Off topic - Movies I can't wait for! May you also find some inspiration in these!!!

Okay, so besides photography and writing, I'm not only a LOVER of movies, but find SOOO much inspiration within them to continue creating in my own work. I thought I'd post the trailers for the ones (movies) on the horizon I am on the edge of my seat for, in hopes you might, too, find some inspiration and excitement in watching them.


No matter what kind of Photographer you are, I think you'll find something in one of these that gives you a bit of a smile & a bit of a chill!

And PS...Ignore the fact I couldn't quite scale these down enough to lay properly in this post. Sorry 'bout the overlapping of this post ;)




First up we have: "Inception"






To follow that, we now have one that's on the VERY TOP of my 'to see' list: "Alice in Wonderland"





Next up, we have a favorite book from my childhood "Where the Wild Things Are" (a total classic) that's finally been made into a movie!!!





Moving along... give this one a spin: "Avatar" by James Cameron. (an epic Action/Adventure)





And Lastly, just to chill your bones, I thought I'd mention the eagerly anticipated "Shutter Island"






Talk soon-
Ash ;)

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AUGUST ARTIST SPOTLIGHT! - Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir

Alright, everyone - I know it's been a year(!!!) since I ran this feature here on the blog, but it's always been a fun time when I do, and so I'm picking it back up now that I'm able to, and plan to have this be a monthly event in which I spotlight someone who's talent, vision, and kindness deserve a mention.

So, let's hit the ground running...

Today I am featuring the very well known, and incredibly talented Icelandic female Photographer: Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir. If you are a fellow Flickrite, you may already be well acquainted with her work and photostream in which she shares everything from her gorgeous Icelandic long exposures, to her pencil sketches, to her more surreal multiplicity shots.

Rebekka has received international attention for her unique work, and has been featured in everything from The New York Times to the BBC to an advertising campaign for Toyota Prius.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Rebekka, and below you will find the answers to my questions as well as a self portrait of this artist, and selected works she has chosen from every branch of her creative flow, that she feels best represent and illustrate her vision and style as both a visual artist, and photographer.

The Artist, Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir...





Q:What is your full name?
A:Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir



Q: Where in the world are you located?
A: Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. Smallish town just outside the capital of Reykjavík.


Q: Self taught or schooled?
A: A little bit of both. I graduated with a BA degree in visual arts in may 2009. However, much of my time at Icelands Academy of the Arts was spent experimenting on my own, rather than learning from the teachers there. I learned the basics of how SLR cameras work thru school, but all photoshop skills and the more creative camera tricks i’ve employed have come from playing around with the basic knowledge i had already.



Q: How would you best describe your work?
A: Well, obviously some of my photography is more straightforward- portraits and landscapes in which i aim to capture some essence of the subject not easily seen (i.e. the extreme long exposure used for most of my landscapes). My more artistic work, mostly the selfportraits and the more recent doll photos, i like to think of as surreal , moody or dreamlike fragments of stories without a beginning or end, which the viewer is free to interpret as they wish. My goal with my art is to cause some kind of emotion, wether good or bad. If it touches someone, i’ve succeeded in that.



Q: How about yourself?... Who is the woman behind the lens when she's not behind the lens?
A: I’m an extremely down-to-earth mom of two boys, (age 9 and 11 at the moment). I spend much of my time knitting sweaters, (which i make to order and sell) , I love to run (did a half-marathon last year), lift weights, read a lot. The least of my time is actually spent taking pictures, but I use the time when I'm doing other things to let my imagination wander and gather ideas.



Q: How did you get into photography?
A: In 2005 (the year I started my visual arts studies and also started using Flickr), I realized how BIG the medium of photography is. That a camera, paired with a creative mind and helped along by photoshop, could be used to create basically anything my mind could conjure up, and this realization was staggeringly exciting. My previous plan of learning how to paint was replaced with learning everything I could about photography. Needless to say, the learning process is ongoing, and with each goal i reach, or idea I succeed in getting out of my head and into a picture, I set some loftier, harder-to-reach goal. I'm never quite content, but i believe that's necessary in order to remain passionate about what you do.



