If you're lucky, every once in a while, you get a glimpse at the inner
workings of your mind. You find the telling source, or approximate
origin of how you think... and why you do that thing you do. I recently had such a revelation in a place I've been to many times over many years. Even in the simplest, most
abstract pieces, there is a source literally built in stone.
I so clearly remember lying on my parent's bed glued to the '79 Grammy awards waiting for "best new artist". After months of "Chuck E's in Love" addiction, I was totally obsessed with the brazenly real, groundbreaking voice of nominee - Rickie Lee Jones.
I was watching a formative visual moment: George Burns and Deborah Harry (Yes! BLONDIE) announced. After beating out The Blues Brothers, Dire Straits, Robin Williams (???), and The Knack, she made her way to the stage.... And then it got a bit weird.
As she swayed oddly and smiled eerily for an uncomfortably long several seconds, the sick underbelly of 70's cool crept in. It was the young addict, too high to fake it - the Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison brand of scary, which naturally fascinated and frightened the 13 year old me.
Luckily, she suddenly snapped into focus and gave a quick, frankly humorous thanks. Her raspy badass street voice made her long blond hair, black beret, tight cropped jeans, and little rust leather jacket even cooler. In that moment she was IT - hip, tough, sexy, quirky - the definition of cool - an artist. I was dying of groovy overload as she awkwardly ran off the stage.
Fast forward the years, I'm in the audience watching the seasoned, adult Rickie. The hard knocks diva who drew the map for the Fiona Apple's and Regina Specktor's now speaks of precious time passing. Each song an intricate novel, was punctuated by her singularly innovative, unforgettable voice.
After a long spellbinding performance, she closed with a cover more visceral and damning than the original "Sympathy for the Devil". Without changing a word she chillingly redefined it.
And then, with all the grace and beauty of an angel, she exited the room.
Adam Salsberg, a Chicago sound engineer and musician, found MarLa studio when recovering from a serious hit and run bike accident. If he wasn't wearing a helmet, well.... HIS HELMET SAVED HIM.
To express their relief and joy, Adam's parents wanted to get him something personal and life affirming. They wanted it to be spiritual, but cool - something a guy like Adam would wear. Their internet search brought them to my 18=chai=life. Honored to be a teeny part of his journey back to a big, music filled life, I recently caught up with Adam. THIS (!!!) is what he's doing:
I've been busy at the studio, things are going really well for me
there. I recently started teaching a recording group for teenagers
twice a week with a youth program that is held in the same building as
the studio. I'm currently working on recording a mixtape with a rapper
named Duggie, and got to produce one of the beats for it as well. I've also been recording some tracks with Slugshot Malone. Other rappers
I've recorded include Dreezy, Big IL and Sly Polaroid. I've had the
pleasure to work with Malik Yusef on several occasions. Malik is a 5 time Grammy winning songwriter and poet, probably best known for his
work with Kanye West. Also recently, I've done commercials for
Providence St. Mel, a private school in Chicago.
At my home studio (called Space Jam) my favorite
things I've recorded are Oshwa, which is a really great band, as well
as solo artist Fleeting Image. Both of these were recorded and mixed by
my friend Seth Engel and I together. Seth and I also recorded and mixed a
compilation of Chicago solo artists, an idea we came up with ourselves.
It can be obtained free at redbeardrecords.bandcamp.com.
My band, Cage Match has one album out that is free to download at cagematchmusic.bandcamp.com,
and have new material coming out in the near future. Our music is
unexpectedly peaceful, contrary to the name. I have also composed and
recorded music for several of my brother's animations, which can be seen
at www.pokegravy.com.
The Periodic Table of Elements had been hanging over my bench on my "inspiration board" for over a year. Everyday I'd glance at it pondering both mysterious elements (Y-Yttrium ??), as well as the familiar Fe-Iron. I've always loved it's utilitarian design. The Periodic Table was a friendly and intriguing companion, for which I had no clear plan. I just liked it.
Last spring, I asked a close, trusted, brilliant scientist friend of mine if there was something she'd like to see in the new collection. Slightly exasperated she replied, "Oh man, I don't know... I'm NOT creative... ask me about the Periodic Table and I could tell you something..."
WOAH, Did she just say PERIODIC TABLE? Yes she did.
She then added, "Please don't be mad at me, I'm just not creative like that..."
Mad? NO - I'm amazed, thrilled... I'm delighted.
I immediately emailed a photo of my "inspiration board" and explained how I've been geeking out on the chart for over a year and I now know why. THANK YOU. That's it - the Periodic Table of Elements.
She laughed and said, "Make Fe-Iron, make it for Iron woman".
Of course. Done.
