e.soule

Panda

2012-01-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

A new little bear to add to the Vintage Curiosities collection. You can find his print up on Etsy or send me an email if you'd like to request him as a box.

Panda, Polaroid SX-70

I'm looking forward to a weekend of skiing and a trip up to Seattle to take down my show at Gary Manuel Salon. And I'm sure there will be some knitting and maybe some photographing of said knitting. I owe you some pictures of Aidez, my current favorite sweater. Unless their is a down pour or a blizzard, Ralph and I will be exploring Discovery Park.

wishing for non rain

2012-01-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm wishing it looked something like this (cue Seals & Croft Summer Breeze). Sunny, clear, beautiful, with endless possibilities of outdoor activities.

Up on a cliff top, oregon coast, Polaroid Spectra

Instead it is storming at the mountain, raining in town and storming at the coast. Ugh! The Oregon weather is starting to bum me out. Photo editing, knitting and retail therapy it is.

View from my desk, Polaroid SLR680

My kitchen skills continue to amaze

2012-01-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

So tonight I decided to make peace with the couscous. I was going to put it in containers and freeze it until I was ready to eat. On closer examination and some pondering, I realized that I didn't cook couscous. I have thought I had couscous in my fridge for 2 days. I've looked up recipes to figure out what to do with it. I've shared this story with a couple of people... No, me and my very limited food knowledge have mixed up what should have been steel-cut oats and then mistaken for couscous for quinoa. Yup, I made a big giant batch of quinoa. You may be asking, how did this happen? Do you now know how to read packaging? I bought it in bulk, I've never made it before and I never labeled it. So, fun fact, you can cook quinoa just like the steel-cut oats recipe I put in the last post.

While trying to wrestle the quinoa into my limited supply of food storage containers I exploded it all over myself and my kitchen. There is quinoa in my hair, on my clothes, on my counter, on my floor, on my fridge and even on 2 of the walls... Note to self, try putting lids on food storage containers prior to sealing them. No matter how hard you try, if the lid doesn't fit and your hands are wet, the food will fly.

I leave you with a pretty pictures of birds on wires.

PS. I still maintain that I can make good french toast and delicious grilled cheeses

Goose in a rain hat

2012-01-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

Yup, I found a vintage figurine of a goose wearing a rain hat. Totally absurd, laughably funny and cute as a print or a box.

Goose in a rain hat, polaroid SX-70

A small ode to the amount of rain predicted to fall this next week in Portland. We had snow for a few minutes a couple of days this week, but now it is back to the rain. The good news is that Mt. Hood will be covered in snow this weekend for some skiing.

Last night in my attempt to cook more at home and prepare the week, I made what I thought was a tray of steel cut oats. It's a very simple, very delicious recipe that I found one day online (see the bottom of this post). I was looking forward to eating this every morning covered in honey or cinnamon and agave for the next few days. When I took it out of the oven I was a little perplexed, it looked different. I tasted it, it tasted different, but not too different, but the texture was funny. After some thought I think (still not 100% sure) I cooked a big tray of couscous. I'm not sure what to do with this giant tray (I doubled the recipe) of couscous cooked in milk and water.

Two-Minute Weekday Steel Cut Oatmeal
1 cup steel-cut oats
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 300.

Dump oats, water, and milk into a large, oven-safe pan with extra depth for oatmeal to expand. Add salt.

Bake for two hours.

Store in the fridge. Oatmeal will keep for five days or so.

new prints

2012-01-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some new images that are up in my shop. I'm off to go enjoy my last afternoon of knitting before going to work. One of my goals for the new year is to photograph what I finish, so hopefully you'll soon be seeing a picture of me wearing Aidez.

White Wolf, polaroid sx-70

Goose, polaroid sx-70

Duck on Red, polaroid SX-70

Holidays

2012-01-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the last day of my vacation. I had so many plans, things I was going to make, clean, accomplish, visit while I had the week off. I accomplished maybe a third of what I expected to get done, but it was so nice to relax.

While on break, I took a trip up to Seattle to put up a show at the Gary Manuel Salon. I showed my work there a few years ago and was thankful to be invited back. Friday was spent exploring Gas Works Park, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, and Discovery Park.

Seattle from Gas Works Park

Top of the hill at Gas Works Park

The locks were surprisingly entertaining and educational, but Discovery Park was my favorite. I'd love to find the equivalent of a space like that where I live. We have Forest Park, which is lovely, but the open meadows and old Fort Lawton Buildings with a beach a 20 minute walk away.... I was in love (I should mention it was sunny for the 2.5 hours I was there, I don't know that I would have felt so swoony if I was there when it started to rain).

Puget Sound

Looking out from the lighthouse, the sound had this crazy glow coming from it. I'm pretty sure it was pollution, but it truly looked like the photograph. While there, I also saw a proposal. I'm not one to typically watch, perhaps I'm getting soft, but I saw the sign that was made and I had to stick around. So a small group watched as the couple walked down to the lighthouse (followed by 2 very stealth photographers) and while he pointed out some sights facing her away from the sign, the brother's held it up. He turned her around, gesturing around the landscape and she saw it. He kneeled, she said yes, they kissed, it was both cheesy and sweet.

Erin Williams, will you marry me?

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

It's been ages since I've posted, but I write bearing gifts! Go to my Etsy shop starting today and enter "thanks" at checkout to receive 20% off, now till Tuesday, 11/29. That includes items I may not have listed but you special order, including photo boxes! One quick note about this, orders won't ship until 12/11. They'll ship all that week and should arrive in time for Christmas.

And because I feel bad about not posting for awhile, I've got a new print, Black and White Pigs.

Black and White Pigs, Polaroid SX-70

I plan to do a lot of mash potato eating tomorrow and knit, knit, knit. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi

2011-10-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Just stopping in to say "hi, I'm still here". I've been slacking on my posting and working hard on my knitting. A baby, a wedding and a birthday present have all had me knitting non stop for the past month or two. This new photo is up in the shop.

Hello, Polaroid SX-70

Blind Date at the Dairy

2011-10-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night I went to Blind Date, the Alpenrose Cyclocross series. I first learned about Cyclocross this summer, when I took the Title 9/Sorella Forte women's bike clinic.

I was intrigued by the idea of an event that is raced in a circle, where it is very hard to distinguish the winners and losers and you're expected to get muddy.

I was behind on keeping tabs of when the races started, so I hadn't quite got the nerve up to race on Wednesday.

So I took my security blanket, I mean camera and photographed some of the races.

After seeing one race, I've gotten up the nerve to sign up for tomorrow's Cross Crusades. Wish me luck!

print and polaroids

2011-09-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

Another mother and baby combo... I have had this one for awhile, I didn't realize till this morning, I've never shared it!

Doe & Fawn, Polaroid SX-70

I need to come up with a new way of displaying and categorizing my Polaroids. I like what my friends Dave and Whitney did here.

Our Polaroid Wall from Dejvicka on Vimeo.

I like the frame idea, as it would be portable if I ever needed to move it. (I found this one on pinterest, but there was no link))

How do you display your Polaroids? Or keep them organized?

Getting crafty with it

2011-09-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Along with my desire to knit massive quantities of bulky knits, I am get the crafting bug. I want to craft non stop, come up with cute ways to display things or figure out how to use up all the supplies that I seem to accumulate. Below are some great ideas that I found while searching the web (pardon the oldness of some of these, I've been behind on my blog reading).

