working the in the industry, her attention soon shifted to behind the camera where she taught herself the art of photography and launched her career in 2006. Almost ten years later I come across her work, but better late than never! I hope these add some sparkle and serenity to your Monday. Happy weeks ahead! xx
You may also like…
Elleree Fletcher
Elleree Fletcher is a multi-faceted artist who works in paint, photography and collage. I was instantly drawn to her collages that pair young girls with older women to expose sexuality, femininity and the notion of influence. During my university days I studied subjects like the objectification of women in media and how society is so influenced by what we are exposed to, visually and otherwise. My sister, who has such a strong sense of self, still struggles to fully understand that people really could be so influenced by the media. I certainly remember striking poses as a young girl and wanting to be glamorous. In many ways it seems cute and innocent, but when Fletcher pairs these images with sexually-driven photographs from another era, innocence is lost and the more sinister nature is exposed. Now we see girls in training, smiling and striking a pose for the man behind the camera. A father who will one day be replaced by boyfriend, then husband – men forever infatuated with the female shell, intent on restricting it under the male gaze.
You may also like…
Laura Makabresku
Polish photographer, Laura Makabresku, creates some stunning imagery with a strong, dreamy energy. Inspired by fairy-tales, Laura’s work is truly breathtaking and leads the imagination into new worlds. Here’s a few images that spoke to me, but do take a look at her portfolio for much more!
You may also like…
Wonder
“You can’t let your curiosity die”
As The Visual Female developed I began including videos under the Move Monday section to embrace the moving image as well as the still. While those clips are highly driven by the visual – largely music videos – today I have something different (and amazing) to share. Wonder is a short documentary about last months Visual Female, Gina Martynova, directed by Jesse Brass as part of his ‘Making Art’ series.
Wonder is put together really well, allowing viewers to form a connection with Gina and gain more understanding of what she (and Starry) believe in. For Gina it is all about curiosity, the beauty in the fact that there is always more to discover in this world. You’ll have to watch to learn about Starry, but she seems pretty cool too. Wonder shows us Gina in her work and living space as well as beautiful close-ups of her art, something you can’t experience by simply seeing her work on the internet. This tasteful documentary is definitely worth a watch. And the best bit, Jesse has already made a bunch of films about other artists, some of which I am going to get stuck into now – the pink hues of Jen Mann are calling me in. So make a cup of tea (even if it’s hot outside) and relax while you get to know a few of the many amazing artists in the world bringing us joy through beauty.
You may also like…
March – Lizzy Anderson
Visual Female of the Month for March is the lovely Lizzy Anderson of And Lizzy. Lizzy’s music and film inspired illustrations have a beautiful dreamy nature to them and each piece uses colour and line to create a strong mood relating to the artist involved. With soft hues and a general yumminess, Lizzy’s art is something you definitely must check out. Get to know more about her and her art at this months interview! xx
Sofia Bonati
I love Sofia Bonati‘s work. Her whimsical, sultry ladies and clever inclusion of weather make her beautiful style something to remember. Each time I see a new work I am just blown away and reminded how good her work is. I’ve chosen four images I wouldn’t mind having as art prints in my home. If you want to grab yourself an affordable print, click the name under the image to be directed to her shop where you can buy these ladies. Have fun – and the good news is, it won’t send you broke!
You may also like…
Swallowed
Here’s another poem I wrote inspired by a piece of art.
Swallowed.
When I met the lion
he told me it was love
so I allowed him
to swallow me
whole.
Inside the lion
there was little to do.
And so his ribs
became my cage
and the lion
my master.
It is lonely at his zoo.
This image is by Ana Teresa Barboza. I also did a This vs. That on this image last year which you can take a look at here.
You may also like…
Move Monday: Bitches Brew
Today’s Move Monday is a little hit and miss for me but I wanted to share it anyway. I’m more in love with the video than the song itself, although it does grow on me – and isn’t bad to begin with at all. What bothers me the most is the band shots. You know, silhouetted men have never really got me going. So in an ideal world they wouldn’t be there, but then again it is their song so they have all the right in the world to be there. The stunning women, grungy imagery, fun rituals and skipping (you have the love the skipping) are the parts that make this video worthwhile to me. In fact, they are so superb that I had to share it here, so if you can overlook the men take a look below.
