Belt Buckle Comps

So I saw some belt buckles a few months ago at Tiger Tree in the Short North that I really liked. I was inspired to create a series of cast resin belt buckles myself. These images are conceptual designs I'm playing around with. (You may recognize some of these images from my sets on Flickr). Any thoughts or suggestions?!?!


Here are some links to sites where I found some information & inspiration about making buckles and working with casting resin. 


Buckle Artists I like:
http://www.theurgetoadorn.com/index.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bmused?ref=seller_info
http://cyberquirky.org/?p=17

"The Shoe Shoot" / Strappy Sandals

Strappy Sandals, originally uploaded by Darrin Maxwell.

Here's a photo of a pair of blue sandals that I'm really happy with! I'm actually writing and posting this from my flickr account - I wanted to check this feature out to see how it works. I could potentially blog far more often if this works well!

Check out the entire 'Shoe Shoot' set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25112109@N06/sets/72157624675607119/

Oh! ...and I'm SO sorry for haven't not blogged for a while! (frankly, not sure anyone has missed me! haha). I'm considering blogging on Tumbler. Any thoughts? I like the simplicity of that platform. I dunno. Just trying to figure out which best suites my scatter brained (and somewhat fickle) mind!

Hey! GO do something creative. (like, right NOW!) Seriously! And have a killer rest of your day.

Photography ADVENTURE to Columbus' Graffiti MECCA!!!

 

These are a few of the images taken at an abandoned Water Treatment Plant in Columbus, OH. This place is amazing! If you like to take photographs of graffiti or anything rusty - this is an absolute MECCA!! And check out my friend Aaron's blog (he just started it... pretty dang lonely over there - pop over and say hi!) I love feedback, so please comment. Thanks!

See the entire set of images on Flickr!

Summer School

This 'Monster Bus' is one of a collection of images I took for my Digital Photography class. 

To see the entire 'Summer School' Flickr Set click here!

For the past few years I've driven past this HUGE compound where the entire Columbus City School District houses their school bus fleet. It's quite visually impressive from the elevated view while driving south on Route 71. Looking down at over 500 Twinkie-shaped buses all perfectly lined up and parked in rows reminds me of an almost surreal Pop Art composition.

Anyway... Yesterday, after my Math class (ew), I drove onto this vast complex to ask for permission to take some pictures. I parked & walked past all the school bus drivers going to and coming back from their various routes (surprised to see so much school bus activity in July! - guess I'm not the only one in Summer School.). After talking to about 87 people and actually driving to another nearby Columbus City School District Office, I got permission! I spent about an hour & a half (in the SWELTERING 94 degree heat) snapping every conceivable angle of these beautiful buses. I even climbed inside some of the 'retired' buses (I least I hope they're retired). This shoot was a lot of fun!
 

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"Intuition Meets Technical Savvy"

I say this in all humility, but I feel my creative instinct is strong. It's undeniable... something (I believe) that is God given at birth. Some people have it (but most don't). Now I'm not saying that this is the greatest gift of all, but it's one that I have been given. Now, part of my current life mission (subtle mention of my blog concept) is to decide what to do with that instinct at this point in my life. I'm very excited about broadening my creativity through challenging myself to constantly learn more. In other words: Increasing technical prowess + creative intuition = richer content. This Digital Photography is a class that is challenging me to do just that.

Hubba Hubba

See the Hubba Hubba Flickr Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25112109@N06/sets/72157624355716842/

"Hubba Hubba" is a series of male & female torso charcoal drawings that I made in the Summer of 2009. This series is very personal to me... I have an obsession with drawing torsos and this was a series where I embraced that obsession. Hubba Hubba represents my romanticized and simplified idea of romance and love... with all it's beauty, wonder and pain. I hope you like them.

I'm giving this sketch away for FREE!!! All you have to do is subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/darrinmaxwell) and leave a comment on the video above! I'll send a pm to the winner and make the announcement next week. I do a weekly FREE ART FRIDAY video on YouTube (and vicariously thru blogger :). I'd love for you to engage... GOOD LUCK!

"Father In Exile" - A Snapshot Aesthetic Journal

This short film [and the photos taken] was inspired by a late night (and early into Father's Day morning) discussion with Paul Robinett about art, inspiration and a trend in fine art photography that started in the early sixties called 'snapshot aesthetic'. Admittedly, this isn't the most peppy of Father's Day videos... (I wish I didn't have this footage frankly) - But I hope you gain something from watching me embrace new ways to explore creativity and [maybe more importantly] pushing myself towards honest self-expression.

• Ok! moving on... (sorry, it's the psych class i just took... recently I've become psychoanalytical & introspective about everything! and I already have a bit of a melancholy bent to begin with... but anyway...)

As for the whole 'snapshot aesthetic' theory - holy SH!T - am I excited!!! (Thanks for your blog post about this Rita!).  I feel like I've added a new superpower weapon to my creative tool-belt! The main lesson I'm learning here is to LET GO - to stop controlling (something I need to apply to my art and in relationships if I'm being honest!) - but rather being alive in the moment and allowing the lens to be more of a 'loose' third eye - documenting the moment (and I just become a conduit of the energy I'm trying to capture, not the master of it). It's just freeing! Make sense?

If you'd like to see more snapshots from this night check out the Fickr Set.

SPEED Drawing Vol. 3: "Bunny With Bling?"

I'm giving this drawing away for FREE (I'll pay shipping)!!! All you have to do is subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment (see steps to enter below)! I'll send a pm to the winner and make the announcement next week. If you don't win, stay tuned! I'm going to be doing FREE ART GIVEAWAY every Friday. GOOD LUCK!

3 STEPS TO ENTER:

1. Subscribe Here: http://www.youtube.com/user/darrinmaxwell
2. Post a Comment to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkbekeEUSDI
3. DON'T pee in your pants!!! (it might feel good for a few seconds, but it won't increase your odds!)