If your heart is in it, you'll find a way to win it.

The Special Talent of Creating Your Own Photo Opps

Check out these sweet (no pun intended—okay, yes, it was) photos from Netherlands-based furniture maker by day/photographer by night Siebe Warmoeskerken a.k.a. De Vetpan Studios: Cookie Splash! I can’t think of a better way to spend time with a cookie. . .that is, before I eat it. (I do like cookies.)

Someone once told me

Today, I would like to share a few findings from one of my other favourite Blogs.
At someoneoncetoldme.com, people spread the word about wisdoms, insults, and oddities that have stuck with them. The format of presentation is always the same: words written (or painted) on a white pad, framed within a black and white photo.

The result, however, varies from the ridiculous over the attention seeking to the wonderfully profound. Or the wonderfully simple.

The fact that every statement is a multi-leveled self portrait makes browsing through the blog a rather inspiring experience.

MACBA, Barcelona

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona

I went to the MACBA, disappointing myself yet again at the ticket counter. I was close this time - if she'd only spoken slower and not so quickly switched to English upon seeing my stutter, I'd have had it.

My [worthless] travel guide discounted this museum, suggesting to only go if you're able to "make some socio-political meaning from, say, a room of beach balls." My expectations low, the art was modern and well-crafted.

I was inspired by this trio of paintings by Romanian Pic Adrian:

I'd never seen this narrative by Ed Ruscha before. He photographed every building along the Sunset Strip in LA and pieced them together proportionately in montage with address markers.

Other interesting type artifacts:

In a pitch-black room screening a nearly black film-reel, I met a Lebanese architect. We were both attempting in futile to use our digital cameras as flashlights and not run into anything. We finally found a bench and watched the silent short: macro views of metal appliances, or something. From there, we walked the museum together, he on pilgrimage to see Richard Meier's architecture, me to see weird art that usually doesn't make sense. He scolded me in the hallways on the Meier's brilliance in column technique; I'd roll my eyes and show him how it was possible to make an entire alphabet using a few simple forms. We compromised on Form and Space, then we went our separate ways.

Tim Bret-Day

After graduating from London College of Printing, Tim has photographed numerous rock stars, high-end fashion shoots, and large-scale advertising campaigns. He has a talent for composing these symphonic scores of wall-to-wall flesh—entertaining with an underlying sense of humor. Who cares where Waldo is with all these beauties laying around?

Tip of my hat to ya, Tim.

Estevan Oriol’s Thug Beauties & Beasts

A special treat for all of you this week: Last Friday, we participated in the Lower Hater Art Walk, met some very cool people, and saw some great art. On Saturday, Melissa shared with you the first artist we saw, Kristine Reano. The second artist who grabbed our attention was Estevan Oriol. (Please imagine the photo below at 5 feet long by 3 feet high).

Yeah, I know.

While we didn’t have 5G’s to drop down on it, we were able to walk away with a deck of playing cards, 52 images, for a mere 15 bucks. These cards feed the inner cholo in me—without the risk of gunshot wound. Now, I can dream of a thug life, while playing Go Fish. Here’s some of our favorites. . .enjoy.


Estevan Oriol is a Mexican-American photographer based (guess where) in Los Angeles, California. His work has been featured in dozens of magazines worldwide including Mass Appeal, The Source, Details, Vibe, and Rolling Stone. He is affiliated with Soul Assassins, and has directed music videos for groups including Eminem, Cypress Hill, D12, Linkin Park, Blink 182, Paul Wall, P.O.D., and Xzibit. Click here to see more of his work.

Please stay tuned this week as we are saving the best for last! One artist was spray painting his piece outside a gallery wall during the walk. His work is incredible. . .

Natsuno Hiraiwa

I found this book a while ago at Kinokunia Book Store and was just so inspired by her creativity! She is a graphic designer who studied fashion in Paris. In her book, you will see very simple and interesting geometric-shaped pieces of clothes that are quite beautiful. I could not find many images from this book online, (sorry my scanner is not working at the moment) but I made a vest for my friend's birthday once, and it was so simple to make. (It is the one that is shown right above. It is basically a donut-shaped vest when it is spread flat. To wear it you put your both arms in the donut hole. Does this make sense?) Check out her website and enjoy her beautiful creations! (Scroll down all the way to see her image library.) I put some images from her past collections here.


She also takes beautiful polaroid photographs!