ARTIST NUMBA SIX: Miguel Vallinas

Photographer Miguel Vallinas takes photography portraits to a new level in his series called "Second Skins". In this project, Vallinas displays various animals dressed in formal dress (the animals head on a human body). Striking lighting paired with an unusual subject creates for a dynamic overall presentation that has been heralded by photographers across the world. Vallinas and his "Second Skin" photographs were featured in various online Art journals and websites such as FlavorWire and This is Colossal. In an artist statement, his art is described as "a search for beauty understood through his eyes".

One thing I am inspired by here is his merging-together of animal and human personality. It is an idea that is very consistent throughout children's books and one that I have considered integrating in my project. It is also interesting to see the use of lighting and shadow so prominent in the portraits.