Rough Hewn

moving day!

2009-03-02T11:25:00.001-08:00

I did it folks! I've moved my dear blog over to my website and am now exploring all of the ins and outs of managing a Wordpress blog. So gone are the days of having to register to post a comment (hooray!), so now you have no excuses to respond to my posts if you so desire. Comments are a little sneaky, though, you can either open up the post and scroll to the bottom OR there is a little curly symbol at the top of each post that you can click on. In addition to this, it will be much easier to subscribe via RSS to my posts and search throughout the site. I am still smoothing out the rough spots (hehe) but as of today will not be using blogger any more (please, no tears, folks....) so be sure to change your bookmarks/links accordingly.

Join all the rough hewn fun HERE.

Ms. Neko Case

2009-02-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

Almost a month ago now, I was delighted to run across a little film (below) on KEXP’s blog showing Ms. Neko Case as she recorded her upcoming album, Middle Cyclone – out this coming Tuesday, March 3rd.

While I am busy gathering up profiles for the coming weeks, I thought this would be a good first mini-profile. Plus, if I were to envision a video version of rough hewn | PROFILE it would be exactly like this. You will hear about her influences and inspirations as well as the methods she uses to create her unique sound and vision. Not to mention how the environment in which a person creates always has a way of sneaking into the work – as it clearly has here! Neko is ever the storyteller, and I have always found her music both delightfully whimsical and haunting. It’s the kind of stuff that blows you over like a gust of wind. I have had a chance to listen to some of her new stuff, and am pretty stoked for Tuesday (where you will find me at Easy Street shelling out my twelve or so dollars to not only stoke our blah economy, but also to support one of my favorite artists).
Enjoy!

and so it begins...again.

2009-02-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

So, I gave up excuses for Lent.

It was one of those things that you suggest “humbly” in the first person to another person, wondering if it will convict them, but instead it does the exact opposite and convicts you.
As it should.

I’ve already in the short 24 hours of this Lenten season had my fair share of opportunities to make good on my sacrifice and have now come to yet another…this blog. I have spent the better part of the last couple of months thinking a lot about this site. Asking myself questions like, “Am I really posting and discussing what I want to post, what is being laid on my heart to say? Or am I just posting what I think I should? Am I being consistent? Am I posting regularly? Am I actively pursuing the original theme and intention for this space?” ANSWER TO ALL: Not, really.

It has been fun the past 9 months or so creating/finding new content – the ever necessary “learning curve” (that I’m pretty sure I’m not quite through, yet). But I have realized, much to my chagrin, that rough hewn has been suffering from a rather acute identity crisis – having as it’s editor (moi) a person that would love it to be the next best and greatest of ALL blogs - simultaneously. But it won’t – at least not with that goal.

With that in mind – rough hewn begins anew. I renew my desire and commitment to this space being a place that explores and celebrates those in between spaces - the journeys from home to work, solitude to companionship, disbelief to faith, hungry to full, oblivious to aware, idea to object, thought to feeling… Our inhabiting these in between spaces – these processes – is truly what it means to be hewn.

And I will explore this primarily through the lens of art and faith – for those are the eyes I have been given to see with. So I will use them. Along with the eyes of others, older and wiser than I, as well as still others who are, like myself, figuring it all out as we go.

I’m excited for the three posts (for now…) that I will be publishing each week:

MONDAYS “Bus Stories” will explore the spaces we inhabit as we transport ourselves from one place to another – specifically between home and work.

WEDNESDAYS I will continue to share my artwork and projects, my thoughts, the things I see, and what God lays on my heart. Things ordinary, profound, and not much of either.

FRIDAY “Rough Hewn Profiles” I’m really excited about this one! These profiles will piggy back off of Wednesday and share the process and experience of others, primarily artists and creatives. Asking what drives them to create, what their creative process is, the themes that continually pop up in their work – even what their creative space looks like. And ultimately, how they are being changed in the process of creating work.

My hope is that this would always be a dialogue, not just a place to spout what I think is cool or interesting or seemingly wise. But rather a place where we interact with each other in this in between place called life. (I know. That line was totally cheesy, but I had to do it! Watch out, there’s more cheese to come, my friends!) So don’t be shy, tell me what ya think, who ya are, join the gang cause it's rough out there!

shadows.

