biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Nov 17

Announcing: The Newsletter

Today I am announcing my Newsletter! I have been wanting to have a newsletter for a while, and I finally got around to setting one up! My intention for the Newsletter is to share information, likely on a monthly basis (or when appropriate). I plan to share information about my long-term dog photography project; behind the scenes information; news; and other related topics that the Newsletter subscribers will get to preview first — one of the advantages to subscribing to the Newsletter! If you are interested in staying in touch and receiving additional information from me, please sign up for the Newsletter here!

Happy Monday!

Nov 14

1 Comment

Victory: Photography Project — 38

“Dogs leave paw prints on your heart.” -Unknown

Beginning in January of this year, I began a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Well, it is getting a little cooler here! I found the most adorable hat that I happened to come across recently, and I picked it up for Victory! When I got home, Doug just smiled (in a good way!) I can’t help it, I love to spoil our Victory! Plus, I want to make sure she stays warm while she is out walking despite her lush fur coat that keeps growing! To our dismay, we have heard that this winter is supposed to be a worse winter than last year — and last year was filled with many cold days and lots of snow! We like snow, but not too much! In any event, Victory wears her new hat outside for her walks along with her cute pink fleece! Victory is always so agreeable with me concerning clothing ideas and photo ideas! We are so lucky to have Victory in our lives — she is the sweetest pup! Enjoy the images below!

Happy Friday!

Nov 12

Good Read: Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind

I recently finished reading the book entitled, Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei and Scott Belsky.

This book explores a few facets of the creative life — increasing your idea generation; dealing with perfectionism; managing procrastination; and working through creative blocks, which are all common themes that artists face regularly. Most of all, there are many insights from Seth Godin; Dan Ariely; Gretchen Rubin; and Steven Pressfield, among others who share their expertise.

Some of my favorite quotes from this book are shown below.

“It’s time to stop blaming our surroundings and start taking responsibility. While no workplace is perfect, it turns out that our gravest challenges are a lot more primal and personal. Our individual practices ultimately determine what we do and how well we do it. Specifically, it’s our routine (or lack thereof), our capacity to work proactively rather than reactively, and our ability to systematically optimize our work habits over time that determine our ability to make ideas happen….Only by taking charge of your day-to-day can you truly make an impact in what matters most to you. I urge you to build a better routine by stepping outside of it, find your focus by rising above the constant cacophony, and sharpen your creative prowess by analyzing what really matters most when it comes to making your ideas happen.” -Scott Belsky

“Everybody who does creative work has figured out how to deal with their own demons to get their work done. There is no evidence that setting up your easel like Van Gogh makes you paint better. Tactics are idiosyncratic. But strategies are universal, and there are a lot of talented folks who are not succeeding the way they want to because their strategies are broken.

The strategy is simple, I think. The strategy is to have a practice, and what it means to have a practice is to regularly and reliably do the work in a habitual way.

There are many ways you can signify to yourself that you are doing your practice. For example, some people wear a white lab coat or a particular pair of glasses, or always work in a specific place — in doing these things, they are professionalizing their art.” -Seth Godin

“Step by step, you make your way forward. That’s why practices such as daily writing exercises or keeping a daily blog can be so helpful. You see yourself do the work, which shows you that you can do the work. Progress is reassuring and inspiring; panic and then despair set in when you find yourself getting nothing done day after day. One of the painful ironies of work life is that the anxiety of procrastination often makes people even less likely to buckle down in the future.” -Gretchen Rubin

“Creativity arises from a constant churn of ideas, and one of the easiest ways to encourage that fertile froth is to keep your mind engaged with your project. When you work regularly, inspiration strikes regularly.” -Gretchen Rubin

If you are a creative, I highly recommend reading this book — there are many great insights and words of wisdom! The biggest take away for me, from this book, is to maintain a regular daily art practice in order to keep moving forward and staying inspired.

