Nick & Chloe
Published on December 22nd, 2008

Beautiful photography by Nick & Chloe. It has a serene timeless feel to it. I dig the ARGENTINA AVENUE series.

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Juicy Couture for Men by Ryan Strong
Published on December 21st, 2008

Here’s one of my latest shots I took for Standard Style Boutique. It was freezing cold and they wanted to promote some new Juicy Couture hoodies and jackets so Jordan Johnson (model) and myself ventured out into the midwest snow.

I was pretty satisfied with the outcome. The biggest problem I had to overcome was to get a good shot without using any of my lighting gear – I could not use any of it because I would run the risk of them getting ruined in the snow. Anyway download this as a nice wintery wallpaper!

Men’s Juicy Couture
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Fleet Foxes and the Top Albums of 2008
Published on December 20th, 2008

Fleet Foxes exploded onto the music scene in 2008 with their Sun Giant EP and their self-titled full length with rave reviews and now as I am seeing they are #1 album of 2008 on Pitchfork and are in or near the top 10 of other prominent music critics list.

I have to be completely honest, I have not listened to the whole album yet. I have heard and loved their song “White Winter Hymnal” while riding shotgun in my friend’s car on the way to see “RocknRolla” by Guy Ritchie (which was decent, could have been better but was entertaining), but I think Fleet Foxes will be a band I feel will have to grow on me. It’s hit or miss for me. I’m still trying to open up to The National but it’s not happening. Anyway, I plan on going out and picking up the self-titled album by Fleet Foxes and spend a good time taking it in.

To see Pitchfork’s Top Albums of 2008 visit their website. As mentioned in my previous post, wether or not you agree with the list it certainly is very educational!

Download: Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”

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Pitchfork’s ‘The Best Tracks of 2008′
Published on December 17th, 2008

I love lists, I do not make enough of them in life. I think if I did I would get a lot more accomplished. I tend to be forgetful.

Every year Pitchfork (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com) releases their top tracks of the year as well as their top albums. Without commentating too much on whether or not I agree with their lists I have to admit they are very educational. I mean the whole website is the perfect place to discover new music, and well read some very egotistical reviews of some very snobbish music critics – but that’s what makes the site great.

The great thing about Pitchfork’s best tracks list is that it provides an Mp3 track player right there with the track review allowing you to stream the song. Looking through this list I see bands I had never heard of… or if I did I have never took the time to listen to them. Now with having a little track player sitting right there it makes it way easier to start digging the tunes. What a great advertisement for the bands.

Anyway check out for yourself Pitchfork’s ‘The Best Tracks of 2008′ and discover some new music.

(the Pitchfork logo is © 2008 Pitchfork Media, Inc.)

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‘Shell House’ by Kotaro Ide
Published on December 15th, 2008

“The ‘shell house’ by architect kotaro ide, is a sculptural shell-like structure which has been built in the woods of karuizawa, located in the nagano prefecture of japan. The house is meant to function as a vacation home, which is able to withstand the humid summers and cold winters of the region.” – Taken from DesignBoom.com

I love modern art and architecture. It’s simple and clean and, in my opinion, hard not to like because of the simplicity. At first thought it would be so artistic of myself to have modern pieces of furniture and interior designs in my house, but then I think about whether or not it would be comfortable to live in. Not necessarily comfort as in wether or not the couch is soft enough, but wether or not it provides that comforting “home” like quality. Modern architecture and design can sometimes come off cold and I think it is important to be able to have a home as a place of refuge and a place that you, well, feel at home.

But either way you look at it, it certainly is interesting to look at and would be a very expensive lifestyle. One day, right?

To see more photos of ‘Shell House’ by Kotaro Ide check out the article on DesignBoom and read more about this modern retreat that is in the middle of the woods of Karuizawa.

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3.1 Phillip Lim and Elizabeth & James
Published on December 13th, 2008

Here’s a new photo that I took on Thursday, December 11 (click the image to see it larger). I wanted a very colorful and mod look to this shot. The collection being sold here is considering ‘resort’ fashion and is meant to be sold to those who will be vacationing this winter.

3.1 Phillip Lim and Elizabeth & James
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The white wall behind the model had been just painted. I spent a half day Wednesday painting it from a mint green to a white. I hope to be having a lot more shoots on a white background. There’s something about just a white background that makes a shot completely different, I like it.

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The Grid System
Published on December 9th, 2008

Three fundamental design elements that I believe every designer must understand and know is proportional relationships, white space and composition. The Grid System takes those three things and shows how they all work together within a system. The website and book go into explanation on the grid system, the golden ratio and baseline grids.

For me, it takes discipline to follow such principle because I naturally work arbitrarily. I don’t think its necessarily a bad thing, but I do think it has it’s place, for example in the brain storming process. But I don’t want to look at the grid system as a set of rules or boundaries but moreover the fundamental canvas for the design. I think this is what helps take the design to the next level. Apply your design to a grid and make sure that the visual communication that is being presented gives logical directions to the eye.

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The Eames Lounge and Ottoman
Published on December 9th, 2008

Designed in the 1950′s, this modern piece of furniture was designed by two amazing artists, Charles and Ray Eames. I cannot wait to settle down in a house and start investing in interior pieces like this. While most modern furniture pieces are ridiculously expensive this specific piece runs for about $3,500.

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Penguin & Pelican Collection
Published on December 9th, 2008

This set of book cover designs has inspired a lot of my work. The way artists used color in these years is fundamentally different then how artists approach color today.

Whenever I’m feeling uninspired I take a peek at these; maybe they will help brighten your design day!

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Ryan Adams and the Cardinals: Cardinology
Published on December 8th, 2008

No doubt Ryan Adams is one of my favorite music artists but I have to say I’ve been let down… and not easy. This time I was let down in more ways then one.

Jacksonville City Nights which was released in September of 2005, was the last time that I felt Mr. Adams was at least on par with the Ryan Adams I first met. In JCN he brought us back to some of his inspired roots… where he grew up, idol Gram Parsons and the attitude that he could do anything. His solo effort 29 was released shortly after, which I think I’ve listened to twice, then came Easy Tiger.

Easy Tiger got rave reviews from the critics, for reasons unknown, I thought it was good but it didn’t go in any uncharted territories for me – not that every album has to – but these territories were way to familiar. So I was let down by the music… it just wasn’t there. Continue Reading…

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