Carly Cram Photography

Rise

2012-01-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Recently Jeff has been away at ASU, teaching and learning, so whenever he comes home we always try to have an LA day*. One day, towards the end of the night, we were walking to Pizzeria il Fico from our car and I spotted this vacant building right next to the restaurant. I couldn't help but notice a strong resemblance to my favorite style of architecture, German Expressionism. I wouldn't say that I am a huge fan of architecture, but there are certain types of architecture that I just love. The reason I came to love German Expressionism is from some of my favorite silent films**. I know that it isn't actually german expressionism, but it really has that feeling. It was just such a nice breath of fresh air and it left me feeling inspired.

*Intelligentsia for a coffee, Wurstkuche for a buffalo sausage and beer, The Pie Hole for a slice of apple pie and hot apple cider, Arclight to see an expensive movie or to see a show at Largo at the Coronet, and then to Pizzeria il Fico for the wood fired gnocchi, and possibly back to Intelligentsia for an espresso.

**Das Cabinet Des Caligari (1920), Nosferatu (1922), Phantom (1922), The Last Laugh (1924), Metropolis (1927)

Elsewhere

2012-01-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is Ethan. I did a photoshoot with him and his sister a couple weeks back. They were both really nice to work with. He and his sister had a lot of energy and I knew I had to be just as energetic as they were to keep up with them. It's funny because I think most people who know me think of me as a person with a lot of energy, but put me next to a child and I don't even compare. But I did my best to keep up with them.

who put rocks in my bed?

2012-01-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

It's funny how I equate desolation with tranquility. I know it sounds funny that I begin this post with those words, but I find they pertain to these images. While I was photographing Edwin and Maddie in their backyard, that's sort of how I was feeling. It was nice to have a big empty space to photograph these wonderful kids, and it somehow felt so calming. I think I also feel small when I'm with children, like we're all sort of the same age, in some strange way. So it's just us kids in this big backyard. I kind of felt like Max in Where the Wild Things Are. I guess it's also funny, because when most people think of kids, I don't think they normally think of tranquility. I think most people equate children with chaos, but maybe that's only if the kids are their own. It's just nice to have that feeling again. It's so nice to be a child again.

Little Talks

2012-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

This is Maddie, who happens to be the sister of Edwin (my previous post). Maddie is eleven years old and wants to be an actress when she grows up. She was so excited to be photographed, which is such a nice change. I understand the fear of being photographed. I go out a lot and ask strangers if I can photograph them and I think they instantly think I'm going to do something terrible with their image. It's just kind of sad that it's come to that. And it's not just strangers: even my own grandma won't let me near her when I am holding a camera. So, naturally, Maddie and I had such a fun time. I wish I had more kids like her and Edwin to photograph. It's such a nice change.

Unfamiliar places

2012-01-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been photographing a lot of five years olds*, and while I love five years olds they are a little trickier to work with. So when I got the opportunity to photograph Edwin, a nine year old, I was elated. He was so poised and had such a natural openness to the camera. There's something so amazing about photographing children. I think it's their imagination and lack of pessimism. Every time I photograph a new child it's a new and unique experience, I suppose it's that way with adults as well, but for some reason children just seem so different. It's such a delight. They pull me into their worlds, a world that I vaguely remember. But maybe, it's where our two worlds meet that make these experiences so interesting.

*Despite my lack of posting, I actually have been photographing somewhat regularly. I didn't want to post images that I intend on putting on my new website (which still isn't ready. No surprise there.) As a result I decided not to post any images here on my blog. Since then I have been narrowing down the images that should and should not be on my website. Now that I have that somewhat sorted, I can begin posting the images that will not be posted on my website.

White Blank Page

2011-11-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

It's been some time since my last post. For several months I had been trying to finish all of my images for my website. I was actually really close to being ready to put them up but recently I lost/got my laptop and external hard drive (with the only finished versions of my images) stolen. So, now I'm having to start all over. While, I was a little (okay, a lot!) depressed several weeks ago, I am feeling a lot more positive now. I have finally begun re-editing all of the images that are important for my collection. I am even finding images I had previously overlooked to be fairly good, which is kind of neat. I have purchased a new laptop with the help of many of my friends/acquaintances/family members/even teachers and staff at school. It still surprises me that people can be so generous. I am so grateful for everyone's help. Really, if it weren't for them, I would still be moping around feeling sorry for myself.

Self Portrait

Self portraits are kind of strange to me because I always feel vain taking them, but on the other hand, it's always been a way to document how I am feeling at any particular moment. Some people write in journals, but I can't express myself in words. I'm a very visual person. But not just in the act of taking the image, but also in how I edit them. The last few weeks have been very confusing for me. I had never, in my life, felt so much lacking in artistic drive. I've always thought of myself as someone who has to continue working on art all the time to stay happy, it never really mattered what the medium was. So, when I realized all the time I had spent editing those images, images I no longer had copies of, I just felt so upset. It seemed like such a waste of time. Why make art if you can't show it to anyone? While I enjoyed every moment of taking and editing those images, it's also just very difficult to see them go. but they are gone now. I have tried to make my peace with that. I am trying to look at it with a different perspective. I now have a chance to actually go through my images again, and edit them the right way, a way that's very cohesive. The image above will be apart of my self portrait series. I am feeling proactive.

Imagine the Swan

2011-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

(double click to see fine detail)

I often go to the Cypress College Swap meet on Sundays to photograph people. This lady was standing by herself under the trees, and she really just looked so lonely but in a very majestic way. She obviously was waiting for someone to come pick her up, but I just felt such a warm connection. Sometimes when I see certain people, I can't think of anything other than photographing them, it's something I have to do or I'll really regret it. I watched her for a minute as she "watched the world go by." I finally worked up the courage to ask her if I could photograph her. I could tell she didn't really want to be photographed but she agreed. As I was taking her picture, her daughter pulled up to the sidewalk in a car. and that was it. The lady helped her Mother into the car. The older woman smiled at me before she got in and drove away. I wish I had ask her for her name.

In my Place

2011-07-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Recently I was in Las Vegas for my sister's bachelorette party and while all the other girls were getting ready, I decided to take a self portrait. I was trying to pin point how I felt there in that moment. It's really a very strange place, and to tell you the truth, I hope to not go back there again, unless I am making a photographic series on it, or to remind myself why I don't enjoy it there. I really felt very strange, and very much like an outcast. This is the outfit I wore to a club. I realized when I got there that my dress wasn't short or tight enough. I wasn't wearing high heels, I was wearing boots. I looked like a flamingo in a coal mine. I remember having this same feeling as a child being at school dances, watching all the other girls look and act older than they actually were. It's like everything and everyone else was moving very fast and I just stood still being wrapped in time. Maybe that sounds a little too dramatic, but hopefully you know what i mean.

