Gallery Girl

My reflection in MoMA glass instalation

Me next to OOF By Edward Ruscha 1962

Photo I took of bottles at MoMA and repeated four times

I'm never more at peace then when I'm in an art gallery. Particularly those great big grandiose art galleries that I can lose myself in. When I used to live in Toronto, I volunteered as a docent in the newly designed Frank Gehry AGO. I was probably the most selfish docent they ever hired; I used to spend all my volunteer hours plugged into my ipod starring at the huge Gerhard Richter paintings on the top floor. I really couldn't help myself, letting my eyes wander across the canvases, imagining my hands running through the layers of paint. The spaces there were so large, so expansive, so humbling. Today's post is devoted to my favorite photos taken, oddly enough at the MoMA, not the AGO. I reworked the colors in photoshop for fun. Enjoy!!

Where Have All The Boys Gone?

Every fashion illustration I see these days happens to be all about the girls. It begs the question, what about the boys? Where have all the boys gone? I've just finished looking through 70's fashion reference books for our next project, and I couldn't believe the number of male fashion illustrations I found. Why illustrate them then and not now?

I happen to love drawing the few male models we have at our school. I think in part it's because I can be more aggressive with the drawings. Their features are more definite, no need for delicacy. That said, today's post is dedicated to the boys. Above are my class drawings from first and second semester. I think they need a little time to shine. Enjoy!!

EMPLOYERS HAVE A DUTY OF CARE TO ENSURE BUSINESS TRAVEL IS STRESS FREE FOR EMPLOYEES

Business travel is not just the bastion of the procurement department; personnel and HR also need to take note as frequent travel is a little known and under-investigated stress trigger.

Of course any HR manager worth his/her salt, will be only too aware that stress – and distress – among employees causes impaired economic performance. Across the EU, nearly 25 per cent of workers are affected and stress is responsible for 50-60 per cent of all lost days. It’s also rated the second most common work-related health problem and estimated to cost the EU €20 billion annually. It’s also on the increase.

More progressive HR departments and procurement professionals involved in travel understand this and no longer base buying decisions solely on price. They create policies that suit the traveller and not just their budget. They are mindful of their corporate social responsibility and duty of care towards employees. They may miss out on short term savings, but they will also avoid making much bigger long-term financial losses.

It’s time that a more responsible and strategic view of the issues involved in business travel was taken by all, and all HR departments appreciated and understood their CSR and duty of care obligations.

If you’re interested in reading more on this topic, you can visit http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/news/features/1040063/Employers-duty-care-business-travel-stress-free-employees/ to read the entire feature.

Posted by David Chapple, event director, Business Travel & Meetings SHow

Sources: ‘The Institute of Travel and Meetings, ICARUS report’, Frequent Traveller Wellbeing; Inicio 2010. For more information, www.icarus.itm.org.uk

Casa Mila Barcelona

Casa Mila Roof Terrace

Myself and Jenny at Casa Mila

Parc Guell Mosaics used as Garment Textiles

I spent this past Friday night doing exactly what I wanted to do; watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona with a glass of rose. I had no idea it would prove to be such a productive evening. About a week ago, Joe Denaro asked us to collage our class drawings. I still had not yet decided what location to place my figures in. After watching this film there was no question I wanted to put them in Barcelona. Much like the film's character Vicky, I too hold an unwavering love for Antoni Gaudi's architecture.

A few summers ago, my friend Jenny and I went on a Spanish escapade through Barcelona, Ibiza, and Madrid. Without a doubt, Gaudi's most ornate, exquisite works are what resonate with me most. To be honest, I had trouble deciding between Parc Guell and Casa Mila for the background on this piece. In the end I resolved to place them on the roof of Casa Mila, while incorporating the mosaics of Parc Guell into the fabrics of the garments. This work has me dreaming of the hot sun on Las Ramblas. Enjoy!!

Give Me Face

I was sorting through my first and second semester work today and stumbled across this acrylic paint study I did of an eye, nose, and mouth. It was for my color theory class and was done in preparation for my full-blown color painting otherwise known as Doll Factory. We had to paint on a deep purple ground to provide depth and I was shocked by the three-dimensionality that could be achieved through this process. I think they make a really nice series together. Its amazing to go back and look at how much work I've done in a little over a year. Hope you're having a great weekend and enjoy!!

Travel Write Draw Bloglovin' Widget

I've been thinking for the longest time about designing my own bloglovin' widget for Travel Write Draw. I just couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what to do for it. A few weeks ago, my illustrator class assigned us to design a luggage tag for a travel company called Eco Road. Suddenly the lights went off and I pleaded with my professor to let me design one for Travel Write Draw.

Fortunately the answer was yes and I once again turned to Vogue Paris for inspiration. I used the same references as I did for my suitcase banner and settled on a super sultry image of none other than Miss Lara Stone. She happens to be my favorite model du jour and I'm really pleased with the outcome. Would love to get these printed up for actual use. Enjoy!!

60's Society Girl

It's November 1st already which means I'm probably boarding on passe with this post, but I'm just dying to share photos of my costume from Saturday night with you all. As always, I left my costume preparation to the very last minute. In my defense, I had decided weeks ago to dress as a Maharaja, but could not find the right hat to finish the outfit.

Rather than being defeated by an epic fail, I decided to dress as Rosamund Pike from the movie 'An Education'. I met her once during my brief stint as a television extra and she was very sweet to me. Moreover, I was obsessed with her clothes in this movie. I had more people asking if I was January Jones from Mad Men, or a girl from Moscow, than Rosamund Pike. Regardless I loved every minute of this outfit. Enjoy!!

'An Education' photo still courtesy of http://nostalgicwardrobe.wordpress.com