Inspiration of the Month {May}

"Alone Out There" by Ryan Everson. The title says it all, really. I am completely enamored with this boldly expressive piece of art. In my eyes, it's a prime representation of throwing your vulnerabilities out into the cold, dark abyss that is our world. And that's kind of what art is all about, right? Wood, lights, neon, steel, rope, and foam flawlessly mended into a beautiful, larger-than-life masterpiece.

Another one by the great Ryan Everson in collaboration with Jason Garcia, feast your eyes upon "Fear Expanded." His work is "unlimited by materials and processes and examines emotional states, fame, fear of the unknown, sincerity and inward reflection." The photographs convey such a powerful idea that fear exists only in your mind, and sometimes a different perspective is all you need to conquer your fear. If you choose to face fear straight on, it seems to vanish altogether. Ingenious.

Speaking of great...THE GREAT GATSBY. This is definitely a must-see. As if F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel didn't set my expectations high enough already, the movie was brilliantly executed and I loved every second of it. Everything I imagined it to be and more. Visually striking, visceral, thought-provoking, emotional, festive, and painfully despondent. Modernized but still impeccably classy. And they couldn't have picked a better actor to portray Gatsby; Leonardo DiCaprio absolutely nailed it. I felt every inch of his pain, every ounce of his love, and every jolt of his laughter. Honestly, I just can't wait to see it again. And again. And maybe again. Yeah, it's one of those movies; take my word for it. And don't even get me started on the soundtrack...I'll just leave this here. :)

Mierswa & Kluska is a collaborative project between photographers Andreas Mierswa and Markus Kluska. These gorgeous photographs were taken inside of musical instruments, making them look like large, spacious rooms with wooden walls. I can't get over how well they captured the delicacy of the light streaming in. Transcendent. And I especially love how this first photo of a guitar resembles a grand auditorium with a spotlight on the stage.

Paige Bradley's stunning sculpture, entitled "Expansion," depicts a woman seeking inner peace. Her body is fractured, with light seeping through the cracks, showing the persistent struggle between liberation and being contained. “I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, rather than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if we could expand beyond our bodies? Would we still be able to exist if we were authentically 'un-contained'?" There's some food for thought.

It's hard to believe May has come and gone so quickly. This month has opened my eyes to so many opportunities, and I feel so incredibly blessed. And summer is right around the corner! I've got my reading list, camera, and a deep craving for adventure. I'm ready.

(Less than 2 weeks til school's out!)

xxKristin

Inspiration of the Month {April}

These hand-painted chalkboards by Valerie McKeehan are nothing short of adorable, and every piece is truly unique. Valerie first designs the hand lettering and illustrations in chalk, then meticulously paints over it "using a technique that preserves the realistic look of chalk with the durability of acrylic paint." I'm sure these matte print chalkboard art pieces would look perfect in any home kitchen, coffee shop, or even as wedding decorations! I'm especially loving the John Mayer lyrics. :) Check out more of her chalkboard art at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilyandVal!

I recently discovered this Tree series by Korean photographer Myoung Ho Lee and was immediately mesmerized by the stunning simplicity of each photograph. It's fascinating how something as simple as a white cloth can transform the way we see things. Framing a single tree with a large white background dramatically changes the photograph to create a slight sense of fantasy, as if the tree is just a facade or a photograph within a photograph. It really draws attention to the beautifully exquisite branches and textures that usually fade into the background unnoticed. The tree almost starts to feel a little out of place in its own home if you stare at it long enough. Absolutely breathtaking, aren't they?

