Little Boat from Nelson Boles on Vimeo.
A gentle treat for this cold and snowy Monday morning. There are bits of funny, bits of sweet and also a bit of heartbreak. The perfect recipe for a story combined with the most lovely of execution. The colours, the delicacy of the drawing, the pared down soundtrack all works together to create a powerful 4 minute short. Perfect for easing one into the working week.
My dad used to collect matchboxes amongst other things, so not only do I view them nostalgically but they are now an area of enjoyment today for both of us. There is some smashing artwork on matchboxes, something that is made as much now with the decreasing numbers of smokers. Tis a shame, in a way but fear not, as screen printing illustrator Tom Frost has endeavored to bring the pleasures of matchbox art to the fore in his collection of limited edition prints for St. Jude’s. It would appear that some of the ones that I’ve featured above have already sold out, so if you likey likey, get onto the website pronto and snap up one of the few remaining prints.
screen printed matchbox art prints from £35, St. Jude’s Prints
The Modern Dance from Rogier Wieland on Vimeo.
I’m feeling bright and perky this morning, so a similarly energetic video to match. This is great and rather amusing. It must have taken a good long time so it’s only a short, but it’s a wicked idea and nicely executed. ‘The Modern Dance’, by motion graphics designer Rogier Wieland, is a cardboard cut out stop animation of a wee fella dancing. He dances around different parts of an urban landscape, both interior and exterior, as though he was the lord of the dance himself. The choice of background is cleverly incorporated into the dance using the lines and shapes which not only supports the shapes being made but also makes the dancer look like he’s actually dancing there in real. This will not fail to bring a smile to your face. And there ain’t nothing more important than that on a Monday morning, innit.
Oooeeee, look at these pretties! I love paper craft, and as much as I try, I just don’t seem to have the knack (or patience) for intricate and detailed pieces. But paper artist, Jennifer Collier does as these images of her fantastic creations testify to. Just thinking about how she’s done them makes my brain hurt so I shall just go back to looking and cooing. Very clever and very inspiring. Do have a look at the rest of her website and treat yourself to an early Christmas pressie. Or me, if you feel so inclined.
Sunday saw the Summer’s final fling of glorious sunshine, which surely signals a change in the weather and the start of the move towards Autumn. And how better to spend it than out in the fresh air. I bade farewell to London with all its activities (Paralympics closing ceremony and The Thames Festival) hopped on a train and chugged my way down to the south coast. Slathering on the sun cream and looking the part of the ultimate walking geek, I headed to the beach at Seaford and hooked a left, heading east along the coast. This little walk was by no means a breeze. 21km of pure unadulterated hill and no joke, various parts of my body are still stiff rendering it tricky to do even the most basic of daily movements. However, the views were such that I would do it again in a blink of an eye. We are rapidly losing our south coast due to the aggressive erosion of the sea, which has been documented in the dramatic photographs on display at Birling Gap, charting the demise of Birling Gap in particular. On the day went, and slowly climbed all seven of the sisters and made it to the top of Beachy Head. The weather momentarily turned for the worse and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the clouds blow on in, we were spared and remained safe on top the cliffs, despite moments of uncertainty. With my end goal of Eastbourne now in sight, I ignored my throbbing feet and onwards was spurred. I skipped through Eastbourne (not literally) without stopping even for chips and settled smugly onto the train, an hour earlier than the book predicted. Go me. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. No walking book required as you just follow the coast!
the Song for Rain from Yawen on Vimeo.
Weather-wise, this may not be what one wants on a grey September day having had a weekend of glorious sunshine and blue skies, but it’s such a charming little animation that you’ll be pleased to have seen it. A bitter-sweet story by illustration graduate, Zheng Yawen, about a boy who helps a fox collect rainwater in order to water his flowers, the characters and set are beautifully illustrated in what looks like watercolour or chalk pastels. Lots of muted greys for the urban scenes and lovely bright yellows in contrast for when the suns comes out. I hope you don’t shed too many tears!
Owl Know How from Isobel Knowles on Vimeo.
