THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS OF SHELLY PERKINS

~~~~ ~~ THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS OF SHELLY PERKINS ~~
Repost~December 12, 2012
In a quest to finalize my project for this semester at the University of Oklahoma, I’ve found that I’m wanting more. I don’t want my project to be over and plan to make additional images for my Wonderland interpretation. I loved getting to know how I work and how I go through the process of making my artwork, from the initial concept and idea down to the final image and large inkjet print. There are a few images that my project will never be complete without, one of which is the White Rabbit. How can Alice go to Wonderland without chasing after the White Rabbit who is always late? (I’m currently on a mission to find a white rabbit that my little Alice could cuddle in a portrait.) Another image I plan to make includes the caterpillar, possibly with a smoking hookah, and finally the Mad Hatter and well, you’ll just have to wait and see about him. The Mad Hatter images I made looked a little too creepy for my final presentation. I wanted to stay away from the creepiness (which is the path I took for my last large project but instead wanted this final class project to have a light-hearted feel to it and to bring back memories of what others may have remembered about “their” Alice for their own childhood. Here is a collage of the final images from my project (albeit finished for the class, but not quite finished for my own personal project). This will be my final posting on my student blog for this Digital Photography at the University of Oklahoma. I’ve had a great time…now Enjoy and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Have a Blessed New Year!!! ( FOR MORE INFO ON MY ONGOING WORK — CHECK OUT WWW.SHELLYPERKINS.COM )

Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Finalizing my Project

~~~~ ~~ THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS OF SHELLY PERKINS ~~
~December 12, 2012
In a quest to finalize my project for this semester at the University of Oklahoma, I’ve found that I’m wanting more. I don’t want my project to be over and plan to make additional images for my Wonderland interpretation. I loved getting to know how I work and how I go through the process of making my artwork, from the initial concept and idea down to the final image and large inkjet print. There are a few images that my project will never be complete without, one of which is the White Rabbit. How can Alice go to Wonderland without chasing after the White Rabbit who is always late? (I’m currently on a mission to find a white rabbit that my little Alice could cuddle in a portrait.) Another image I plan to make includes the caterpillar, possibly with a smoking hookah, and finally the Mad Hatter and well, you’ll just have to wait and see about him. The Mad Hatter images I made looked a little too creepy for my final presentation. I wanted to stay away from the creepiness (which is the path I took for my last large project but instead wanted this final class project to have a light-hearted feel to it and to bring back memories of what others may have remembered about “their” Alice for their own childhood. Here is a collage of the final images from my project (albeit finished for the class, but not quite finished for my own personal project). This will be my final posting on my student blog for this Digital Photography at the University of Oklahoma. I’ve had a great time…now Enjoy and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Have a Blessed New Year!!! ( FOR MORE INFO ON MY ONGOING WORK — CHECK OUT WWW.SHELLYPERKINS.COM )

Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Ben Heine's Mad Hatter

December 11, 2012
I wanted to share some other work I found that I’ve really enjoyed. Ben Heine’s work ~ WOW ~ Lovin' this artist.

Alice in Wonderland

Did Lewis Carroll have a Mental Illness ?

~~ ~December 10, 2012

Did Lewis Carroll have a mental illness ??
I had not addressed this in the blog before but some historians have wondered if Lewis Carroll, the author of the original Alice story, had a form of mental illness and even worse. Whether he did or not, I do not know, however the author did record in his journal his bouts of illness with terrible migraines. I too have migraines and know how debilitating they can get at times. Here’s a short article written by news publication Varsity in the U.K. about Lewis Carroll.
http://www.varsity.co.uk/culture/4085

Twisted or Just Child Play ?

~~December 9, 2012
Was Lewis Carroll twisted or did he just enjoy the innocence of child-play?
I want to think in my mind, that Lewis Carroll who was a professor, simply enjoyed spending time, teaching and entertaining young children. He did not have any children of his own and by terms of his employment he was not allowed to marry and therefore did not. He spent much time with the school’s Dean and his family (the “the real Alice” was the Dean and Lewis Carroll’s employer). Without confirmation otherwise, I believe Charles Dodgson, a.k.a. Lewis Carroll, was an educator who loved his job of teaching children and delighted in seeing the eyes of the innocent sparkle when he told his tales. If you can step back in time and remember when everything was new and an adventure. Why shouldn’t we all carry that feeling around with us and go out into the world and see everything through the eyes of a child?
Smithsonian link on Lewis Carroll’s Shifting Reputation http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Lewis-Carrolls-Shifting-Reputation.html?c=y&page=3#
~~

