Wimberley, TX

I've mentioned before how psyched I get on photographers who add a little extra something to their photos... something other-worldly, painterly, psychedelic and transcendent. I've always thought that if you're creating your own worlds, through art, why not make it as unreal as possible? Why not put a little (or a lot) extra beauty into the world we know? 

Of course, you can count on Alexandra Valenti to do it perfectly. She shot these photos of Leslie Crow in Wimberley, Texas. And those stunning rings? Made by the model.

Visit Alexandra's page and Facebook.

Storm Chaser: Spell and the Gypsy Collective

Spell & the Gypsy Collective 

Photography: Johnny Abegg

Styling and art direction: Lizzy and Spelly 

Hair and make-up: Phoebe Barrett 

Model: Jara

When I first saw this shoot, it reminded me so clearly of a camping trip Bay and I took a couple of years ago, in the absolute dead of winter, to our all-time favourite camping spot on the coast. It was absolutely freezing, so the beachside camping ground was deserted, and we spent the afternoon walking along the beach drinking beers and collecting shells that fitted like rings.

It was also one of our first camping trips together, so we were totally unprepared for dead-of-winter cold and had to make a giant nest out of our clothes and sleeping bags.

But it was such a beautiful place, not far from where this winter sneak peek from Spell and the Gypsy Collective was shot, and I still think about it all the time. 

It is possible that I have a little homesickness for a camping ground.

Anyway, I thought this was a refreshing antidote to all the Coachella/spring/summer images floating around... we're heading into winter here in Australia, and I definitely need to think about rugging up -- this will be my first Melbourne winter and I am deeply, deeply afraid. 

Sunday drawings

A little Sunday afternoon project...

I've been meaning to make a video like this for years, but just haven't got around to it. So in the spirit of not letting a hangover get in the way of good drawing time, here it is.

I worked off one of my favourite recent sketches, to reproduce a larger drawing... She ended up with a bit more attitude than the first, especially when Photoshop got involved...

Anyway, enjoy!

Expanding wings

Making a small sketch big... It's been a while since I've worked on anything bigger than A3, and I had forgotten that it was so fun... and time consuming. 

Viva La Vida: For Love and Lemons

... and I thought they nailed it last time they shot a lookbook. 

I saw a sneak peek on Instagram early this morning, and all through work I was looking forward to seeing the whole For Love and Lemons summer 2012 shoot and sharing it with you. 

So vibrant, beautiful, saturated, menacing, rich... all at once. Which makes sense, seeing as though the collection (and the shoot) was inspired by Frida Kahlo, the original proponent of vibrant Mexican colour, art, surrealism, beauty, passion and individuality.

And being an artist, I always love seeing something raw and painterly mixed in with great photography.

Viva La Vida.

For Love and Lemons.

Photography: Zoey Grossman

Model: Valeria Efanova @IMG

Styling: Ashley Glorioso

Graphics: Gillian Mahin