.Reveries and a Cup of Chai.

celebrating a new year & new possibilities

2012-01-09T23:42:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year friends! I hope many of you were able to enjoy the ringing in of the new year surrounded by friends and family! My own little familia had a simple, quiet celebration. We decided to "camp out" on an air mattress set in the middle of the living room floor, with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin chatting on the tube as entertainment. At some point we all passed out. . . well before midnight. I woke up at what I thought was 11:30PM only to find out that I had missed the ball dropping in Times Square by two and a half hours. Go figure. But hey, cupcakes with sprinkles for everyone!!

So it's a new year and already there are some awesome projects in the works. I'll be collaborating with my good friend Blaire Johnson of Green Hope Productions, on some fun & exciting ideas. I love her down-to-earth personality and "go get'em" attitude. She's like my own little groovy pirate cheerleader and I love her for it! Our minds are working overtime and it feels great! Currently, Blaire is filming a documentary called Bringing It Home, alongside another talented lady, Linda Booker. The mission of their film is to help educate the public, and to raise support for the approval of industrial hemp production here in the United States. Learn more about their crusade thus far, and the benefits of industrial hemp by visiting the Bringing it Home website.

Alright friends, here's to a fantastic, productive, and greener New Year!!

Merry Christmas friends!

2011-12-24T22:01:00.001-06:00

Wishing all of you beautiful folk out there a wonderful and merriest of Christmases! I hope Santa brings what you asked for!

keeping busy

2011-11-12T23:24:00.001-06:00

Stopping in to say hello friends! It's been very quiet on this blog. Too quiet. I hope this finds all of you well and geared up for the upcoming Holidays! Can you believe we are already in November?! Well, things are coming together in my little world. The creative juices are flowing and things are happening. Slowly, but surely. This portfolio is being built!

Last weekend, I was able to work with the beautiful young lady above, Sarah Elizabeth, who portrayed an Ophelia-esque girl for a photo session we had planned for months. The stars finally aligned and we were able to pull it off on a gorgeous Sunday morning at Carolina Beach Park. The water was awfully cold so attempting to have Sarah lay in the water (although she tried her darndest) was just not gonna happen if I wanted to keep her from catching pneumonia! My wonderful friend Molly accompanied me as both an assistant and my MUA. It was such a fun, creative morning! Opportunities for more shoots are opening up ahead so hopefully this will mean more images for you to come!

After much hesitation, I finally opened up a Facebook page that I will be using to upload some of my more current images. So, if you'd like to follow up on new photo sessions, be sure to check it out. Still trying to figure out which platform to use for my actual website. Any suggestions?

Well friends, keep nice and cozy this weekend!

2011-10-08T23:53:00.003-05:00

I hope that your weekend is full of sunshine and beauty my friends. Happy Sunday!

2011-10-05T15:19:00.002-05:00

my dreams are adrift

upon a warm, gentle breeze

come back to me

sweet reveries

a blissful reality.

Today, I have started tumbling on Tumblr. I thought I'd give it a try. It would remain mostly a photoblog. Don't worry, my Reveries & Chai blog will continue on, although things have started to get a bit dusty and cob webs are taking over. I decided to do away with my www.katevans.squarespace.com account, or my website. After the 1st of next year, I hope to have things a little more organized and together with a better representation of who I am. Honestly, I'm still trying to figure that one out myself.

Just feeling a little out of sorts lately.

But I shall be back. I promise.

xo.kat

so I've been rather anti-social

2011-09-10T00:06:00.001-05:00

Okay, so maybe the title to my post is just a little exaggerated, but from my lack of online presence both here and in my other social networking sites, you could say that I've been rather anti-social. The reason is real simple: my daughter. As long as my little girl is awake, I've been ignoring my computer. At first it was hard. Real hard. Once she would get preoccupied playing with her toys or with an episode of Spongebob, I'd sneak back upstairs to work on editing a few photos, checking up on Facebook updates, and trying to attempt a blog post only to have her pop up next to me with a look of utter distaste on her face. "Checking your email again?!" I have to pick my battles. I've got just a little under a year left with her here with me at home before she goes off to kindergarten. So I apologize that I haven't been cruising here in Bloglandia much lately. I've also been working later hours every week so online time at night has been pretty minimal as well. BUT, I'm here tonight, at midnight, hoping all of you are doing well!

Now since I'm on the subject of being social, I just wanted to say that I am still focusing on this Return to Real Mail Revolution. I bought a box of cards that I thought were pretty cool. Now, I admit that I've been a little slow going with it all, having just mailed a few cards earlier in the week. After hearing this bit of trivia, I am even more determined to put my mail box to good use. Did you know that more than 75% of Americans under the age of 18 have NEVER touched a postage stamp? Isn't that insane?! I also heard earlier this week on CNN that there is a chance that the United States Postal Service may be closing its doors, if not laying off over a hundred thousand employees, by August of next year if budget reform has not been made. Don't get me wrong, I think that there has been a lot of benefits that have come with the technological advances we have made, yet on the other hand, I'm watching people lose their jobs because we have moved so quickly into this digital age. I'll be honest. It's kinda terrifying. I know that "going digital" has made things much more economical and perhaps even a little "greener" but when I think about the possibility of my local post office being completely shut down, it makes me awfully sad! So, I will do my part to help keep my postal workers employed and send out more mail!

Just out of curiosity, what are some of the things YOU have missed since we've gone digital?

in the midst of a storm . . . a revolution was brewing

2011-08-31T10:59:00.000-05:00

The weather is changing. Thank goodness. Cooler temperatures, I am hoping, are not too far away in our near future. Hurricane Irene has come and gone and I am grateful that we were not caught in yet another natural disaster here at home. That being said, my heart goes out to those who are still being challenged by the effects of this storm. The winds were terrible, ripping branches off the pecan trees in our yard, but we were very fortunate. It could have easily been much worse. While cooped up in our home, as the storm raged on outside, I decided that it was a good time to bring out the craft supplies and make a few cards. Recently, I had gone through the rest of the contents in my great-Grandmother's trunk, in it I found yet more photographs, some of them actual tintypes, and a few old letters. These small treasures inspired me. In this age of instant messaging, instant cereal, instant everything, just like analogue film, there is something magical about real mail. Many of my friends have said that it would be rather exciting to receive something in the post other than bills. Tell me about it. So, I am starting a Return to Real Mail Revolution!

I used to write letters all the time. To this day, I still have letters from my childhood best friend that I found when I went through things I still had stored in my Grandpa's attic. The envelopes were either decorated with drawings or made as collage pieces. I remember that it was like Christmas time whenever I'd find a new letter in the mailbox. And the moment I'd finish reading the latest news about her life, I'd quickly grab an envelope and some paper because now, it was my turn to create. It was as if we were playing some type of postal tag game and I think that that's what made it so much fun. The creativity. The anticipation. The arrival! It verifies the saying, Good things come to those who wait.

And so, I am getting reacquainted with decoupage glue, paper, scissors, oil pastels, postage stamps, my address book and the wonderful folks at my local post office! Have a wonderful week friends!

good morning sunday :: n˚18

2011-07-24T22:37:00.004-05:00

So it's been a rather hectic week! Car issues, scheduling issues, getting ready for a visit from my kid sis and her family. You know, normal summer stuff. Plus, it's been hotter than hades! Monday's shoot went extremely well. It was actually cool that day. I spent a late afternoon with three beautiful and talented ladies who will be heading for the lights and action of Los Angeles in a few days. The images above are just a few of the pictures I made that day. I do have a few more on my flickr photostream. More to come. So all's good. Okay, now a list. A short one may I add.

So speaking of photostreams, I really like this Flickrite's photos.
I'm not too sure what I think of this new Blogger layout. Wondering if it's me or my Mac that's freaking out on this thing.
This is such a neet magazine!
Loving the new album by this talented gal!

And wow, yeah, I feel like there's definitely more to share with you but my brain is seriously having issues. Thinking it's in need of some seriously defragging. That is a word right? Well friends, I hope you are going to have a fantastic week ahead. If you've got some cool things to share with me today, let me hear about it!

good morning sunday :: n˚17

2011-07-17T22:03:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! It is Sunday, not morning however, but still Sunday. It's been a great day so far and I hope that yours is as well. This last week started off rather slow, per usual, but the pace picked up during the weekend. This week will be even busier. Yay! Ideas are flowing and I'm moving with it! Okay, so on to the list!

I'm enjoying this new to me wedding magazine from "down undah"! It is chock full of lovely photographs, the kind that make you want to get remarried all over again just so you can recreate some of the beautiful decorations and celebrations featured on each page! Neat thing is, they also have a blog!
The research I did for my previous post about photographer Tim Walker has really helped to get me inspired! I am seriously SERIOUSLY dying to get my hands on his book Pictures. I know I've told you that already, but just in case you didn't know. ;)
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of working with a young model by the name of Marley. We took a trip up to North Topsail on the northern most tip of Topsail Island here in North Carolina and all I can say is that it was gorgeous! The above photos are just a few of the images I took that day.
A new photo shoot again tomorrow! More on that once I have pictures for you.
I think it would be so neat to get one of these and see what kind of photos you can make with it.
Since we're talking about toys, I'd also love to get my hands on this camera too! To view some photos taken with this adorable little toy cam, check out the Diana Mini Love flickr group.
Can you believe it's already August. Seriously, can you?

Alright friends, there will be more to share with you this week, especially with fun projects in the works so. . . here's wishing all of you a creative and joy-filled week ahead! 'Til next time.

the inspiration that is tim walker

2011-07-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

Fashion is the dream department of photography.

~Tim Walker

Extravagant sets. Interesting characters. Poetic imagery.

British fashion photographer, Tim Walker, has been wowing the readers of Vogue magazine, and the world around, with his dreamlike photographs for more than a decade. A few years ago, I published a post here about Mr. Walker, and today I wanted to reintroduce him to you. I find a lot of inspiration in hearing the processes in which artists create. Recently, I came upon two interviews of Tim and thought that you may be interested in them as well. Here is the first:

The second interview was done by Penny Martin for SHOWstudio's In Fashion series.

Last year, the famed photographer has also taken on a new role: director. The Lost Explorer, his first film, is a 20 minute short based on the story of the same name by author Patrick McGrath. The story tells of a girl who discovers a dying man, an anthropologist from Africa who has camped out behind her family's home in London, and the sequence of events that take place upon her discovery of him. Unfortunately, the film has only been seen here in the US in private screenings, mostly in New York. However, should the film's trailer compel you to see more, Tim has put together a book of stills from his movie.

With a newly revamped website, admirers of Tim's work will not be disappointed. It features more galleries of his work, such as new projects and portraiture, as well as video. A definite feast for the eyes!

Have a great weekend my friends!

artist :: etsuko ichikawa

2011-07-14T11:53:00.004-05:00

A mesmerizing film that captures the meditative process of pyrography as done by artist Etsuko Ichikawa. Thank you Anthropologist for going out and finding yet another inspiring individual, and sharing her brilliance with us!

.the artist's voice :: an interview with erica steiner.

2011-07-12T06:51:00.014-05:00

It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance and I know of no substitute whatever for force and beauty of its process. ~Max Eastman

When I think of the word reverie, often times the first thing that comes to mind are the imagery of paintings by California based artist, Erica Steiner. I've been following Erica's work for several years now and over time, her art has simply continued to inspire. There is such a spiritual quality to each of her paintings. The eloquent connection between the artist's hand and soul is evident with each brushstroke, and every detail, as if the painting itself is a beautiful conversation. And perhaps this is why I adore her artwork so much. Not too long ago, I finally decided to ask this talented sweetheart to share a bit about herself and her creativity with us. Here is what she had to say. [click on the images for a larger view]

KE: There are many that say they knew very early on in life that some day they would become an artist. Is this true for you? At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to become an artist and what motivated you to pursue it as a full-time career?

ES: Deep down I think I always knew I had it in me, but I definitely haven’t always been as in touch with that knowing as I am now. Although there were times in my youth when I was passionately devoted to making art—I’ve loved art, I think, since birth—it was not until I was in my late twenties, hiking on a mountain trail in Kauai, that I had an epiphany, a moment of clarity, and realized that it was time to make art my career. Since then, things have been simpler—not always easy, of course, but simpler, and happier—because art gives me such a strong sense of purpose and continuity, a refuge, and a kind of psychic root system that keeps me grounded.

KE: Your paintings are a wonderful explosion of color and texture! One can easily get lost in your detail work. Tell us a little bit about your style.

ES: I try to achieve a sort of romantic or lyrical coming-together of artistic genres: abstraction, ornamentation, landscape, representation, with subtle elements of street and folk art, informed by an expansive, anthropological sensibility, and an essentially Californian, vibrant, Technicolor spirit. There is definitely a strong decorative aspect to my work, which I consider essentially feminist at its core; my work is also very concerned with integration, with synthesis, with bringing together disparate stylistic elements whose origins span time and space (combining, for example, aspects of Aboriginal painting with elements of Victorian fashion, or images inspired by medieval Catholic illuminated manuscripts). The influences can come from anywhere and are continually evolving; they come through experiences I have in my everyday life, or simply, from the ether.

KE: Every artist has a Muse. What would you say are your greatest sources of inspiration?

ES: I grew up on a farm in northern California which was fairly isolated, and I think that in a way, I felt more connected to nature, to land, than to people. The land—our land, our farm—was so familiar, so intimately ours… not because we owned it (I don’t think people ever really own land), but because we belonged to it. Perhaps for that reason, the natural world has always been, and probably will always be, my most vociferous muse. These days, since I’m living on the coast, it’s more and more the ocean, the movement of it, the dangerous beauty of it that inspires me; the more time I spend here, the more its energy seems to inhabit my work.

KE: Your recent collection of work Heaven is Not The Wide Blue Sky has just recently been exhibited in Los Angeles at Edgar Varela Fine Arts. How would you say this new series differs from your previous work?

ES: I think because just before I started this series, I moved to a place that is both rural and relatively close to the city, the new work incorporates the ever-present influence of nature, as well as, for the first time, more industrial/ human-made landscape imagery. This was a big change for me, and one that I had resisted for a long time, but the images were persistent in their wanting to be painted, and I finally relented. The result is a juxtaposition of geometric and human-made elements with the more feminine imagery of rebirth and renewal that has long been the mainstay of my work (lush floral imagery, psychedelic and textile-inspired patterns, gold leaf). In addition, the work addresses the rapid environmental degradation currently taking place on the planet, incorporating occasionally catastrophic or apocalyptic imagery, including erupting volcanoes, nuclear reactors, and flooded land and city scapes.

