GrandPortraits by Jess Dewes

On Saturday, Jess Dewes, my dear and talented photographer friend, made the journey out to parent's place for one of her newest ventures, a GrandPortraits session. Her husband Mike, and sweet daughter Sylvie joined her and we made a day of it. My dad took the girls on golf cart rides through the woods, we toured the workshop, played with the fifty new chicks, had peach cobbler, and shared lots of stories.

I should preface all of this by letting you know, my parents are sort of no nonsense people. Posing for photos is not something they are typically comfortable with or would make time for. But I told them that Mike and Jess had been wanting to come out and see their place and that they wouldn't have to pose, per se...that Jess would just kind of follow us around as we did stuff. They didn't know what to expect and were really good sports about the whole thing.

So that's how it went down. The magic of Jess is how well she connects with people. She makes you feel comfortable. Before you know it, you are joking around, swapping stories and barely realize your picture is being taken. My mom and Jess were joking about "smizing" when she snapped this one. 

It is hard for me to look at this picture of my dad without getting emotional. It captures so much about him and then there is just a lot about this face that reminds me of my grandma.

I saw a few of the snaps on her camera before leaving and got teary-eyed. The shots above are just a few that she shared on Facebook--I haven't seen the finished collection. I can't tell you what a powerful, wonderful, and emotional experience this was. My parents mean the world to me. To have really great photos of them in their own environment, wearing clothes they usually wear, looking how they really look,  and to have the memories of that afternoon will be something I will cherish forever.

Jess is launching this new facet of her portraiture business after a recent experience she had producing work for a group show in St. Louis called Air.  I highly recommend you read this very touching piece. And I also emphatically encourage you to have photos made of your own parents or grandparents. Again, it was a wonderful experience. Jess made it so. You will not regret it. My only regret is that I don't have pictures like these of my own grandparents.

Here are some extra shots I took of the girls on the go-carts and my brother, Tony. Such a fun day. Thanks Jess, Mike, Sylvie, Mom, Dad, Tony, Lindsey, and Audrey. Love to all.
xoa

Inspiration: Miranda July

Starting the year off slowly. Trying to be mindful and brave. For inspiration, Miranda July.

Everyone can make art and live an artful life. What holds people back from doing that?

"There’s not a lot of positive feedback, especially early on. You need people around you saying, “What happened to you today that was interesting?” You have to genuinely believe that there is something interesting and special about daily life and your experience of it. I think people feel this innately, because life is pretty amazing. But the idea that this feeling might be correct and natural and worth sharing—you’re quickly told it’s self-indulgent or selfish or just so off topic. And everything reinforces that as you get older." {via}

Advice to artists

"You give into distraction as if it is a murderer. You lay there, waiting to be killed. Today: fight for your life." {via}

From No One Belongs Here More Than You

“It is terrible to have to ask for anything ever. We wish we were something that needed nothing, like paint. But even paint needs repainting.”

If you could pull the rug out from under one problem in society, what would it be?

"Maybe it’s because I live in L.A., but I’m very aware of how much people want attention. In different ways, not just the obvious ones. Essentially they want to be re-parented, want a second shot at someone telling them they are the best thing ever. And so many other problems come out of that: intense consumerism, body stuff for women." {via}

The Power Of Love

Above is of course, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Someone at work who I admire, sent me the following ten quotes from Martin Luther King. It was a kind of quiet reminder to me of the importance of following your convictions and what you know to be right. At a time when I've really been preoccupied with the small stuff, this was a good to read.

1. ON THE POWER OF LOVE
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

2. ON TOGETHERNESS
 "We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

3. ON THE MEANING OF PEACE
 "True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice."

4. ON LEADERSHIP
"Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus."

5. ON HARMONY
"But life at its best is a creative synthesis of opposites in fruitful harmony."

6. ON DOING WHAT’S RIGHT
"The time is always right to do what’s right."

7. ON REAL VALUE
"What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world of means - airplanes, televisions, electric lights -and lose the end: the soul?"

8. ON POWER
"I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good."

9. ON LOVING YOUR ENEMIES
"It is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies."

10. ON BROTHERHOOD
"The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold."

Landfill Harmonic

Isn't this so great? Apparently there is a feature-length documentary in the works.