Nov 11

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Over the weekend, it was Nick’s birthday and he turned eight, we think! Nick, as most of you might know who have been following the blog, is my parents’ rescue papillon mix dog! My parents adopted Nick in August of 2011. In our family, we celebrate our furry family members’ birthdays (we most recently celebrated Victory’s birthday in October!) This year, we got Nick an assortment of bandannas for his birthday! Nick also got a new sweater from my parents, which he is wearing below. Last year, we got Nick an Orvis bed, and the year before, we got him an embroidered sweater! We are all for spoiling our furry family members!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

P.S. Here is a video of Nick!

Photo Credit: My parents.

Nov 10

Interview with Marta Roca, Editor, Four&Sons

Interview with Marta Roca, Editor, Four&Sons

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Marta Roca, founder and Editor of Four&Sons, and online and print publication. Marta possesses a graphic design background and a passion for dogs. Four&Sons is based in Australia and this print and online publication documents the relationship of man and his best friend. Four&Sons covers art, design, fashion, music, and lifestyle. Four&Sons brings together an eclectic mix of inspiring ‘dog-centric’ content to dog-lovers passionate about culture and creativity.

KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a graphic designer and when did you realize it would become your chosen path and form of expression?

MARTA ROCA: I was lucky to meet a very inspiring teacher during high school. Although she was a painter, she was our ‘Graphic Design’ lecturer and she was great at bringing the best out of us, while honing our different skills. I have no ‘artistic’ talent (I can’t even draw!); however, I love the creative side of design, the fusion between form and function, and the beauty of good thinking. Once I started University, I realized editorial design was my real passion. Some people start designing album covers because of their love of music. I love reading, and I love books and magazines for their culture value and also as objects. That was the start. I cut my teeth working in great studios in London and Melbourne before setting up my own studio. It’s a tough gig to get projects in editorial, so ended up founding Four Publishing to work on self-generated ‘love’ projects.

KATHERINE CARVER: How did your fascination with dogs come about?

MARTA ROCA: A happy accident! Christina Teresinski from accessories brand Best in Park and I have been meaning to collaborate on a project combining all our passions: dogs, art, culture, and magazines. We started to wonder how we could bring it all together from a ‘dog-centric point of view.’ We then started to dig deeper on the ‘creative’ relationship between humans and dogs. The lightbulb moment came when we started to examine dogs as the ‘muse,’ as the inspiration.

KATHERINE CARVER: What impetus inspired you to begin Four&Sons?

MARTA ROCA: I got totally hooked on the somehow kooky, weird, and wonderful bond between humans and dogs — how it inspires people to create and how it breaks down barriers. The deeper I went, the harder I fell in love with it. We set out to discover more about the role of ‘dogs as muses,’ about the art and design behind it, and about the social/cultural aspects of it. And what we found was too good not to share it!

KATHERINE CARVER: How has your own dog(s) influenced you?

MARTA ROCA: Believe or not, I don’t have a dog of my own. I live vicariously through Four&Sons, through the interviews, and the art. I am a sort of ‘dog/culture’ voyeur. Sometimes I feel very deprived, but most of the time I feel this can bring a different edge to our content. A chocolate labrador is in the works though…

KATHERINE CARVER: What is your favorite breed (and type) of dog?

MARTA ROCA: I have a soft spot for dalmatians. I think it is the designer in me, for the black/white graphic factor. For aesthetic reasons, a Weimaraner. For fun, French bulldogs. Labradors for how sweet and dopey they are…

KATHERINE CARVER: How and when did you decide to move to a print version publication for Four&Sons, while maintaining an online readership?

MARTA ROCA: In 2013, we published a newspaper. It was a limited-edition ‘souvenir’ to celebrate our first year anniversary as online publication, and to say thank you to everyone who had supported us. We had always intended to move to print, and the response was so positive, we felt we were on the right path. People noticed us and understood better what we are trying to do — we featured beautiful work by artists inspired by their relationship with dogs, and our ‘dog as muse’ motto started to sink in. It would have been a shame not to publish on paper regularly. The content is really visual (almost tactile) — you just want to reach out and touch those mutts! We feel our content deserved to be on a medium that becomes an object, a gift, and a collector’s item.

