April 10, 2006
besame mucho...
I took this photo when Aiko was here. We were headed up to the Cloisters.
It is surprising how terrible she (the singer, I mean) was...how unbelievably wrong her voice was.
But something made her really amazing.
Something just made me watch...her sing Besame Mucho.
Posted by wendy at 07:37 AM | Comments (8)
April 03, 2006
a naked cowboy...
This was my first time ever seeing the Naked Cowboy.
{A quick little research on the web and I found out he has his own website. I don't really know why I am surprised. I have more than one website, so why shouldn't he.}
I had just moved to the city and wham there was a naked guy walking in Times Square. I was shocked. Then he did a little turn and I saw that he had some tighty-whiteys on and I was a bit less shocked. Still pretty surprised. More surprised though by the business people walking by, they didn't even give him a second look. I mean the guy is playing his guitar in underwear for crying out loud.
I have seen Naked Cowboy quite a few times since my first encounter and the shock has worn off. So those businessmen going to lunch must see him everyday, therefore no shock.
Living and working in this big city I have seen countless strange things, people dressed in the most ridiculous outfits. Carrying anything and everything on the subway. It seems so normal now. I guess what is strange is how normal changes.
Posted by wendy at 08:11 AM | Comments (8)
March 27, 2006
train to nowhere...
One summer during college I drove across the country and photographed my journey. I would constantly be spying something from the car, and then turn around the next exit to go back and photograph it. I was especially attracted to the forgotten things and I was driving through the south so there was a plethora. I saw those tracks from the car but I didn't decide soon enough to pull over the car, so I came up to the next intersection and turned back around. Then turned back around to catch up with the tracks again.
I slipped into a totally focused moment, so when I heard "excuse me miss". I almost jumped out of my skin. I slowly turned around because I was not on super public roads and looked over my shoulder. And to my delight it was an officer of the law. It seems as if during my space out a sheriff's car had pulled up behind me and then the officer walked over to my car. As my stomach was doing summersaults and pretty much wigging out. I tried to form words. I brought up the camera and then pointed to the gorgeous train tracks over this small little river.
Shakily I said, “I was just taking pictures".
The officer just smiled at me and said he just wanted to make sure everything was all right. Then he walked back to his car and waited for me to pull back onto the road. I think my body buzzed for the next hour, but I got some really amazing shots of the train tracks.
My reason for making the trip was an internship in Nashville, working with a photographer. (I was blessed to meet them Dean and his wife, two of the best people I know). It was a great learning experience and my ability to make that trip gave me the confidence to try my hand at New York City. (I am so glad I was naive enough not to know how different those events would be!)
Posted by wendy at 07:54 AM | Comments (12)
March 20, 2006
subway music...
This man, I don't even remember. Most of the players, I see repeatedly. I have never seen him again and I don't recall how he played or where I captured this image.
I adore his face - the slight smile. But I knew, when I saw the print, that I never saw the exit sign prominently above his head. I love those moments. When you get your film back and are pleasantly surprised by what you see.
(and thanks for all the comments on my latest painting - really need to paint it, but kind of unsure at the same time...thank you for the support)
Posted by wendy at 07:42 AM | Comments (1)
March 13, 2006
...music underground...
Some more music underground.
I am usually not so close to the musician. I 'thief' my photos, but this guy knew I was taking his photo. I always put money into their containers even if they don't know I have taken their photo.
Also has anyone heard Jenny Lewis's new solo album from Rilo Kiley? (music playing on both sites)
Posted by wendy at 08:21 AM | Comments (6)
March 06, 2006
...music underground - the 7 train...
I followed these guys. I have heard them before, so I was glad when I saw them waiting to get on the 7 train.
They got on another car, so I captured this moment.
Then they came to my car and played right near me. They are really great. Spanish music on a classical guitar. Lovely.
I think this switch was for me, I have never seen them do this before. But the tall guy has such a sweet smile.
Posted by wendy at 07:56 AM | Comments (8)
February 27, 2006
...music underground...
Most of the music I heard was great. I mean I thought it sounded good, except for this guy. I regret to say he was really really bad. Almost reaching painful - he sang loud and tried hard...but not so much on the talent part. I did really love his guitar and his outfits were usually pretty flamboyant.