Wrapping The Week

Last night's Kick Ass Awards were amazing and yet another reminder of how so many people in this town seriously rock. After nine years, I think I'm finally getting the hang of presenting and was way less nerevous than in previous years. I gave awards to Turner Center for the Arts and Pint Size Bakery. I realized too, that I may be the only one who consistently gives out food related awards--The Cupcake Project, SweetArt Cafe, and now Pint Size. But food is so related to a sense of community. It just makes sense to me. I love being introduced through this event, to so many new people, projects, and ideas. And we had some total firecrackers. The venue, The Heavy Anchor, is a bar I would definately go back to, if I still went out to bars. Another sparkling KAA.

This afternoon, Audrey and I head to the country. We'll be hanging out at my parent's place for a couple of nights while they are away on a short anniversary trip. I'm looking forward to enjoying their fireplace. Sunday we will probably Trunk or Treat. I know I've shared the photo above before, but I just love it so much. Planet of the Ape (Jeff), Rosie the Robot (me), and Evil Knievel (Tony).

Vintage Creepy Halloween 

Joe Queenan on books

Making middle school less awful

Kale & Butternut Squash Gallette? Yes, please.

Christmas is coming

Ellen weighs in on Bic Pens for Women

Wanderlust playlist (RookieMag is my guiltiest pleasure)

Turner Center for the Arts

Less than two miles from my house and in existence since 2006 is Turner Center for the Arts, an open studio studio space catering to adults with disabilities. Yesterday I toured the Maplewood studios with Executive Director, Nate Larson. Nate and the organization are receiving a Kick Ass Award on October 25th, and I've been wanting to learn more about their program. To say I was blown away is an understatement.

The artists work on self-guided projects and pay a nominal fee ($10 for three hours) which is also available on a sliding scale so cost is never a barrier for someone who wants to make art. TCA just received non-profit status about eight months ago and will be devoting more efforts to fundraising and grant writing as they look to become more independent from Bridges Community Support Services, the program that helped them get their start.

Nate shared that the artists are very serious and come in with clear ideas about what they want to work on. "They have a vision," he said. "We have done some artist lead workshops in the past, but after a while our clients weren't really interested. They want to work on their own thing."

As an artist, a sister to a developmentally disabled brother, and someone who has had the opportunity to tour Creative Growth, one of the pioneering arts program for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, seeing TCA in action was a real thrill. Nate was sincere, the artists were serious, and the program seems both well organized and well intentioned with a real focus on the encouraging and supporting the self-expression of the artists. If you haven't been, I highly encourage you to visit. And this Friday, October 5, is the opening reception for their Winter Exhibition at Union Avenue Christian Church.

To see more artwork, visit TCA's flickr photostream.

Melelani Perry, artist and bellydancer. Melelani is a profilc collage artist and recently displayed her work at the juried Art Outside Festival.

Pauline MacDonald was working diligently on a landscape.

Dave Walter is a regular artist at Turner Art Center.

Nate Larson, Executive Director, with one of several portraits he has received from TCA artists. What an awesome gift! 

Teardrop Camper

Over the years, I've mentioned a few (dozen) times to my dad that I loved the idea of getting a little vintage camper. Lindsey and I actually looked at the vintage-inspired T@B campers a couple of years ago but couldn't justify the cost and we have nowhere to store a camper.

Now my dad is officially retired and he's building a teardrop camper. He looked at a few pictures online and just started building it–no plans or anything. My mom says he's been a little obsessed. He had a lot of the materials already. It is going to be so cute. Here are some photos of his work in progress.

Beautiful People

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” 

~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross 

Butter

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

I got my new 2012 journal in the mail yesterday (#3) and am in love with the butter yellow color.
Check out my etsy "vintage butter" treasury.

Fleurish Wedding Flowers

Aren't these the lovliest centerpieces? They were made by Fleurish for my wedding in 2006. The tree stump bases were actually made by me, my dad, and my friend Ron. What a happy day.

Holy Chalkboard

The magnet/chalkboard is finished -- all 3 foot x 8 foot of it! I hope I don't regret this. Only about four hours in and the floor is pretty dusty. But what's a little dust when you are cultivating creativity of this magnitude? The magnets I currently have only hold one page at a time, but overall I'm pleased with the results. I was skeptical of the magnetic primer, but WOOT! Success!

Crazy Coupe

Audrey hardly pays any attention at all to her Cozy Coupe. Maybe if I pimped her ride like this, she would. I love it!