2009-02-02T14:30:00.001-08:00

fffa!

2009-01-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

I am constantly saving photos that inspire me when I'm out and about on the web, so...here we have a little thing I'll start calling "Friday Foto Free Association!"(FFFA!)

{PHOTO CREDITS (if I remember were I found them - eek!) t to b: Marlon Brandon in On The Waterfront from NYTimes Online, don't remember, illustration from Oh My Cavalier!, the Sharks!, painting by Clare Grill, Homes, illustration by Alex Nabaum for the NYT, Jimmy looking up at Lincoln, poster by Poster Offensive, photo by Jehad Nga for the NYT, illustration by Jason, "radar" by Aili Schmeltz, i think this was a pic on a random posting on sfgirlbybay}

dinner with friends.

2009-01-06T12:39:00.001-08:00

It was a blur. (apparently)

And we are put on earth a little space,
That we may learn to bear the beams of love...
WILLIAM BLAKE
The Little Black Boy, st. 4

bloom.

2008-12-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

I have been coaxing my paper whites since I planted my bulb in November. Anxious, breath abated, I waited. And today...finally...a bloom! It might be a bit much, but I like to think of it as evidence of perseverance in the midst harsh conditions. Also, I secretly believe that my bulb sprouted it's first little white flower in honor of my friend Sarah's special day - a lovely flower for a lovely bride. New life is springing up everywhere, today...

...makes the day.

2008-12-08T14:06:00.001-08:00

Christmastime. We are now in the thick of it - surrounded on all sides. I want to cozy up to it like a warm blanket or a friendly hug, enjoy it's warmth and biting coldness. Nights are now capped off with a cup of (soy) hot chocolate. Heavy on the marshmallows. Spiced up with a pinch of cayenne and cinnamon. Perfect drink to enjoy the human pinball machine outside my window - cars swerving and gliding along my icy road - {crash!}{slide!}{bump!}{crash!} "ssss! Ooooh! There goes another one!"

{photo by Leah Dankertson, 2007}

hunks for everyone!

2008-12-05T10:38:00.001-08:00

Found this in the Stranger this morning - in an article promoting the 5th Ave Theater's production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Not a full beard in the bunch (sigh.) but all that plaid is enough to make me giddy!

thanks.

2008-11-26T17:33:00.001-08:00

{photo by Michelle V. Agins for the NY Times}

debut.

2008-11-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

After much blood, sweat, and...well...yeah...it's finally here! - the 2008 University Book Store Holiday Gift Guide. Designed by my co-conspirator here at UBS, the lovely Liza, with all photography and styling by yours truly. Like I said earlier here on Rough Hewn, I'm really proud of the shots I took for this catalog. I'm able to see a significant improvement from last years work as well as the influence of all the expirimenting and photo research that I've been doing the last six months or so.

All of this shooting and styling has been really motivating as I begin building my first website (!) but it's also really showing me the areas where I still need a lot of training and experience. I was reading an interview of a great food photographer - Francesco Tonelli - who offered this advice:

"...while you’re still young and you are able to afford not to be paid--or not to be paid very much--and also while you’re still not threatening to professionals, try to go under the wing of some great master. That’s somehting I wish I had done myself at the beginning of my career. But it’s something that I failed in terms of A) not believing I could go so high, aiming for the best, most famous, most talented chefs, and B) being caught by some more rewarding salaried position where I’d have an important title instead of washing dishes for a master. Learn all you can—from the best. Wash dishes for a master while you can afford to."

I would love to begin working with/observing great photographers (DREAM: Roland Bello!, John Kernick or any of the photographers from Gourmet or Martha Stewart, for that matter!) and studios - soaking in as much knowledge and experience as I can. With such a small readership lately (patience, patience...), this is a total shot in the dark, but if you or anyone you know have a connection to a great photographer or studio who are willing to take an eager beaver under their wing....shoot me an email/comment.

Calling all Great Masters!!

2008-11-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

[Excerpted from Radio Lab episode - Emergence - first broadcast 7/14/2008]

[Jad Abumrad] Think about a Seurat painting. The one where they're all on the banks of the Seine. You know the one?
[Robert Krulwich] I know the one.

