Maxwell

Dying to be Alive

Ian suggested that we spend Easter in Tulsa this year. Easter has never been a big holiday for my family and Ian and usually realize half way through the day that it is even a special day. So it was nice this year to join the multitudes on a pilgrimage back home to spend the blessed day with family. Unfortunately the day was plagued by rain and wind so all the happy Easter activities had to be done indoors.We still had a fabulous time and had some amazing home cooked food. Yummy.

Get on the Floor

Carpet in a bathroom in my opinion is gross. That was the one thing well one of two things I did not like about our flat in London. Carpet in a bathroom? For 2 years I would say about once a week. "We need tile in this bathroom. I hate this carpet. If you have to have carpet in a bathroom this is ok but I don't like it. I would love to have a heated tile floor in here." And every time Ian would reply "get a quote and we will decide if we can do it." For two years this same conversation.

A couple of months ago I finally did it. I got the quote, found the tile (I hate picking out tile) and purchased the underfloor heating. A week later we had our shiny new heated disco floor. Yippy!!!! Two days after it was done we came back to Nashville. Ha! Always the way, at least I have something to look forward to when I go back.

Starchild

In case you don't know the world of make-up is a world where you work more free jobs than paid ones. On all levels artists and stylists are putting in their free hours in hopes of meeting or connecting with someone who will pay them. It can be extremely frustrating. Especially when you realize that a shoot you have agreed to do will not be worth your time. This was exactly my attitude when I agreed to a "test shoot" a couple of weeks ago with a photographer in Nashville. Test shoots are shoots done for free, by everyone involved, and everyone walks away with images for their portfolios. Through a series of emails and phone calls I discovered that this shoot was a family portrait, two girls and their mother. My first reaction, honestly was…”what the what??!!!! This is so going to be a waste of my time. Why do I need this in my portfolio? Why am I doing this?”

Turns out it was sooooo worth my time. The mother and her daughters were stunning, funny, smart, kind, and beautiful. They photographer was lovely, excited, talented, and creative. She has an incredible energy and a passion for her work that explodes out of her sporadically. Inspiring to watch. Here a few shots form the shoot. I love them and I hope you do too.

Last week I finally had the opportunity to work on a shoot after being ill and having no work for about two weeks. Unfortunately I am not sure if I will use the images and I have to report it was not the most fun experience. First of all it was a test shoot so I was getting no money. Yes that's right. Nada! In the world of fashion you work for free! Woopee! The shoot was in a tiny studio (not sure it even qualifies as a studio maybe a studio flat) that I think people live in and they must eat curry or heavily spiced smelly food all day while looking at semi pornographic/ demented/provocative/ offensive yet mysteriously intriguing photographs. I am describing a book of photographs byJoel-Peter Witkin. If you have time to read the link do it. So as you can gather the setting was less than ideal.

Then there was the make-up artist for the first day. Why are some people able to dominate the atmosphere of a room with such negative energy and have no care to add any positive vibes or even respond to positive energy intentionally directed at them? As I am sure you can guess there was one person on set creating this unpleasant situation. All I can gather is that she is just generally an unhappy person. But it does bother me that I let her have any effect on me at all. All that aside she was a talented make-up artist as you can see from her amazing henna work.

I was in charge of the hair for the two day shoot and I am happy to report I was reasonably pleased with my work.

Here are some photos from the day.

My Funny Valentine

We celebrated Valentines Day on the 13th this year. Neither one of us wanted to get caught paying too much for a set menu and competing with other couples trying to be romantic on a holiday that let's face it is not really a holiday but a made up reason for card companies to make money and for men to feel inadequate and women to feel neglected. Wow Debbie downer. Sorry about that.

Here are some photos from our lovely evening at our favorite eatery Incanto.






BTW: I know these photos are not my best work. They kinda suck really. Please try not to judge me and I will post nicer photos next time. = )

Off the wall

Since I have been married I have decorated our houses about 7 times and have moved 5 times. It works out that I have not lived in any one location for more than two years consecutively. We have lived in this lovely little flat in historic Harrow on the Hill, London for over 2 years and I am getting antsy. My fondness for this flat has not changed but something in me is saying "hey isn't time to move again? Don't we need something fresh to put our personal stamp on? And wouldn't moving be easier than cleaning those hard to reach places?" : ) So the other day instead of thinking of buying and selling in this icky housing market I decided to wallpaper our bedroom wall. This is something I have never done and after talking to Ian about it realized he was not as enthusiastic about the project as I was. With the knowledge that this would be an undertaking I had to do on my own I did some research asked a few friends and decided in true Logan fashion that I would just get it done. So I did. And here are the photos. The pattern is a little off the wall but I really like it and it makes me smile every time I walk into our room. The thoughts of moving have been watered down for now and Ian is happy with the new look too. Win win!!! I have to add he was also very good at praising me for my hard work. I got it done in one afternoon while he was at work. Life aint so bad at all if you live it off the wall.

How great thou "art"?

Karina and I went to an art exhibition in the trendy East London area a few weeks ago. Inside the massive white concrete space we stumbled across this.





What do you think? Is this art? I personally kind of like it. I wouldn't pay £20,000 for it, but I kinda like having the photo. I guess I should call it her.

It's the end of Delirious as we know it.....

If you haven't not and if you care the band that Ian has worked with for the last 11 years is finishing. I went to one of their last shows about a week ago at the Indigo in the O2 arena. It was nothing special to me. I am actually a little excited about their finale as I have had to compete with them for Ian's attention for almost five years. As much as I love them as people as a band they are my nemesis. I used this Indigo show to practice my concert photography. Ian never fails to provide quality, looks more expensive than it really is production, it was fun taking pictures of it. The band was pretty cool too.

Shakespeare's Sister

I have had a sister since I was 18 months old. She has been my best friend and my worst enemy for most of my life. We were raised like twins but could not be more different. She came to visit me in Nashville recently and her presence now has an enormous comforting effect on my being. I miss her when she is not with me. She has two offspring which I miss even more when they are not in range of my auntie affection. She is the ying to my yang and I cannot imagine my life without her. I love her more than those words can express.

Joy to the world.

My friend, I have written about her and her husband Nate on here before, is a very talented singer songwriter. I had the honor of doing her hair and make-up for her first ever indie photo shoot. The experience was a fulfilling one. Being creative with like minded creative people has been something I have longed for my whole life and since Raze ended has been difficult to find. I found it again on the shoot w/ Joy, Nate, Tec (a brilliant photographer) Talitha (a talented very cool stylist), and Kayleen (the best make-up assistant). Here are some shots from the day.

Cape Town

As much I was not really looking forward to going to Cape Town (I know I am ungrateful) it turned out to be an amazing experience. Ian, completely detached himself from his computer, was relaxed and energetic. The weather was sunny and warm. The city and surrounding areas exceeded my small expectations by massive amounts. One of the most beautiful places I have had the privilege of visiting. Words and photos seriously do not do it justice. Here are a few of the hundreds of photos I made Ian endure on our adventures. Oh and the food was freakin amazing!