I’ve been really, really busy taking photos with my new camera (!) and editing backlog. I am showing some of my recent work tonight from 6-10 at the Pioneer Square Art Walk (Starfish Studios, 619 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA, 4th floor South by the freight elevator). Here’s a wee teaser:

Tomorrow Belongs to Me

Hope to see some of you out tonight, and I’ll see the rest of you online, here, tomorrow. <3

artwalk0310, originally uploaded by mschiermeier.

Tonight, Anita will be showing her deliciously creepy alchemy shadowboxes in our studio (619 Western Avenue, 4th Floor South). Hope you can come out and take a look–her work is not to be missed.

I will be showing a variety of photographs, including some new ones from the last month of Katie Blue and bellydancer Zoe Jakes.

Thank you!

We’ll be hosting a gallery show with Margaret Killjoy (photography) and Noah Beasley (3-D printed jewelry). I’m really excited about this show, as Margaret and Noah are two of my favorite artists and equally stellar people.

Pioneer Square Art Walk
Starfish Studios, 619 Western Avenue, 4th Floor South
Seattle, WA
February 4, 2010, 6-10 pm.

Portfolio work by Marc17, Libby Bulloff, Angel Ceballos, Mearcair Studios, and Bloodengel Photography will be available for viewing and purchase. Facebook invite is here in case you desire to RSPV.

In other photo-related news:

There’s a teaser from the shoot I did yesterday with six-foot-tall model/writer Katie Blue, who used the power of the interwubs to find me. We used wheat paste and abandoned books to find her outfit. It’s so lovely to get to create temporary couture on strong people who not only tolerate the long hours in pre-production, but also appreciate it.

Makeup + hair by the incredible Lindsey Watkins.
Papier-mâché wardrobe by Lindsey Watkins, Libby Bulloff, and Noah Beasley.
Concept and photography by Libby Bulloff.

Looking forward to sharing more images with you, and experimenting more with natural light and color.

Thank you, and hope to see you tonight at the studio.

]]> http://exoskeletoncabaret.com/2010/02/04/killjoy/feed/ 1 http://exoskeletoncabaret.com/2010/02/01/zoe/ http://exoskeletoncabaret.com/2010/02/01/zoe/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:24:18 +0000 libby http://exoskeletoncabaret.com/2010/02/01/zoe/ Back from half a month of traveling…

Zoe, originally uploaded by exoskeletoncabaret.

Bellydancer Zoe Jakes on stage with Beats Antique at the Bad Faeries Ball, Eugene, OR. January 30, 2010.

Photo by Libby Bulloff.

Took this last night from the front row. Ye gods, this woman is gorgeous.

Also…See what you can do with the cheap-o kit lens? UH!

Bellydancer Heather Pund of Dark Side Tribal, goofing off in my old backyard and Kevin’s ridiculous cloak.

Bloomington, Indiana, December 2009.

I am smitten with Heather’s absolutely genuine smile. Hearing her giggle is one of my favorite sounds in the whole world. I am blessed to know her even if we only get to see each other once or twice a year.

I used to shoot out here all the time when I lived in Indiana. The skeletal woods shielding the railroad tracks and the brick-sided buildings of the neighborhood made excellent backdrops. I really miss taking pictures there.

It was wonderful to go back and play with the camera in a familiar place, with the same gear I’ve had for several years, with old friends. I’ve improved so much as a photographer since I took my first pictures at this site.

<3

2009 Retrospective, originally uploaded by exoskeletoncabaret.

2009 was definitely one of my most challenging, rewarding, and backbreaking years. Some of the crucial plot points:

+ I joined Starfish Studios, which taught me the finer details of using monolights and seamless backdrops, and coerced me into making more work this year than I ever have previously. I probably shot between 30,000 and 35,000 images this year. My top-viewed photo on Flickr has had 14,753 hits (as of this morning) since August.

+ By proxy, I did 11 art walk shows, 2 solo art openings, and a month-long group photography show. I shot two weddings. Also, I did not sleep.

+ In May, I lost my “real job” and have freelanced (read: struggled) since. However, as demoralizing as it’s been to be on a low income, it’s forced me to bust ass and really take the photography and design bull by the horns.

