frazier & wing II

I recently had the pleasure of shooting another round of beautiful creations from frazier & wing. Heather has been quite the busy bee, making fun and festive new garlands, branch pieces and mobiles. More photos can be found here and here.

annie + russ: hitched!

I am so happy to have met this ingenious pair, and even more thrilled that I had the opportunity to photograph their wedding day. These lovebirds may look slightly familiar from this recent post of their engagement shoot. Their nuptials were incredibly unique, and the day was full of laughter, happy tears, dancing, gratitude, hope, joy, song and celebratory magic!
Annie is a very talented photographer, and consequently, is surrounded by a community of friends who are also inspiring photographers. I can't even count how many cameras were at this event, but it was amazing and I was honored to be one of the many! Here is just a mere selection of my photographs from the day - a tiny piece of the puzzle created by the web of photographers both attending and documenting the celebration.  My very best wishes of love, adventure, and happiness to this clever couple.

jody katopothis.

From top to bottom: Untitled II, Untitled V, Untitled IX

Jody not only has the voice of a lark, makes a mean chicken dinner, soothes as a massage therapist, creates heartfelt music, entrances you when she speaks Greek, but this little songbird is also a thoughtful and talented painter.

It is exciting to see these works in person – to notice the intricacies of her layering and use of vibrant color. But beyond that, these works have soul. I recently had the pleasure of viewing these paintings and having a little Q & A with Jody about her current Holiday Art Show & Sale. Hope you enjoy!

Q: Could you please tell me about the relationship between your music and art?

A: I have been making art and music for as long as I can remember, and can not imagine how my life would be without this work. The two are fully intertwined, compliment one another and together inspire, inform and feed each other. They are two languages, separate yet intimately related.”

Q: Where does one of your paintings begin?

 A: A painting usually starts with a concept, most often based in a feeling, memory, experience or the essence of a specific place. There is almost never a predetermined visual, as each painting unfolds intuitively. There are recurring themes which spring from life experiences and contemplations, including the organic beauty of nature, family roots, twins, the layers that make up our lives, the connectedness of everything, the dwellings and architecture we create and inhabit, and also the remnants of civilizations past…

Q: What motivates you and your work?

A: Life itself is inspiring from every little corner. Having said that, I do think quite often, about a quote from Chuck Close. “I don't work with inspiration. Inspiration is for amateurs. I just get to work.”  When I first heard this, I didn’t like it much and felt almost offended. After thinking about it over time, I have embraced the idea of just how important it is to make art a daily practice, to simply go into the studio and work. Even when the “inspiration” is not obvious, there is a quality of thriving, found in getting one’s hands dirty.

Q: You have worked large and small. So, why the current small works?

A: Recently, I began to miss the intimacy of painting in that smaller space, of creating a tiny window, where you have to stop and focus to notice the small details.

I believe we all need a moment of pause to savor the small details. After a preview of the work, I decided to treat myself and take one of these home. Which will be your favorite? Check out the Holiday Art Show & Sale here or visit www.jodykat.com.

frazier & wing

(All photos: Kimi Kolba Photography, with the exception of the last photo, courtesy of Heather Frazier from frazier & wing).

Have you seen the work of frazier & wing? A while back, I had the pleasure of photographing these lovely mobiles designed and created by the talented Heather Frazier. I just love her branch pieces, and I feel like a lucky girl because she made a beautiful birch piece for our wedding (see last photo here). She has some new birch branch pieces and Fall inspired work that I absolutely adore. Check them out here.

kitty wigs!

Oh my goodness gracious. Allow me to introduce my dear friend, Jill Johnson. She is not only a creative and talented photographer, but this girl has heart and soul like no other! She always brings the sunshine with her wherever she goes. She took me under her wing while I was in Texas, and she is a woman and photographer I truly admire and feel thankful to have as a friend.

She has been a busy bee working on an exciting new project with creator of Kitty Wigs, Julie Jackson - a new book called Glamourpuss. I felt compelled to share this fun -filled sensation with you. If you need some laughter, check it out! Available at kittywigs.com and Amazon!

From Chronicle Books' press release:

"Get ready for the first photo book of its kind, featuring felines sprawled out on sofas, gazing out windows, and striking some serious poses, all donned in the hottest new pet accessory; Kitty Wigs. Glamourpuss showcases over 60 stylish portraits of cats as you have never seen them before, exposing their true diva selves and basking in the limelight. With profiles included on all of the model felines as well as captions accompanying each photo shoot, we promise you won’t be able to pick up this tome without laughing."

ben + annie mae.

Ben and Annie Mae RADIATE. Their wedding day was full of crazy joy - which exudes from both of their lovely souls (and not just on their big day). I was so excited to share their celebration with them in stunning Mt. Hood. Their wedding was photographed by the creative and talented Lauren Brooks. She captured the day so beautifully. For this event, I was happy to be just a guest, but here are a few snaps I took along the way. Thanks Ben + Annie Mae! It was a bright, bright sun shiny day. Just perfect.

lovely lisa.

Lisa and I met at Ken's Artisan Pizza while I was ogling her dessert from the next table over. We began chatting and realized we were both photographers and fairly recent transplants to Portland. Since our meeting over pizza, we have become friends and I feel lucky to say that she and her mister have become part of my PDX family.
We had so much fun on this photo shoot - she was an incredibly patient and willing model. I owe this lady a big thank you. She is beautiful inside and out, and sweet as peach pie. She pushes me to be a better and stronger photographer, and as a photographer, there is always room to grow.
To check out her work, visit www.lisateso.com or Portland Child Photography.

PS: She took my profile photo. Thanks Lisa!