The Silence Of Dogs In Cars Photographed by Martin Usborne

Most people balk at leaving a dog alone in a parked car for many a good reason; dangers of overheating or freezing, dog-napping, and yes, loneliness. London-based fine art photographer and animal lover /activist Martin Usborne, captures the forlorn and melancholy beauty of these poignant animals in his 96 page hardcover photo book The Silence of Dogs in Cars




"I was once left in a car at a young age. I don’t know when or where or for how long, possibly at the age of four, perhaps outside a supermarket, probably for fifteen minutes only. The details don’t matter. The point is that I wondered if anyone would come back. The fear I felt was strong: in a child’s mind it is possible to be alone forever."- Martin Usborne



Martin Usborne's photo series consists of over forty-five images of dogs gazing silently through car windows, often in the dead of night. The images, which are staged and highly cinematic, evoke a mood of loneliness and longing. They are not so much portraits of dogs as studies in separation: on one level referring to the separation between humans and (other) animals but on another the separation within ourselves, between our everyday selves and the rawer (more animal) parts that we keep locked away. The photographs draw on the work of Edward Hopper and Gregory Crewdson.



"Around the same age I began to feel a deep affinity with animals – in particular their plight at the hands of humans. I saw a TV documentary that included footage of a dog being put in a plastic bag and being kicked. What appalled me most was that the dog could not speak back. I should say that I was a well-loved child and never abandoned and yet it is clear that both these experiences arose from the same place deep inside me: a fear of being alone and unheard." - Martin Usborne

More images from the book below:
















Purchase the book The Silence of Dogs in Cars



Martin Usborne

images courtesy of Martin Usborne's Facebook page, with a few additional images from National Traveller 

Artists & Illustrators Draw On Their Love Of Animals For The Creative Pet Project.

I know there are many wonderfully innovative and creative projects out there asking for your funding on sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. But this one is truly worthwhile and supports two causes close to my own heart - Animals and Art. Rob Snow and the artists put a ton of work into it and the rewards for contributing are terrific (shown further down in the post), so I hope you will consider helping them fund the project.


above: "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow, the brainchild behind the Creative Pet Project

Over the past two years, 111 artists and illustrators from around the world have come together to form the Creative Pet Project. Their intent is to create a unique and beautiful book - but a book with a difference. The aim of the book would be to raise funds for numerous charities which support animals. For this reason the criteria for inclusion in the book was to have a companion animal and, at the same time, include animals in the artwork.





Many a well-known name in art genres such as pop surrealism, lowbrow art, and children’s book illustration have come together because they share a goal and motivation; to help animals.



Just a few participating in the project are Tara McPherson, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar, Dilka Bear, John Brophy, Ana Bagayan, Sas Christian, Brian Kesinger (of Teagirl fame) and Brandt Peters/Kathie Olivas. The talent in the book is endless.


above left: artists Sas and Colin Christian with Bunny and Brody; above right: artist Carol Rizzo with her cat, Bear.

Many of the artists (65%) have rescue animals. They have become passionate about their connection to animals, which shows in the amazing artwork which this project has selected. To give you an idea of some of the talent included, here is a selection of some of those featured in the project (click their names to visit their sites/article sites). Raffaele Bafefit, Ana Bagayan, Dilka Bear, Chris Brett, John Brophy, Chris Buzelli, Rachel Caldwell, Erica Calardo, John Casey, Mary Chiaramonte, Sas Christian, David Cowles, Chris Crites, Antonio Segura Donat, Lola Gil, Paulina Góra, Fabio Hurtado, Jon Jaylo, Andy Kehoe, Brian Kesinger, Jean-Christian Knaff, Anita Kunz, Jen Lobo, Tara McPherson, Jackie Morris, Ricardo Martinez Ortego, Yuko Shimizu, Heiidi Tailleferr, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar

Artwork from the Creative Pet Project:


The book is now ready, and ready to print. On Saturday, February 1st they launched a funding campaign at Indiegogo (igg.me/at/cpp-book), in the hopes of raising enough money to publish the book as well as continue the project for further volumes.

The charities to benefit from the book are planned at three per volume. The first volume's proceeds would go toward PETA, IFAW and Born Free USA. These charities are doing invaluable work for animals, the environment and education.