Posted by wendy at 08:19 AM | Comments (2)
February 22, 2006
....50th street....
Playing at the 50th Street stop on the 1/9 train line.
There is a great Alice in Wonderland mosaic at that stop.
When I first moved to nyc this was the train line I road and also my stop for work in the morning.
Posted by wendy at 08:09 AM | Comments (5)
February 06, 2006
...wonder & pipes...
I guess I am attracted to children listening to the music in the subways.
They have such pure responses to whom is playing.
Wonder and Delight.
Posted by wendy at 01:04 PM | Comments (8)
January 30, 2006
...bit of a change...
***another subway photo***
The new job, or rather the new responsibilities are going well. That you for all the great butterfly thoughts!
We are slammed. We are doing five of the shows for fashion week:
*Milly
*Malo
*Anna Sui
*Chaiken
*Nanette Lepore
plus a couple of backdrops for Nascar
All of these are due in the same three-day span. Which for me means tons of painting. My arms are going to get even stronger than when I was pulling out the rental stock all the time. I didn't even think that was possible.
When I come home from work I am exhausted. Therefore, this here blog is going to change for a while. My goal has been to blog Monday thru Friday, but now I think I'll try for three days a week. And just for myself, I really want to get back to painting for friday. A little less pressure, because there is actually less pressure at work, but more movement. I am one tired girl.
I was lucky enough to talk my way into the Gift Fair and see the amazing mav face-to-face. What an amazing girl! Hopefully when she makes her way back down to this crazy town she will have a little time to sit down and have drinks...
Posted by wendy at 07:52 AM | Comments (9)
January 11, 2006
...early morning surprises...
Last fall the Boy and I took a long weekend up to Vermont. It was lovely and beautiful. It was really cold so we would wake up early, which was great otherwise I never would have these wonderful shots of the steam rising off the lake.
Posted by wendy at 01:30 PM | Comments (6)
October 18, 2005
...a little more...
I haven't signed up for flickr yet, I will do it this weekend when (hopefully) I will have a little free time. It seems as though lately my weekends have been busy. What am I saying, they have! (hello silly girl travels to florida, california and fashions shows at work - no wonder-sometimes I wonder about my brain!) I think it is going to be rainy again and I am going to get some hot chocolate and curl up on the couch with my computer.
But until then here is another photo of the Domo Adami fashion show.
And here is a little tease of a long long over due thank you for an unexpected mail prize, that is going in the post today.
Posted by wendy at 08:22 AM | Comments (2)
October 14, 2005
...painting for friday #6...
ok
So I am TOTALLY cheating.
I wasn't able to get my painting done.
I had every intention, but when it came down to it I just didn't pull it together.
Arg.
I do however have a lovely polaroid transfer, that to me at least feels like a watercolor (its on watercolor paper?), so maybe you give me halfsies on this one?
Half it is sort of like a painting, so it can qualify, half I PROMISE to have a proper painting next friday (or am I just talking to myself?).
I will have some amazing photos of the work studio, because this amazing wedding dress designer is having a fashion show in our space this weekend! I have to be at work and make sure none of the models call their boyfriends in Italy.
Posted by wendy at 07:15 PM | Comments (4)
October 03, 2005
...lovely light...
Walking to the train this morning there was this sky. The light was lovely and the clouds were reflecting the light beautifully.
I took one photo of these birds in focus, but I liked them sort of soft.
Something about this sky...I don't know...any ideas?
Posted by wendy at 09:40 AM | Comments (2)
August 29, 2005
...fields...
One of the things I love most about California are the fields. The repetition of color and line. From a very early age would fly from my mother's house to my father's house (divorced when I was one) and I loved looking out over the valley and the patchwork of colors. Watching the earth rush past so slowly from the high vantage point.
I also loved when I would drive with my dad from the coast to the valley and watch the trees line up in the orchard out of the car window. How if you looked one way the trees looked like they would go on forever and then if you looked another way the space would shift down another lane. He would quiz me about what was planted in each of the fields and then explain why. Explain how the farmers watered such large fields. Explain why they would change what was being grown. I loved it. It was peaceful - the smells and sights of agriculture.
This is from a trip to California with the Boy. Look at how the field seems like it could go on forever.