Q: What was the first camera you ever owned?
A: First one I bought was a canon Ixus point-and-shoot, which i thougth was awesome at the time (2004). However, I did sortof adopt my dads old film camera, a ’74 canon, around 2000, when I took my first course in b&w film photography and darkroom procedure. I’ve used it quite a bit.



Q: What gear do you work with now, and what piece could you not live without?
A: I’ve been using the same Canon Eos 5D since July 2006. Bought it when I (surprisingly) got a rather big assignment to do an ad campaign for Toyota Prius. Haven’t done anything like that since, and can’t say I’m sorry. Great learning experience, but a commercial photographer i am NOT.



Q: What do you find to be your greatest inspiration(s) as a photographer & artist?
A: Very hard to say. Early on I was very inspired by Surrealism, and Cindy Sherman (almost a cliché to admit that, but its true). More recently I was very impressed by the work of Gregory Crewdson and Sandy Skoglund. Not that my work is anything like theirs, but I’m thrilled at the idea of putting HUGE amounts of work into photographs. Being not just photographer but art director, creating props, really pulling out all the stops to achieve the image you see in your head. That’s something I aspire to in my future work. Up until now I’ve been fiercly independant, only ONCE had someone assist me on a photoshoot . That was when I managed to convince Icelands Minister of Education to “loan” me her office , so I could dump a bunch of paper airplanes on her floor and pretend to be a business lady. My best friend came along for that, mostly for moral support, because i was nervous as hell. Some of the ideas knocking around in my head are too big for me to do alone, so I’ll be forced sooner or later to set aside me do-it-yourself rule.



Q: What project(s) are you currently focusing on?
A: I’m actually focusing more on drawing than photography at the moment. I recently found a renewed interest in pencil drawing, something I was fully immersed in before photography swept me off my feet. I’m interested now somehow balancing the two mediums, letting them complement each other.



Q: Any exhibitions or publications this year?
A: In May I was the featured artist of the month on the Nevica Project, which is an online gallery featuring works by young unknown artists and big names alike. I'm quite pleased to have my name listed on there alongside such artists as Sally Mann, Richard Serra, Robert Rauchenberg and Chuck Close. http://www.thenevicaproject.com/gallery.htm



Q: Name one thing people who follow your work may not know about you (either personally or professionally).
A: All of my image processing is done on a Macbook Pro, using only the touch pad. No mouse, no wacom tablet, no extra monitor. I'm extremely lazy about updating my equipment.


Q: What is YOUR favorite piece you've ever taken, and give us the back story to that photo...
A: That's a tough one. There are several which stand out for me, but if pressed I would say that my graduation piece is one I myself am most satisfied with. It's a series of 5 images, titled "The Myth of Happily Ever After". With preparations, it took me over a month to realize this idea. I created props for the first time - built a window, modeled rats and mice out of clay, created a bunch of giant flowers that ultimately weren't used- and convinced a building contractor to allow me the use of a huge, empty apartment for an entire weekend. The all-white interior and large windows allowed for a very empty atmosphere and natural lighting, so that my four young models (age 5-10) seem to be almost floating in a non-place, a void or a dreamlike state. Each image shows a scene with at first glance may seem beautiful, innocent or sweet, but carries a more ominous undertone. I also did a lot of work on getting an overall appearance I was satisfied with (thru a lot of trial and error) and while I'm not going to disclose how exactly I did that, it was NOT done in photoshop, tho of course i did some preliminary processing in PS at first (eliminating the lines where walls meet floor and ceiling, mostly.)


Q: What advice would you give other photographers that are just starting out?
A: Keep your mind open.


Selected Works...








To learn more about Rebekka, and her work, you may visit her:

Website
Online Print Store
Flickr Gallery

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And there you have it!
I hope you've enjoyed this artist spotlight, and thanks for visiting the blog!
If you would like to be considered for this monthly feature, please email me at: info@bottlebellphotography.com with a link to your website or online gallery.