Antonia

2011-07-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

You may have read on here that I recently went on a trip to Portland Oregon to go to the Tinhouse writers workshop. I wouldn't say that Jeff and I made a bundle of new friends or anything like that, but we did meet a couple people that were really interesting. This is Antonia. She is from Australia. It was funny because when we first arrived I saw her and another girl walking around, and I was aching to photograph them, they just had such beautiful and interesting faces. Later during the week, Jeff and I were sitting at a table and they looked like they needed a place to sit, so we let them sit with us. Both Antonia and Emily had really interesting novel ideas. After we all had been talking a while, I ask if I could photograph each of them. I'm so glad they let me.

My Little Corner of the World

2011-07-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken in Carlsbad, if it looks familiar it may be because you saw this and/or this. I took all three of them while I was on vacation with my family. Jeff came down for the day and we went on a walk along the beach, and I really just felt so in love with this bridge. I don't know what it was, it seemed so neglected by the world, but it was just so beautiful, it felt like I found my little corner of the world.

The way it will be

2011-07-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

self portrait

No, never

2011-07-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

(click to see fine detail)

This is a boy I photographed some time back. I never edited it because I knew how long it would take for this specific process. Well, today I was feeling inspired. It only took me two hours to finish it, thanks to my new lap top. But I'm glad I waited because I am very happy with the outcome.

Cocktails for Two

2011-07-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Today has been a good day, besides the cold shower anyway. I mean seriously, cold water is no way to start a morning off.

The breakfast was really good. I had smushy oatmeal and an apple danish (it was amazing!). Then for lunch I had salad and tandoori tofu with jasmine rice. I have to admit, I am not into the tofu. I love dead things that were once alive. So, I ate around the tofu. It's like saying you went to Adventure-land instead of Disneyland, it just doesn't compare.

Jeff and I are enjoying a glass of Menage Trois Cabernet wine with chips and salsa. I love that wine, it's really good and affordable too.

Besides that, most of today was spent researching on the computer and editing new pictures. It always seems like I don't get anything done when I edit, but I suppose I really do.

Vistor

2011-07-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

I just spent much too long editing this picture of Jeff. But I suppose when you love a picture, you'll do that. I really wanted to put this image together with an image of me- sort of as a diptych, and I tried to edit them the exact same way, but I really just liked this picture edited this way much more. The color sort of drowns you in the grief, if you know what I mean. I also am very fond of his expression. He looks so strong and vulnerable all at the same time. Hopefully you get the same feeling that I get.
Despite how Jeff is looking in this image, we're actually having a very fun time here in Oregon.

Today I took a cold shower- not by choice. I have never showered so fast in my life. I was in and out of there faster than (think of something clever here and pretend like i came up with it). I don't know why they don't have hot water here. even warm water. I'll even settle for luke warm water! I feel like a boy scout, only I'm better dressed- hopefully anyway.

The food today was just as good as yesterdays. For breakfast I had the most amazing bagel, it was a jalepeno or some kind of peppered bagel. It was spicy and good. I also had two cookies and one rice krispy treat, all vegan. I also had an individual pizza (you know like the small ones?) and it had pepperoni and pineapple. I never appreciated pineapple on pizza until today. It's really wonderful.

While Jeff was in his workshop, I walked/photographed around the school's neighborhood. I was amazed to see a couple really peculiar plants. One plant looked like a fort. it was really cool and strange. Also, the ants here are HUGE! who gave them steroids? don't they know that it can severely disintegrate their package?

Jeff and I went to several lectures today. The first was the editor of Tin House and the Novel editor speaking about how to get published. The second lecture was three agents explaining how to get an agent. The third was a man who used to work for Soft Skull press but now he work for Red Lemonade press, and he spoke about the future of publishing. So they all were very informative and interesting.

It was a nice day. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Portrait of Madison

2011-07-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

This is a Portrait of Madison. Our moms have been really good friends since high school. Madison was actually named after me. You probably didn't know it, but my middle name is Maddison (with two d's- funny story is that a couple years ago I went to get a library card and I had filled out the paper with all my information on it, and the librarian told me I had spelled my name wrong. Of the 19 years I had been alive I had never known that on my birth certificate it had been spelled with two d's. She must have thought I was such an idiot.) So, I am Carly Maddison Cram. Very cutsie, isn't it? Anyway, Madison and I are several years apart and we just recently saw each other for the first time in quite a long time. I was so surprised to find out that we had similar taste in music. But it made me realize how strange it is that people take different paths and come to a similar landmark (that was the best metaphor I could come up with). If you know what i mean.

If any of you are interested in an update of our trip to Oregon here it is:

We arrived in Portland today. I have to say that Portland is a beautiful place, but gee whiz it is confusing to get around. The GPS would say turn right on webbly (i made that name up) and then McCannon would come up and that was the street we were supposed to turn on. Well, I suppose i shouldn't blame it on Portland, maybe it's the GPS's fault. All I know is it was confusing. But we finally arrived at Reed College, where the Tin House Workshop is held.

The College is beautiful and it's surrounded by lots of trees and unicorns. The culture shock is making it hard to believe that this is a real place. So we looked around, and I took pictures. Then we did boring stuff like check in and go to our dormitory room.

I am very happy to say that the food at the cafeteria is actually very good and healthy. Today I had a vegan oatmeal rasin cookie. It was very good. I'm not saying that a vegan oatmeal cookie is good for you, I'm just telling you that I ate it. I also had a really good salad, with corn. I love putting corn on salad. This, unlike the cookie, was a healthy choice. Not the corn specifically, I meant the salad.

During cocktail hour, Jeff and I both got a whiskey on the rocks, which made it easier for us to socialize. We met two really cool girls from Australia. They were both so interesting and after we all had talked for quite some time, they let me take a portrait of each of them. I fear the lighting may not have been the best, but I'm hoping it will be fine (cross your fingers). But they were just so nice and interesting. I love meeting people like them.

I love people. Some times anyway. I love you. Who ever you are. Goodnight.