[J] If you look at it up close all you see is dots.
[R] Right.
[J] You pull back and the picture emerges with all the ladies and their parasols. But the question with these systems - the big question - is whether there is a Seurat to make the dots, to paint the picture, or if somehow the painting just materializes on its own.
[R] Hmmmm....uh......well...You know that I have an opinion about this.
[J] I do.
[R] It's not a science-y opinion. Uh...I think it's not just fascinating that there are these hidden patterns and hidden rules. I think it's...umm...this is going to change the whole tone...I think its kinda...Holy. And I don't have, there's no scientific evidence because there's no science behind this, it's just an instinct. I think when you look at the way ants work or the way a Seurat painting emerges before your eyes...you're looking at an author.
[J] See, see, when you say that, all the air just gets let out of the balloon for me. It's like, the magic is gone.
[R] Really??
[J] Yeah, I think so.
[R] But, see, what you're left with then, everything you see when you wake up in the morning, as beautiful - and we all agree that its beautiful - is...empty of purpose. Is that okay with you?
[J] Yeah.
[R] Huh...

relief.

2008-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

My roommate Becky, after seeing my Obama pin last night, said, "Hold on!!!" and ran to her room to grab this Kennedy pin that her grandmother was "just going to throw away". Looking down at identical buttons, I seriously got chills. That wave of history washing over you. If I ever doubt the power of design and image, I'm reminded that whoever designed my button had no doubt referenced the other in hopes to instill the same visual iconography and hope as there was needed back then. And today, this design makes history for a second time. We shall see what lies ahead, but I trust that God is soveriegn and am hopeful and excited to see history in the making.

{UPDATE! All of the rad Obama design pieces, including this button, done for MoveOn.org were by the folks at Print Liberation! Thanks, guys, for spreading rad design to the masses and helping impact history - both design & otherwise!}

cover therapy...

2008-10-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Music is for many, an inspiration all it's own. I know for myself, it's not only a passion it's the thin layer surrounding all of my work. Influencing it, whether I know it is or not. Even if I'm not even listening to it. It's there.

Art, design, and music have a long history together, I know, and I am often bowled over by beautiful cd packaging and LP covers. Secretly wanting to...er...lick it...it's so good! (Please tell me I'm not the only designer that feels this urge when they see great design!) But honestly, I haven't really been too impressed lately. Maybe it's just that I'm not looking hard enough or paying the right amount of attention. (Being poorish has a way of putting blinders on me.) So, I want to change this and offer to you today the first in what I hope to be a regular dialogue of great covers that are not only inspiring, but are just plane ol' "lickable"!

"So what, pray tell us, is the cover that spurred on this little rant?" It's the cover of The Walkmen album You & Me. Strong typography. Strong photography. I kind of don't want to mess it up with descriptive words that would only distract you from enjoying it. But I love it in every way. I'm doing a little detective work on the designer....and will update with my findings.

Question to the masses:
What covers have inspired you, lately?

2008-10-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

“Are these things really better than the things I already have? Or am I just trained to be dissatisfied with what I have now? Am I just under a spell that says nothing is ever good enough?”
CHUCK PALAHNIUK
from Lullaby

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage."

C.S. LEWIS
from Mere Christianity

in the mean time...

2008-10-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peak at what I've been working on the last few weeks - some shots from our Holiday catalog shoot. I've pretty much resigned myself to accepting that Christmas will always come two months early for me. Design. Retail. Publishing. I probably won't ever get away from it.

Downsides: stunted Christmas cheer, seeing the underbelly of the holiday as business, "Christmas...that's SO October!"
Upsides: First to know about cool stuff, endless tree decorating, anticipation, hot cocoa...
Serious Upside: More time for Christmas tunes. Yes, no shame, here.

yes it is...

2008-10-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

portraits:::chelan

2008-10-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

My dear friends were such good sports to let me take their portraits! I had decided before I left for Chelan that I was going to take each persons portrait, with the intent to create shots that were minimal, witty, slightly canned, and ironic - very deadpan. But in return, I was blessed with these pictures - which are much more raw and soulful than I could have ever tried to create on my own. Thinking about it now, I was probably trying to emulate someone's style that I'd seen and liked somewhere - I guess maybe I needed to just get it out of my system so that I could move on to the good stuff. I don't know, but I do know that these are only the beginning... {ie. what folks in the industry like to call..."the tip of the iceburg."}

Well, I have been frantically trying to finish up editing the photos from this weekend away - there are some real gems! - and will have them up on my flikr page shortly, but I couldn't resist sharing a sneak peak.