KATHERINE CARVER: How did you bring your vision of a Four&Sons printed publication to fruition?

MARTA ROCA: The first thing we realized is we needed a more ‘specialized’ team, so to speak. We appointed our editor, Sam Gurrie. Sam is mad about dogs, loves art and culture, and it shows. Together we fleshed out the content –which sections we wanted to cover, how to get the right mix of features, who we wanted to approach (writers, photographers, and artists), and we set up to chase it all. It is very important to us that the content would appeal to someone who is not necessarily a ‘dog person;’ and it would still be interesting and culturally relevant. We have been really lucky that people understands the magazine is still a labour of love and people have been really generous with their time, and also trusting us with their work.

The biggest learning curve has been on the publishing/marketing/ business side — understanding how magazine distribution works (we have three different distribution houses covering different markets — Europe/UK, USA/Canada, and Australia/NZ. We are still trying to crack Japan). Additionally, we are learning to make decisions both from the heart and the head (well, still working on this one); how to position of the magazine (we are not a pet magazine!); which partners we want to associate with; and how to engage the support of dog-lovers around the world. We are fortunate we have a readership which is really passionate about the subject matter.

The stockist list for the United States for Four&Sons is: Alder&Co; B_Space; Bookmarc by Marc Jacobs; Casa Magazines; Hennessey + Ingalls; McNally Jackson, MoMA PS1; Mulberry Iconic; Portland Trading Co; Print Text; Shinola; Skylight Books; Space Ninety 8; Spoonbill & Sugartown; and The Primary Essentials.

KATHERINE CARVER: How often will you create print editions for Four&Sons?

MARTA ROCA: Twice a year.

Issue Two, available for purchase now, features: Nacho Alegre; Pia Arrobio; AtelierAce; Roger Ballen; Carrie Brownstein; John Darwell; Sam Edmonds; Lucian Freud; Matt Furie; Sophie Gamand; Amy Hempel; Daniel Johnston; Anna Kleberg; Thakoon Panichgul; Robin Schwartz; Romance Was Born; Ware of the Dog; Bruce Weber; William Wegman; and Eric Yahnker.

(The images contained in this interview features spreads from Issue Two, Four&Sons.)

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being designer?

MARTA ROCA: Editing yourself down! Keeping things simple and fresh. It’s tempting to over-elaborate but restrain has always worked best for me.

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative” mean to you?

MARTA ROCA: It’s a bit like daydreaming meanwhile you are at work!

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?

MARTA ROCA: To the risk of sounding like the biggest cliché, I just love what I do. I get to work on something I believe in, which is fun and challenging. We get to meet very interesting people, have great conversations, and chat about what they love.

KATHERINE CARVER: What are the most rewarding and satisfying parts about creating your work?

MARTA ROCA: Learning is a pretty fulfilling part of what I do, which feeds my curiosity; being involved in many aspects of the magazine; and feeling personally invested. From an ‘ego-boasting’ point of view, it’s great when people tells us that they enjoy what we do. That keeps us going too.

KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire you?

MARTA ROCA: Artists who don’t take themselves too seriously! Being quite a dry person, I love seeing humour, even recklessness, in art.

KATHERINE CARVER: What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a print publication?

MARTA ROCA: Do it! Enjoy the process, not just the end goal. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make some mistakes. Take into account all facets from the start — from the content to the design and print and distribution and the business. Be patient and respectful and you will be amazed how generous people can be trying to help you.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is next for Four&Sons?

MARTA ROCA: Hopefully we can become a quarterly publication in the near future. We are in for the long run, so longevity is key for us. We are also starting to focus on other ‘off-shoot’ projects: events; exhibitions; collaborations; product; other publications; and a pop-up store perhaps…? We would love to become the ‘one-stop-shop’ for any dog-lover passionate about culture and creativity.