Packed Like Sardines In A Crushed Tin Box (or rather Tin House)

2011-07-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

Today, the image I'm posting has little to no relevance to what I'm talking about. But for all you know this image could have been taken here on our trip. And supposing I had that fast of a turn around, that I could download them, import them to lightroom, export them to my desktop, import to photoshop, and then download to blogger, that would be pretty good of me ( but it really is too much work!). So, instead I put this image up, which is a picture of Jeff, that looks somewhat like many of the pictures I took of Jeff today.
Jeff and I are 15 minutes outside of Portland now. Today we drove for 5-6 hours. On our way here we saw a sign that read "antiques" and me being the person that I am, I looked at jeff with that "can we? can we please?" look. Luckily Jeff is just amazing and of course said yes. So we pulled off the freeway. But while we were trying to find the antique stores Jeff mentioned that it felt a lot like the beginning of a horror film, which I agreed. It was something like a ghost town, which was also kind of a cool thing (picture wise), but I am surprised that we made it out alive. There was a funny point where we wandered off the road to the train track, but as soon as we got near the train we heard a very strange high pitched buzzing noise and we both stopped and looked at each other worriedly. we both thought it was a rattle snake. Neither of us know if there are snakes in Oregon, and we definitely don't know if there are rattlers. We later realized that there was a broken electricity pole and it had been right above where we were standing. It looked really strange and scary. So, in a way if it had fallen and killed us, it would have been like a scary horror movie. Or rather a documentary about a cute couple (too presumptuous?) who died in a freak accident. Or it could be like a part in the new Final Destination 4 movie. Are they on number 4?

Anyway, while at the antique stores Jeff bought me three new tintypes. When I get home i'll scan them in so you can see them, they are so beautiful. He also bought me a new pair of earrings (they look like playing cards- very alice in wonderlandy). I saw this 1860's photo album a lot like one that I found in a trash when I was eight (yes, I was a dumpster diver at eight years old) and I really probably should have bought it, but it was $65 and while that's not bad since it was filled with old tin types, it's also more than I'd really like to spend.

Well, now we're here outside of portland. We had dinner and now we are very tired. Last night we got 9 hours of sleep. tonight I hope we get 10, is that asking too much?

I'm sorry you wasted your time reading this.

Portlandia Journey (day one)

2011-07-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture that I took of Jeff. I find it appropriate for what we're doing today, which is driving to Portland, and when I think of Portland I imagine it looks like the background of this picture: really mystical and dreamy. So I decided to post it, and share it with you good folk.
We arrived several hours ago at our halfway point, here in Redding, Ca. We had been driving for about 7 hours when the GPS said we had 46 more miles to go. We were so excited until we saw a sign that said "prepare to stop- accident ahead." They were not kidding. we could have walked that mile back and forth twelve times faster than we made it through that traffic (and I'm out of shape, too!) So anyway, the last part was kind of a bore, but Jeff and I just listening to music and enjoyed each others company.

We checked into our hotel, which is actually very nice. The first thing I did when we got to our room was start taking pictures. what a photo junkie I am! but in my defense, there was some really nice lighting outside, and also I was feeling inspired from our drive (it's hard when you're trapped in a car for so many hours and all you wan to do is stop and photograph everything!).

We had dinner at this Mexican restaurant right next door. The chips and salsa were some of the best I've ever had (the chips certainly were at least). Jeff and I shared "the hugest burrito around" (according to their menu) and ceviche. Jeff liked the Ceviche, but I thought it was too limey. The burrito was really bland. and now we're both too full. bad idea.

anyway, I know you were all really dying to know how my day went, so there you go.

Post Process

2011-07-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

So, this is a little different. I didn't have enough time to do a big post, and yesterday I didn't post a blog at all. Shame on me. So, today I thought I'd show you sort of a process of how I edit. I realize now that this would have worked better had I taken screen shots during the process, but I didn't realize I was going to do this till afterwards. So I apologize!

So this is the beginning image. I could see it had potential, I just knew I needed to put some time into it.

I took out the plant directly behind my grandma because I thought it was distracting.
If you notice the walker in the bottom left corner, it's sticking up in the frame so I removed that as well.

I made a copy of the post on the left side and flipped it so I could put it on the right side. I did this so it would look more symmetrical.
I brightened up just her, but I left the background as it was, because it has a sort of nice glow to it.

Then I Gaussian blurred the background so it was out of focus, and i sharpened just her, so she became the main focus.I'm sure now that i've explained it you can probably see all the little mistakes I made because you'll know where to look for them. but I just thought I would give you a little insight into how I do things.

Drag Queen going away party

2011-07-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

So, I apologize if this is much too long of a post, but a couple weeks back I went to a going away party for a friend at school. The party's theme was Drag Queens.

Tim was the prom queenJasmin was a pimp
Kyle was an 80's mother

sundeep was a bohemian beauty

adam was a grandma

Amy was a skater

jimena was a Cuban coke dealer?

this is me as Charlie Chaplin?

Brian as a sexy lady

this is the photobooth area.
some nice patriotic streamers.

here's some props for the photobooth

everyone getting ready to surprise Nadia.after we surprised her she seemed very confused. she ask us, "why are you guys dressed so funny?" and we told her it was a "drag queen going away party" and she said "you guys just look really weird." it was funny.

Coco and Kyle's couple portrait.
Brian seducing us with his cupcake.
Coco modeling for me.
here's a panorama of the group hanging out.
Jasmin was just such a good looking boy!
Jasmin was dancing with Kyle.

Angelina

me with Bieber's hair.

pin the tail on the kitty (Nadia's kitty to be exact.)

Coco

Kyle wasn't comfortable in his dress, so he ripped the sleeves like he was the hulk.

Margret was a handsome chip and dales dancer

we will miss you Nadia.

Price of Temptation

2011-07-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

This is a panoramic image of Jeff at a tunnel in Carlsbad. I really loved this tunnel and I think this panoramic image is sort of interesting, what with him matching the sky and all (you can click on the image to see it bigger). I hand made it in photoshop, that is to say photoshop didn't do it for me, which is probably why it isn't very good.

I'm posting this image because I have some new news. (isn't it funny how I could use "new" twice in a sentence and it can mean two separate things! but I guess news is new, they don't call it olds, do they? So it probably isn't necessary for me to say "new" twice, it's like saying a woman policeman. Women can be police, so why don't you just say police woman? sorry for my tangent.) The great news is that I got a new lap top. I bought the 13" mac book pro with 500gb. The reason I am talking about this, as well as how it is relevant to the image I posted is because making a simple image like this is something I wasn't really able to do without trouble on my old laptop. I was working off my old mac book and it only had 2 gb free of space (2!). i kept deleting stuff, and I just couldn't get more space free. The funny part is that I have four 1 tb external hard drives that I use. I back up images so they have mirrored copies on two hard drives, so i'm sure you're wondering why I have that much stuff on my desktop, and I can't really tell you because I don't know why. Sorry if that's too much shop talk. I had been working with the laptop like this for so many months. it really was making me crazy. But now, even with downloading everything from my old computer, I still have 355 gb available. This is so exciting for me. I'm trying to ignore the amount of money I just spent though. I can have more than two programs open at one time now! I don't have to worry about being mid way on editting an image and it shutting down on me! it's faster. it's prettier. and I'm just happy. This feels like a new year!