2008-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today my co-worker Liza passed along this link to a great project that AIGA put together to get designers involved in promoting the importance of being a part of this year's election. I have posted some of my favorites - but this is only a taste, my friend! - there are some 255 submissions so far and many of them are not only beautiful, but also smart and impacting as well. Seeing these posters (which you can also download and print out at the link above) reminded me that while I may not directly affect policy in this country, I do carry a responsibility as a image maker and visual communicator. Think about it - the flag, the statue of liberty, the monuments - all designed by the artists/designers/Betty Ross's/Maya Lin's at some point to ignite and inform a distinct American visual identity.

I encourage everyone to check out these posters, print out a couple, post them, and not only be a part of getting the vote out in November, but of informing visual culture as well! Also, if you are in Seattle, 24 of these posters will be on display as part of the Ballard Artwalk on Saturday, October 11th- find out all the info here.

(PS. I could go on and on about this year's political spectacle, but I will spare you all the exciting details. But if you perchance are as interested as I am about making an informed decision this year, I would encourage you to check out a couple of sites I checked out this week: Don Miller's blog, his recent posts this week have been regarding his involvement in the Obama campaign. Also there, you will find this link which seeks to answer a lot of the fears many christians may have about Barack Obama - I would urge you to check it out - do the research and see where it may lead you. A little scary, I know...but trust me on this one.)

2008-10-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

" The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there."
-ANNIE DILLARD-
from Heavan & Earth in P@TC

"Your love is better than life...my soul will
be satisfied as with the richest of foods."
psalm 63:5-6

on today's forecast...

2008-10-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

2008-09-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

between the commas...

2008-09-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

I was scanning the obituaries in the NYTimes this morning and saw this...

Connie Haines, Peppy Singer, Dies at 87

Got me thinking what few words might be used describe my life someday.

Leah Dankertson, Rider of Public Transportation,...
, Maker of Piles, ...
, Magazine Subscriber, ...
, Scarf Enthusiast, ...
, Aspiring Book Designer and Photographer, ...
, Church Attender, ...
, Avid Public Library Patron,
, Survivor Fan, ...
, Drinker of Too-Much-Coffee, ...

I guess my hope when all is said and done, is that however I am summed up in the end, one description might be: Good Friend.

What words would you put 'between the commas'?

2008-09-22T12:11:00.001-07:00

I fell instantly in love with these wonderful illustrations by Tim Root (Crappy Comics) for Stumptown Coffee Roasters - the best coffee around. Ever. I have quite a collection of these weekly ads...so there are plenty more to come!

seen and overheard....

2008-09-19T16:55:00.001-07:00

A man and (I assume) his young daughter walk into the lobby at work...

{DAD} It's all just a big SCAM!
{DAUGHTER} What's a scam?
{DAD} A scam is something you don't want to stumble into.

dear summer...

2008-09-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Dear SUMMER,

I can see you're busy packing and getting ready to leave, but I just wanted to let you know that I've appreciated you staying this long. I know it was a little awkward for you. But it made all the difference, for a lot of people. Like me.

Thanks and till next year,
LEAH

{photos from my weekend at Chelan...more to come!}

weekending...

2008-09-12T15:38:00.001-07:00

Happy September Weekend!

This weekend I will be on the lake trying to recreate the scenes above. Yes, complete with hunky models and sublime food. Well....okay, maybe not the hunky models....but good friends and food are a guarantee!

While I'm photographing everything in sight I will also be:

Listening to Jose Gonzales, Otis Redding, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Final Fantasy...
Reading Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek... finally finishing it, that is.
Playing for the first time, Settler's of Catan...which I've been told I HAVE to play. [Prediction: I will win. As I am the winner of all games.]
Loving lazily floating away the hours.

Look for new work next week...

