An incredible day on Saturday—all the details are here.

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…the “Vintage/Crafty Girl” World, that is.

My pal Leah had a get-together at her house (more about this here) of the Crafty Girls and I set up a make-shift studio with my new lighting toys up in Leah’s bedroom..which was like taking a bull for a walk in a china shop, btw…

First, Leah (”I just can’t take a good picture) Brown is my first victim. I

This lovely Frenchie girl has the most lovely half-smile..how fun to finally get this girl in front of my camera!

Kim and offspring…look at the eyes on this little guy.

Joy,joy,joy! Still intoxicated by this woman’s laugh..hard to believe she can be this serious.

Isabel, our mysterious and exotic European woman of the group…

Lisa, is one part of what I refer to as “The Wonder Twins”…see below…

Leah  always grabs my camera and forces me to sit…a very uncomfortable feeling, I might add…hats off to all of you who sit for me. Thank you.

This was so much fun for me…it’s such a privledge to capture friends in this way.

Here’s a teaser for the next post…

…very excited about a session that I did at Rach’s barn on Thursay—BAD A@# Cowgirls and lots of artistic horsey shots. A total blast and can’t wait to share!!!

Happy end-of-school to all of you moms~

L

I’ve had some of you ask me (on my other blog) why I don’t sell fine art prints  on Etsy….

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Well, good question!

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So–tonight I added my first few on there. I’m working on some custom shabby frames for mini canvases to go in. Will post those sometime in the next month.

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Here is one of my fave prints I added to Etsy. One of my lovely friends out East bought a 20×24 canvas of this “tushy pear” and I can’t wait to hear how it looks in her kitchen! Thanks, girl, for buying my art. ox.

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Take a look at the rest, if you have a moment.

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Horse-in’ Around….

I’m so proud of Rach…she has taken it upon herself to do some advertising for her beloved horse teacher Pam, at Son Rise Ranch. Her numbers are down..a total reflection of the economy, not her establishment (which we love, love, love) and Rach is rallying to get the word out with her own homemade posters. I, of course, have been elected official “Poster Hanger”, a role I do not take lightly.

‘Thought I’d share some snaps from the big Ranch Day she had last week and Rach got to be “staff”, a title that was beyond exhilarating for her. Rach’s home away from home…

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…Mindy, the mascot goat, eats everything in sight..looks  a bit like she swallowed a washtub (sideways). Always good for entertainment.

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This place is such a huge part of Rach’s world…she lives and breathes for barn time with the horses. It was really nice to be on her equine planet on Saturday. Even more exciting when she “commissioned” me for some artistic horse/barn shots for her room. I might surprise her when she’s at school with some large prints above her bed. Hmmm….it might just be a peace offering for all of the relentless posing I’ve asked them to do over the years. Pay-back of sorts.

I have some fun images I took of a lovely artist and her “doxies”. As you know,  I have a secret desire to own a Dachshund and name him Mr. Noodle (as in Sesame Street). Now, let me start by saying that ONE hound peeing in my house at the age of four is quite enough, thank you…but still this nagging ache for this little weiner dog eats at me. PH is not amused, as he is usually the one on all fours scrubbing the floor of Daisy excrement…

goodness, Beagles are hard…

adding a Mr. Noodle probably wouldn’t be a good idea…

but…

look…

really look…

at the UTTER and COMPLETE CUTENESS of these dogs….

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get a load of Pumpkin’s pal Rosey…

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Kim Poloson, an incredible talent in the art world (you can see of her gear here) had me into her home this week…the house and collections this woman has are amazing…truly. I couldn’t gone through her stuff all day….Ephemera Heaven.

Anyhoo—here are the dogs in all of their glory. I do believe the scarf images are some of my absolute faves lately.

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Here’s an un-messed with image of the lovely Kim…she is gorgeous, isn’t she?

. It started with the dogs (who I suspect know I want one of their kind), but trickled into my lovely retro subject. In the frame of mind that I wanted to “stylize” this portrait time with her, I asked her to find some vintage gear right down to her toes and come outside while I tromped around in the mud looking for garden spots.

