Through the Light || Oak-Hickory Forest
This is the last set of images from our visit to the Ozark National Forest early this month. One other visual aesthetic that always makes my heart go pitter-patter is the effect of natural light (or artificial, in some cases) on a scene. I know I'm not alone on this - it's a common theme across the board in photography, which I am no expert in. This "Through the Light" feature, much like "Hues" and "Texture" is merely my own perspective on themes that stand out to and inspire me on a regular basis. I think the last one is my favorite.
What inspires you?
Hazy, Smoky, Foggy
I like the way these images by Carson Davis Brown make me feel. No words, just "ahhhhhhhhh". (via The Fox is Black)
Hues || Oak-Hickory Forest
In the quiet moments of life there is much to observe, and those moments happen to be the ones that recharge me every day of my life. Through the Texture, Hues and Light features, my intent is to draw attention to details normally unnoticed which I find inspirational at the time of capture. The array of textures in hardwood forests is unending, but colors are a different beat. While the overall hue of the setting is a veil of green and brown, the detail and slight differences of hues are easy to pick out when looked at closely.
I always find myself in awe of these details (whether texture or hue OR both together). Here are some of the hues I picked up on while we were visiting the Ozarks recently.
Tree Prints
I've been a bit derailed lately with some kind of flu bug. It's been 4 days and counting of feeling utterly miserable, so I'm hoping there will be a light at the end of the tunnel soon so I can start feeling like myself again. Unfortunately, I haven't felt like doing much other than sleeping or plastering myself to the couch so alas, not much knit work has been done this past week. I just saw these wood block prints, however, which made me happy so I thought I would share. This gentleman prints using cut pieces of trees found in his home state. Since anything wood grain beckons to me (yes, even the cheesy wood paneling you used to see on station wagons in the 80's) of course I would think that these are great.
Via Fossil, Prints by Bryan Nash Gill
Check out Mr Gill's web site if you have a moment. He has a new book out with these prints called Woodcut, but his sculpture and installation art is really outstanding as well.
Yulie Urano
I was browsing through art magazines in Barnes and Noble the other week when I came upon an article on this fiber artist in American Craft. Yulie Urano machine knits yarn into much thicker yarn and then uses her arms to create the large pieces seen below. Her artist statement says, "As a first generation Japanese-American, I am attempting to realize and balance these two different cultures and their effects on my art. My lineage is the base of my identity, just as interlacing structures are the base of my work. Although not all of my pieces are specifically about my roots, they never cease to be apparent in my work."I like to see designers who jump the gap between kitschy craft and fiber art. Knitwear is a thing in and of itself, but it's nice to see work that is not automatically lumped in with granny square afghans and cliche "tree sweaters"/yarn bombs. It's inspiring to see something original that pushes the boundaries of the perception of how knit craft may be used.
Man Vs. Nature
Okapiknits
Wow, wow, WOW. My jaw might have dropped a little bit when I came across this shop via Pinterest. Absolutely beautiful, unique, inspired designs. I love it how such a traditional craft can be manipulated in a way that is completely new and revolutionary. Check out the Okapiknits shop.
Fungi Textiles
I recently came across this lovely lady's blog and am in love with the current project she is working on. Christina Obuch is a textile designer in Ontario, and from what I can tell from her blog and Instagram page, I believe she assists with print making at the Bookhou shop, which I am also a fan of. Beautiful, simple and often nature inspired prints. I have a tea towel with conifer fruits on it that I keep meaning to frame.
Back to Ms. Obuch- her newest collection was inspired by the unusual textures of fungi and bacteria, and includes some ceramics and possibly some pouches.
Fungi is one of my favorite themes - there are so many different kinds that are very unique. When Jason and I were in the rain forest in Costa Rica, we fell way behind our tour group because we couldn't stop taking photos of and examining the wood decay fungi that was all over the place.
Looking at the photos of her design inspires me to pull some ideas of my own out of the queue. Check out Christina Obuch's collection sneak peek.
3 Photos Per Hour Project
that's it! this is the complete documentation (every 20 min) of last saturday, february 13th, 2010. i will say that this project resulted in a most productive and fulfilling day. i am disappointed that many of my shots did not turn out how i envisioned them, but this is due mostly to my lack of skill with the equipment that i have (with photography in general, really). it definitely awakened some creativity though, and that is something that i have needed for a long time. thanks, sharalee, for deciding to do this!