{My weekend inspiration photos are by Quentin Bacon, for article an in the July 2008 edition of Gourmet Magazine}

full circle

2008-09-10T07:43:00.001-07:00

I'm having one of those moments. You know the kind. Where your old self meets your current self and you realize either that everything has changed or, like in my case, certain things still linger. Deep passions and desires have just been lying dormant all these years - except that now you feel like you might be in a place to pursue them. Finally go for it.

A couple of weeks ago I was at the Oasis/Ryan Adams concert and they played "Don't Look Back in Anger" and it was like I was literally transported back to being fifteen, sitting on my deck or in my big chair writing the very same lyrics in my journal. The journal I had just begun. And here I was, finally seeing this band live - at 26 - far removed from the feelings that originally had stirred me, but I can't say it still didn't move me in a similar way. I do remember it meaning so much back then. That and other songs were like anthems, speaking exactly what my heart wanted, but couldn't say.

It made me feel a little homesick for that person - the Leah of fifteen - bright-eyed, hopeful, dramatic, anything was possible and yet wondering all the while when was it all going to start. Aside from the awkward teenage thing, there seemed to be an idealism, maybe even a little mystic about me. Standing there listening to Oasis, reminded me too, that back then I was mad for the Beatles (Man, I loved that band!), I was kind of a theater snob/geek, Broadway musical obsessed, and loved all things Britain. I kinda miss her and wonder if I can reclaim the pieces that matter.

So all this to say that when I went back this morning to the journal where I had written those lyrics, I was shocked and blessed to find myself come full circle. Lately, in addition to producing more artwork and photography I have been thinking a lot more about writing. Ideas and scenarios keep bubbling up that are begging me to write them. Where it will lead, I'm not quite sure, but I'm amazed at how God works in a different part of our lives, maybe even for the specific purpose of impacting the future.

So here's what I wrote back in August 1997...

"I finished reading " the Fling" and it really got me inspired to write. Cause the main character is a writer. But I just don't want to start writing something and have it end up like all the other uninteresting sappy stories I've attempted. Which usually end up going the teenage romance route, which is....NOT what I want to write. "Write what you know." Well, I certainly do not know romance and so that is out of the picture. But what I do know is so boring, it's not even worth writing about. And I'm not really into fantasy or fairy tales, so I need to find something in between. And I'm deciding whether I should write christian or secular...? But what I noticed is that there aren't really any cool christian books. Sure there's Christy Miller and Sierra Jenson, or even Palisades [these are christian teen romance novels], but those just make life so cliche, so predictable and unbelievable. What we need is for someone, like me, to write some kick ass book for cool un-Christy-Miller-Like girls.

But about what, though...Hmmmm....

'So, Sally can wait
she knows it's too late
As we're walking on by
Her soul slides away,
but don't look back in anger
I heard you say' -Oasis

I have to wait and let the ideas come to me. Oh...how I hate waiting."

And it's true - I needed to wait, not just for ideas, but for life experience. For God to transform my heart and mind and life in ways I couldn't comprehend then. To realize that I can't separate my faith from the work I do. Why do we have this need to separate between christian and secular, anyway? And to realize that while I still may not have a clue about romance, another romance novel is NOT what woman need. They need the ultimate romance novel (as cheesy as that may sound). Come on, we all want that one - the one that's real. Exhilarating. Satisfying. The one that is not fiction, but playing out right in front of our eyes. I have to remind myself this often - that God is a pursuer. He gave me an inkling so long ago that he hasn't yet let me lose completely, for one reason or another. He's bringing me back around to the point where I started - will I be brave and follow his lead? Will I write?

Looks like it.

my boys...

2008-09-09T16:49:00.001-07:00

Enough said, I think.

{Photo courtesy of Babble - where there is also a great video of Feist singing on Sesame Street! But thanks to mom for discovering this photo and cutting it out of the Sunday paper for me!}

a bit of bounty

2008-09-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my sister let me take a bit of bounty from the garden she planted with her three friends. I got some broccoli and an onion. Lots of basil for pesto and I snuck a few apples from one of the trees. But it was the dill and a few plums that really had me inspired! The next day I was eager to photograph them.

