Number 1- Bryan Ellsey & Jamie Brittain "SKINS"

“Skins is a brilliant show which has defined a generation and will go down as a truly iconic, game-changing piece of television" Channel 4 Spokesperson.

I really dont know where to start. SKINS began in 2007 to contreversy and high praise, It then went on to be comissioned for a futher 5 seasons and after a seventh run in 2013 the show will move on for the next generation of british teen drama. I say teen drama but in all honesty I feel Skins is a show that can be enjoyed by all ages. And i'd be lying if I said im not going to be completely crushed when it all comes to an end, its a part of me its ive grown up with it and it really will feel like im leaving my life as a teenager behind and moving foward into adulthood. I remember the first time I saw the trailer on E4 for the first series I was 14 and just completely blown away I thought " WHAT THE HELL IS THAT, IT LOOKS FUCKING BRILLIANT" and I was right the first season was phenominol , I was totally in love with each and every episode and I found myself attached to each character, even the ones I hated. To me that was the perfect thinka bout Skins, the character development, I could see each character being a real person to me they still are. After the first two seasons the writters decided it was time to shake things up, they did this by leaving one link to the first generation and then bringing in a new wave of Bristolian teens. I have to say it just got better, the show evolved into an image of teen life, an image that I wanted to obtain, my life was influened so much by the show that I actually believed I was a part of my own version and my friends were the supporting actors, I dont care if it sounds stupid because ive still got that installed in me today, Its influenced my music taste which I love and also the people I surround myself with all my friends are charecters, they ooze personality and scream adventure I dont surround myself with boring people because then my life would be boring. So I thank the show for that. After series 4 ended I noticed that the show was holding open auditions for what would be the third and final generation of characters, I was of age and couldnt wait to audition, I went down to Bristol with my dad and a friend and que'd up for two hours I got such a buzz from being there, I also met some amazing people, people that had the same interests as me and people that loved the show, I didnt get a part obviously but it really was one of the most exciting days of my life. I fell in love with Bristol that day too and I couldnt help thinking it was all because of this show. I think Skins is a beautiful piece of art that gives viewers an insight into what its like to be a teenager in todays society, I love it and always will, series 6 is nearly over and im gearing up for the final blowout in 2013 lets go out with a bang !

here are some images inspired by the show, that i took for a photograpghy project

Number 2- Larry Clark "Tulsa" The Project

"Tulsa" by Larry Clark is a photographic project that shocked a lot of people, mainly that of the Americans living in the notorious Bible Belt where all of the pictures where taken. Clark wanted to give people an insight into his world with these images. Images involving sexual intercourse, drug abuse and nudity. I must say at first I was completely disgusted by the honesty of the project, If im honest looking at two people engageing in a sexual act was not art! but after reading about Clarks intentions behind the project and then looking at them as a set I began to realise that the project was a message, a message to do what you want and in a sense a wake up call , letting people know that these things happen, and they are going to keep happening regardless of where their taken. I admire Clark's bravery and honesty and also thank him for giving me and many others an insight into the real world !

Number 3- Walt Disney "Sleeping Beauty"

Disney's 16th animated feature realesed in 1959 after sixteen years in the making. This film is really animation at its best. The overall art direction is also stunning presented in Super technirama 70 it redefined the way animation could look. What i really love about all of Disney's early animation is that he wasnt afraid to push the bounderies with his work, ecspecially with this movie. The themes are very drak and the overall tone of the feature is very gothic and bold, maybe thats what made it stand out to me so much. But for me this is one of Disney's finest features ever.

 Here is a picture taken from my latest project that is obviously inspired by the story behind "Sleeping Beauty" In this photography project i'm focusing of fairy tales, fanatasy and dreams. I wanted to emilate iconic images from some of the classic fairy tales, I asked one of my classmates Lucy Baker to pose as "Sleeping Beauty", I also wanted to make more mysterious and dark, hence adding the skellington as her dead Prince Charming.

Number 4-Magritte "Empire Of Light"

As a college we went on a trip last November to Brussels. The reason for this trip was to immerse ourselves into the art culture and take as many photos as possible. On the Wednesday we attended the Museum Of Modern art in the heart of the city, there we discovered the Magritte exhibition, four floors dedicated to the master of surrealism. At  first i'll be honest I thought his work was brillinat and completely bonkers but there was something missing, for me it felt like there was no true meaning behind most of his paintings. That was until i noticed "The Empire of Light" it was so mesmorising and detailed, unlike other paintings he'd done it felt real, i know it's strange but it kind of made me feel sad but happy at the same time and none of his other paintings did that. Exiting through the gift shop i decided that I had to purchase a small postcard image of this painting , it now sticks proudly to my bedroom wall and I will keep it forever.

Number 5-Millais "Ophelia"

Millais's Ophelia is one of the first paintings I seen and just thought "whoa" its beauty, its mystery, it just captivated me and completely drew me in. Theres something so delicate about this painting but it somehow contrasts with the theme, which is supposeably death. Theres even a supposed skull shape hidden in the reaves. I recall seeing this painting in my final year of school, on a trip to London's Tata Brittain. it was one of those moments where you forget everything around you and yopur just drawn in to its beauty. For me this painting seems like a form of escapeism, it takes the viewer into a dream like place a place of solice and innocence.

Number 6-Boo Davis "Skullfucked Quilt"

Over the past few months i seem to have conjured up a slight fascination with skulls or the symbol of the skull, I'm drawn to the myths and the balance of life and death that it symbolises. This quilt by Boo Davis caught my attention as it captures the essence of the skull as a symbol, the black background portrays to me the void of death and the colours on the skull convey the pleasures and wonders of life. I think its a beautifully crafted piece and really speaks to me as a piece of art and not just a run of the mill quilt.

Number 7-David Myers, Melissa Eliott "Work It" Music Video

I remember being at home on a saturday with my sister and the babysitter. I think I was about 10 and Sharon the sitter would just flick through the music video channels all night. I know it sounds boring but, i actually enjoyed it, it was fun watching all the crazy videos and singing along to them. One that stuck out and one that I still remember today is "Work It" by Missy Elliott, the colours, the dancing and the general wackiness. this is a video that I will always remember.