Interpretations of Alice in Wonderland

~~ ~December 8, 2012

A few more clips of other Alice and Wonderland interpretations. I can’t get enough of Wonderland now. I’m so in love with the whole little story. I’ve been researching the back story about the original author and the surroundings of the original writings, which are somewhat strange but all in all, it’s a great story to make-believe.
Here’s a little clip from the original Disney 1951 animated film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgbntWU7pG8

Here’s a fun short video with various Cheshire Cat clips. I LOVE the Cheshire Cat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cl5Bd_-FzA

Here’s another little Youtube link from another Wonderland film. It has somewhat of a Little House on the Prairie feel to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ZhHun-Jq7s8

Here’s a link to the entire film of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a 1972 British musical film based on the Lewis Carroll novel of the same name. It had an all star cast, and John Barry composed the score. In 1973, the film won the BAFTA Film Award at the BAFTA Awards Ceremony for Best Cinematography, won by Geoffrey Unsworth, and Best Costume Design, won by Anthony Mendleson. Cast: Fiona Fullerton – Alice Michael Crawford – White Rabbit Peter Sellers – The March Hare Dudley Moore’s name was in the credits too… still have yet to find him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgWshJ9yN7c

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland filmed in 1972
And Lastly…. Here’s the U.K. trailer to the latest Disney Alice in Wonderland film produced by Tim Burton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9POCgSRVvf0

My Art Process ~ Alice in Wonderland

~~December 5, 2012
I wanted to include a little behind the scenes look at the process I go through to make an image. I usually have an idea in my mind and will often sketch out a scene. The final image may not look exactly like the sketch but it’s more of a beginning point. Much of my work is about the process not just the outcome and I wanted to offer a glimpse of the steps that I take to get to the destination.

Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Inspiration for my Chesire Cat

~~ ~November 20, 2012 ~
Here’s a little video clip from the original animated version of Alice. This video and seeing it through the eyes of a child was inspiration for my Cat ~ Animated Alice in Wonderland’s Chesire Cat CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS CHESHIRE CAT VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUnqbBgYZmI

Continuing my Quest for Alice ~ Avril Lavigne's Alice Video

~~ ~November 17, 2012 ~ 3:45 pm CONTINUING MY QUEST FOR ALICE ~
Avril Lavigne's "Alice" from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack I've loved this song and the creepiness look of the video since it came out. I don't know why I didn't share it earlier.

Click here for Avril Lavigne's VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZb8CnUzUOc

Lyrics to "Alice"

[Verse 1:] Trippin' out Spinnin' around I'm underground I fell down Yeah, I fell down
I'm freakin' out Where am I now? Upside down And I can't stop it now It can't stop me now ooooooh
[Chorus:] I... I'll get by I... I'll Survive When the world's crashin' down When I Fall and hit the ground I will turn myself around Don't you try to stop me I... I won't cry
[Verse 2:] I'll play the game But I can't stay I've got my head on straight And I'm not gonna change I'm not gonna change
I'll win the race Keep up with the pace Today's the day That I start to pray You can't get in my way Nooooooooo
[Chorus]
[Bridge:] I found myself (myself) In Wonderland Get back on (back on) My feet again Is this real? (this real) Is this pretend? I'll Take a stand (a stand) Until the end
[Chorus 2x]

The Jabberwocky ~ Alice in Wonderland

~~ ~November 16, 2012 @ 4:00 am
The Jabberwocky

" “Jabberwocky” is a poem of nonsense verse written by Lewis Carroll, and found as a part of his novel Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871). It is generally considered to be one of the greatest nonsense poems written in the English language. This poem is used in many schools to teach students about the use of portmanteaux."


by http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/2007/05/jabberwocky-by-lewis-carroll/
Link to The Jabberwocky, a poem by Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland Poets.Org, collections of poetry

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15597


Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand; Long time the manxome foe he sought— So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.

~~

Annie Leibovitz does Alice in Wonderland for Vogue

~~ ~November 13, 2012 @ 06:00 am Annie Leibovitz does Alice in Wonderland
While researching Alice I found a piece from one of my all time favorite portrait photographers to the stars and designer of our day. I always love her work and was very excited to find this fashion editorial shot by Annie Leibovitz. http://trendland.com/alice-in-wonderland-by-annie-leibovitz/#

The image of giant Alice inside the doll house is my favorite image!!! I love it.


