So as you know from THIS post here.. I wanted to do a new challenge for the summer to keep my creativity going. I am always inspired by other people and all forms of art, so thought this would be a REALLY fun change for me.
This week's challenge is TOTALLy out of my comfort zone and probably TOTALLY not what you would expect either. But when I was going through the list of things that inspire me.. I realized that there are so many things, art forms that inspire me. Not just mixed media, or fabric or canvas.. much much more than that. So this week I picked someone and something that I truly am always inspired by.. but something I have never tried before. Photo Art.
I grew up a large family.. my parents divorced when I was 7, and at the time i had 6 brothers and sisters. Well eventually my mom and dad both remarried which brought even more siblings into the mix (step brothers and sisters and an awesome half sister). When my mom remarried, she married a man who had 5 children and since his wife had passed away from cancer.. his children all lived with him. So you can imagine when we all moved into together.. we were like the Brady Bunch on steroids! lol.. there was 13 of total, as my mom and step dad had a "ours" about a year after they were married. So 13 of us living under one house.. let me tell you it, it sure was comical.. but it sure was fun. I was lucky to have a new step sister.. almost exactly the same age as me. Cathi.. she was seriously hilarious. We fought all the time at first. Sibling rivalry? I guess? but over we actually become pretty good friend. I eventually moved out and lived with my dad, but when I would visit my mom during the summers or on weekends or holidays, here and I always had so much fun together. I was also so impressed with all the cool things she was involved in. Singing, Art, Acting.. but one thing I remember MOSt about her was her talent for doing hair and makeup. TRULY. She was an artist. So it wasn't any surprise when she graduated she went to beauty school. so here we are many many years later and she is still following that dream. (this is her at work.. she's in the red)
She is part of an awesome business, Muse hair and makeup, that does hair and makeup for weddings, editorial shots, Story shorts, catalogs, fashion shows.. and my favorite.. Stylized art photography shots. Recently she has done some REALLY cool things.. here are just a few of her recent shoots she did the hair and makeup for..
(photo by Maren Delany Photography)
(photo by Donae Cotton photography)
(Photo by Courtney Conk Photography)
(photography by Megan Weiss Porta Photography)
So I thought it would be super fun to do something inspired by HER. I choose a really cool "circus" shoot she did the hair and makeup for.. and asked her if I could use her as my inspiration.. she said.. I can't wait to see what "circus" themed canvas you do!"
I replied back.. um.. no. .I mean I am actually going to attempt to do the hair and makeup and create a photo art shoot.. based on the Art she did the hair and makeup for! lol
so I did. THIS TRULY was out of my "knowledge" comfort zone.. I am not a hair or makeup artist, NOR am i a professional photographer.. but I do love all three.. so keep in mind this is PURELY for fun. Just something totally fun to do out of the norm for me.. and I can't tell you what a BLAST I had a blast! I asked my friends daughter to help me with the shoot... and we both had so much fun. TRULY. I hope you guys do this challenge too.
So this is the Photo Shoot I was totally inspired by.. LOVED the hair, the makeup and the style of the shot. Totally whimsical and funky. I call is the Circus Art Shoot. Hair and Makeup are by Cathi Barbi.. her daughter is the model. The photography is by Maren Delaney Photography.. and the awesome vintage hat was made by Bethany Lorelle. (she has amazing hair pieces by the way for purchase.. love it!)
isn't freaking awesome? I just love it. Seriously.. so talented. INSPIRING!!
So I realized I didn't have cool circus trailer in an old field.. like she did.. but I DO have a really cool vintage airstream trailer in my backyard.. we bought two years ago. We gutted it out and make it into a "jewelry" trailer.. were people could come buy beads and jewelry from us. now we use it for storage.. but I would love to make it a fun "art" studio some day.. a traveling one :).
For the outfit.. we borrowed a couple of prom dresses that I layered over some lace dresses i already had.. plus added an old denim shirt over the top, to create an eclectic country feel. For shoes, we used my red cowboy boots i got in texas last month. Then for the accessories, I used a mix of my funky jewelry and a really cool feathered heaband I bought months ago.. (i haven't had the guts to wear), my friends daughter, Kacee.. was an awesome model! She had short hair, so I used a hair piece, to create length and then rolled the hair in curlers all over her head. I did her makeup in kinda of a high fashion.. dark smokey eyes.. with bright red lips. She's only 13.. but by the time we were done.. she looked like she was 20! lol.. good thing her dad wasn't there.. he wouldn't have liked that much.:)
so this is what we came up with.. I ended up doing three different "shoots".. just different clothes changes and a few hair changes.. but we had fun. oh and I have to say.. I normally like to photograph in "overcast" conditions.. but it was still pretty sunny out.. and it ended up being the BEST thing ever! All the cool sun effects you see in the photos.. just happened because I caught the light behind the trailer just rights.. so cool. couldn't have planned it better. again.. this was just for fun. For me, I am NOT a professional.. but I sure had fun doing this!
This first shoot was using the green prom dress with a ruffled grey dress I had, underneath. Inspired by the green dress in Cathi's photos.
The second shoot, I used a lace dress I had OVER the grey knit dress.. and pulled her back a bit..
The last shoot I did with this cool funky Purple Prom Dress. it had hints of pink under it and with the red boots.. oh it was awesome..
So that's it! I really seriously. Had so much fun. I told Allie we might just have to do another shoot next week.. this time with her.. and find another one of cathi's amazing art skills to be inspired by. Not to mention all the amazing photographers she works with.
TRULY.. they are talented.. you should check out their sites and their work.
Anyhow.. that's it! So what are YOU going to be inspired by this week? gonna take this challenge and join me? I can't wait to see what you do!