Gift warp ideas

Posted by Poppytalk - a wonderful shop and resource for all things crafty

Felted wool garland

Posted by Say Yes! to Hoboken

Light bulb vase

I'm thinking globe vases as terrariums.... posted on BLDG 25

2 ducks

2011-09-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

The weather is starting to get cooler, I'm so excited. Fall is my favorite time of the year. The days are warm and the nights have a crispness to them that can be soothed by soup and mulled spices. Wool, lots and lots of wool can be taken out from the back of the closet and drawers and be worn, sweaters, scarves, socks. I've done everything I can not to order hundreds of dollars of bulky wool to knit with. Yes, it's acceptable to knit with big old bulky wool, for big chunky cabled sweaters. No more lace weight or sport weight, just worsted and larger, nothing says fall leading into winter like a size of 10.5 needles.

2 ducks, Polaroid SX-70

On another note, new print, 2 ducks. I have a thing for birds lately, you'll be seeing even more of them... This one was inspired by all those friends who are pregnant and soon to have babies. Nothing says sweetness like a mama and her duckling. You can find the print on etsy.

Show in Portland

2011-09-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick stop by to let you know that I just hung a show over at Albina Press on SE Hawthorne and 51st. If you're in the 'hood, I recommend a pop in to check it out. I think it's the most of work I've ever had in 1 room at a time (the space is very large) and I'm pretty proud to show it off. I will stop by and take picture, we didn't finish hanging till about 10pm, so the pictures I snapped aren't very good. The show will be up until the end of the month.

Have a great holiday weekend!

2 coons

2011-08-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I had my first introduction to Cyclo-Cross, supposedly a Portland craze that I hadn't heard about for the past 5 1/2 years. The clinic that I took part in last night was lots of fun. It was over at PIR, hosted by Wenzel Coaching. I am bruised, scraped and a little sore from my falls and carrying my bike, but I'm excited to try my hand at it this season.

A picture totally not related to my story above, but too adorable not to share, 2 coons. I love that they have that "Who? Us?" look about them. Much like my dog Ralph when I discover that the trash can has been emptied all over the house.

2 Coons, Polaroid SX-70

show in Seattle on Saturday

2011-08-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

If you live in Seattle, I have a show that starts this Saturday at Velouria, a darling little boutique in Ballard. The show is part of the monthly Ballard Artwalk from 6-9, check out my photo boxes, lots of new animals from the past couple of months.

This little guy, so darn cute. He's up in the shop along with his new friends.

Chipmunk, Polaroid SX-70

trapped under glass

2011-08-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

After a long day of work, scanning in these images make me smile. I have a proclivity for trapping things in glass. I used to trap spiders or other bugs that weren't on my list of things I enjoy touching, under glasses and wait for someone to come over and take care of them for me. One summer while my parents were out of town, they had an issue with wolf spiders. I think I had every glass they owned trapping spiders all over the house. The exterminator didn't find it as cute and funny as others have.

Luckily, this guy is just after some jelly beans, all the red ones! You can find him on flickr and in my etsy shop.

White Fox and Beans, Polaroid SX-70

Hello Hippo

2011-08-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

Today while I was trying to do a million things during lunch, I stumbled upon a box in my garage. A box that was packed full of Polaroid film! What??? Film?!?!? Like the original Polaroid film kind of film? Yes!

Then to celebrate this happiness, I went and bought a Polaroid camera that doesn't even take that type of film. Huh? Yeah, I know, but I felt like I was on a roll and buying an untested camera after finding the motherload of him seemed like it might just work out this time...

In honor of the newly found film, I photographed a whole pile of little animals. The first is my new favorite, Hippo.

Hippo, Polaroid SX-70

This little hippo is sitting on my window sill and every time I see him I smile. He's just so gosh darn cute! He's the start of a slew of new animals being added to the Little Zoo and Vintage Curiosities.

Quack

2011-08-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Quack, Vintage Curiosities, Polaroid SX-70

I'm trying hard not to make some bad duck joke... Quack, is a new print in the Vintage Curiosities collection that is in the shop. The weather has been so amazing here this week, that I've hardly been at my computer. I do have some new animals to photograph as soon as the weather turns, but I'm hoping it doesn't happen any time soon!

Italy

2011-07-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

I went to Italy for a wedding back in May. I've been so busy that I'm still going through pictures slowly, but surely. Below are a few from one of my favorite little cities, Lucca. It could have been that it was a warm, just the right amount of overcast for photographing kind of day. Or that I had good company that was willing to wander and explore and humor me by eating gelato multiple times that day. Or it could be this was where I found a yarn shop and bought cashmere to bring home. Whatever it was, I loved that little city and the photos I took that day.

Personally I think these are best viewed big, like 16x20 print size big... Maybe a print sale in the near future. Hmmmm.

My work as a book cover

2011-07-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was asked if my work could be used as a book cover. I'm happy to share with you "Small as an Elephant" by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. It's even on Amazon, which makes me feel pretty legit.

'Roid week day 4

2011-07-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Two new polaroids, posted in my etsy shop.

"Hello Mr. Raccoon!"

"Why hello Mr. Gnome! Lovely day, isn't it?"

Yes, they talk. And in my head they have British accents.... Whatever it takes to make these happen. It's only my dog that witnesses these photographs being made most of the time.

gnome and racoon, polaroid SX-70

gnome and rabbit, polaroid SX-70

'Roid week day 3

2011-07-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm a little bummed that it is already day 3. The good news is I have more to share after this week. The kangaroo should be up in my etsy shop shortly.

Kangaroo, Polaroid SX-70

Hotel, Polaroid SLR 680

In honor of 'Roid week and Steph coming to town, the 7 of us went out and had dinner and then took over the Ace Hotel photobooth for almost an hour last night.

From top down the left and then from bottom up the right: Dejvicka, Revivify, nessavay, stephparke, esoule, tiny abstraction, Johannasaurus

'Roid week day 2

2011-07-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of posting as much as I can and keeping up with Polaroid Week 2011. I grew those carrots myself. No big feat for most, however this is my first attempt at a garden. I get giddy and marvel at the new veggies that keep popping up.

Carrots, Polaroid SLR 680

Jelly Beans, Polaroid SLR 680

'Roid Week 2011

2011-07-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

It's Polaroid week! Check out all the posting on flickr here.

Chicago, Polaroid SLR 680

Hiatus

2011-07-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

I've been taking a break from the blog the past few months. Knitting has pulled my attention away from my photography for the past few months. I think I needed a little break. I have a new print posted in my etsy shop.

Little Duck, Polaroid SX-70

more catch up pictures

2011-04-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Ages ago I was in Montreal for the first time. I immediately fell in love with the city and this little park that we found.

It was surrounded by all these beautiful houses. I could only imagine what the insides of these houses looked like.

I am still playing catch up with film from past trips. I keep finding cameras (Holgas) in my house with shot rolls of film in them. I think this is definitely a sign that the cameras need to be corralled, inventoried and then thinned out. I did post my Fujifilm GA645Zi on ebay the other day. It's a beautiful camera, but I don't have the time to shoot it and scan film.

Amsterdam

2011-03-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

Dam Square

On my travels I went to Amsterdam. I still have mixed feelings about this city. I think part of my mixedness is that I stayed on Dam Square. It was the equivalent of staying in Times Square in NYC. I'm not a touristy kind of gal. I'm going back there soon, so hopefully I can sort out my feelings.

My Polaroid wasn't doing so hot by the time I made it here, so just the Diana came with me on my explorations.

From the roof of my hotel

Pretty towers (I'm sure it's a famous building, but I wasn't there long enough to learn what was what)

Hilversum Park

by the train station

from the train to Hilversum

from the train from Hilversum

Dusseldorf cont.

2011-03-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Birds and Bridge (see the faint image of the bird just above center?)

