Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman’s Bus Riders 1976/2000 are a series of photographs that feature the artist as a variety of meticulously observed characters. The photographs were shot in 1976 but not printed or exhibited until 2000 and are among the artist’s earliest work. Sherman uses elaborate costumes and make up to transform her identity for each image, but is photographed in a sparse, obviously staged setting with a wooden chair standing in for the bus seat.

Cindy Sherman is photography teacher gold, a real inspiration to students. This body of work was new to me and I enjoyed the images very much, I wonder however whether in this more politically correct/sensitive climate whether she would still do them in quite such a crude fashion.

Helmar Lerski

All the photos are from here

Helmar Lerski is renowned for his singular approach to portraiture. Instead of attempting to reveal the unique characteristics of his subject. Lerski translated the physiogonomy of the face into a sculptural surface onto which he projected lights and shadows to dramatic effect.

From here

I discovered a number of amazing photographers that were new to me, at the Street & Studio exhibition. This one really stood out, the images in the gallery are approx 10 inces by 8 inches and pack a tremendous punch.

Jaques Henri Lartigue

He wrote in his diary.
Far off, amongst the walkers she stands out like a golden pheasant in a hen house. She approaches I’m shy trembling a little. Twenty meters ten meters eight six and Click! The shutter of my big camera makes so much noise that the lady jumps almost as much as I do. It doesn’t matter a bit, except to the man with a loud voice accompanying her, who with a furious look starts to get hold of me. What does it matter though, all that counts is having the pleasure of a new photo.
The original Sartorialist!
Street photography can never be simple, but it is an invaluable tool for giving us a glimpse into the past. What may seem mundane today, can take on a whole new meaning tomorrow.
The Street & Studio exhibition on at the Tate Modern was a joy. To see photographs by Lartigue and many many other in the flesh is always an education. Sadly the catalogue was not and so I left disappointed.

Rachel t Robertson

green landscape detail, originally uploaded by display lady.

Via Dear Ada. It is when I see this that I wish the ENORMOUS mountain of paper work and report writing was over so I could just for once get on with my own work.. Beautiful.

The cost of youth

It has taken a very long time, but I have finally settled into a beauty routine that although may not visually work it certainly feels like it works which is as important.
Night time
I am not a fan of soap and water, in fact I struggle to clean my face with any product that needs washing off. I have tried the Liz Earle cleanse and polish but I never feel truly clean. My favourite product is a strange one. It is called Liquid Gold by Alpha H. I found it via a QVC TSV. The other products it came with were truly awful, and I only realised how incredibly good the Liquid Gold was when I finished the bottle and stopped using it. It is a very strange liquid it act like a tone but the smell is quite grim It feels like it almost burns off a layer of skin, but this is a good thing as then my skin feels truly clean. To put this in context the skin on my face is a tough as a Rhino hide. I have very olive skin that is really open pored great for aging well but not an attractive look with out make up. Sadly after children my skin has become quite patchy it does not tan evenly and without a hefty sun block I can look like a pie bald pony. So Alpha H really does minimise the pores and evens out the blotches. It cost £32 for 200mls and I managed to tip the entire contents of a new bottle all over my wash bag when I last went to Mums, I could have wept.
After this I wipe the Liz Earle Super skin concentrate over my face, which is a blend of oils. It is really lovely and my skin when I wake up is soft as a baby’s bottom ish!
Morning
Is Liz Earle Eye Repair then currently some Chanel moisturiser which cost an absolute fortune but it is lovely and light for the summer leaving shiny patches. None of it is cheap but if you have the face of an orange it works.

Verge

I have always loved meadows and roadside verges. This beautiful mix is totally random. having sprung up next to some blue hoardings where the new school is being built.

Nature at its best.

The view from here Pt2

I have not mentioned the loft conversion recently. My advice is, if you can, you should. It was a very painful process, but the rewards are far in excess of the emotional and financial outlay. Despite the fact that 'he' hijacked it for his office cum playroom, at this time of year the pleasure to be gained from the light is immense. In the morning you can lie in bed watching the planes crisscross their vapour trails across the sky. You can watch the House Martins darting high above. The view from the french windows is a continual joy, as these photos testify. At this time of year the tress are beautiful and being so high up give me a whole new perspective. At night we can currently peek through the Dorma windows and watch the sun set over canary wharf. Finally the short walk from shower to bed is such a luxury, as I said, if you can you should.