Looking at the pictures now, especially the one above, I can't help but feel like dill is kind of a lonely herb. The last kid picked for the team. Forgotten. Maybe I relate to it a little in that way. Or maybe it's just how I shot it - isolated and in a little pile - but I can't help but feel like I want to cheer it up. Let it know that it has always been my favorite herb. And I'm not just saying that! {I had a bit of a panic when I lived in Brooklyn and couldn't find it anywhere. For days I wondered whether tuna would ever be the same....or....potatoes, oh potatoes. I know I wasn't looking very hard, but ultimately I discovered Whole Foods and things eventually returned to normal. But Oh! did I cherish that bottle of dill! }

I would also let it know that like any perfect food it's smell has the power to take me back in time to meals my grandmother made. Lovely Norwegian food - simple (always with potatoes!), unpretentious, satisfying, and always colored with a bit of dill. Plus, I always feel like I'm being a good Norwegian every time I shake a little dill on my food. Like I'm doing my part. Expressing a little Norge pride.

These plums take me back as well - to the same chef, my Beste - they had plum trees outside their home in Seattle and they would inevitably have more than they bargained for. Thankfully, she would use them to make this wonderful plum sauce/pudding/compote, similar to applesauce but with plums. Pour a little cream over it while it was hot and you were in business! So good. I'll try to find the recipe and post in here in the future.

I guess when it's all said and done, in the process of taking these photos I realized that it wasn't a coincidence that I happened to choose these foods to photograph. Both are deeply tied to memories of my grandmother's Norwegian cooking - recipes I know she has only in her head. Recipes and memories I would love to learn from her, maybe even write them down, photograph the process. So that if I am ever a mother, they too, can have similar memories tied to dill...and plums.

welcome to spain, baby!

2008-09-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been craving a road trip. Travel. The open road.

Finishing Don Miller's book, Through Painted Deserts last week only confirmed it that much more. He said something that has been rattling around my brain for the last few weeks:

"We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting, and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?
It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.
I want to repeat one word for you:
Leave.
Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed." (from the author's note)

And I guess that's what I'm wanting right now. The type of change that only comes with experiencing new places. New sights, smells, tastes...allowing yourself to be the stranger - opening yourself up to the unfamiliar, unaware of where you are going and even more unaware of who you will be on the other side of it. I've told myself I want to be braver. Take more risks. And travel just seems like an exhilarating way of doing it. Plus, I find driving relaxes me. You make a good mixed tape (yes, still), pop it in, hit the road - perfect time to think, pray, listen, sing obnoxiously loud, and ultimately get away from the common, the everyday.

Unfortunately, with a gallon of gas costing the same as a trip to starbucks(!) and my 1989 Ford Tempo flashing lights on the dash that I have never seen before - reading about the road from the likes of Kerouac, Guevera, and Pirsig will have to suffice, for now.

That is...until October, when the new PBS series, Spain...On the Road again. premieres! Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Bittman, and Claudia Bassols - it's a foodie/travel/realitytv junky's dream! Whatever your opinions of Batali - sausage fingers and crocs aside - he's put together what looks like a really fun and beautiful show. I especially love seeing the "real" relaxed and playful side of all of these personalities - Gwyneth shortens words like I do! ("Batals!?!"). Take a look at the trailer - if each show is half as fun as this trailer (sing it Willie!), I might be able to stave off the travel bug a little longer, living vicariously through their adventures road tripping around Spain.
I say, ¡tráigalo en!

my thoughts exactly...

2008-08-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

" I do this with good things; I think joy into its coffin; I analyze too much.
I don't want to think about life anymore; I just want to live life."

DONALD MILLER
from Through Painted Deserts (19)

if you could...

2008-08-08T10:24:00.001-07:00

Collaboration Week continues!! (Well, okay....it's friday and this is only my second post this week, but....just go with me on this.) Thanks to A Cup of Jo for leading me to a the great project from artists Rob Ryan and Jason Munn (taaalented boys!). Since 2006, they have been collecting and featuring work by talented illustrators and designers (both established and up and coming) all centered around the question, "If you could do anything tomorrow- what would it be?" As a gal who loves random questions AND illustration I couldn't help but be delighted by such a project, as well as giddy at the opportunity of submitting work for the 2009 collection. The deadline is August 11th - two days, folks!!! Get those pencils sharpened!