Below is the pitch from Rob Snow, the creative force behind the project, used on Indiegogo:


The perks/rewards:

For helping fund the book, perks include wonderful prints by the artists who contributed to it.

The Creative Pet Project asked the contributing members to add some pieces of work to the possible perks included for this campaign. Many have given permission to do limited prints of the work included, some signed, some unsigned. Original pieces, and other items to interest you in contributing. There are so many they have listed them so you can see and choose the week that you'd like to get the perk.

Week One ~ 1st - 7th Feb and Week Five ~ 1st - 7th March:


1. "Madonna" by Anita Cruz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5"x16" 1 available
2. "Boris" by Kristin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
3. "Foxes" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x15” 4 available
4. "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($150) Signed 27”x19” 10 available
5. "Pets" by Rob Reger - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 8”x10” 25 available
6. "Las Abejas No Tienen Rey" by Sergio Chaves - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
7. "Manny" by Rick Dienzo Blanco - limited edition print ($30) Signed 10”x10” 25 available
8. "Wisdom" by Jon Jaylo - limited edition print ($80) Signed 11”x17” 10 available
9. "Somewhere" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "untitled106" by Paulina Góra - original painting ($250) Signed 27”x19” 1 available
11. "Water Animals" by Rachel Caldwell - limited edition print ($250) Signed 13”x13" 1 available
12. "Wisdomseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available


Week Two ~ 8th Feb - 14th & Week Six ~ 8th - 14th March


1. "Mr.Froggy" by Erica Calardo - limited edition print ($60) Signed 5.83"x8.27” 1 available
2. "Crow" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 3 available
3. "Where are you" by Jen Lobo - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 10 available
4. "C'mon Baby Light My Fire" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "pro32" by Paulina Góra - original sketch ($35) Signed 8”x11” 1 available
6. "Betula" by Kristen Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
7. "Sunrise" by Cole Lemke - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
8. "Gatorcat" by William B Hand - limited edition print ($80) Unsigned 16”x21” 10 available
9. "Somewhere - part 2" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "India" by Jean-Christian Knaff - limited edition print ($90) Signed 16”x11” 80 available
11. "Blancaflor" by Tesa González - limited edition print ($100) Signed 16”x11” 10 available
12. "Pimp My Ride" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($120) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
13. "Pet Portrait" by Lou Pimentel - limited edition print ($150) Signed 4.5”x6” 1 available

Week Three ~ 15th - 22nd Feb & Week Seven ~ 15th - 22nd March


1. "Cat Lover(s)" by John Casey - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
2. "Hope for Rain" by Marco Piunti - limited edition print ($60) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
3. "Zephur" by Kirstin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
4. "The Monkees" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "En Attente Expectations" by Marty-Cruz - limited edition print ($30) Unsigned 8.27”x11.69” 10 available
6. "Girl Green" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 3 available
7. "Human & Pet #1" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
8. "Morphseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
9. "Shell" by Elena Ospina - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 20 available
10. "Jimi Hendrix" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
11. "Rod Stewart" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
12. "The Unloved Ones" by Mario Sánchez Nevado - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 16”x11” 50 available
13. "Tea" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available

Week Four ~ 23rd - 28th Feb & 22nd - 29th March


1. "The Stones" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
2. "Bioseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
3. "Can't Resist" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
4. "Hex" by Mary Chiaramonte - limited edition print ($50) Signed 18”x24” 1 available
5. "Steampunk Girl" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
6. "Fox with Baby's Breath" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
7. "Hide" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
8. "Elvis" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
9. "Postcard Set" by Liran Szeiman - limited edition print ($22) Signed 4”x6” 1 available
10. Human & Pet #2" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
11. "Come Closer" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available


The Impact
The impact of your help will be to provide much needed funds to help animal charities in their crucial and critical work with animals, and environmental issues alike.

• To stop deforestation and land erosion.
• To stop animal trafficking and the extinction of species.
• To stop over fishing of the seas and illegal whaling.
• To stop animal abuse in many aspects from domestic/industrial and wildlife.



For more information, and to pledge some money to make this project work, or to pre-order a copy of the paperback or hardback versions, please visit the campaign site here . They have many perks and rewards to help you choose how to fund the project. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you could help make a difference.