Now that the summer is over and the August Break 2012 has come to a close, the new school year begins but I needed to break myself (and you guys) in gently. So what better than a gorgeous and charming video from Vimeo. Owl Know How is a short animation by Isobel Knowles featuring cute-as-a-button characters created by Cat Rabbit, this is quite possibly the cutest thing you’ll see all week (and I know how you all like your cute animal pictures). A bold statement you may say, but just watch the video and then see if you can argue my case.
Felt, sewing and imagination at its best, a lovely indulgence of cute and adorable without an element of twee to be found anywhere. A sort of fairytale that we’d all like to imagine exists up there in the world. It’s not saccharine and pink, it’s real and it’s got integrity, intelligence and humour. And nicely made to boot. I like that you can see how they’ve made the ‘machinery’. It doesn’t pretend to be anything than what it is: charming and beautifully handmade. I love the ‘pouring’ in of the internal organs. It’s funny. Now available in book form too. Happy Monday the 3rd of September everybody.
Rapha Continental: Assynt from RAPHA on Vimeo.
This may be just a feature-length long advert for Rapha road wear but if you’re gonna do it, here’s how to do it. The Rapha Continental have a series of short films of cyclists around the world and this time they’re in the UK. This truly is a beautiful piece of work. From the colours of the surrounding rugged rocks and mountains, lochs and sky to the relatively delicate texture of the man-made road, there is so much to look at and admire. The grey of the sky and how it meets the grey of the Loch with only a shimmering reflection of light off the water to help you differentiate. A cold April in north-west Scotland might as well be Winter for all its closeness to Spring, these boys battled their way through rain, hail, snow and force 7 gale winds. The words and soundtrack of the video are from ‘The Idea of The North’ which is part of a series of sound essays called ‘The Solitude Trilogy’ which were made by the pianist and artist Glenn Gould as experimental radio documentaries. And perfect they are for the environs and mood of the piece. Now, I’m no cyclist but this truly has me twitching. It looks amazing even in all its obvious pain. The exhilaration and endorphin-crazy buzz of such a ride must be intense and well worth every minute.
Film by We Are Superglue
Read here for more films and information on this video.
This post is truly Bubblicious Delicious (with a nod to Camden Underworld’s Monday club night of many-a-moon ago) and all in the interest of the up-and-coming test shoot. I can’t wait. Obviously, I’m not going to tell you the plan now as it won’t be a surprise when I do. But do I shall when I complete it. However, in the mean time, what I will give you is a suggestion of potential colour palette. And this is it: Bubblegum pop. I’m thinking 50s bubblegum pop in candy floss pinks, apple greens, disco orange and azure blues. I want jars of gobstoppers, morello cherries, stripy straws and sweetie bags, shopkeeper’s awnings, and cherry doilies. Bright and zingy, fun and silly with a scattering of class and a healthy dollop of sophistication. I’m thinking cheeky like Kelis’ ‘Milkshake‘ video, a little bit less brazen and with a smattering of old school Americana. I’m biting at the bit to tell you but I know it won’t be as good than if I wait. It’ll be worth it though (I hope). This little test shoot is my first collaboration with the talented photographer Simon Bevan and I am very much looking forward to it. May the propping commence. Watch this space.
images with thanks to We Heart It
We’re all guilty of this one. If only we’d thought up this jolly good reason for playing with our food. We never get less curious about ‘what might happen if I just…’, we just get better at controlling the urges. The adult conditioning that has been drummed into us from a young age frowns on child’s play especially when it comes to food. As part of that conditioning we also have the ability to imagine the results of such messy play and that it is only us that is responsible for clearing up (more’s the pity). But if you’re making a video or making pretty pictures, as I do, you occasionally get the opportunity to indulge the inner monkey. I think everyone ought to at least once in their lives. Lovely photography involved in this little Dutch video and a funny soundtrack which is totally appropriate for the stills animation smashing of puddings and eggs. I would have loved to have seen a bigger range of food stuffs but trifles are a very good place to start. Cleverly done and nicely executed. Play away, kids, play away (I recommend using panel of glass to squish- that way you see it without it getting in your eyes).
Visuals : Hugo de Kok & Kay van Vree
Music : Ivo van Dijk & Sophie Ansems
