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05/11/12 11:00AM

Flickr Favorites: May 11

"We turn not older with years, but newer every day." -Emily Dickinson

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05/10/12 09:00AM

Mark Squires

Photographer Mark Squires hangs with the best bands, has the raddest photo shoots, and snaps the sickest covers. Naturally he also has the best photo diary as well. X - Jen

From Los Angeles

05/09/12 10:00AM

Natasha Ghosn

Sparkle and shine, Natasha Ghosn's work is so fine. Her artwork goes by the name of Mondo Mondo. It's also darling, it's so special, and it's oozing with the sweetest of the sweetest.

Where are you from and what are you doing now?

I am from Texas. I live in Los Angeles now. Right now I'm winding down from a long day of hand modeling.

Where did you go to school and what did you study?

I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. We didn't have majors so I got to study all sorts of things. I focused mainly on fashion history, fiber arts, and drawing.

What is Mondo Mondo?

Mondo Mondo is my website. It started out as a T-shirt line. The word "mondo" connotes sensationalization. It also means "world" in Italian. I could say its my sensationalized view of the world.

Can you tell me about the mind blowing rave T-shirts you were making a while back?

Haha, cool, thank you. I made them about four years ago. In 2008 I think. At the time I was living in New York and the trend was being spooky; upside down crosses, studs, leather, etc. So I went out on a limb and made something for the marginalized flower power people. They are a mix of digital collages and a lot of hand dyeing and painting on a heavy cotton t-shirt.

Do you feel like your artwork changes according to where you live?

No, I think my artwork changes according to where my heart is.

How would you describe your experiences form each city and what inspired you when you lived in Chicago? NY? L.A.?

I love Chicago for its authenticity, New York for its romance, and L.A. for the peace of mind and the weather. I will say that most of my dreams take place in New York.

What were you wearing as a little baby?

I have a picture somewhere of me wearing a yellow bikini. I just googled "baby bikini", it's really cute.

What was your favorite outfit when you were a child?

I was really inspired by the Olsen twins when they were detectives.

How about when you were a teenager?

I was lucky because my mom had a really cool store. She carried brands like Miss Sixty, Fiorucci, and Fornarina. So I wore a lot of that. I was also pretty into the mod thing back then.

As a young adult?

Like a sixties-nineties thing inspired by Lady Miss Kier from Deee-lite.

And now?

I feel like I'm doing me from the heart. I've moved away from looks that are decade derivative. Less of an idea and more of a feeling. I try to buy things that are high quality that I'll love for a long time.

How do you imagine yourself when you're elderly?

I hope to be healthy with a lot of energy and surrounded by the people I love. I wouldn't mind having suede Gucci loafers in every color.

What is your work ethic when you're making drawings and collages?

I'm lucky to have my studio at home. First I make a coffee or a tea. I usually listen to a comedy or a spiritual podcast while I work. Music usually distracts me. Sometimes I forget to put anything on and then I realize I've been sitting in silence for 6 hours!

Top three scents:

Sunscreen, sweet grass, and the smell of bread baking when you walk by a Subway.

Top three records:

Paris by Malcolm Mclaren, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Music Selector is the Soul Reflector by Deee-lite.

Top three novels:

My Antonia by Willa Cather, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathaniel West.

If you were a fabric or material, what would you be?

Rayon. Semi-synthetic, semi-natural.

Can you tell me a story about LUV?

Is that an acronym? Is it kind of like SUV? I drive a Nissan Versa. I love it. It has great gas mileage. But for fun sometimes I drive my boyfriend's Volvo station wagon. I pretend like I am driving a boat down the streets of Los Angeles. The end.

HAHA!

What are you looking forward to next in the world of Mondo Mondo?

More and more.

Thank you Natasha! xo, -Maggie Lee

05/04/12 12:00PM

Flickr Favorites: May 4

"Life I love you, all is groovy."-Simon and Garfunkel

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05/03/12 03:00PM

Shop the Surf Daze Collection

Surf Daze Interviews: Jenny Hueston

Jenny Hueston's pictures makes you want to quit your job and head for the coast. Here we talk to her about her love for surfing, the challenges she faces in her field, and where she keeps all those damn photos.

Introduce yourself!
My name is Jenny Hueston. I am from Canada. I lived in London for several years before landing in Brooklyn which is where I am now based

What was the first camera you ever had?
It was a bright red plastic Vivitar with a red zip up case and a wrist strap. I got it from my parents for my birthday one year when I was probably about 10. It spent a lot of time at summer camp with me and captured a lot of great early '90s preteen looks.

Where do you keep all of your photos?
Boxes and boxes and boxes and hard drives and more boxes. I have so many prints, Polaroids and negatives from over the years. There is a big box at my mom and dad's place that I like to go through every now and then.

What is the most challenging thing about working in the field of photography?
I think that one of the most difficult things about being a photographer is the freelance aspect of it. Of course this is also one of the most wonderful things about it as you have freedom to do what you want and create what you want. It is a bit of a double edged sword though as you are the only on responsible for how your career goes. You have to make it up a bit as you go along.