KE: In any of your travels, is there one particular memory you have that stands out in your mind?

ES: There is one, sort of hauntingly beautiful memory that comes to mind. I was nineteen, and staying in a losmen in a remote agricultural region of the Indonesian island of Flores. It was a clear, chill, early November night, and, having arrived in the village after sundown, I decided to go out for a walk and explore. By flashlight, I found a path through some nearby rice paddies, which lead to a footbridge and beyond it, a patch of forest that obscured the sky. Finally, I found myself in a clearing, and spread out in front of me, a cemetery flush with candlelight, altars of flowers and photographs and clusters of saint’s candles flickering in glass jars. The graves were not marked by stones but by wooden crosses, but still it seemed to me that they were very old, and as my eyes gradually adjusted to the light, human figures began to take form, standing, kneeling, embracing one another, and processing quietly like apparitions among the graves. Later I would realize that I had encountered the ritualized celebration of the night when the veils between the worlds are said to be at their thinnest, All Saint’s Day, the Day of the Dead. But in the moment, the beauty of the scene was so potent that it was all I could do to take it in. It was a truly a dream-like, waking moment, a moment when I felt reality give in, just a little, and let me in on a secret.

KE: For fun, what is your all-time favorite movie?

ES: I don’t think I could ever choose a favorite movie, but the movie that comes to mind, the first movie that really captured my imagination, was the infamous 1970’s musical, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was a spectacularly awful movie (renowned to be one of the worst ever made) based on the songs of Sergeant Pepper as interpreted by the Bee Gees. My Dad, who was, and still is, a huge Beatles fan, took me to the Plaza movie theater in Petaluma to see it when I was five years old, and I fell madly in love with the music of Sergeant Pepper, my first passionate love affair with a work of art.

KE: Any words of wisdom?

ES: Speaking of The Beatles, they taught me this when I was little, and I still think it’s true: All You Need Is Love. (Think about it.)

Find more of Erica's work, as well as dates for upcoming exhibitions, by visiting her website. Also, be sure to check out Erica's Facebook page. Thanks so much for hanging out with us today friends!

.summer lovin' :: the threadsence way.

2011-07-11T17:26:00.002-05:00

Once again, the dynamic husband and wife team who make up Stephanie Williams Photography take us out on a gorgeous day in San Clemente for Threadsence's new Summer LookBook. Carefree and light, these images make me want to smear on some sunscreen and just have a play out in the sun! Pages and pages of California Dreamin'! Watch the "behind-the-scenes" reel from the shoot below!

Photos via Threadsence Facebook

.good morning sunday :: n˚16.

2011-06-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! It was another warm weekend. And a busy one. As a matter of fact, it's been a blur. . . the days melting into one another. But I am here, barely. As I had promised, here are a few of the images I took earlier in the week with my friend Molly. A talented and carefree beauty, she was such a delight to photograph. Many more projects in the works with this young lady so hopefully, when the weather cooperates, more photos will come. And now, today's list:

I finished this book today. LOVE it!
With vintage images still fresh in my mind, I was pleased to stumble across yet another book today. Anonymous: Enigmatic Images from Unknown Photographers is chock full of interesting photographs, sadly, their maker long forgotten. Viewing a few of the pages, I realize just how much I actually miss not just black and white photographs, but literal photographs in general. You know, prints. How many of us can actually say that we have at least 25% of the images we photograph with our digital cameras in tangible form? I don't. I wish I did. My 35mm cameras will need to come out and play more often. As well as my Holga, who has yet to truly be tinkered with. I just wished it was easier to locate a local professional lab. The next closest one is 2 hours away. A huge bummer. Perhaps this is why instant film is making a big come back. I'm curious to see what paths photography as we know it today will take here in the years to come.
Water. I miss water. Let me rephrase. I miss being IN the water. The other day we went to the beach and I longed to get into the water. Why didn't you? you ask. Easy. I need a new bathing suit. Nope nope! Before you say, just go out and get one, I'd like to tell you that it's pretty hard to find one for a girl with my peculiar build to find one that makes me feel decent. It's ridiculous really. Perhaps I'm the ridiculous one. But back to the water. I hate sitting on the sand soaking up the rays. I'm dark enough. I miss just being completely submerged in the element that is H2O. Things have been so tense lately that I simply long to just let go. . . relax my muscles, my mind and surrender myself. Don't worry. I'm fluffy so I'll float. Without a doubt, I am truly a sun and water girl.
I'm loving the debut album Torches, by Foster the People. I canNOT get this song out of my head! Jacked up I know, but still! I love the tune and at the part when they whistle. . . how can you not love it?

Alright folks, another short list. Summer looks like it's gonna be a busy one so I'll try my best to get more things for you to munch on but for today, these will have to do. Hope the summer weather is treating you well! 'Til next time! xo

.good morning sunday :: n˚15.

2011-06-19T21:51:00.027-05:00

Hello friends! It's Sunday and I hope yours is going well. And for all of you Papas out there, Happy Father's Day! Is anyone else having problems with Blogger? I can't tell if the problem is Blogger or my internet provider. I've been trying to get this post going and it's been going haywire! Weird. Alrighty, the list!

I think I may have already used the above image in another post, but that's okay. It's my little reminder that I need to reorder some PX 100 Silver Shade film. I kinda miss it. It's just so flippin' expensive though! I do want to try out the new PX 70 Color Shade Push. C'mon The Impossible Project, I need a sale! Mail me some coupons or something. ;)
Recently, I've been revisiting the works of photographers I used to follow when I was on Myspace years ago. Remember Myspace? One of the photographers was a gal originally from Georgia, whose images captured the essence of young adulthood, wanderlust and carefree days. Laura Taylor of The Darling Life is all grown up and making beautiful work! I especially enjoyed her Polaroid albums.
A friend at work told me earlier today that she had a book she really wanted me to see. The title of the book is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, a unique novel that weaves vintage photographs of "peculiar" looking folk into the story. The author, Ransom Riggs, is quite an interesting individual himself. A writer, photographer, and filmmaker, he is also a collector of old black and white photos. {a man after mine own heart} Currently, he is working on a new book, Talking Pictures, that will be released in early 2012. The book features many of the photographs in his collection that share just a glimpse of the story behind them. Below is a book trailer for Talking Pictures. Also be sure to watch the book trailer for Miss Peregrine too while you're at it. When visiting his blog, you'll agree that Ransom Riggs is one talented and intriguing fellow!

It's a short list today! Getting ready for a photo shoot tomorrow. I'll be sure to share some photos. Have a wonderful week friends!!

.my apologies.

2011-06-14T05:25:00.000-05:00

Hello friends. I feel that I owe all of you an apology. I have not forgotten about the music posts, I just have not had the time, nor the mental focus I needed to get them up. My mind has been a little preoccupied with things here on the home front that when I attempt to sit here and write, every thing comes out choppy and disassembled. So, I am sorry. I do hope that you are well and that beautiful things are happening in your world! I know it's not Sunday, but since I missed my "good morning Sunday" post a couple of days ago, I hope you won't mind if I do it here today.

My website is down at the moment because I'm hoping to get a new one, or revamp my existing one. It's high time that I focus on getting this photography business off the ground don't you think?
I am actually considering shooting weddings again. I miss the energy, the excitement of being in love, the income! So, I have a couple of books that I think are fantastic sources of inspiration and advice. The first book, Fine Art Weddings, by renowned wedding photographer Jose Villa, was just the shot in the arm that I needed. His images are so . . . beautiful! fresh . . . emotional . . . lovely! What I loved most about his book was his humble approach to everything. He didn't hold back any of his own hard learned lessons, which I think was the biggest encouragement to me. A workshop in written form, his book is essential to the aspiring, and perhaps even some seasoned wedding photographers.
The other book, Fashion Flair for Portrait and Wedding Photography, is a book I have yet to get my hands on. I had a chance to browse through it on the Nook yesterday and liked what I saw. I'll get back with you on it once it arrives.
I really want one of these Yudu machines! It's a really neat screen printing machine that allows you to create your own customized products such as t-shirts, totes, really just about anything! What would Yudu?
The last several weeks, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and that my health isn't all that great at the moment. I'm doing okay, I'm just tired of feeling uncomfortable and tired. I've been looking into more information about pH levels in our diet. You don't think about that stuff when you're chowing down on a burger and drinking your highly caffeinated drink. My father is a diabetic and I'm not going to be very far behind him if I don't change things now. I'm looking into these two books: The pH Balanced Diet and The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide. Getting old sucks. Just sayin'.
Still thinking about surfing. . . a lot. Yesterday marked the beginning of tourist season here in Wilmington so the beaches will start to pack out real quickly. Still, I think of water. . . waves. . . and more water. No sharks! No sharks! Check out these two documentary films on surfing: Step Into Liquid and Riding Giants.

Have a groovy start to your summer friends!

.good morning sunday :: n˚14.

2011-06-05T18:09:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! Well, I hope this Sunday finds you enjoying the sunshine and cool breezes as we quickly approach summer. If you ask me, it seems like summer told spring to take a hike a couple of weeks ago because it's been a lot warmer than usual. How about in your area? How are things going there? Well, here we go with today's list:

My mind has been pretty preoccupied lately. Honestly, it's been really difficult to keep a straight thought which is why I haven't been posting as much as I'd like. Working through a funk that I have been having a hard time shaking off. But I'm okay! I've been spending a little more time outside, attempting to grow a green thumb as well as flowers that I hope will stay alive and flourish. The top photograph is of three little pots with little seedlings of sunflowers, zinnias, and daisies. I'm excited to see these little guys sprouting up! By golly, this year, I want a garden!
Speaking of gardening, I truly am a total dunce when it comes to growing stuff. But I'm trying. I found a cute little book that encourages kids (and adults like me) to grow fruits and vegetables. After featuring each plant, the book also shares some pretty delicious looking recipes. Yum YUM!
Do you ever feel like creating something, whether it's a drawing, painting, sewing, or whatever, and although your hands are so eager to work, you can't seem to get beyond the blank canvas? What do YOU do to break that wall down?
I have been thinking about sewing, mostly outfits for my daughter and skirts for myself. I've been browsing through a few books, like this one and this one. Anyone out there have any suggestions for others titles?
Some time in the near future, when I have a little more mullah to play with, I will need to order more of this film, and possibly try out some of this film so that I can take more photos for this flickr group that I've just been invited to join. I love portraits!
Just so you know, I haven't forgotten about my music posts. I will have one here for you tomorrow. :)

Alrighty friends, I will see you here again mañana! Wishing you beautiful days ahead! xo

P.S. Just had to share this. Gave me goosebumps!

.good. . . afternoon, sunday :: n˚13.

2011-05-22T23:00:00.004-05:00

I know, I know! I'm late again! Sundays have been getting rough! Now, I know that I have already technically shared the above video from a previous post, but I am totally in love with it. And Vimeo. Obviously. Ha! I do hope your weekend has been a beautiful one. It's rather warm and muggy here in Wilmington, already, but hey, all the more reason to head to the beach. . . well, at least until the sharks come out to play! Let's get going with this list thing, shall we?

Little Miss Sunshine (aka. my daughter) will be celebrating her 4th birthday soon, which still blows me away. Trying to get a little party together for her so it's been interesting. Now with the possibility of bad weather moving in (thanks Weather Channel for the heads up) we may need to redirect the fun, outdoor activities to suit more not-so-wet indoor recreation instead. Boo! I'll let you know how that goes. The theme this year: bugs.
I've been hitting up my local library and have recently picked up a book featuring the work of photographer Cecil Beaton. Photographic clients ranged from socialites & debutantes, Hollywood starlettes, to the Queen of England herself. He was a multi-talented fellow, having not only skills behind the lens, but also on stage, both as an actor, as well as costume and production designer. He won Academy Awards for costume and production designs for the films Gigi and My Fair Lady. I happened upon a great Flickr set that shows several of his iconic black & white portraits.
Have I already told you that I want to go surfing this summer? Have I? Well for someone who was born and raised in Hawai'i, you would think that I'd be a pro on the board right? Yeah, not so much. One, surfboards can get pretty costly, especially IN Hawai'i. Needless to say, in a single parent home, surfboards were not considered a necessity. Second, I already had [have] a self-image issue and something about being a chubby girl in a bathing suit, wiping out in the midst of experienced surfers just didn't seem like a fun afternoon at the beach. Go figure. Although, being a chubby girl in a bathing suit, wiping out in the midst of inexperienced surfers, or "kooks" instead, not so bad. A little embarrassing when my board nearly missed the face of a Japanese vacationer also learning to surf, but fun nonetheless. Anyway, more on that adventure another day. But on that note, photographer Ryan Tatar's awesome images of today's surf culture have really been making waves. Most, if not all, of his photographs were taken with film, either instant or cross-processed, which really adds character to his already interesting captures. The photos in his essay, Cape Fear Kooks, were taken right here in the Wilmington/Cape Fear Region. Pretty cool.
I've really been in this funky state of mind the last couple of weeks, which is perhaps the biggest reason for not posting much here as of late. I think I'm ready for another adventure. No, no! Not anything like the unpredictable, terrifying, stressful adventure of last year. I'm thinking more along the lines of a vacation, or road trip. That gypsy blood that flows in my veins is making me a little restless, but right now, we are no where near being in a position to do anything so. . . I will just share with you, in a post later this week, several travel writing books that have piqued my interest.
And last, but not least, music. Starting in June, I would like to share with you, over the course of a week or so, daily (hopefully) posts about the topic of music. Sharing some of my personal faves, as well as introducing you to some very interesting people I have the pleasure of knowing. Music enriches our lives and I think sharing that enrichment with each other is good stuff for the soul, don't you think? So, stay tuned. . .

Alrighty friends, again, I apologize that today's "good morning Sunday" bit is getting to you late, but I hope you enjoyed it. Have a beautiful week ahead!

.good morning sunday :: n˚12.

2011-05-15T23:53:00.005-05:00

Good morning friends! Okay, so I am posting this much, MUCH later than I had planned. . . so really, it's a "good evening" friends! I hope today finds you well and inspired. I am running late, so let's get going with today's list:

I am so happy that the new Priscilla Ahn album, When You Grow Up, is finally out! Listening to her beautiful voice always puts me in a good mood.
Found via Sofia, I'm enjoying photographer Saul Leiter's view of the world through windows and reflections.
Working in a bookstore can be very dangerous sometimes, especially when you are looking at purchasing photography books. For those who are looking for some great photographic inspiration and instruction without breaking the bank, visit Craft & Vision.
Speaking of books, I'm thinking about reading this one.
Wish I had an iPhone just so that I could take cool photos like the ones here.