Hardback
Beautiful hard back book with presentation box sleeve. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.
• Comes in a box sleeve presentation.

$65 + P&P - Order here

Softback
Beautiful soft back book with satin finish cover. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.

$50 + P&P Order here

PDF of the book
An exact copy of the book in PDF format, to view on computer or tablet. Printing has been disabled.
$15 - Order here

eBook
A ePub version of the book. Redesigned to suit the ePub format.
$10 - Order here

Infographic


For your interest, they have created a very cool infographic (of which a very small part is shown above) to help explain the contributors presence. The full PDF version can be seen here: http://www.creative-pet-project.com/pdf/infographic.pdf

The Creative Pet Project on Indiegogo

A $2500 Terrific Tome From Taschen of Annie Leibovitz' Awesome Photography.

UPDATE: My sincerest apologies to my readers, but the PR rep from TASCHEN contacted me this morning and asked me to remove the images that appear inside the book, telling me are copyrighted images owned by Annie Leibovitz and are not permitted to be used on this blog without explicit permission.

I figured since it was free advertising for their publication and that many of these images are all over the web, I was not violating any copyright laws. I was mistaken and therefore can only show you the cover images.

Whoopi Goldberg, Berkeley, California, 1984:


If I had money to spend willy-nilly (yes, I just used the term "willy-nilly"), one of my first purchases would be this soon-to-be-released terrific tome from Taschen: A Collector's Edition of 40 years of the work of photographer Annie Leibovitz. The SUMO-sized book  is available as either a signed and numbered Collector's Edition or as an Art Edition, complete with a signed and numbered fine art print. Both are presented on a stand designed by Marc Newson.

Keith Haring, New York City, 1986


The huge 476 page, 57 lb. hardcover book (it measures just under 20" x 30") has over 250 photographs, comes with four different dust jackets, has 6 fold-outs, a supplement book and a book stand, designed by Marc Newson. Contributing authors are Steve Martin, Graydon Carter, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Paul Roth.

David Byrne, Los Angeles, 1986


The Collector’s Edition is available in four different dust jackets -Whoopi, Haring, Byrne and Smith - (The Collector's Art Edition includes all four):

Patti Smith, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1978


Both versions come with an adjustable lucite and steel stand designed by Marc Newson:





Vanity Fair Magazine has included a first person excerpt from the book here

Info from Taschen:
When Benedikt Taschen asked the most important portrait photographer working today to collect her pictures in a SUMO-sized book, she was intrigued and challenged. The project took several years to develop and proved to be revelatory. Leibovitz drew from over 40 years of work, starting with the viscerally intimate reportage she created for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s and extending through the more stylized portraiture of her work for Vanity Fair and Vogue. Celebrated images such as John and Yoko entwined in a last embrace are printed alongside portraits that have rarely, and sometimes never before, been seen. Leibovitz was able to present some of her famous group portraits in a format that proves that she is the master of the genre. Her pictures are at once intimate and iconic, wide-ranging stylistically and also uniquely hers. Leibovitz is often imitated, particularly by younger photographers, but her work is somehow immediately recognizable.

The bookends of the Leibovitz collection are the black-and-white photograph of Richard Nixon’s helicopter lifting off from the White House lawn after he resigned as president in 1974 and the formal color portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken in a drawing room of Buckingham Palace in 2007. In between are portraits that make up a family album of our time: actors, dancers, comedians, musicians, artists, writers, performance artists, journalists, athletes, businesspeople. Performance and power are recurring themes. A supplementary book contains essays by Annie Leibovitz, Graydon Carter, Paul Roth, and Hans Ulrich Obrist and short texts describing the subjects of each of the over 250 photographs.

The Collector’s Edition is available in four different dustjackets:
Whoopi Goldberg, Berkeley, California, 1984
Keith Haring, New York City, 1986
David Byrne, Los Angeles, 1986
Patti Smith, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1978



Limited to a total of 10,000 signed and numbered copies, this book is available as Collector’s Edition (No. 1,001–10,000) and also as Art Edition (No. 1–1,000 with a signed and numbered fine art print by Annie Leibovitz. The Art Edition is presented with the full set of all four dust jackets. For information about publication date and price, please contact us). Both editions will be presented with a book stand designed by Marc Newson.