I don't want to overload you with news (see how this time i only used "news" once? I know, I'm really shaking it up), but I also bought a new iphone. I know! I know! I'm turning into a business woman of sorts. I'm a terrible person. but I thought you should know, since you and I are friends.

Roger's Garden Part 3

2011-07-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

So, this is the last bit of Roger's Garden, I promise! While we were walking around I found several water fountainy things. So, I began photographing the way the water would be captured in a burst of a second. I saw these organic shapes and I just found them so beautiful. They look like beautiful abstract glass sculptures!

Roger's Garden part 2

2011-06-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that you've noticed that my style is kind of dark and sad. I think most photographers prefer a white background on their blogs, and they mostly edit their pictures sort of over exposed to give everything a nice glow. But i prefer a Black background on my blog, and I think I do because most of my images are edited very dark. It's funny too because I start off with a picture of a flower, and the exposure is perfect and it looks really pretty, but I guess I just want something more from it. I guess it's not so much about showing people these beautiful pictures of flowers, maybe it's more about personifying them as lonely flowers. I guess in a sense you can even look at it as cohesive with my children's photography; the innocent being encompassed in darkness. Or maybe I'm just being too analytical and none of this represents anything at all.

This one isn't really a flower, I'll admit that. I really like this plant though, it looks sort of like something you'd find growing on the titanic in the bottom of the sea. I love the chaos of all the branches it's almost like they're reaching out for us.

I feel like this flower is unlike the rest. It looks sort of beautiful in a very unusual way. The petals make up a ball of flames. I don't know, I just think it's beautiful. I guess that's why I'm not a writer, I can't put my feelings down in words, but hopefully you can feel what I'm trying to say with my pictures.

I was going to post all these pictures together, but as I began creating this post it kind of took on form without my giving it any. So, now the pictures below don't seem cohesive with the rest. They look exactly like the images I spoke of before, brightly lit and beautiful. I suppose this is the yin's yang. couldn't it be?

well, I think that they are really pretty. I wish I could walk through a field with just these flowers.

Roger's Garden part 1

2011-06-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

So, Here's a couple of picture from Roger's Garden. I usually like to split up pictures from one event into separate posts because they don't always go together. So, this post will be about orbs.

When we arrived, I walked through the shop area and I instantly noticed these glass (i don't know what they are, or what to call them, sorry) jars and they had glass ball stoppers. They looked so interesting, I couldn't pass up photographing them. In fact, I came back 3 different times and photographed them (kind of neurotic, isn't it?)
They also had these glass perfume bottles. I just love the many highlights the glass gives off because of the way they are cut.
I'm not sure what these are, probably paper weights or something. The lighting was hitting them just perfect. To me it looks like what you would find if you opened a treasure chest. do you know what I mean? Anyway, I thought they were rather interesting.

here's another variation.

now for the more organic orbs. Obviously since it's a garden, they often water all the plants to keep them fat and healthy. So, I noticed all the plants had the little balls of water on them. After photographing 6 different plants because of this, I think I got bored of it, and stopped doing so.
but I really liked this fallen rose petal. It's a little strange to me that it was on the floor, away from everything else with all these water drops still perfectly placed. it was almost as if someone had carefully placed it there for me, or does that sound self centered?
I like this one too. probably because I'm obsessed with the rising sun design, and this sort of resembles it.

anyway, that's if for the orb post. I hope it was thematically cohesive enough.

Intelligentsia

2011-06-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

I apologize to anyone who checked my blog this last week. I've been really busy, and also to be honest, i've been kind of lazy. I've been going a lot of places and when I get home all Iwant to do is rest, which is a very poor excuse, I agree! Anyway, Jeff and I have been going on some fun dates as of late (see what I did there?). Jeff and I went to Intelligentsia the other day. If your life goal is to be cool, all you have to do is go there. Every single person there looks like they own a fixed gear bike and a pair of Tom's shoes*, if you know what i mean. So, Jeff and I went, and it was great!

this is what the floor looks like. I think it's pretty special.

we ordered this apple danish, and it's one of the most fantastic things I've ever eaten.

poor Jeff hardly got any of it. I ate it like a squirrel in the corner hiding it's nuts from other animals.

Jeff ordered this beautiful cappuccino.

and I ordered this espresso, which I'll tell you is always a bad idea. have you seen me on coffee? people at school buy me coffees just to watch how i act on it. My body thinks it's cocaine.

so anyway, that's it!

here are some future posts you can look forward to:

my visit to Roger's Garden
my very first trip to Las Vegas
Jeff's and my trip to Los Angeles' walls
a drag queen party I attended.

*if you own both of those, I apologize for my snide comment**.
**i'm crossing my fingers

Happy Bloomsday!

2011-06-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well today is the 107th anniversary of Bloomsday. It's Jeff's and my favorite holiday. Well, it's really Jeff's favorite holiday, and so it's my favorite too, because that's how things work. Last year we went to the park and read Ulysses while drinking Guinness. Unfortunately I have other plans this year. but next year, just you wait!

This morning I woke up and Jeff had left me a bloomsday gift. It was James Joyce's Novella The Dead, annotated by Jeff for me. Isn't that so cute? He even did drawings! I really can't wait to read it.

Maybe he'll spot her once again

2011-06-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

A while back we went to LA for the night. My friend was in town from Arizona and he wanted to photograph the figures at the wax museum. So Him, these two and I went. I photographed the wax figures as well. I dont have enough pizaz to put them up because they're rather boring. Tristan and Karina were swell enough to let me photograph them. I really am fond of that first picture though. Can i say that about my own pictures? well, hopefully I can, because I just did.

happiness

2011-06-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a pretty dark person. But I'm fond of Happiness too.