Wow, seems like my lists are getting shorter and shorter! Ha! How about you? What new things would you like to share today?

.some times.

2011-05-14T12:47:00.001-05:00

Some times

I simply want to fly away

as a bird

to leap from the nest

momentarily

just so that I could soar

above the seas

the mountain tops

the people

the grind

to feel the wind against my face

my body

lifting me up

higher and higher

until there is nothing left but

o p e n n e s s

the sun

the clouds

s p a c e

and all the clutter in my mind

the heaviness

in my chest

will easily

fall

f a l l

to the awaiting ground below

then maybe I can

think

just a little more

c l e a r e r

feel

a little more

d e e p e r

and perhaps

be myself again.

.ruche :: an unending love.

2011-05-10T08:51:00.003-05:00

Swoon. . . that is exactly what I did when I saw the new Ruche lookbook lastnight. Page after page of sheer beauty! You cannot help but fall in love with both the gorgeous clothing featured for this season, and the warm, dreamy Southern atmosphere in which these photographs were taken. Photographer Stephanie Williams' photographs have done for Ruche what a great author does for a novel: draw you in then grab you at the very beginning, taking you on a fantastic, vivid journey. And once you finally reach the end, you are left completely, and utterly speechless.

You can view more of Stephanie Williams' recent work here at her blog, This Modern Romance. And if her photos in the latest lookbook have inspired you to pick up a pen, you may want to write a line or two for Ruche's little giveaway challenge. Stay inspired friends!

.a short trip to the shore of southport.

2011-05-09T07:12:00.001-05:00

Just a few images captured while on a short day trip to Southport, NC. Wishing all of you a beautiful start to the week!

.good morning sunday :: n˚11.

2011-05-08T08:19:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! For all of my fellow Mommies out there. . . Happy Mother's Day!! I'm wishing you a wonderful day spent in honor of your love and dedication to those precious souls we call our children. Well, without further ado, here's today's list:

Started reading The Dressmaker of Khair Khana.
I am inspired to meet more people because of Mark Tucker's My Day With. . . series.
Wow, my mind has seriously gone blank. Need to brew some coffee.
Have I told you lately that I still absolutely love the vibrancy and spirit of this artist's work? Well I do. :)
Enjoying this new blog.
My friend Langley's short film Superhero, a film he created in honor of his late mother, could seriously use your support. More on this young man here soon!
And last but not least, I am in love with this film. God bless Vimeo!

Enjoy what's left of the weekend folks! Until later. . .

.PDN's 30 of 2011.

2011-05-06T10:29:00.001-05:00

Photographed from PDN magazine. Original photos taken by Erik Madigan Heck

About a month or so ago, I picked up a copy of PDN's (Photo District News) April 2011 issue from my local bookstore, excited to see that this year's pick of thirty new and emerging photographers had been chosen. A diverse group, each one unique in their style and vision, coming from all sorts of backgrounds from all over the world. Photography truly has a way of bringing all of us together, allowing us to universally experience that fraction of a second. As I read their stories, both visually and written, I am inspired by the voice of each photographer. Daro Sulakauri of Georgia uses her images to bring to the surface the truth of the struggles faced by the people of her country. The duo that make up Dyad Photography have a knack for bringing the fine art out of smashed fruit. And these are just a couple.

As an aspiring photographer, beyond being fascinated by their images, I was also strongly encouraged by what each photographer had to say about key lessons learned along the way, and some of the greatest challenges they face even today. Susan Worsham mentions, "I think like most artists, I struggle with the balancing act of having another job, while trying to establish myself. It is tough to make your art your priority, but I personally will always find a way to make pictures." Ivor Prickett's advice, "The best way to advance your career is to keep your head down and make personal work. Everything else is just supplementary. Without good, strong personal projects under your belt there isn't much you can do." Whether shooting fashion spreads for a clothing designer or portraits of loved ones, the common thought is this: stay true to yourself and your personal style. ". . . you realize it's not the technique or the camera. In the end it's the dedication, the approach and, most important, the vision." -Pari Dukovic

To view each of the galleries representing this year's PDN's 30 of 2011, visit the website.

.under the boardwalk.

2011-05-03T12:35:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, it just takes a day at the beach to put your mind, body and heart in total "chill" mode. I love it. Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far friends! xo

. . .

2011-05-02T08:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked several occasions on my calendar. The first being the one year anniversary of our move from Tennessee to North Carolina, which coincidentally was also the anniversary of the Nashville Flood. As many of you have probably already been made aware, it will also be noted in our history books as the day this man was brought to an end. And all I can think about is this. . . that we need to humbly keep moving forward. There is no celebration in my home today. Maybe only relief, and a prayer of thanks that many families can find some sort of closure. But my heart is still a little heavy, a reminder that we all are so vulnerable. I originally started a post to fill you in on what has taken place since May 1st, 2010 in our family's lives, but instead I wanted to think of those who continue to suffer now. For the folks in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. For Japan. For our troops. For the families who are still struggling to make it to the next moment. I am thinking of you.

.practicing.

2011-04-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hey friends! Hope you're week's going well so far. Well, I told you that I had some photo shoots scheduled last week and I'm happy to have some photos up to share with you. I've been pretty fortunate lately to have several people willing to be photographed. Yay! Practice. Practice. Practice. That's what it's gonna take to get to where I want to be. Already, I'm starting to critique myself. . . trying very hard not to be too critical that I paralyze myself. The biggest thing for me right now is working on being more observant, patient. Think, Cartier-Bresson. Practice. Keep shooting. Perseverance is key. And most importantly, have fun!

Apologies for such short posts lately. I figure, Hey! At least I've got pictures. 'Til next time.

.all dressed up and no where to go.

2011-04-26T00:14:00.000-05:00

Just a few images from a recent Mad Men inspired photo shoot.

.you have to start somewhere.

2011-04-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

Photographer David Eustace recently made a comment that I found truly valuable. He said, "I still love the line from the King's Speech, 'Yes, you do have a voice.' I wish more younger people would creatively express theirs these days, even in fear of making mistakes or sounding naïve, rather than sheepishly follow this awful recent trend where the popular route is often chosen simply to please others. As a dear friend, the artist Alex Main once said, 'Mediocrity will always be at its best.'" This statement has been the best advice I've heard in awhile and I really really needed it.

There's a reason why my camera sat on the shelf for a long time. Yes, I've taken a few photos here and there, but that drive that had been there years ago had diminished to where even taking family photographs have been few and far between. Why? My confidence was broken. I allowed frustration and mistakes to hinder me from moving forward, instead of forcing my way through them. I began fighting this battle that I think every artist fights at some point in their creative lives: pursue creative vision vs. pursuing what sells. In a conversation I had with a fellow photographer, not too long ago, there was this question of what audience we should be catering our photographs to. What I have been learning in the last few weeks is that that audience should first be me. Too often I think we tend to curb our vision to what we feel others will like as opposed to sticking true to what our vision is. Next thing we know, we have lost our own voice in the muddle. But it's never too late to step out and be. . . yourself.

In order to achieve anything in this life, we have to start somewhere, like right here, right now, with humility and perseverance. Today, I can honestly tell you that I am inspired. I am encouraged. My camera and I have been reacquainted and the reunion has been a beautiful one. I'm challenging myself to raise the bar a little higher. Step out a little further. Live life a little more fuller. I'm building my portfolio and in the process, I'm meeting and working with wonderful people. Personal projects are in the works. Ideas are flowing. Honestly, I'm starting to feel alive and awake again. It's like springtime in the soul! Ha! Looking forward to sharing these projects with you as they happen. Here's to perseverance! I hope I don't let you down! Thank you for letting me ramble this morning. Oh, before I go, here is a fantastic post written by another talented photographer, Chris Orwig. I hope it inspires you as it did me.

.good morning sunday :: n˚10.

2011-04-17T12:25:00.001-05:00

Good morning friends! Once again, I hope this Sunday morning finds all of you well. Without further ado, here is my list for today:

Last week was a pretty busy week. Had a couple of photo shoots. Yay! I'm also in the process of working on a personal project that will probably take a good while to complete. The above photos are some of the shots I took to inspire me.
Picked up a copy of Super Natural Everyday, by Heidi Swanson. I LOVE it! I'm not a vegetarian but the recipes look so delicious that I had to get it. Plus, I did say "LOOK so delicious" because her photographs are beautiful. More on this book soon.
I love photo essay books. I hate how expensive they are, but I love them nonetheless. And one I'd love to add to my library is Irving Penn's Small Trades. The book features a collection of portraits Penn took in Paris, London, and New York between the years 1949 to 1951. It was a personal project he had to photograph different trades people dressed in their work clothes. Or in the case of the sculptor model. . . no clothes. The book shows an array of different workers: from the dingy chimney sweep, the heavily geared deep-sea diver, a long-legged fishnet wearing rockette, to firemen and busboys. It is a fascinating documentary, giving us a glimpse into the past as many of the trades he photographed are no longer prevalent in our society today. A brilliant book by one of the world's great Masters of Photography.
Another photographer to add to the list today is Robert Szabo. If any of you happened to pick up a copy of last week's Sunday paper, you probably noticed that on the front cover of Parade magazine was a very nostalgic looking photograph of Robert Redford. His portrait was taken using the wet plate collodion method which Robert Szabo is well-known for. I had seen Mr. Szabo's work before and was stoked to see it again in my paper. When you visit his website, you will enjoy browsing through an interesting gallery of images. From still life, marionettes, to portraits of swashbuckling pirates and parlor girls, his photos seem to have come from a different era.
And last but not least, wise words and inspiration from a photographer I continue to admire.

Have a beautiful week friends! Oh wait! Wait!! If you love 80s rock and a good laugh, you HAVE TO watch these two videos: "Love is a Battlefield" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart." I laughed so hard I cried! Okay, 'til next time!

.beach bummin'.

2011-04-15T07:31:00.000-05:00

Went out to the beach yesterday to gain some inspiration for a series of photos that I've been inspired to do. Meanwhile, my hubby went walking with his camera and my munchkin enjoyed dancing on the shore! I think it safe to say that we love the beach! Even if it is a little gray and dismal looking. The Atlantic. She can't help it. Wishing you a wonderful weekend friends!

.good morning sunday :: n˚9.

2011-04-10T14:29:00.001-05:00

Okay, once again, it's technically a "good afternoon Sunday" to all of you! And once again, it will be a short post as I've got very little time today BUT I wanted to make sure to stop by and meet with you. Last week was productive. I had a little photo shoot with the lovely Sarah (above) and hope to have several more photo shoots with this super fun lady over the next several months. It has been such a long time since I have been behind the lens and it was nice being able to get back out and shoot! My portfolio is in dire need of some new work and it's about due time that I get crackin' at it! So. . . more photos to come! Yay! I don't have a list for you today. Sorry! However, can I just share that I have found myself to be über excited about this movie coming out! Have a wonderful week ahead friends!

.back to basics.

2011-04-06T22:55:00.000-05:00

Film. These are just a few of the shots that I took with a Canon AE-1 that I recently acquired from a friend in exchange for photography lessons. Yay! There's something to be said about shooting with an old manual camera. The fact that you know you've only got X amount of frames to work with, having to get your exposure settings right, manually focusing, and then after pressing the shutter button. . . the wait. Well, I was pretty pleased to find that this camera works perfectly fine and I'm anxious to shoot more! Got a photo shoot in the morning so we'll see the results in black and white!

.good morning sunday :: n˚8.

2011-04-03T08:22:00.001-05:00

Well hello friends! It is Sunday and I am so glad to tell you that the sun is out here in Wilmington this morning. It's been a rough several weeks for me, trying to get back into the swing of things since my visit to Nashville. Emotions have been high, and so has my blood pressure apparently. My Grandfather would have celebrated his 80th birthday a few days ago and that fact I think brought on a wave of emotions. But I'm okay. It's sunny! It's the start to a new week so =good vibes= only =good vibes=. And here is my Sunday list:

Plan this week is to get the "art room" of the house cleared of unnecessary clutter so that I can actually have this space to get creative!
Found out that the new Polaroid 300 (aka Fujifilm Instax Mini with a different name) along with the film is now available at Target. Personally, it's more expensive to buy the Polaroid version of this camera and the film there. I'd stick with the Instax for cost efficiency. But if you find yourself in a position where you have ran out of film and need it ASAP, it's nice knowing you can pick up a pack of 10 for $10. The Polaroid 300 film will work in the Instax Mini.
Got a Canon AE-1 last week from a friend who wanted to learn how to use her camera. It's been sitting on a shelf for a while so I'm going to try to put it to use in the next few days! Plus, we'll be doing a photo shoot later this week so yay, more photos!
I'm loving these two rather new eZines: Toffee and Rue.

Wow, this list is shorter than it was the last time! I need to live life a little more geez! Haven't had my morning cup of coffee yet so that may be part of the problem. I hope you all have a fantastic week and hey, tell me what's going on in your world. Anything new YOU want to share?

.a footlocker full of history.

2011-03-30T09:07:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, while at my Grandfather's old home, I went up into the attic to clear it out what had been left up there for so many years. It was while I was up there that I realized many of the things that should see the light of day more often are usually stored up there for safe keeping, like a footlocker that belonged to my Great-Grandmother Sylvia. My Uncle had gone up there with me and was the one who pulled it out and opened it up. I was busy sorting through other things when I heard him say, "Oh. . . wow. . . " In this old piece of luggage, its metal hardware covered in rust, was a collection of old photos and letters, some of them dating back to the early 1800s. We sat there on the dusty floorboards of a tiny attic gazing through some of these photos, trying to decipher who these faces were that stared back at us. We recognized Grandma Sylvia easily. She had a distinct look and from what we could tell, many of the photos were of her side of the family. But then, we also came across a photo of two little boys sitting in an old wagon hitched to a goat. The oldest boy's face looked familiar. We turned the photo over and noticed the words "Bill and George," Bill being my Great-Grandfather. Half of the photos had inscription on them, and the other half did not. Some of them had black paper backing on it, as if they had been torn out of an old photo album. And so, a new journey begins.