Brace yourselves now for "the unseen photographs of a legend that never was." Seriously. Are you ready for this? Vivian Maier was a children's nanny in New York in the 1950s and never showed a single one of her photographs to anyone. Her ~100,000 undeveloped film negatives (shot mostly on her Rolleiflex camera on the streets of New York and Chicago) surfaced decades later in 2007. Unfortunately, Vivian died in 2009 before she could be reached. However, she left behind some of the greatest street photography I have ever laid eyes on. A truly inspiring story and phenomenal photographs that capture raw emotion and the beauty of city life. These are just a few of my favorites (the last one is a self portrait of Vivian herself!):

And last but not least, the Tunnel of Love. And no, I'm not talking about the Springsteen album...I'm talking about a luscious, vibrant green tunnel found deep in the forests of Kleven, Ukraine. I think 'ethereal' would be the best word to describe it, just from what I've seen in photos. The dreamlike tunnel is 1.8 miles long and serves as both a passageway for a private train and a popular spot for lovers. It is believed that if two people are truly in love and cross the tunnel while holding hands, their wishes will come true. Definitely adding it to the top of my list of places to visit before I die. Time to book a flight to Ukraine! Who's coming? :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful month of April! Spring is now in full bloom, which means it's officially time to break out the sunglasses and sandals (...and the Claritin). Let the May celebrations begin!

xx Kristin

Inspiration of the Month {March}

Nina Harcus' "Type Delight" is a recipe book with illustrative handmade food typography that follows the story of Marcelle, a Patisserie Chef who falls in love with typography. As an avid lover of eating, baking, and good typography, this series is especially inspiring to me. I might just have to try it out next time I'm mixing up some cupcakes! Edible typography at its finest.

Satoki Nagata's photoseries "Lights in Chicago" brilliantly captures black and white portraits in the streets of Chicago on cold winter nights. She uses a slow shutter speed and a powerful flash to create abstract photographs that almost look like double exposures. The unpredictable combination of delicate snowfall, city lights, and cold breath makes each photograph especially intriguing. Absolutely stunning, to say the least.

Lately I've been especially fascinated with aerial photographs. In his photo series titled "Honkey Kong," Stockholm-based photographer Christian Åslund positions his subjects to mimic 2D arcade games. Messes with your mind in the best way possible! Here are a few of my favorites:

Below is the music video for "Caves In" by Scott James, directed by Alexander Blackmon and Trevor Thompson. I recently stumbled upon Scott James on YouTube and I instantly fell in love with every song, especially "Caves In" and "Garden." He has such a compelling voice, and with the gentle accompaniment of acoustic guitar and piano, it's flawless. And can we just talk about the video for a second? Impeccable. I've never watched a music video that has evoked within me such a craving to travel; I just wanted to hop on the next train out of here with a guitar on my back, and get lost in the absolute beauty of the world. Complete wanderlust. This particular video was filmed near Stevensville, Montana in 30-degree weather. I honestly have never seen such breathtaking scenery and I'd love to travel there myself someday. The snow-covered railroad tracks, the frosted mountains, the towering pines, everything. The song and video go together perfectly, and I hope you enjoy them both as much as I do! :)

If you're looking for more interesting photos on your Instagram feed, I have a lovely suggestion for you. Check out @withhearts on Instagram, and you will be nothing short of amazed. Corey Staudacher is a designer/photographer from Seattle, and his Instagram photos always blow me away. Here's a sneak peek (and yes, the wonderfully talented boys and girl of The Lumineers are featured in one of these photos):

Hope everyone had a wonderful month of March! Here's to an even better April! Happy Spring :)

xx Kristin

a d v e n t u r e

My heart is pulsating

with the incessant desire
to travel the world.

To breathe the air
of a place unbeknownst
to my tethered soul.

You are the places
I've never been.

You are the sights
I've never seen.

You are the ground
beneath my feet
that guides
my wandering steps.

You are the fire

in my heart,
burning with the

irrepressible cravings

of adventure.

k.y.

Inspiration Palette {Nature}

Lately I've been really into forests, plants, wood textures, army green, and exploring the outdoors. Our world is filled with phenomenal creations around every corner, and it's up to us to discover them. Get out there and soak it all in; beauty surrounds us everywhere we go.

xx Kristin