Lookbook for Jackstraw

Written by Michael. Posted on August 31, 2011. No comments.

I don’t often shoot ‘fashion’ as it were but when John Richards asked me to tackle his Fall/Winter 2011 lookbook for Jackstraw, I was quite flattered. You’re invited you to take a gander as I couldn’t be happier with results.

Postscript. . . if you don’t see an image above of a man looking off camera with an overtly confused look, then the embedded slideshow viewer isn’t showing up. Click here to see it on Issuu, but be sure to view in ‘single page’ mode. . .

More soon,

Clinard

A Regular Picasso Up in Here

Written by Michael. Posted on August 29, 2011. No comments.

I’ll have some very exciting posts regarding recent assignments/projects up very soon, but this update comes on the art show front.

My work was recently shown at What if. . . in Chicago alongside such talented folks as Ryan Schude, Lauren Randolph and a host of others – some of which were from the Phoot Camp contigency I was recently a part of. Thanks to Mr. Paul Octavious (love that series of his with spinning LP’s) for the invitation.

I showed a diptych consisting of my ‘loaded,’ hand-forged-from-paper baked potato alongside my play-doh steak. You know, meat and potatoes go together. Seemed to have been a fun night with great art and drunk gingerbread men dancing. . .

My image of Joseph, the Illusionist is also on view at a group show called ‘Food’ at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado. It was curated by Mr. David Bram of Fraction Magazine (that’s my image in the top left corner).

Oh. . . and if you’re in Seattle, swing by Jackstraw Filaments on 1st Avenue to see some more of my work.

More always,

Clinard

Separated at Birth

Written by Michael. Posted on August 21, 2011. No comments.

Been rather busy with projects, so excuse the lack of posts.

Working on a lookbook today for Jackstraw down on First Avenue here in Seattle and had to post these outtakes.

Should mention that John, the gentleman on the right, was kind enough to ask me for some of my photos to put up in the store. If you’re in the neighborhood, come through and check ‘em out.

I’ll have some rather great updates on recent projects and exciting personal things in the very near future so stay tuned.

More soon,

Clinard

My portrait of Sean Penn

Written by Michael. Posted on July 20, 2011. No comments.

Or rather the back of him. . .

He seemed like the nicest guy as I stupidly blurted out ‘Hey Sean Penn,’ meatballs billowing from my agape mouth. It was honest and without airs. He grinned and said, ‘hey man’ and threw his forefinger up thus allowing me to continue devouring the bucket of food in my lap.

I could’ve run over and got a picture with him, but there’s so much of that stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to, but respect people’s space and respect the swagger. He’s a dude just like me, and it was enough to be able to see him in the flesh.

I guess it’d be like seeing a dodo bird OR hanging out in Jurassic Park all day taking pictures from the safari van.

I’ve met a fair amount of ‘famous’ types, and each time I think to myself ‘you look nothing like X.’ Robert Downey Jr. is in fact 4 feet tall. Sarah Palin is ‘human’ and not a fire-breathing dragon as many suggest. Sean Penn on the other hand looked exactly as I’d expect him. . .

I feel like the image above is fitting as he’s just walking the Earth - working for the cause while high-fiving folks along the way. Then on the weekends, he just kicks ass on the silver screen.

More always,

Clinard

On the Road – Knoxville

Written by Michael. Posted on July 15, 2011. No comments.

Working on the East coast this week, and first stop was Knoxville.

It holds a special place in my heart because my dad used to take my brother and me to University of Tennessee football games every year up until the sixth grade when we moved to Alabama. I fondly cherish those memories.

My dad never took me to Ciderville Music, so I absolutely had to stop there.

It’s where I found the most amazing portrait bust of Johnny Cash ever drawn.

Absolutely had to stop at Yee-Haw Industries, too. . .

I miss Tennessee, but remembered very quickly part of the reason why I left. . . like 90 degree weather in about 100% humidity.

Ah, the allure of the South. . .

More always,

Clinard

 

Google Voice Fail

Written by Michael. Posted on July 7, 2011. 2 Comments.

You gotta love Google Voice for trying (click above). I love reading it’s failed attempts at transcription. Pushing things out the door, this is the back and forth between retouch/composite artist and photographer.