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people learn more about you and Four&Sons?

MARTA ROCA: Via the magazine and the website — there you will obtain a glimpse of what makes us tick.

All images contained in this interview are courtesy of Marta Roca, Four & Sons.

You can read additional interviews here.

Nov 7

1 Comment

Perfection and Creativity

The word ‘perfection’ and the word ‘creativity’ seem like very disparate words. However, perfectionistic tendencies can negatively impact creativity. You always want to produce your best work; however if you are looking for ‘perfect,’ it can really hinder your creative process and work.

Do any of these sentiments ever go through your mind?

I can’t begin my new project until the ideal moment, i.e., having a large uninterrupted block of time, no other distractions with a lot of motivation. There is never be an ‘ideal time’ to begin your project or artwork. Life just seems to happen and things come up that are unexpected. However, I find it is best to schedule set work times for your work and continue to stick to those set times even when you do not feel like working on your work. This way, it becomes part of one’s schedule and routine. With my current photography project, I set designated times for my work and I protect this time to ensure I am making progress each week. Also, I try to take advantage of “stolen moments” to keep working and thinking. After all, little actions taken regularly over time, often lead to a desired goal or result.

Spending too much time obsessing over every detail of the potential project, which leads to revising and editing at every step of the way versus giving yourself permission to create an imperfect draft, piece, etc. I have found that it is better to be open while you are working instead of having an inflexible view on your final work product. Sometimes, the most amazing ‘good surprises’ present themselves unexpectedly; and, if your are closed off, you might not see these gifts.

The best piece of advice I have ever received from my artist friend, Deborah Samuel, is to just show up each day and to push through and move further than you think that you can go with your work. At times, this is terrifying, but I have learned to lean into it to get through it — even though there are some days that are so tedious or days that I am not sure how it will all work out in the end. To work on something for an extended period of time takes faith and trust. Otherwise, I am not sure how I would keep going.

I love this quote from Anne Lamott in her book, Bird by Bird, on the topic of perfectionism. (Bird by Bird is a wonderful book if you have not yet read it).

“…Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you’re 65, or 75, and you never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn’t go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid? It’s going to break your heart. Don’t let this happen. Repent just means to change direction—and NOT to be said by someone who is waggling their forefinger at you. Repentance is a blessing. Pick a new direction, one you wouldn’t mind ending up at, and aim for that. Shoot for the moon.”

Nov 5

Dog Beds: Finding the Right One for Your Furry Family Member

These days, there are so many dog bed options for your furry family member! At times, it can be difficult to discern what type of dog bed to purchase for your favorite furry family member! Outlined below are descriptions of a few different types of dog beds — and you might find the perfect dog bed match for your furry family member!

1. Therapeutic/Orthopedic Support Beds: Therapeutic/orthopedic beds are designed especially for dogs with arthritis or other orthopedic problems. These type of dog beds are typically made with high quality thick foam, proving extra support for dogs’ bodies, which prevents less stress on dogs’ joints. These type of dog beds are mainly designed for seniors and thin dogs.

2. Lounging Dog Beds: Lounging beds typically offer the softest and roomiest spots possible for your furry family member! If your dog falls asleep on his/her back, these classic square or round beds deliver ample room to stretch, and plenty of cushiony support. Many of these beds are covered with materials such as fleece, flannel, denim, faux suede, or microfiber. They often contain a polyester filling and/or foam padding. Lounging beds range in quality from basic economy to more expensive designer versions.

3. Nesting Dog Beds: Nesting beds provide a pillowy nest with lots of protection. These beds feature higher walls and supportive sides for dogs. Some nesting beds also have raised edges. The raised edge feature makes it ideal for your dog to lean on or curl up — just like a nest. Dogs look so adorable all nestled in their nest!

4. Donut Dog Beds: Much like nesting beds, described above, donut dog beds provide a rim or edge around the bed. This edge is a pillow that lets your dog really curl up and sink in. These beds are typically round or oval and made of very soft material.

