I'm inspired by this editorial from Andréa Huelse Studio this week. Precious Forever is photographed by Erik Madigan Heck and styled by Leith Clark (who is also editor of Lula magazine). The ethereal quality of the work, as if they are trapped in a steamy greenhouse is so dreamy.
Happy New Year 2016!
This quote really moved me when I read it. I often get caught up in thoughts of my past, how wonderful things were—how I thought nothing could be better than the years I went to NYU, or lived in Paris or first arrived in San Francisco. I think about how young, pretty, talented, healthy and strong I was. But wait! Aren't I still all of those things just more grown up and with more amazing stories under my belt? Maybe I have a few extra creaks in my bones and extra pounds around the waist, but I'm still those things.
I have decided to commit myself to living as healthy and vibrant a life I can—full of creativity, time with family and friends and things that matter. I will always cherish my past experiences—all the moments I can relive, and the stories I can tell—but I'm so ready to see what comes next. I have a feeling the more I open myself up to finding out what the future holds, the more I will experience. Bring it on!
I wish you all many new experiences and some new stories to tell in 2016. Happy New Year everyone! Much joy to you in the coming year.
Selfies on Paper
Lee Friedlander, Self Portrait NYC 1966
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam currently has an exhibit titled "Selfies on Paper". It shows artists from the past four centuries capturing their own images in various mediums. As noted on their website: "Virtually every artist in the past looked in a mirror and captured his or her image for posterity – just as we do now." But we all know that they just took a little more time to do it.
In this age of immediate and fleeting gratification, the exhibit intends to make people slow down and take a moment to appreciate the art and the time it took to create. Cameras are not allowed, and instead, attendees of the museum are encouraged to draw or sketch what they see instead of using their selfie stick. I love this!
You can read more on the exhibit on the museum website here, and also on thisiscolassal.com.
Rembrandt, Self Portrait 1639
Oskar Kokoscka, Self Portrait 1923
Sky's the Limit
I once saw an HP ad that said "don't let your babies grow up to be jpegs." This is exactly the thought I have when I look at the gazillion photos stored in my computer. I have always tried to use my photos in a useful and creative way. These sky images were taken last week, all on the same night within a 20 minute timeframe.
I love how a pixelated, repeating pattern can be created and the fun is when you look at it up close and realize that each tiny square is a different sky.
Color Gradients
Brittany Wright, a Seattle-based photographer captures fruit in all stages of growth and every color in the rainbow. See more here.
images from thisiscolossal.com
Pale Shelter
It isn't hard to see that I love bright colors. They enliven my soul. But sometimes, I just need to soothe my soul too, and that's where these pastel beauties come in. My Pale Shelter board on Pinterest is a place where I can collect dreamy cotton candy colored hues to my heart's content. I might just go revisit my board and listen to a pretty rad song by the same name.
Clockwise from upper left: Sally King Benedict, Crystal, LittleElmsTumblr, Tec Petaja, Dianna Molzan, Ana Montiel, Kate by Anna Palma, Sol LeWitt, Hibeck jacket
Seeing Art Where You Are
What do you call art? How do you define it? I believe that art is all around us. It's in nature, in books, in the faces of those we love, in our hearts, on the streets, on the walls—everywhere we look and everywhere we are. Just look around and you will see it. Join me on Instagram @katjaollendorff and share your vision of what art is #artwhereyouare.
Is this art? Some colorful lines on a sidewalk.
Ot this? Flowers silhouetted against a misty mountain.
A color blocked wall.
My niece Amy dancing under the stars. I think this is art.
I finally have an Instagram account and I can't believe I didn't start this sooner. What the heck was I waiting for!? It's so fun! Since I love to take adventures around the city, and am constantly snapping pics, it's the perfect forum for sharing the gems I find along the way. Join me on my jaunts around the Bay Area and beyond @katjaollendorff and I hope you enjoy!
Wall Art
Courtesy of the city streets...
Happy New Year!
I woke up early this morning and drove out to Ocean Beach. Had to make a stop up at Grandview Park for a look at the city on the dawn of the New Year. It was perfectly misty and glistening and fresh.
A tree grows in Sonoma
Sky Study
December has been downright balmy (as far as winters go) here in SF and we've had the most incredible sunsets every night. I kept meaning to post one, but have now accumulated so many pretty snaps, I decided to combine a few ultra vibrant ones for your viewing pleasure.
Sunsets taken from my window. No photoshop used here.
Geo Projection
I came across these amazing photographs by Javier Riera. They combine nature with geometric light projections. So intriguing!
Javier Riera
Javier Riera
Javier Riera
Javier Riera
Serenity Now
What a lovely color palette I see out my window. Makes me feel like I'm at a spa.
Serenity on the SF Bay
Down Town
Look all around - up and DOWN
Seeing Triple
I love this trend I'm seeing on Pinterest these days. Kaleidoscopic images!
Photography clockwise from upper left: Pierre Debusschere, Markus Prtizi, Wayne Maser, Sanaa H
Seen on the Street
Crocheted art on a large wall along Grove Street.
Ships and Shapes
When I'm out and about on my walks, my eye generally catches the natural, organic beauty of the Bay. Today however, as I was watching the America's Cup boats racing around the Marina, I began to notice the more geometric, nautical shapes and colors around me.
Sea Ranch
My friends invited me up to their amazing getaway up the coast in The Sea Ranch this weekend. Spent some time at the tide pools, the beach, the forest—all in the misty fog. Breathed in lots of fresh air and ended each day with great food and a dip in the hot tub. What a way to unwind! It was heavenly!
Collecting driftwood
Sea Ranch findings
Tree Silhouettes
Looking at the shapes of things against the sky.