+ This year, I’ve had work published in the Brazilian Marie Claire, three issues of Filament Magazine, Morbid Outlook, and a steampunk jewelry book. I’ve started blogging about steampunk fashion weekly at the Steampunk Workshop. I was on television, too, for like, 8 seconds.

+ I met/re-met a plethora of wonderful creative people at the Bay Area Maker Faire. This weekend was probably the most joyous one I had all year.

+ I had three friends hit the emergency room with scimitar wounds, appendicitis, and bike accident injuries, respectively. I’ve spent way more time than I’d like in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. I’ve been sick constantly.  I’ve found that I am absolutely wretched at taking care of myself and terrible at remembering that if I don’t put myself first I’ll be useless at helping others. Figuring out how to adequately care for Libby is a major goal for the new year.

+ I truly learned the value of having a family I chose/an urban tribe. Without the support of my people, both in Bloomington/Seattle meatspace and online, I’d have failed miserably at 2009. I’ve had to rethink and inject a spirit of DIY into a lot of my relationships. A big thank-you goes out to everyone who brought me crack chai and samosas, came to my shows, defied gender and steampunk conventions, traded YouTube videos, electrocuted me for fun, cooked CSA potlucks with me, hauled frames and hung work, taught me the benefits of non-sexual physical affection, listened to my kvetching late into the night, accepted and discussed non-traditional and non-heteronormative behavior, etc. etc. etc.  Thank you to everyone who believed in me when I doubted myself and my work; thank you to everyone who didn’t mock me for obsessing about Lady Gaga or Turkish pop videos or bacon. Thank you for the endless screening and quoting of “Happy in Paraguay”. Faxing ham and apple juice to each other has been a high point. I am so proud of all of you guys, and so grateful for you.

Thank you.
Love, Libby

Back to editing my backlog…I’d like to share a few images I’ve finished.

Shoot with Jake von Slatt at Starfish Studios, Seattle, WA.
October 2009.

Makeup + hair: Lindsey Watkins
Photography: Libby Bulloff

http://www.exoskeletoncabaret.com
http://www.lindseywatkins.com

Shot on the century-old fire escape with half century-old gauze and natural light. Jake is a fantastic sexy grimy dude.

I’ve started my fashion column over at Jake von Slatt’s Steampunk Workshop. Have a look-see if you’ve a moment! I may begin cross-posting some content from here to there and back again, but this time I’m gonna make ya go look.

Thank you!

Flyer design by Robotangel.

TONIGHT! Actually headed to the studio right now, as it were.

Come check out our work! Prints will be on the cheap–holiday gifties, y0!

Jeff VanderMeer and I have been in contact for a number of months regarding the following project. I do hope you’ll considering contributing as well. We’ll hopefully be publishing some of my photography in the book.

THE STEAMPUNK BIBLE WANTS YOU!
Noted Archivist Seeks Steampunks to Index

World Fantasy Award winner Jeff VanderMeer’s The Steampunk Bible, published by Abrams Image, will provide a comprehensive and lavish overview of all aspects of Steampunk, in text and pictures. Research for this momentous and globe-spanning project includes the compilation of a comprehensive Archive of, and Index to, everything and everyone Steampunk and Steampunk-Related. This Archive will be made public online, and you also might be contacted about appearing in the book.

If you would like a website or blog link, book or brick-and-mortar establishment, to be considered for the archive, please send the relevant information to Master Archivist S.J. Chambers (steampunkbible at gmail dot com) or to The Steampunk Bible, c/o Jeff VanderMeer, POB 4248, Tallahassee, FL 32315 USA. Make sure to include a short paragraph describing your submission and your complete contact information. Although the Master Archivist’s extensive list of ongoing clockwork projects makes it impossible to guarantee a reply, you may be sure she will give each missive intense scrutiny. As part of a Larger Study, please consider including Your Personal Definition of Steampunk with your email message or snail mail parcel. Rest assured, the Master Archivist and her minions are also out in the World, actively seeking Steampunks for the greater glory of the Archive.

Annnnd, the included photo is of the illustrious maker Jake von Slatt, from a shoot we did Monday! Jake was here for Steamcon, and we spent a good portion of the event in the hotel bar, plotting over whiskey. I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the Steampunk Workshop as a fashion correspondent. Expect some bloggity over there within the first bit of November!

Thanks.