Lauren's Bridal Shower

2011-06-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

So, last weekend we celebrated Lauren's Bridal Shower. That's Lauren in the picture above. She's making a silly face. I've never been to an actual bridal shower, at least I don't think I have. although, I did go to an informal one once, you can find images here from it. but then again now that I think of it, that was a baby shower. So, I guess they are different. Obviously, I'm not very up to date on showering. I prefer baths.
The morning started off with beautiful refreshments. They had lemonade, margaritas (on the rocks) and iced tea. They even had hydrangeas set up on each table, which just so happens to be my favorite flower. look at how beautiful they are. Oh, I just love them so much.
they had lemons for the refreshments, sugar for the iced tea, spoons for mixing and glasses (obviously for the drinking).

This is pauline. She held the Bridal Shower at her house.

I love this wind chime. isn't it fantastic? i had just a week or so previous told Jeff how I wanted to make something like this. Then to my surprise Pauline had one! It's like i always say, great minds think like me. No, I only jest.
Isn't this dinnerware incredibly beautiful. I considered stealing them. but alas, I didn't. but now I wish I had.
This was the food selection. My mom made the fruit salad. It had just about every fruit you could think of in it. My Aunt marylyn made a Chicken Caesar Salad. There was also a pasta salad with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, basil, feta and olives. My Aunt Pauline made a rice salad (I can't be sure what the name really is, sorry) it is made with brown rice, barley, onions (several types I think), bell peppers and other stuff too, I'm sure. Anyway, it was a very healthy and delicious lunch. This was a feast! I couldn't have been happier with the selection.

Lauren opened ALL of her presents. and there were a lot. She got a lot of great things for her house. here's just a couple things.

I think towards the end of the presents they thought we were getting kind of restless, so they told us we could help ourselves to the desserts. above are the lemon cupcakes. yummy. Olivia made the whole dessert bar. You can contact her here if you want her to make you delicious things. I always want her to make me delicious things. yummy.

she made these chocolate covered strawberries.

and she made the tastiest cake. it was simple and elegant.

the grid of this series of pictures looks a little silly, I'll admit, I apologize for that. I know i could go back and fix it, but to be honest, I'm much to lazy. This was pictures of the dessert bar. in the top left corner we have sour patch watermelons, hershey kisses, Lauren and Tyler pops, skittles, M&Ms, and I don't really know the name of the candy in the left bottom corner. sorry. I should. I don't know why I don't. Olivia put all this together as well.
So each person got to grab a baggy and make a good bag to take home of all the candy and desserts. Everyone was really excited about that. The best part of it was I got to take all the left overs home.

So anyway, that was it. Hopefully Lauren and Tyler can move into their new home soon and enjoy all their new things.

Time has told me No

2011-06-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

my oldest sister, Holly.
My youngest Mother, Cathy.

We were having lunch with my grandparents at Jolly Rogers which is overlooking a harbor full of boats. While doing so I spotted these two older men eating at a booth and they both had bright white hair and sailor beards, they were probably in their late 70's or early 80's and I envisioned the perfect portrait of them. So, I ask them if I could take their portrait, but they said no. So, sadly I cannot post that, because I didn't even take it! I can only imagine what it would have looked like though! luckily my Mom and Sister, who are two of the people that are most willing to let me photograph them without any fuss (thank you so much to them) let me do so. I've noticed that a lot of my images lately are very symmetrical. It's sort of cool when you subconsciously like something but you don't realize it till you see yourself doing it all the time.

Prove Yourself

2011-06-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

you can help them.

Revolutionary Road

2011-06-08T09:31:00.001-07:00

Jeff and I were walking by the beach in Carlsbad and we found these road reflectors. I had passed them several times on walks that my family and I had gone on, and each time I saw them I got that feeling. I knew I had to photograph them, and I'm really glad that I did. These pictures reminded me of Revolutionary Road, in a way. things that have stood the test of time, but eventually crack and break. what can I say, I am an optimistic pessimist.

"Forgive me Father"

2011-06-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

forgive me father for I have sinned, I posted this picture even though I shouldn't have.

this is my dad. It isn't the most becoming picture of him, at least he probably wouldn't think so, but I really think it's beautiful. It definitely has a sort of eerie feeling to it, which I am usually very happy to get. It does sort of remind me of the early twentieth century mug shots, which I am really really in love with. I mean, obviously mine isn't anywhere as beautiful or good as theirs, but it does have that feeling-ish.

Picnic

2011-06-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

a couple weeks back the Illegitimate kids planned a flash mob picnic. So, here are just a couple pictures from that.

this really is the funniest picture.

Their names are never spoken

2011-06-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I went on a walk along the beach a couple days ago, and I saw a tunnel and I was instantly inspired. If you know me, you know that when I see something I want to photograph I get really hoppy and happy, something like a puppy being taken on a walk. So Jeff and I walked over, and I began photographing him. Then I decided to photograph us both together. and now we have a cool picture to put over our fireplace.

Room 327

2011-06-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well, today is our last day here in Carlsbad at the Seapoint Resort, tomorrow we are shooting off to Lauren's Bridal Shower. When we arrived here in Carlsbad my dad looked at the weeks schedule for the hotel and instantly he said ,"Carly they have a photo contest!" and I laughed because he's so adorable to look for stuff like that for me. Anyway, all week I had been taking pictures around the hotel, trying to get something I knew the people judging it would like. I mean, If I turned in what I thought was good, there'd be no way they would choose it. because why would anyone want a sad picture of a child to win over a happy picture of a child. Nevertheless, I gave them what I knew they wanted.

here are a couple of the ones I was choosing from. now mind you, it doesn't mean I'm glowing with pride over them, they are a little bit on the soft side, for me anyway.

This is Cole, my cousin Krista's child. He is so cute. I love this picture. it's kind quirky. isn't it?
this is my oldest sister, Holly (Age 28) on the motor bike with my Uncle John (age 59ish). He took her for a ride along the coast. 35.289% of me wanted to take a ride also, but the other part couldn't be bothered.
this is down the hallway to our hotel room. It has a nice perspective and appeal to it, I suppose.
These chairs have a funny feeling, very alone but all together, I like that. They are post-apocalyptic chairs or something. The only chairs that made it through the nuclear war.

this is the adult pool.

when we arrived the person checking us in looked at my sister (age 28) and I (age 22) and said "I'm sorry but you have to be at least 18 to go to the adult pool." and I said "I've been 18 for four years. and she's been 18 for 10 years, so I think we'll be alright" maybe that was rude, but she just seemed so condescending! And I know it's a complement that when I am 60 I'll look 47 and 3/4 but still!

this is the champagne that they gave us the first days we checked in, which made unpacking a lot smoother. although, it was so sugary it was kid of hard to drink. It's funny how we don't look old enough to go to the adult pool, but they never questioned us about our age when they gave us champagne, margaritas and wine.