Well I was very honored that the family allowed me to have not only the footlocker, but a suitcase also filled with more family history, as well as old family albums. My plan is to scan many of the photos to share with the family, but also, I really want to delve more into the history of this side of my family tree. There was something so . . . I can't even find the right words . . . neat, interesting, intriguing about the people in these photos. Their attire gradually changing over the years. Grandma Sylvia was a character. I still remember her from when I was a kid. When I wanted a snack, I'm thinking candy, she'd come back with a plate full of celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins running down the center of them. "Now this is what we had for snacks when I was a little girl." My first response of course was Yuck! And now, it's one of my favorites. She loved Peanuts, Linus and Snoopy being her favorites, and Winnie-the-Pooh. Her parents opened up one of the first theaters in the state of Iowa. Her brother Lewis fought in General MacArthur's Army in WWII. It was pretty neat finding a younger photo of her and her brother sitting against a backdrop of what looks like an earlier model airplane. This would be my favorite, along with the "goat wagon" photo.

What I found so comforting and amazing was the sheer amount of photographs that we found. It was very obvious to me that the folks in my family loved to make photographs. This has truly inspired me. The main reason why I wanted to become a photographer in the first place rested right here in this box. Photographs. The evidence of time gone by. My only heartbreak and regret was that the only person I knew who could definitively tell me about the faces in these photos had also been swept away with the tide of time. Visit your attics, my friends. Pull out those old photos. And if you can, find out their history before it too quickly fades away.

.the village smithy stands.

2011-03-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

There, in a town called Lebanon, not too awfully far from Nashville, a little historical village sits. Made up of a collection of old cabins and tiny shops, all donated by various patrons, it's a special place we call Fiddlers Grove. In that village, one of the more active spots you'd see there is the blacksmith shop. On my last trip back there, I popped in to say hello to some of the wonderful men my Grandfather called friends and fellow smithies. It was a beautiful day, the kind of Spring day when folks can open up their doors and let the fresh air in. In this case, the door might've been pushed wide open to let the smoke out! As I peeked in, the guys at the Fiddlers Grove Blacksmith Association (or FGBA) were busy chatting away with one another, working on projects, stoking flames in their coal forges and pounding away at the anvil. Immediately, I felt at ease there.

Amongst them, was Bret Hampton, a member of FGBA for 7 years, whose day job consists of working mostly with marble and granite, showed us a project he was working on. Using an old piece of wrought iron a few kids from his neighborhood found, and three railroad spikes, Bret was in the process of making a rustic coat rack. Since I had my camera with me, I thought I'd take a few photos.

I honestly was mesmerized by the whole thing. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay long enough to see the whole piece completed. With "metal art" running through my veins, I seriously could see myself picking up the trade, which delighted my Uncle Vince of course who proceeded to set aside tools and supplies for me. So, I asked Bret, who also helps with instruction there at Fiddlers Grove, "If I was someone who wanted to take up blacksmithing, specifically here in Middle Tennessee, what would I do?" First, he told me that I should look into ABANA, the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America. Then, after finding some papers for me that gave both the history and specifics of FGBA, he mentioned that once a person joins the association ($50 per year, which includes both the annual dues and costs of materials) you can sign up to take the Green Coal Class, a beginner's course that introduces one to the basics of blacksmithing, which takes place every Tuesday from 7PM to 9PM. There is also an advanced class that takes place on Friday evenings, also from 7PM to 9PM. There is no charge for the class, however, students must come prepared with the basic tools. A list of these tools are available for those who are interested.

So for anyone who may want to delve into the ancient art of blacksmithing and happen to be in the Middle Tennessee area, contact instructors Danny Parsons at (615) 444-4431 or Broadus Weatherall at (615) 773-4436 for more information. Also, the famous Wilson County Fair is only a few months away, and these guys will be in full demonstration mode throughout that week so be sure to stop by!

.coming home.

2011-03-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

Inside an old cabin at Fiddler's Grove. Lebanon, Tennessee

It was a nice, somewhat hectic, refreshing and yet draining trip to Nashville. Time definitely flies. It seems almost months ago since we drove up there. Myself, my two younger cousins, my Uncle and his wife, and my Aunt joined up in Nashville to sort through and clean out my Grandfather's home. It was a rather fun trip as we all joked around and still managed to work at the same time. For the most part. There is a comfort in knowing your quirks are hereditary as other members in the family are just as strange as you are. The "artistic Evans" side of the family. For me, being there with all of them really made me realize just how fortunate I am to have this quirky family. Not just for their artistic talents, but for their humor and sincerity. It was like being back at the house in Kailua where everyone gathered together, lost in each others' company, anxious to share their stories. When my grandparent's moved back to the Mainland, we seemed to have lost that connection. Everyone was so spread out, from Hawai'i all the way now to North Carolina. But being there with family, despite the sad circumstances, was like coming home. Even now, I feel myself getting choked up as I realize it is up to us now to keep the family connected, inspired.

I've been home for almost a week and every emotion has flooded over me. Tonight, I'm a little melancholy and simply "out of it", partly due to the fact that I had a cracked molar pulled out yesterday that was infected so my face is swollen and still hurts. I'll quit my crying. ha! I am glad to be back here in my own home with my family. I was grateful that my little one was able to come with me to Nashville. She enjoyed every minute of it. And so did I. I'll share with you more soon about some of the neat things I was able to take home with me, like a suitcase and footlocker of nothing but old family photos dating as far back as the mid 1800s, maybe even earlier. Another reason why I love photography.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend my friends!

.be back soon.

2011-03-16T07:35:00.000-05:00

Hello friends. I'll be away for just a little bit. I'm back in Nashville taking care of some things so I won't have the time to post and shoot like I had planned. More for you when I get back next week. Take care!

.my heart wanders.

2011-03-12T07:26:00.000-06:00

Really, I am writing this as a reminder to myself that come May, a copy of this beautiful book by Pia Jane Bijkerk will need to make its way into my hands. When I gaze at her photographs, my mind wanders to thoughts of soft lighting and quiet moments. Of distant travels and treasured experiences. I love it. If only you could literally crawl into the pages of this book. . . . sigh. . . Here is a lovely post about Pia.

My heart wanders to a place far away. I am thinking about you Japan. We are embracing you in our prayers. . .

.the story about a man and a lost roll of film.

2011-03-10T08:14:00.000-06:00

There aren't that many YouTube videos out there that give me goosebumps, you know, the good kind that come from being emotionally moved. I love a good adventure story! I'm not talking about the kind of adventure story that involves the "good guys" fighting off the "bad guys" on the edge of a massive cliff in South America. Nope. My favorite adventure story is more personal. An Ameliesque adventure where one person's random act of kindness not only takes them on an amazing journey, but also all those involved in the ultimate goal, whatever that may be. And so, here is a true life "Amelie Boy" adventure that all started when a man, on a pair of "crappy, used cross-country skiis" glides along on a very snow covered Prospect Park and finds a roll of film. Here is his story. . .

Thanks to Elle for sharing!

.instax-ographs :: n˚1.

2011-03-08T23:09:00.001-06:00

And so here are the first set of Instax photos that I feel are decent enough to share with you. Today was really the first day I actually made a point to take the camera out with me. Got some tires put on my truck today so while we were waiting, I piddled around the tire shop, looking for things to photograph. Not a whole lot, but it's a start. Later on in the day, we headed out to Wrightsville Beach. The photos I took there were AWFUL! Talk about major washout. I need to figure out a way to keep the camera from overexposing when you're in a very bright spot. You would think the "clear" setting (marked by a nice sunshine symbol) would let it know that I'm in a "sunshiney" spot. Go figure. As far as I know, the Instax films only come in ISO 800. If I am mistaken, please enlighten me. So Char, I'm working on it lady! Other than that, I can say that I truly adore this camera. The film is much less expensive than film for Polaroid cameras (which makes me sad) so there's less anxiety when shooting! Ha! Now that I've got a handful of decent shots, I may embark on some kind of Instax project. Hmm. . . just have to wait and see.

Here are some more Instax photos taken by other Flickrites! And if you're into contests and Instax, here's one for you. Happy Wednesday friends!

.good morning sunday :: n˚7.

2011-03-06T14:36:00.002-06:00

Technically, it's a "good afternoon Sunday" to all of you! I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in Wilmington today, the forecast is cloudy with 100% chance of rain. Which means muddy shoes and wet nylons as you run across the church parking lot. It also means soft, beautiful light. . . my absolute favorite. Even as I washed dishes after brunch, I could not help but become mesmerized with the bubbles and soft lines forming in my sink. Honestly, everything looked so much more interesting, calm, lovely. If British skies are usually this gray, maybe I should look into moving across the Pond if only I would be guaranteed this wonderful light!

And here is my Sunday list:

I received an email from a woman who had just recently purchased a painting by my grandmother at an auction in Florida. She found the Myspace page I had set up a couple of years ago about my grandmother's artwork and copied my email address. Her determination to find out more about the artist behind this precious painting has given me the encouragement I need to gather more information, photos and stories about my Tutu, C. H. Evans.
Just ordered a copy of Photobooth: The Art of the Automatic Portrait which features Andrea Jenkin's and her "photobooth Friday".
A few more books I'm thinking about adding to my book shelf: Binocular Vision, Thirteen Moons, and Bliss.
One of my absolute flickr faves is Wild Goose Chase, the creative photostream of artist Fiona Watson.
As we begin to welcome Spring with joyful glee, I reflect upon the icy, yet beautiful wonder of Winter. This video I found via the Owl Diary is a wonderful tribute to the quiet season.

A short list today, but I hope a good one. Go out and dance in the rain my friends! Just make sure there's some nice warm soup and tea when you venture back in! Stay well.

.she sells seashells.

2011-03-05T09:01:00.001-06:00

I can still hear it. The faint clinking sound of a soft breeze flowing through strands of capiz shells dangling from a chandelier. Suddenly I am pulled back to my early childhood, back when my father used to work for Vagabond Traders, a Hawaii based wholesale company that imported a lot of seashells and monkeypod products from southeast Asia. I can still recall shelf after shelf of seashell covered creations and wooden carvings. It also brings me back to homes of Filipino relatives who had at least 2 or three of these chandeliers hanging out on their porch. Needless to say, walking into the gift shop Almost Everything Ten Mile Post was like walking back in time, for me. Every space, from ceiling to floor, is lined with shells of every kind along with sea fan corals, puka shell necklaces, starfishes, sea cookies and biscuits, sharks teeth and even recovered whale bone. For a moment, I think I'm back in Hawaii.

The sweet lady running this shop is owner, Sudaphon Thompson or "Hon", a native of Thailand who purchased this unique seashell galleria 11 years ago. "This place is almost 45 years old. People come from all over to buy their seashells." When asked what her best selling item is, she is quick to answer. "Anything from North Carolina. Especially this one," and she walks over to a container filled with these small white shells with orange-brown colored "patches" on them. I look at the description written on a piece of paper taped to the front of the container. Scotch Bonnet. Hon also fills me in on some local history about Robert E. Harrill, a man otherwise known as the Fort Fisher Hermit. More and more, I'm loving this place!

So, if you happen to be this way, head down Hwy 421 towards Carolina Beach and look for the Almost Everything sign located at 6315 Carolina Beach Road, just south of Wilmington. Don't blink 'cause you might miss it! And if you're in need of some Oriental groceries, you're in luck! Hon has also set up a little Asian market in the section beside the gift shop. So stock up on some rice noodles and curry spices before you go!

.a little birdie told me. . .

2011-03-03T08:34:00.000-06:00

Dear lady, I cannot sing
not when caged up in this little thing.

Please let me out
and I will promise to bring

wonderful news of the arrival of Spring!

She's almost here. . . can you feel it?!

.shots out the passenger side window.

2011-03-02T06:38:00.000-06:00

Daytrips. Roadtrips. They're always good for the soul. Especially when it's as beautiful as it has been outside. So, roll down the windows. Let that nice cool breeze dance violently through your hair, and just enjoy the ride.

.the artist's voice :: an interview with brandy kayzakian-rowe.

2011-03-01T11:27:00.000-06:00

I remember the first time I saw Brandy's work. It happened to be on MySpace, back when many of us were just starting to find out about social networks and setting up our profiles. At the time, I went by the screen name Gypsypics. So the day that I came across the name Wandering Gypsy Soul, I knew I had found myself a kindred spirit. Brandy Kayzakian-Rowe may live in New England but her heart is deeply rooted in the South which is evident in her work, whether it be the warmth that emanates from her paintings to the soulful connections made through her photographs. Besides being a beautiful friend, she truly is one of my favorite artists. And so begins a new series I'm calling The Artist's Voice to share with all of you the wonderful talents and thoughts of many creative thinkers. And today, it's Brandy's voice I want to share with you.

KE: What has been the biggest influence on your life as an artist?

BKR: Well, of course all of [my favorite musicians] plus so many more. My husband Djerek - the most passionate, creative and inspiring person I've ever met, Vincent Van Gogh, Gullah painter Jonathan Greene and also oddly enough, The Cosby Show! haha! I grew up watching that show (I'm roughly the same age as Rudy) and watched a parade of amazing and inspiring people including performances by Lena Horne, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and Stevie Wonder. Artists, like Jacob Lawrence and Ellis Wilson, were showcased all over the Huxtable home and truly caught my eye and imagination. Seems funny but its true. I really think that show had a big influence on my young mind, teaching a love of all cultures and art forms!

KE: What are your favorite songs and/or musicians to listen to when you are busy working on a painting?

BKR: I never paint or edit photos in silence. I find such inspiration from other artists. Some favorites include Keb Mo, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, Brandi Carlile, Lyle Lovett, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, to name a few. I'm kinda all over the place when it comes to music, but another great inspiration to me is film. I have a love affair with all aspects of film-making and love to play favorites as I work. Anything by Michael Mann (my all time favorite director), Annie Hall and Manhattan (so love Woody Allen), old Sydney Lumet films, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, Munich, In the Name of the Father, At Close Range, and lately I can't get enough of watching newer films like The Town, Shutter Island, and Edge of Darkness. Man, looking over my film favorites, I sure do like dark ones! ha!

And of course when I'm photographing musicians, my true love, I always love to have them play as I snap away. Nothing better than live jazz, blues, roots and soul music flowing from the source!

KE: Do you ever struggle creatively? When you do, how do you work your way through it?