Lots more pictures from Dusseldorf. I packed 2 cameras for this trip, my Polaroid SLR 680 and my Diana. The Polaroid was having issues in Dusseldorf, I think it was the old battery in the expired film pack. But my ancient Diana snapped pictures like a champ. I am in the beginning stages of whittling down my camera collection. The beginning being that I'm considering it.

Dusseldorf street

Weather vane

White dog (loved this little dog, he was so friendly)

Statue (I loved it so much I took a Polaroid too)

What a long trip

2011-03-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

balloons for carnivale

It has been a long few weeks. I've been traveling for work, living out of a suitcase and having cameras repaired. I have a new Polaroid SLR 680 and a wonderful fix it guy to give some of my other Polaroids some much needed TLC. This is the start of my travels, Dusseldorf, Germany. I was there just before the start of Carnivale, right before things started to get wild.

I had never been to Germany before. It's a beautiful city, with many English speaking people and no English written menus. I had a plate of schnitzel and a a couple of pints of German beer, but fell into the habit of searching for Italian food. Spaghetti looks very similar in English and German.

statue, historic district

houses along the water

2 seagulls and that building

portraits in a bar

You'd think I disappeared...

2011-01-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't. I'm still around and will be posting soon.

Sheep wrapped up in wool

2010-12-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

If you're a Portlander (the west coast version) pick up this weeks Wiliamette Week and check out the "Headout" section. You'll see 4 brand spankin' new photos that I did for the section as well as a list of art and craft shows to attend this season. If you'd like to see the online version, check it out here.

Photos for this weeks Wilamette Week

I'm gearing up for a very busy week. Tonight is the opening of the group show at Tilde. Tomorrow and Sunday is the amazing Sunday Best sale at the Cleaners in Portland. And then Monday I'm jet setting to Montreal for work for a few days. I know, Montreal isn't usually a destination spot, but it's work, and I've never been. While I'm selling and traveling I plan on starting a few knitted Christmas gifts.

Stay tuned for a shop sale when I get back from Canada!

Sale reminder

2010-11-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

Don't run out of time!

Just a reminder that both my shops are having a 20% off sale thru Sunday. Enter code: turkey at checkout.

Thank you for all the lovely flickr comments and emails about my new winter series.

A few events that will be happening for me and my work next weekend:

Tilde - December group show

Reception 12/3 6pm

Sunday Best - December 4th 11-7 and December 5th 11-5 at

The Cleaners Event Space at the Ace Hotel

403 SW 10th Street

Portland, OR

Winter Wonderland SALE!

2010-11-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday!

Reindeer in the Snow, Polaroid

Owl in the Snow, Polaroid

In honor of the spirit of the sale and my first time ever getting up at 3:30 in the morning to try and buy something that was sold out before I got in the door (the store opened at 4) I am having a 20% off sale in both shops. The sale is from today until Sunday at midnight. Please visit my etsy shop or my online shop and enter coupon code: turkey.

Deer in the Snow, Polaroid

I also have a new set of winter prints that are now available for purchase available in both shops.

Raccoon in the Snow, Polaroid

Little Deer in the Snow, Polaroid

Squirrel in the Snow, Polaroid

It's snowing!

2010-11-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to post this tonight, I was getting sleepy eyed on my couch, while knitting a sweater. But then 4 hours later than predicted it started snowing. I love snow, I think it's magical every time it snows and I needed to celebrate. Me and Ralph running up and down our street was starting to get old and the neighbors were looking out there windows. So I posted these new prints on etsy. Tomorrow they will be up in my online shop too!

New prints for the holiday season!

And a special holiday print package at a special size and a special price! Three 5"x5" prints for $30.00!

Cards and mini boxes soon to follow!

minus teeth + a sweater

2010-11-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

I had my wisdom teeth taken out not too long ago and it has thrown everything off. I've been using it as an excuse to hunker down on my couch and knit. While my pile of knitted stuff is growing, I have not been eager to photograph myself wearing any of it with a swollen jaw.

collection of flower prints available here

I was recently featured in the UK online photography magazine Deep Sleep, issue 05, The Sea. You can see my work here.

I'm currently working on a new winter series of animals and some special Christmas cards. Hoping to share these with you very very soon.

Winners!

2010-11-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

Portland, Kodak 400 VC 120 film and Fuji 645

Sorry for the delayed post. The winners of the three prints are:

Saltina

One day, ten photos

Jen Zahigian

Please email me and let me know which three prints you would like, as well as your address.

Thank you to everyone who left comments. It was definitely a nice treat this week to hear that my work is well received.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2010-11-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the nice comments. Please keep them coming, I will close the comments on Wednesday.

I found a few Polaroids in my camera bag from our photo group get together. I'm shooting with expired film now and I'm starting to notice a difference. The film tends to go yellow, especially indoors. And it is much more prone to cracking, bending and developing little blips in the image.

I did order a few packs of the new color film from the Impossible Project. I haven't tried it out yet. This overcast weather and rain have left me uninspired to photograph much the past couple of weeks.

I keep trying to talk myself out of the photo funk, but then it's dark by the time I get home from work. Perhaps I need to embrace the darkness and start playing with my flash.

300th post give away

2010-10-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

I promised there would be a giveaway for my 300th post. How about 3 people get 3 prints each? Not a bad deal. Just leave a comment letting me know which print of mine is your favorite print. Not sure? Go to my shop and refresh your memory, www.esoule.myshopify.com. Comments close on Wednesday 11/3 and winners posted on 11/4.

Here's a few polaroids from my trip out east. The leave here are starting to resemble those that I saw out there weeks ago.

And the sunset out on the walkway to the Breakwater Lighthouse in Rockland.

And the very pink Atlantic on the run back to the car.

Almost to 300, get ready for a giveaway!

2010-10-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

This is post #299, I had no idea I've had 300 things to write about. (I know for a fact I didn't and you suffered through at least half of them being boring or me whining about my lack of time or need to scan) Thank you for reading.

To continue the thank you, post #300 will have a giveaway. I'm not sure what, but it should be pretty awesome, something big.... I'll let you know on post 300.

Last Saturday I met up with some of my favorite lady photographers. We walked, chatted, photographed, danced in the misty rain and just enjoyed our time together.

We tried to do a photo challenge, Kelly took the time to write up some fun things to try with your camera, however we all got distracted.

And we continually photographed each other photographing each other...

To see all my pictures and the groups pictures you can go to this flickr group.

Penguin

2010-10-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to post photos from our Ladies of Fern Hill meetup this past Saturday, but I haven't had time to edit them yet. I've been knitting away on another sweater that I've put a deadline to.

Penguin, Polaroid SX-70

As promised, here my new Penguin print. It's available as a 6"x6" print in my etsy shop and a variety of prints and boxes in my online shop. I'm sure it's the background and not the subject, but this penguin makes me think of Portland. Since getting back from my trip this week I've fallen in love with Portland all over again.

2010-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

A week ago I went to New England to visit my parents who just moved back up to Massachusetts and to attend my friends' wedding in Maine.

My parents' new house is on a lake (that's the boat house above). Those two tiny people in the picture are my brother and dad attempting to fish. My brother caught a tree and supposedly a LDR (long distance release) that my dad kept talking about.

The wedding was up at Sugarloaf, a ski resort up in the middle of Maine. There was much celebrating, eating and drinking to commemorate the day.

The next morning a chairlift ride to the top of Sugarloaf. It's about 3/4 of a mile shy of the top, a short steep hike the rest of the way. It was worth the hike.

After the wedding, a drive out to the coast and Route 1 down to Portland. A pint in Camden, a drive through Rockland where I lived for a year and a stop in Rockland to see the Breakwater Lighthouse. It's a lighthouse built in the 1800's that is 7/8 of mile off the coast.