Talk soon & Best Always-
Ashley Lebedev | Bottle Bell Photography

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LET'S NETWORK & MY MID-YEAR ROUNDUP!!!

Hey Readers-

I know it's been awhile! This season has been magical (to say the least).
Hope you all have been very well !!!

The weather couldn't be any more beautiful, here in the midwest, and I've tried to take special advantage of it, by spending as much time outside (shooting) as I possibly can. Although, I do wish we were having more thunderstorms. I think we have had only 2, which seems very odd for summertime?

I wanted to do a mid-year roundup post, today, though, and mention my social networks, so that in case you are cruising by or one of my readers, you'd be able find me on not only one, but all of them.

So, in no particular order, I'll lay them out :)

My Website
Twitter
Flickr
Facebook
Myspace
Deviant Art
JPG Mag

Sooo, if you are on any of those, and we are not yet acquainted, please feel free to add me. :)

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In other news, I am going to be starting back up with my 'Artist Spotlight' feature within the next few weeks, which I am very excited about. If you know of an artist that deserves to be spotlighted, please message me so I can be introduced to their work, if I've not yet heard about or seen their work :)

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Lastly, since I want to keep this blog post short, and sweet, the latest book, "In Her Own Image" from the Female Self Portrait Artist Support Group, on FLICKR, is about to be made available for purchase to the public. I've received my copy - (I went with a softcover), and it's just beautifully done. The book will be available through BLURB. It will be available at THIS LINK when it's been made public. For now, you can page through their first book: "She Took Her Own Picture" which has been available to the public for some time. All proceeds from the second book, "In Her Own Image" (as mentioned in a previous post) go to an international women's charity, who go by the name "Madre".

And that's IT ... for now :p

I'll leave you with a simple, (more candid than usual portrait of myself), taken just a few days ago, while I had the lovely opportunity to take an afternoon off, and go play with my first camera - a vintage film Pentax, in a neighboring, GIGANTIC wheat field.

Thanks soo much for viewing!
Best always-
Ash | Bottle Bell

...A little Inspiration...

"I have loved to the point of madness,
That which is called madness,
That which to me,
Is the only sensible way to love..."

-(F. Sagan)

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“Today you are You. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You...” -(Dr. Seuss)

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"Remember, failure is an event, NOT a person..." -Dick Innes

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Please watch this video, and BE INSPIRED:

The book I am published within: "In Her Own Image" is FINALLY HERE!!!

Hello All!!

I know it's been an eternity since I posted on the blog.
So it's about time!

I've been sitting on this exciting news for a while now, and am so excited to finally be able to share and promote this excitement-

Please find below a few pictures of the front and back of "In Her Own Image", A masterpiece work, which features 316 pages of beautiful imagery by 87 self portrait artists (including myself). 4 of my own finest self portraits as well as biography are in this tome.



A few excerpts from the book...

About the Book:

"In Her Own Image" is the second publication by the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group, a collective of both professional and amateur female photographers from around the globe."


About the Photographers:

"We come from different parts of the world, and many walks of life. We range in age, ethnicity, culture, and creed. What we share is a passion for self portraiture, and a commitment to supporting and furthering each others photography in a constructive environment."

This book will be available in both softcover & hardcover with dust jacket, and available for purchase to the public within days, and will be available through Blurb.com. I will keep you posted the moment it's available for public purchase, and with prices for both here in the USA, and abroad. :) Thanks for viewing.

Ashley | Bottle Bell

Announcement: Art Giveaway WINNERS!!!

Hello Friends-

Hope you are all very well!

Over the last few weeks, I've been very busy. The Art of Photography show opened in San Diego with my piece on exhibit, and from what I hear, was a great success, with over 1,500 people showing up to the reception alone! I also turned 25! Yes...a quarter of a century old. I had a fantastic and memorable Birthday celebration.

Anyway... This post is really all about the art giveaway!
Firstly, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who entered the giveaway. I look forward to getting to know all of you better, and am very thankful to each of you for taking the time to both introduce yourself, and for subscribing. :)

The winners were drawn at random, and if you didn't win this time, don't worry... I plan on holding these giveaways a few times a year.

