Touchstone: Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier: Self-reflection

I'd be lying if I told you that people watching wasn't my favorite pastime. I love seeing what people wear, how they interact with others, and even listening to to the things they say.  I people watch while shopping, driving, and my favorite - while I'm sitting around in the airport. It's fascinating to see how different everyone is!

I recently discovered a photographer who was an expert "people-watcher." Vivian Maier, an amateur street photographer, captured all manner of urban living.  Maier lived in France, New York, and Chicago.



In 1956, at age 30, Maier moved from New York to Chicago where she nannied for almost 40 years.  On her days off, she canvassed the city and captured more than 100,000 photographs of city life, architecture, and anyone who caught her eye.

Her photographs remained a secret until they were unearthed by Chicago historian, John Maloof, in 2007.  Her work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and exhibits across the world since they were found and continue to receive critical acclaim.  For more of her beautiful images, check out: Vivian Maier: Street Photographer.

Structures and Color

Hello, and welcome back from break! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was full of good cheer and even better food.  Last week, while taking a break from the kitchen, my mom, my sister, and I went on a photo journey to Franconia Sculpture Park in St. Croix Trail, Minnesota.  The park features various artists and is supported largely by donations.

Although there were dozens of pieces to explore and capture through my lens, I focused most of my attention on Bridget Beck's sculptures:

Her use of color and different shapes seemed chaotic at first.  However,  as I continued to explore the special hide-a-way, it became more clear that she was using the colors and the different shapes to give her overall work a sense of balance.  

If you ever make it up to Minnesota, I would be happy to take you with me on another jaunt to this amazing place!

Hello!

Hello!

My very wise (and creative) mother always reminds me to “notice what [I] notice.” Though it seems obvious that a person would see what she sees, or hears what she hears, the saying goes a little deeper than that.  With that little phrase in mind, I pay closer attention to the colors, patterns, and images that capture my eye. 

I have always been an explorer.  I love peeking into every door I pass and seeing decorations or people, and then trying to decipher the reason they are where they are.  My explorations take on new meaning and a world of imagination when I notice what I notice. I hope my posts will show how I canvass my environment and perhaps add a little color to your day!

These pictures (green!) are the funny, bright, and unusual images that I have noticed this week!