5. Outdoor Dog Beds: Outdoor dog beds are ideal to have during the warm months during the year. Most dogs like to be with their human companions, so having the ability to provide your furry family member with comfort outside via an outdoor dog bed is very fitting! Most outdoor dog beds have a polyester/canvas cover, specifically treated to prevent water absorption. Also, the covers on outdoor dog beds are usually removable for cleaning purposes.

6. Heated Dog Beds: Heated dog beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, while providing gentle heat and warmth to your furry family member. Some beds even utilize your dog’s own body heat to reflect the warmth they crave. Heated dog beds are ideal for the cooler months, small breed dogs, or for senior dogs that need a little extra warmth.

7. Cooling Dog Beds: Have you ever noticed your furry family member lying on a cold hard floor after he/she has been playing outside? Fortunately, there are dog beds that offer a cool yet comfortable surface for your dog to relax and cool down. Cooling dog beds are usually made out of plastic and are filled with a water or gel like liquid. Dog breeds that have a tendency to overheat will benefit the most from a cooling dog bed.

8. Travel Dog Beds: If you enjoy traveling with your furry family member, then you might want to have a travel bed on hand. These beds are much like a typical dog bed, except that they roll up, which saves space, while traveling. A travel bed gives you the flexibility to provide a comfortable spot for your furry family member while your furry family member is away from home.

All of the dog bed types, briefly described above, are offered in many different designs and colors. Victory loves to sleep in our bed during the night; however, during the day she loves to sleep on her lounging bed!

This post is in partnership with Swell Pets. You can view Swell Pets’ dog beds here.

Nov 4

1 Comment

Victory: Photography Project — 37

“If you don’t have at dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you. But there may be something wrong with your life.” -Vincent Van Gogh

Beginning in January of this year, I began a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Victory had a wonderful Halloween! Doug carved a pumpkin with dog paw prints along with Victory’s nick name, “Tory!” It turned out really well! Victory sat outside with us on my lap while we handed out candy on Halloween! Below are a few images of Victory on her second Halloween! You can see Victory’s first Halloween here!

Happy Tuesday!

Nov 3

6 Comments

Photographs: My Sister’s Wedding

It is difficult to believe that it will be a month tomorrow since my sister, Kassie, got married at Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Lovett Hall! Kassie looked beautiful and very happy on her wedding day! Everything turned out very beautifully. Below are some images from my sister’s wedding taken by Marc Williams, who photographed the wedding; I edited and curated the images shown below, creating a narrative of the wedding day. The wedding was elegant, timeless, and iconic, and these images shown below speak to this theme reflecting the highlights of the wedding day.

Additionally, here is a link to my images of the “getting ready” portion of the day along with a few wedding images as well!

Kassie and Jason, we are so happy for you and we can’t wait to see your honeymoon photographs from Spain, Morocco, England, and France!

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” -Helen Keller

Below is a color image of the wedding party, illustrating the beautiful fall wedding colors.

Oct 31

2 Comments

Victory: Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I cannot believe how quickly this year is flying by that it is already Halloween! Victory was a ladybug last year, and this year she is a monarch butterfly (I love butterflies — and her costume seemed fitting due to all the positive changes that Victory has experienced this year, similar to a butterfly!) She looks adorable in her costume shown below. She is going to help pass out candy to the trick or treaters tonight!

Last weekend, we took Victory to the pumpkin patch! She had a great time! We could only find one pumpkin patch located in Delaware, after looking in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, that would permit a furry friend after checking websites and making many calls in order to find a pumpkin patch that we could all go to! We are so glad that it worked out! We had fun, Victory had fun, and the weather was just gorgeous!

Doug is carving our pumpkin this year for Halloween so stay tuned on Instagram! Enjoy the photos below!

P.S. Here are links to pumpkins carved by Doug last year and the year before!

Happy Friday!