In the words of Arsène Bessette ( a Canadian writer), "Art must be free. Where there is no freedom, there is no Art..." I subscribe to that notion, and can't wait to hold these from time to time in support of that message, though I may be taking it's meaning in it's most literal interpretation. ;)

The winners are as follows:

*Hayley (hayhayhollywood)
*Blake
*Garret
*Jeanette V (Messenger Bird)

Congrats to all of the winners!

If you see your name listed above, please send your address to:
info@bottlebellphotography.com so that I can get your new artwork to you!!!

And, for those of you wondering what artwork you've won?....I've decided to keep it a suprise! :)

Again, Thank you to all who entered, and I look forward to receiving your addresses.
Until next time-
Ashley, Bottle Bell Photography

April Roundup, Announcements, and Summer Casting Updates...

Hello Readers-
Spring is here! Finally, right??
I feel like it's been so long since I've posted, though I've been busy every moment.
I wanted to take the time to cover about a million things, so here I go.......

Exhibitions:

*I've just wrapped up my first solo exhibition at Corazon Boutique & Gallery, in Minneapolis. My 12 week tour was immensely successful, and I'd like to thank both the owner Susan Zdon, and buyer/manager, Hilary Brasel for allowing me to show at both locations.

*Also... I am very honored and excited to officially announce I've been chosen to be featured in the upcoming "Art of Photography Show" in San Diego, California. The selection process was extremely exclusive. There were only 102 artists chosen out of over 12,200 entrants, from 46 countries! I was beaming when I found out I was to be included in their show. The opening reception is on April 25th from 6-9 p.m., at the Lyceum Theatre Gallery in San Diego. Though I will not be able to make the reception, I hope some of my lovely California friends will drop in on the show, and let me know how it looks. ;)

Modeling/Casting Updates:

Now that it's Spring, not only do I get to be warmer, and turn 25 years old, but I also get to start working on NEW COLLECTIONS with NEW MODELS! I am currently casting for 2 Conceptual, Fine Art Collections, and will be shooting now, and throughout the Spring and Summer. If you live in Minnesota, or Wisconsin (or surrounding), and are interested in working with me on a TFP* basis, please email me your headshot, or drop me a line at: info@bottlebellphotography.com
You must be willing to travel to one of my two locations... In Minnesota, I shoot about 50 miles West of Mpls. on a 12 acre private estate. If you live in Wisconsin, I shoot in St. Croix Falls. All of my work is on location, and Conceptual.

Makeup Artists:

A call to Makeup Artists! This one is simple - I need your rates, and best (1-2) portfolio photo(s)! I am looking to work exclusively with one - two GREAT makeup artists this Spring/Summer on all of my shoots. This does not need to be on a TFP* basis. You, of course, will be paid for your work. If you are a makeup artist, and are looking for unique pictures for your portfolio, drop me a line at: info@bottlebellphotography.com

Art Giveaway:

This one is fun. I've decided I will be giving away a few select pieces of my artwork (all are beautifully matted) to those who read my blog. FREE! To qualify, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your name, and subscribe to my blog via the "subscribe to this blog" button on the right hand side of the page. Absolutely anyone is eligible as long as you leave a comment and subscribe to the right. (Friends, Family, Strangers, High School Buddies, Myspacers, Facebookers, Flickr Contacts, Professional Contacts, Fellow Artists... Anyone.) I will be picking a few winners at random in the coming weeks. It's my way of saying thank you for reading the blog, and introducing yourself. :) Of Note, as well: You don't need a blogger acct. to post a comment. You can post just by using your name. :)

Publications:

And last, but not at all least, I am being published and featured in a 5 page spread by a local (MPLS) magazine. Because I do not yet know the particulars, I will leave it at that for now, but am very excited about the spread, and will post more (including which mag) when I know the details.

That's it!
Pheew.

Thank you for reading!
Ashley | Bottle Bell

PS... Please find below one of my latest self portraits, for an upcoming self portrait exhibiton. :)