Trying to get back to the car before sunset meant a brisk walk across the rocks.

After Rockland, was Tenant's Harbor, a very small town where the bars close before 8pm on a Sunday. The next day, a visit to "the other Portland", had a pint, some fish & chips and headed back to my folks house. Unfortunately I was tired of hauling my heavy camera around and didn't take any pictures that next day.

Tomorrow, a penguin, I promise.

Best new find of the day: How did I not know about this? A Giant Camera Obscura, in San Francisco? I found this link on Somethings Hiding in Here blog today. I've been to SF twice for Renegade and still have yet to visit the Winchester Mystery House, but now that I know there is a camera too... I think I need to plan a road trip for next summer.

Back from the East

2010-10-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm back from my trip to New England. I'm a bit behind on all my photograph posting. I opted not to bring my computer on this trip, the first one in a really long time. I think it was one of the better decisions I made.

Before I went on my trip I went with Debbie to Andrea's house for a TTV class. We discussed TTV for about 15 minutes, but ultimately we sat around and talked for 2 hours. I LOVE those meet ups, I'd have one every week if it were feasible with everyone's schedules. It's so much fun to talk photography, point your camera anywhere and no you're not upsetting anyone and then geeking out about all the cool new gadgets and processes we want to try.

Andrea has an amazing house. Her backyard was covered with these colorful flags.

A few TTV attempts

She has an amazing globe collection. Well, she just has a bunch of amazing collections.

Lions, Tigers amd Sharon Montrose!

2010-10-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

I first saw Sharon's work on one of the many blogs that are on on my blogroll, my first was "Wow, those are beautiful and amazing!" and I started to stalk her etsy site and blog. Then it seemed like everyone in the world was talking about her work and she got a spread in PDN magazine. When she came up to me at Unique LA, I was so shocked that such a famous amazing photographer was telling me she liked my work. If you read her blog, she makes it sound like I just smiled and said thanks and kept my cool. What she isn't telling you is that I was blubbering right there with her, jumping up and down, running back and forth to her booth proclaiming my love for her work and wishing LA and Portland were closer.

So after much talk and many plates of pan fried noodles and crackerjack shrimp, we finally did it. We picked 2 animals, we went on a search for our subjects and we're ready to share!

Sharon's are available here. And mine are available here and here.

Doe Eyed Deer

2010-09-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another for the Vintage Curiosities, Doe Eyed Deer. The 6x6 print can be found in my etsy shop and additional sizes and boxes can be found in my online shop.

Doe Eyed Deer, Polaroid SX-70

OMSI After Dark the other night was fun, but it was definitely a younger crowd. We played around the Einstein exhibit with all it's buttons, balls and displays you were allowed to touch. The Lego Robots Lab was fun, I think the pre-lab beer helped, but we didn't build anything. The robot is just made by Lego, you don't actually get to build a robot.

This weekend I hope to go for a long bike ride tomorrow morning at Sauvie Island. Tomorrow I'm spending the afternoon with Debbie learning all about TTV. And at some point I have some new images I'm excited to make.

Wolf

2010-09-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Ever since I photographed the wolf, I cannot get the Duran Duran song, Hungry Like the Wolf out of my head. It's time for a new song.... This new print is available on etsy and my online shop.

Wolf, Polaroid, SX-70

In an attempt to find some balance and feel like all was right with the world, I stayed up late and completed my Owl sweater. It was an easy project, completed in 2 1/2 weeks and no issues with the pattern. I plan to photograph it this weekend when I hang out with Debbie and some photo friends.

On the computer front, my hard drive was restored. I will be able to finish printing for my show at Assemble and start planning for Sunday's Best Holiday Sale.

Best new find of the day: This might be a bit premature, but I can't see it not being fun, OMSI, After Dark. Tonight I'm heading over to explore the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry. 5 years in Portland and I've never been. I even signed up for the Lego Robots lab.

An elephant never forgets, but hard drives do fail

2010-09-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

Always, always, always back up your work! I bought the new hard drive to do that, but before I could, my current one failed. It just stopped, no noise, no lights, no fan, kaput. After searching the internet late Friday night on what to do, I called a few places on Saturday, heard a few estimates that made me nervous, had a good cry, and then decided I needed to just make more photographs. Not very logical, but I was productive.

Elephant with Tusks, polaroid SX-70

So here's a new print to add to The Little Zoo, Elephant with Tusks. He's one of about 10 new prints I'll post over the next couple of weeks. He's available as a 6"x6" on etsy and a variety of larger sizes and boxes in my online shop.

Just an update

2010-09-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I stained 4 dozen boxes for my upcoming show at Assemble Gallery and a big order for Cog & Pearl. I have to admit, I really just wanted to get out the camera and photograph toys all evening. Maybe tonight after I get through putting together half the boxes... There's just never enough hours in the day to do all the things on my to do list.

Oregon Coast, Holga

This picture has nothing to do with the post. But it is that kind of day today, kind of dark and overcast. Make me want to curl up on the couch, brew some tea and knit.

Best new find of the day: I want to go to Fungus Workshop. The name doesn't do it justice, think leather working + creative design + fashion + photography. Too bad it is in Hong Kong. Check out the blog to see the amazing items the students create. I wouldn't mind taking a few classes to learn how to work with leather from an amazing designer. (found via Black Eiffel)

Mud run

2010-09-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

I spent Saturday on my couch knitting away and sipping TheraFlu. I ended up with a sinus infection and bronchitis after a week of fighting a cold and needed a day of nothing. It did the trick, because Sunday I went and took part in the Warrior Dash, a 3 mile, 11 obstacle race that ends with crawling through a mud pit under barbed wire. It was so much fun, and the crew that I went out with was such a blast, I would have been disappointed to have missed it.

This week I'm prepping for a show that I have in Seattle. I'll be sharing 12 of the Little Zoo animals on a larger scale (12"x12") at Assemble Gallery. I'm tempted to create a few more new photographs for the show that fit the fall theme. I'd have to do it this week, but I'd like to offer a few more prints of some animals I've photographed in the past.

Best new find of the day: Spinner 360 from Lomography. A 35mm film camera that spins around and takes a 360' picture. No more counting the cranks out on your holga, just sit (hold it above your head unless you want to be in it) and spin!

Trash dog

2010-09-09T10:33:00.001-07:00

Ralph has developed an increasingly bad habit of going through the trash. In the past month and a half I've bought a new trash can, bought multiple food releasing toys, moved my trash can to the bathroom off the kitchen and now have to put all food that isn't in a cabinet in my refrigerator (even if it doesn't need to be refrigerated) because he hasn't figured out how to open the fridge door yet. I thought about sharing the multiple pictures I have of trash scattered around my house, but I think you can imagine coffee grounds and food wrappers everywhere.

Lucky, the dog that doesn't destroy the trash, Polaroid SX-70

In my knitting craze of the moment I'm cruising along on 2 sweaters. I have the urge to slip a hat in there, but I think instead I'm going to be a little crazy and join this (which is also my best find of the day).

Best new find of the day: I'll be a little late to join, but the Spud & Chloe Easy top down raglan knit along will be a new project soon. I've always wanted to do a little more custom changed to my knitting. Adding a couple of extra inches is no problem, but I'd like to do it more intentionally and also work with some shaping, what better way to do it than a knit along?

knitting

2010-09-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting obsessed lately. A lot of things in my life feel like they are up in the air at the moment. I don't feel like I have any real stability in some key areas, so I think I'm using my knitting as my security blanket (no pun intended, not a huge fan of knitting blankets).

