COOL DIRECTOR: MALIK SAYEED

I am a music video junkie. I'm also a lighting junkie. So when I come across music videos with great lighting I get a little too excited for my own good. Anyways, three of my favorite videos ever were directed by Malik Sayeed. He goes heavy with saturated colors and interesting special effects and I love it! Years ago I read that he didn't like the final product of "Left and Right" music video by D'angelo. As an artist he probably had one thing in his head, and produced something that didn't meet up to his expectations. I cannot feel his agony because I don't know what his initial vision was, so I like the final outcome. A lot. Check out my three favorite Malik Sayeed videos:

"Left and Right" by D'angelo

"Ex Factor" by Lauryn Hill

"Jigga What, Jigga Who" by Jay-Z

COOL VIDEO.

The Beatles were one the the first musical acts to use music videos as a tool to promote their music.They were definitely ahead of their time. The video posted is "Strawberry Fields Forever". I think it is a very interesting video. I like the editing, the camera angles, the use of light etc etc. I must also say though, that  I think that The Beatles, the director, the editors and all the people involved in making this video were very high during the whole process. The had to be using acid and LSD and mushrooms or something, because I find myself a little lost every time I watch it. Nonetheless, I like it and it holds my interest. Check it out:

 

SELF PORTRAIT, 2010

WHITE ON WHITE

Recently, I began reading and studying the work of American sculptor Louise Nevelson. She is best known for her intricate monochromatic wood sculptures. Many of her works consisted of wood fragments that were pieced together then painted white. I love the clean look and detail of her sculptures.

 

Dawn's Landscape V

Dawn's Wedding Chapel

These pieces remind me of Jay Z's album cover for The Blueprint 3. I wonder if the Nevelson's work had any influence on this album cover. Probably not...but who knows. 

SHUTTER ISLAND

Every now and then I like to step away from the technicalities of photography and experiment. I like to slow down shutter speeds and throw off white balances and just do everything that's "wrong". Sometimes stepping away from the norm can give you a masterpiece. Sometimes stepping away from the norm can be a disaster. I'm not sure  if these photographs are disasters or masterpieces....ehhh, let's just say masterpieces...

ELECTRIC LOVE

COLOR CORRECT

For me, half the battle in designing is color choice. I am in love with very muted colors, so sometimes I need some inspiration. my secret? this book:

Designer's Guide to Color 5 

Ikuyoshi Shibukawa and Yumi Takahashi

This particular edition classifies color choice by mood, as well as particular styles, such as Japanese, ethnic etc.  Every section has different combinations for each color scheme. Annnnnd each and every color has a designated CMYK number for printing purposes.

This book has helped through many creative blocks and late night artistic meltdowns. I've had it for years and it hasn't failed me yet!!

CREATIVE KRACK THROWBACK: 1972

 

 Mick. Diana. The Champ. Andy. The good ol days.

THE WIRE

One of my favorite sculptors is Alexander Calder, who is best known for his wire sculptures. His claim to fame was being able to create beautiful pieces with only one long piece of wire. I tried creating a sculpture like Calder with a wire hanger and ended up with some war wounds...and a bent wire hanger. No sculpture, just a bent wire hanger. Moving on...

These are two of my favorite Calder pieces. The first is "Reclining Nude: Sculpture of Josephine Baker" and the second is "The Hostess". I think they are two beautiful pieces.

 

SKETCH N SAVE

In my past life i did a lil bit o' drawing. Every now and then I still pull out my sketch book and doodle a lil bit. I sketched this picture a few weeks ago. I imported it into photoshop and played with a few texturizers and hues and came up with this lil piece of art. I don't have a deep meaning behind this picture, but give me some time and I will come up with something cool and revolutionary.

WAL-MART GRAFFITI

Art is everywhere...even on the paint aisle.

COOL VIDEO.

I think that this video is visually stunning. I personally love saturated lighting and smoke and mirrors and fanfare and stuff. I don't think this video has any real meaning; strictly a performance piece....but then again, it's called "Girls Like You" and it has lots of girls in it, so I stand corrected. lol Anywho, I love Miguel's music and he has cool videos. Enjoy!

CB REALLY SUCKS.

I have a love/hate relationship with art. I love it because I am an artist (photographer and designer) and I thrive on creating. I hate art because of one particular thing...CB. Every artist has experienced that pest CB. CB causes you to procrastinate. CB will have you thinking that your work sucks. CB will have you waking up every morning feeling completely clueless. CB will make you spend tons on supplies and materials, hoping to find some answers; answers that lead you to finding your closest match and setting your work on fire. CB might even make you cry. For you slow, people, I am not talking about Chris Brown. I'm talking about CREATIVE BLOCK.

I tend to run into extreme cases of CB every 1-2 years and it's frustrating. I find myself reading books, watching new movies and searching the internet like a crazy woman looking for inspiration. Eventually, it ends up working and I find myself creating better work in the long run. 

Okay, I'm trying to figure out how to end this introductory blog but I'm having writer's block now. Damn. Umm...okay I will post random stuff on here that I like. My stuff, other people's stuff, photo stuff, design stuff, videos, music stuff, stories, quotes, paintings, etc etc blah blah blah wonk wonk. Just wanted to create a lil ol blog that might spark some inspiration for other artists (and myself!) cuz CB aint no joke!! Ok, I'm done! Read, share, comment and enjoy.

CREATIVE CRACK - THE GOOD STUFF FOR ART JUNKIES