BKR: I have artists block quite often, and when I do, I never force anything. When I do, I never like the results. When I get artists' block, I try to go to the places that really nurture and inspire me - things like visiting museums and galleries, film, watch and listen to my husband practice guitar (he's a fav photography subject for sure!) and oftentimes just get out in the car and take a road trip!

KE: If you were given the opportunity of a lifetime, what would it be?

BKR: Well... I am in the midst of putting together my musician photography portfolio to send out to agents and reps. I have a certain agency that I really really want to be a part of. The portfolio ships on Friday!! My dream is to spend every minute I can photographing artists at work, musicians, dancers, actors, directors and so many more. I started about 5 years ago in Memphis and Mississippi, and then later in the Pacific Northwest. You can see some of my work here: www.brandykayzakianrowe.com

My husband has worked tirelessly to support us both while I've been getting my photo career started and my dream is to one day support him in his music in return.

KE: Favorite childhood memory.

BKR: Hmmm, the first one that pops in my mind is when I was about 5 years old. My father took me to a Padres baseball game to see Steve Garvey play. I grew up loving baseball and he was my absolute favorite player. After the game, we walked to where some of the players were signing autographs so I could meet him. There was a HUGE crowd around Garvey and no way I could get near him. So I began to cry and wail to my father, sobbing that I wanted to see Steve Garvey! At that moment he parted the crowd and walked right over to me, picked me up and gave me a big kiss!

KE: Got a favorite dessert?

BKR: Mmmm, that has to be a cool slice of Key Lime pie. Growing up in the Deep South taught me an appreciation of all things crisp and refreshing, and I can't think of anything better than that!

KE: Any words of wisdom?

BKR: Be passionate about everything you do, never waste time, hold close your artistic ethics. Don't be afraid of being a hermit and when you do socialize, surround yourself with amazing and inspiring people!

To find out more about Brandy, visit her website www.brandykayzakianrowe.com

To purchase any of her artwork or products, visit her Etsy shops:

.good morning sunday :: No.6

2011-02-27T07:34:00.000-06:00

The house is super quiet except for a hushed voice of the narrator on the History Channel. The husband forgot to cut the t.v. before he went to bed. The light outside is still a little dim making it pretty dark in here. But it's okay because. . . it's quiet. Peaceful. yay. Well it's Sunday friends. Already. I'm hoping to get my Good Morning Sunday posts back up and going. So here's one for today.

Hoping to make a trip up to New Bern, NC today. Not sure what I'm going to find, but I hear it's a neat town to visit.
I found out yesterday that the Amy Grant video my Grandfather starred in has been nominated for a Dove Award for Short Video of the Year. Make sure to stay tuned on April 20th!
I'm thinking about borrowing a copy of this book, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. I read a tiny bit of it while at work the other day and fell in love with what I read. NPR has a great page about it here.
Looking forward to my trip to the Post Office tomorrow to pick up my new little photo buddies!
My favorite children's book illustrator, LeUyen Pham, has two new picture books out that are just too cute! For those of you who have little girls, or once was a little girl yourself, you will need to check them out.
Etsy put out an article a few weeks back that I thought was so interesting. It was about vintage photos taken in the 1920s in an Australian police station. The images are of individuals who had their brush with the law and whose portraits were taken while in custody. Probably some of the best mug shots I've ever seen. I would have loved to have known who their photographer was because he, or she, had a great eye! The photographs are amazing! Some funnier than others. What's neat is seeing their wardrobe, the women in particular because you can see that style reemerging in the fashion houses of today. The original post is in French, so I have a translated version here for you to read.

Have a wonderful week ahead my friends! Spring is almost here! Woo hoo!!

.a year of mornings.

2011-02-26T21:31:00.000-06:00

I love books. I love books with pictures. I love books about pictures. I love books about people taking pictures, and sharing pictures, and . . . well you get the idea. I first came across a copy of A Year of Mornings, a photo book based on the collaborative photo blog of Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes, back during the holidays last year. I didn't purchase it right away. Honestly, I felt guilty for wanting to buy it (why?! I have no idea.) so I waited. That is until yesterday. The year long documentation of mornings between two friends living 3191 miles apart is such an inspiration. Their images reflect those quiet mornings we savor while at the breakfast table when the light is soft and very simply, perfect. I needed this book. It reminds me that it's okay to photograph stuff that we would normally blow off as mundane. Not every photograph that we take has to be worthy of an art exhibit. So, with that renewed frame of mind, I too shot a photograph before noon to document what my day consisted of. Rags (aka the hubby's former white t-shirts) and furniture polish. Not quite the glamorous side to the domestic life, but hey, at least my furniture's shiny!

. be the storyteller.

2011-02-26T15:28:00.001-06:00

I have learned a valuable lesson over the course of the last week or so. Several lessons, actually. But the one that stands out in my mind the most is this: when we no longer have stories to tell, we are not really living. It is the stories of our lives that truly make up who we are. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping my life makes for a good read. I think back to the stories my GrandDad shared with me. . . over and over. Ha! He knew they were pretty interesting and had even started to write his own memoir. The title he was going to give it was Stories from the Sea Chest. While he was in the hospital, I happened to find that sea chest in the spare room of his home. When I opened it, I had expected to find typewriter paper bundled up with tales from his time in Egypt or Kure Island. Instead I found an old pair of binoculars, and a lot of other odds and ends. It was the binoculars that I thought were so interesting. A glass piece was missing, but otherwise, it was still very much intact. What did he see through these? Where did he get it? I'm sure if he were still here, sitting there in his worn, yet comfy green chair, he'd start his conversation with, "Oh, I haven't seen those in years. It reminds me of the time when . . . "

Let's open up that heavy old door to that room filled with all our memories. Pull out an old volume, the one coated with a thick layer of dust. Open it up. Do you remember any of these stories? Do you have pictures? I LOVE the ones with pictures! What were your favorites? I'd love for you to tell me about them. Have I ever told you about the time I took a Greyhound bus from Nashville to Los Angeles and back? If you ask, I will. What new adventures would you like to embark on? Tell me about those too. Sit with me awhile friend, I have time.

Here is a video that I want to share with you. This was filmed by Grant Howard and Kip Kubin, the two wonderful souls who gave my Grandpa the chance to be a music video "star." You two are angels.

.better than a hallelujah.

2011-02-24T06:18:00.002-06:00

Back in Wilmington. I want to thank all my wonderful friends for all your love. It has been a long week. I am exhausted, and yet my soul is refreshed and blessed. My sweet Grandpa Bill Evans, a wonderful family man, a genuine friend, a brilliant artist and blacksmith, bid farewell to this old, tired world around seven o'clock on Saturday morning. He went peacefully. The song "Better Than a Hallelujah" was the last song he listened to before his spirit was lifted to the clouds. This song has special significance to us because he was involved in the actual music video for Amy Grant. So, if you would, please stay a moment to watch the following two videos. Again, thank you friends for all your love and support these last few weeks. They mean the world to me.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

.away for a little while.

2011-02-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends. I just wanted to let you know that I will be away from my blog for a little while. My GrandDad has fallen ill and I am planning to leave here today to be with him. Life is so fragile. Time is equally so. Spend them both of them well.

.soak it all in.

2011-02-15T08:43:00.001-06:00

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Clear blue skies, temperatures just slightly under 70 degrees. The wind was exhilarating. This was prime beach weather for our family. Although we didn't brave the waters by taking a swim, we walked around, allowing our child the freedom to play without having to wear a heavy jacket. As my hubby scoured the shore for seashells, my daughter rolling around in the sand, I gazed out towards the sea, my heart and mind swollen with emotion. I'm soaking it all in. Everything. It's been three months shy to a year since we embarked on our journey to the sea. So much has happened since that day that it almost feels as if it was just yesterday that we were loading up the car with no real set plans as to how or where we would end up. As frightening as it all was, it was so worth the risk. Sometimes, we need to tell ourselves, just do it! And I am so grateful, so so very thankful that we did. Things are truly falling into place. . . slowly, but surely. Every day, I am reminded that we should be thankful for even the littlest things that we so easily take for granted. The warm sunshiny days in winter, the first signs that Spring is on her way, the soft and gentle gaze that say I love you without words ever being uttered, the excitement in your child's voice as she points to a streak in the sky and cries, Superman! Let us make a point, every day, to take note of the little wonders in life we so often pass by. . . and treasure them.

.happy valentine's day my lovelies.

2011-02-14T08:02:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day my beautiful friends! Can you believe we're already half way through February?! It's crazy. Alrighty, so today, I wanted to share with you a handful of blog sites that have the word LOVE in its title. Here are the ones I hand picked for ya!

Make today the day that you blow kisses to your sweet's heart, give a trillion times more hugs & smooches to your kids (whether they be human, canine, or feline), give someone a wink just because, and remember that random acts of kindness to a complete stranger is always, always a beautiful thing. xoxo

.etsy on vimeo.

2011-02-11T08:13:00.001-06:00

This morning, during my little stroll down Cyber Lane, I came upon a cheery little place called Vimeo, and today, what I found there was so amazing! Etsy on Vimeo! It was there that I found some of the most interesting and talented folks, all of whom happen to sell their wonderful wares on Etsy.

This video happens to be my favorite! How can you not love "geeks who make geekery"?

Here are some other videos I think you'll enjoy!

.k miller actions.

2011-02-10T10:34:00.000-06:00

"masala" of the Color actions

When it comes to tweaking my images to give it a little more oomph! I love love LOVE using the Photoshop actions created by the talented Kim Miller, aka Capt. Mouffette. This quirky gal from Portland, Oregon, has created four fantastic action sets, with a fifth one on the way. Catering to those who adore film and it's "vintage" quality, many of her actions give your images that surreal look that has become so popular, especially with the resurgence of lo-fi photography. One of my personal favorites happens to be the masala action from her Color set. They are extremely reasonable to purchase with prices ranging between $10 - $20 per set. If you get a chance to pick up a copy of Shutterbug's February issue, she's featured on page 36! So, take a stroll over to Kim's blog, and should you make the best purchase decision of the year by buying her actions (check out the FAQ section prior to purchasing to make sure your software is compatible), be sure to join the Flickr group here. Happy Thursday folks!

"humboldt crud" & "daydream" of the Color actions

"meniscus" of the Monotone actions

.if you love sigur ros. . .

2011-02-08T09:46:00.000-06:00

amiina play Hilli, video by Vincent Moon from amiina on Vimeo.

. . . you will love Amiina too. The musical talents that come from Iceland make me think that perhaps I need to reconsider our possible vacation plans to warmer locations to this beautiful island just below the Arctic Circle instead! And speaking of music and beautiful landscape, a clip from the documentary film Heima.

.february's struggle.

2011-02-07T09:21:00.002-06:00

So already, I realize that trying to do this Character Project every day this month is a lot harder than I had expected. That does NOT mean that I have given up! It will be a work in progress. And since we're still on the subject of characters, I wanted to direct your attention over to one of my favorite photographers, and a video of a wonderful character in her life. I think you'll agree that we can truly see where she gets her creativity and zest for life from!

.Character :: David Eller.

2011-02-03T23:45:00.001-06:00

When I first decided I wanted to embark on this "Character Project" adventure, one of the first people that came to my mind to photograph was this man: David Eller. A long time friend, David is a man of many talents. A artist, actor, filmmaker, musician, crypto-zoologist (this one being my favorite!), and adventurer, to name just a few. If I was given only one word that I could use to describe him, that word would be passionate. When you sit down to a conversation with David, all the emotion that one can possibly possess about a certain subject is animated before your very eyes. Ideas flow from his mind like the rushing waters that make up the Niagara Falls. That energy he puts forth into a project is contagious. One cannot help but be drawn to the vivid imagination that is all his own and not be excited about it. In one conversation, he talked about a show for children that he created, the main character being a frontiersman by the name of Cactus Jack, who goes out introducing kids to the people and places that make up the Old West. Currently, the show airs on Public Access Television in Nashville, Tennessee. After having watched a couple of episodes alongside a very picky critic, my three year old, we were impressed! The catchy opening song sent my daughter into a dancing fit, caught up in laughter and having a good ol' time. And so, it was this Cactus Jack character that I wanted to capture late last February, on a very chilly afternoon. Unfortunately, our photoshoot was cut short when my brand new camera killed over. This was when I learned that you should always, ALWAYS bring a backup. So, here are a just a few of the shots we took that day. We already have plans to shoot more this year so be on the lookout!

.for the love of film.

2011-02-03T11:43:00.000-06:00

Mystery. I think that's the word that would best describe why I still have a soft spot for analog film. The convenience of digital, I think, takes away so much of the emotion that one has in the moment they snap a photograph. With a push of a button, we can immediately critique an image and in seconds shoot some more until we believe we are satisfied. Film teaches us patience, something that is truly lacking in our instant world today. Even with instant film, there is still a wait! :D

Earlier in the week, I found this wonderful video via Elle and thought that you beautiful souls would enjoy it too!

.Character :: Henri Cartier-Bresson.

2011-02-02T22:32:00.001-06:00

The images made by photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, also known as "the father of modern photojournalism," continue to inspire millions who, with their camera, attempt to capture life in this world as it unravels before them. Many of us strive to be more in-tuned with our surroundings that we can pick up on the beautiful amongst the mundane, hoping to have pressed the shutter button in time to capture it. This was something that Cartier-Bresson not only mastered, but lived. Having come across the following two videos, I cannot help but feel a deeper admiration for this man's work. His philosophy on photography, as well as thoughts on his own images gave me greater insight to what the craft meant to him. Experiences, memories, caught in a fraction of a second. "Life is once and forever." Here are two excerpts from documentaries filmed on the master photographer.

Click here to learn more about Henri Cartier-Bresson.

.love peeps.

2011-02-02T11:05:00.000-06:00

Need I say more?

.Character :: Bill Evans.

2011-02-01T12:33:00.002-06:00

To many, the man they know in this photo is Bill Evans. A blacksmith and storyteller, a gentle heart and fiesty soul. Well, for me, personally I prefer to call him Grandpa. If there is any character I have the pleasure of knowing, it is truly him. Not many people my age can say that they remember sitting on top of an anvil, in an old blacksmith shop, everything covered in metal dust, with a forge dating back from the 1800s still in use, watching their grandfather working on a cast iron pot that a client brought in for repair. "What's wrong with it Grandpa? It looks fine." Carefully inspecting the antique kettle, never taking his eyes off of it, he answers, "There's a hairline fracture running down the side of it, and I'm trying to figure out how to seal it without having to apply too much heat to it." Of course, being the 9 year old that I was at the time, you tend to ask more questions. "Why?" Eyes still roaming over the pot, he patiently answers, "Because it's nearly 200 years old." Oh. It was at this moment that I truly realized just how unique my Grandfather was. If there is any man who could rattle off chemistry equations and tell you about his time in Kwajalein in the same coversation, it would be him.