It's now Thanksgiving. The Periodic Table of Elements debuted. My Fe-Iron woman friend has given me more than I could ever thank her for. She is wickedly funny, witty, insightful, and endlessly inspiring. She is also a warrior, a fighter like I've never seen. She's in a battle, and she will be undefeated. If anyone is Fe-Iron, it is her.
Thankful and so very grateful for the most elemental gift - a true friend.
I met Lauren Runzel about 15 years ago in the GAP. For me, it was an "ah ha" moment. For her, a quick distracted conversation.
She was all that - tall, lanky, striking, wearing tight cropped jeans she cut off herself, old skool looking bowling shoes, a little tight jacket and tee. At the time she had a pixie cut and was hollering "Harrison!!!" to a curly haired dervish running wild in the store.
At the register I stared, unabashedly, unable to hide my instant girl-crush. I asked her how old he was, "He's two, the youngest of my 6 kids". Me, "SIX?". Lauren, "Yeah, I've never had this much fun, it's wild." Me, "Wow..."
I caught her name - Lauren.... that awesome Lauren woman.
Years later, we lived in the same town. I had three boys and became a jewelry designer. She, a former model, owned an incredibly hip (of course) boutique - GAVIN. I went in to sell her my work. She loved the line and ordered.
I was finally able to tell her about how I met her in the GAP 15 years ago, how she was an inspiration, how she was frenzied and yelling after a beautiful boy with floppy blonde curls... how she, in that quick exchange, made a lasting impression, and changed me in a subtle but significant way....
I might have held back a bit.... but she was so bold and out there herself it felt totally normal. And she liked hearing it....
And, she was stunning, and wearing a wig, and had just come from chemo, but you'd never have guessed it unless she told you.
Thinking of Lauren, her family, and the many others she changed, without even knowing it.
Musician. Singer. Song writer. Poet. Adam James Sorensen is awesome - and that's an understatement.
His magnificent new CD Midwest is the definition of lush melancholy. Think: James Taylor meets Nick Drake - they go to a poorly lit coffee house and hang with Townes Van Zandt - hell yeah. Give a listen, it's like the fading but hopeful yellow light on the flat Midwest horizon.
A pensive, dark CD from a driven, ambitious optimist, uncompromising in his quest of a full, passion filled life.
When work is truly a labor of love it gives back way more than a living. Daliah and Kyan are such precious gifts. A year ago I blogged of our friendship in "The Definition of Love". Time moves on. Kyan is three. Our lives continue to change and evolve in all directions. Daliah is now the chief clinical officer at the Aids Foundation of Chicago - incredible work for an incredible woman. Kyan, a Lego architect, explores everything within, and not within, reach.
Paul Newman. I wish I'd see this image as a kid. It would have made a formative, lasting impression. I'd have tried to live up to his cool ballsy swag and self assurance, to vibe my Jew-ness cool and easy.
Always the tomboy, I admire both men and women as personal style guides. Tough, groovy, mysterious, sensuous, intrinsically intelligent... In women - androgynous. In men - a bit dangerous. Those types.
To have seen this icon of all things rugged and sexy, just standing there, in his greatness, rockin' the J-Star... MAN. I feel like a kid all over again. Still forming, still dreaming, still inventing and reinventing what I'll be when I grow up.
This season, and forever more, let's vow to be all that. In our delicate nuances, and unabashed bold strokes - to be that person who eternally swags it, like Paul.
I must celebrate the official beginning of leather jacket season with this image of Judith Nemes. One day last spring she landed in my studio. I say landed, because her superhero energy indicates she may just be able to fly.
Judith Nemes is a journailst, photographer, professor, and vigilant champion of all things environmentally protective and green. I dub her my "Green Siren". Not only is she wicked smart and true to her cause, she's full of female awesomeness and beauty. Strong but searching, determined but questioning, pushing for change and transformation but accepting her many divided roles gracefully - she's all that, and so much more. SO - run now - and read her latest article - the TOP news story in TODAY'S Crains Chicago Business.
No coincidence she is wearing "With all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might" with the "Keepsake Heart", combined with the framed "Prutah Coin".
The Prutah Coin is from c. 70 ad. and was struck by the Israelites in rebellion to Roman rule. I frame them in copper backed with sterling silver.
Rebel, but all heart.
Beyond honored - she sent me the most touching validation:
"I feel like something powerful happened to me today. Our rambling conversation dipped into some corners of my life that have been dormant for a long time, and now they've been stirred again, awakened, and I'm thinking about them in a new and more thoughtful light. Thank you for that.
You have a wise and gentle spirit.
Meeting you turned out to be about much more than jewelry ... or was that obvious?"