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Release the Texture HOUNDS!!!!!!!!!

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Ooooo, such a my-ster-i-ous woman in black…

Who could she be?

Why is she sitting on that bench?

tee-hee….we all must create some of our own drama once in awhile, yes?

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The “Is that vaseline on my lens?” look….

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“Is she being followed?”

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…and what would shooting outside be if we didn’t capture some dead hydrangeas? Still lovely when they’re withering away.

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Happy weekend!

~L

Have you ever had a pie-in-the-sky dream?

Via.

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One that seemed like there would be so many steps that you just might stop mid-way and be disappointed in the lack of outcome?

Or….

just maybe…

Whoa!

You say it out loud so many times that you actually believe it could happen for you.

You talk to yourself about this dream while you’re in the car (hoping neighboring drivers think you’re just singing to the radio)

You write it down in your journal,

your planner,

your blog.

You (gasp!) speak of it to someone who might be able to see it too.

They give you an inkling that maybe it’s not so pie-in-the-sky.

That it might be a big ‘ole pie-sitting-in-front-of-your-hovering-fork kind of idea.

Via.

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Post segue coming up here….

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Funny story from the Blair past….I had a “what would you do for a living if no obstacles stood in your way” convo with PH circa 1998.

It was fleeting moment while brushing our teeth before I headed off to my 5th grade teaching job and PH headed out on a business trip.

You know what I said?

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A photographer.

Someone who owns their own studio and makes portrait art.

Now friends, that feels like a gazillion years ago (and at the time, so completely unattainable).

Why wouldn’t I believe in the power of inspiration and motivation to propel me towards another dream once again?

Seems logical, of course, but sometimes our natural inclination is to list the

roadblocks

obstacles

problems

dilemmas….

Instead of the magic that can (poof!) appear when we truly believe we have the power within us.

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Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmellow, and when I woke up the pillow was gone. ~Tommy Cooper

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Via.

…or when Divine Intervention hears these dreams and places stones on the path to get there…

beautiful,

perfectly round stones

that

just

fit

our

feet.

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THE POINT of this post…up ahead….

I swear….

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I would like to create bona fide portrait art through magazine-inspired styled sessions with creative families.

Yes, this would entail substantial investment from the client.

Yes, this might cause my already bursting studio space to be a breeding ground for props, session clothes, sets and furniture.

Yes, it might even be something my suburban town isn’t ready for in terms of investment.

YET…

What if people shared this vision?

What if these creative, fun families were excited and ready to have something truly unique and inspired for their walls?

What if I found a stylist who could see the same vision…

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Yes…the serendipitous part of this post is coming…

I swear…

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Scenario One…

One of the most talented, inspiring women I know and I had a conversation one day this summer when I was feeling brave to share this dream.

She smiled.

She thought it would work.

We continue to collaborate…

I just can’t tell you how excited I am to create magic with this woman, Queen of Tarte and all things fabulous.

If you’re a vintage-inspired-bed-in-the-forest-type of gal, you’ll definitely want to stay tuned on this one. We’ll keep you posted.

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Scenario Two…

The other day I was working with the Pixie Project, our favorite Portland shelter. They invited a woman who recently adopted a dog from them. She was lovely and energetic. The four of us were talking about plans, and business, and…dreams.

Something strange happened.

I felt safe.

I felt safe enough (once again) to share the dream that has been rattling around in my cluttered head.

I said it out loud.

No one laughed or stared blankly at me.

They agreed it was possible, worth doing and attainable.

Hooray!

What pleased me most was that this stylist by trade seemed to be excited about a possible collaboration too.

We could be on to something.

Stay tuned to this channel.

I’m a barn sale junkie and I absolutely can’t resist taking my camera and snapping away at all of the treasures. Much to my husband’s dismay, I usually bring some of these treasures home with me—I love all that history these items have!  Queen of Tarte and the BH boys are my two favorite folks who have these amazing sales. They are the best people in the world who create absolute magic at their events.

I’m so excited to have some images I took at these shows in this issue of Porch magazine. Click here to purchase your own copy!

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