In the late 1950s, equipped with an engineering degree and a background in welding, my grandfather took on a dredging job that required his family to move from Nashville, Tennessee to the South Pacific. It would be there, in the Hawaiian Islands that he, his artist wife Chris, and their three young children (the eldest being my father) would call home for over 30 years. Venturing away from the life as an engineer, my Grandfather later opened up his own blacksmith shop in Honolulu, Olde Harbour Forge. He worked primarily as an ornamental blacksmith, specializing in hammered bronze and copper. He had clients ranging anywhere from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to the Doris Duke estate. When you stepped into his shop, as one journalist from the Honolulu Advertiser once noted, it was like stepping into Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, The Village Blacksmith. Many years later, back in Nashville, in a much smaller shop, not quite as nostalgic as the original, I watch my Grandfather work on a new sculpture, this one consisting of several angels made of hammered copper. With my camera in tow, I lean against the same anvil I had once sat upon over 20 years earlier, watching him solder several pieces together. Later he walks over to a table where several almost-completed figures lay side by side, awaiting their final assembly. "And this one here," he says, picking one of them up, "I've styled her hair to look like your Tutu's." I lean forward and notice that sure enough, the gleaming angelic figure he cradled in his hands resembled my Grandmother. "I love it Grandpa." He looks upon it for a moment, smiles, and then gently lays it back on the table. All of a sudden a little voice pipes up, "I wanna see Grandpa! I wanna see Tutu!" My little three year old, who's accompanied me on our trip to see her Great-Grandpa, lifts her arms up to be carried. As I pick her up, she too leans forward and gives her approval, "Ooh, pretty." The following photos are some of the images I captured that day, last Spring.

*added on 3/5/11:

Hello friends. I wanted to share with you that the wonderful man in this post, my Grandfather Bill Evans, passed away two weeks ago today, on February 19th, 2011 around seven o'clock in the morning. He went peacefully, his final breath leaving his body as the song Better Than a Hallelujah finished playing on the CD player. During his final days, he was surrounded by loved ones who adored him. He was an amazing craftsman. A fantastic storyteller. A loving family man. A loyal friend. A kind stranger. He will forever be the perfect example of a true gentleman. And I will miss him terribly. . . ~Kathy

.le mois de l'amour::entrée n˚1.

2011-01-31T23:51:00.000-06:00

Bonjour mes amis! No, don't worry, I don't plan to start posting en français. . . but. . . what I am doing is posting every day this month with a hint of amour. So to start off the month, I wanted to share a video I found featuring a musical duo named Pomplamoose (a play on the french word pamplemousse, which means "grapefruit"). If they seem somewhat familiar, perhaps you may have recognized them from the Hyundai commercials that aired during the holidays. Here, they are singing my new favorite rendition of the classic Édith Piaf melody, La Vie en Rose.

.NaBloPoMo::Characters.

2011-01-27T20:27:00.001-06:00

NaBloPoMo's theme for the month of February is Character. Well I tell ya, timing is everything. As some of you might be aware, I have been wanting to work on a series of photos capturing the faces and stories of everyday people who inspire and intrigue me. The idea was inspired by USA's Character Project. My hopes are to introduce you to some of my favorite people, as well as folks who I have yet to meet! I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and I am going out there to connect and to share. It's a good thing February is a short month! My friends, I am asking that you hold me accountable because we're talking about TWENTY-EIGHT different people! And. . . don't be surprised if YOU end up being one of them! So stay tuned. . .

*Just a quick note! I wanted to also let you folks know that I have revived my Reveries and a Cup of Chai blog to share more things not-so-photography related. So, get yourself a cup of tea, or coffee, or a Corona, and stop by!

.life is a verb.

2011-01-27T07:49:00.000-06:00

Throughout the years, you find out that many times, things that happen in your life truly do happen for a reason. Reasons you cannot yet explain but at some point along the way, the A-ha! moment arrives. Chance moments that would not have been had you not simply shown up. I don't believe in coincidences anymore. Maybe it's because I've been watching the History Channel with my conspiracy believing husband a little too much lately. Ha! If there is ANYTHING that I've learned in life, and especially over the struggles last summer, it is that every little thing that happens has a reason. Even something as little as a phone call from your employer asking if you'd take a shift that night because someone is going home sick. This was the scene that took place several days ago. I said I'd call back. I consulted with the other half who said, "Do whatever you want." We really could use the extra cash those hours would bring so I called back and said, "yes." You know, sometimes, that's all we have to say. . . yes. Earlier that day, I was on a long (as they usually are) conversation with my sister about how I was really having a hard time getting motivated to be creative. Picking up my camera became a chore. Just getting things done seemed too laborsome. As a mom and wife I just felt as if I wasn't giving enough quality time like I should either and that has truly been bothering me. I felt totally beat up emotionally after enduring one helluva roller coaster ride last summer. I was numb, and yet, extremely sore. I needed a jolt of something inspiring really bad. Later that afternoon, the phone call from work.

So just minutes after clocking in, the phone at work rings. I work at a bookstore so we get a lot of calls from folks asking if we carry a particular book in store. Well this call wasn't the case. The customer wanted to know if we matched our online price. We don't. "Could you tell me how much it would cost if we bought it from your store?" I say, "Sure. What's the book?" She tells me, "Life is a Verb, by Patti Digh." I type it in, automatically I am drawn to the cover. "It's $19.95 ma'am." She thanks me and hangs up. Fifteen minutes later, the phone rings again and somehow I'm the only one answering the phone all of the sudden. A man is on the other line, he asks about the same book but wants to know if his membership will give him a better discount buying the book online or in the store. I ask him what book he was looking to purchase and he mentioned the same title. I asked if he had had someone call just a few moments prior. "Yes, I did. I had my secretary call. See, I'm having a meeting with my employees and I want every one of them to take home a copy of this book." I pull up the book on my computer again, gazing at the cover. Life is a verb. "For every employee, really?" He responds, "Yeah, it's a fantastic book and I want to make sure they all have a copy." I explain to him, that it would be cheaper for him to actually buy it online. He thanks me and hangs up. I thought to myself, "What is the big deal with this book that he is seriously going to buy every single one of his employees a book. Who even does that?" I look back to my screen and next to the words "On Hand" it said we had one copy available in the store. So, I walk over to the Self Improvement section and pull out the book. "I am going to browse through you on my lunch break little buddy." And that's what I did. After reading the introduction, I knew I had to have it.

I'm not even on the fourth chapter of this book and already I feel a rejuvenating of the soul taking place on my insides. The author originally started to write this book for no one else but for her two young daughters. A woman who has had several members of her family suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and then to also lose her stepfather only 37 days after being diagnosed with cancer, Patti was compelled to write. She wanted to record her life for her two young daughters in order that they would see who she was beyond just the title of Mom. This book became a means for her to encourage them to live, and to live fully. She challenges us to do the same. Life is too short not to. After picking up this book, the fog that kept me from seeing my own life a little more clearly started to dissipate a little. I picked up my little three year old, sat her in my lap, and looked at her. If any of you have young children, I know you have those moments when you are totally blown away at just how much those precious souls have grown. As I look upon that sweet, cherub face with the big brown eyes, I begin to think to myself, what stories should I share with her? How can I encourage her to be both confident and compassionate? How can I help nurture her to be that beautiful person? I guess it's simple, really. Live. Love. Laugh. Cliché I know, but true wouldn't you agree? The time to record, time to enjoy and experience life as best as we possibly can truly is now. After giving my daughter a big hug and telling her how much I love her, she looks back up at me and says, "I love you too Mama. Okay. . . can I go play now?" My answer: "Yes, sweetie, we can go play now."

Our task is to say a holy yes

to the real things in our life.

~Natalie Goldberg

Live in the present moment

wisely and earnestly.

~Buddha

.resuscitating the blog.

2011-01-26T08:25:00.000-06:00

Good morning my beloved friends! I cannot believe that it has been nearly a YEAR since the last post. I had contemplated removing this blog altogether, but honestly, I've kinda missed it. Life was a little more than hectic last year, but now that the dust has started to settle, I want to start sharing bits and pieces of the lighter side of life again. My Threads of Light blog will continue to stay up, focusing more on photography, while this blog will feature pretty much everything else. Here, I will introduce you to various artists and other creatives whose work and lives inspire! So, c'mon back on board and let's see where this life takes us both! :D

.and today was brought to you by the number. . .

2011-01-20T23:00:00.001-06:00

33 is the number for today because it is how many years I'm celebrating today!
I was greeted with happy cheers of "it's your birthday Mama!" by my
little girl first thing this morning.
Later a radio dedication was made on the radio by a friend who has his
own show here! Awesome music streamed in from Nashville! How
cool is that?!

The Mister, little one and myself took a trip downtown for some

sweets at Kilwin's.

Then we took a stroll around downtown Wilmington. It was such a
beautiful day!

Greenpeace had their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, docked on the

Cape Fear River. They'll be giving tours of the boat this weeknend.

They're here to support ECO and the folks of Wilmington who have

been doing an awesome job bringing awareness to the public

about ecological issues here in the Cape Fear region.

After our walk around downtown, we headed to the beach.

It was a little cold, but it was still so beautiful!

Then I blew out the candle and called it a day.

A wonderful wonderful day. :D

.back in the loop.

2011-01-17T07:57:00.001-06:00

Wow, it has been a while hasn't it? Well my friends, I'm ALIVE!! I hope that today, you are well. I have truly missed you and now that I finally have access to the internet from home, I'll be coming to visit more often. 2010. . . wow, what a year. From beginning to end, it was a roller coaster ride for myself and my family. First the accident in January, to the loss of a job in April, the flood in May, to a family emergency in November. But, and there is a very big BUT, glorious sunshine hides behind dark clouds. It's only a matter of time when those clouds fade away. You are stronger than you realize. I am still a little sore, a tad numb, but relieved. We are in a nice home, surrounded by wonderful neighbors, and we can't help but love this town, especially since we only live 15 minutes away from the beach. Niiiice. And I am glad, so glad to be back here with you!

So, now that we have entered a new year, my hopes are that things will be a little calmer, a lot more creative, and less stressful. I don't think I can handle any more new white hairs sprouting from my head. My 33rd birthday is just a few days away and honestly, I have chosen to stay home! Ha! Before I leave you today, I want to share a few creative sites. . .

The whimsical and genius creations of Su Blackwell
The soothing images by beautiful Heather Pauline
And this blog is just insanely hilarious!

That's it for now folks! Have a beautiful start to the work week!

.a quick hello and a short film.

2010-07-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

Hello! :)

Here's a really neat, short clip that I found in my Inbox today from the Anthropologist. Makes me want to get in a canoe (or in Derek Henderson's case, an inner tube) and simply float along the river, with my camera of course. Wishing you well!

.time to think.

2010-06-23T18:55:00.001-05:00

There's something that happens when you don't spend as much time online as you used to: you have more time to think and to actually do things. This is a big reason for my minimal presence here in Blogland and Cyberville. Bare with me though, I will be back online a little more with hopefully more to say and more to show you.

Things are changing. . . for the good. Metamorphosis. That's always been the word I'd use to explain what I feel like is happening to me. Maybe you can relate? My camera has been sitting on the shelf more often than I had planned but it's only because there are plans in my head that I hope to bring to fruition. Patience. That is what I am learning right now. Patience with myself. I've always been the impulsive type, which in many ways has probably hindered more than helped, but I'm seeing that time is on my side if only I would use it well. I feel more alive now than I have in a long time and to be able to say that is. . . awesome.

This is a short one but I wanted to say HI. I'll be taking a break for a few weeks and hopefully by then, I will be back with a ROAR! ;) Take care friends.

.turning the page to write a new chapter.

2010-06-09T17:37:00.001-05:00

The blank page. It stares at me, wide-eyed and anxious, like a full audience waiting for the opening act to begin. I am intimidated by this and somehow manage to put myself into a mild case of ‘stage fright’. What do I say? Where do I even begin? Will I sound stupid?! Then, as if a voice from behind the curtain shouts ‘Start with right now!’ I pick up my pen, and begin to write.

New chapters. From the moment we decided to make this crazy move to North Carolina, I now feel like I’m actually ready to write the ‘next chapter’, the one that hopefully will be less painful and tumultuous than the previous. In the last chapter, May: The Month I Seriously Thought I Was Going to Go Postal, my stress level was up so high that I have ten, TEN, new white hairs on my head (that of which I can see anyway) to prove it. From the aftermath of the Nashville flood, to difficulties finding employment, landing an actual place to live in Wilmington, to watching our bank accounts drain out. Yes, I am ready to start another chapter.

An opportunity to change. That’s what this whole move has been about. It wasn’t just about moving to make a change of scenery, although yes, I truly enjoy the fact that we only live 20 minutes from the beach, and yes, I know it’s hurricane season. We needed a lifestyle change. From what we ate, to how we filled up our day, our lives had become stagnant and unhealthy for far too long. This is what needed to change, for our health, for our sanity, for our creativity, for our daughter. Although we are not living in quite the ideal situation yet (because we are now broke as heck) we are working our way up slowly. The words prioritizing and budgeting are no longer gibberish in our vocabulary. Our fridge is not packed with junk, instead it is filled with lots of water and produce! As a family, we take our walks around our little neighborhood in the evenings after dinner, which has allowed us to meet several of our neighbors. I’ve had more time to actually sit and read (what few books I still had that survived the flood). More time to play and soak up some Vitamin D with the little one. I seriously want a bike! Already, I can see the good that has come from making this move even though for a while there, we were starting to think that this was a dumb idea. Our instincts were right, this was a good move.

I’ve been reading Visionmongers, by David duChemin, lately and there was something he wrote that really struck a chord with me. Although he wrote it with photography in mind, I feel that these words really can be applied to life in general.

Whatever the next step for you is, take it boldly.

These are not the times for the timid;

there’s no reward in tiptoeing through life

only to make it safely to death.

This is where I am right now, in a dilapidated old place, with very few things, yet so full of gratitude for my beautiful family, my wonderful friends, and the opportunity to start taking those bolder steps. There’s still so much to do, like painting the place, clearing out the shed to turn it into our ‘creativity hut’, starting an herb garden, making photos, and. . . AND. . . being happy. Isn't that the point to it all? To simply be happy.

