Shot by Denis Lafargue in Bywater, New Orleans.
What It's All About
Today, our first TANKPROOF session of the summer came to a close and this picture can't tell the story more perfectly.
TANKPROOF Financials
From our art auction, we are proud to announce we've raised $1,500 for the RocketKidz Foundation. From our tank sales, $170 have been added towards the cause, which brings us to a total of $1,670 raised towards TANKPROOF!
Thanks to everyone who has supported this cause thus far. Our second session starts next week and there's still a few tanks left, so be sure to get your hands on one!
Meet Toby & Marshall
With graduation tomorrow, can you guys tell me what's been your favorite part about lessons?
String float! It's like when you float on the water. You have your hands stretched out, your body laid out, your arms and your legs straight, and you put your head down.
Roaming With Chris
Shot by Chris Ozer
After tea, small plates, and fellowship at Booty's Street Food with Alice, Jared Chambers, Garrett Cornelison, Benjamin Heath, and Denis Lafargue, Chris asked if we were available to explore the area with him while he photographed us. Now, when Chris Ozer, arguably one of the best photographers in the world and a master at his craft, asks to take pictures of you, you say, "Y-E-S!"
The new Lincoln MKC
The three of us and Denis hopped into our cars and parked at a neutral spot a couple blocks from where we were, then we began our exploration of the area where the Bywater and the French Quarter melt together. Up until then, we hadn't had too much on-foot time in this particular part of town, so new sights were all around. Observing Chris and his process was an eye-opening learning experience for us. Learning how to see great lighting, set ISO accordingly, and apply the most tasteful amount of exposure are all things we soaked up during our time with him. Chris is really an all-around cool guy and we enjoyed every moment while strolling the mean streets of New Orleans with him.
Hanging With Alice
Yesterday evening, we linked up with NYC-based lifestyle and food photographer Alice Gao at Booty's Street Food in Bywater, New Orleans. She was commissioned by Lincoln Motor Co. to travel through the south, taking photos, and telling the narrative of her journey along the way in a brand new Lincoln MKC. Being both sweet-spirited and amazingly talented, we had a great time connecting with her during her brief stay in the Crescent City.
Tell us about your most favorite shoot to date.
I can't say much because it hasn't been released yet, but there were explosions, like accidental explosions, but we just rolled with it. It was safe and no one got hurt, just some unplanned glass breaking and explosions.
Where was that at?
At my friend's studio. He has a small studio that we were shooting in. It's gonna be In the next Kinfolk Magazine.
Whaaat?! That is awesome! That's a nice placement right there.
I know! I've been shooting with them since Issue Two. They were one of my first ones and I think they helped me a lot to get my name out there. When I shot for them, that was my first few months of having just quit my job; I didn't know what I was doing. Thankfully it worked out!
I love that. Their aesthetic is legendary now.
Yeah, it's everywhere now. At first it was like, 'I'm shooting for this small magazine called Kinfolk' and now, it's everywhere!
The look of the pictures in that magazine…I don't know how to describe it. It's just that 'Kinfolk look'. So of course you edited them as well, right?
Yeah, I don't do too much post processing. I keep it very naturally looking. I like punchy images, so I definitely always do contrast, and even with that, I don't do too much.
Did you know about them [Kinfolk] when they called you?
Yeah, I had seen the first issue and was hoping to reach out to them, but they reached out to me, so that was pretty cool.
What's your favorite part about Louisiana so far?
I don't know, that part we came in through, Mandeville—
—The Northshore?
Yeah, there were beautiful trees and benches!
Lincoln MKC
Week One Round-Up
This first week of TANKPROOF has been amazing and we honestly couldn't have asked for much better. The weather has been great, the money has come in (official numbers will be posted later this week), and as a whole, the kids have been well-tempered and eager to learn. It's really been a blessing to watch these brave young people progress in both skill and confidence over these first four days of lessons, and we're excited to see what the last four days of session number one have in store.
Lincoln
Lincoln Motor Co. (@lincolnmotorco) had us blushing from their kind words //
"Music, art, and "give-backs"... The Louisiana-based band/brand @askthomasbros is as committed to their sound as they are to strengthening their community. We caught up with them in New Orleans and talked about the grassroots opportunities that have emerged locally since Katrina."
Photo by Chris Ozer
Today
NOW AVAILABLE. http://www.attb.us/shop
Monday [trois]
Studioflow
It's good to be back at our home away from home at Vybe Studio here in Prairieville, LA. Our homie, head engineer, and owner of this cozy spot is world-class behind the faders and together, we're cooking up some new freshness!
James Kimura-Green Exhibit
This past particularly sticky Friday evening brought us to The Walls Project Art & Design Center where we got a chance to attend the official opening of the James Kimura-Green exhibit. Combining multiple media and inspiration from his well-traveled life and experiences, Kimura-Green has a unique perspective and drive that conveys the relentless pursuit of perfect. Kimura-Green quotes,
“I try to relinquish a certain amount of control and entice ambiguity to enter into the image. It is by exploring the vague spaces of abstraction and representation, the intuitive and logical, the accidental and deliberate that I get absorbed in the moments of discovery.”
While staying in Venice, Italy, Kimura-Green was inspired by Byzantine artwork, which most often incorporates a technique called gold leaf. It was during this period that he became enchanted with metal working. In an economical effort to replicate the technique, he resorted to using aluminum paint, graphite, and metallic sprays to no avail. This setback did not hinder him and he continued to explore other viable options and media. A man born and raised in Tokyo, Kimura-Green cited that while in his hometown, he drew inspiration from the sports pages in the newspaper. Sports pages published in Japan are different from all others you'll come across because of their exclusive use of primary colors to draw the eyes of prospective readers. This style of print makes Japanese sports pages both rich in color and optically attractive. Kimura-Green, recognizing this unique medium, decided to include it in his pieces while also featuring silver leafing.
We most admire how Kimura-Green never rushed the process in the creation of these gorgeous pieces, spending months letting each develop uniquely into a finished product. It is a fact that artists can always learn from other artists, simply because the creative process is surprisingly similar across the board. If there was one word or theme we could highlight throughout Kimura-Green's lecture, it would be PATIENCE.
If you would like to see his work in person, it is available for the next few months to view at The Walls Project Art and Design Center 451 Florida St Baton Rouge, LA 70801 // ATTB