--- the art + inspirations of t'ai rising-moore ---

hello again

2011-03-17T00:43:00.006-04:00

well then ......... my last entry was longer than i feel like admitting. dwelling in the past hasn't proven helpful so i simply say -- my experiences during my blog hiatus managed to help my approach on life. here are some thoughts i drummed up after reading local indianapolis writer leslie bailey's "i believe" blog post.

all perceived wrongs are part of a greater right.

our relationships with those around us are spiritual. people who challenge us most hold our greatest lessons.

we are not here for ourselves — that said, it's critical we extend the same kindness inward that we do towards others. if our center isn't balanced we inevitably spread chaos even with purest of intentions ... from solid footing we can create meaningful change around us.

truth will not stay hidden, it always presents itself; in my experience sooner is better.

life experience helps decipher authentic beauty from illusion.

with endless gratitude,

t'ai

website photo credit

2010-06-09T11:00:00.007-04:00

{inspiration} *william eggleston

2010-05-14T01:39:00.006-04:00

{art} *morning

2010-05-13T22:11:00.010-04:00

this was about the most un-produced shoot i can remember participating in:) which was great! i had just come off a larger job so polina osherov's impromptu idea to catch some early morning light with what ever wardrobe i had in my closet was welcome. polina works with a wide range of people in the area, she does a great job of connecting people + creating a sense of community amongst us. that morning, our lovely subject stephanie kincheloe arrived at my place at 5:30 am. she's a natural beauty even at such an early hour so i did my best to keep her look pretty clean. in these shots, i used a soft lavender shadow washed over the lid with a heavy black liner to really define her eye shape. i felt the heavy liner worked with the blouse somehow.. i envisioned her as a slightly forlorn little parisian girl complete with a pouty magenta lips;) well that's what i was going for anyway.. ps i love working with models that are more than just a pretty face. stephanie really is just that although she's not shooting these days, she's quite a photographer in her own right. now day's her band ranger occupies more of her time + interest. i'm looking forward to catching them live!

*please see more of polina's photography + blog --- also stephanie's photography + her band ranger!

{inspiration} *ozlem haluk

2010-05-04T06:51:00.006-04:00

for me, ozlem haluk's body of work comes off a little melancholy while maintaining a quirky whimsy. possibly that's where i relate so strongly?!.. in any case, she's one of my favorite flickr artists so i wanted to share her with you today after my month plus blogging hiatus. i'm hoping she helps me get my blogging groove back. so please enjoy! oh! also, if you are interested in prints she sells on etsy.

{inspiration} *funnel

2010-03-23T23:17:00.009-04:00

a sampling of eric's site, art + some shots of the cards he crafted for me. every time i hand one to someone it feels as though i'm giving them a little piece of art. the image on the cards + my site is me as a child + the private island i was raised on till i was 4:) during the whole branding process eric + i became great friends so it feels a little odd writing about him in any kind of a formal way. simply put, his whole heart + soul go in to his work so it shows. his patrons include: photographers, fine artists, musicians, clothing designers.. all these artists trust him to uncover personal features in creating a brand that is meaningful + honest.

*fine commercial artist - funnel *eric kass

{art} *yana

2010-02-28T21:42:00.013-05:00

it was busy morning doing hair, makeup, wardrobe + set styling for our "beautiful day" series - we shot in the thick of winter in my dining room. originally intended as a new years shoot, to bring on the new year as though a perfect fresh start morning..

i spent most of my time running around for table props (a stretch from my usual styling) that i ran a little low on time for wardrobe. i do my best to style with vintage or indie designer pieces but this time i'm a little embarrassed to say... i ended up with a target dress. i know unforgivable - but it couldn't be helped.. it worked with the pink + yellow palate i had envisioned. special thanks to dear friend + photographer stacy newgent who not only executed the beautiful day vision but fried eggs the sunny side up.

*photographer stacy newgent + her swell photo blog

{inspiration} *doucette duvall

2010-02-24T17:07:00.007-05:00

yesterday was my 35th birthday, i'm still getting used to it.. anyway, i typically get a little overly introspective on birthdays so this year i decided to seek out a birthday dress to counter my birthday doldrums. i popped in to one of my favorite stores thrifty threads * i like it there because they have a good selection of old things + the proceeds go to a women's shelter. well happy birthday to me because local retailer 8fifteen had just donated a some of last seasons items. i found the perfect birthday frock by doucette duvall for a fraction of the price. it was love right away for the fabric, the cut.. also nice to hear they use pre existing fabrics with socially + environmentally responsible practices in the line. really really great work, i'm hoping these ladies have a long lustrous career ahead - please check them out if you have a chance.

clothing design *doucette duvall

2010-02-23T00:33:00.000-05:00

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{art} *jess

2010-02-19T15:32:00.009-05:00

this series is some what of a departure from my usual work with photographer stacy newgent. i've had requests for more 'beauty' shots to show the make-up. in my love of photography i often prefer the image that has not as much to do with the make-up more of the over all story. for instance in this series my favorite shot is the top shot. we found some sweet spots of light that filtered through her windows just right. our dear model jessica broke open a couple bottles of Moët et Chandon for us while we munched on bazbeaux's quatro formagio. oh i almost forgot.. our dear carolyn cuttill styled jessica's lovely locks.

