Spanish photographer Lola Guerrera created her series ‘Nebula Humilis’ in the deserts of Mexico and I love the juxtaposition of harsh, neutral rock formations and soft, vibrant plumes of coloured smoke. The red image really feels like a magical volcano, don’t you think? (p.s. I am a huge fan of this coloured smoke movement in art. Take a look at my other two postings on the subject here and here).
(photographs via lola guerrera)
What are these intriguing pans of shimmering colour? Perhaps liquid metal or coloured glass? Nope, they are stainless steel trays full of Listerine mouthwash. Created by Canadian artist Steve Bishop, the pieces are proof that real beauty can come from the everyday colour that infuses our daily lives. In this case, the colours are (from top) Listerine’s Cool Mint, Freshburst and Clean Mint. Steve has a gift for turning simple materials and objects into fascinating work. See more here.
Lately it feels like FedEx is leading the way in making clever and effective ads with a handmade sensibility. Remember the parcel via windows one I posted about a few months ago? The latest effort is this advertisement for less urgent shipping between Canada and the US created by BBDO Toronto. We travel between Montreal and Miami via a route of toppling domino-like FedEx boxes and spot many landmarks and geographical features on our journey. The craftsmanship of the set and all of its purple details is fantastic. I can’t even imagine how much work this set-up required nor the terror of having what appears to be one take to do it in. It also warms my heart when a company embraces the creative possibilities of their brand colour the way FedEx has here. The ad is exploded in their signature purple. I’m not sure why a Canadian goose needs to mail a puppy a hockey stick but when the results are this good, who cares why! Both purple offices are fabulously designed from purple dog bones to the purple bow tie-clad goose’s desk photos of his wife and the man at the park who feeds him. How about his poster with the fitting quote “C’est la V”? I love this ad because it not only shows how a brand colour can be explored but it highlights that any company, from tiny to insanely large like FedEx, can make make a unique and truly creative advertisement.
I spotted these rings on the Beso Beso website and stopped in my tracks. What is the source of such glimmering, richly saturated hues? It appears to be “sparkling Brazillian semi-precious miniature-crystalline amethyst stones”. That is one stunning shade of magenta. Of course nature is responsible for it! (love the geometric shapes as well…)
(photographs via beso beso; to shop, go here)
These photos are a year or so old but I find myself returning to stare at them almost weekly so I thought I would make my obsession official by posting them here! Most perfume ads are pretty boring – either still shots of the perfume bottle or some variation of a beautiful model or celebrity living a fabulous, good-smelling life. For the launch of the Marc Jacobs Lola perfume, photographer Joshua Scott wanted to break that mould and simply capture the essence of the perfume. As Joshua has said, “we designed a series of images to represent intangible qualities the perfumes possesses… to photograph the product without actually photographing the product but rather the ideas and emotions that combine to create the product.” Using glitter, feathers, bouncy balls and confetti in the colours of the perfume bottle, Joshua certainly captures the playful, joyful and exuberant spirit of Lola. I love this refreshing and artful take on a perfume ad and hope it is the start to more innovation in the genre. How magnificent is the colour palette!? The first photo featured of dazzling, vividly-hued glitter exploding into the air is definitely one of my favourite photos ever.
(images via joshua scott)
It was very windy in Vancouver yesterday and it made me think about my trip to Montreal last year. On a similarly windy day, I spotted a great piece of street art based on dance steps. It was a fairly large and fascinating drawing so I was trying to capture every angle. In one shot, my orchid coloured scarf caught the wind and flew into frame. I didn’t even notice until I went through my photos at home. I love when colour shows up unexpectedly and almost magically. It wasn’t a planned or professionally composed photo but it makes me happy nonetheless!
(photographs by chloé douglas)
I love watching the Oscars and especially the Oscar fashion. Among the hundreds of gowns, there always seem to be colour trends that emerge. Last night was no exception as bright red, shades of purple and sparkling metallics took centre stage. While a black dress will always be an elegant Hollywood classic, it was nice to see so much vibrant colour showcased. My favourites colours and gowns on the red carpet were Natalie Portman in fuschia Rodarte, Sandra Bullock in scarlet Vera Wang, Cate Blanchett in lilac Givenchy, Mila Kunis in lavender Elie Saab, Helen Mirren in metallic taupe Vivienne Westwood, Halle Berry in sparkly champagne Marchesa and Hilary Swank in silver ombré Gucci. I loved the mix of lilac and yellow leather pearls and crystals on Cate Blanchett’s high fashion gown. In addition to an unexpectedly gorgeous colour palette, it really stands out as a work of art. What were your favourites?
(images via elle, styleite & just jared)
The colour lavender has always confused me. In fabric, products and furniture, it is almost always a pastel or light shade of violet. In nature, its namesake flower lavender is brilliant royal purple. The description on wikipedia doesn’t clarify much – “a wide range of pale, light, medium, or greyish violet colours, as well as some pale or light pinkish, magenta, or purple colours as well as some pale or light blueish-indigo colours.” That definitely doesn’t help! In any case, it is a beautiful shade in all of its many forms. In particular, lavender fields are stunning expanses of bright purple that must be incredible to see in person.
(images via national geographic, travel vista, charlie waite)
