Photography Legend Matthew Rolston Shoots For America's Next Top Model

the above Matthew Rolston photo of Ann was deemed the winner by the collective panel of judges
For those who don't tune into ANTM (that's America's Next Top Model for you non-watchers), you wouldn't be aware of how the show has upped the creativity quotient for their 15th cycle.

They've enlisted more impressive photographers and judges than in previous cycles, have wrangled a Vogue Italia spread and cover of their Beauty supplement as part of the winner's package and in the episodes that have aired thus far, seem to be taking the creative art of modeling a bit more seriously. Don't fret, the cat-fights, insipid conversation and petty drama within the modern beachfront Venice house still occur.


above: photographer Matthew Rolston

Wednesday night's episode featured legendary beauty photographer Matthew Rolston as both a photographer and a judge. Rolston chose to style the models as underwater mermaids and placed them along with diamonds, pearls and sea life beneath a plexiglass case filled with water. For many of the models, it was their best shot of the season, not surprisingly.



For the more discriminating folks who may consider this reality television entertainment a waste of time, let me just share with you the portraits shot by Matthew Rolston of cycle 15's remaining contestants. You may very well decide to start tuning in.


the above photo of Chris was Matthew Rolston's personal favorite

I don't know if these young and beautiful women realize that this may be the only time in their potential careers that they are ever shot by the likes of Matthew. Never again may they be in front of the lens of such a reputable and respected photographer, so I hope they cherish the following photos and place them in their portfolios forever (except for Chelsey and Liz whose photos, although beautifully shot, are not flattering).

Kacey:

Esther:

Kendal:

Lexie:

Kayla:

Jane:

Liz:

Chelsey:

Rhianna, below, was elimated in this episode, due to purported lack of versatility:

photos courtesy of Matthew Rolston/Pottle Productions Inc ©2010 Pottle Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Images of the prep for the underwater shoot:






About the show this season
The show features Tyra Banks and gives real young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of high fashion supermodeling.


America's Next Top Model - Cycle 15 Pictured: (front row) Kayla, Chelsey, Kendal, Ann, Esther, Lexie, Liz, Jane (back row) Kacey, Sara, Free, Anamaria, Chris, Terra Photo Credit: Jessica Brooks /Pottle Productions © 2010 Pottle Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Lending their expertise as guest judges during this high fashion cycle are designer Diane Von Furstenberg, designer/stylist Patricia Field ("Sex and the City"), top beauty photographer Matthew Rolston, supermodel Karolina Kurkova, top fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, designer Zac Posen, designer/model Margherita Missoni, IMG Models executive Kyle Hagler, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and designer Roberto Cavalli.

Banks leads the panel of judges, comprised of influential fashion editor Andre Leon Talley and photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel serves as the photo shoot creative director, while Miss J Alexander returns as the runway trainer.

The prize package has also been given a high-fashion makeover. The winner of Cycle 15 will receive a career-launching package, including a contract with IMG Models, one of the top international modeling management companies in the world; a fashion spread in Vogue Italia and an additional spread and cover of Beauty in Vogue; and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Laura Fuest ("Pit Boss").

Matthew Rolston books

Zac Freeman's Amazing Portraits Made With The Stuff In Your Junk Drawer.

You know all that stuff you either toss away of throw in the kitchen 'junk' drawer? Buttons, old remote controls, pen caps, paper clips, Altoid tins, Lego Minifigs, wire, plastic bits and pieces from lord-knows-what? Well those are precisely what artist Zac Freeman uses in creating these one of a kind portraits.


above: portrait of Jerry and Jerry detail

Beginning in 1999, Zac began collecting junk, found objects, and general trash which he then glued to wooden substrate to form an image -- in these cases, faces of men and women. His assemblage artworks are made on a large scale (the pieces average about 28" by 35") and when viewed close up look like crap cobbled together with a hot glue gun, but when viewed from afar are impressive, compelling and simply beautiful portraits.


above: Zac Freeman's portrait of Garrett (detail) and mouth (close-up)

His finished works combine the best aesthetic qualities of Chuck Close and Bernard Pras and that's saying something.

Garrett:

Garrett (detail):

Holly:

Holly (detail):

Ryan:

Ryan (detail):

Courtney:

Courtney (detail):

Bryan:

Bryan (detail):

Vince:

Vince(detail):

The artist's self portrait:

detail:


David, below, is his recent addition to the Woolff Gallery:

Zac at work in his studio:


above two images courtesy of Woolff Gallery

In the artist's own words:
"I was interested in communicating through visual representation in apparent 2-dimensional space and through the actual objects used for the medium in 3-dimensional space. It is very important to me that I incorporate the actual objects into the art as opposed to a picture or rendition of it because it better expresses the intention of the artwork. I feel the junk is more powerful being present. It is an actual thing to be reckoned with that existed in this time and place and carries energy in and of itself."

all images courtesy of the artist
Zac Freeman Art

For commission requests or inquiries about Zac's work please contact Nick Woolff of the Woolff Gallery.

