#thetwokeyspress

[thetwokeyspress]

Phillip Brittan

In 2012, England based photographer Phillip Brittan set about making a beautiful set of images called "Autumn River". What you should know about Phillip Brittan is he doesn't just take photographs the way you or I may, you know - using a camera the way it was intended. Instead he experiments and explores and sometimes tosses his camera into rivers. In the artists own words, "I believe it is also important that photographers help to awaken viewers to the spectacular beauty and variety of wildness that still exists, and often lies just beyond their house or car windscreen, if they can only be encouraged to look. The less the natural world is known visually and imaginatively, the easier it is to dispose of morally and politically".

- katie

[thetwokeyspress]

Portraits of Joseph Todorovitch

Joseph Todorovitch is a California-based artist who, despite his youth, seems to be effortlessly resurrecting an older style in both his sketches and paintings. 

For more information on Todorovitch, check out this beautiful video on his life and work:

Joseph Todorovitch

- amanda

[thetwokeyspress]

Xiao Yang

Beijing-based photographer Xiao Yang is an artist I essentially know nothing about. Her photostream on flickr (username: inhiu) has dazzled me over and over again. Through a quick scroll you'll notice a lot of vivid and impressive time lapse photographs but if you look closely, through all the lights and long shutter speeds, there lies a series of images called "Love Letters" featuring much more muted colors than their counterparts. Instead they are double exposure portraits featuring old buildings and melancholic backgrounds nestled into the crevices of young faces.

- katie

[thetwokeyspress]

James Mollison

To children (and adults), bedrooms are sacred spaces. A bedroom is a safe space - a place to be surrounded by beloved objects. James Mollison recently completed a book of  56 really fantastic diptychs featuring bedrooms around the world. On the left, a studio style portrait of the bedrooms occupant - a child. On the right, a photograph of their bedroom. Featuring children from all over the world, this project investigates a myriad of cultures while maintaining a cohesive style throughout. Though each child and room and is (very) different, the lighting and portrait set up is the same. Not only are these images beautiful, they are also sometimes heartbreak, sometimes wacky, and always a very interesting look into other worlds. Check out more images on his website, www.jamesmollison.com

-katie

[thetwokeyspress]

Alexander James

What do you get when you combine 200 tons of water and elegant drapery? Incredible underwater portraiture. At least, if you're Alexander James you do. This set is mystical and beautiful and enchanting. I love the way the water has helped create exquisite form -- the compositions are unique and incredibly interesting to the eye. Plus, all the drapery is very reminiscent of the Jane Austen era. I tend to imagine Austen's characters coming to life, and, well, drowning? Wading with style? Whatever is happening, I love it. 

- katie

[thetwokeyspress]

Local Artist Interviews - Anny Crane

Awhile back I had an idea to feature local art here on the press as a way to help readers connect with artists in their area. It is my pleasure to present our first artist: Anny Crane. I was lucky enough to share a couple studio classes with this talented woman; she is vibrant and deliberate, and her work is just beautiful. Show her some love!

Introduce yourself!

My name is Anny Crane and I live in Brooklyn, New York. I currently work in textiles - creating installations and embroidered illustrations by experimenting with handmade paper, machine knitting, and other techniques. You can follow me here, here, and here. I also work at the Textile Arts Center as their Content Production Manager (pretty much my dream job!). I run our blog + social media, as well as manage our new print publication: TAC Magazine.

saint petersburg, or, where could i find you? (2013)

hand embroidery, watercolor, + illustration on handmade paper, with fabric pieces.

handmade paper from books, wildflowers, + banana pulp.

How would you describe your work?

To put it simply, I make paper and then I embroider into it. I like to play with watercolors, fabric, and natural dyes while creating a piece. While I like to keep it focused on a deeper meaning, my work comes out really whimsical, I think.

Who or what has influenced your work the most?

I am really lucky that my job is to be surrounded by wonderfully talented folks. Influence, for me, typically is in the form of drive and motivation. Recently, I was able to have a studio visit with one of my greatest friends, Jessi Hamilton. I love love her work! She is constantly producing and never lets anything get in the way of her work. I really thrive off that...it makes me want to stay awake for days on end, just creating and creating. 

  As far as the actual pieces go, I think like with any artist, I find influence and inspiration from my personal life. I don't let conceptual meaning loom over my shoulders too much while I work, because I really don't want something that feels contrived or forced.

the future hangs over our heads (2012)

hand embroidery, illustration, + watercolor on handmade paper

Describe your creative process or method.

Typically I make mood boards of what is inspiring me in the moment. I make really rough sketches in notebooks just to plot out the generals...but I really enjoy the process of creating a piece. I work with quite delicate materials (paper, fabrics) so I just let things...happen. If the paper rips, I incorporate it into the overall composition, or if a drop stitch happens while knitting...I may even push it further.

  Sometimes I will make a bulk stock of paper, and then as the ideas come, I create an illustration one at a time. Usually I embroider and illustrate interchangeably, but I like to sketch out the composition before I dive into sewing. This current piece I am working on, the installation, I am making the parts simultaneously: machine knit stalactites + stalagmites, and handmade paper clouds. I will spend a day machine knitting, then dipping the pieces in corn starch, and I will spend a day making clouds. Right now I am in the process of working the clouds even further by embroidering into them and also drawing with ink + charcoal.

we are restless things (2013​)

embroidery, ink, + watercolor on handmade paper + handmade coffee dyed paper

Any upcoming projects we should look out for?

While I work mainly in illustrations, I also enjoy experimenting with techniques by taking them out of their traditional use. Lately I have been playing around with machine knitting, which is typically used for clothes production. I have been dipping it in corn starch and playing around with drop stitches Ah! So much fun. 

Currently, my main focus is on an installation I am doing at TAC's Greenwich Village. We have a huge window looking out at West 8th, so my plan is to create this handmade paper + machine knit site specific installation. It's been a great challenge!

  I have also been practicing my tapestry weaving skills, which is so much fun. I have been playing around with found tapestry looms (suitcases, branches, etc), as well as nontraditional warps+wefts.

- amanda

[thetwokeyspress]

Brian Dettmer - Book Autopsies

Brian Dettmer is a New York-based artist that is known for his beautiful alterations of old books or other forms of recycled media. The amount of "book autopsies" he has performed is quite impressive, considering how intricate each piece is. If you love these as much as I do, I encourage you to look at his full online gallery.

These books never cease to amaze me.

- amanda

[thetwokeyspress]

Kevin Snipes Ceramics

Kevin Snipes is a ceramicist with a bit of a drawing obsession. I had the pleasure of viewing a couple of his pieces when NCECA was in Tampa a few years ago. His work is generally not grand in size, but remains incredibly detail-oriented and truly unique.

Kevin Snipes currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.

- amanda