You may also like…
Move Monday: Young Girls, Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212,
Weapon
Liv Thurley‘s artwork, Weapon, is to die for… and almost in the literal sense. When I first saw this image I wasn’t aware of the materials used and just thought they were gimmicky underwear with rubber bristles sticking out to represent pubic hair. I thought this was pretty cool and how funny it would be to flash people when wearing these knickers. Upon research and discovering the wonderful Liv Thurley, I was pretty happy to discover that these were hundreds (?) of tiny pins – sharp end sticking out. Thus the title, Weapon, becomes even more true. As a woman, I know that vaginas are very much weapons – commonly used against us, but also able to be used by women as personal power and influence. Thurley explains she overheard a group of boys talking about how they would never sleep with a woman if she had pubic hair. Soon after, this brutal creation was formed.
You may also like…
Vitalik Dumyn
Vitalik Dumyn is an artist from Ukraine who works mostly in water-colour and pencil. While I can’t find too much information about the artist, I stumbled upon these red and blue pencil drawings which I find quite cool. The layering creates an anaglyph 3D effect – I wonder if you looked at them with 3D glasses if anything would change? The energy each subject exudes is strong and feminine making the collective series quite powerful. It would appear that Vitalik is relatively new to the art word (online, anyway) so I look forward to seeing how his art develops. From my experience, the first few years can be quite varied and experimental as you are waiting to find your distinctive style and aesthetic. I’m two (serious) years into my art and, while always experimenting and trying new things myself, my style is definitely formed and recognisable. For any of you reading this who don’t know what my art looks like, you can take a look on my recently updated website to get acquainted! For those of you that know my work already you can just relax and enjoy these striking images below.
You may also like…
Stephen Swartz
Firstly, I just want to acknowledge how cool it would be to have ‘art’ somewhere in my name. Lucky for Stephen, not so lucky for me. Stephen SwARTz is an analogue photographer who studied the craft well before digital was around. His work dates from the late 90s to the present but most of his work carries this 90s energy. I would put this down to the look of the women Stephen uses in his work, although I’m sure the analogue technique plays a part. It is pretty rare these days, with my beloved Ellen Rogers being the main contemporary analogue photographer I am aware of. I have chosen a selection of images from Stephen’s portfolio that appeal to me the most but I would recommend taking a look yourself to fully absorb yourself in his intent. Soft female forms are juxtaposed with geometric architecture to comment on the contrast between organic figures and structured forms and, on a deeper level, intuition and rationale. Stephen uses female figures to express his own feelings as a man, allowing him to explore his own emotional state – something he notes men often try to push down. It is important to respect the skill and patience it takes to work as an analogue photographer, especially in the age where digital technology runs rampant. I’m not one to talk, being a digital artist myself after all. I suppose at the end of the day, the most important thing is to simply acknowledge and respect art, both as the end form, as well as the techniques used to get there. I hope you enjoy these striking photographs. I just adore the first image and find some connections to William Mortensen’s work in a few of the others. Delightful.
You may also like…
Hannah Adamaszek
Living in Christchurch, New Zealand has its downfalls. After the February earthquake (22/2/11) a lot changed – buildings were gone and the perks of city life diminished. Places to eat, drink and spend the early hours of the morning are hard to find and they aren’t what they used to be – although the new scene that is (slowly) building is pretty nice. All it needs, in my opinion, is some more creative, unique people to occupy it. In terms of post-earthquake perks, the addition of visually spectacular street art has to be at the top of the list. Around the city are huge pieces of art scattered on old, brick walls as well as resting on slick walls of the very newest buildings. Street art is truly a wonderful type of art. It brings joy and creativity to otherwise bland landscapes and is always united by its distinct style. I recently discovered Hannah Adamaszek (online unfortunately, her work does not grace my city yet) who is both a street artist as well as painter and drawer. Her work is incredibly delicious. Bohemian energy and whimsical colours connect in her feminine art that focuses on the female face. Whether big or small, her women look pretty damn enticing. Here are a few pieces that stood out to me, but do check out her website for much more – it’s a lovely website and you can also get the link to her blog there. We might be two peas in a pod, as while Hannah makes all this amazing art she also co-runs an art blog to help support other artists. Pretty cool, huh?