The photographer:
Annie Leibovitz has been a working photographer for 40 years. She was the chief photographer for Rolling Stone and then the first contributing photographer for the revived Vanity Fair. In addition to her editorial work at Vanity Fair, and later at Vogue, she has created several award-winning advertising campaigns. She has been designated a Living Legend by the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The authors:
• Steve Martin is a celebrated comedian, actor, writer, and musician. In 2010, he published the novel An Object of Beauty.
• Graydon Carter has been the editor of Vanity Fair since 1992.
• Hans Ulrich Obrist is the co-director of exhibitions and programmes and director of international projects at the Serpentine Gallery in London.
• Paul Roth is the director of the Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto.

Other SUMO sized books from Taschen:
Taschen has produced two other SUMO sized books, one featuring the works of Sebastião Salgado on a wooden stand by architect Tadao Ando and the other (one I have always coveted) of Helmut Newton's work on a stand designed by Philippe Starck.

I Think I Am In Friend-Love With Yumi Sakugawa's New Book.

I have a confession to make.
I think I am in Friend-Love with you.

What's friend-love?
It's that super-awesome bond you share with someone who makes you happy every time you text each other, or meet up for an epic outing. It's not love-love. You don't want to swap saliva; you want to swap favorite books. But it's just as intense and just as amazing.



I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is one of the sweetest little books I've ever seen and would make a fabulous Valentine's Day gift for anyone with a BFF (of the same sex or opposite gender).



Originally published online in Sadie Magazine in 2012, comic-book strip artist Yumi Sakugawa's charming illustrated tale has been published as a hardcover book by Adams Media.



The 128 page book is perfect if you've ever fallen in friend-love and want to show that person how much you love them...in a platonic way, of course.




PRAISE FOR I THINK I AM IN FRIEND-LOVE WITH YOU

"Look around. You won’t find anything sweeter than this lonely little book anywhere in your immediate vicinity. Unless for some reason there’s, like, a bunny knitting a scarf for a puppy. That might be sweeter. Aside from that, this book is definitely your best bet." —Avery Monsen, coauthor of K is for Knifeball and All My Friends Are Dead

"This is one of my favorite comics ever, a sweet ode to platonic love that will echo through the ages." —MariNaomi, author of Kiss & Tell

"Funny and beautifully drawn, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is the bittersweet tale of friendships in the age of social media in which many can relate.” —Esther Pearl Watson, author of Unlovable

"The warmth of Yumi’s soft brushstrokes and vulnerability of her words make me feel less alone in this weird world. I think I am in book-love." —Lisa Hanawalt, author of My Dirty Dumb Eyes

"Yumi Sakugawa’s small, sweet hardcover I Think I am in Friend-Love With You (Adams Media) feels so necessary. Sakugawa’s one-eyed, vaguely socklike protagonist fantasizes a future of book-swapping, Tumblr post–reblogging, coffee-sipping platonic love, but reveals the most simple of needs in the book’s simple black-and-white illustrations.” - Bitch Magazine

“I Think I am In Friend Love With You…chronicles a bashful cyclops with a good old fashioned friend crush. Sakaguwa’s comics, while being hilarious, are imbued with a quiet magic that somehow makes a glowing computer screen as ripe with beauty and mystery as a night sky full of twinkling stars.” - Huffington Post Arts

The comic…expresses all the delightful, little things we hope our best…pals will do for us…. [Yumi’s] work has an eerie, wondrous quality to it, blipped with panels that will make your heart soar and dip and soar again. Themes of space and love pull readers into a pensive world of fantastical creatures.” - NPR’s Code Switch


Yumi Sakugawa is a comic book artist and illustrator based in Southern California. A graduate of the fine art program of University of California, Los Angeles, Yumi is a regular comic contributor for The Rumpus and Wonderhowto. Her illustrations and comics have been featured on Buzzfeed, Lifehacker, PAPERMAG, Apartment Therapy and all over Tumblr. Her short comic story "Mundane Fortunes for the Next Ten Billion Years" was selected as Notable Comics of 2012 by the Best American Comics anthology editors. I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You (Adams Media, Dec 2013 release) is her first published book.

Visit her on the web at www.yumisakugawa.com.



Buy I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You