“I like to retouch as if I am painting, with short or long brush strokes depending on the part of the image.”
-Erin Corbett

Erin Corbett is one of the first friends I made here upon arriving in Pittsburgh. We immediately bonded over our mutual love of photography and beauty. Together we have successfully collaborated on photo shoots and other projects, including an entire identity redesign for Bloom Organic Skincare Parlor. This talented lady is currently looking to buy a home with her husband, Dan, and is the proud mother of two border terriers, Remy and Gemma.

Name: Erin Corbett
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Occupation: Digital Photo Retoucher

At this very moment, what are you doing?
Making a blog post at Digital Makeover, my retouching blog.

Where are you from?

Originally from Louisville, KY, but spent many years in Cincinnati and Athens, OH.

How did your interest in photography begin?
It began in a high school photography class. I didn’t want to take advanced math, so I had an extra course to fill. I chose photography! I thought it would be fun.

Why did you decide to go to school for photography?
I wanted to travel the world as a photojournalist. I had a passion for writing and journalism, but I wanted to express myself visually as well. When I found out about the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University, I jumped at the opportunity to apply to their renowned photojournalism program. After a year of majoring in photojournalism, I decided to switch to the commercial photography track.

Alex MacPherson

Where did your interest in retouching come from?
My interest in retouching came from Sarah Silver, a fashion photographer I interned with while in college.

How did you learn about it?
Sarah encouraged me to do an internship with her retoucher, Puspa Lohmeyer of Tweak West. Puspa really ignited my passion for retouching beauty and fashion images. She is truly an amazing artist. Her skill for retouching skin, while maintaining texture and believability, is incredible. She taught me as much as she could in a couple of weeks, and when I returned to my final quarter in college I practiced retouching daily on my fellow classmates’ images.

Do you have a secret technique?
I like to retouch as if I am painting, with short or long brush strokes depending on the part of the image. I also spend a lot of time dodging and burning to give the skin a smooth, polished look without appearing over-retouched.

Benefit Cosmetics

What is your opinion on the current trends of retouching?
It depends on the image. I don’t like the look of plastic skin in any situation, but I think it’s extremely important to consider the client when retouching. There are times when it is appropriate to take an image to an elevated level, as with beauty and fashion, but I get really annoyed when I see overly-retouched portraits. That’s what usually upsets people about retouching, and it’s what I think ultimately causes such a backlash against retouchers.

Do you have a favorite image that you’ve retouched?
It would probably be this one, photographed by Sarah Amato. I love the texture of the paint on her cheek.

What are your inspirations?
Being outside on a beautiful day.

Tell me three of your favorite songs or bands.
“Venus” by Air, “No One’s Gonna Love You” by Band of Horses, and “Stranger” by Dr. Dog

Where do you want to go from here?
I’d like to work more one-on-one with photographers who create avant-garde images.

Any advice for other people who want to make retouching their career?
Study images that you love and try to discover what draws you to them. Study people and light; try to understand the way shadows and highlights naturally fall on the human figure and face. Offer your retouching services to as many new photographers as you can, and practice as much as possible! It may mean doing tests for people for a while, but as with any art-related profession, it’s most important to have a solid portfolio.

Erin Corbett’s Portfolio
Digital Makeover

“Believe that you can do it, even if it is ‘a dream job’. Someone has to do it, so it might as well be you!”
-Leanne Ford

Name: Leanne Ford
Location: Nashville TN! . .. .and NY . . .and LA. . .. and Pittsburgh
Occupation: Wardrobe Stylist

Ten things that describe who you are.
Creative, A good time, Kind, Carefree, Gypsy, Open, Loving, Tomato-lover, Dance maniac, Sing-a-longer.

Tell me about your personal style.
Fashionably Scrubby? If grandma used to be a hippie rocker chick, I am the grandma.

Do you have a favorite artist? Photographer?
Hmm, I have favorite writers: Dorothy Parker, Jack Kerouac, CS Lewis. I really love photography, but not the kind I am involved in. I love documentary photography, getting life and people and places and showing them beautifully without changing anything about what you are shooting. And I love love love music! All kinds, but to sum up my style of music, I would say anything from Lost Highway Records.

