Didn't It Rain Children

Can't get this big mama diva's voice out of my head. Woman could rip on that guitar! I would take Sister Rosetta Tharpe over Beyonce any day. It rained and rained today and I must have played this song 30 times for Jackson. No wonder he wailed buckets. He prefers Solange. Rain and tears and swimming lessons for babies. My social calendar is really cracking' these days. Oye vey what is my life coming to? April showers bring May flowers. It must really be spring, nothing less. Irises fight for their right to flower power on Victor Street.

In other news, a recent interview conducted by ye 'ol kind eyes Chad Hagen surfaced today. Chad, an age old acquaintance of mine has been busy interviewing various Winnipeg characters in his cosy East Broadway home for his new podcast called Take a Seat with Chad Hagen. The three previous episodes released each Monday throughout the course of April ranged from delightful to hysterical to heavy and hopeful. Initially, I was downright frightened at the thought of a stiff exchange but OOOH OOH CHILD was I ever delighted by the instant ease and flow of conversation. Over the course of an hour and a half of conversational meandering, we touch upon the merit of wood wandering childhoods, the making of slow art, the importance of theory of photography and the joys of making and eating slop. Sound riveting? It was my first foray into the podcast world, forgive me. Rookie Hour. I do recall laughing throughout the entire exchange. Always a good sign when one begins the process crippled with fear and hesitation and ends on a triumphantly satisfied note. In a tiny room at a worn wood table surrounded by plants, we slipped on headphones, adjusted our mics and cheersed to quality bourbon, to taking risks and to Take[ing] a Seat!

Enjoy. Click here to have a listen.

The kimono fell to the floor and she stood exposed once more.

I feel very wacky tobacky today. Where are you LA LUNA? I can't seem to place you from my corner thanks to all that grey. It goes.

Sou'wester

Natalie and Kenneth wear my hats. Tmax 400/ Olympus 35-SP // Winnipeg, MB // April 2014

A L T E R N A T I V E / M A G I C

It has been a real treat to emerge from the winter season with my mind and hands busy with collaboration. Like clockwork, my internal fire continues to be stoked by Spring air after a long season of low light and little warmth. Last week I felt it burn bright and HOT for the first time in many moons as I moved around a white studio alongside Jill Sawatzky. Both of us had eyes trained upon a beautiful woman called Akos as she moved through the space like water, our cameras at ready. Easy, playful energy in an art studio filled with natural light, texture, colour, STRONG WORK! Layers came on and off, all of us rotating hats and scarves as clothing slipped from our own backs only to be replaced by something new from Tony Chestnut. It was one of those incredible photo shoots where I just knew the rolls would reflect exactly how the energy in the room felt. It is not always so,  thus I try not to take afternoons of those kind for granted.

Jill is the vision, the soul and the magic behind her clothing label Tony Chestnut. It has been pretty neat to watch so many people in my life evolve with their trade/ craft/ art over the years, and it was no different with Jill last Sunday. To see her clothing come to life was nothing short of incredible. May the magic translate in the photos to come! While the approach to her label may change from season to season, her vision has remained true with each debut. You know Tony Chestnut when you see it coming for you on the sidewalk. That I like.

Yesterday I printed photos from morning to night and the production was as fluid as the shoot the previous Sunday. Each step flowing into the next. Like magic. It is hard to articulate how rare it is to find that even pace from start to finish.

Midway through printing, I stepped out into the light of day for a break for my eyes, some exercise for my legs and a Kijiji mission in mind. Old Alba carried me to the industrial area in the West End where I was welcomed into a crazy woodshop / production darkroom by a lovely gentleman. We did some wheeling and dealing in his unbelievable set up over a few items he was parting out and I pedalled away with a full Ikea bag on my back, inspired all over again.

2014 continues to be the year for pushing myself, saying YES to opportunity and reviving my love of printmaking. Stay tuned folks, much to come! #tc2014

Hustlin' / Photo. Jill Sawatzky

Quite typical  / Photo. Jill Sawatzky

Shootin' the magic / Photo. Jill Sawatzky

Dusting off the Bessa from the 30's / Photo. Jill Sawatzky