I've had a lot of people say to me that they don't have the patience or they find it frustrating because it takes so long to finish something. I think it's just the opposite, especially if you use bulky yarn. I find it to be a soothing process that I can always rip out and fix if I make a mistake or want to change the design. I can see the progress of the energy and effort I put into my work and at the end have a tangible item that shows that I did something and I did it well.

I spent this weekend at the river with friends, hiking, eating, drinking and knitting. Friday night I was determined to not only start, but finish a hat before I went to bed. Not unusual for me, but not something I usually set out to do. I think the past couple of weeks at work have taken their toll on me and I just needed to take on a task, complete it and see (wear) the results.

Best New Find of the Day: The hat I made on Friday night! The pattern is called Elizabeth (I didn't notice this till someone else pointed it out) by Jane Richmond and you can find more of her patterns here. I recommend if you're a knitter taking a peak at her other patterns, I've already purchased a couple and can't wait for the yarn to arrive. The hat that I made I knit to the same specifications using Rowan Cocoon, an amazing (but pricey) yarn that feels super soft and warm.

Beach Babe

2010-09-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Ralph and I went to the beach one morning a month or two ago (it seems longer than that). I was curious how he'd handle the ocean. I had a moment of regret when he took off full boar to the water and didn't stop when he hit it. I'm not a strong swimmer and dragging a 75 pound dog out of the ocean would have been tough. But once his head got wet he retreated pretty quickly. We spent a couple of hours running up and down the coast, me chasing a ball, him watching, me tossing sticks, him watching, more running...

I have a few more animals to post in the next week or two. I've been engrossed in a knitting project (the weather is getting colder) that has most of my attention in my spare time.

Best new find of the day: Misha's 30 Days by Train project. Misha's traveling from Portland to Washington D.C. and back by train and documenting her trip using her Lomo LC-A+ camera. I admire her sense of adventure and patience on a train. Good luck Misha!

portrait session sneak peak

2010-08-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

These little toes

belong to this little beauty below. This was another wonderful portrait session at the Rose Garden in Portland. I have had the best time this summer taking portraits of children.

Best new find of the day: Beautiful handmade camera straps created by the Erin of House on Hill Road. If you're feeling ambitious or Erin's are all sold out, you can follow directions here on ikat bag's blog.

Big fish in a Little Bowl

2010-08-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

New print for today, Goldfish in a Little Bowl. I don't think I'll ever tire of playing with little fish toys, for some reason they always make me laugh. 6x6 print available here, boxes and additional sizes available here.

Goldfish in a Little Bowl, Polaroid SX-70

Best new find of the day: What's your creative style? quiz. It's pretty darn accurate. My results say that I communicate through creating and prefer to get my work out there than spend time analyzing it. What did the quiz say about you? Was it accurate?

double trouble

2010-08-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

This past week and a half has been a blur with work and a few portrait sessions. I'm excited to have some time to myself to get back to knitting and scan the rolls of film I've been accumulating. Below are a few images from one of my recent portrait sessions. These 2 year old twins were a blast to photograph. When one was smiling the other one was running out of the frame. We did get one quick moment of the two of them together before they both ran off in separate directions.

If you're interested in a portrait session, please email me for pricing and availability.

Best new find of the day: Edor on etsy. I found this shop last week when reading A Cup of Jo, Edor was one of her weekly giveaways. It's beautiful simple jewelry that isn't ridiculously expensive. I'm already considering a second purchase.

New print!

2010-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

New print, Donkey & Berry! I wish I could be more prolific with my title choices, but I'm a pretty straight forward person. 6"x6" prints are available on etsy and 8"x8", 12"x12" and boxes are available in my online shop.

Donkey & Berry, SX-70 Polaroid

The past two weeks I've been jonesing to knit. I went to the yarn sale with Debbie a few weeks ago and bought yarn to make the Empire Waist Cardigan (bottom one of page). But I told myself I'd finish my current project. 1/2 way through the right side of the cardigan and I run out of yarn, and the yarn is discontinued... Ugh! I found a place that has it and ordered 3 skeins, just in case and hope to have this one finished in a week or two.

The best new find of the day: Ravelry, a knitting and crochet community. You have to sign up, but it is worth the few minutes of filling out forms. Ravelry offers forums, groups, shops, pictures of projects, free patterns and unlimited resources for knitting and crocheting. Be careful, it is addictive.

oh it's Monday again... but there's a new print too

2010-08-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

2 Piglets, Polaroid Sx-70

Available in my etsy shop as a 6"x6" print & my online shop in a variety of sizes

I am having a case of the Mondays. Work work has been busy. Although I think my case of the Mondays started last Thursday when I managed to get my keys stuck in someone else trunk lock and unlock their trunk in a parking lot. A large, very public parking lot.

I wasn't paying attention when I walked out of Office Depot with some boxes and packing tape (not the most ideal thing to have in hand when accidentally opening up someone else's trunk) and stuck my keys in the lock of a trunk that I thought was my car. When I turned the key it didn't move. I tried to take it out, it wouldn't come out. I realized that this wasn't my car. In the process of trying to forcefully remove the keys from the lock while holding boxes and tape, the trunk popped open. I shut it before it totally opened up. I was embarrassed I already had my keys stuck in the car, but it to be caught looking in a trunk was too much. 10 minutes, lots of trying, sweating, continuous trunk opening and shutting, the thought of just leaving my key... I grabbed my phone and then realized I had no one to call that could fix this, although my mom would have had a good laugh at my expense. I tried one more time, they came out, the trunk opened again. I slammed it shut, ran back to my car and high tailed it out of there before the owner came out. Ugh!

The evening has finished itself off with my vacuum smoking in the middle of my living room. No injuries, but I am not plugging it in again. Ralph has left the room due to the smell of burnt dog hair. And of course I've put off vacuuming much longer than I should have. Must be a sign for me to release the piglets.

Best new find of the day: This one I found while doing work work, Flip Slide HD. I'm not one to take a video, uploading it sounds like pain, but this little guy has a screen that flips open. Pretty cool. I ended up ordering a bunch for work that we customized with our own design.

Convince a friend to move to Portland - check

2010-07-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I convinced her, I think the job offer is what convinced her, but I'm still excited.

Birds on Wires, LA, 2009

I've been trying to keep up with my photo work, but between work work and nice weather, it's taken a back seat. I hope to go pick up some film this weekend that I shot with my new camera. I also have some new Polaroid prints to share. For today you get birds and another grouping of Little Zoo prints.

(from top left clockwise) Raccoon, Deer & Cupcake, Rabbit and Fox

20% off my online shop through the 30th

Best new find of the day: S240 bike camping. I have been on a big bike kick as of late. I have a sore hip that is from running and a hankering to get out while the weather is still nice, biking has been my solution. I like the idea of going on a biking/camping trip. Just need to figure out how Ralph could come. Doggie side car?

Bull print

2010-07-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

New print! I'm just getting on a roll of posting some new animals and images that I have. It is available as a 6x6 print in my etsy shop and in a variety of sizes as prints and boxes in my online shop. Sale in my online shop through 7/31.

Bull, Polaroid SX-70

My weekend was quiet. I met my friend Debbie for a visit to Close Knit and brunch (and shoe shopping, tea drinking and some dog petting). I succumbed to the sale and bought some new yarn to make another sweater.... I really hope I can power through this one. All the talk of it on Ravelry and knitting blogs has me excited. Sunday I went for a nice long bike ride and played a game of Dominion at Lucky Lab, one of the dog friendly bars in town.

Best new find of the day: This post was passed around my office. I laughed pretty hard as I read it. Of course I sent it to a friend who knew instantly what site it was from. I find this guy hilarious, but am very happy to not be subjected to his humor.