When did you realize that styling could be a viable career choice?
It was pretty much a fluke. I realized I could and should be a stylist when people started calling me and asking me to style for them! I was working in PR for Roxy, and the VP of Design and I had a mutual admiration club going, so she would ask me to come on the shoots and style. I was so excited because it was in Palm Desert, which is so fun. Then, a magazine in California, FOAM, that I worked with called and asked me if I was interested in being their Fashion Editor. So for two years I conceptualized, produced, and styled three shoots an issue. When I moved back to New York, I realized I had a huge portfolio of work and could style full time. It really worked out perfectly for me.

When did you decide to become a freelancer?
When I realized I could! It is perfect for me. I am able to be where I want, when I want. I do not have to call off for my two weeks vacation, and I can make a nice amount of money to have a nice life. And the sky is the limit, the options are totally open. Those are all great things for me as a person.

What inspires you?
OH! Roadtrips! Cowboys! Indians! The South! Old Things! Vintage shops! People watching! Colors! My parents’ old picture albums! White washed wood! Schillers in LES! Flea Markets! Music that makes me want to cry! There are so many things I see and hear that make me want to create something!

I know that I’m late on this, but I love the character of Vince Noir, played by Noel Felding, from the British comedy series The Mighty Boosh. I started watching Season 1 this weekend and am hooked because I want to see what he will wear next! Silver spandex, cowboy hats, furry boots, and the most perfect hair? My favorite scene so far is when Vince Noir paints a portrait of Bollo the gorilla dressed up as Julius Caesar, and then says that Bollo looks like a “naked, little squashed-up hairy boy.”

Low-fi living in a modern world?

A new Urban Outfitters contest asks you to send them three photographs that illustrate how you are living a low-fi lifestyle. Enter, and you could win a $300 UO gift card!

Recently I had the opportunity to watch a documentary called, “Beautiful Losers“. The films website says, “In the early 1990’s, a loose-knit group of like-minded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop, and graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led.” It stars a selection of the leaders of this movement, artists like Shepard Fairey, Barry McGee, Margaret Kilgallen (whose colorful paintings I have seen on the streets of San Francisco’s Mission District), and others.

I am still trying to figure out how to live in snow and bitter chill. Basically, with the the “high” temperatures being in the 20s, I’m cold all the time. I thought that I could get away with protesting the snow and wearing heels all winter, but each time I set foot on the sidewalk, I feel like I have to really focus or else I’ll fall down! Fashionable ladies who live in the snow, please tell me your secrets! Kid Congo Powers tells us about his shopping habits and twenty-five pairs of shoes (including four pairs of slippers). here.

In memory of Rowland S. Howard’s recent death, here’s a song by the Birthday Party for you. It’s one that I can’t stop listening to on this grey, snowy Pittsburgh day“Shivers”.

This morning I opened my eyes and Pittsburgh was covered in snow! The sidewalks, the cars, the tree branches – it all looked like a scene from Groundhog Day!

I think the snow is gorgeous to look at, but of course I am saying this from my cozy apartment, while poor Richard Wayne is outside scraping snow off his car.

How are you? I am enjoying learning about my new environment but really missing California and my family. How are you going to spend the holidays? One of the things from the internet that I have been enjoying lately is Regina, the jewelry designer behind Chain Chain Chained’s blog.

Finally able to take pictures again, this week I was really curious how to make my own bokeh and found this really easy to follow tutorial.

What I love the most about this time of year are the decorations and giving gifts to my nearest and dearest. I wish that I could reveal what I purchased for Richard Wayne, but let’s just say that this year, Etsy was a great gift resource!

I also collaborated with Lindsay Jean, ModCloth fashion buyer and budding stylist, along with friend and model Bobbi Wall to create some gorgeous images. Can you believe that this was Bobbi’s first time in front of a camera?

