Uh Huh Her video by Tasya Van Ree
As you know, I find Tasya Van Ree’s work very inspirational.. She’s the epitome of cool! I love the distinctive dark edge found in the majority of her work. Check out this video made recently for the Uh Huh Her, featuring herself. I really can’t praise her enough.. so I won’t even try..!
CREATIVE GENIUS! xxx
Video made by Tasya Van Ree and image by Tasya Van Ree
Tasya Van Ree
Photographer Tasya Van Ree is a true creative inspiration. Holy shit! Her work makes me feel all fuzzy in my tummy.. total inspirational ecstasy!.. That connected sensational feeling when your experiencing the full life force!… at its best!…. ha… ok.. relax av… I’m terribly excitable sometimes!.. Nonetheless, she really is a very talented artist, photographer and maker of short films. The majority of her work is gritty yet exotic, provocative, thought provoking, enticing, sexual and intimate. It has a sense of humour and above all else…. its interesting, this is why I love it. I adore the juxtaposition of natural realism V staged artificial glamour.
Van Ree’s Muse and extremely attractive girlfriend is the gorgeous actress Amber Heard. Heard features in a lot of her work including the above short video ‘Bound to Nowhere’, which is stunning. Be sure to spare a few minutes to watch it. These two beauties work so well together and I’m not going to lie.. They really have me questioning my sexuality! TOTAL RIDES!
The art is sexy, feminist and liberal.. androgynous and gender bending! It depicts a quirkiness, that is different. It’s grubby and beautiful. Hell, it’s everything I want photography to be. A visual treat.
For Tasya Van Ree inspiration and to purchase her work visit her website here
Images via http://tasyavanree.com/ & http://pphotographyb.blogspot.com/
The Book Club- Shoreditch
Last night, I went to the opening of the ‘Behind the object’ exhibition at La Scatola Gallery in Shoreditch. Both artist’s work was interactive and thought provoking. I particularly liked ‘the everything comes in waves’ installation by Kentaro Yamada. It was a light installation made of bulbs that pulsate in rhythm to the human breathing pattern. The abnormal breathing pattern Yamada illustrates occurs just before death. Yamada’s work was inspired by death, yet it feels so alive and is incredibly beautiful and moving (Although I was hungover…so maybe more emotional than usual!) His screen prints of Japan’s Tsunami highlighted the natural beauty in such an ugly, devastatingly tragic event. Ronin Cho’s installations were very interactive and I may have gotten more involved if I hadn’t been so tired! Check out his work here
For more info on La Scatola Gallery click here
After the exhibit, we luckily stumbled upon the Book club, which is just around the corner at 100 Leonard Street. I had been there once but had left as it was so busy. Last night (Thursday), this place was just so chilled out. I loved it. It is known for its cocktails, Art, Film, beer, wine, poetry, story telling, pool, ping pong table etc!…. Its just a really nice place. The atmosphere is homely and relaxed and I loved the open plan sitting. Everyone is friendly so a good place to meet new people or a nice place to go on a date. It’s not too loud that you can’t concentrate, which is lovely. Generally, a very good buzz all round and a very positive environment. The food is also yummy..We had nacho’s olives and wine. The small nacho’s were only 5 quid! such good value and soooo incredibly tasty!.. Seriously, probably the best nacho’s I’ve ever had!
For more information go to The Book Club
True love and the shoe
Pither Heels
Anat Chelsea Boots
I’ve been on the look out for high black boots/shoes for ages. It can be hard to find the perfect match. I want high black boots that are chunky and a bit “gaga dominatrix” but not too sexy. Before Christmas I had my eye on All Saints Anat Chelsea boots. Alas I left it too late and they were too damn expensive. Anyway after a long persistent search, low and behold look what I found! I introduce to you the All Saints Pither Heels.
For the love of all that’s sacred and holy! I know they are not boots..but who needs boots when you’ve got these bad boys. It’s nearly summer I hear you cry and we should all be on the look out for some cool wedges right?! Well these puppies are just out in All Saints. I adore them. They are incredibly high. I tried them on and I’m about 6 foot 2 in them. They will be perfect with skinny jeans or a long maxi skirt this summer. They are such a funky design and I love the tri-shape detail of the wooden wedged heel. It’s so wonderfully creative and out there. It’d be like wearing two works of art on your feet. I think my feet would really like them. Its my birthday in July and Im a size 6.
