Books: because Anthony Bourdain won’t sign your Kindle

I decided to drop my “Book of the Month” category and created a Book List in the blog sidebar instead (I will list books I am currently reading/using there). It’s a fun way to share something about myself and a very quick book review. I will only list books I like, then you can check them out and see if you like them as well.

This has been a great book week for me. I went to Anthony Bourdain’s book signing on Tuesday. He is as funny in person as you would expect. I didn’t get a chance to read Medium Raw yet, but Kitchen Confidential is a very good and sincere read.

I also got the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Met catalogue this week. It is absolutely gorgeous and everyone should get one before they are sold out. The layout is very simple: large format photographs with quotes from Alexander McQueen serving as the only explanation to what you are seeing. The cover features a lenticular print, a bit of old-school technology that I find rather fitting. My only issue with this book is its lack of a dust jacket. I can’t believe that a coffee table book, especially of such otherwise high quality, would come without one. This edition is cloth bound and merely comes with a paper insert that can be seen in the photos below.

I am looking forward to seeing the show next week.

Booties

A sneak peek of my new shoe designs. Finished lasting these yesterday, just need to have shoe repair put heels on them.

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Ballet vs Basketball and Free Running

Have you ever noticed similarities between ballet and sports? Although ballet dancers make their movements look effortless, the skills and physical ability involved can match almost any Olympic event. Some major similarities can be seen in the construction of pointe shoes and free running footwear. When it comes to basketball, the movements athletes make are rather similar to dance moves.

Nike Free vs pointe shoes

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kirov Ballet (NY Times), Sixers, et al

Your Art Here

H&M is having another Your Art Here contest. This time, five winning art pieces will be printed on t-shirts and sold at H&M nation wide. Please vote for my piece by following this link and clicking on the five stars. I really appreciate your support. Tell your friends. Thank you everyone.

Japan 2006

We are covering Japan in my Asian Art History class and it’s making me nostalgic. Japan is a beautiful country with rich history and ability to keep traditions alive while staying on the cutting edge of technology. I took these photos  in Kashima, Tokyo and Yokohama in spring of 2006. Hopefully I will be able to go back there soon.

ZigTech

Try drawing a fashion shoe based on an athletic one, it’s a lot of fun. This is my wedge design inspired by Reebok’s ZigTech.