I threw a formal family meeting and I presented the images to them. They all agreed on this image. So that's the one I turned in. Yes I did win the photo contest but I was the only one who turned anything in, also. which I sort of had a feeling would happen. but I won a month's stay at this hotel. no that's a lie. They gave me a cup filled with candy though.

I hope you enjoyed them!

sew the land with my blood

2011-06-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

I tried 7 different ways to explain this picture and each one went poorly. therefore, it's open to interpretation.*

*I don't know why that was underlined. but I don't know how to fix it. So just pretend like it's decoration.

Greetings from Carlsbad!

2011-06-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is my cat, Maybe, and my Dog, Sammy. They play all the time together. I miss them terribly. We are still on vacation here in Carlsbad, and we really have been having a fantastic time, but I still miss my little fur-balls.

So far on our trip I have gained between a hundred and a thousand freckles. I look really splotchy and fun! I think I am actually getting a little tanner, I know for those of you who have seen my legs really wouldn't believe it, but it's true, I think.

We've had a lot of visitors, mostly all family, but also some friends. Yesterday I got to photograph my cousins kids, which is one of my favorite things to do. Today my grandparents are coming, which is really very wonderful. If i get lucky I will get to photograph them but don't hold your breath on that because they are tired of my sneaky camera trickery.

I have been eating a lot of junk food, and drinking a moderate amount of adult beverages. I am looking forward to the Bloody Mary's we're going to make. i can't believe we haven't made them yet!

Okay, until next time, keep your socks warm and your heart wet!

Carls Cram in Carlsbad

2011-05-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

My family and I are on vacation. Well, 4 out of 5 of us are, so far. Lauren, the one seen next to me (in the picture), is working on her new house with her future husband. It's sad when your whole family isn't together, but at least I know she'll eventually be here. We are in Carlsbad at some resort thing. It sounds fancy, and in fact it sort of is. Our family has never really gone on a vacation with just us, usually we go on vacation with my entire family (cousins, aunt, uncles and such). A couple years back though, my immediate family (shown above) went on our first vacation together. We had gone on a cruise to mexico, and while being with my family is really fun, boats are really not (at least for me anyway) I was sick the entire time. I normally get sick on anything that moves; car, aeroplane, train, swing, even a bear ride (although they tend to bite anyway, so I don't advise that to anyone) Anyway, We are in Carlsbad, in a nice resorty-type hotel. It has very nice lighting, so I'm constantly stopping to take pictures (which is fun for me, but probably annoying for my family) We had a nice visit from some family friends, we had dinner, then played a game. Today we will probably do something similar to that. I imagine this was very boring for all of you, I apologize.

Pom Pom at Home

2011-05-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

Some time back I got a job shooting for a company called Pom Pom at home. They are such a nice family with such unique and fashionable products. I am always very happy to get any job that comes my way, but it's even more incredible for me when you love what I'm photographing. Everything they have is so beautifully made. I couldn't post all of the pictures because I took way too many, but here's a taste.

this pillow is so beautiful.

look at the incredible detail! I just love them so much!

I loved this blanket, mostly because of the colors, but also because it's really fluffy, and it just makes me want to cuddle up next to a fan. (yes, i'm crazy like that!)

these are the really cute hand towels that I liked. Can't you imagine those in your bathroom? So cute!

I want to cuddle up with this throw! it is so warm and fuzzy!

I like this frilly pillow sham.

I would definitely make my baby's crib look just like this, supposing it was a boy. I love how that pillow reminds me of peter cotton tail, which actually was a movie I remember watching over and over again as a child.

I love this bed!

and this bed!

don't mind me for loving my symmetry! but I love this set up. So elegant and beautiful.

and this bed!

The Feeling of pulled apart by horses

2011-05-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

I bought this new doll for too much money, and at a thrift store no less! She's really pretty, and i love her. I set out trying to create a scene that gave off a sort of dark and eerie feeling. My art (both photography and sculpture) is about human trafficking, but even more so about the loss of innocence. These pictures, of this doll, hopefully give you sort of a sinister feeling. Maybe it makes you feel uncomfortable looking at them, and if so, then that's good. But then again, maybe you feel nothing, and maybe that just means I didn't do a very good job. Or perhaps you're a sociopath.

Fade into you.

2011-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed I changed my blog a little. I know that everyone was very attached to the name Cactapus, but I came up with that 3 years or so ago and I have to say that my blog has really evolved since then. So, I changed the name to Carly Cram Photography, because I find that a bit more appropriate. The main image on here (above) is part of a new series I am working on. I am really waiting to post them all. I want to post everything on my website, when I get it up. I know I've been saying I'm going to start a website for a long time, but I really will, I swear. Things just haven't been working out this far. But i am determined, and i really need it.

This is Jim.

I know that Jim's expression doesn't quite fit in, and he's a lot older than the others but i liked it anyway, and what I says, goes!

This is Jenny.

This is William.

This is Sarah.

This is Meredith.

It's either this or my left arm.

2011-05-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

I want to go eat here. now!

Little Sister

2011-05-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is a sculpture I made this last semester. I recently took it, along with the Lady of the lowlands sculpture, to the ceramic conference in Davis, California. This was coil-constructed and lowfired with underglazes. The figure stands about three and a half feet tall. The piece is about human trafficking, and the loss of innocence in children. I incorperated my photography into the piece, as you can see. Unfortunately, I kept telling myself I'd take a better picture of the whole thing, and I never did. So, I put the pictures I took all together, some being video stills.

I am really excited to go photograph the sculptures I made from this year in an appropriate setting. So, you can look for that in the future.

Envoy:

2011-05-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

we are five years old.

"Happiness is a Warm Gun"

2011-05-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

I was at someone's apartment complex and I walked by and saw this boy playing by himself. I thought it was eerie. It's sad how early they learn.

Little Teeth

2011-05-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

I take a lot of pictures of sad children, but I think that these pictures in some way have a similar feeling. I love children. I love photographing them. There is just something so perfect about them. These kids' smiles say so much about them, and about their happiness, and their hopefulness. They make me so happy inside.

Tip Toland

2011-05-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked about driving up to Davis, California for a Ceramics Conference. I mentioned how I had such a great time, and partially it was because of Tip Toland. I think it's really something when you really look up to someone, someone who in your mind is famous, and then you get to meet them and they are everything you imagined and even more. Tip Toland was like this. It was so amazing to hear her lecture about her work. and then to see her demonstration. The best part was getting to hang out with her at the party. I mean, seriously if i met her and I didn't know she was Tip Toland, I would want to be her best friend. She is so much fun and she has the best personality! Anyway, I imagine I sound sort of like a stalker.

first off, this is an image I took of a slide she showed in her lecture. this is an example of her work. I bet you thought that was an olden sleeping, didn't you? well, don't feel bad, that's just how amazing her work is. look at the stomach. I mean, that is incredible!

