Michael Lavine and August Bradley

Michael Lavine - Kurt and Court

Michael Lavine - Yoko Ono

I’m a bit of a photography stalker at the moment. It’s something I’ve always gravitated towards, but I’ve taken quite a fascination in the workings of it, and I seriously hope some of it rubs off on me. As I would love to be Mary Ellen Mark or Tim Walker or Eve Arnold.

So today the wonderful Cool Hunter pointed me towards Michael Lavine and this fabulous website Feature Shoot which interviews many photographers and their ways of working.

In rediscovering Micheal Lavine’s very 80’s rock style photography, I have discovered August Bradley – who’s work I’m so jealous of, as I’ve wanted to delve into this form of cinematic, ‘classic painter’ style of work.

And a here is a little snippet that is quite relevant to us crafty people I gleaned from Augusts’ interview:

‘It’s better to have 10 percent absolutely LOVE your work and 90 percent absolutely HATE it, than to have 100% like it. I have been fortunate with regards to finding a part of the population that is enthusiastic about what I’m doing, and they do the marketing for me’.

August Bradley

The Hurricane Grace Jones

This is becoming a bit of an ‘I love Grace’ blog, purely unintentional, but I did see her on the ‘Hurricane’ tour this week, and it was a wonderfully scary experience.

Scary because when she walked on stage she stopped, and looked dead at me (in the front row); it was then I realised that performers very rarely engage with the audience in such an eye-contact way, and it was quite unnerving. She certainly wasn’t afraid to do so, as pretty much everyone in the front got the same treatment.

Wonderful because there were so many hat changes, and little amendments to each outfit, all beautifully made (I got very close to them) and was quite astounded at the beauty of them. Each song had a different treatment, and almost its own little show. The finale of the title track ‘Hurricane’ saw her use a black cloak, wind-machine and wind swept hat to full effect – and included a performance of her falling to the ground. Love Love Love her.

Winter Dog Days

Walking in the winter...

Paris Hilton - Crafts?

Yes, you read this right - even Paris Hilton is trying to cash in on the craft-cow.

Here's the press release -
"Paris Hilton, internationally recognized model, singer, author, and entrepreneur will be available on Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm in the Wooky Entertainment booth #2500, to unveil Paris Hilton, the Creative Collection™ a multi-faceted line of fashion crafting kits from some of the most popular craft segments including scrapbooking, jewelry making and fabric embellishment. Paris will be on hand for photos and signing autographs."

Ron Asheton - The Stooges

Another tribute to Ron Asheton, but it really can't be stressed enough the importance of MC5 and The Stooges who's musical risk-taking brought us the indie-punk-rock music of today.

When I heard about The Stooges reforming after all these years, I thought it was such a dreadful idea, but we then decided to see them at a special one-off show at London's Hammersmith Apollo (their first London performance since 1972, and only their second London show ever), performing their entire Fun House album followed by songs from the first album and Skull Ring. The show, which was the first in the All Tomorrow's Parties-organised "Don't Look Back" concert series - was great.

Another fabulous picture find from Susi a.

Checkout those outfits!