Inspiration is part of her DNA.

I would LOVE to live here, but then I would always have to get up to see the sunrise because it’s so beautiful!

That was how it all started, a year in 10 weeks. I changed my Major to Advertising Photography because I wanted to master the technical, among other things. Although once in the program I never made sense to any of them. My final two classes before graduating were: Advertising and Design Photography, and Digital Photography. That was the only digital class I ever took, and cameras were nothing like they are today. Each of those two class had a final project: create a series of 5 photographs that tell a story. In the end I did a series of 16 and used them for both classes. It was the first time in school I stopped trying to follow the “rules” of my program. I took a lesson from James and went for what felt right. Breaking all the rules. During the projects there were progress meetings with each Professor to explain the project, show any work in progress, get feedback, help, direction, etc. These meetings never went well for me. I got along with each Prof great, but I could never explain in words(or writing) what I was doing. Finally I said ‘trust me’ it’s going to work and I know what I’m doing (kinda). On the final day I had 16 Iris Prints on Japanese Watercolor Paper. The prints are 20×15, and 20×16 (for the 4×5′s). I showed all 16 to each class for my final critique. I was proud of my work. It was everything I was at the time. Both professors agreed it was great. I got an A from one, and a B from the other who wrote “I would have given you an A, you deserve an A but You work in a vacuum. You will have to learn how to communicate your craft.” Funny thing is I never saw his comments until a few years later. After I read them I laughed. I never even thought to check my grade from that project because I assumed they were A’s and it was my last two classes. I still graduated with Honors and I still struggle to communicate my craft:)

Shortly after graduating, I found a gallery that wanted to show my work. Awesome! I had to write an Artist Statement. Not awesome! I did the best I could and wrote my truth while photographing the series. Again breaking the rules because it’s not a traditional artist statement. All the abstracts were photographed with a digital camera. The people were photographed on color film with my 4×5 Crown Graphic. Noting was manipulated after the fact… all in camera everything. At the time I was living in a warehouse slowly being converted to live/work spaces. All the photographs were taken in the basement of that warehouse. The only thing I brought was my camera, people, lights, and myself… the rest were found objects.

I have not looked at this series in about Seven years (or more). They are still beautifully framed, and wrapped in protective paper. I’m not sure what I will ever do with them, but I still love them. I’ve been playing with some new projects and in looking back I realize how much of me has been lost ‘trying to figure things out’ for a long time. It feels great to see that some of what I’m doing now, is exactly what I wanted to do all along. I know there has been silence on the blog, but in the silence I’ve been creating:)

 Trace:

artist statement

it’s a random thing that comes and goes

as well as the curiosities that provoke it…

photography, art, life 

interested in confined spaces, where if walls

could talk they would pour out years of

wisdom found in the mishaps of life…

darkroom, abandoned spaces, warehouse

in letting my mind reel through projections

of the past I feel the need to see what is not

obvious or apparent to my eyes…

abstract, optical illusion, focal point

a visual confusion that echoes though my

mind with fantasy over-running reality…

creativity, a dream, tranquility

i continue to explore abandoned spaces

filled with lost objects unable to reveal

their past existence…

the unknown, balance, truths.

Honey recently brought it to my attention that I have not been blogging, AND I have not taken time to have fun with her. So we went to the beach, and I’m back on the blog-wagon!

Skye and Josh went for a City meets Country theme for their wedding. They had their ceremony here in Chicago with closest friends and family. Then went back to Michigan to party down with extended friends and family. Skye was very creative with all her DIY details. We spent the afternoon running in and out of the rain. The entire group was fun to be around and total troopers for braving the Chicago elements:)

Tera and Danny got married at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts in Milwaukee, WI. After having to reschedule their engagement session multiple times due to weather, I was relieved that their wedding day weather turned out to be beautiful!

Kelly and Tony are amazing! They got hitched on the golf course at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. I’ve now photographed a few other couples, in their circle of friends, and every time I leave feeling so lucky to know all of them. I also always know the receptions will be an all night dance party where if I stand still for even a breath, I can feel the floor shaking. Their reception kept true to be a never ending night of entertainment! I can’t wait to see them again next year:)

I recently received an email from Duncan telling me that he and his girlfriend would be traveling to Chicago, from Toronto, for a holiday. He already had plans to propose to Alex while he was here and wondered if I would be interested in photographing the surprise. Of Course, LOVE to! So then the planning began. I was very impressed with his ideas, and ability to execute everything in a city he’s not familiar with. He even ‘randomly’ arranged for her to have her makeup done before the big proposal. After she said yes, we had some time to play around before their dinner reservation at The North Pond. This was my first time photographing a proposal, and it was awesome! So much fun to be a part of such a special moment in their lives.