Sit On Knits! Custom Upholstered Sweater Chairs By Melanie Porter.

Traditional and modern chairs take on a new dimension when upholstered in the hand-knit textiles of Melanie Porter. From tub chairs to wing chairs, Chippendales to Egg chairs, Melanie painstakingly strips them of their original upholstery and then covers each chair in her hand knit panels of cable knits, patchwork, cross-stitch, and crochet. Details like hand covered buttons, pom pom accents, union jacks, painted frames and color combinations best show off the textiles.




Melanie's chairs are cozy and inviting one-of-a-kind functional art pieces. She even gives them human names, which only add to their appeal. Here's a look at several of her unique chairs.

Nora chair:

Lottie chair:

Olivia chair:

Bob chair:

Will chair:

Pip and Pen chairs:

Albert chair:

George chair:

Gilbert chair:

Bertie chair:

Tabby chair:

In addition to the chairs, Melanie makes and sells hand-knit cushions using Italian Merino wools.

Percy (Union jack) Cushions in two colorways:

Daffy, Honeycomb and Quod cushions:

images courtesy of Furfin, Melanie Porter and Mydeco.

About Melanie Porter:

After 10 years working as a knitwear designer for a number of international fashion brands, Melanie has turned her expertise to furniture, creating one-off contemporary designs from chairs sourced from auctions and markets across the UK.

Melanie undertakes the entire process herself and everything, from the restoration and upholstering to the individual, crocheted buttons, is done by hand. The result of this incredibly labor-intensive process is a stunning and unique work of art, destined to be a future family heirloom.

Shop for Melanie's chairs and cushions here.
Please contact Melanie for any further details, or to enquire about bespoke commisions.
t: 07770 941305
e: info@melanieporter.co.uk

The Official Etch A Sketch iPad Case From Headcase.

Headcase™, in partnership with The Ohio Art Company, has just introduced the first and only officially licensed Etch A Sketch® iPad case! Now, the world’s most popular drawing toy provides a fun backdrop for the most revolutionary device ever conceived by Apple.

Etch A Sketch® is celebrating its 50th year and over 150 million units sold. The iPad sold over 3 million units in its first 80 days, prompting the USA Today front-page article: “Etch A Sketch: The 1960’s iPad”.



Daniel Deutsch, CEO of Headcase explains, “Etch A Sketch® has been one of the most recognized and iconic toys for generations. The iPad, like the Etch A Sketch®, is also instantly recognizable and has defined an entirely new category of technology. It has been a thrill to work with Ohio Art to bring the look and the feel of the world’s most popular drawing toy to Apple’s latest opus. It is the perfect accessory for those of us who never really grew up.”

While the Etch A Sketch® iPad case looks like America’s favorite toy, there has been equal attention placed on making it a high quality protective case. Made of impact resistant ABS plastic, the Etch A Sketch® iPad case will help protect your iPad. Rubber feet and a felt backing gently cradle your iPad inside the Etch A Sketch® iPad case.



Strategically placed windows throughout the Etch A Sketch® iPad case allow for easy use of all your iPad switches, ports, and buttons.




A retractable kick stand allowS you to either lay your iPad flat, or angle it for easy use of the keyboard.



The Etch a Sketch® iPad case is available for purchase for $39.00 USD here

FAQ

I’ve heard horror stories about some iPad cases overheating iPads. Will that happen with my Etch A Sketch® iPad case?
No. Unlike many silicone or leather iPad cases, the Etch A Sketch® iPad case is designed to let your iPad have the proper ventilation for cooling.

Will I be able to easily access my switches, ports, and buttons?
Yes. The Etch A Sketch® iPad case was designed specifically for the iPad – it may look like an Etch A Sketch®, but no corners were cut in making it the highest quality iPad case possible.

Is Headcase the only maker of the Etch A Sketch® iPad case?
Yes, Headcase™ has an exclusive agreement with Ohio Art, the makers of Etch A Sketch®. The Etch A Sketch® iPad case is the only officially licensed iPad product available anywhere.

Will the Etch A Sketch® iPad case help protect my iPad?
Of course. While no iPad case can make any specific guarantees, the Etch A Sketch® iPad case is made of impact resistant plastic. We are proud of the Etch A Sketch® iPad case’s durability.

Buy it now.

Headcase™ is a division of Real Simple Ideas LLC, an Orlando, FL based product development company. With in-house design and prototyping capabilities, ideas go from conception to distribution in record time. Headcase™ is a trademark of Real Simple Ideas, LLC. Etch A Sketch® is a trademark of The Ohio Art Company iPad™ is a trademark of Apple®, inc.