Finally

2010-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

I have finally done the much needed update to my online shop. It has been on my many to do lists for the past year. I had no idea how bad it was. A few sleepless nights and I feel like it is finally presentable. I now offer most of my photos in 3 different print sizes, 6"x6", 8"x8" and 12"x12", all printed on paper that fit standard frame sizes (8"x10", 11"x14", 16"x20").

new Polaroid prints for sale on my website

To celebrate this much needed update (including a full selection of Little Zoo, Sea Life and Letting the Horses Loose boxes) I'm offering 20% all purchases until July 31st. To redeem, please use the code July at checkout. Please note this only works at my online shop, NOT on etsy.

Best new find of the day: Hyperbole and a Half. My sister in law sent me a link to the Dog post and I have since gone through the archives. It's a blog that makes me laugh every time I read it.

Hedgehog, new print!

2010-07-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have a new Polaroid to share today.

Hedgehog, Polaroid SX-70

This little guy is available in my etsy shop at the 6"x6" size and then as a variety of print sizes and photo boxes in my online shop.

Best new find of the day: Cheap picture frames. I'm always looking for frames to display my photographs. While I love a good vintage find, sometimes the sizes and finishes don't work for the image. I've compiled a list of standard (and not so standard, silly Ikea) frames that have worked for me. One thing to note is that when you buy cheap frames, please take the time to look at the glass, the corners and the mat if there is one. I tend to go for wood versus metal, as it is easier to repair if it gets scratched. If you'd rather print big, check out this article in today's NY Times.

Album Frames, Ribba Series, Blick Gallery Wood Frames

Portraits

2010-07-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I met up with the lovely Rachel Austin and took portraits of her adorable daughter Adelaide. We had lots of fun roaming around the rose garden, playing with animals and smelling the roses.

And of course Rachel and I kept talking about how we wished that we could get away with wearing her outfit. So cute, she looked like a little Alice in Wonderland amongst the roses.

Best new find of the day: Continuing with my graffiti kick, this one isn't new to me, I think I've watched it at least a dozen times. The Ghostvillage Project was created by 6 artists over 3 days on the west coast of Scotland. They had free reign over the entire village! I would love to plan a trip to go out and see this place.

NYC graffiti

2010-07-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

While in NYC I went back to the graffiti that I snapped with my iphone and made some proper Polaroids. I wish I could find as large a collection of graffiti here in Portland that I found whenever I'm in New York. While I see tagging and crappy spray painted drawings of genitalia to be vandalizing, I like to think these types of things are art that beautifies the space. I especially like the stance that Swoon, wheat paster in NY takes, "There are so many spaces that don't really need to be brown," in this article.

Best new find of the day: Photobooth.net, a resource for photobooths around the world. I admit, when I see a photobooth I start searching my pocket for singles. I haven't yet met a photobooth I don't like.

grouping

2010-07-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the brief posting last week. A portrait session, a few trips to the dog park and a work trip to Anaheim this weekend put me off kilter. I hope to do better this week.

Every so often I get emails asking about pairings of my photographs. I try to answer the best I can and give a few options. Here is one of my favorites from a recent email. Do you have any favorite groupings or animals you'd like to see grouped?

Whale, Octopus, Shark

Best new find of the day: Mumford & Sons. It's like Band of Horses meets Sufjan Stevens... well maybe that's not the closest analogy, but it's all I've got at the moment. I highly recommend a Pandora channel tuned to them.

The 4th

2010-07-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was wonderful and cold. A trip up to a spot on the Washougal river was both relaxing and full of adventure. There was hiking, game playing, a cold dip in the river, lots of eating, drinking, fireworks and bonfires. Couldn't think of a better way to spend the holiday.

Best new find of the day: Photographer Katherine Wolkoff. She shares small glimpses of objects and places that we would never notice in our daily lives. I can imagine a whole story with each picture. Deerbeds is my favorite work.

Routine

2010-06-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

For all the whining about weather it has been beautiful here this past couple of weeks. I can recall this because every morning around 6:30-7, Ralph and I head out for our morning walk. We walk the same path each morning, I contemplate my day, Ralph looks for rabbits. I've never been one to stick to a routine, I like to change things up, not be bored. But I'm starting to think it's not a bad thing.

Yellow Chair, Polaroid, SLR 680

Best new thing of the day: How to catch a mouse without a mousetrap. The idea of killing a mouse sounds horrible and sad, but the idea of finding the little dead body squished in a trap makes my skin crawl. I don't have mice (and hopefully never will), but if it ever does happen I'm all for this method.

Ocean Objects

2010-06-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Last year a retailer approached me to create imagery for them for some packaging with ocean being the theme. I created these images and our emails went back and forth. They were thrilled, loved the images, excited to move forward and just when I was ready to pass the images over, crickets..... No response to my emails, no answer to my phone messages, nothing... The good news is they are ready to be shared with you. Prints are available in a variety of sizes in my online shop and in the 6"x6" size in my etsy shop.

Starfish, polaroid

Little Stars, polaroid

Sand Dollar, polaroid

Sand Dollars, polaroid

2 Urchins, polaroid

Sea Urchins, polaroid

Best new thing of the day: Lou O'Bedlam's walls of Polaroids. I discovered Lou's photography last week while catching up on blogs. I wish I could remember where I found him, but I added him as a contact and love seeing his new portraits. I would love to do a wall of Polaroids like this some day.

Excited for the holiday weekend

2010-06-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Memorial day weekend out in Washougal, WA. Can't wait to go back this weekend.

Best new thing of the day: Max Wanger Photography, amazing photographer with a unique color palette. He also does t-shirts & prints too!

Photo by Max Wanger

Sun

2010-06-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

For all the complaining I've done about the weather, it's finally summer in Portland. Time for evening beers and bbqs.

Best new thing of the day: Groupon, a daily deal via email for local places. They cover lots of cities and offer deals for places you probably frequent or want to try out.

Photo weekend... a couple of weeks back

2010-06-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I got together with a few of the girls that are part of the Portland Photographer's Adventures. Our attempts to have multiple meetings among 20+ people have led us to meet about once a year. This year a handful of us got together at the Pittock Mansion on an overcast afternoon. Here are a few pictures from the day. You can view all of them on my flickr site.

Best new thing of the day: Lonny - the online reincarnation of Domino Magazine! It's an online only magazine, which is really quite handy for those of us that feel like we live with our computer.

dreaming of warmer places

2010-06-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I was done with my Costa Rica pictures, but I keep finding rolls of film. Scanning these ones in this evening made me wish I had a vacation coming up. I'd like to go somewhere warm with a beach or a pool. I keep hoping the Portland weather will warm up soon so I feel like I'm back at the beach...

Good weekend

2010-06-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a long, cool, slightly rainy, good weekend. I have a few digital pictures to share from today.

A hike to the top of Angel's Rest in the misty Portland rain.

Ralph and I at the top. He did good, but was so fixated on a chipmunk at the top that he wouldn't even twitch at the sound of his name. I've spent the weekend reading half of Be the Pack Leader by the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan. Currently working on being calm assertive.

The afternoon ended with beers, burgers and a rainbow on the way home.

Polaroids of Costa Rica

2010-06-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

More shots from my trip to Costa Rica.

The harbor in Quepos

Hammock at the beach

Sunset in Manuel Antonio

Friends on the trip asked for a portrait in the rain

Sunset

Costa Rica

2010-06-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Images from my trip to Costa Rica. I had some problems with my Holga while on the trip. It wasn't doing a good job of winding the film properly, so many of the rolls have light leaks or exposed pictures. While it's sad that I'm missing some of the pictures, it's one of those magical things about Holga. You never know 100% what your picture will be and if it had any light leaks.