Do you surf? What is the connection between your work and surfing?
I think I am more of a spectator than a surfer. Several of my good friends are obsessive surfers and I spend a lot of time on beaches with them. I find I spend more time on the beach taking pictures than in the water. This has turned into an on going surf project. I love early morning light by the ocean and there is a freedom in surfing that I am fascinated in capturing. These two elements go together beautifully.

Describe your photos in 5 words, or in one sentence.
Nostalgic, muted, free, intimate and eclectic

What is the greatest compliment you've ever received?
My mom once relayed to me that my grandfather had told her that I was like a free like a butterfly. I always smile when i think of that.

Where is your favorite place on earth?
In the middle of any serene lake in Northern Ontario during summer. Preferably early in the morning when it's misty.

What's your favorite photo you've ever taken?
If I had to pick one though I think it would be of my niece. My sister and I were on a long drive between northern Quebec and southern Ontario. Lily had spent several hours of that telling us about her magical fairy world and everything she imagined in it. The picture I took of her is when she is fast asleep in the back of the car. It reminds me being a child and dreaming of fairies.

05/03/12 02:00PM

Viviane Sassen & Assembly New York & Libraryman

I'm obsessed with Viviane Sassen's Parasomnia, Sol & Luna, and Various Photographs (and I need to see more). Luckily, Assembly New York and Libraryman will be having a launch for her new book, Die Son Sien Alles. I wonder what this series is about. Her work is so natural and compelling. See you at the book opening to find out! -Maggie Lee

05/02/12 02:00PM

Ryan McGinley at Team Gallery

Ryan McGinley has done it again! Today, Wednesday, May 2, get ready 'cause the streets of SoHo are gonna get shut down for this blockbuster show. Simultaneously, Team Gallery will be presenting two new bodies of work by McGinley. Animals is a series of photographs about wild creatures and their interactions with human bodies (located at 83 Grand St.) and Grids, a body of work that studies the faces of fans at concerts (at 47 Wooster St.). -Maggie Lee

05/02/12 11:00AM

Matt Wisniewski

Brooklyn web developer Matt Wisniewski makes digital photo collages in his spare time. What a beautiful hobby! - Hazel

05/01/12 11:00AM

Surf Daze

Behind the scenes of Ryan Kenny's photo shoot in the Australian wild, featuring looks for Tallow, Surf Electric by Bethany Mayer, and Insight.

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From Elsewhere

04/30/12 02:00PM

Chana de Moura

Photographer Chana de Moura easily captures the beauty in things that are often overlooked. Old buildings, untouched landscapes, and women's bodies are depicted in a light that makes us appreciate things we see everyday but forget to admire.

From Copenhagen

04/30/12 11:00AM

Norse Projects

Above are the gorgeous moody spring lookbook photos shot by Vancouver-based photographer Alana Paterson for Danish brand Norse Projects. I'm not generally one for branded pieces but Norse pulls it off in a clean fashion. See the rest of the lookbook here. -Bob

04/27/12 02:00PM

Flickr Favorites: April 27

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" -Robin Williams

Submit your photos to the UO Flickr pool!

From Japan

04/27/12 09:00AM

Modern Times by Patrick Tsai

Well known for his photo documented love story with Madi Ju in "My Little Dead Dick", and his heartfelt blog about life in Japan post-Tohoku Earthquake, "Talking Barnacles", Patrick Tsai has released a new book with Nanarokusha, called Modern Times. The book beautifully and humorously shows Patrick's take on China and its wonders from 2007-2008, leading up to the Olympics. Check out a preview of the images here. - Jennilee

From London

04/25/12 12:00PM

Maisie Cousins

English photographer Maisie Cousins takes awesome photos of her friends. I think she lives in an alternate universe where teenagers are always cute, psychedelic, grungy kids. I love this editorial she did for Vice of girls on the train. Be sure to check out her personal photo blog too. - Hazel

04/24/12 03:00PM

Lily Sheng

Native Shanghai baby Lily Sheng grew up and moved to the United States in her early childhood. Her work—whether it collage, photo, or video—relates to the traditional culture of her Chinese heritage. I am so drawn to these collages and photos. There is such authentic wealth in imagery and color. -Maggie Lee

04/20/12 12:00PM

Flickr Favorites: April 20

"Look, all I'm saying is if you still wanna smoke pot, then be prepared to spend a lot of time laughing with your friends. Think about it." Geoffrey Jellineck

Submit your photos to the UO Flickr pool!

04/19/12 01:00PM

Rachel Rinehart

We love following Rachel Rinehart's photo diaries—filled with friends, bands, and moments you'd want to remember—so imagine how psyched we got when we found out she recently did a photo shoot, titled "Text Message Breakup"? Oh Rachel, who would ever want to breakup with you bb?

04/19/12 10:00AM