farewell 2009.

EAT - DRINK - BE MERRY.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

may your days be merry and bright.

Wishing you all peace, patience and love this holiday season. Let's all take good care of each other and savor the moments spent with friends & family. Here's to good things in the coming year. See you then.

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.

hello december.

Let me get straight to the point: I am in denial of December's rapid arrival. I was surprised by November's beginning, but the appearance of December has shocked me. It always does.
You may remember this lovely lady, Silke, from the hello november post. We decided it would be a good challenge to take on a photo project, greeting the beginning of each month - where we could try out new ideas, push ourselves out of our comfort zones, create and collaborate. We are both inspired by the explosion of creativity from the amazingly talented Kelty of Steep Street, and were even more motivated to pursue this project after viewing her TGIH series, a weekly photo project between her and her sister.  I encourage you to take a look at the beauty and wonder of her work. In the spirit of the season, we decided to spend a bit of our evening amongst twinkling lights and noble firs. It is an absolute joy to work with someone who not only has unbelievable patience and willingness, but a craving for understanding and an enthusiasm for both sides of the lens. Thank you Silke. We are excited about this creative collaboration, and look forward to sharing it with you. Look for more hellos from us.
(Click on the photos to view larger. I think they look nicer that way).

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.

hello november.

Hello November. You always seem to arrive with a swiftness. Yet, I feel you have been here quietly for a while, slowly turning. Making your grand entrance through bursts of varying shades of crimson, orange and yellow, you then leave the trees barren all too soon. I don’t think I’m alone in that these cool winds of change bring about reflection, and can feel both difficult and revitalizing.

Here are a few photos from a recent portrait session of a lovely woman, Silke. Knowing the Portland rains will soon descend; we savored the fleeting drops of sunshine on this gorgeous autumn afternoon.