{inspiration} *vanessa bruno

2010-02-01T14:35:00.004-05:00

i found this via the drifter and the gypy blog. it's wonderful in so many ways. please watch.

*designer vanessa bruno

{art} *cafe yarns

2010-01-18T22:17:00.010-05:00

last fall i did a job with photographer polina osherov, model nikki sutton, model trinity jackson, + hairstylist carolyn cuttill for local knit design company - cafe yarns. nikki modeled, art directed + styled the shoot. i did make-up + helped style trinity's wardrobe. i think the colors + textures came off quite nicely.

{inspiration} *loretta lux

2009-12-27T23:17:00.008-05:00

half painting half picture, i really enjoy her use of muted tones.

artist *loretta lux

{inspiration} *kick

2009-12-18T23:35:00.021-05:00

^ illustration ec brown + design andrea park ^

^ production photos by alan del rio oritz ^

^ kick styling inspiration ^

Kick Preview from Clara Alcott on Vimeo.

my dear friend clara alcott just finished shooting 'kick' - a short sci fi melodrama on two women who fear technology. clara wrote, directed + starred in this film. i love her stylistic instinct - so it's wonderful to see her vision come to life. my complaint? that i didn't have the opportunity to collaborate with her on this one. can't wait to see kick in its entirety. happy editing clara - hurry up now!

film maker *clara alcott

{inspiration} *childhood

2009-12-15T15:01:00.010-05:00

i enjoyed reading a little on liv's childhood story so decided to post these few shots. we were care takers of 'shelter island' for the 1st 4 years of my life. this 16 acre island off the coast of british columbia was the most picturesque atmosphere to wake up to everyday, i'll probably spend the rest of my years trying to recapture the natural beauty of my early years. ah peace.

{inspiration} *blushless

2009-12-14T01:23:00.020-05:00

i became acquainted with blushless designer liv lundelius yesterday indirectly through one of my favorite bloggers tina daunt. i admire her ability to produce romantic contemporary designs. the gowns have this wonderful freedom in the draping of the fabric bound together to create a beautifully organic structure. the integrity of the line cary's through in the fabric - the whole collection is composed of the highest ecofriendly materials. upon reading further i found that liv + i share more than appreciation of work in common. we are both lifetime vegetarians probably due to unconventional upbringings by free spirits.

*designer liv lundelius for blushless + be blushless blog

{art} *kayla

2009-12-12T22:42:00.009-05:00

a few weeks back stacy + i took the afternoon to work with lovely model kayla strother to experiment with some concepts we've been scheming up. kayla was such a beautiful subject for this series. some of my styling inspirations were pulled from virgin suicides, hitchcock, david lynch.. as always stacy worked her mastery by selecting the most honest + captivating moments with just the right perspective.

photographer *stacy newgent

{inspiration} *jody rogac

2009-11-12T22:02:00.004-05:00

i found jody's work when i was visiting vancouver last summer. her focus comes off timeless yet fresh + contemporary. jody's use of natural light, + muted tones are so soothing on the eyes.

*photographer jody rogac

{art} *awkward beauty website + photo credits

2009-10-26T13:32:00.027-04:00

website design eric kass

photographer trinity jackson ∴ hair make-up + styling me

photographer john bragg ∴ hair make-up + styling me

photographer stacy newgent ∴ make-up me ∴ hair philip salmon ∴

wardrobe stephen garstang ∴ art direction kathy davis

photographer john bragg ∴ hair make-up + wardrobe me

photographer jason boyer ∴ make-up + styling me ∴ hair brooke ferrin

photographer harold lee miller ∴ make-up me ∴ wardrobe heather rodocker

photographer john bragg ∴ make-up + styling me

photographer polina osherov ∴ make-up me ∴ hair loni wilson ∴

wardrobe nikki sutton

photographer stacy newgent ∴ make-up me ∴ styling stephen garstang

photographer stacy newgent ∴ hair make-up + wardrobe me

photographer greg perez ∴ make-up + wardrobe me ∴

hair bobby cooper

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

many thanks to all - you make me better. it feels so nice to finally have a proper representation of my aesthetic. i hope to grow and encourage others in the way people have done for me.

{inspiration} *lorick

2009-10-26T01:14:00.009-04:00

my friend clara directed me to lorick a couple weeks ago. so glad she did - this clothing line + the site are right up my ally. love love love it! check it out if you get a sec.

*clothing designer abigail lorick

{inspiration} *liza minnelli

2009-10-21T23:36:00.003-04:00

found these cool old shots of liza minnelli taken by andy worhol. i dig the shades of red, contoured make-up, + her huge doe eyes.

{art} *my shots

2009-10-14T13:45:00.007-04:00

some of the beauties that surround me. please view more on my flickr + add me as a contact if you can.