Well it's friday.. and that means the weekend.. and lots of play! We are heading to Utah (ben and I) with some of our best friends who live right down the street from us. We do just about everything together. We are going to go to the Kenny Chesney concert. I not a huge fan.. I mean I AM SURE I will be when it's over.. but my friend Jennifer.. is the real fan. So I got us tickets for her birthday.. there are 3 of us couples going. and I can't WAIT! It was funny.. last night we were talking about the concert and someone asked.. what concert are you going to? I was like.. we are going to see Kent Chesley".. and my other friend Meredith (who is also going), just looked at me like really? You don't even know his correct name? really? lol.. I was like what?? I don't listen to the radio??!! i don't even know how to say Ochre! lol.. .. I told ben later." no wonder when I was trying to look him and this concert up on google.. nothing was coming up that matched it! lol.. I am such a dork. I guess that's me.. right?
well have a wonderful weekend! I can't wait.. I am more excited to just spend time with friends than anything. We have the best friends ever. Nice to have friend were all of us get along.. the husbands and the wives. Truly we do. They are like family. Even my family would tell you that. So can't wait!
Happy Friday!
Christy
Wow Christy, if you ever want a change of profession you could choose from photography or hair or make up!!! What a beautiful shoot, the lighting is stunning and your model gorgeous. Thanks for sharing :)
Am just putting the finishing touches to the canvas project with the rolled paper from the last challenge and I love the finished piece.
Posted by: chantille | July 08, 2011 at 04:41 PM
very cool...great pics.she looks way older the 13 definitely don't let the dad see these lol
Posted by: lisa keys | July 08, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Forgot to say I love your red boots!!!
Posted by: chantille | July 08, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Wow...wow and WOW! Talent oozes out of you and I know you are going to turn around and teach us!
Posted by: Martha Richardson | July 08, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Great Job!!! I think you have found something else u are great at!
Posted by: Chastity | July 08, 2011 at 04:49 PM
AMAZING! What a beautiful young lady you had as a model. And, please, don't leave us to become a photographer! Your photos turned out fabulous!
Posted by: Susan Tidwell | July 08, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Wow! for someone who didn't really know what she was doing Christy, you've certainly done a FANTASTIC job of it!!! The pics look truly fabulous. :)
Posted by: Pam | July 08, 2011 at 07:05 PM
Christie your so INSANE!!! I LOVE IT...I LOVE THIS!!! WOW WOW WOW...talk about just going for it! BEAUTIFUL WORK :) I am so enjoying this series :)
Posted by: katie squires | July 08, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Awesome pics Christy!!!! Photo shoots are so much fun! yep love them boots too...hehe
Have fun tonight <3
Posted by: bronnyk | July 08, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Love these photos, you did great! Love the funky, vintage vibe and the lighting is amazing. What kind of camera did you use? I will have to show these to my 12 year old fashionista and see if she wants to do some art photos in some our vintage clothes. Will need to come up with a theme of some sort. Hmmmm, creative juices starting to flow! Thanks Christy, you are always such an inspiration:-)
Posted by: Christa Thomas | July 08, 2011 at 09:38 PM
AWESOME work Christy. Wow!! And your model is absolutely beautiful.
So jealous you are going to Kenny, he is a hottie and his songs are great fun. Have a wonderful time.
Posted by: Dawn B | July 08, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Christy - that is amazing and it sounds like you had a blast! The photos are beautiful!
Posted by: Julie M | July 08, 2011 at 09:50 PM
WOW Christy fantastic photos! I love it all and I am in awe of the talented artists featured in this blog! My daughter(8) saw this too and now she wants me to photograph her! (lord nows-although I love taking pictures-I am not very good at it). But sure why not, even if the pictures turned out bad, we will have fun spending time together. TFS
Posted by: Carol | July 08, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Phenomenal! You amaze me with your numerous talents and ideas!
Posted by: JaYne | July 09, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Truly amazing. Your artistic eye has transferred superbly to the lens. Such a beautiful model too. The lighting is amazing and has worked really well. All together fabulous!
Posted by: Lesley | July 09, 2011 at 07:13 AM
too funny about the concert. love the photo shoot amazing. and your model's gorgeous. wow. enjoy your weekend.
going to shovel a big heap of mulch.
Posted by: laura huffman | July 09, 2011 at 07:55 AM
you would never know you aren't a professional, these look as good as any I've seen done by a photographer. LOVE the dresses mixed with the funky boots, your model is gorgeous! These are kick ass and you have another artistic arm to add to your repertoire. Great challenge. Nothing like trying something new to stimulate our artist!
Posted by: carrie clayden | July 09, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Your photos are gorgeous!
Posted by: Pam Hairfield | July 09, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Just gorgeous!
Posted by: Dolores | July 09, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Purple dress, fuschia underskirt, red cowgirl boots and an old denim jacket - I am SO painting this girl! Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Carla Bange | July 09, 2011 at 08:36 PM
These are beautiful photos, Christy! I love what you did with the inspiration from Cathi's work. Amazing . . .
Posted by: MelanieJ | July 09, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Christy, honestly! I can't believe the talent that just seems to come so effortlessly from your beautiful heart! Wonderful photography and loved the vintage look. Everything looks so perfect! You just amaze me with your talent!
Posted by: Alice | July 10, 2011 at 05:41 AM
You are so amazingly talanted i just love your pictures
Posted by: nathalie | July 10, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Christy, your photographs are awesome. Well Done! Wonderful Job! Fabulous!
Posted by: Pat Healey | July 10, 2011 at 09:41 AM
amazingly beautiful. everything.
and man oh man, what 13-year-old girl doesn't dream of something like this???
too fun.
Posted by: deb christensen | July 10, 2011 at 12:51 PM