This is Google Creatives Lab's love letter to the awesomeness of going everywhere and anywhere with Google Maps!

   It was so inspiring for me to watch the creative process, as my husband and other talented Google creatives worked tirelessly, editing (and re-editing) to bring us this happy little 60 sec. spot - which will have you singing it's tune, wanting to go everywhere man, and hitting replay again and again.

What the heck?!?! Summer passed me by in the blink of an eye.  I hope this brings a smile to your face and you're doing something fun to celebrate this weekend.  I'll probably just eat gallons of ice cream and stare at this little girl all weekend long.  If you cannot get enough of this little one, check out her momma - NAGANO TOYOKAZU's amazing flickr photostream for endless creativity and entertainment. 

 Photos: Polaroid Spectra Camera :: Softone Film

I took this course a few months ago.  I was in middle of my busy season with makeup gigs, but this course gave me the freedom and flexibility to do the homework on my own schedule.  I'm so pleased with the amount I learned in such a short amount of time.  I finally have an understanding (and I no longer a huge fear) of that scary unknown manual mode world.  I no longer glaze over - I actually get it! YAY!  But this course went beyond just this, due to Amanda's teaching style and personality.  She is compassionate, inspiring, and encouraging.  She is a special lady.  At times it felt like creative therapy for my soul.  She shares her extensive knowledge, creates thought-provoking lessons, tons of resources, and offers her students a comfortable place (in a private forum and flickr group) to share, connect and grow as artists.  My class was a diverse group of people who are passionate about photography, from around the world.  How cool is that?  This also made the experience quite unique.  I know I have a ton more to learn, but this course was the perfect place for me to begin.  

This rave review post is long overdue, but I wanted to be sure to share it because Shoot By Design is starting it's next course very soon... 

OH MY - I just had a peek at Amanda's blog and she is giving away a spot to her course - HAVE A LOOK!

beautiful photo by amanda gilligan

Check out her Pretty Polaroid Notes from Chronicle Books.  Oh hey - they're also available at Urban Outfitters.  And I'm buying them NOW! :)

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P.S.

My post title has just reminded me of a film I wanted to see last summer but never did; Beginners.  I'm excited to find it will be released on Nov. 15th!  Here's the trailer...

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

It's taken me a while to figure things out.  I'm a late bloomer I guess.  One thing I've always known is that I am a visual person, an artist.  I've had the knack for drawing and painting since I was very young, so it was no surprise that I attended art school and focused on illustration and design.  It was all I knew.  I believe I could have done well as an illustrator or even a fine art painter, but that didn't happen.  I got lost along the way.  Instead I took an art job in NYC that I knew was not the right fit for me.  I took it anyway - for the money.  I stayed there way too long and then became trapped by my own limitations and fears.  Life is complicated that way.  I didn't have the computer skills needed at the time to get a different art related job, or the money/time needed to return to school.  I thought it was too late for me to go back to fine art.  I became paralyzed, overwhelmed and frustrated.  I felt I had so much to give creatively and that I was just wasting away. I was really unhappy.  But then after being there for 8 lonnnng years, I was let go.  That was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Even though that was a very tumultuous time in my life, I was finally free to pursue other interests.  So that's what I did.  I went back to school, but for something completely different.  I became a skin care specialist; an esthetician.  What?  Yeah I know it seems odd and disconnected from creativity, but I really loved it.  It was such a great way for me to tap into my nurturing side and share one-on-one connections with people.  This was refreshing - especially after having an office type/9 to 5/M-F job for so long.  My plan was to do this part time and then be able to focus the rest of my time on my creative dreams.  I found it interesting that many people I had met in the therapeutic spa business were also creatives (painters, photographers, writers, musicians, etc.).  It was a healthy change in the right direction and I was happy.  This is when I started to seriously consider becoming a makeup artist.

Now that I am indie makeup artist, the number one question I seem to get asked from my clients is, "How long have you been doing this?"   This question has made me take a closer look at how it has all evolved...

My love for makeup started as a child.  Like lots of little girls, I enjoyed experimenting with my mom's makeup.  Eventually, a more tramp-like style began to surface and I would get in trouble for wearing too much in public at too early an age(sorry Mom).  Maybe I was just trying to express myself(?)  Who knew that I was a budding makeup artist at the time.  In my early adulthood, I became the friend and the family member who did makeup for special occasions - simply because I enjoyed it and felt comfortable doing it.  This all sort of grew organically and instinctually.  It was a hobby that continued most of my life without me really giving it much notice.      

I eventually connected all of the dots.  Artist + esthetician + (self taught) makeup artist = my perfect little combination.  So in 2008 when I had the opportunity to pursue my love for makeup, I took the leap and officially started my own business KERRYMAKEUP (while still working at the spa).  I thought to myself, "I'll take baby steps and see where it goes."  Today, I feel fortunate enough to say that I've made this my main focus and it's growing with each year.  It's a ton work and is sometimes tough trying to managing it all by myself - but I wouldn't change a thing.  I enjoy having my own business and doing something I love - all while helping women feel great about themselves.  This is really fulfilling to me.

I've learned that for me to be happy deep down in my soul, I need to feel inspired and to stay creative in some way.  When that's lacking, I feel empty.  I hope some day to come full circle and be consistant with painting and drawing again.  I think it will happen, with time.  You might notice from my blog that I'm having a continued love affair with my Polaroid cameras - I don't think we're ever gonna break-up.  It's become one of my favorite obsessions and keeps my thirst to create, quenched.  Since I'm really enjoying photography, I recently started taking an online course, Shoot By Design, from the talented photographer and teacher Amanda Gilligan.  I've been a fan of her work and following her blog for a while now, so this feels like a good fit and exactly the photo-therapy I currently need.  

XO's, 

Kerry

Polaroid Spectra :: Softone Film 

Cheers to my amazing fella, for all it takes to keep this growing.  

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live a day without you. - Winnie The Pooh (cheesey, but true)

If you are unable to visit, they sell in NYC three times a year at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show.  Also, COMING SOON, you can shop online at their Vintage Showroom.

Oh SHOOT - did I forget to mention affordable?  Yes yes very affordable too!

 Now have a look at this here video why don'tcha...

(if we are not facebook friends, my username is kerrycrawford)

Enjoy this pretty little ditty by Elliot Smith covered by The Civil Wars...

Happy Friday!  kerrymakeup is off to prettify some lovely gals this weekend...