2009...year of the book.

okay I lied. I'm making a project list for 2009--but that's it. No other resolutions. Really these aren't resolutions this is a task list, a to do list, an organized brain storm...

• 2008. a collection in book form of my favorite photographs, writings, other projects from 2008.
• 0-7-11. my collected writings about my brother and sister.
• The cabin project. compile the photos and memories from my families cabin--in book form.
• preserved memories. photo/word collages in an encaustic medium.
• continue my dog walk project and figure out how to present the images.
• play.

winter

Its been snowing a fair amount in Missoula lately. Well, snow, then rain, then snow and so on. That's the Missoula way--banana belt of Montana. On Monday, Athena and I set out to take photographs in a flurry of big flakes. As I was walking through the snow towards the river I realized that as much as I love winter I very rarely take photographs of winter. So that was my project. Well it became a multi-part project, I wanted to take the photos, then write, then create some mixed media with the two...I took the photos, now its time to write. Here are a few of the photos.

Camaro loves the snow. I supposed that makes sense for a husky. I couldn't resist photographing his excitement.

Athena and I took at least six self timed photos each trying to get this to work. This one is my favorite for sure.

Christmas

So in the spirit of Christmas and girlArt I want to share my Christmas art project (Marcy and Athena bare with me). My tree just didn't look quite right. Since I've spent only one Christmas without my family...ever... I have very few decorations. As I was sitting looking at my Charlie Brown-esque tree I was inspired by girlArt and decided to make a photo garland. I chose about 60 images from 2008 and printed them out, cut them up, and sewed them together with red thread. Ladies, I'll gush a little due to the champagne I just drank, but also because I'm just so thankful for your art and its effect on me. So here are the photos. I hope you all have had a great Christmas. I look forward to January's meeting.

the end of 2008

So here I am. Eight days way from a new year. I think I'm going to like 2009. I liked 2008, don't get me wrong. I had a great year but there is something that feels good about 2009. New president. New hope for the bigger picture. With all the financial woes and looming monetary crises I'm ready for something new. Even if it is only shinny and bright for a moment. I'm also ready for 2009 because for the first time in my life I feel like I have a good start. I'm going into the new year on solid ground, good practices, movement towards general awesomeness. I have no plans on making New Years resolutions because I've made some kick-ass resolutions throughout this past year that I've consistently revised, revisited and they have become a part of my everyday life. Some days I'm amazing at following through. Some days...not so much. Either way I move forward. I like this. It feels good. I have my ladies at girlArt to keep me in check, on the path toward creativity and productivity. I may have used girArt as training wheels of sorts. Now, as they run along side cheering me on, I am off. I'm creating my own momentum, navigating the bumps in the road, but I have a good start. Thank you ladies. So yeah...I'm ready for the new year. bring it.

links...

So today is a great day to ask me about links. I've been looking at blogs, website, portfolios a lot today as I wait for the database to load pages. I look at the 20x200 blog a lot. It is updated almost daily and has great work. Its not just photography which is great sometimes. Also, I was telling Elizabeth about the ultraviolet portraits, by Cara Phillips. In her works page there is a link to the "ultra violet beauties". I look at HoboEye.com once a month or so for writing inspiration, the art and music reviews. http://www.designspongeonline.com/ is a good all around design blog. I'll keep updating as I remember more.

some links...

I went back and found an article on procrastination and thought I would post the link. I do suffer from major procrastination--I don't think its life threatening, yet. The other thing I've really been lovin' like McLovin is the New York Times Art & Design web page. It has great slide shows, articles and news. Just wanted to share. p

cabin project

This is a project that I started working on over labor day when I was at "the cabin." My parents bought the small, no frills, cabin on Petit Lake when I was six or seven. I've been thinking a lot about how this place bolstered my imagination, built my connection to my family, created a love of the mountains and water...pretty significant place. Recently, my parents were discussing the idea of selling the cabin. This created a slight panic in me...not that I would loose it, but more that I wouldn't have a chance to really photograph this place. I've thought about it for years, the cabin project has loomed in my mind, but the idea of losing it lit a fire under my ass, so to speak. In this series and there are many, many more photos of both the inside and outside of the cabin, I was trying take photos of things that are very unique to the cabin and its character...most of the stuff came with the cabin. I was trying to capture the essence of the cabin but include the softening of images/memory that happens over time. I was really trying to photograph the things that were significant to me as a child...as and adult...very fun. My project will eventually include words and my ultimate goal is to turn it into a book...handmade, blurb, pikto...haven't figured that part out yet.

Mi Vacacion

I could know all the tech stuff in the world but I still would be lost on the blog page in Mexico. The blog itself is in english but all the login information was not...I was a quite lost for awhile. So here I am in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It has been a wonderfully relaxing vacation although quite different from anything I have ever experienced. Interesting to be in a different place where people love or hate you regardless of who you are. We are staying at a pretty classy resort and I've found myself retreating to its safe--if not bland--gringo world for most of this week. From the very get go, just off the plane, we were bombarded by people claiming to be from the hotel we are staying at, promising adventures, tequila, the world for no cost. I've never really experienced it on this level before. A couple of times that we have walked down the beach to go to the center of town and have had people yelling for us to eat at the restaurant, try their adventure company, drink, smoke, jewelry, blankets, mangos. It’s a tourist assault. Not since the propositioning prostitutes in San Jose, Costa Rica, have I felt so under attack just for being a visitor. I was even yelled at for speaking spanish to a guy. He FREAKED out! So we decided to stay within the roped off beach, among the Californians and Seattlites--not something I have ever opted for in a vacation. So how has this affected my photography? I am drawn to the quiet, the simple aspects of this place. It is amazingly beautiful and I'm trying to bask in the quiet and relaxing qualities that it brings. I’ve been fairly focused on the ocean. Will, just so you all know, is quite intrigued by the blog. We are sitting watching the elections--GObama--and he keeps checking in on my progress on the blog. He says he's never seen blogging in action and is quite interested.

Buenos.