I am anxious to focus on my photography again. There are some collaborations in the works, including an exciting identity redesign with graphic designer, fellow black and white lover, and snow white beauty, nubbytwiglet! Updates coming soon! Other than that, I am trying to stay positive and enjoy where I am.

Right now a storm is brewing in Pittsburgh. The sky is ominous, and from where I sit, The Cathedral of Learning (one of the tallest buildings in Pittsburgh) looks like a fairy tale castle stuck up there in the misty dark clouds.

Lately I’ve been needing some positivity, and today, while working, I’ve been listening to many Nick Cave interviews. I am finding inspiration in one about his work habits, creative process, and self perception. He says about the writing process, “All you can do is fail, and (failing) really isn’t that bad.”

This weekend, I am attempting my first Pittsburgh fashion shoot. This will be the third attempt, since the first one was canceled due to bad weather and the second was postponed because the model got food poisoning. I’m aching from every bone to make some art! Yesterday I was pleasantly reminded that I am, in fact, a photographer when I learned that Keven from the San Francisco dark wave band, Veil Veil Vanish, was interviewed for the LA Weekly and used my photographs within the article!

Another thing that’s making me happy is my friendship with My Solitary Consignment’s Lindsay Jean, who has become my resident Pittsburgh BFF and is one of the most fashionable ladies I know. Last week she had an art opening at Garfield Artworks, and within her beautiful drawings was one she made just for me! It’s a deer on a birthday cake that says, “Let’s Be Friends.” I think it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of art anyone has ever given me, and I can’t wait to hang it in our home. She even took a photo of Richard Wayne and me with it, and I don’t loathe how I look in the picture!

And lastly, last night Richard Wayne bought me a Christmas tree! We had quite the Griswold Family experience trying to get it set up in it’s tree stand, which was made of plastic and which we discovered to be cracked when we got it home and filled it with water. What a mess! But after some inventive thinking and a screwdriver, it’s all set up now, and just looking at it makes me so happy. Just the thought of having a real tree with someone I love makes me warm and fuzzy too. It’s really a nice feeling to know that even though I’m faraway from my immediate family, I have a little one right here in Pittsburgh.

“You have to make your own way. Set concrete goals for yourself. Send your work out constantly and Illustrate what interests you.”
-Ryan Casey

Name: Ryan Casey
Location: Oakland, CA
Occupation: Illustrator and Graphic Designer

I spent an idyllic eight months working with Ryan Casey, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania transplant, doing corporate graphic design. We sat right next to each other, and during that span, we spent large chunks of that time laughing. I think to actually get work done, one of us had to put on headphones. Sometimes didn’t help, though, because he is sometimes too hilarious to ignore. I will never forget how Ryan took me out to lunch for my 27th birthday. If it weren’t for him, I would have spent the day alone. He lives in Oakland with his adorable dog Murphy, and I like to imagine him dancing to Kanye West, drinking wine, and creating these amazing illustrations. Ryan’s so talented that I honestly don’t know why he has a day job – why has he not taken over the world already?

Tell us the history of you, how did your style evolve?
Well, I was always into drawing and making art. Through grade school and high school, I was always painting and taking art classes, but no one ever told me you could make a career as an artist, which is really sad. I went to “normal” college for a year in D.C., and when everyone started picking majors such as political science, I knew I had to get the hell out of there. So I took a semester off, lived in the desert for a month, then decided to go to art school. I attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. It was a great experience, and I started out thinking I wanted to be a painter. But to cover my bases, I tried every medium possible until an instructor told me to check out the illustration floor. It was amazing, and the range of styles of the artists who were studying illustration was really inspiring. By my sophomore year, I discovered digital illustration. In this field, I could focus on my drawing skills without having to deal with mixing paint by hand, which was a major bonus.

Do you remember the first thing you ever drew?
I use to watch T.V. when I was little and draw the people I saw on the screen. I swear to God, I think I use to draw Luke and Laura on General Hospital when my mom use to watch.

Do you listen to music when you illustrate?
Always. If I find myself dancing in the middle I know I’ve hit on something.

