Graffiti – It’s My Favorite!

I know I have told you this before, but I will tell you again, I have always loved art. It’s just in my blood. As a child I remember wanting to take painting classes down by Titlow Beach, but that just never happened. I continued my love through the years in the form of pencil drawings, charcoals and pastels. I quit for a long time, but that changed when my kids were young and I saw that they enjoyed watching me draw cartoons for them. It became a tradition while on vacations for me to draw cartoons and have them color them. I enjoyed doing it and they loved getting them. I have not looked at an art book or picked up a pencil to draw in over a year now, but I have admired other’s art and I could sit and watch artists paint all day. I would probably freak them out, the weird lady that is always watching… so I don’t linger long :)…

This past weekend I got word that the Market Street Graffiti wall was being revamped. This is just one of the walls I use for my portraits. I love the colors and admire the artist’s pieces.

When I arrived they were well on their way…

This wall looked like this the last time I saw it…

I have used it many, many times!

I love that I now have a new wall to work with…

I even got a chance to talk to a few of the artists. My question to them… how do you feel when another artist comes and covers over your piece? These same artists also worked on the graffiti garages (look here, here, here and here) I use and their work is covered much more often in those areas.

The answer… it’s hard to think about all the work that goes into a piece and then it simply gets painted over by the next person who comes along… it is ok with them as long as the replacement is another quality piece and they try to improve on it.

This wall is owned by Thane, so does not get changed until he arranges it. Nice to know this will not get ruined anytime soon.

I am always curious about the paint that they use, it is so bright!

Among the paint… another love of mine… coffee… Satellite coffee! Right on the other side of this wall is Satellite and Smooth ‘N Juicey (in this case that is the correct spelling). You should definitely check them out! Good stuff!

I will miss the old one…

but will look forward to using the new one!

I might run down later today and see if it’s finished yet… will post an update if it is :D.

P.S. I encourage you to find what YOU love and incorporate it into your photography! It’s a good way to bring out your originality and be different! Enjoy! 😉

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Scavenger Hunt #5 – Lock or Something Locked

I started the day off without a lock picture and ended it with too many! Joe and I decided to make an adventure out of it and go to one of our favorite spots in Tacoma, antique row. We have lived here all our lives and have a love for this city and all that it has to offer.

We walked the streets in search of a special lock, but instead captured all kinds of images along the way. I make cards from many of the photos I take, so might as well turn some of these into cards for future family gatherings.

The Old Elks Building is one of my favorite places. You will notice it a lot in my shoots, but every time I go there I see more destruction and it just makes me sad.

Within the last week orange paint now spots the historic staircase.

A trail of rose stems along it with a broken vase…

A Valentine’s message I could not fully read…

And one red rose…

We spotted a few more locks on some of the closed antique stores…

Then walked to the graffiti garage I love so much!

We even got to watch one of the artist making some new graffiti.

We walked through all 3 garages admiring the work of so many.

There was even a fresh Valentine’s message.

We found some art on the floors too. This one will be a card for sure.

After hitting a few of the open shops we headed back home, but not without a few more stops along the way.

Can you see the opossum hiding in the tree?

Not far from our house is a lock smith with some pretty cool old safes in the front of his shop.

Loved the vintage vibe of them!

I grew up collecting antiques. My mom frequented garage sales and estate sales, then when I met Joe I introduced him and we have continued the collecting together.

Not everyone thinks that old stuff is cool, but we do!

We have been watching that show, American Pickers, lately… so cool!

Last lock image for the day…

Thanks for stopping by!

Next photo scavenger hunt theme: Pain – something that shows pain, but is not a person.

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Sneak Peak – 4 Beauties

I am working on 4 beauties right now and am so excited I just wanted to share a sneak peak with you… each shoot was done at one location and each while we dealt with the rain. You really can’t get away from it in the Pacific Northwest, so I am trying to embrace it and shoot regardless… unless it is just pouring! It’s amazing what you can find in just one location.

Melaina:
Melaina had her senior pictures done last year, but wanted to get some new pictures with her Little Mermaid hair and before her BFF went to California.

Heather:
Heather is Melaina’s BFF. I have never “shot” Heather before, but she is a natural in front of the camera.

Amanda:
As you probably know, Amanda is my daughter and I love doing shoots of her. We have several more planned out this year.

Joely:
Joely is my niece and has been featured on my site before with her friend, Steph.

Stay Tuned for upcoming posts that will feature each one… I LOVE how 2010 is already kicking off!

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Just for Fun – Random Photography

I used this black ice cream chair in Karly’s shoot. It used to be in my room growing up, but it was white back then. My sister has the matching one.  We shared  a room growing up, her side always clean, mine messy… it used to drive her nuts!  She would be proud of how clean I keep my room now :).

When I am on a portrait shoot there is no guessing on what else I might take a picture of.  Sometimes it is only the subject, but many times there are other things that catch my eye and I have to get a quick shot.  I have used many past images for cards and others, like these just sit on my computer and no one ever gets to see, so I thought I would share with you (and maybe make some more cards with some).

Beware, I take pictures of things that strike me as funny, even if it is on you! Hee hee

I love the look of rusted iron.

I know it’s just a traffic light, but I like it.

Joe doesn’t even know when I sneak a pic of him.  I captured this during the shoot of Joely and Steph.

And sometimes he does… I love the Canon 70-200 2.8L lens for these types of shots. I always use that lens when shooting railroad shots too.  I think Joe must be the only guy from high school that has MORE hair than he did back then!

Things like this just jump out at me.

I make anniversary cards from images like this one… the gum wall in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Amanda comes along occasionally… sometimes she lets me take a picture and sometimes not!

Abby had these great red shoes, so we had to get creative with them.

I thought this was funny while on a senior shoot with Kayla.

Sometimes it’s of people I don’t even know… just because… shhhh, we will just keep that between us, K?

I LOVE animals, so I have lots of images of dogs, cats, birds and squirrels.

Hope you have a great day!!
{{Hugs}}

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