These photos are images made by Annie Lebowitz and printed for Vogue, both are copyrights of these individuals and their companies. These images have been only been used for educational purposes while as a student on the University of Oklahoma. No copyright laws have been broken. Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

My Inner Trip to Wonderland

~~ November 12, 2012 @ 3:50 am My inner trip to Wonderland
I am continuing my journey to my own "Wonderland" and have found many roads I could choose to travel. As I work through my idea and storyline, I relax and let my mind take me on a journey to a make-believe space and to a time which is always speeding along, too quickly and yet it almost stands still. I find inspiration all around in small objects that are often missed or ignored and I feel compelled to photograph these small details, up-close in a minimalist way, keeping the images simple to show the importance of each object. I have photographed Alice's legs and feet. This is a tool which are going to take us to our adventure through Wonderland and Alice's dreams. We notice the key and wonder what kind of door it might open. We see a stack of disheveled cards with the Queen of Hearts on the top to show the domination the queen possesses. A purple, fat, whimsical cat looks the viewer in the eye while other images of clocks and time pieces have importance to the story. Each small part helps to represent the larger part of depth of the story of Alice's journey.

My Quest for Alice

Some inspiration for my University of Oklahoma photography project has been found in the writings and illustrations of the original Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll. The story is really deep if you truly study it and the characters and even the behind the scene process and journey which Lewis Carroll and the family of the real Alice take during this time.

Lenny's Alice in Wonderland website has posted a lot of great information and also has a webshop selling Alice merchandise. Inspirational Website: http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/pictures/alice-pictures.html
Alice in Wonderland related merchandise http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/shop/
Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Finding Other Interpretations of Alice in Wonderland

~~ ~November 10, 2012 @ 11:00 pm
Finding other interpretations of Alice in Wonderland



I found this amazing artist, Romain Berthou, who is working with a company in Paris using his illustrations in digital media and television for companies like Disney. I LOVE, LOVE Berthou's take on Alice in Wonderland. I wanted to share these two images he included on his flickr account from his recently published pop-up book. I love the play of cards, popping up only to knock Alice down to the ground. (You'll have to look closely to find her amongst the cards. Also Berthou's White Rabbit is amazing. He looks so sweet and cuddly but so demented with those red eyes. Maybe he's like most people who are most often civil and nice to people but there's always a little bit of evilness or uncertainty which one must constantly battle to contain.

Romain Berthou's Flickr Site ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/57121663@N03/ Click on link below to see Berthou's representation of an illustrated Alice along with a few other classics in his recent book. http://vimeo.com/14769206

Photographs, Images, Ideas and Representations used for educational purposes as a student of the University of Oklahoma in Media, Fine Art Photography.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Avril Lavinge Lyrics to Alice in Wonderland song

[Verse 1:] Trippin' out Spinnin' around I'm underground I fell down Yeah, I fell down I'm freakin' out Where am I now? Upside down And I can't stop it now It can't stop me now ooooooh [Chorus:] I... I'll get by I... I'll Survive When the world's crashin' down When I Fall and hit the ground I will turn myself around Don't you try to stop me I... I won't cry [Verse 2:] I'll play the game But I can't stay I've got my head on straight And I'm not gonna change I'm not gonna change I'll win the race Keep up with the pace Today's the day That I start to pray You can't get in my way Nooooooooo [Chorus] [Bridge:] I found myself (myself) In Wonderland Get back on (back on) My feet again Is this real? (this real) Is this pretend? I'll Take a stand (a stand) Until the end [Chorus 2x]

Space and Time found in Alice in Wonderland

~October 24, 2012
Space and Time
Alice in Wonderland

As I am beginning to explore different avenues of Space and Time I find myself continually drawn to a make-believe space that is of a timeless appeal. I love the story of Alice in Wonderland and how since its original writing in 1865 by English author Lewis Carroll, the story remains loveable. The adventure begins with Alice going into a rabbit hole and into a space where real life is turned upside down. She follows a rabbit that is continually worried about the time and being late. When she comes to a gathering at a tea party, she has found the time has stopped at 6 pm or tea-time and so the tea party never ends.
In researching and thinking about space and time one must wonder about the existence and acknowledgement of time. In modern day advanced civilization, time is recorded by the passing of minutes, hours and days on a calendar. Even the Mayans of long ago understood and accepted the passing of time and recorded it by the creation of a calendar. Prehistoric man may have thought about the passing of time as in the life cycle of animals or the growing seasons of vegetation. These long ago people didn’t record it the same way we do now but still understood that time does not stand still.
Time continues the same for all, however the way people observe it and how they record it through their point of reference is the only thing that’s different. Time is the same for all and exists within a space or a three dimensional location. Space and time exist together, while the differences are the ways people exist within in a particular space and record the time within that space. As for Alice and the time she spent in Wonderland, one must wonder if it was just a dream? Was the time she spent there actually sleep and if the space only existed in her imagination of a dream?

Alice in Wonderland, a fictional space in time, as it existed in the mind of the author, “Lewis Carroll” and his original manuscript.

Source of image: Manuscript of Alice's Adventures Under Ground (f. 45v / p. 88) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alice%27s_Adventures_Under_Ground_-_Lewis_Carroll_-_British_Library_Add_MS_46700_f45v.jpg