Tribute

For those of you who follow rock and metal music, you may be aware of the Chicago band called Disturbed.
They have sold over 12 million records and continue to inspire audiences around the world.
I have dedicated my new gallery to them which shares the same name as their 5th studio album; “Asylum”.
The images I have selected for this collection match the band’s intensity.
Prints are available for purchase, email me for details.

www.melissamercier.com/ASYLUM.html

Hipstamatic “Mods Out” Your Iphone To Create Groovy Photos For Designers!

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEVER LOOKED SO ANALOG

You’ve fallen into the inevitable creative slump, and can’t seem to shake it?  May I suggest the Hipstamatic for Iphone app?

Juvenile Shoe Store

For approximately $5.00, “…the Hipstamatic for iPhone brings back the look, feel, unpredictable beauty, and fun of plastic toy cameras from the past. “

Until recently, I never left my home without my Nikon D300.  Then came my introduction to the Hipstamatic application for my Iphone.

Now, I find myself shooting with only my Iphone!  My designer clients love the images for their projects, have purchased many photos, and have requested that I shoot even more.

There are several types of ‘old school’ films and lenses to choose from, and are interchangeable with a swipe of your finger.

Although the process works extremely well on older subject matter, it may also be used with modern architecture, florals and landscapes to help you stand out from the crowd.

I hope you will agree that using Hipstamatic proves the point that a great photo doesn’t always mean the photographer needs to use expensive equipment.

If you would like to see more Hipstamatic images, visit my website, or Flickr photostream.

Now get out there and start shooting!

Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Review: A fine Art Photographer’s Impression

I’ve been using the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Since the end of May and I’ve been completely blown away by the quality of the prints I’m getting out of this machine.
Trust me, I am a stickler when it comes to detail, and all I can say is wow!
Let’s face it, the quality of the print is what ultimately matters, and this printer has surpassed my expectations in every way.
I was able to test a variety of Epson paper which impressed me before I even started printing. The quality of the paper is extraordinary. I’ve personally always preferred a gloss finish, but I was equally taken by the matte papers, mostly the Velvet Fine Art. I would recommend picking up your Epson paper at a local store if possible as apposed to delivery to ensure it arrives in the proper condition.
I am not a “tech head” by any means, but this didn’t stop me from getting rolling quite fast. I had the 3880 out of the box and printing within minutes.
It’s relatively straight forward to get going. I would prefer to print straight out of Photoshop (you should to be able to according to the manual but I couldn’t figure it out). Although it was extremely simple to use “Color Burst”, the Epson software that the printer comes with.
Ever had a luxury car pull up beside you and you can’t tell if the engine is running because it’s so quiet? Well, the 3880 is the luxury car of printers. I often had to really focus visually to confirm it was actually printing, Needless to say it’s an extremely quiet machine. I guess luxury car is a good analogy, as this printer is as fast as it is quiet. I wish it accepted rolls, as I would have liked to print some longer images, however, if 17 x 22 works for your images this system works perfectly. Front loading worked extremely well, but I did find the back loading mechanism a little finicky.
One of the biggest pet peeves I’ve had with printers in the past is I always seem to be running out of ink. Not so with this printer. In fact, I was astounded at how long the ink in this machine keeps giving. I’m not sure what the scientists and technicians at Epson are doing, but keep up the good work! I would recommend this printer to absolutely anyone who is looking for high quality, usability and a long lasting printing experience.

Happy printing!

To buy: www.epson.ca

Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Review: A fine Art Photographer’s Impression

I’ve been using the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Since the end of May and I’ve been completely blown away by the quality of the prints I’m getting out of this machine.
Trust me, I am a stickler when it comes to detail, and all I can say is wow!
Let’s face it, the quality of the print is what ultimately matters, and this printer has surpassed my expectations in every way.
I was able to test a variety of Epson paper which impressed me before I even started printing. The quality of the paper is extraordinary. I’ve personally always preferred a gloss finish, but I was equally taken by the matte papers, mostly the Velvet Fine Art. I would recommend picking up your Epson paper at a local store if possible as apposed to delivery to ensure it arrives in the proper condition.
I am not a “tech head” by any means, but this didn’t stop me from getting rolling quite fast. I had the 3880 out of the box and printing within minutes.
It’s relatively straight forward to get going. I would prefer to print straight out of Photoshop (you should to be able to according to the manual but I couldn’t figure it out). Although it was extremely simple to use “Color Burst”, the Epson software that the printer comes with.
Ever had a luxury car pull up beside you and you can’t tell if the engine is running because it’s so quiet? Well, the 3880 is the luxury car of printers. I often had to really focus visually to confirm it was actually printing, Needless to say it’s an extremely quiet machine. I guess luxury car is a good analogy, as this printer is as fast as it is quiet. I wish it accepted rolls, as I would have liked to print some longer images, however, if 17 x 22 works for your images this system works perfectly. Front loading worked extremely well, but I did find the back loading mechanism a little finicky.
One of the biggest pet peeves I’ve had with printers in the past is I always seem to be running out of ink. Not so with this printer. In fact, I was astounded at how long the ink in this machine keeps giving. I’m not sure what the scientists and technicians at Epson are doing, but keep up the good work! I would recommend this printer to absolutely anyone who is looking for high quality, usability and a long lasting printing experience.

