One way for me to not only feel more inspired, but more connected to the artistic community is to photograph other artists.

David V. D’Andrea is an extremely talented artist who lives right here in St. Johns.  His studio is located near Cathedral Park and the banks of the Willamette river- an area, he feels very connected to.  Head on over HERE, to find more detailed words about David and to get a better view of his work.

Below, are some questions I had asked him last year- an interview that I had shared, on a site I no longer use.  I thought it would be fitting to share his words again, with these photos.

-How old were you, when you first realized your capabilities as an artist? And what were your first tools of the trade?

I think I knew that I was on this path by the time I was 9/10 years or so. I took to the skateboarding/punk culture of the 1980s, saw that I could be a part of it (rather than just an observer), and never looked back.
My earliest “work” emulated the artists I looked up to…Pushead, Vernon Courtland Johnson, Mad Magazine, and various other pop culture influences. I eventually discovered zines, so photocopiers were the method of reproduction. This meant stark black and white ink drawings, blown-out photographs, and stray analog artifacts like tape edges and messy rub-on lettering. It’s all still there in my work even today, I think!

-What words would describe the satisfaction you receive from creating the art that you do?

Meditation, accomplishment, direction, loss, prayer.

-Which of your artistic creations, mean the most to you and why?

The piece that is currently on my drawing table means the most to me. Once it is “done” and put out in the world by whatever method, I still love it and am deeply connected to it, but I cannot hold on to it. Of course, I have pieces that hold sentimentality, or maybe signify a milestone of some sort, but I try to always look to the distance rather than behind.

-Your work can be found on t-shirts and posters… and on anything else?

Most of my work is reproduced as prints on paper or apparel, yes. I periodically make small run zines or booklets. I’ve done quite a few album covers also. There have also been some more “mainstream” jobs.

-Do you only work with musicians?  Can your art be found (to buy), un-related to a certain band/tour?

I print an occasional piece with no band name attached. My schedule is so busy with band related work, it’s usually difficult to put out anything else. I like to think that my work can stand on its own, and as my career develops, I am finding time to produce a more varied portfolio.

-What bands are the most inspiring to you personally and as an artist?

Wovenhand, OM, White Hills, Daniel Higgs, Pandit Pran Nath, John Fahey, Six Organs of Admittance.

-Do you have any words to share, with those of us who might still be figuring out our own potential?

Keep it simple and do good work. Collaborate with others. Consider your work to be a gift to the universe, don’t expect anything in return, and find the peace and satisfaction in it. The inspiration that you put forth will come back to you.

Thanks David, for spending some time with me and letting me snoop around your creative space - very, very inspiring!  Your work is so amazing.

www.dvdandrea.com

Though I don’t think it’s ever been really warm in Florence, Oregon during our visits (though, it’s fair to add that we’ve yet to go in August)- the sun, certainly likes to shine there and I’ll take that.  Lots of blue and gold, with occasional splashes of neon green- sledding down those sandy slopes was fun indeed.  Here is a glimpse from the beach…

Hope the week brings goodness and opportunity.

If you haven’t heard of the Community Warehouse, you should head over HERE and see what they are all about.  They like to help people and by helping people, I mean giving out things like mattresses, linens, dressers, alarm clocks, linens, and other necessary items, such as pots and pans.  The people they help are individuals and families of all types, who have been experiencing various struggles.  Whether coping with hardships or coming from crisis-situations, the folks who come to the warehouse all have something in common- the need for the comforts of home.  Pots and pans are helpful.  Silverware helps too.  A mattress helps to make for better sleep and linens only add to the comfort.  An alarm clock wakes someone up in time for their new job.  And a lamp, might help them better read to their child at night.

I really want to give away some portrait sessions (1 hour or two- depending on what is donated) and I want you to get in touch with me, after you’ve donated- to talk details about your complimentary session.

What do you have, that you don’t need- what do you have, that they might?

I spent a recent afternoon, with Shelby Brakken and her sweet children.  It was my delight, to get to take these photos and watch these three together.  We walked along Alberta St. finding various spots of intrigue and the kiddos got out props of all sorts- goggles and glasses with eyes on them, cameras, and some very Portland mustaches (Shelby thinks she belongs in one and I admit- she wore it well).  Shelby is another local photographer, here in Portland.  She took photos of my son and I awhile back, which you can find HERE.

I noticed the way that they look at their mama- with such contentment and love.  But it’s no wonder-  Shelby’s a wonderful mama and it’s so obvious.  And her love for Indy and Sawyer is great- just look at the way her eyes smile, when she receives their kisses.

We also enjoyed some delicious cookies at Dovetail Bakery (on Alberta St.)… if you haven’t heard of them- they make all sorts of vegan baked goods… so good!

Happy Thursday! Hope you enjoy these…

We drove to the central coast this past weekend- to Florence, where my husband’s folks live.  Our trips are generally short, but we like to get out and stop along the way- taking in as much as we can, with what little time we have.  This was a pretty spot we found, somewhere north of Florence.  I love the mixture of orange and green, trees and ocean- I prefer it to the long flat beaches found in the northern area of the Oregon coastline.

Can you tell I love photographing nature?  I can’t get enough of it.  I’m just lucky to live in such a diverse environment- never having to travel too far in any direction, to capture all types of beauty.

Now, I have a check-list of personal things to do- that really aren’t all that overwhelming, but I’ve been procrastinating a bit anyway.  I’m off for now, to get things done- but more sand to come!

Hope some sun shines through, for you today.

A hotel room in the city.  Some afternoon light. Some red lace.

I appreciate that I can find joy in taking photographs of all types.  This was fun.

There was a present- a little black box tied with ribbon, full of images for a love to keep.

Here are a few of the photos.

Happy Day of Love… x

I highly recommend waking up before the sun-hitting the gas, before too many others get on the road.

What normally seems like just a drive, is something different in the morning light and arriving upon the country-side, just as the golden rays really start to shine through- can be something most unique.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”  ~e.e. cummings, 1955

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”  ~Judy Garland

“At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time.”  ~Friedrich Nietzsche

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”  ~Dr. Seuss

Happy Friday, loves!

I’ve been going over older images in my Lightroom- cleaning up the old system and determined to stay more organized with my new system.   I will be working from a new computer now (with a proper sized editing screen! finally!) and it feels so good to start fresh!  When I first started using Lightroom, I was still so new- that paying attention to organizing files and staying on top of things, was the least of my worries.  I just wanted to get in there- edit and blog.  Well, now that I get to start anew and I’m really excited about the organization that will go along with that.

Anyway, I came across these images- like many others I will post soon.  Pink dahlias and tiny toes.  I snapped a picture of my friend and her little one, before they headed south to their new home.  I’m happy to get to share it now.

I’m meeting with a graphic designer today, to share some ideas on various things such as  postcards, labels and such- and it feels good to be here at this point.

I will have a boudoir session to share next week, as well as photos from our trip down the coastline- as we are headed to the dunes this weekend.  Lots of stuff to keep me busy today- so I’m off!

Hope everyone’s all good!  Happy Thursday!

My first boudoir session- here’s a glimpse of it, in one image.

I’m so happy with these and can’t wait to share some of the rest.