More always,

Mike

An Ineffably Enigmatic Sleeping Giant

Written by Michael. Posted on July 5, 2011. No comments.

Outtake from a recent editorial project. Easily one of the more interesting folks I’ve ever worked with/directed.

Lately

Written by Michael. Posted on June 27, 2011. No comments.

Have had a lot on the plate lately: heavy personal commitments, commercial and editorial projects and a recent trip to NYC where some amazing opportunities have come about.

I’ve now got enough content built up to blog over for the next year, so expect new posts very soon.

In the meantime you’ve got to check out this amazing painting I picked up from Kirk Albert (formerly Great Stuff) here in Seattle.

More soon,

Mikey.

April Spiel Prom Photos

Written by Michael. Posted on April 11, 2011. 2 Comments.

A buddy of mine and his wife had me out to the Granite Curling Club in gloomy Seattle a couple weekends back for their annual Bon Spiel.

I’d often heard amazingly debaucherous/revelrous stories and when they said, ‘we got this annual prom thing we do and wonder if you’d like to do photos,’  I jumped at the opportunity.

april spiel prom plate

Gotta admit I absolutely love the image above. To me, there’s a semi-presence to the whole thing that is as much of a portrait of the night as any other image might have been of the attendees.

crotch chopping

Back when I graduated from Art School, my first job out was working for a high school picture place in Memphis, TN called Jimmy Alford Studios. Saw a host of crazy things then, and Benj (above) brought those memories flooding back.

The lad couldn’t hear much of my direction on account of 1) the loud music and 2) the associated fog brought on by adult beverages.

disco ball head

Of the funny things said, the most notable quote of the night was “my drinking team has a curling problem.” Enough of one I’d say to warrant an attack on the hapless disco ball that wore the battle scars in the form it’s missing glassed sections.

tying balloons off

Much thanks to Granite Curling Club and all who allowed me to take their photos. . . god only know what mistakes were made that evening.

More always,

Mike

Yoga Feature and the Vision that is Benjamen Purvis

Written by Michael. Posted on February 28, 2011. No comments.

Several weeks back, I mentioned the imagery shot for Seattle Met Magazine and their January 2011 issue. I’m now super pleased to give a bit of backstory on the production and the lead played by their AD, Benjamen Purvis.

Quick prologue: after my return from NYC in November 2010, the first thing I did was to reach out to Benjamen and Seattle Met Magazine.

It’s my opinion that he’s single-handedly up’ed the editorial design cred’ here in the Pacific NW since his move here some two years ago from Las Vegas.

**Do yourself a favor and check his ideas behind shooting screen grabs of his computer along with an epic push to get the December 2010 issue of the mag out — an issue currently up for a regional award in magazine design excellence (click the images below for links to the posts).

The story on how I came to work with Benjamen is pretty much like this: I reach out with interest in sitting down for a portfolio review. Sometime thereafter, we’re chatting over the book; he loves my branding and finds it a nice complement to my quirky, conceptual style. As we’re wrapping up, I express my thanks for him taking time out of his busy schedule to see me as we shake hands and finish things up.

Not two hours later I get a call and it’s Ben. He says ‘hey man, I loved the book: probably the best I’ve seen in a long time and I want to put you on something right away. . . a feature. . .’

Amidst my speechlessness, he and I proceed to spitball the approach of showing the subjects in profile and how those around them are kind of oblivious to the ‘full-on’ yoga poses as the story is about people incorporating the practice into their everyday lives. If you haven’t seen the story, check out a couple tears below along with the ever-flexible Dawn Jansen of 8 Limbs Yoga. . .


Present Day: I’ve since done a couple more interesting projects with Benjamen and Seattle Met, but I should take this opportunity to congratulate him on all his hard work here in the Pacific Northwest. WHY?

Because he’s making the move to NYC where he’ll be taking the reigns as the Creative Director of Men’s Journal! In fact, he’s literally driving cross-country as I write this. I mean, it’s no surprise: he’s a hustler and an example of how hard work and passion for one’s craft pays off.

Good luck, Benjamen! Super appreciate you giving me my first shot.

Below is a 30 second snippet of Dawn doing her thing along with a couple funny outtakes during my scout depicting just how incredibly difficult it can be for the average person to arch one’s back 90 degrees.

More always,

Mike