Wrapping The Week

So glad for the weekend. I had a quintessential summer day yesterday. Swimming and picnic at the lake with family. Incredibly fun. This weekend will include Sunday dinner with my girlfriends...Tracy's in town! Nothing too insightful to share from the week, except for this glorious painting from local artist Sarah Giannobile and these tidbits too:

• Ode To Broken Things
• I don't claim to be an angel 

Have fun kiddos.

How To Be Alone

This video by filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet Tanya Davis is the best internet find in a long time. Gorgeous and inspirational.

Schjeldahl

I have been spending a lot of time on Todd Hosfelt's blog over the last few days. I don't even remember how I found it. Among the dozens of posts that I became absorbed in, I really enjoyed this one admiring The New Yorker's Peter Schjeldahl's critique of the 2008 Koons retrospective. We get The New Yorker (a generous gift from the in-laws) but sometimes fall behind and sadly, speed read through some issues.

So I went out to The New Yorker's website and found a fantastic podcast of Schjeldahl talking about a Francisco de Zurbarán painting Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose, and how looking at a painting can be like looking down the barrel of a gun.

So, thank you Todd Hosfelt, for reminding me to slow down and enjoy my gifts and for the great shots of the Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth, which is a favorite of mine.

So glad to have stumbled upon Hosfelt. Will take advantage of The New Yorker (print and online) more. I ♥ the internet.

Atchafalaya Houseboat

Photo: C.C. Lockwood

I wandered upon an image from Gwen Carpenter Roland's Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp, and now can't wait to get my hands on this book and see more photos.

From NPR: 

"In the 1970s, Gwen Carpenter Roland was about to start work on her doctorate when she decided instead to live off the land — and water — in the Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp in south-central Louisiana.With a box of crayons and the book How to Build Your Home in the Woods, Roland and her then-partner, Calvin Voisin, built a houseboat on a barge. They lived there for six years, with no electricity and no running water." 

I have a total romanticized view about this situation. The bed on a swing, a box of crayons, the 1970s with a hippy boyfried...all sounds dreamy. No running water...not so much.  

Read an excerpt from the book or listen to the 2006 All Things Considered interview with Roland.

Wrapping The Week

My six day vacation started Wednesday at 5pm. With that, I'm just going to point you to this absolutely wonderful post from Hula Seventy {sent to me by Rebecca}.

Things I'd like to tell my 17 year-old self.

Amen, sister. Amen.

Happy Independence Day in every way.

Sleeping Nooks

I am such a complete sucker for little sleeping nooks and napping spots. Especially when books are involved. Am I ready for vacation or what?!

{Found at Apartment Therapy}

{Found at Paper Crave}

{Source Unknown}

{Found at Marie Claire Maison}

{Found at Flickr}

{Found at Teenangster}

Wedding Flowers

A dear work friend is getting married in October and once in a while she tosses me some wedding idea so cute, I can't help but get excited all over again. These wedding bouquets made of vintage brooches are incredible. She divulged this week that she is going to attempt to make one. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

 {Photo: Alice Hu} {Blogged: Here.} {Created by: Fantasy Floral Designs}

{Blogged: Here}

Pin-It-Foward: What Home Means To Me

I am participating in SF Girl By Bay web event Pin It Forward, where bloggers link to each other and share what home means to them. So Unruly Art Class forwarded to me last Friday and I’m passing the forward on to Urban Comfort.The tool we are using to capture What Home Means is Pintrest and I'm a little addicted to it. You can follow all my Pinterest boards or visit my Pin-It-Forward board to get more images that convey my ideas of home. Below are a few photos and my list. Bottom line...I feel most at home when in the country, and am eager for the time when we can make this dream a reality.

WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME

GOOD FOOD SHARED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
love to cook, especially pies and potatoes. family night with my brother and nephews is the highlight of our week.
STORIES AND LAUGHTER
long stories and belly laughs, especially with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
ARTWORK
lucky to have many artists friends and a daughter who is eager to paint.
BOOKS AND PHOTOS
can’t get enough and really make a house a home.
VINTAGE AND NATURE INSPIRED COLLECTIONS
things that have been hanging around my life for a long time like aprons, dishes, alarm clocks, nests, rocks sort of round out the look of our home.
ZINNIAS, HERBS AND TOMATOES
these things make my heart sing and teaching the wee one to garden is a good thing.
CUDDLING WITH MY HONEY AND BABY
no explanation needed.
ICING ON THE CAKE
the smell of grass, the sound of whipoorwills, the twinkling of fireflies, and sitting on a porch swing at dusk.