My Photography - Sad Girl

This young girl was sitting on the curb during the Summer Solstice Celebration. She looked so unhappy and lonely. I watched her from a bench for a couple of minutes, and was drawn to the smiley drawing on her face; the total opposite of the vibe she was putting out. Normally I would have gone over and asked if she was alright, but I held back. A part of me felt it was wrong to take her picture, but I really wanted to capture that moment. I wish I could have zoomed in on her face, but wasn't close enough. She got up a few minutes later and continued walking down the street. I prayed she'd be in a happier mental place soon.

He's a Rebel

I was happy to come across this quote today. It makes me want to take more chances with my writing again. Heck, I might even pull out my art supplies and get creative on a canvas too. Like Nike says, "Just Do It". Life is too short to keep wasting time. I can't keep everything bottled up much longer. It's time to publish my zines again. It's time to start sharing what's going on inside in head and heart with the world again. It's in the wee hours of the morning when I feel I can do anything. Let's see if this feeling carries on into the rest of the day.

Whenever possible I'll post some information about the person being quoted. I think it's a good idea to know a bit of background on the person behind the words.

Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987), known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printermaker and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. After a successful career as a commerical illustrator, Warhol became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure known for his membership in wildly diverse social circles that included bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons.

Warhol has been the subject of numerous retrospective exhibitions, books, and feature and documentary films. He coined the widely used expression "15 minutes of fame". In his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Andy Warhol Museum exists in memory of his life and artwork.

The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting is $100 million for a 1963 canvas titled Eight Elvises. The private transaction was reported in a 2009 article in The Economist, which described Warhol as the "bellwether" of the art market." $100 million is a benchmark price that only Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Gustav Klimt and Willem de Kooning  have achieved. (Source: Wikipedia)

Note: For more insight on zines, visit Chip Rowe's informative and timeless website, The Book of Zines and click on the link, "What's a Zine?"

My Photography - Costa Rican Delight

I'm coming across a lot of old pictures lately that are full of good memories. I was getting ready to enjoy some delicious coffee a friend sent while he was traveling in Costa Rica. I love the design on the coffee bag (which I plan to frame someday). That's one of my favorite coffee cups. I've had it about 8-9 years. I'd carry it into The Daily Grind (De La Vina & Mission Street) to get that coffee discount. I'm surprised it never broke in the truck of my car. The Goleta store closed long ago, but the Santa Barbara location (about 7-8 blocks from downtown), is alive and always crowded. Great coffee, smoothies, sandwiches and salads too. The delicious pastries and muffins are to die for. (Photo: Me)

My Photography - Stir-fry w/ tofu, leeks and celery

I love taking pictures of meals I cook. This dish had a "green veggie only" theme for some crazy reason. I added some Chinese noodles, 5-spice seasoning, soy sauce, pepper, and fresh garlic. The meal ended with sliced mangoes covered with honey. (2007)

My Photography - Muddy Waters Coffeehouse

    Art work on the wall at Muddy Waters Coffeehouse, Santa Barbara, CA

Feeling the Need

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.  -- Seneca

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain

Travelers never think that they are the foreigners. -- Mason Cooley

Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness. -- Ray Bradbury

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. -- James Michener

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. -- Aldous Huxley

No Cake?

                                It's time for a little bit of anime / manga cuteness.

Liquid Inspiration

 

                     Coffee falls into the stomach ... ideas begin to move,

                     things remembered arrive at full gallop ... the shaft

                     of wit start up like sharp-shooters, similies arise,

                     the paper is covered with ink ...

                       - Honore de Balzac, French novelist and playwright (1799-1850)

My Photography - Pretty Purple Petals

This lovely flower caught my eye at church yesterday. Look at those purple highlights! I'm so glad I had my camera with me.                                                             

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