An outgoing crowd!

It's been a while since I posted because I haven't collected all the links and images I wanted until now to share what an amazing experience it was to play at Convention Hall in Asbury last weekend! The Remember Jones album release dance party was a huge success, bringing in hundreds of people wanting to experience the horns, strings, sounds, vocals, and compositions of the Remember Jones team. The entire 25 piece band played a total of 34 songs for nearly 3 hours. I was lucky enough to hop on stage with Daimon and we performed one of our singles "Eye Contact" in front of the screaming crowd.  It happened so quickly; I'm just glad there's some footage of it!

You can download a free copy of our live version with Remember Jones on our band camp page or listen here:

Cody McCorry on Theremin 

The crocheted eyeballs were made by artisan Tessa Perlow.  Check out her Etsy Shop here.

Louisiana on Film 2016

My new Minolta 202 took some really interesting "contrasty" photos. I purchased portra 400 film and had them processed at the Photocenter in Brick NJ.  

This sugar kettle's stains give us some insight into its history.  This, and the slave quarters below were taken at the beautiful Evergreen Plantation, the same plantation you might recognize in the movie Django. 

This photo does not do it justice.  Oak Alley Plantation is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.  It is nicknamed "The Grande Dame of the Great River".

We spent some time in New Orlean's oldest cemetery, St. Louis.  I'm not sure where my fascination with cemeteries came from, but visiting Louisiana surely made me want to tour the country for obscure tombstones and epitaphs to rub. New Orleans definitely has the strangest cemeteries I've ever seen, besides the obvious fact that people are not buried, but rows of tombs have been made to simulate a "city of the dead". It's a clever fix so coffins are placed above the water table.   These sun-bleached tombs are a testament to their age and the warmth of the area. You wouldn't believe how these cemeteries attract many little lizards, which are fun to spot, and even more fun to catch!  

Richard Kimball?

Insectropolis Art Show

The art show has been announced, and the art reception allows visitors to see the show and museum for FREE. Check out the many exhibits of artwork inspired by bugs.  I am one of those exhibitors, so I've been very busy making pysanky, and I'm dusting off two bug-inspired embroidery pieces I've had stored away.  There will be live music and snacks, so please bring a friend!

The show is on MARCH 4th, from 6-8, but the art will be up for the month of March. Insectropolis is on Rt. 9 in Toms River. See you there!

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT!

Anyone who knows this colorful person, known to some as Aqua Maureen, would know she has impeccable taste and design sense. I featured some candid shots of Maureen in my film photography exhibit last summer.  She's been living the dream since 2015, and a blogpost has been long overdue!

She's just as colorful as her store. Filled with ideas and putting 100% into her business, Maureen aims to make the atmosphere of her store positive and fun.  Before Maureen owned the infamous "Change Is", a small business in Belmar, New Jersey, I had known of her as the queen of window displays. She rubbed elbows with a few vintage store owners and had quickly established herself as an aficionado of the rare, beautiful, and eccentric, especially if it was wearable.

It was no surprise that she would have her own space with beautifully painted teal and mustard yellow walls, filled with items you could never buy anywhere else.

It's a vintage store unlike any other. You know you want to shop for clothes but you may want to leave with the displays, lighting, and especially that amazing vintage giraffe that holds the jewelry.  I'll be honest for a moment and tell you I own ONE pair of high heels, and they don't come out from hiding much. As someone who does not own and collect shoes, I can honestly say that Change Is... is the only place I consider purchasing vintage heels for the design or patchwork of colors.

Maureen is also a huge supporter of local artists and even has art receptions in the store. Check the store's Facebook page for more information and updated events.  Throughout the store, you'll find photographs, books, and paintings made by locals.

The reds came out so rich on that one roll of film.  I think photographing Maureen in her fitting room area is still one my favorite photoshoots.  She rocks octagon glasses like no other.

Change Is has mens' and womens' clothing, so be sure to check out her unique collection. 

Change Is Facebook Page

New Pysanky for the new year!

I've been a little under the weather (sheesh, who isn't!),  and I'm patiently waiting to breath and taste again! It's not hard being a vegetarian, but I almost wish at a time like this I wasn't so disgusted with the idea of chicken soup if it's so highly recommended.

To relax and stay in a stationary position, I decided to take out my pysanky supplies and work on a design. Once I select a design, it's one I revisit for years. It's my first year exploring this geometric design; one I'd like to try on a big goose egg one day.

