Tuesday, January 31, 2012

jess brown/martha stewart living

I am excited to say that a couple of my favorite jobs from last year are finally out in print for you all to see! At the end of last year the lovely people at Martha Stewart Living sent me to Petaluma to the studio of doll maker Jess Brown. This is my personal favorite from the day. I feel like it speaks so much to what craftspeople's lives are really like. When you work by hand, a lot of time is spent toiling by yourself in your studio. It is a solitary thing a lot of the time. Somehow this image captures that. See and learn more about Jess and her wonderful handmade dolls in the February issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Or check out Jess here.

Monday, January 30, 2012

dirt roads/

I have realized lately that I have been on more dirt roads  this past year than I have in my entire life. This is saying something because I am one of those people that tends to turn down dirt roads on a whim...just for the adventure.
This past weekend was another old logging road, but damn was it pretty...well worth the mud caked car that was a result.

Friday, January 27, 2012

darkroom day/

Yesterday I spent in the darkroom and I have to say, it was absolutely delicious! I never get to print anymore. I think the last time I was really spending time printing regularly was getting all the images ready for Handcrafted Modern to go to the printer - I printed quite a few of the prints myself. But since then, it is computersville.
I spend a lot of time with creative people in their spaces while they are working. My friend Maria Moyer lets me just sit with her as she makes breathlessly beautiful things out of porcelain and T1. I can sit there for hours. I realized while working yesterday that the darkroom is my equivalent to maria's pottery studio. It is my happy place. I love everything about it. I love having to feel around for the focusing aid and cutting RA paper in the pitch blackness and the smell of the chemicals and paper. I love having to announce myself in the darkness to make sure I don't bump into anyone and other odd bits of darkroom etiquette. Hell, I even love bumping into people in the dark! It is always so weirdly startling and awkward.  And how sublime is it to have to do everything by feel because you are in the darkness. It is primal somehow. You are working without one of your senses - an odd and ironic fact considering that photography is all about seeing! When I work long enough in the dark, I love how I start to be able to see just fine. My eyes adjust and I fancy myself some nocturnal creature, like an owl.  All these wonderful things don't exist when you are working at a computer. Don't get me wrong, there are great benefits to shooting digital. But all these weird, eccentric, slightly archaic rituals aren't there. Yesterday I was reveling in them and the joy that they bring me. A really good day.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

blunk residency/

I ran across this images yesterday and I just liked it. Something about the wrinkles on the canvas bag...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

nakashima/on their bookshelves

Ran a across a cabinet of George Nakashima's books that I shot while working on Handcrafted Modern. How I love this shot with the flare in the corners...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

patrick dougherty/

I keep driving by this amazing piece by Patrick Dougherty in Palo Alto and I finally stopped an took a few shots this past weekend. It looks like Where the Wild Things Are!



Monday, January 23, 2012

kodak/

Last week I shot 35mm film. It has literally been ages since I did that. But when I saw where Kodak had taken it's design of the film casing my heart literally filled with joy. Isn't it perfect? Simple. Generic. Like those weird generic grocery stores from the eighties. I am in love with it. And then the next day I find out that Kodak has declared bankruptcy. Ugh! Not a complete surprise but still...I love me my Kodak film!!! I've never been able to form the same attachment to Fuji and let me just say, Kodak and I have had a trying relationship from the start. When I was in college (and later), every kodak film I fell in love with was discontinued within four months of my discovering it. Granted it was always obscure, weird stuff...recording film, VPL (a weird green cast film...), but damn they made me work for it. And I have rolled with the punches, to the point that now I just use their basic Portra 800 and am happy when I can get it in quantity. Hope Kodak figures a way to evolve and continue to produce film. With everything digital nowadays, it is an uphill battle to say the least. But we are losing a beautiful art form. How many college photo programs even teach how to process and shoot with film? Less and less. It makes my heart heavy.

Friday, January 20, 2012

paul loebach/

Two of my favorite portraits from my shoot at Paul Loebach's studio earlier this week. The first one was shot when it was practically dark and it is on my new camera (which I have a tenuous relationship thus far) so there may be hope for my new little digi filly yet! It captured the light rather well and in really (really, really) low light conditions.
The second image is step one of an experiment I have been wanting to do for quite possibly years...based on a Giacometti drawing. I really like the economy of Paul's body language in this and the matter of fact expression on his face. I am kicking myself for not seeing the damn roll of paper towels, though...so irritating!
Alas, can't wait to see the images I shot on film!



