Earthlings....

F.Y.I.
"Latest official current world population estimate, for mid-year 2010, is estimated at 6,852,472,823. "
According to Matt Rosenburg.

Just wondering where we stood as I wonder if I'll ever stop being surprised at how many fantastic things I can find on the interweb a day.
I'm going to share some right now.
Peace
V

Help ART help others

In Seattle, Washington, Matt Larson is hosting an art auction to raise money for the crisis in Japan. Lend a helping hand. He is looking for artists to volunteer work to be auctioned or any charitable contribution.

via Art Auction for Japan
Check out this link for more information.
If you can't help here, spread the word.
Every little bit helps.
Hugs.
V

Cold, Cold Go Away

I shot these with some fantastic film that is itching to be out again.
Sun, thank you for coming back. I shall celebrate your return.
Big warm hug.
V

Birthdays are the best

Bday Photobooth! Cha Cha Lounge Seattle, WA 2008
Genevieve, Nathaniel, Alysia, Liz, Laurie, Asha and Stuart
Miss this crazy crew!
kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss BIG HUG
V (is a whole year older today)

Friday, August 13th

Am I superstitious? Not in the slightest, however, I don't snub those that are because I truly believe that the world is an unexplainable place. I am acutely aware of creepy places especially at night when I'm alone like any other sensible warm-blooded human being. And I believe in the possibility of hauntings which is why when the clock struck twelve on this Friday the 13th you would have found me a little freaked out working alone in the basement of an old VFW on Vashon Island in Washington, the only other person was upstairs. We were working late, I was printing my books and Phil was building bookcases for the new facility. Planning on taking the last ferry off the island at 1:20am, we got there early and they were late. While we sat in the car listening to NPR World News, the broadcaster announces a new rabies outbreak in South America caused by the bites of vampire bats. Four children from a local village had already died "from the bites of the blood sucking animals." Phil said, "well now I'm going to sleep well tonight." I chuckled but little did I know that was only the beginning of my paranormalish night. In and out of sleep in the car and then on the ferry, I finally get back to Genevieve's at 2:43 am nearly witching hour and walk up to the door. It's locked. Locked, and Vievo has to be up for work early. I poke around in the flowerpots, yet she had said she would leave the door open so I didn't know where to look for a key. I give up and decide to call her. Facing the door, I dial her number, denied instantly with no signal. I turn to get reception out in the alley and a black cat is staring up at me from my feet. I squeal a bit and he darted a bit but when I started to walk out he followed me. He was between my feet and legs as I called Vievo, telling her voicemail the predicament I found myself in as I stood in the alley. On the second call she answered, let me in and I took this farewell photo, checking his collar for his name.
This is Ozzie, my Mr. Friday the Thirteenth.

The Dashing David Harms

Wet plates. On display through the month of August. If you are even on the west half of the country you should make a journey to Seattle. Two incredibly talented photographers have work up in local venues. The ever talented David Harms has completed a wet plate series. Currently showing at the Boom Noodle, located in Capital Hill, 1121 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA‎

These images shot by David, not showing at the Boom Noodle, are of Genevieve Pierson , another exceptionally talented photographer currently showing work in Seattle. I'll get the details on that and post them right away.

XO V

Beauty and the Books

"Vanessa, you are constipated.
You need to rid your bowels of that book. Then everything will flow free.
You'll be all good."
-My mom, one of the wisest people I know...and most ridiculous

Last May...over a year ago now, I had a show in LA. My first big solo show. Beauty and the Books, a nude series I shot in Arundel Bookstore in Seattle. It was quite an experience. The evidence is in the form of a book, a gold-embossed, fabric-covered box containing the images from the show and the accompanying poetry of Rex Wilder. Rex is a fantastically talented poet from LA. The collaboration was put together by Phil Bevis. Phil published the book. And due to my underestimation of the books success, I didn't print enough images to currently own a book of my own. Now I'm leaving in August for Paris and I want a copy to have in hand.
Who knew that so many would buy a $500 book?