Sorry to say farewell to 2015

Every year has a theme, and I wasn't too sure how to label 2015. It was a year filled to the brim with new experiences, new places to explore, old memories to dig up and reassess, and moments that truly reveal my character. I had some really scary moments this year when I had to act fast, and moments to sit back and let people take me where they want to. There were things I couldn't change and had to accept. It was a year to let go.

I visited more new places this year than any other year; crossing off North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Florida (outside of my childhood vacations in Orlando), Mississippi, Alabama, and New Orleans Louisiana. We stayed at the COSM in New York State and recorded in a Cave in Virginia.  I can't wait to cross off a few more in 2016!

It was a year to appreciate.  There were times this year when I felt fear I had never felt before because those who are closest to me had been hurt or really sick. I am so SO grateful that everyone's ok.  Although these moments came and went, the residue of those feelings stayed with me. I try not to take anything for granted.

Finally, at the age of 27, I finally learned why certain things happened the way they did in my life. It was a revealing year.  I had been so naive all these years and now I understand my behavior, fears, and wants because I unlocked so many memories growing up. I've been reading "The Glass Castle" and I really appreciated the statement in the beginning,  "Interesting people tend to have an interesting past."

I learned to cope with all this overwhelming information by focusing on a new skill, craft, and process- spinning.  In connecting with this very old process, I found some inner peace.

It was a year to enjoy the process of learning. Since I'm teaching Media Arts and Art History this year, I had a lot of refreshing and learning to do! Between the hours spent reading in cafes and libraries, visiting museums, and skyping with professionals, I rekindled a desire to learn.  Teaching myself has been a very rewarding and exciting process. 

This was a year to share some beautiful moments with Daimon.  We went on a long-awaited honey moon road trip back in February, went on two mini tours with our friends to play out of state, and won an Asbury Music Award.  We have a lot of fun together and he's my hansom partner in crime.

Daimon's always the driver so I can work on projects, look out the window and take pictures!

I didn't want to leave out that it's been a productive year for the people in my life. So many are making sacrifices to pursue their dreams in the arts. All of them are doing what they want to do. A few moved from familiar places to be reunited with loved ones or to soothe their wanderlust. And a few started their own businesses. A few even got engaged and are making plans for 2016! We're watching our friend's baby grow up so quickly too! It's like I'm soaking up the sun rays from these powerful stars who know where they want to be.  I'm proud and excited beyond words to hear what the next steps are for them. Whether they're heading west to work in the film industry, or making money on the road playing for strangers and making new friends, I'm glad to say that we're all not collecting moss, yet we do a pretty good job sticking together.

Jewelry made by Salt and Steel.  Oh, you didn't know that the Homeless Apians invaded Germany this year?

2015 will be a tough year to follow, but with the trips we have planned and our aims for the next studio recording, I have no doubts it'll be a great year. Wishing you a....

A festive view of our apartment

I hope you all had a lovely holiday, filled with desserts, gifts and holiday lights. Several of my friends got engaged and I heard happy news that my friend is going to have identical twin boys! Before the chaos of driving up and down, left and right, all over this garden state, Daimon and I woke up with his brother, Noah, to gifts under our semi-lit tree (Don't worry- we purchased a discounted, big, green tree at Target yesterday). I got a Buddha Board and art history books- just what I wanted! I'm not lying when I tell you it is so much fun to play with.  It's an art therapy tool for your home to help you let go of a fleeting creative moment. It has also rekindled an interest in acrylic painting again, something that's been difficult for me to get back into.

While looking for discounted cookie tins, Daimon and I stumbled upon this globe that functions as a little indoor bar. We treated ourselves to a Christmas gift... 

Before leaving for family visits, Daimon had the idea to take photos of ourselves before we left. I still think Daimon and his brother look like they work for a law firm, and I laughed out loud when I saw how serious mine looked.

We're taking down some of our Christmas decorations to make room for other things and put our apartment back together. The dinosaur can stay, but the village has got to go!

The Terminator rides a cardinal atop our tree and Daimon's "Christmas Wizard" rides his magical horse. You can be entertained by his silly Christmas poem below.

I think one of my favorite memories this year was watching Batman Returns Christmas night (come on, that is definitely considered a Christmas movie), taking a snooze, and waking up to Daimon, Noah, and our friend Gregg all sound asleep with the movie playing. We were all so pooped, but it felt like home.