Thursday, January 19, 2012

travel day/

heading back to California. Kisses to you NY.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

brooklyn loft/neo-utility

I shot this the other day when I accompanied a friend over to the loft of Kip Kotzen of neo-utility. I'm in love with this picture right now. Why is it that all the images I just love are on my phone? But you can't stage things like this, can you. I love the way Esme (the kitty) is ruling the roost and you only see the rear end of Spencer (the pup). Makes me laugh! Plus Kip's loft is pretty great. It has a very Eames House feel with all the plants, layering of textiles and of course this gorgeous window.
On a sadder note, the designer of the gorgeous Butterfly Stool in the center of this shot, Sori Yanagi, passed away in late December. He is best known for this beautiful and elegant stool. It is kind of rare when objects almost feel like they are living breathing things, but I think this stool accomplishes that. To me it feels like another character in this shot - butterfly, kitty and pup.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

an obliging field/

I was watching Downton Abbey last night and one of the shots made me think of this image. I really have no other reason for running it except that. It is funny though, I tend to discard these types of images  because on some level they feel like they have no voice. Just a pretty picture. But if you were with me that day, the wind was blowing and these little flowers (I have no idea what else to call them) we positively vibrating! It was amazing to watch, like the whole hillside was electrically charged. Wish I could have captured that for you...

Monday, January 16, 2012

brooklyn loft/

Went on an impromptu visit to a loft in Brooklyn last Friday and I got a bit enamored by the stairwell (typical me...). The light was so pretty in there. The wind was howling outside and the casement windows were rattling but I could have stood in there for quite awhile to just bask in that glow. The view wasn't so bad either...


Friday, January 13, 2012

sunsets/

A California image even though I am in nyc at the moment. This one I shot last week on my NorCal coastal excursion.
Have a lovely weekend friends and happy Friday the 13th - such a good luck day!!!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

travel day/

Heading to NYC today. Be there by sundown.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

sea ranch lodge/

One more from Sea Ranch Lodge. Sunsets have been sooo gorgeous in California for the past month. We need rain desperately at this point (it is bone dry!), but what a gorgeous winter it has been.

Monday, January 9, 2012

sea ranch/

I ran away from home last Friday night. I finally found a 24 hour stretch and I grabbed it and drove away!  Hwy 1 to Sea Ranch and a stay at the Sea Ranch Lodge was just what I needed. This shot was late afternoon just after I check in. Such a peaceful place. 24 hours was just not enough, though...


Friday, January 6, 2012

reflections/

Just a quick shot from the other day but I do love it. Helloooo sexy lady....
Have a good weekend everyone!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Eva Zeisel/RIP

On December 30, 2011, Eva Zeisel passed away. I was lucky enough to photograph her country home for Handcrafted Modern and ended up hanging out with the family for lunch and dinner while I was there. When I met her she was 102 or maybe 103. Crazy, right? And yet, she was all there. She asked me who was in my book and when I mentioned Gropius, she said she approved. What I rememeber most about her is that she was all about enjoying her life. The sun was out that day (it was May) and she just wanted to sit in the sun. At dinner, although we had a delicious spread, she ate 2 bites and said, "Ok, I'm ready for my chocolate!" But when her red wine was almost cleared before she was done, she put her foot down. Sun, chocolate, and red wine. my kind of girl! She kind of cracked me up! I mean, god knows if you have lived to be 102 you should be able to eat and drink whatever you want and soak up as much sun too! She had  a prolific, long life to be sure, but also witnessed so many changes in our society as well as art. I cannot say I was surprised when I saw the news but frankly, I was reduced to a puddle of tears anyway. She was a love.
This image is of her chair in her studio in New City, NY. And that is her butt print...I'm pretty sure....

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

testing, testing.../

I know, I know...I was gone a bit longer than I had planned. I just needed the R&R so bad! But I'm back! Happy 2012 everyone!
Kind of a weird pic today. It is the result of trying to fall in love. Not really something you can try to do, I know. But this is a test with my newest digital camera. I need to love this thing as much as my RZ. But you never get over your first love, do you (insert melancholy sigh here)? More experiments eminent. But I do like the shallow depth of field. This surprised me. So maybe there is hope for me and my new lover yet!

PS - Happy Birthday to the lovely Ms. Michele Janezic.