Impulse

Speaking of new works of art, my friend Amanda Koster is coming out with her first book next month.  By day, Amanda is a full-time assignment photographer. She dedicates the rest of her time to social documentary (and cooking fabulous meals). This book, made up of her photographs and personal journal entries, describes how everyone use their creative talents to change the world. 

I love Amanda’s work — in fact, I have at least 7 of her photos hanging in my house right now — more than any other photographer (including me!). 

Amanda’s book is available for presale at her publisher’s web site.  She’s also having a lecture & signing on September 18.  Those who buy a ticket get a free book (or, if you prefer, you get a free ticket for buying the book).  Either way, go here right now to buy one or the other.  I’ve already got my order in.

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art , Inspiration , Photography at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This photo is cool and amusing on so very many levels.

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 02:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Continue reading "Heroes: addiction meets politics"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Casual commentary , Cool Art at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

John K (of Ren and Stimpy fame) wrote an excellent post on the construction of cartoons.  Even if you are like me and can barely manage drawing stick figures, this post is worth reading.  He breaks down the fundamentals of cartoon design and what makes good drawing better than bad.  If you enjoy animation at all, this is required reading.  You’ll never look at cartoons the same again.  (link)

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art , Craft and technique , Creative resources at 06:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It’s been a long time since I wrote about artwalk. Tonight’s was a blast. It also hammered home the trend that the most interesting stuff isn’t in the swank galleries on Occidental Ave anymore (Davidson excepted), but in the little off-beat places that you have to work a little to find. (Mirroring my musical and cinematic tastes exactly).

Continue reading "Artwalk: Pioneer Square"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Artwalks , Cool Art at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I met Ron at my first Group f/5.6 meeting about 5 years ago. As Chief of Stuff, Ron is one of the driving forces behind the photo group. It’s impossible not to like Ron: a jolly elf clad in an old sweatshirt, his grey hair pulled back into a pony tail, a medallion hanging around his neck, Ron is quick to smile, his eyes sparkling like a 7 year old boy who just discovered something really cool. He is warm and generous - traits you can easily see in all his photographs.

Continue reading "CoolArt: Ron Hammond"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 01:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

My friend Kate gives us a few more suggestions to the reading list. Her collection is a combination of classics and british humor, proving that she’s a classy woman.

Continue reading "Followup: reading list"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 06:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I want to be more literate. A few months back, I sent mail to my more well read friends - writers, editors, and people of exceptionally good taste - and asked them what books they think I absolutely must read. Here are their suggestions. What I find cool is that many of these authors are still alive and scribbling.

Continue reading "My reading list"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)

I’m a Jeff Bridges fan. That boy can act. His performances, especially in The Big Lebowski, Tucker, and Fearless, are consistently pitch perfect. Pouring through the bonus tracks of his DVDs, I discovered that he not only acts, but dabbles in photography. Yesterday, I picked up a copy of his book, Pictures. He more than dabbles: that boy can shoot.

Continue reading "CoolArt: Jeff Bridges: Pictures"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art , Movies at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I like to keep an eye on photos on Flickr to keep visually stimulated. I’ve written about a couple photographers from Flickr on this blog (1 2). Here’s a quick roundup of other photographers, tags, and pools that I find cool.

Continue reading "CoolArt: Flickr roundup"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I’ve been following Masahiro Makino’s work on Flickr. I like the quiet simplicity of his photos. To me, they definitely have an Asian aesthetic, though I haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly what makes them so. Perhaps it’s his economy of composition - the subject is clearly stated without excesses of pretense, distraction, or graphic methods that deliberately draw attention. The note is played clearly, modestly.

Continue reading "CoolArt: Masahiro Makino"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 04:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who says good art has to be all serious? Emotionblogster, one of the photographers on Flickr whose work I like, is proof that art can be fun. You don’t need a bunch of studio lights, a big fancy camera (umm… ahem…), and a model. You just need a playful spirit, the willingness to experiment. It’s all about being creative with what you have available to you.

Continue reading "CA: Flickr photographer ‘Emotionblogster’"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Juan loves photography. When I met him at Peter Turnley’s photography workshop in Paris, he absolutely radiated enthusiasm for the art. We often met for dinner each day after shooting our assignments: Juan covering the Pont des Arts, myself, the Jardin des Tuileries. One night, after discussing art, computers, and women (what else do thirtysomething male techie photographers talk about?) he showed me the portable portfolio he caries with him everywhere. I was blown away. Juan’s work had a great graphic dynamism and sense of place. Since then, I’ve been following his work via his photoblog and must say that it’s only gotten better and better.

Continue reading "CA: Juan Buhler"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 06:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am proud to be a disciple of Robert Doisneau. His work has inspired my photography for the last five years. After one particularly frustrating day shooting in Paris, I turned to a photo of Doisneau I happened to have with me and asked, “Robert, I don’t know what to do. Help me.” We had a lovely conversation and over the next ten days, I shot my Tuilleries portfolio. (It should not surprise you that Amarante, the crazy old man who talks to saints in The Milagro Beanfield War, is one of my favorite literary figures). Doisneau’s view of the world is whimsical and optimistic. He loves people, portraying their everyday lives with dignity and respect. His work motivated me to return to photography, so it’s fitting that he’s the first artist I cover in my Cool Art series.

Continue reading "CA: Robert Doisneau"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 04:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (1)

This is too cool not to mention: Kids with Cameras is a project started by the filmmakers behind the documentary Born Into Brothels. They gave cameras to a bunch of kids in Calcutta and turned them loose. The resulting pictures are often very dynamic and always incredibly honest.

Continue reading "CA: Kids with Cameras"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’m hooked on Nina Simone. I only recently discovered her music, and it’s not left my playlist since. So, I’m going to break my rule of not doing reviews in this blog to talk about this excellent artist.

Continue reading "Nina Simone"

Posted by Rob McKaughan in Cool Art at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)