Dominical Beach -

Dominical is a little surf town about an hour south of Quepos. It wasn't the prettiest beach, but the town was very laid back and fun to walk around.

Lone Chair on Dominical Beach

Butterfly Garden

Jungle - somewhere near Quepos

Giant lizard crossing the road

There were so many lizards in Costa Rica. We saw a lot that looked like this, but just up the road from this one there were some that looked like little dragons as big as a cockerspaniel.

Monkey

We had monkeys visit us twice. The first time was magical, the little monkey came over and took the banana we left out for him and hung out for a bit. The second time he brought 7 of his friends and they threw mangoes at us and bared their teeth.

Cattle - Dominical

Shows and a pal

2010-06-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

I have lots to share this week, last week was so busy NY feels like months ago. And I still haven't shared all of NY with you. First, I have 2 shows this month.

Show #1 is at Tilde in Portland. You can read a post about it here. If you're local, please stop by, the store has lots of great artists' works and unique gifts. Below are a few picture of what I have hanging, it is a departure from the Little Zoo. The flowers look wonderful large, they are 12" prints in 20" frames. If you'd like to order the large flower prints, they are in my online shop. And the 36 Polaroid prints, they are glimpses into my life for the past 3 years. I haven't posted these for sale yet, but have plans to offer some of these as prints.

Show #2 is at Velouria in Seattle. This month the show is located at the Ballard location and next month it will be at the Capital Hill location. I don't have any pictures yet, but will post when I see them.

Second, is that I have a new pal. His name is Ralph, and you will probably see way too many pictures of him. I adopted him from the Oregon Human Society on Friday. He's a little shy, but not too shy to already give me a scare by escaping on Saturday. After a day of searching and a night of tears, he showed back up on the doorstep Sunday morning. He's spent the day sleeping and I wish I knew what adventures he had.

LA pictures

2010-06-09T07:38:00.001-07:00

These were from my trip to LA a few weeks ago. I went to photograph for work work. It was long days and bright sun, but I don't know if I've ever photographed so many different places in 2 days.

I have only been taking a few Polaroids at a time on my travels lately. Partly out of fear as my stash dwindles, but mainly because I've been much more thoughtful in what I photograph. I have piles of film and boxes of Polaroids of images that I'll never share with anyone. It's nice to see just these glimpses from my travels rather than a shot by shot of every event. I like how it reminds me of where I've been and what I've seen without being literal to my day.

Oh NYC

2010-06-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

view from my hotel room

I'm in NYC for work work (work work is what I call my full time job, as though this creates a division between work, my photo work) this week. I have been trying to take my non work work time and make the most of my time in the city. This morning I woke up early and went for a run on the High Line garden and around the city. It was amazing and wonderful, I found some delicious bagels and the yesterday found the gallery.

While I was running I also found some great graffiti. I have a small obsession with graffiti. I wish I had the balls to make some and post my statement on the world, however time, chicken-ness and a never ending problem with committing to a singular theme/project cause this to not happen. But I thoroughly enjoy looking at it on sites like Wooster Collective and seeking it out in cities. I'm not sure which one of these pictures I love more.... I'm thinking Polaroids tomorrow morning...

Sauvie Island

2010-05-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

A few weeks when Steph was here we went spent the morning photographing on Sauvie Island. I have a problem (as does Steph : ) of deciding which camera to bring. There are some pictures that you see and you think, Polaroid, or Holga, or Diana, or 35 mm film camera, or Digital..... you get the point. If I could I'd photograph a lot more in Polaroid, but as my film stash dwindles I get more hesitant just shooting up a storm.

cookies and scanning

2010-05-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

I told myself today was the day I would finish up framing 1 show, get going on printing for another and scan all my film and polaroids that I needed to catch up on. Well, I have 2 loaves of fresh (very heavy, something went wrong) french bread, 5 dozen peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookies (found via A Friend to Knit With) and about half of what I wanted to have done completed.

I tried to watch the documentary Food Inc. earlier while scanning but it is really depressing and I needed something more upbeat. So I went onto Pandora and typed in "Sheryl Crow" and it's like someone found every cd I ever owned in high school and made the best Dawson's Creek playlist ever. Yes, I watched Dawson's Creek in high school and yes I know it was cheesy. Back to scanning...

much needed vacation

2010-05-17T22:01:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the disappearance. I took a much needed, highly anticipated week long vacation to Costa Rica. I've spent the past couple of days trying to catch up and get ready for a couple of shows I have next month. While I get ready, I've been obsessed (with most of blogland it seems) on the show 9 by Design. I'm in love with the interior design work that Sixx Design does in the show.

Crafty Wonderland

2010-05-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week. I spent the past couple of days in LA for work. I photographed all over the city for 2 days for work. My camera bag strap has created a permanent groove in my shoulder, digital might be faster, but it is not at all lighter.

The highlight of my trip was having dinner with Sharon and Spencer. Amazing people who make amazing work and have hilarious stories.

This weekend is Crafty Wonderland for all you Portlanders. Yesterday was great, although the nice weather may have kept some people outside. We'll be there today, Hall D, from 11-5.

Giveaway for Liam

2010-04-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago my friend Lynn of Satsuma Press started a blog for her 6 year old son Liam. Liam has a rare neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. This summer the family has plans to remodel their bathroom to make it fully accessible for Liam. Lynn has started a two week long giveaway in order to raise money to make this possible. The raffle is for work from 50 artists, including myself. To learn more about Liam, the giveaway and how to donate for towards the giveaway please click here.

Flowers

2010-04-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

It bloomed seemed to bloom early here in Portland. The cherry trees are already starting to lose their petals and many of the flowers have already opened. It's hard not to be distracted by all the color while driving. Yesterday I saw (this is where I wish I knew my trees and flowers) a beautiful tree that was weighed down by all the light pink flowers that were blossoming on it. A quick jerk of the car, slam of the break and I was out and running to take a quick picture before heading back to work after lunch.

There are a few new flower images up in my print shop today as well as additional sized prints.

coming up

2010-04-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Pinhole image of Centennial Mills

Sunday is Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day. And I have a new pinhole that I've been playing with.

For you Portlanders May 1st and 2nd is Crafty Wonderland.

May 3rd-7th is 'Roid week on Flickr.

bingo

2010-04-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

I went and played Bingo with friend a couple of weeks ago at a bingo hall. On the 3rd game of the night I won (so did 3 other people), but I of course yelled it as soon as I had it and startled about half the room. The bingo cards were so pretty, at the end of the night I took them with me.

Coast

2010-04-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

These are from a trip to the coast a couple of weekends ago.

Mr. Mister

2010-04-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

He just makes me smile.

New Sea Life images

2010-04-11T21:16:00.001-07:00

Sea Horse, Polaroid

2 new Sea Life images up in the shop, 3 Crabs and Sea Horse. I have been having a tough time finding little sea critters to photograph. Everything I've come across lately has been so goofy looking. The prints are in the shops and boxes are available, but not posted yet.

3 Crabs, Polaroid

Steph was in town this past week. I love that when we hang out there is always more cameras than people, desert and lots of Polaroid talk. I have a few pictures from our trip that I hope to post later this week when I pick up my film.

Maldon salt?

2010-04-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

Fremont Bridge, Diana

It's been an alright day. Woke up early, worked through lunch, came home and had the urge to break out the animals. An hour and a half later and less 2 packs of Polaroid film I've got a few beauties that will be making their way out soon.