60 Second interview with artist: Sally Jane Fuerst
Sally Jane Fuerst is a young, talented American Artist living in London. Sally studied in the states before she progressed to studies in classical painting in Florence, Italy. In order to complete her training Sally moved to London in 2009 to study at The London Atelier of Representational Art. It is in London that Sally really seems to have developed and blossomed into the extraordinary talent she is today.
Portrait of me!
I had the pleasure of posing for a portrait for Sally over the past two weeks. I had never posed for a portrait before, needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I told my mum about the portrait, for some reason she was convinced I was posing nude. I had to reassure her that it was in fact just a portrait, (I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to pose au natural. . .but mum you’ll be the first to know if I ever do!). Every day I would sit for a few hours wearing a little wooly owl hat! It is this quirky detailing that makes Sally’s work shine. She often scours the internet and shops for unconventional items and attire. She has painted people wearing blow up blue Mohawks, zebra’s, monkeys, and crab costumes. It is obvious that Sally paints a little piece of herself in every one of her paintings. They are colourful, quirky and slightly off kilter . . just like her! Sally is charming and sweet and it is through her paintings that we see a sneak peek of her wild side.
Over the two weeks of my painting, I watched as the other artist’s were busy perfecting their own works. It was quite inspirational to see the pain staking time, effort and plain hard work these artists put into their paintings (One man spent two weeks on the still life of a pear…two weeks…on one pear!) As Charles Horton Cooley once said ‘An Artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one’.
Now, for a few words with Sally herself:
Avril: When did you first realize you were an artist?
Sally Jane: I’ve always loved to draw and paint, when I was little I used to draw the same picture of my dog over and over. I also remember drawing portraits of my dad and accidentally putting his moustache over the bridge of his nose. It’s nice to see how much my observational skills have improved!
A: Tell me a bit about your work?
SJ: My work is a blend of my interest in classical painting, fancy dress, fashion, and unusual props. I spend hours researching for costumes and large, playful things to use in my work. I guess a lot of my paintings are a way to say, “Look at this! Isn’t it cool!”
A: What artists have influenced you/Do you have a favourite artist?
SJ: My favourite painter has to be John Singer Sargent, and he greatly influences how I paint technically. However, I feel most inspired by fashion photography. I love Richard Avedon and his brilliant use of shape and humour.
A: What inspires you to paint and how do you keep motivated?
SJ: Usually while I’m working on one painting I think of five more that I want to do. I wish I could paint faster! They’re really starting to pile up, but that’s what keeps me motivated. I have all these ideas that I’m desperate to realise.
A: What is it like to be an artist in London & do you find London to be a place of inspiration?
SJ: Yes, I adore London! I think I have a very romantic idea of it, but it’s a city that’s full of art and fashion and coffee chains! Just walking down the street I can find inspiration from a poster, someone’s outfit, a store window, etc.
A: What qualities do you believe you need to posses to be a successful artist?
SJ: Haha persistence! With so many amazing artists in London it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd. However, I strongly believe that if you stick with it and push yourself to always produce your best work then you’re bound to catch someone’s eye. At least that’s what I’m hoping.
A: What are your artistic plans for the future?
SJ: I am determined to keep painting full-time, and hopefully begin selling my work through a gallery here in London. I would also love the opportunity to participate in art fairs like the Frieze and Art Basel.
A: What other interests do you have outside of painting?
SJ: As sad as it sounds, everything that interests me somehow relates back to painting. For instance, I’ve always loved animals and therefore often include them in my work. I’m fascinated by the interaction between humans and animals, especially if the animals are artificial – it makes the painting wonderfully surreal.
A: What is your favourite colour!?
SJ: My favourite colour is pink, I’m even happier if it sparkles.
Sally certainly caught my eye and is definitely one to look out for in the future. To view more of Sally Jane’s work click here.