{inspiration} the powder group

2009-10-13T00:55:00.011-04:00

my close friend + fellow make-up stylist kat sterrett reminded me the powder group was having a make-up artist summit this weekend in chicago - my own back yard. it's been a couple years since i've had the opportunity to attend one of their events so i jumped on it. these industry leaders inspire + create strong community amongst other make-up artists. so fun connecting with tpg founder michael devellis, media expert kathy aragon, yaby founder/artist liz yu , fellow vancouver native artist + agency owner jon hennessey + finally, the kindly kindred familiar face of david klasfeld creator of the clever cosmetic line occ. surrounding myself with such positive talented people gave me just the boost i needed - reminds me why i love my profession much. fun fun!

{art} *harold lee miller

2009-10-07T19:22:00.008-04:00

it's been around 5 years since i started working with harold. i've been able to take part in quite a few of his self assignment photo essays. it's fun to watch - he works with great conviction + commitment to his stories. these are few of many of his shots that graced the pages of communication arts.

*photographer harold lee miller

{inspiration} art + ghosts

2009-10-01T14:12:00.010-04:00

i found this lovely illustrator through twitter + liked her work immediately. when i asked if i could post on her work she replied right away + was completely charming:)

*uk based illustration art + ghosts

{art} *marie

2009-09-28T16:53:00.012-04:00

a few images from a shoot i did make-up on this summer with photographer polina osherov. nikki sutton worked her styling magic with some beautiful dresses from identity street ware + loni wilson crafted marie's hair with her usual mastery.

*fashion + portrait photographer polina osherov

monday muse *monica mustelier

2009-09-21T13:36:00.005-04:00

moni + i met in 3rd grade. the kids at school used to make fun of me because my jeans weren't tapered at the bottom. moni was there for me- she gave me an almost brand new pair of hutch jeans with zippers on the bottom so they could be extra tight. in addition to having a keen sense of style, moni's a tireless painter, singer, actress writer + producer.

*artist monica mustelier

{inspiration} *ye rin mok

2009-09-21T11:08:00.012-04:00

i ordered ye rin mok's small etsy book for someone's birthday a couple months back. inside, the pages were as delicate as her images. going through her work, i have a sense of solemn tranquility- it feels like could gaze at her world for hours.

*photogapher ye rin mok or on etsy

monday muse *miranda july

2009-09-14T11:08:00.010-04:00

i think miranda july is wonderful - her style is totally on point for me. most of all i appreciate how courageous + giving she is as an artist.

*performance artist miranda july

{art} bobby

2009-09-12T17:05:00.018-04:00

hairstylist bobby cooper asked me to help out on make-up for his portfolio with photographer greg perez. it was fun being directed under bobby's vision. he's an expert in his field achieving great success by making everyone he comes in contact with look + feel wonderful.

*hairstylist bobby cooper + photographer greg perez

{inspiration} elle moss

2009-09-07T22:52:00.028-04:00

i've never seen elle moss describe herself as a stylist but judging by her work i'd say she's just that. well not just that, she's also an expert photographer, self proclaimed 'mod housewife extraordinaire', how the list must go on. she manages to tap in to a perfect world of whimsy that's all her own. elle moss embodies a lot of what influences 'awkward beauty'. feel free to purchase her work on etsy. oh last thing, i wish she was my friend.

*photographer elle moss + elle on etsy

monday muse *linda evangelista

2009-09-07T22:00:00.012-04:00

today is labor day so it feels different than most mondays, usually, my mondays need a little kick start. so i've decided to start picking a monday muse to prompt my inspiration through the week. i'm kicking it off with lovely linda. i found some old peter lindbergh shots from the late 80's early 90's. her less conventional beauty always reminded me of my aunt eva who was my most formative style influence from an early age. did i mention she's canadian?

*model linda evangelista + photographer peter lindbergh

{inspiration} dace

2009-08-19T00:58:00.027-04:00

as a canadian living in the states, i see it as my duty to point out everything canadian or even better, vancouver + canadian! this is where dace comes in.. when i was visiting home a couple weeks ago my sis moni got me hip to dace, a new line her friend is repping. i'm lovein' the simplicity in her designs.

*clothing design dace

{art + inspiration} instant fun

2009-08-03T13:20:00.013-04:00

fuji picked up where polaroid left off. i was recently able to capture a few photos from my sisters wedding (above). i love this little device.

* fuji instax mini

{inspiration} carla ricciardi

2009-08-02T11:49:00.020-04:00

i was fortunate to become acquainted with carla on a job a few months back. i love her dreamy feminine sensibility toward style. i'm hoping to see more of her work cross over to the northern hemisphere. meeting her gave me a little spark in the rest of my day - she is incredibly lovely, i think you can tell, it comes through in her work.

*argentina based clothing designer - carla ricciardi

{art} tasha

2009-08-02T09:19:00.015-04:00

this was a fun one, my photographer friend stacy newgent + i meet often to chat about concepts and new ways to approach our crafts. often, nothing comes of it but this day it did. the shoot was pretty impromptu, i grabbed a my make-up + a bunch of wardrobe and headed over to tasha's. the idea was to create beauty with character. i'm really proud of the way this collaboration turned out.

*photographer stacy newgent