found: Double Exposure

Don't these prints just make your mouth drop? And just wait for it.... these double exposure prints were created in camera and only slightly edited in photoshop. I think there's another word for that... oh yea! Talent.

There's just something about Dan Mountford's creations that instill a sense of wonder and magic. The way he's changed our perception of these otherwise ordinary objects is like stepping into a new world and seeing it all for the first time.

Have a look for yourself...

To check out more of these portraits, just head on over here.

P.S. A special hello to all my new followers! Don't think I haven't noticed each and every one of you! I've been completely blown away by your support - the incredible comments, e-mails, everything! I appreciate it more than you know. xo

words: Whatever you like doing - Do It!

When I was young, I wanted to be so many different things when I grew up. I was constantly trying new things, adding to my ever-growing list of hobbies and passions. There's something so fearless about us as children. We're not afraid of failure. But as we grow up, we start to look around and compare ourselves. And some of those past loves of mine suddenly went to the back burner. Sometimes it was because I lost interest, and other times, I just didn't feel like I was talented enough to keep pursuing whatever it was.

Pete Docter describes himself as a "geeky kid from Minnesota who likes to draw cartoons." He was just your typical introvert whose passion for drawing turned into an incredible career in animation. And while he may have not been the best artist, his drive and determination landed him a gig at Pixar. Since then, he's best known for bringing some of the most successful movies to the big screen - including Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, and Up.

We all need to start somewhere. And when Martin Kelsey, a teacher, wrote to him asking for some advice to pass on to his students, Pete responded back with an encouraging and thoughtful letter. Here it is...

May 5, 2009

Dear Mr. Kelsey,

What would I tell a class of Middle School students?

When I was in Middle School, I liked to make cartoons. I was not the best artist in my class — Chad Prins was way better — but I liked making comic strips and animated films, so after High school it was no surprise that I got into The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a school that taught animation.

CalArts only accepts 25 students a year, and it attracts some of the best artists in the country. Suddenly I went from being one of the top artists in my class to being one of the absolute worst. Looking at the talented folks around me, I knew there was no way I would make it as a professional. Everyone else drew way better than I did. And I assumed the people who were the best artists would become the top animators.

But I loved animation, so I kept doing it. I made tons of films. I did animation for my friends' films. I animated scenes just for the fun of it. Most of my stuff was bad, but I had fun, and I tried everything I knew to get better.

Meanwhile, many of the people who could draw really well kind of rested around and didn't do a whole lot. It made me angry, because if I had their talent, man, the things I would do with it!

Years later, a lot of those guys who probably still draw really well don't actually work in animation at all. I don't know what happened to them. As for me, I got hired at Pixar Animation Studios, where I got to work on Toy Story 1 and 2, direct Monsters, Inc., and Up (due out May 29th this year).

So, Middle School Student, whatever you like doing, do it! And keep doing it. Work hard! In the end, passion and hard work beats out natural talent. (And anyway, if you love what you do, it's not really "work" anyway.)

Good luck,
(Signed, 'Pete')
Pete Docter

***
A lesson that if you do what you love, anything's possible.

P.S. Remember this touching letter from a father to his son?

found: The Best Creativity App

Have you guys heard of Paper by FiftyThree? It's a drawing/sketching app that's available for the iPad and is one of the most creative apps I've seen to date!
When you launch Paper, you're greeted with a series of beautifully designed notebooks. You can customize each one with different images, and change the names - we have one just for ideas and another for sketches. Then, just tap or pinch open a book and it unfolds in front of you, displaying a blank piece of paper just waiting for your next creation.

Once you open your notebook, you are given one free tool - the drawing ink pen. Which is actually extremely useful and very expressive - depending on how fast you draw determines how thick or thin the lines are. It's like being able to write out calligraphy without the years of practice to perfect the skill.

Although the app itself is free, the additional tools are at an additional cost. But trust me, if this is something that you're interested in - it's worth it. Adding these tools is actually what makes this app so incredible. You have a sketching pencil, a thick outliner, a writing pen and a watercolour brush. You can buy each separately, or the whole lot at a reduced price.

Each tool acts basically how you would expect them to, which in itself is simply remarkable. In no time, you are mastering watercolour techniques, sketching like a pro, and creating your own masterpieces. Even if you make a mistake - not to worry! By holding down two fingers on the screen and moving them in a counterclockwise motion, it reverses the actions you've just done.

And while this may not compare to real paper, where you can see the textures and smell the paint, it's as close as it's gonna get for something electronic. And this way - you can carry it with you where you go! Paper by 53 allows us to capture everyday on the fly - whenever you get an idea, you can easily open this app and write it down or do up a quick sketch.

Just check out some quick drawings that Sebastian created...

Then we named them. Meet Luigi (above) and The Sorcerer (below - this one's my favourite).

And best of all? You can link your drawings to your facebook, twitter, and e-mail and share with your family and friends.

You may not be an artist, but this app will make you believe you are. So get in touch with your creative side, and start creating your own works of art.

(All sketches are made by Sebastian)

found: Imagination Coming to Life

Hands down, kids have the most imaginative minds. I remember when I was little... mud pies were decadent cakes, jumping off swings made you feel like you were really flying, and climbing to the very top of the tree was the exact same as sitting on top of the whole world. Something so simple was easily turned into something magical. And the smallest moments were made into the biggest adventures.

They say that the creative adult is the child who survived over time. And I really feel like that's true.

This video really melted my heart. It's a little longer at just over 10 minutes but it's really worth watching until the end. Not gonna lie, I may have even teared up a bit.

Who says we have to grow up?