shaireproductions.com

Inspiration: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Master Street Photographer and Photojournalist

Henri Bresson photo

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

I’ve been studying Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photos quite a bit lately. According to Wikipedia, he’s known as a “father of modern photojournalism”. With roots as a Surrealist photographer (illustrator and painter), he became a master of candid/street photography. I like the fact that his photos had roots in classic composition (golden means), yet were spontaneous and narrative at the same time. He was able to capture the essence of the moment and subject. Bresson was well-sought-after to cover historical moments as China’s changing of the guard to Ghandi’s funeral, but I most admire his ability to capture powerful moments in everyday life.

Artwork: Flying Monkeys of Oz

Flying Monkeys of Oz

Flying Monkeys of Oz Initial Drawing

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

I had the opportunity to catch Wicked last week–a visually compelling musical with a solid story–an interesting parallel to the classic L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz.” The Flying Monkeys stood out to me as compelling subjects, so I viewed the original 1939 Judy Garland movie and lesser known adaptations: “Tin Man” and the “The Wiz” with the late Michael Jackson.

My version explores the displacement of the creatures. The Flying Monkeys are an unnatural evolution–torn between worlds, but expelling fear in their path. The glow from the Emerald City lights the sky. Like many of my fine art illustrations, the coloring was added through a variety of Photoshop layers after the graphite drawing was scanned. The fur was a bit challenging as there was quite a few layers of subtracting/adding graphite through the kneaded eraser and pencil.

Wicked Poster

Inspiration: Muppets and their Social Impact

Sesame Street

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Do you remember watching Sesame Street as a kid? Or are still enjoying it with the little ones in your life? How did it impact you?

“The World According to Sesame Street” is a PBS documentary focusing on how Sesame Street puppetry has filtered through countries ravished by poverty and violence, giving hope, a sense of mutual respect, literacy, and education to children who need it most.

As a commercial brand, the show has been able to extend from a US-based show (1968) to a global phenomenon, hitting 120 countries, but giving the respective countries the freedom to develop their own characters, stories, and a context to address the needs of their community.

On a social level, the children are given the education to topics where they need it the most. In South Africa, the reality of most children’s lives are touched by AIDS/HIV. They made a character with HIV, who taught the audience about death and misconceptions about the disease–all through entertainment, song, and puppets. Bangladesh’s Sesame Street curriculum dealt more with education–addressing poor children, who had to work and were denied an education. One interviewer mentioned ‘there is not enough time to talk, but must take action.’ Changing the world through their art–inspirational.

Photo: Cigar

Cigar

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This image was part of a series exploring “mystery” through lighting and props. The studio-like effect was done in an old room with a single light source, Pentax K1000 (with black&white film), and plenty of patience from my model/friend.

Artwork: Distortion of Humanity

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions

Distortion of Humanity

Distortion of Humanity is a mixed media piece (pen and digital) with a simple blackletter inscription: “The distortion of humanity is representative of our insecurities and discontent.” The skeleton is deformed, symbolizing the dark, corrupt nature of our humanity and how perceptions evolve–in positive and negative ways.