I'm flying out to Seattle mid August and just hope that when I board the plane to Europe the book will be on board and this project will be at rest.

XOXO to Kelsi, Megan and Yulia my spectacular models and Dawn Tunnell the MUA with the muchness

Get out and try something new!

I find that inspiration for blogging pokes me in the side every five minutes because that is about how often I think of posting a link or a pic to a friend across the country. I can't keep up with all the things I want to share with them.

Long distance relationships are SO not ideal :)

Anyway, something new....

These caught my eye because there is one in SEATTLE, Skillet a little food to fill your tummy. This looks like a Laurie Pearman photo to me.

PORTLAND, Tin Cantina a portable bar...I LOVE THIS PHOTO....put a little color shift to anything and I guess I love it...this reminds me of the redwoods...miss them.

KANSAS CITY, Fresher Than Fresh Sno Cones 100% natural

and SANTA BARBARA, Enjoy Cupcakes. What could be better than cupcakes out of a Shasta trailer?

(Now if I could locate one in Louisiana, Ohio and Idaho all my friends would be covered.)

It was Green Wedding Shoes again that enlightened me. Check out the link for fantastic photos of the delicious products. Love, love, love the vintage looks and the weddings, go figure. Well friends, hope you get out and enjoy something new today and I miss you all terribly.

BIG KISS little kiss BIG HUG little hug little kiss little hug

Ellensburg, WA

I've been meaning to post some images from my shoot in Ellensburg. The images above are the flip stopper in my portfolio right now. Although it is a fashion series, they always prompt the question..."Do you ever shoot weddings or engagement photos?"

Why yes, I do. At one time, I always said that it wasn't my thing but if anyone looked at my work they could tell I am hopelessly romantic so it is right up my alley. I've finally embraced it.

Models: Ilia FORD MODELS (He's really more of a rocker than I portrayed him. Cool kat, love him to death!) and Shelby
Assistants: Genevieve Pierson, Laurie Pearman and David Putman
MUA: Hildy

My liaison was Doug MacArthur, a true modern cowboy. What an amazing human. A photographer himself, he took me and my friend, Evan on a five hour romp through the Washington countryside, checking out old falling apart homesteads and outhouses and chatting at a local diner. We shot this series on his property. I hope some day I can have another cup of coffee with him.

Dawn shines her light on me

Well my dear Dawn's nose must have itched when I was posting about Jamie (one of her favorite photographers as well) and she gave me a jingle. There is so much I have missed! Fortune has been smiling on her and showing her a new path. I'm so happy for her! Dawn Tunnell is an incredibly talented makeup artist in Seattle but her soul is not being properly fed there and it seems the NYC is calling! She just filled me with so much inspiration I had to share it, document it, to relive it and come back to it to remind myself later when it's faded a bit from my memory.
One must be in a place that feeds you a daily dose of inspiration, "not every once in a while or once a month...you need to be surrounded by people swimming at the same level as you...people following their dreams too."
I've found myself back in Saint Louis to save money for Europe (or possibly the NYC if I don't get my rear in gear). But it's been a crusher on my spirit. After Oklahoma I've been refreshed and I can finally see my goals, where I am and where I need to be. I used to see them all the time but they've been grayed out by the monochromatic landscape of winter here in Saint Louis.
Dawn also has a new outlook on life. "You only feel sad or upset because you let yourself feel that way." It's a mantra I've advised many times. Where was I to tell myself this past winter? Dawn began to look at the brighter side of changes in her life and look at the opportunities rolling in!
I wish I could quote her whole pep talk but alas I was concentrating on the whole of the message...get it or get out. There are places where one can thrive and some choose the less fertilized lives because of sacrifices for loved ones or jobs but the truth is that you should only be in a place that brings you the most joy and the most inspiration. I'm making the most of where I am now but I need to move on to be with my fellow fish.

Here's a few images from the last fun collaboration Dawn and I did in Seattle. The model is the talented McKenzie.