I've made "The Choice"

How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

Literally turned the last page of Nicholas Sparks’ book The Choice, a tale about the trails sent to test the ultimate tie between staying true to a loved one’s wishes and the hope that, that love will remain alive.

From the author of Message in a Bottle, Walk to Remember and the modern heart griping story The Notebook all best seller novels, most have which were earmarked for films before they had been published. Nicholas Sparks has experience real adversity throughout his life and he draws from these to create stories that captivate his audience which lays close to reality and completely relates to the reader on so many levels.

If The Notebook is any indicator then every girl and most the guys I know are itching in their seats with the release of Sparks’ newest addition to movie magic. Dear John is currently making me weak at the knees replaying this beautiful trailer. Which I’ve included!

Kisses in the rain critical romantic cliché but mesmerising, nothing I wouldn’t expect from a Nicholas Sparks masterpiece, the next Notebook I think so. In cinemas on the 14^th April 2010 I’ll be front of the queue and back of the cinema prime position with tissues at the ready, set to be a teary heart string puller with the absolutely gorgeous Channing Tatum. Perfect!

Another story still beginning written after being handed the screen play by Sparks, showing that his name on anything promises any project to turn gold dust covered loveliness. The Love Song introduces Miley Cyrus to a serious role in these long waited motion picture film being release later in the year.

I, like many love to follow their favourite author, but I feel that Nicholas Sparks has already stolen by heart and am heading straight to Waterstones to purchase the rest. Till next time x

Take a Bow

Wanted this post to be short and sweet, overloading my blog with a too much recently that no one will enjoy so these is just a Rene Graua painting and my transcription of it! Enjoy x

My version on canvas with acrylics,

And of course.... Vogue

The Dreamy David Downton

I’ve had to remain calm after putting this post together as I didn’t want it to become flooded with hundred of paintings from in my opinion one of the great fashion illustrators; David Downton.

His work for projects including book covers, advertising and obviously fashion are for big names including M&S, Fenwick, Harper’s Bazaar, Chanel and like many of my featured artists Vogue.

The campaign which really interested me was crafting a collaboration with Oxfam and David Downton to produce a boutique style store front. This really intrigued me as my home town is full of charity shops which bring the aesthetics of the centre of town down making it look drab and dreary. I understand the great work that charities do and that their funding come from clothes sales, but I hope that others follow Oxfam’s trend. This image has been taken from an existing painting which can be seen on David’s website www.daviddownton.com

The first time I experienced David Downton was seeing the brochure for the The Golden Age of Couture exhibition at the V&A attended, the image reflects the beautiful gowns shown which the collection.

This is a fantastic book I would recommend to any lover of fashion illustrations, with full colour images and an amazing assortment of fashion through the ages a must have for your book shelf.

David’s illustrations including numerous celebrity sittings a recently addition is Julia Roberts for Lancome. Julia Roberts star of my favourite film (My Best Friend’s Wedding) looks radiant, fresh and fun. David captures his models that makes their splendour magnified to create a photo like quality that many profile artists struggle with.

This would have to be my favourite painting which I’m currently in the process of transcribing its palette is bold, crisp and expertly contrasted with the background. Love it!

Finally I couldn’t not leave without showing you the covers to celebrate Australian Vogue’s 50^th Birthday, not just one but four lovely images of Cate Blanchett.

Henry Clarke Inescapably Elegance

Black and white photography has always had the ability to make me appreciate the form and the ultimate photographer that can make any woman beauty is the infamous Henry Clarke. The images I have chosen I fell head over heels with, the light and dark contrast makes the model’s couture nearly as impressive as their radiating femininity.

Balenciaga 1954

Henry Clarke was born in Los Angeles (Where I’m set to visit this August 2010) in 1917; son of Irish immigrates to California, like most young men found it hard to get work in the consumerist environment. He traveller east and gain work Conda Nast Studio, this is where he experienced the changing face of post-war fashion photography.

Suzy Parker, Billowy Bow-tied coat by Pertegaz 1954

Quickly He became fascinated with photography moving away from growing trends, staying with the high elegance and whimsy approach. Knowing the importance capturing the fast moving pace of the industry, small portable cameras was key. With his twin-lensed Rolleiflex camera and guidance from Alexey Brodovitch the fairy godfather of successful photographers, and with his own legendary reputation of the new photography, this was Clarke’s turning point.

Combining the fantasy of fashion and the energy of photography Clarke’s career became when he decided against the culture tide and moved to Paris. Only elements of his American beginnings remained as he accepted commissions from French magazines.

