Vanessa, thirty-five, had three children with an abusive husband. She “lost her mind, started doing heroin”, after losing the children, who were taken away and given to her mother. The drugs led to homelessness and prostitution. She grew up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, but now spends her time in Hunts Point, “trying to survive everyday. Just doing whatever it takes”.

To produce the images that convey his fatalistic and ironic approach to life, tinged with hope, he needed the environment and knowledge of Mother Russia, oiled with a bit of bribery to certain circus trainers. Enter the Great Russian Bear, the personification of Russia for the last several centuries, onto center stage and into his studio. The bear is recognized as both brutish and cute – Misha was the mascot for the 1980 Olympic Games – and has remained a symbol of Russia since Tsarist times. In 2009 it is the symbol of the United Russia Party.

“In a nutshell and to prevent my english readers from experiencing eye bleeding after having read too many syntax errors, I’m a french journalist – I work as an editor, not as photographer – who happens to be nuts about photography. Being the happy owner of too many Leica M for a man to shoot, I spend most of my free time shooting my friend and my town, Strasbourg, in b&w and sometimes in colors”. – Manuel Plantin

Photo: “Even detectives got the blues”. Strasbourg, 2011 (Photo by Manuel Plantin)

Art Brokerage specializes in the original paintings of Anne Bachelier. B. 1949 - Anne Bachelier - Metamorphosis, transition, and evolution provide the common threads of the art of Anne Bachelier. The artist captivates her audience with compelling, highly imaginative images that are distinct, unique, inventive and immediately recognizable. Her metaphysical, dream-like fantasies evoke feelings simultaneously powerful, peaceful, and protective. This unique "other" world, untouched by time or place reminds the viewer of the eternal dance of transformation and regeneration.

In this handout image provided by Disney Parks titled, “A Tale As Old As Time”, Disney Parks invites guests to “Let the Memories Begin”, spectacular new images have been created by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince, recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast”. The celebratory moment's tagline reads, “Where a moment of beauty lasts forever”. The campaign premieres as a special insert in the April issues of O, The Oprah Magazine, People, People En Espanol, Real Simple, Essence, and InStyle. (Photo by Annie Leibovitz/Disney Parks via Getty Images)

“The 53rd Annual TV WEEK Logie Awards is an upcoming event to be held on Sunday 1 May 2011 at the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, and will once again be televised on the Nine Network. The awards ceremony will be hosted by Shane Bourne, marking the first time he has hosted the event. American singer-songwriter Katy Perry will open the Logie Awards performing her hit single “Firework”. Maroon 5 and Jessie J will also perform. Andre Rieu will not perform but will present an award”. – Wikipedia


Photo: Singer Katy Perry arrives on the red carpet ahead of the 2011 Logie Awards at Crown Palladium on May 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)