.a brief update.

2010-06-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

Hello my dear friends! Before I go on, I first wanted to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the beautiful words of encouragement in my last post. Things have not been easy but, yes and it's a BIG BUT, we are doing fine. Sometimes lessons are hidden in the form of trials. I can honestly say that I truly recognize the struggles we have had over the last two months as such. This is good. It means growth. For me, for my family.

Right now, my mind has been clearer than it has been in YEARS! When you are down to the bare essentials, with very little distraction, it's amazing how much more 'awake' you feel. That's where I'm at now. Unfortunately, being down to the bare essentials also means that there is little finances to actually get my internet up and going from home. Therefore, my online time has been limited to runs to the local coffee shop in order to check emails. So forgive me if my presence here and my visits to you have been less frequent than I would hope, but that will change soon.

Like I said, this is going to be a brief update. I hope you are well and enjoying the summer sun! Until later my friends, take care!!

.good afternoon, sunday.

2010-05-16T14:27:00.001-05:00

Hello friends. Where do I even begin?! Today I write to you from Nashville, yes, Nashville. We have returned here, briefly, to take care of several things, including cleaning out the storage unit that contained all our belongings. Most of what we had decided to keep after our moving sale was in that unit. While viewing YouTube videos of the insane destruction that occurred due to the floods that hit the Nashville area on May 1st & 2nd, we saw a video that actually showed the exact location where our storage unit was. Sure enough, ours was flooded out. Then we found out that the insurance company that was used by the storage company has denied everyone's claim because our policy did not have "flood coverage". What should have been a liberating start to our first week in Wilmington became a one of stress and tension instead. As much as I tried to remind myself of the fact that we were trying to "simplify" it was hard to come to grips with the fact that the few things we held dear were now gone. We returned to Nashville last Tuesday. We made a trip to the unit and if it wasn't hard enough to know everything was underwater, it was harder to see things taken over by mold and the awful, musty stench of sewer and chemical filled water. Photos were ruined beyond recognition. Even now, it's hard for me to think about without feeling absolutely nauseated. We still have a few more things to clear out. I took pictures of a lot of things, but honestly, I need to move beyond this. Others have lost much more than we did and I need to remember that. Entire homes were swept away. The lives of loved ones taken. We are still here. That's what should matter.

To be honest, I'm not sure how this adventure will play out. I admit, I'm a little numb. We are still looking for a place. Harder than we thought it would be. With that said, good things have happened; my husband starts his new job in Wilmington this week, we have met some awesome new folks, we have played in the water and sand. ;) Good things will and are happening. Life definitely has its way of throwing curve balls your way. I'm trying to do my best to hit those bad boys out of the park.

Hope you all are doing well. Once things settle, I'll be back to catch up with all of you, until then, take care!

.we are here.

2010-05-04T23:10:00.001-05:00

Dear friends, we have made it to the sea. It has been a bittersweet voyage considering what took place just hours after we left our former home. What we little belongings we had left in Nashville was destroyed. All that we have now is what we have brought with us and of course, each other. My words are a little tangled right now. I will return soon to share more with you, but until that time. . . I want to share with you a beautiful message that was sent to me by an equally beautiful soul. Thank you Niru.

Look to this day
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.

The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!
~Kalidasa

.reflections and windows.

2010-04-29T07:47:00.001-05:00

Our last week here in Nashville, before our Journey to the Sea adventure, has been bittersweet. As I reflect back on all that's taken place since our decision to move back to Nashville little over a year and a half ago, I see that it was definitely not in vain. Many of the relationships that I left behind nearly five years ago, during a very tumultuous time in my life, are healing, many of them mended. This move to yet another place we have never been is not the same as the one I made back then. This time, I am not running away. This time, I am moving forward, confident yet a little nervous, towards my dream, towards a better life for myself and my family. Yes, I realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. They get mowed the exact same way. The difference here is that I'll like the view a whole lot better.

I woke up this morning, took a shower, and as I was getting ready for the day, I happened to look up and caught the reflection of the bedroom window on the glass of the shadow box that showcases my earrings. The light was soft and peaceful shining through the blinds and curtain. I stood there taking in the steady breathing of my love and our beautiful child who were both still fast asleep. This is good. What we are doing, this move, these changes, they are all good. Windows of opportunity have presented themselves and as a family, we are jumping through them.

There were three pieces of scrap paper, with my handwriting on them, that I found at the bottom of a box I was sorting through. I don't remember when I copied these words down, but here is what they say. . .

Promise yourself to be strong, that nothing can disturb your
peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make
your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best,
and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press
on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to
the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you
are true to the best that is in you! ~ Christian D. Larson

Live with intention.

Walk to the edge.

Listen hard.

Practice wellness.

Play with abandon.

Laugh.

Choose with no regret.

Continue to learn.

Appreciate your friends.

Do what you love.

Live as if this is all there is.

~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Peace.

It does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. It mean to be in the

midst of those things and still be

calm in your heart.

~ Anon.

.good. . . evening, sunday.

2010-04-25T21:31:00.001-05:00

This weekend has been very rewarding and also extremely exhausting. We had our moving sale Friday as well as Saturday and thankfully, we were able to get rid of most of our stuff. I am currently sitting on the floor in the living room, typing away on my laptop that it sitting on my daughter's potty. (Don't worry, it has a lid and she doesn't use it, but it sits at the perfect height. Ha!) I realized this weekend that there are many who think what we are doing is just. . . how do you say. . . crazy. Honestly though, I learned so much about myself this weekend just by seeing how much we, I, have accumulated over the years. I had enough scrapbooking and craft supplies to open up my own shop! A friend of mine came over and he asked me, "Doesn't it make you sick knowing that you spent all this money buying all this stuff only to sell it for next to nothing at a yard sale?" My response was "No. What makes me sick is knowing that I spent all this money and did nothing with any of this and still continued to buy." Seeing it all out, on the floor in boxes, many of which were still in their packaging, never opened was very sobering. Selling everything we have has been very liberating. No longer do we have to haul all this stuff, trying to find a place that has enough room for me to store it all. I believe the word I chose to represent the changes I wanted to see in my life this year was this: simplify.

Your choices at the moment will be good ones. Trust yourself. Many of you already know that I collect fortune cookie fortunes. I know it sounds silly and juvenile, but sometimes I get ones that reassure me with things I already know. Like the one above. As much as I love an adventure, there is always that tinge of doubt that likes to creep in and make you question your actions. "Did we make the right decision? Are we being stupid?" There is peace. Yes, there is stress because we are on a timeline, but beyond that, there is so much peace. Already I feel better about what we are doing. My husband and I are on the same page. We are excited, yes anxious as well, but we know that everything will be okay.

My friends, I will be staying in touch with you all as often as I can, putting up new pictures as we make our venture. Here today, in an almost empty home, with no guarantees of what tomorrow brings, I am happy. Sometimes it takes drastic changes to bring you closer to your dreams, to your loved ones, to yourself, and maybe even closer to God.

Of all the people I have ever known, those who have pursued their dreams and failed have lived a much more fulfilling life than those who have put their dreams on a shelf for fear of failure. ~Author Unknown

.good morning, sunday.

2010-04-18T11:49:00.001-05:00

It's Sunday, April 18th, already. I've decided to move over my "Good morning, Sunday" , a weekly recap and list of random stuff that I started on my Reveries and a Cup of Chai blog, here. So here we go:

Still, still, STILL trying to get through our stuff. Packing, pitching, setting aside for our moving sale. There's a faint light at the end of the tunnel.
Totally digging this musical duo, The Dø. Thanks to Elisabelle.
I am in love with the new Impossible Project PX 100 analog film for the SX-70. But you already knew that.
The Atlantic Ocean. I hope to see her in the next couple of weeks as we venture through North Carolina. I've never met Atlantic. I hear she's not as warm as her sister Pacific, but I'm sure she's still just as beautiful. ;)
I want to own a ukulele. You would think being from Hawaii that I would have already owned one. But I don't. And just a tid bit of info for you. The literal meaning of ukulele is "jumping lice." Ha!
Over the next several weeks, perhaps months, I will be trying to spend less time on the computer and more time actually shooting. The computer has been such a wonderful thing to have, but unfortunately, feeling like I've got some form of ADD, I have spent more time browsing through the Web than I have anything else and I think it's time to change that. I've probably already said that I'd do that, but I don't think I'll have a choice in the next week or so.
This upcoming week will be filled with nothing but more preparations for our big moving sale on Friday and Saturday. Wish us luck 'cause we need to get rid of everything. Hopefully it'll mean a nice deposit into our bank account so we can travel with a little less stress.
This young lady's work amazes and inspires me. See her first video below.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

.i've been tagged!.

2010-04-14T11:43:00.001-05:00

I'm in dire need of a break! Who knew that sorting through clothes could wear a person out!?! Who knew a family could accumulate THAT MUCH clothes?! Geez. Anyhoo, hope everyone is having a great week so far. As you can see by the title to today's post, I've been tagged by my friend Esther of Inside My Shell. Here's the rule: Go to a photo file and pick the 10th photo. After that, blog about the story behind that image. Then tag 5 other bloggers to do the same. Sound like fun? Just like Esther, I decided to pick the 10th photo in my Flickr photostream.

A diptych showing two images I had taken at the Old Richard's Bookstore in Frankfort, Kentucky. No real big story to tell here. My hubby and I decided to take a trip from Lexington to Frankfort for the afternoon. We took a stroll along the railroad track that runs through the Historic Downtown and spotted the bookstore. There's always something pleasant about walking into a cozy old building that houses tons of old books. Especially one that also opens up to a coffee shop!

Alright lovelies, here are the five I've chosen to participate:

Emma of The Orchard Studio
Zee of Hey! Zee
Char of Ramblins
Rich of Darker Skies
ELK of Red or Gray

Hope you guys get to play along because I'd LOVE to see what you have to share! Hey and anyone else who wants to join in, by all means!

.writing a new chapter.

2010-04-12T16:08:00.001-05:00

Well, time is ticking away rather quickly in our neck of the woods. The home is in shambles at the moment as we divide want we feel we need to keep and what we want to sell. Our eyes are set on North Carolina at the moment. Where exactly? That has yet to be determined. I'm excited. Stress is creeping in a little, but I'm okay. What lies ahead of us is a new adventure, a new chapter to be written. I've been in dire need of an adventure and it looks like I'm about to embark on one. As my Uncle mentioned this evening, it's in my blood.

We are planning on having our 'moving sale' at the end of the week next week. As we prepare for it, I realize that I seriously SERIOUSLY have been needing to purge for quite sometime. I have enough craft supplies to start my own store! Most of what I have has been rarely used, some even unopened. That's what happens when you work in a craft supply store for nearly 9 years and then realize you have no time to craft. But hopefully, this will mean I will get some of my money back during the sale. Being realistic during a move can be hard sometimes. When I say that I mean it's like the same conversation I have when I'm actually in a store. Do I seriously see myself using this in the next. . . say month? I know it's cool to have, but seriously, when was the last time I used this? Most of what we have is, in essence, mine which makes it hard for the hubby to help because he's afraid he'll put something in the wrong box. There are clothes, tons of clothes that I had hoped I would have been able to fit again. Home decor. Art and craft supplies. We seriously need to make a killing on this sale. I guess, really, we are writing that new chapter now. The title: On the Path to a Simplified Life. We hope.

**Apologies to anyone reading this who may've gotten totally confused! Ha! My mind is so full right now that things just come out in chunks, so bare with me! :D

.PX I love you.

2010-04-08T22:47:00.001-05:00

So it's here. . . the highly anticipated film created by the geniuses at the Impossible Project. The delivery of two packets came in the mail little over a week ago. Like a child who received the one toy they requested for Christmas, to have it in my hands was, in its own way, magical. At first, I hesitated to open it, scared that I would somehow screw it up, especially since there's been so much talk about the fact this film is extremely sensitive to both light and temperature. There's a very painful, and expensive learning process that takes place with this film. But I have to admit, I'm in love.

The soft, dreamy quality that is typical of Polaroid film is still there. The warm tones in the images are delightful, especially for me, considering I'm a huge fan of brown tones. If you couldn't already tell.

I'm still crossing my fingers that the price of the film (currently $21) will either stay the same, or decrease as time goes on. Each packet consists of 8 (as opposed to the Polaroid 600's 10) shots. So a lot more thought should probably go into each composition before pressing that little red button.

So yes, I am quite happy with this new film. Adore it really. I'm hoping for this Christmas, Santa will be sweet and fill my stockings with PX 100 film!

To see more of my shots, visit Flickr.
For more info on this new film, visit the Impossible Project.

.the road is calling.

2010-04-07T10:20:00.001-05:00

For a long time, I've been known as the "gypsy" in the family. Growing up, we moved around a lot. I attended 5 different elementary schools by the time I was in the 5th grade. Although some would say that perhaps that was unhealthy, I enjoyed it. I loved being able to see new things and to meet new kids, experience new adventures. I guess you can say, nothing's changed.

This week, my husband's job officially closed its doors and what plans we thought we had were shut down. Potential jobs fell through. We are faced with having to move out of this house by the end of the month, and the question of Where are we going to go? Timing is lousy. But maybe, just maybe there is a bigger, better plan that we just can't see yet. After being given very disappointing news, the only thoughts that came to my mind were to sell just about everything we have, save sentimental things, our cameras and laptops, and begin traveling again. The idea never would have even phased me had it not been for the simple fact that we are now parents to a little soon-to-be-three year old. Back in the day, it was nothing for me to pick up and go to wherever, whenever. Not anymore. Before I start to sound like I am lamenting my role as mother, I am not. In a way, I also want my child to see and experience different places. I don't know. My Mom has decided to move back to North Carolina at the end of the month and I can't help but think that maybe NC wouldn't be a bad place to go. As a matter of fact, I LOVED North Carolina. I loved the fact that it only took me 45 minutes to get to the mountains, whether towards Boone or Asheville. It is such a beautiful state.

The open road is calling me again. And I think this time, I'm going to answer. . . with my family of course! ;)

.happy easter.

2010-04-04T08:08:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter everyone.

.i miss the sea.

2010-03-31T13:50:00.001-05:00

I do. Terribly. For anyone of you that know me well enough, you know that every Spring comes that pang of homesickness that just doesn't seem to ever diminish. The weather is so delicious that my mind can't help but drift to the shores of Hawai'i. I miss the beach.