Happy printing!

To buy: www.epson.ca

The Living History Forum

During a recent trip to Sweden, I discovered a discreet, yet bold exhibition in the old city that I wanted to share with the world. The (In)Human exhibition is part of The Living History Forum —  a Swedish public authority which, using the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity as a starting point, works with issues on tolerance, democracy and human rights from both a national and international perspective.

Passing through a row of shelves, I noticed human remains, such as a skull that was once part of a Swedish high school’s collections for categorizing and so-called social engineering. White showcases dominate the hall since the colour is reminiscent of hospital wards or laboratories. (In)Human is set to run until the spring of 2011 when it will be downsized and shown in a touring exhibition by the Swedish Travelling Exhibitions agency.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.levandehistoria.se/english

QLOCKTWO by Biegert

For those of us who have still not gotten over the trauma of learing to read a numbered face-clock in first grade, this sleek, type-based clock by Beirgert & Funk seems like a comforting resolution (although it may not have become usefull until 2nd grade advanced reading class). The front panel of this stunning piece is made of polished acrylic glass and the frame, from lacquered wood.

QLOCKTWO makes you pause and allows a different view of time. The typographic front combines the moment with the written word and makes it a statement. „It is half past eight.“

This clock forms a perfect square and seems to hover freely at the wall. A matrix with symmetrically arranged characters constitutes another square in the interior. Some of these characters shine in pure white to form words that describe time. - QLOCKTWO

The front surface is made of polished acrylic glass. The lacquered wooden body supports it by means of eight magnets. That way the front surface can be replaced without visible attachments. There are satin stainless steel or five colours of polished synthetic glass to choose from, each generating contrasts or consistencies in interplay with their surroundings.

When it is activated, the timer sets itself exact to the second and adjusts the brightness of the characters to ambient light. QLOCKTWO is available in several languages, you only need the appropriate front panel.

All colours are each available in german, english, french, italian, dutch, russian, danish, norwegian, swedish, arabic, swiss german, portuguese, catalan and spanish.

Matthew Palladino

In Matthew Palladino ‘s most recent work, surreal-esque renderings come to life in watercolour on cold pressed paper.

Hoover Dam

I have a bit of a concrete fetish. I’ve always admired the way architects like Arthur Erickson use this material in their work.  So when I spent some time in Nevada recently, a trip to the Hoover Dam left me breathless.

www.melissamercier.com

Jordan Tull squares off

Jordan Tull‘s sleek, seductively sinister sculptures have no obvious function. Yet they imply a range of possible purposes. Subtle and stylish, Tull leaves the onus on viewers to make their own private assumptions and associations. While some of the Portland-based artist’s pieces contain overtly sexual forms, such as phallic protrusions and interlocking parts, the sexual subtext to his more subversive work lies in its sterile, stiff, formal beauty and ominous aura.

With their strict, complex geometry and aggressive metallic surfaces, Tull’s sculptures pose possible threats – yet their physical sophistication evokes an unnerving desire to touch them. The sculptures could be high-end design items, but their most practical objective is to unsettle and stimulate more than just an appreciation for their fine lines and sensual aesthetic attributes. – Ana Finel Honigman

Sebastian Vallejo Paintings

Sebastian Vallejo (b. 1982, San Juan, Puerto Rico) lives and works in New York. He received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2009, and his BFA from the University of Puerto Rico. Selected group exhibitions include: New York-San Jose, Galeria Bickar, San Jose, Costa Rica, 2010, Panamerica, Sullivan Galleries, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, 2009, and Terruno y Paraiso Perdido, Museo de Las Americas, San Juan, P.R., 2007.