BTW: If I could do anything tomorrow... it would probably be this or possibly, baking this. What, perchance, would you do?

little sweethearts

2008-08-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

I came across this great little painting from The Royal Art Lodge's collection of paitings Little Sweethearts and had to share it! #1 because it made me smile and #2 because it's a great example of a group of artists collaborating together to create thought-provoking and witty work. Check out the rest of Sweethearts here.

alphabet soup

2008-08-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

In an effort to express and explore my growing love and interest in food photography I have decided to start shooting foods - one letter at a time! So far I have three. Check my future progress here.

{p.s. There is quite a mixed bag of food photography out there (some amazing, some booooring) - my current inspirations come from Matt Armendariz, Laurie Frankel, Béatrice Peltre, Heidi Swanson, and of course Mr. Bello. Take looksee - but maybe when your belly is full.}

a little work pride...

2008-07-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

I'm like a proud mama today cause my Husky Football postcard came in the mail! I'm super jazzed about it cause I've wanted to shoot images like this for a campaign for a long time. Who knew football apparel could look and feel so soulful? Booyah!

Mr. Sarsgaard

2008-07-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Today I watched this great little interview New York Times Style Magazine Online did with Peter Sarsgaard. And besides being completely delightful, it reminded me of the conversations that I love having. Conversations that jump and dance around every part of life - seemingly meaningless, but ultimately profound. Something he said that jumped out at me...

"I'm interested in redemption. I'm interested in people
who change...that's important to me."

Oh, to be able to hear the whole interview! Dig a little deeper! Ask him some more questions...

eureka!

2008-07-15T14:44:00.001-07:00

The best part about unpacking after a big move is discovering things you thought you had lost forever. Almost a year ago, I realized that my little digital camera (the one I take everywhere and use for ideas and inspiration) wasn't charging anymore. Blasted cheap camera! Procrastination lead to more procrastination, but when I finally managed to special order the battery and pick it up, I had lost the camera itself! Sadness swept over me and I couldn't help but think about it every time I was around town with something amazing right in front of me and not able to capture it.

When packing up to move to my new house, I found it - in the most embarrassingly obvious place, of course - and was excited to pop the new battery in and start shooting again. But nothing happened. Bagh! Again, sadness swept over me. Thankfully my papa is smarter than me, otherwise I never would have been reminded to.....charge the battery! Charged and ready I couldn't help but capture my excitement (see below).

The photos above are only a selection of the goods that were Rip Van Winking on my camera over the last year - you can find more of them here.

"Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making
something out of it after it is found."
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (1819 - 1891)

on nature

2008-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Then one day I was walking along Tinker Creek thinking of nothing at all and I saw the tree with the lights in it. I saw a backyard cedar where the mourning doves roost charged and transfigured, each cell buzzing with flame. I stood on the grass with the lights in it, grass that was wholly fire, utterly focused and utterly dreamed. It was less like seeing than like being for the first time seen, knocked breathless by a powerful glance. The flood of fire abated, but I'm still spending the power. Gradually the lights went out in the cedar, the colors died, the cells unflamed and disappeared. I was still ringing. I had been my whole life a bell, and never knew it until at that moment I was lifted and struck."
ANNIE DILLARD, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek from Seeing

I love reading Annie Dillard more than I can say.
Her words are thoughtful and deep and at times literally take my breath away. Since the first time I read Dillard - during my time in living in Brooklyn - the outside world has been a much more vibrant place. I have always been a person that is very aware of what is going on around me, always looking, seeking, analyzing, but Dillard challenged me to look even closer - to get down on my hands and knees, lay on the ground if I have to. Nature has definitely always been a place where God woos and surprises me, but Dillard gave words to those experiences that so captured what I could previously not express. Camping this weekend reminded me that I still need to finish Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Like anything overwhelming and good, I have had to take this book in stages. Letting it sink in slowly - savor every word.

Today, I stumbled upon brooklyn band, The Secret Life of Sophia's song Outside. It's beautiful and haunting and seems the perfect background to a little quality time with Ms.Dillard.

{Download a copy here}

it's not you | it's me

2008-07-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

He's been with me - by my side - since I was in highschool. We met. We fell in love. He surprised me day after day and lead me to one of my passions. But recently he's kind of been letting me down. I try again and again - thinking, maybe this time will be different. But no. It might never be the same again. We might......(sigh)....have to break up soon.