So here are the pictures from the demonstration.

this is a picture of her tools, with her in the background.

this is her working on it in the beginning.
that's luis' hand holding the microphone.

Here's sort of the final outcome. she did all of that within 2 hours. would you believe that?! Oh and that's amy duran on the left. she's pretty wonderful too.
the picture directly above and below were taken at the party we were at.
I love her.

anyway, I hope you're in love with her now too because I think everyone else is. you might as well join in!

Can't Get There from Here

2011-05-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

So, two weeks ago-ish, My Ceramics program drove up to the ceramics conference in Davis, California. It was amazing, I don't think I've ever had so much fun. Well, actually that's not true. I have had that much fun a lot of times, but I gotta say this time was pretty fun. Anyway, on our way up to Davis we drove for 7 hours or so, and I was pretty shutter happy, for plausible cause though! It was a really beautiful drive, mostly when there were clouds out. I apologize there are so many, I always have trouble narrowing it down.

I just realized that the picture above and below are the exact same picture and I edited it twice without realizing it. isn't it peculiar how I got two different results? I'm so strange.

That's All*!

*Annette Hanshaw, a singer from the 30's, used to say that at the end of every single song! Can you imagine that?! I mean, I like a lot of her songs but that can get a little obnoxious. Anyway, I'm listening to her music right now, so I just thought I'd throw that in there. Now, next time you watch jeopardy and they ask that question you'll know the answer. You don't have to thank me. I know you're grateful.

p.s thank you to all those people who said they are frequenters on this here blog. I am sending you a virtual hug. But that's it, no funny stuff!

Reticence

2011-05-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Since November 2008 I have had 500 views on this blog. I'm not entirely sure if that's a lot, but i doubt it. i remember when I started this blog, a guest speaker told everyone in the class it was a good idea to start one, so I did. My goal was to post at least one image every day. And while most days I think I follow that goal, but a lot of time I fall out of the habit. I really enjoy blogging, I think theres something really special about it. I mean, I really don't even know who looks at this. if you do look at this often, hopefully you enjoy it. I think i probably have sort of an eclectic blog. one day it's pictures of dogs then the next it's creepy doll pictures. I suppose i always keep people guessing what's next. Well, hopefully in 3 years I'll have more than 1000 views. but If I don't, oh well! Thank you for looking!

Here are a couple self portraits I did a while back. I was kind of always a little too intimidated to put them up, but I kind of like them.

Look to the Sky

2011-05-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

The Greatest

2011-05-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

"There are butterflies that must endure all that Earth places in the way for them"

Everything lay Still

2011-05-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is a couple in my ceramics class. They are really funny and adorable. I ask if I could photograph them one day and they agreed. I think they are kind of playful portraits.

Luis

2011-05-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

I love this picture I took of luis.

I felt my life with the bones in my hands.

2011-05-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

color is just that. Are they not still hands?

Easter

2011-05-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

So, this Easter, Jeff got me all kind of things! He bought me all these new different types of teas from teavana. So here they are:

he actually got me four but I only photographed three in the above pictures.
here they are. He also got me two white things to drink them out of. It was such a wonderful surprise. anyway, after that we went to Jeff's grandparents house to celebrate.
His grandma set up the table so cute and color coordinated!
and they had a bowl of twix (my favorite candy)
They even had a bowl of pastel m&m's!
This is their cat, Raleigh. Isn't he beautiful?!

they cooked kabobs. It was so delicious!
It started out rainy and gloomy ( which I actually love!) but then it got beautiful and sunny!
Here's Jeff. I love that guy.
Jeff took this picture of my playing the bag-o game. I was terrible!
This is Jeff's brother playing the game.
Here's Nicky, Jeff's families' dog.
Here's Jeff's younger brother and his uncle.

It was a really great day. I love them.

Daylight Robbery

2011-05-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

I did a study on patterns of light. I think it's a rather intriguing outcome. It was a little difficult to get it the way I wanted, but I think I achieved my goal.

Rose, Dragon

2011-04-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not very into photographing flowers. But I went on a walk one day around my neighborhood, and the roses were beautiful. I dont feel like I captured their beauty, and when I try it just seems too cliche. But hey, I thought it goes well with it being Easter and all.

sniff is not enough
but the scent lingers on till
roses weep and wilt

Icons, Abstract Thee

2011-04-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

accidental paintings are so beautiful.

CicLAvia 2011

2011-04-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

I arrived at my Aunt and Uncle's house on Los Feliz. Since everyone was asleep at the house, I went for a walk by myself.

it's really funny to see these million dollar homes and then look at the pavement and see different colored spray paints.
here's a gate with the early sun coming through.
my aunt set up the table really nice.
we all had fresh tangerine juice.

I had granola.

they made coffee.

this is pretty much what i eat every morning. and i'm not lying. it. is. incredible.

so once we had our hearty breakfast, we were on our way.

this is to show you that I was taking these pictures while riding my bike. I am not an avid bike rider, in fact I never ride my bike. To ride while carrying my heavy 5D Mark ii was kind of a challenge for me. mostly going up hill.

kind of surreal, isn't it?
this is right next to our final destination.
after riding 6 miles one way, then having a beer at the park, then turning around and riding back, we finally arrived at Wurstküche. I looked at the beer menu and they were all German and Belgian names ( I don't actually consider myself much of a beer drinker- besides guinness of course) and I had no idea which beer to order. So, like any frugal American, I ordered the cheapest "beer" that had the highest percentage of alcohol. This is what I ordered. and yes it is as small as it looks. in fact, it was so small that I ordered another beer.

we rode 20-22 miles all together. I got tired towards the end, but it was really fun, and I'm glad I did it. but seriously, next time I'm riding a lighter bike.

CLester

2011-04-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Last semester, My teacher (the man in the picture) ask the class to divide into groups and take a portrait of him. Pietro and I took this picture of him, and maybe it wasn't what he wanted, but I am very fond of it.