For now, I'm filling etsy orders and baking a batch of these brownies...kind of. I couldn't find the Maldon salt and wasn't quite sure what it was. 15 minutes of searching on my iphone at the grocery store and I ended up getting something that looked similar, but I doubt it tastes the same. I like salt, so I'm not sure how I can go wrong. I'll let you know how they taste.

quarter life crisis

2010-04-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

Driving by Trees, Diana image

This morning while I was driving to pick up some work from the printer I listened the OPB Program Think Out Loud. They addressed the Quarter Life Crisis, something that I feel like I've been going through since college. It's an interesting discussion about generation Y and the way we were raised and how it has affected our expectations, particularly in the work force and in relationships. I could relate specifically to wanting to have a job that I was passionate about, but also needing it to pay the bills.

Beach, Holga Image

I was driving, nodding and even agreeing aloud for most of the program. It wasn't until they informed me that at the age of 30 not having built up a career, not having a long term relationship and not having kids is a crisis. I'm 30. I don't feel like I'm in a crisis. Luckily in my 30 years I have learned to not believe everything everyone tells you. Highly recommend a listen for all of you that feel a little lost.

Dog and Fog, Holga Image

I never know what to title these things...

2010-04-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

Not 100% sure how I feel about this one. It looks really pretty as an original Polaroid, but I think the texture gets lost once you scan it. It's clouds in the marina of Marina del Rey.

Tonight I'm still working on paperwork. I took the weekend to unwind and take a breath before I dive deep into finishing this up, producing some new work, work on work work (my term for the 8-5 job), and organizing my online shops. Mount Hood had a spring storm that brought more powder than we've seen all season in just a few days. Saturday was an automatic ski day. Sunday was egg hunts, chocolate cake and good company.

fold away

2010-04-01T22:22:00.001-07:00

At the moment, even this bed looks comfortable. It's been one of those long days, lots of busy work and no time to photograph. The busier I am the more I want to go out and photograph.

Any excuse

2010-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

I have been avoiding this year's taxes since I signed last year's taxes. It's finally down to the wire and my living room is covered in paper piles. I have done just about every errand I can think of, scanned lots more images than I needed to at the moment, and baked more cookies than I can eat. Tonight I'm going to settle down with a bottle of wine, a plate of cookies and the determination to just get the paperwork done. Wish me luck.

Keep Calm poster from here, prints on sale in my etsy shop.

It's still the same day... so I figured I'd just add to the earlier post. I'm 5+ hours in on my taxes. I can't quit yet, because it is awful and if I quit, I'll have to resume the awfulness. And knowing how bad something is before you have to do it makes it that much harder to start again.

I've been rewarding myself with drinks (I've perfected the Bees Knees) and Starburst Jellybeans. The other day I bought the jellybeans against my better judgement and when I opened them (in the car, because we all knew the bag wouldn't make it home unopened) I saw that they were all red and pink. Amazing! For a moment I thought I was the recipient of a wonderful mistake, then I read the label. I could buy these all the time....

Ok, back to the taxes...

cold

2010-03-29T12:57:00.001-07:00

It's one of those dark, cold, wet days today. I wish I could just crawl up on my couch with a book and read.

it's okay

2010-03-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those weekends, playing catch up, cleaning and organizing. I never made it to the slope.... I'm both disappointed and proud of myself.

I've come to the conclusion that it's okay to throw bad film away. I had myself convinced that I needed to keep all of it, even the really bad pictures, the ones I never bothered to print or scan. I always kept thinking, "what if I need that picture" or maybe "I could make something with the film....". I will never need a crappy picture, it doesn't improve with age and as far as an art project, I'll let someone else make that statement.

Time to get back to cleaning. I hosted a wonderful and much needed girls' night last night that included a over indulgent snacks, drinks and a clothing swap. There are piles of bags to go to Goodwill in my living room and a Barbie blanket that's found a home on my couch....

SALE!!! Half off prints

2010-03-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

I've started to post sale prints in my etsy shop. I'll be posting them until they are sold out. These are all Little Zoo images that I printed in 2008. They are printed on a slightly lighter and matte paper than I currently use, but still 100% archival. They look the same as the new ones when framed behind glass.

Etsy shop open

2010-03-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

My etsy shop is up and running again. I'm sorry for the long delay in reopening the shop. I'm hoping to spend some time this next week updating it. I have a pile of sale prints that I'd like to put up. These are mostly Little Zoo images that I printed in 2008 and early 2009. Some are printed on a slightly different paper (behind glass you can't tell a difference) and some are signed in pencil versus the archival pen that I switched too.

More black and whites from our Portland Photograph Adventures get together last spring. You can see more of them on flickr. These were all shot with my Diana camera (original Diana, not the new one).
Off to the slopes this weekend. Mount Hood Meadows has been getting dumped on, 16" in the past 24 hours. Maybe I'll try to take a camera with me... although the idea of falling on it just sounds uncomfortable.

Running with camera

2010-03-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Today on my run I saw not one, but 2 snakes. If you know me well, you will know that while I love the outdoors, snakes scare the bejeezus out of me. So you would be surprised to know that not only did I stop within 10 feet of the snake, I got about 3 feet away from it (because that's as close as Holga focuses....wait, you run with a camera? hold, on, not usually) and took a picture. I'm not sure how well it will turn out, because the moment I snapped the shutter the snake twitched and I jumped about 5 feet off the ground and hightailed it towards the woods.

No, I don't typically run with a camera. But I keep running through this nature reserve (still not sure what it is, but I keep calling it that) by my house around 6 or 7 at night and the light is amazing. Today was the warmest day yet and it seemed like a good idea. I snapped all of 4 pictures so I don't see this becoming a habit.

More random black and whites

2010-03-23T16:00:00.001-07:00

I've spent the past 2 weeks starting to start a new project. It's both wonderful and agonizing. I love the process of trying new things, remember old things and seeing the results of your efforts. But oh, the time commitment! I just wish there were more hours in a day or that I didn't need to sleep. I'm working on some gum bichromates, an old alternative process that requires patience and time to see results.

While I've been working through this new project, the photo bug has bit again. Six months of handful of photos and I'm ready to go again. I'm trying hard to figure out how I work and whether that really works for me. You know how you sometimes do things out of habit, that while they aren't the easiest or smartest way to do things, it's what you know. Do I just start shooting film again with no plan or do I make a plan? Hmm......

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

More photos can be found here

St. Patrick's Day was a big event when I was a kid. It was my grandmother's favorite day of the year and therefore a major holiday. She had me convinced for year's that she had a leprechaun in her house that I would search for endlessly with no luck. I always wore green, sometimes against my will and associate Dunkin' Donuts munchkin holes with the day.

So I'm off to find a donut and maybe a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" pin.

Archives and non payers

2010-03-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Amy, Diana image, 2009

I figured I'd show you some of my favorite plastic camera images that I've been waiting to share while I talk about something unpleasant.

Boots, Diana Image, 2009

First the pictures: These are from are first Portland Photographic Adventures meet up (we definitely need to get back on track with our meet ups this summer). I shared all my polaroids from that day, but I've been holding on to all these Diana and Holga pictures.

Sharing, Diana Image, 2009

Second, the non payer. I work with a variety of stores selling my work both wholesale and consignment. All those listed on my website are lovely shops that I've worked with multiple times and enjoy being apart of. But sometimes, you have the shop that suddenly stops answering their email.

Meet Up, Holga Image, 2009

I'm a trusting person. I like to think there are more good people out there than bad. And I will trust that if I send you an order, that you'll pay me when I send you an invoice. But I've hit my limit. The shop, Hello Beluga, is located in Luxembourg. They've placed one other order and paid promptly, but now have stopped answering my emails and ignoring my paypal invoices. I've been told that since they are outside the US, there is little I can do. If anything I hope that those of you who also sell to shops will learn to ask for payment upfront for international sales.

Boot Line, Holga Image, 2009