I am speaking of my Sears "Practically a Pentax" SLR camera. It was originally my dad's, who let me "borrow" it for my first photography class in highschool. I remember going to my first class thinking, "What if this becomes something I fall in love with?" And I did and since then I have claimed the camera as my own. It followed me to college, shot all of my work, and even my senior exhibition. All this time people were telling me to switch over to digital, but like the cell phone craze, I told myself I would try to hold out as long as possible - Sears would carry me through.

But the last four rolls have been terrible. Nothing is crisp, it's blurry and unfocused in weird places, terrible colors. Sometimes there are double. I have a feeling light is creeping in from somewhere. These photos are probably the best of the bunch, cause they have a great polaroid-sixties-blurry quality to them. Don't worry, I'll keep Sears, he'll always have a place in my heart, but it might be time to say hello to....Nikon.

{I do love this photo of my brother - I will miss him when he's gone out to sea. Adventures await him! And a recent great purchase - Tab and a 25 cent piece of fancy italian cheese from Metro Market. Probably one of the funnest times I've ever had with the Sailor at the grocery store. Again - deep deep belly laughs. Who knew the grocery store could be so fun!?!}

creative juices...

2008-06-19T11:54:00.001-07:00

a few good tomatoes...

2008-06-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

{Photo Styling} It's one of those things that has slowly been creeping up on me. Standing behind me. Looking over my shoulder. Waiting quietly. Breathing....heavily. So I tried a few things out.

thursday in pictures.

2008-06-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

Let's say I lost my ability to speak - I would probably use these photos to describe my day today. This photo (above left) of stripes from A Cup Of Joe made me instantly happy and covetous of those socks! Any photo by Roland Bello (above right) shows me what photography can be - oh! the richness of his colors and the simplicity of his styling.

This photo (above) from ffffound - MADE the day. Deep deep belly laughs. And so as not to convince you that I spend all my time just looking around the internet at photos - my own work today was delightful in it's own way. These brave c0-workers - even in comp photos I'm not even going to use in the real design - showed me a thing or two about why I love being a photographer. Behind the athletic gear (they would never be caught dead wearing, otherwise!), there is always personality, feeling, and a soul to capture. Thanks guys!

But if you had to sum up what I feel today - thursday, the day before Friday the 13th {eeek!} - it would have to be this picture - that stares back at me from my desktop - Corey Arnold's beautiful work. Gives me goosebumps and makes me smile. Simultaneously.

2008-06-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

"There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more, the other is to desire less."
G.K. Chesterton

"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."
psalm 107:9 {NASB}

daddy-o!

2008-05-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's always a wonderful thing when you find that your day job affords you the opportunity to make new work. You stop yourself in the midst of it all and think to yourself, “I’m totally getting paid to do what I love right now!” And you smile and continue on, forgetting about all the other days you aren’t able to do this.

Just like the photos below, this illustration was made during one of said times. Even though I rebel at the thought of making signs for holidays months away, I enjoyed putting together this pattern of cliché and not-so-cliché items that make me think – Dad. Specifically – my dad.

Okay. So he doesn’t eat that much fast food or red meat. He doesn’t play golf. I have never nor ever expect to see him reading the New York Times. Dumbbells? Come on. But when I look at this pattern I smile and chuckle in the same way that I do when I think of those endearing, quirky and sometimes embarrassing things that are unique to my father. Happy Father’s Day Daddy O! A month early.

my fair city...

2008-04-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

and so it begins...

2008-03-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

rough hewn [adj] 1. to hew (timber, stone, etc.) roughly or without
smoothing or finishing. 2. to shape roughly; give crude form to.

I have come to see that I am a maker of rough, unfinished art. I am a thinker of rough and unfinished thoughts. And I, myself, am rough and unfinished - daily being hewn by a maker that woos and stirs my soul and who ultimately is the inspirer of my work. So, in this new blogging adventure I have aptly named Rough Hewn, I share with you not only my completed work, but more importantly the sketchy, instantaneous, unfinished, and in-process bits {because those are the most interesting parts anyway, right?!?} - all of my questions, collaborations, and inspirations.

Here we go!
Time to rough it!