Mexican Pizza

2011-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

This is a dish I make sometimes.

things you will need:

I always by Herdez salsa, specifically the "Ranchera" kind. It's kind of spicy and it has a nice flavor. also, it only costs a dollar.
The recipe calls for ground beef, but I use ground turkey.
flavor the ground turkey with chili powder and taco seasoning. Keep the meat moist.
chop the onions.
yellow bell peppers.
orange bell peppers.
tomatoes.

then you put a corn tortilla on a cooking pan. Apply the Herdez Ranchera sauce like it was tomato sauce on a pizza. Add a little cheese (I use jack cheese, but you can get creative)
then add the bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
then add a lot more cheese to seal it off.
stick it in the oven at 350˙ and cook for 10 minutes. or until tortilla is golden.

bon appetit!

Tree Fingers

2011-04-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have been sort of keeping my new projects off of my blog because I was saving them for my website, but the website is taking a little longer than I had planned. nevertheless, here's a glimpse at a new project I'm working on.

Ol Stompin Ground

2011-04-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Davis, California for CCACA, which is a ceramics conference with lectures, demonstrations, and student artists showing their work. I took this picture while driving there last year. I hated this picture when I took it, but i love it now. I will be bringing two of my sculptures, I'm sure I'll show you pictures of them soon. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to going because there's going to be some really amazing artists there, and it just is so inspiring.

"Small pieces are the biggest part"

2011-04-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend, Jeff Albers, is now going to be a sun devil. That's right, he was 1 of 5 people to be accepted to the MFA creative writing program out of hundreds of people. On top of being 1 of 5 people he also got a full scholarship, which I think is very impressive.

He's just so fantastic. and smart. and pretty. and wonderful.

LOST

2011-04-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about children, but I love them. I want to photograph every single child I see. If I did this for the rest of my life, I would die so happy.

Andy

2011-03-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is Andy. If you frequent this blog, which I highly doubt you do, then you may recognize him. He has been on here many times before. I usually refer to him as my "old man boyfriend" and this makes most people uneasy. But the truth is I have a soft spot for people who are lonely, and even more so, old people who are lonely. This man, Andy Lum-82 years old, is a darling old man. He grew up in New York and later became a chemical engineer. He likes to tell people he's a rocket scientist. and in a way, I think he is. Over the last two years, Andy and I have gone out to eat at least one day every week. AT LEAST! He use to come over every day wanting to go to lunch or dinner or sometimes both. I used to say no over and over again until I couldn't take his puppy dog face anymore! These days I think his age is catching up with him. It's really depressing actually; to see how he used to be, to what he is now. I know most people are scared of getting older, I on the other hand am very excited about it. I want grey hair and wrinkles right now! But I only recently discovered how getting to the point where you no longer are how you used to be is a pretty sad and scary thing.

It was the Hardest Part

2011-03-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

there's so much in that squeeze. do you see it?

"It is such a secret place, the land of tears."

sadness doesn't hide. That is the hardest part.

Children

2011-03-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

I had photographed these kids a couple weeks back. They are really something! when i asked them if they liked being photographed they said no, but when I was photographing them they had so much fun! They were super cute! They didn't want it to be over!

isn't she beautiful?

they just are so cute together!

Pietro

2011-03-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a portrait I took of Pietro. I really think there's something to it. I think it says a lot about him, but i'll let you figure out what that means.

Illigitimate Kids of Ed Giardina

2011-03-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Last week on Thursday, our school hosted a "Senior Day" which is just as dorky as it sounds. Senior high school students come and check out our school and the college students show off how cool they are, and it makes the high school students want to go to the school, that's how it works. So, the Illigitimate Kids of Ed Giardina put together something that everyone could participate in. We created a giant mural that the high school students could vandalize, and they loved it!yes that's W.

the people listed below are the masterminds and artists:

This is Mik Calandino.
this is Pietro.
this is me.
This is Tim.
This is Jimena.
This is kyle.
This is Adam.
This is Elliot.
This is Brian.
and this is Nadia.
the kids.

This is THE Ed Giardina.

"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"

2011-03-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

Maybe this is a stupid post but for Valentines Day (I STILL THINK V-DAY IS STUPID!) Jeff bought me these shoes. and I love them. I'm all about shoes being under 10 dollars, because I'm very frugal, but I doubt he paid 10 dollars for these. In fact I can almost guarantee that he didn't but i love them anyway! They remind me of the book the stranger, which I never actually read, but it looks cool (did I just judge a book by it's cover? of course. that's the only way you can judge a book.) Anyway, I love them. and you should too!

JR images

2011-03-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

So, on Thursday and Friday JR had an exhibit at a gallery. It was really incredible. If you don't know who he is, you really should, because his work is so inspiring and incredible (I know I already said that, but I'm not a thesaurus) Anyway, Pietro and I sort of stumbled upon the gallery when we were on a field trip at another gallery in Long Beach. So we went inside and waited in the line for the giant photo booth. This is the picture I took that day.
I think it's pretty special. The next day, Jeff and i went back and we took this:
it's kind of white stripes-y, don't you think? and then I quickly changed into this outfit and took this picture because of this:
These images are all bigger than I am. they are like 6ft x 3ft or something. They are huge. anyway, I thought I would share them with you, because I love them and I think you will too.

you better or else!

Lady of the Lowlands

2011-03-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a sculpture I finished last semester. I only just glazed it, and it hasn't been fired yet. So this isn't the final solution, it hopefully will look something like this, though. I built it with coil construction and It will be high fired.

Robot Prom

2011-02-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

robots charging up.

decorations for the prom.

the empty dance floor in 3011.

the lonely robot.

the guy looking back at us is Kiel Johnson. He's pretty incredible. You should know who he is from now on. He is the creator of the Robot Prom.
Here is Amy Wise.

here are all the people who worked on this project.

I don't know what kind of Prom you had, but this one definitely beats yours. Sorry.

Michelle Akers

2011-02-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

Here's another goodie I found going through my roles of film. This a picture I took of Michelle Akers. I used to think it was bad, but I think there's something really special about it now. If you don't know who Michelle Akers is, she's a soccer player, at least she used to be.

This is not a test

2011-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

I was looking through some old film images, and I came across these. I took them for a school project a year or two ago. I think they are pretty cool and creepy. The dolls feel so life like, I think. I shot these on 4x5 film with a pin hole camera, which explains the beautiful distortion. I was going for a Bill Brandt feeling, only I was using dolls.

Mark Ryden

2011-02-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

A while back, Jeff and I went to get my book signed by Mark Ryden in Los Angeles. In case you don't know who Mark Ryden is, you really ought to. His art is really incredible. Well, I brought my medium format twin lens reflex camera, which he ogled at, and I was lucky enough to take some portraits of him.

"Everything in it's right place"- Radiohead

2011-02-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

There are two colours in my head