Posted by wendy at 02:44 PM | Comments (2)
June 04, 2005
...looking really looking...
I haven't thought like a photographer for a while. Years in fact. I mean I'll have moments when I wish I had my camera with me, but those are the smack you in the face kind of moments. The kind where everyone wishes they had a camera with them. But ever since I got my Holga things have changed. I am looking. I am seeing the little moments. I don't know if I am capturing them, but I am seeing them. And since I have the Holga with me I live those moments. I have a pretty shoddy memory, but if I see something visually whether it is a picture or a place. I can be back in that moment. I can remember the essence of the event.
But thinking with a photograph in mind is pleasurable. I look at all the small moments and relish them. Also knowing that there are problems with the Holga. I don't make any value judgments. Like today I was riding in the train and the conductor was in my car. He had the door open and we were outside and he was watching everything pass outside his window. It was really beautiful so I thought I should remember to take a picture of that. Then I remembered I had my camera, but I just needed to load the film. I did it, missed my stop, but then walked home and took the rest of the film. And old lady saying hello the flower store cat. I tree filled with birdhouses. A cool alleyway. But I never would have seen those things if I didn't stop to look.
Posted by wendy at 06:16 PM | Comments (2)
June 02, 2005
...holga day one...
Here is my first try with the Holga. I was just pushing down the leaver as I walked to the train, but things didn't turn out half bad for going at it blindly. I just got a contact sheet printed because I really am surprised that anything turned out. I wasn't sure how far to forward the film so I over compensated. A couple of shots were way to dark and others were way to light. I love the vignette.
Posted by wendy at 10:05 AM | Comments (4)
June 01, 2005
...first try...
I took my first roll of film with the Holga camera. I don’t have any idea how it will turn out. The Holga camera is a toy camera totally plastic notorious for vignette, flare, light leaks. I just randomly took the photos. Just to see what would happen. I’ll get the film developed today and hopefully I will have something to show for it. We’ll see....
I love to steal photos and the Holga feels like a shoot from the hip kind of camera. I have little notes in my journal when I see something that I really love. Something that I think should be photographed. My dad will be so proud because although I am doing something related to my degree (BS in Art & Design with a Photography Concentration) I am not technically working with camera so much as paint. Here is someone that used the Holga masterfully. These photos of Italy by Craig Sterling are amazing. I a super grateful for Randy and his Holga Mods!
Posted by wendy at 07:08 AM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2005
...oh my sweetness...
A little while ago loobylu had some computer problems and then ate sticky toffee pudding. It wasn't the main theme of the entry, but I just sort of reacted to it. I have never had that dessert. But I am never one to not give something a try - especially if it is sweet! I am a major dessert fiend-and I found the English Pudding Company after a search on the web.
Needless to say I ordered a pudding AND it came TODAY. We put it in the freezer because my mom is coming to visit this weekend and I figured that we would pull it out and have it we she was here. Plus the Boy wouldn't let me just toss it in the oven and skip dinner. Drats!
The Boy and I were talking the other day and I was flabbergasted to find out that he would prefer a meal to dessert. What?!
I love that we still don't know everything about one another. But still, I was understandably shocked. Maybe I'll order another one next week when he is recording these guys. Ideas, Ideas.
***UPDATE*** The Boy wants some of the dessert...going to have the sticky toffee pudding...I can't wait!***
Here is some more photos from Coney Island.
Posted by wendy at 06:13 PM | Comments (2)
May 16, 2005
..the new 'hood...
This image just made me feel like I walked back in time!
I totally love religious icons, something about them is quite beautiful.
All of my pictures were taken with just a point and shoot disposable camera. The ones from Coney Island too. I love the freedom not lugging my camera around gives me and there is just something about digital that I still don't love.
Posted by wendy at 08:53 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2005
...coney island images...
I got my film developed from my trip to Coney Island. The pictures turned out really great. The misty fog added a magical element to the day.
The rides slide into view as I neared Coney Island on the train.
It gave everything a soft edge and made the rides look like a ghost park.
I really love Coney Island, especially when they people are scarce. I think I'll take color film out there when the Mermaid Parade happens in June.
Posted by wendy at 04:34 PM | Comments (2)