You may also like…
February – Gina Martynova
Visual Female of the Month for February is the beautiful and talented Gina Martynova. Not only a total babe, Gina is involved in both art and fashion with her whimsical energy translating to her feminine artwork that blends fantasy and reality. Gina is the creator of ‘Starry World’ – a place for her to express her unique cultural upbringing and ever-present day dreams. To learn more about Starry World check out this post, for this months interview click here.
Nadia Lee Cohen
London-based photographer, Nadia Lee Cohen, recently embarked on her ‘100 naked women’ project which has been met with mixed opinions. Her amazing photographic style is a little surreal and the opposite of natural – her subjects looking like Barbie dolls or mannequins after all – but I really love it! Cohen uses a bold colour palette, pop-culture iconography and striking composition to capture her subjects in a very ‘plastic’ state. The result is contemporary photography with a nostalgic energy that takes us back to the 50s, when pop culture and mass consumerism began to overwhelm our lives. Here are a few images from the series that I like but I would definitely recommend visiting her website to see a whole lot more goodness!
You may also like…
Dusk / Dawn
Jen Mann is a portrait artist from Canada. Her large-scale paintings are visually stunning and always full of detail and personality. Colour plays an important role in her work with tones like pink or blue washing over faces and bodies. Other times animals connect with her subjects in a more dreamy style. Her recent work shows projected words cast across her subjects, all painted with perfection and resulting in realistic yet contemporary portraiture. These images (Dusk and Dawn) are some of her older work and were the first of her pieces that I came across. I still love them, especially Dawn (pictured second) – I guess I have never been much of a morning person.
You may also like…
Move Monday: Young Girls
I just adore this music video by Princess Nokia. Not only is the song really cool but the video is incredibly powerful and a good reminder about the honest connection and respect between women and nature. Living in my technology driven world it is a refreshing change to see women celebrating life with each other and our Mother Earth. Listen to the lyrics because they are really good. And then maybe watch it again. Beauty and power. x
You may also like…
Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212, Move Monday: Games for Girls,
William Mortensen
William Mortensen was a photographer who worked mainly between 1920-40 taking amazing photographs with a romantic, painterly quality. His early work includes many portraits of Hollywood actresses and actors. Mortensen used particular chemicals in the developing process of his images to make many of them look more like a painting than a photograph. The result is truly striking artwork that is incredibly captivating. Not only did Mortensen have his distinct (and unpopular with other photographers) style, but his subject matter is also a little peculiar. A fascination with monsters, the supernatural and witchcraft is present in his personal work. As Mortensen would have had his birthday a few days ago (Jan 27) making him the oddball Aquarian of the Zodiac, it makes perfect sense that his work was totally different to his contemporaries. So much that he was even likened to the ‘anti-Christ’. A little far-fetched I would argue, but I do love his work pretty deeply and I do adore Von Trier’s film Antichrist which only makes me wonder what people would say about me? But in all seriousness I am so glad he is being fully appreciated today and am honoured to share his work. I have included a selection of his witch-inclined images below for you to enjoy. Go be naughty! Cackle. x
You may also like…
Ice
It’s been a while since I wrote a poem based on a piece of art. I had hoped to do this more on The Visual Female. So as it is a new year and I happened to be feeling inspired today I have written this small poem about this piece of art by Lente Scura.
It was cold
when you left
I was barely clothed
and my hair turned blue.
It was like you had cast
ice over me
and with each shiver
moved further away.
You may also like…
Top Posts & Pages
Follow on Bloglovin’
Support The Visual Female
This vs. That
Visual Female of the Month
Anna McKay Artist
Buy Art Prints
The Visual Female 