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chas in the studio

This is how a warm-up page usually looks. Sketchbooks are great for warming up.

My hand was trying hard to translate for my eyes, so I was about on the third of six sketches of this one particular person in this one particular photo. Chas walked in.

I told him that drawing is a lot like exercise, in that you have to warm up your muscles before you can run.

I told him, also, that this person’s face was particularly difficult, so I had to keep trying to capture it until I was happy with the translation. I also explained that I was a little “out of shape.” 😉

“I’ll help you, mommy.” which he did, here and there.

He, too, was satisfied with the sixth drawing, that one in the lower right.

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#24 & #9

checking off #24

I face plenty of challenges with the big digital gorilla every time I use it, so I may be a bit out of my league to revert on occasion to film, but there is a certain humility in the way a vintage camera feels, more elegant than the latest point-and-shoot. Autofocus schmocus. There may be a light meter but you can blame the user on every photographic error. This camera doesn’t lie. And it will spank me, ignoring the whining and my tantrums like a German nanny.

The woman who sold this camera to me tells the story of a friend whose father was a photojournalist living in San Francisco during the 60s. He died, and his daughter later gave this camera away to her good friend, this woman. On Saturday she unswaddled this machine out of a rough-hewn black velvet square and presented it to me like a nurse handing me my newborn child.

I can now cross off #24 on my list.

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The next day, in Palo Alto, I purchased # 9 on the list for a few more bucks so that I could finally have the full and dirty canvas for all the otherwise pristine, bokeh’d shots my 50mm normally disguises. This way, all the empty cans of beer and Red Bull will not go unnoticed in our house when I snap a photo at home, indoors on a Sunday morning.

crossing out #9

None of this would really be so ‘black and white’ were it not for Andrea, who both inspired me to make a new year of 37 and consider getting this particular Pentax K1000 camera.

Ultimately, perhaps, I have that awesome Damon to thank; after all, this was a birthday gift for turning 37 in the first place. (thanks, D!)

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February is for Friends, Fondue and Birfdays

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Every February, as long as we are in California, Alis and I get together and celebrate our birthdays. Alis was born twelve days after I was, but she is four inches taller, has always backed me up in every corner and rarely ever got into any real trouble so I can’t help but think of her as my older sister. We met as hallmates on the first day of college our freshman year at RISD.

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In northern California, winter is wet and cold, and on more than one occasion it’s seemed just right to have a fondue party, which is exactly what we did tonight in Mountain View at Grandpa Charlie’s house (Charlie is Alis’ dad).

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Little Rosie, the granddaughter of Charlie’s wife Maddie, was there too, celebrating her third birthday. Happy Birthday, Rosie!

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I was responsible for cheese fondue. I have an old book on fondue with a recipe that I adapted to suit my taste (I have really good taste!) Pay attention, because this is delicious:

  • Rub your fondue pot with one clove of halved garlic. Discard the garlic.
  • Shred 1 lb of gruyere cheese into the pot, along with
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup of Kirschwassen

Warm over a double-boiler (or over the Sterno) on medium heat until melted. Stir frequently, meanwhile cubing some fresh sourdough loaves or whatever else you might like to dip into the cheese: French bread, carrot slices, tomato wedges, potatoes, steamed broccoli or cauliflower…

Then enjoy. With lots and lots of wine.
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…and then maybe a little chocolate fondue, too!

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