By the Mid-fifties he was working exclusively for Vogue, his opinion that although fashion is extraordinary that it is only something we put on our backs and unlike other photographers emerging in this period, he never victimised woman showing their beauty at the forefront of his images.

Clarke creates swan like necks and playful seductive forms through the use of props, he shows the make-believe become inescapably real.

As always leaving the best till last, featured in Vogue 1954 this image is a truly wistful photograph capturing the elegance of the model but has that edge of New York glamour. The pose hides the models face in a way to create mystery; the fashion becomes second to the contrast in colour. Henry Clarke died on 2006 in Paris the city of couture.

Warhol's Wonderful Work

“Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”

Andy Warhol full of whitty remarks and with his own style that changed and made pop art a genre itself, completely recognisable and one of the most influential artists of the 20^th Century! Ten years on from the turn of the century this icon still resonates, even more then 20 years after his death.

The 60s have been illustrated by Warhol by images reflecting the popular culture including Campbell’s Soup and (what seems to have become a running theme in my blog) Marilyn Monroe. Warhol was born in Pennsylvania 1928, studying at Carnegie Institute of Technology where he majored in pictorial design (Proving that good things do come out of a Carnegie University.) Moving to New York allowed him to illustrate for magazines; (You know you have made it when its...) Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and The New Yorker, also doing commissioned advertising and window displays for retail stores. Warhol enjoyed a successful career as commercial artist but by that stage he had made it in his own right, producing exhibitions throughout 1950s.

Warhol also was creative through film and even had his two of his own television series, “Andy Warhol’s TV” in 1982 and “Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes” for MTV in 1986. Warhol’s work has changed a decade, and is still relevant today. Fashion collection; Andy Warhol by Pepe Jeans London Autumn/Winter 2008 collection.

Six Handbags 1958

A personal favourite of my housemate’s with constant demands in her own transcribed version, an unknown painting and at first glance not a classic Warhol piece, framed in an gorgeous vintage pictorial way.

My love of vintage advertising material and vogue covers is concreted by this Vogue Paris cover Dec/Jan issue 83 to 82 of Caroline de Monaco by Andy Warhol.

Photo Booth Self-Portrait 1968

“Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.” by Andy Warhol 1928-1987

Anna Knights' Botanical Beauty

This bold contemporary artist provides detailed and an intimate insight into the botanical world, Anna Knights was the main subject for my A Level Art project and ever since I have been following her work.

Self taught artist grew up in West Sussex surrounded by the beauty of the English countryside, she takes a modern twist to the traditional art of botanical painting, using water colours to capture the delicate and perfection of nature.

All of Anna’s paintings I simply adore so I have choose a couple of my favourite to share, and also am very tempted of the offer of 12 greeting cards for £16 featured on her website www.annaknights.co.uk, now that’s the perfect gift! (tint tint)

This painting of the Stargazer Lily, was one that became a focal point within my own development and inspiration throughout my A Level project, having transcribed this print myself I appreciate the aspects which are so accurate and also aesthetically pleasing.

Anna Knights’ Red Pelargonium makes this simple flower appear to be structured and strong with the vibrate red against the white background up lifting it from the page. The use of this background is common in Anna’s paintings.

Another of my favourites purely because my best friends garden is full of these Alliums so this reminds me of her and enjoying a summer afternoon. Again the unusual positioning of the flower makes the subject interesting and realistic.

The Iris for me represents homage to tradition botanical illustration due to the fact that Meg Page’s famous iris paintings resemble drawings which would have been brought back from great exhibitions to new worlds, the first taste of these unknown flowers in a time when photography was yet to be invented.

I had to leave this painting last, one which I only discovered when research Anna again, but is my favourite flower, the blue bell meaning Delicacy and Humility, a constant reminder of the woodlands of Suffolk. (see previous post, Sufflok by Rhian Brighton)

The Time Traveler's Wife

After finishing this book I had to recommend it as a must read, The Times Traveler’s Wife (rrp £7.99) was originally a Richard and Judy’s summer read and now has been made into a major motion picture. Audrey Niffenegger’s writes a mesmerising old fashion love story, in a modern setting with a startling twist. The Impossible possibilities of this tale make it a difficult read (my friends have tried and not been able to follow the interchangeable time constants, although I’m urging them and you to try again.)

I’m excited to watch the film which is available on DVD now. With Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams I know I’m in for a treat, if it’s half as beautiful as the book I know I’ll experience a timeless elegy to love and loss.