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“Bushwick is an up-and-coming neighborhood in Brooklyn. During the last four years, I have been working on a portrait project of its inhabitants. Chris was once a resident.” UpperCut Images, client
“This portrait was made for the editor’s notes section of Money magazine. I was asked to capture the distinctive and lasting bond between these independent women.” Jane Clark, photo editor; Money magazine, client
“Bride-to-be Megan Young days before her destination wedding in Cancun.”
“This is part of an ongoing portrait project of New York City Artists. Jessica Bowser is a writer and founding member of Confluence Theatre Company in Astoria, Queens.” UpperCut Images, client
“Young entrepreneur whose business turns photographs into paintings, the painting he’s holding is of himself as a child.” Wendy Tiefenbacher, photo editor; Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, client
“This is part of an ongoing portrait project of New York City Artists. Jason Decker is an actor/director now residing in California.” UpperCut Images, client
“This photograph was made while I was on vacation in California. These kids were running a lemonade stand.”
“This portrait was made for Occidental College, one of their alumni who is now the co-founder of Tocar Design, an interior design firm in New York City.” Dick Anderson, art director
11.30.06
www.melaniegrizzel.com
Duration: I moved to New York ten years ago, but I was lost in a sea of music and fashion. It’s been four years since I found my passion for portraits. Staff: Me, a few great assistants including my husband Steve, thank you, and my agent Paula Gren Reps. Education: Assisting and the tough streets of New York City. Cultural Influences: Steve (refreshing creativity), Mom, Dad and Hill (for their enthusiasm), Jeff Grimm (my guts), Hanna-Barbera, David LaChapelle, a poster of a painting my mom used to hang when I was little (artist unknown), Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Judy Walgren, David Leeson, and many, many others I can’t think of right now. Environment: Varies vastly per assignment. Most of the time I’m in someone else’s environment and it’s different every time, just the way I love it. When I’m not on assignment, you’ll find me in my office in Bushwick, Brooklyn, over- looking a car repair place. If I work late enough on a Wednesday night, the bar downstairs has an open mike night.Philosophy: Comfort, color and curiosity. These are the three things I strive for in every challenge. Each photograph can only be at its height when subjects are at ease and free to express themselves. It should make the person viewing them, happy and comforted as well. Color is what makes the images pop and what makes each person’s story unique (we all see colors differently). Lastly, the image should strike a curious chord in the viewer, something that forces them to dig into the story they are witnessing and really experience it. All of my work strives for these three things.
Not everything is design, but design is about everything. So do yourself a favor: be ready for anything. — Michael Bierut
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A message for the New Year from Stefan Bucher and one of his "monsters."
We can't think of a better way to cap off the year: For anyone who hasn't seen it already Imaginary Forces has a beautiful video tribute to Paul Rand (the founder of IF, Kyle Cooper, was a student of Rand’s at Yale) on their site. Created for his induction into the One Club Hall of Fame in 2007, in a matter of minutes it's a marvelous tutorial on design—and a delight to watch. (Thanks Sam.)
Culled from the speeches of your favorite (and not so favorite) civil servants: Our Message of Hope, by Sevnthsin and Brew Creative.
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Fun for the whole family: The R/GA Ornamatic
100 images from the APA SF's recent 2008 Something Personal Exhibition.
PushforPeace.info—this year, Push takes its annual "Push for Peace" holiday campaign one step further.
The ultimate iPod accessory: iBreath.
An online (holiday) game exactly how we like 'em—easy (oh, and fun): Bernstein-Reindeer Rodeo.