Self portraits in chains

Afruz Amighi lives and works in NY. This is some of her art from 2012. Go see her own site. It's simple and peacefull and we are digging it. Have a great weekend! Love Stella. 

Self portrait in chain 2012

Self portrait in chain 2012 

Portraits painted with words

Take a look at these fine images made by John Sokol (b. 1947). We absolutely love the way he combined the author with his or hers written works by painting their portrait using their own words. 

John Keats as Lamia 

Samuel Beckett as as waiting for Godot

Walt Whitman as Leaves of grass

Find your own favorite among the greatest! 

Two sides of every body

Gracia Hagen (self-taught artist from Chicago) took some wonderful photos of different models from two very different perspectives. One of them sowing them off the models as pretty as ever and the other one showing the same body but from a less fortunate position, or? The point is very different! 

Gracia Hagen wants us to understand that every person can look extremely attractive under the right circumstances and two seconds later transform into something completely different.

The series 'Illusions of the body' was made to tackle the supposed norms of what we think our bodies are supposed to look like. Now she even turned the pictures into a book. 

Most of us realize that the media displays only the prettiest photos of people, yet we compare ourselves to those images. We never get to see those photos juxtaposed against a picture of that same person looking unflattering. That contrast would help a lot of body image issues we as a culture have.

Text and photo © Gracie Hagen 2014

The candid personality of children

Here is the story of photographer Emily Kornya for you. 

Since I was a very young child I had always been intrigue by images, whether that be photography or art, I was always fascinating in trying to discover the story each photo told. 

The feeling has stuck with me and as I got older I started to become very interested in photography as it just such a realistic and personal (as the people you capture are all unique individuals) art form. 

Since I was 12 I had dreams of one day becoming a children's fashion photographer (I have always loved to work with kids, and love their imaginative and genuine nature) and at age 17 I took a photography course while traveling through 10 cities in Europe. On this trip I felt such a thrill and happiness from capturing the moments of people's lives/stories I decided that I wanted definitely pursue this. 

What is most important to me for my own photography is capturing a persons true personality. I like to shoot very candidly and watch how the models interact with each other and see the stories and bonds they have created. Its pretty magical to see this and how much happiness the kids are experiencing. 

Have a visit at Emily's Facebooksite for more inspiration. 

A blessed unrest

Martha Graham (1894-1991) was an American modern dancer and choreographer. Not only was she an active dancer for more than seventy years. She also said some beautiful things about being an artist. So all you Stellamag followers with a creating spark in you; may this inspire your weekend. 

"No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissastifaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

Portrait of Martha Graham, 1940ies

Barbara Morgan, Martha Graham, Extasis 1935

Storylines

Alright Alright it's a photo book - but as we show you a few more photos from "Alle er kommet - Portraits & Parties 1983-2013" (UK: Everyone has arrived) a few things must be said about the words in it as well (because, well, we like (the) words).

Thomas, Claus and name unknown. Hotel London 2007 

In the back of the book we find stories evolving around some of the pictures. For all of you Danish Speaking readers the stories contribute to a new layer in the life of the artist Sigrún Gudbrandsdóttir and the portraits and parties. As the parties probably were fun - so are the stories. 

Mathilde & Karina. New York 1999

Read about the love of the indieworld, who is Sanne Gottlieb and and what's the link between The Olsen brothers and circus horses? Warning! Once again it's underground. You may learn about bands that no longer exist or if you know (knew) them feel like taking a listen for old times sake.   

Kira Skov Heinrich Prisen 2010
(Bonus for you = This is not in the book. Kira just released the album When we were gentle)

Words by Sigrún Gudbrandsdóttir, Benn Q. Holm, Klaus Lynggaard, Torben Sangild, Diana Tørslev Møller and Signe Høirup Will Jørgensen. 

For more about the book.

Everyone has arrived

We all do it from time to time (well, maybe mostly us above thirty (B.I. = Before Instagram)). We open the photo album and dive into the past by watching old memories unfold. 

We remember emotions, friendships, relations and people that have passed away. It’s somehow the same feeling with the new book "Alle er kommet – portraits and parties 1983-2013" (UK: Everyone has arrived) by Sigrún Gudbrandsdóttir.

Palace Pier , Brighton 1993. Camden 1992. Symi 1990.

The pictures are portraits and party photos in the timespan 1983-20013, mainly with Sigrún behind the camera. Weddings and friends goofing around, backstage giggling and night swimming. What is not to like? Almost 400 pages. 

Jim & Sigrún Prague 1990

You may not know the people on the pictures except the few ones you've seen in the media - and so Sigrún's story becomes the story of the reader. The story of you. Years and places that have made a mark, places and people you knew during the same years, clothing trends or stereotypes you’ve meet in the street. Atmospheres... Lovestories. You name it.

Morten & Jonas Skindergade 1991

During the two next Fridays we’ll be presenting a few of the photos and stories from the book to light your fire.

Read more about the writer, photographer and artist Sigrún and her book on her website (DK). You may even want to get your own copy. Last but not least, stay tuned here on the blog You’re invited. 

All pictures are copyrighted Sigrún Gudbrandsdóttir. 

Female features

Christian Ward is a talented freelance illustrator (UK). He uses digital art software, e.g. Photoshop to create beautiful illustrative portraits of both men and women.

Water baby

We especially like his portraits of women with what appears to be only a few strokes. Within every illustration you sense the love and uniqueness of the woman pictured. Take a stroll in the CW universe. 

Whisp

Illustrations © Christian Ward

Art Nouveau

Self-portrait 1905

Nothing like the pictures of Zinaida Serebriakova (1884-1967) to make one feel in sync with the world. The Art Nouveau painter shared great love for beauty. She painted the most amazing portraits and atmospheres. Who would not want to see the world like this? 

Ballet washroom 1924