Favorite clients? Why?
I have done some really fun work for Philadelphia CITYPAPER. Our relationship has grown and we have developed a trust. I need to find a west coast publication I can do the same with…

Would you ever illustrate a children’s book? I think your style would be perfect.
I actually wrote and illustrated my own children’s book entitled: “Marjorie, Please Let It Bee”. You can check it out here!

Things that inspire you-
BIG personalities, prints and patterns, ridiculousness

Three songs that you love right now-
“Blind”-Hercules and Love Affair
“Can You Discover”-Discovery
“Million Dollar Bill”-Whitney Houston

What are you wearing as you answer these interview questions?
I’ve turned into a total GAP guy. I want to keep it classic. I’m wearing a summer plaid shirt with khakis and some gray slip ons from Urban Outfitters.

Your art future, where are you going from here?
I would love for my comic strip to become syndicated on blogs, magazines and newspapers…maybe even a book.

Do you have a mentor or favorite artist?
I love Picasso and the illustrator Pablo Lobato.

Tell me about your personal style, how would you describe it? Does this style transfer over into your art?
I’m not sure how to describe my personal style but I think my comic strip sums up my personality. People have told me my sense of humor is a little off-color…and mean? I don’t think so…but we’ll let other’s judge.

Favorite blogs?
Dlisted, Techno Tuesday, The Unknown Hipster

Anything you are wishing for right now?
For a great year! I turn 28 in September!

Advice to aspiring Illustrators?
You have to make your own way. Set concrete goals for yourself. Send your work out constantly and Illustrate what interests you.

Links:
GoRyanGo (Ryan’s Portfolio)
ButYoureLikeReallyPretty (Ryan’s comic, where each week he meets a new celebrity!)

A few months ago, I featured William Hart in a Men’s Style Spotlight. Since then, he’s been busy creating some dark, folky music and posting it up on his Myspace profile. William’s and my musical inspirations seem to spring from the same swampy well. Take particular note of “COAL DEMO w/ DRUMS,” which brings to mind the sinewy guitars, belching bass, and spattering percussion of the Birthday Party, Love Life, and other bands of that ilk.

Speaking of dapper men, I was kindly pointed in the direction of a website about the Art of Manliness by my friend and creator of Unpretentious Animals, Stephanie Schuepbach. I haven’t had much time to peruse the site yet, but I have a feeling that I’ll be referring to it frequently from now on whenever I need some gentlemanly instruction.

“People, art, movies, music and moods. I’m inspired by things that define a specific era, then I take those things and mix them together. And I’ve always had a soft spot for anything punk rock. It just doesn’t go away – black, silver jewelry, metal studs, you name it! So there is always a bit of that somewhere in my creations.”
-Vanessa Moore

I discovered Vanessa Moore’s Etsy collection by searching “black and white stripes”. Her shop is my dream come true, full of red, black, and white creations, fringe, stripes, bats, feathers and cute tops made out of comfortable looking fabrics. We started a conversation, and I am happy that she agreed to not only make me TWO of her gorgeous puff sleeve tops (one black and one black and white stripes of course) but to be interviewed as well!

Name: Vanessa Moore
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada soon to be London, UK!!!
Occupation: Designer + Artist

Why fashion?
Because I love art, and clothing is wearable art. You can dress to suit your mood or to define it.

How did the love affair begin?
When I was three years old I made a princess costume (hat included) out of construction paper. My father even has this event on tape!

I then discovered my mother’s closet. She would dress me up and take pictures. There was also my grandmother, who showed me what a sewing machine was and what could be done with it. A few years later, when I was in high school, I learned how to use a sewing machine in my home ec. classes, and THAT’s where the love really began!

Photo by Marie-Claude Hamel

Did you go to school?
I am a fashion design school dropout!  I studied for one semester and decided that I wasn’t learning fast enough. After that I studied fine arts for three years then went back to fashion by studying sewing, pattern making, and technical drawing at an independent school in my hometown.

Is your jewelry design a different thing?
I started making jewelry when I was about thirteen or fourteen, when my dad brought me to an outdoor market during a business trip to Arizona.There I found everything necessary to get started. From there I played around with different types of jewelry making. I then left that aside for a while and then started again when I started making clothes.