.time to simplify.

2010-03-29T20:13:00.001-05:00

A little simplification would be the first step
toward rational living, I think.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Simplify. That is the word that I am embracing at the moment. With Spring now into full swing, the "cleaning" part has kicked in and I realize, I've got a ton of stuff. I observe the refugee families that I have the pleasure of assisting and I see how well they go about their lives with very little. I'm learning a lot about what is truly important in life. There will be a lot of purging and packing in the next several weeks as we prepare for what lies ahead, whatever that may be.

Simplify. I am trying to incorporate this word into other aspects of my life. As I think about my photography and the direction that I want to take it, the phrase keep it simple continuously comes to mind. My frustrations stem from the fact that I've allowed things to become more complicated than they should be. Over thinking. Please tell me that I'm not the only one with this problem.

Things are starting to get a little clearer for me. This may mean some more changes headed this way, but it just means that things are growing, blossoming. Something good this way comes. I can feel it.

.:.

2010-03-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

Today, I started to stress a little. Just a teensy weeny little bit. April is quickly approaching and I'll be honest, I don't know what is ahead of me, of us, my family. The winds of change are picking up again, just as crazy as the winds that swept through Nashville earlier today. A storm raged through town and just as quickly as it came, it trailed off to another place. I thought that everything would be strewn across the place, branches torn off trees. Nope. Everything was just as it was, only much wetter. It was actually quiet. Peaceful. I looked out my kitchen window and the above photo is what I saw (only not in monotone, but close!). Think there may be a lesson within today's storm.

.polaroid::a new chapter.

2010-03-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

A new chapter in the life of Polaroid cameras and film has been written. What was once considered an impossible attempt to bring back the adored instamatic film back from what would have been a terrible death, has become. . . well, possible. Almost. Although the original chemistry that created the popular 600 film, and many of its siblings, is no longer manufactured, the geniuses of The Impossible Project have created a NEW formula that has resulted in the launch of it's newest films: The PX 100 and PX 600. Both will officially be available tomorrow. And the world celebrates!

Like many who rediscovered a love for analog, specifically instant, photography, my time came a little late. I had purchased several packets of Polaroid 600 film from the only place locally that it was still available. Walmart. No sooner did I go through (painfully might I add) my packs of film that Walmart suddenly ran out of film. I would drive and drive and call and drive some more to find ANY Walmart that still carried the film. They were out. Gone. Nada. I went on to eBay and found that piles of this film were being sold there but my wallet would not oblige. So, Alpha, Lula, and Cutie (the names of my cameras) were put away. Alpha being the only one that still contained a few shots of 600 film.

Today, I brought my Polas out of the darkness to let them know that there is reason to celebrate. Soon, they will have purpose again. Thanks to these guys.

::video via Grant Hamilton
::be sure to check out some test shots of the new film on Flickr

.hints of spring::or::the death of a project.

2010-03-22T12:56:00.001-05:00

Okay, so Spring has officially arrived. I have to tell you though, Winter, oh dear Winter, has still got a pretty firm grip on the trees here in Nashville. Today, temperatures were in the mid 30s and I can't help but feel like I'm being jipped. I long for color. I long for warmth. During a recent trip to Cheekwood, I did notice that there were subtle hints that Spring is slowly making her presence known here. So really, I should just shut up and be patient. ;0)

On to other subjects, I have come to terms with the fact that Project 365 is really just not for me. This means that I will be renaming my flickr album to "A Year in Photos::2010" which will feature my favorite shot for any one particular outing. I think. Who knows. May change that too! Ha! I know that there are folks out there that have been pretty relaxed about the rules for P:365 which I was totally in agreement with. But, after having missed several days, it just seemed wrong to keep the numbers 3-6-5 especially since I could not keep up with being true to "a photo every single day." I originally had this whole sch-peel about the deeper reasoning for not doing this project, but I'll spare you. Suddenly I have this need to read Susan Sontag's essays On Photography.

With all this said, I truly hope every single one of you are having a beautiful start to the week! Let me know how you are.

.staying true to myself.

2010-03-15T16:44:00.001-05:00

49::365

I will have to admit to you that it's been a rather rough couple of weeks photography wise for me. Part of it due to the fact that I didn't have my camera (which I did get back today. . . YAY!) and also because, strangely enough, I have been asked to exhibit some of my photos. You would think that I would be extremely over the moon at the latter, but instead I became overly critical of my work to the point of getting a headache. Haha! That's a good sign right. . . ? As I gazed through some of my photos, I couldn't help but feel like I was just shooting all over the place. I found myself going back to my older images, photos that I didn't try to capture to submit to some publication or have accepted by the public as trendy. I shot them simply because I was moved to. Over the last several years, I feel like I've lost that, that emotional bond that transcends from subject to photographer, ultimately captured by the camera.

This morning after reading an inspiring post, I was reminded that as a photographer, I need to stay true to my vision. Too often I become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of images out there, trying to find a place to settle into only to realize that I wasn't really comfortable there. I always find myself saying that I'm still searching for my "voice" in the photography world. I sing the best when I'm in the shower or in my car, belting it out without a care as to who may hear, or see, me. I sing whatever moves me at the time (it's been a lot of Priscilla Ahn lately). Go out, shoot and don't give a rat's ass what anyone else thinks. In the end, it's your opinion of what you've done that matters. Sometimes I really should start taking my own advice.

.waiting for some color.

2010-03-15T04:09:00.001-05:00

48::365

I've been taking quite a bit of photos of the sky lately. The dramatic cloud formations highlighted by the intensity of the sun. Makes me realize how nice it is to actually be outside! The weather is warming up, thank goodness, which can only mean that Nashville will bursting with color soon! Some parts of the world are already there!

.the doorways project::uganda.

2010-03-12T10:32:00.001-06:00

Travel. Beauty. Connection. When I think of these three words, one name comes to mind. Lisa Field-Elliot, the Doorways Traveler. Today's post, however, is not really about the beautiful soul that is Lisa. Rather, this is a call for your attention and your support. Uganda. A country where men, women, and children - some older, some perhaps even much younger than you or I - have endured atrocities that I cannot even fathom. Each one a survivor. Each one with the fragile hope and prayer to live a life of freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from pain. Freedom to simply be. Many of us have hoped at some point in our lives, maybe even today, that we were in a position to be able to help, to take that flight across a vast ocean, to go beyond our own comfort zones and social networks, in order that we may have a part in seeing beautiful things happen for those who deserve it and much more. They have stories to tell, and I want to hear them. But I cannot make that trip. Not today. That is why I believe that we must help support someone who can. Lisa is the vessel that will be making this journey. On April 3rd, she will be in Uganda assisting Community Action Fund for Women of Africa (CAWFA) for two weeks, documenting the stories of those who have been supported by their work. It is there that she will be our hands, our ears, our heart. I cannot think of a more humble and generous individual that I would encourage than her.

"My heart breaks and leaps when I think about what is ahead. I am not pretending to have done this before. To have been somewhere and sat with women who have experienced the kind of atrocities that the women of Uganda have. These are the kinds of unthinkable things that fold into long and complicated stories of pain, struggle, and loss. But they are not the only stories that have to define these women and their families. While I am realistic and reverent toward the stories of death and devastation that I know I will hear and see in the faces of those I will listen to and photograph, what I hope to capture is the future of possibility that CAFWA is striving for. That and the basic human desire to be our fullest as women and as mothers that is the same no matter where we are." -Lisa, March 12, 2010

To learn more about how YOU can help make this journey possible, please take the time to visit Lisa's blog at www.doorwaystraveler.com. Also, to find out more about CAFWA and how you can help, visit them at www.cafwaafrica.org.

.bricks and light::avijit halder.

2010-03-11T13:17:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite quotes of all-time oddly enough, comes from a Pixar movie.

Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.
~ Anton Ego, Ratatouille

It was nearly a year ago when I first discovered the documentary film, Born into Brothels, and wrote about it on my Reveries blog. It still remains as one of the most influential films in my life. Why? Because it documents three important things that I hold dear. Children. Photography. Hope. One of the eight children featured in this film was a boy by the name of Avijit. Throughout the film, one could not help but become attached to the young artist. His paintings and photographs spoke eloquently of the talents and possibilities that his life, his destiny, went beyond the streets of the red-light district of Kalcutta. Currently attending NYU studying film, nearly 10 years has passed since the filming of Born into Brothels, and this young man, whose future once hung in the balance, is a testament to the world that yes, a great artist can come from anywhere. And he has.

.optimist & pessimist.

2010-03-10T20:44:00.001-06:00

47::365

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimists invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~G.B. Stern.

I've always liked that quote. This week, it has really hit home for me as my inner optimist and pessimist are at odds with each other. There have been some great photography opportunities that may be in the works, but for fear of jinxing myself, I'm going to wait before sharing much about it. Then, a nice big obstacle presented itself in a conversation with my hubby and his employer. The business is closing by the end of the month, which means three weeks from today he will be without a job unless something else happens. I already see a move from this house inevitable, which I think may actually be a good thing. BUT, that means it's time to pack. Again. I swear, I'm not always the "gypsy" by choice. I have to admit that I'm a little scared but trying desperately to stay positive. My inner optimist is saying, "Hey! We'll be just fine." My inner pessimist is saying "Start planning for the worst now otherwise you're screwed." Deep inside, I know everything will be okay. That fear of the unknown is what gets me all the time. Good things are happening. I know they are. I just have to remember that behind every dark cloud, is a little bit of sunshine.

. a stack of inspiration.

2010-03-04T23:18:00.001-06:00

45::365

What's the best thing to do when you need some inspiration? Delve into the pages of craft books and spring fashion catalogs! In my case, here are the ones that I am currently perusing, and reabsorbing:

The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin
The Artistic Mother by Shona Cole
Semiprecious Salvage by Stephanie Lee
Urban Outfitters' Spring 2010 catalog
Anthropologie's March 2010 catalog
Toast's Spring 2010 catalog

My deepest of gratitude goes out to all the wonderful artists, designers, stylists and photographers who continue to feed my insatiable appetite for creative projects and imagery!

Today was the first day in a LONG time that I actually pulled out and used my 35mm Canon Rebel. For years, this was the camera I took most of my photos with and LOVED it! Of course, once I switched over to digital, my old trusty companion ended up taking a back seat. After my little equipment meltdown that happened last weekend, I thought I'd bring her back out again. So today, I took several photos of my good friend Casie who happened to be in town for a few days. You know what I noticed? I still have film in my camera. I went through 38 exposures between two rolls of 24 exp. film. That was it. What does that tell me? Each shot was composed and thought through carefully (not to say that they'll be perfect as this was a spur of the moment kinda thing). I don't think I've ever shot less than 60+ shots for a portrait session with my DSLR before. Well, I've yet to get my film developed. Will be doing that today. Let's hope they came out alright!

.still so much to learn.

2010-03-02T23:10:00.001-06:00

44::365

I will be the first one to admit that I still have so much to learn about my role in this world as a photographer and as a student of the medium. I am not an expert. Never pretended that I was. I am caught between analog and digital, amateur and professional. Am I where I want to be? No. Not yet. Forgive me if this post ends up being somewhat fragmented. It just mirrors what's in my head.

Malfunction. That's what happened. Brand spanking new camera malfunctioned during a photoshoot that I had planned for months. I did not bring a backup. In my ignorance, I didn't think that I needed to. We were an hour away from town so running back was NOT an option. Embarrassed. LIVID. Discouraged. The camera has to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs. I only had it for less than two weeks. Can't make an exchange because my shutter count exceeded the allowable amount. Disheartened. Wish I had brought my 35mm instead.

Was the day a total loss? No. And I should remind myself of that more often. I did manage to capture some great shots. Fortunately the subject, a good friend of mine, was very sympathetic as he has had his own fair share of "malfunction moments" and said the best thing to do was to take this as a learning experience and to prepare for situations similar to this in the future. Let's hope they don't happen in the future. We were able to brainstorm some more and came up with some fantastic ideas to pursue in our upcoming sessions. So, it wasn't all bad. Just the camera. [heavy sigh]

I have a website. I have a photoblog. I have an etsy account. But who am I? I honestly don't think I have found my "voice" yet. Experiment. That word has constantly been ringing in my ear. Patience. Practice. The beautiful voices we cherish in music had to fine tune their skill until the right sound was theirs to claim. I've been reading The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. Currently, I'm rolling around the subject of branding in my head. Ideas are floating. I just need to pinpoint the one that best describes me and what it is I want to do.

This is where I am right now. I am in that middle state of mind. . . between the thought and the action. Doors are opening. I am terrified. Yet I know that if I don't walk through them with confidence, I will hate myself for it. I am reminded of my fortune cookie fortune from January of 2009.

You are capable, competent, creative, and careful.
Prove it.

.good morning, sunday::no. 3.

2010-02-28T20:36:00.004-06:00

43::365

Okay, it's actually Sunday afternoon but that's alright right?

Had two photoshoots this weekend. The first one being of a co-worker of mine. I foresee some future sessions with him as he is a very photogenic individual. And, the other was of a long time friend of mine. . .
. . . David E. who created the character Cactus Jack, a frontiersman, who travels throughout the country, educating kids about the Old West. He is such a wonderful person who is so full of ideas and energy! When I decided to create my own Character Project, he was the first person to come to mind. We went out of town for our photo session and after just a handful of shots, my brand new camera malfunctioned on me. Needless to say, I am pretty POed. Fortunately, he was very understanding. We did manage to spend a lot of time brainstorming and getting pumped for new possibilities so it wasn't a total loss of a day. So stay tuned!
I've been thinking a lot about my "brand" and trying to figure out how to tie everything together. From my website, to my blog, to my shop. A lot of these thoughts have sprung up after reading The Handmade Market Place by Kari Chapin. There are more things that I want to do with my photography, but it's trying to figure out what and how.
Any day now, I will be receiving my new Holga and the current issue of Light Leaks magazine. [yay!]
At the end of the week, I'll be introducing you to yet another blog that I'm involved with. This one will be featuring a photo or two taken between myself and my dear friend Kerri. I'll let you know when it's ready for viewing.
Spring is near. Do you feel it?!

Have a wonderful week my friends! And remember, when doing a photoshoot, always bring some backup! ;o)

**Sorry it took so long to post this. I didn't realize it wasn't up 'til this morning. ha!