Do you love designing one more than the other?
I think I love them both equally, as long as I’m making something – anything – I’m happy! I also make sculptures and paintings, and I love taking pictures!

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I’ve been selling on Etsy on the side for about two and a half years, but starting in September I will be selling on Etsy full-time.

Do you find it to be a useful website for designers?
Extremely useful! But you do have to work at it. I’ve been learning so much about sales and marketing since I’m on Etsy, it’s great!

Is that you modeling in all the photos? (You are gorgeous!)
Yes that’s me! Thanks, I’m blushing! It’s a bit tricky taking pictures of yourself. I think my next purchase is a remote control for my camera!

What kinds of things influence you?
People, art, movies, music, and moods. I’m inspired by things that define a specific era, then I take those things and mix them together. And I’ve always had a soft spot for anything punk rock. It just doesn’t go away – black, silver jewelry, metal studs, you name it! So there is always a bit of that somewhere in my creations.

Photo by Stéphanie Lefebvre

Do you have a favorite artist or designer?
I admire many, many artists and designers, but one of my top favorite designers would be Alexander McQueen.

If you made me a mix, what are three songs you would put on it?
These days, “Shoes” by TIGA , “Colourless Colour” by LaRoux, and “Red Eyes and Tears” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Have you been able to make your line a full-time job?
Yes, my line has been a full time job since 2004 with a little help, and then completely on my own since the middle of 2007! Yay!

Any tips for others who want to make art their job?
Start small, have discipline, which is not easy. Barter when possible, talk about what you do, post pictures of what you do, take breaks, make mistakes, and when you have something that works make more and crank the stuff out!

Any favorite websites?
For inspiration I love to browse blogs like BleachBlack, Coilhouse, Kingdom of Style, Outsapop Trashion, , just to name but a few!  Online shops like Pixie Market, Oak, Opening Ceremony, Seven New York, and so on.

Future plans for Vanessa Moore?
My boyfriend was offered a job in London, England. So you can imagine how excited I am to be going there with him!! There I will be able to focus on what I’ve been wanting to do for a while now, and that is focus completely on my internet sales. I want to be able to work from anywhere in the world! I also have been planning a higher end collection of eccentric but still very wearable pieces that will be available in the fall. So stay tuned!

Vanessa has agreed to giveaway one of her fabulous laser cut necklaces (the winner will be able to choose either The Teenie Tiny Mustache Necklace or The Baby Bat Necklace!) Please submit a comment here by Sunday 8/9 at Midnight and we will choose a winner at random. The winner will be notified by email!

Links:
Vanessa Moore’s Etsy
Vanessa Moore Blog
Vanessa Moore Flickr
Vanessa Moore Twitter

(T)he Italian way – super slim sexy denim shirts. They are almost always darted or seamed and worn with that Italian flair that reads formal and casual at the same time.

The article inspired me to go in my closet and dig out the XS-sized Gap denim shirt that I got as a Christmas gift several years ago and wear it to work this morning. Though it’s the smallest they come, I still had a bit of difficulty getting the same slim, darted look as the gentleman above. It’s evident by the short length of the tails and the stiff lapped seams running down each side that buckle out a bit awkwardly when tucked in that my shirt was not meant to be stuffed into my waistband. However, long ago, I made a personal vow never to wear a button-up shirt un-tucked. So, I took a cue from a fellow fashionable fellow at work who says that when he tucks in his shirts, he darts them in by taking any extra material and pinching it in at the side seams. Here’s what happened when I attempted this while tucking my shirt into my cream and grey-pinstriped pants:

I was able to achieve a slim, tailored look by doing this, but I had to repeatedly pinch in the sides throughout the day to keep everything in place. If you have any ideas where I can find a great-fitting denim shirt, please let me know!

Also, tomorrow at work, I am publishing another entry in my Unisex-y series. Look for it at 1:00 p.m. EST on the ModLife blog. Hope you enjoy!