I can actually make quite a ruckus with this horn. It works.
The ram's horn makes a most primal sound. I love it. I love when ritual is raw and arresting - when it shakes me from the mundane and demands attention. The peculiar and un-lovely sound of the shofar is perhaps what I race towards all year. Pushing through time and experience to return to the sound, reset, refresh the screen, and get another chance to try again. This is the ultimate, most precious gift for which I am beyond grateful. So very grateful. Another chance to try again and make it all count.
Ok! Bring on the horns!
You know you're fortunate when, without even realizing it, you have a very close friend that seemingly came out of nowhere. Someone who casually stepped in one day, and stayed. Over time you realize how you depend on them for support, comfort, humor and their remarkable gift for recognizing the oddness and beauty of things many others miss.
You know you're lucky when your work brings you to such a friend. My friend is very modest and very private, she is a brilliant woman battling a devastating cancer. She herself is a cancer researcher, neuroblastoma to be specific - a childhood brain tumor. She's witty and wry, compassionate and open, always the optimist, and loving.
My friend wears the "Square Cross", among several other pieces. The cross however, is her very favorite.
Our personal objects are among the things that help steel us when facing the world. We wear jewelry as emblems of ourselves, talismans for good luck, protectorates and shields against ill will and the vagaries of misfortune. Our objects and jewelry have as much power as we assign them, as we hope they possess intrinsically, to giveback to us. We give our precious symbols the power to let us believe - and sometimes that's more powerful than a force we can scientifically measure.
On this Passover, the holiday of great symbols and miracles, I pray for my friend. I am eternally grateful for her friendship, and for the cross that brought her to me.
Come Out Supermoon! Come out! We'll give you cookies!
I have always felt intimately connected to the Moon. An object of intellectual curiosity and visual wonder, emotional longing and universal truth - the Moon feels like my odd, cold, but comforting friend. The Jewish calendar being lunar is another personal connection to, and fascination with the moon.
According to the Jewish calendar, the new month begins when the first sliver of moon becomes visible again after the dark moon. In ancient times, new months were determined by observation.
Well, tonight my side kick Jonah and I tried very hard to see way more than a sliver - we were hoping for the SUPERMOON - the largest, closest moon to Earth that happens once every 18 years - the Super Perigee Moon! Due to high, thin cloud cover our lakeside efforts were for naught. We saw a halo, we saw some light, we saw shadowed clouds, but not the big kahuna. Oh well!
Always being impatient for the whole moon (and obsessive!) - I like the Moon so very much, a while ago I made one!
Do YOU know what PURIM is??? This is the happiest, smiley-est, best-est, most delightful, most affirming, fantastically done Purim piece ever!!!!! Watch and enjoy! I veesh I nooo Rashhin!!! BUT! The translation is below... YAY, YAY and YAY for the talented, great looking, groovy St. Petersburg Hillel! With all that's happening at this time, it feels so, so good to smile. It's ccccold there in Russia, but this is way warming. ENJOY and HAPPY PURIM TO EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE!!!!
Hello, I'm Liya Geldman. I'm a senior student at cinema and television university in St. Petersburg. As you know Russia is a multiethnic and multidenominational country. But do Russians really know traditions of other cultures? Today we came here to find out if they know what Purim is.
- Do you know what Purim is?
- Hello, do you know what Purim is?
- Hi Julia, do you know what is Purim?
- Hello, what is Purim?
Doesn't anyone know what Purim is?
Purim! Purim! Purim!
Purim! Purim! Purim!
Celebrating Purim!
Zenit and Haiduck (Russian soccer teams),
Student and coach,
Human and spider,
Patient and surgeon,
NYC, Moscow and Saint Petersburg!
Purim! Also celebrating in Barnaul
People from Penza and Tomsk,
On Kamchatka and in Kerch,
And possibly even on the moon.
Purim! Let's put some make up on!
Whether you are old or young,
Even if you hadn't slept for 3 nights
It's Israeli mega-carnival!
Purim! We highly recommend it.
The plot is twisted,
It happened almost 3000 years ago
So it might be hard to remember
Where's good and where's bad
So choose for yourself who's good and who's bad
Here's the Mordehai the Jew, King Ahashverosh.
Where's Vashti? The Tzar's ex-wife?
But maybe Hamman could be the Bad Guy?
Imagine for a while that we're in Babylon,
Who's the star on this dark sky? Esther!
Here's a lesson for now and in 600BC
If you're brave, you've got the power!
We'll scream together Mazal Tov!
Our glass is full to the brim.
With what? Lets fill it with wine
And drink it all up.
And during this Purim we'll change the world!
Oleg Dremov
Additional thx to Evgeny Levitin, Liya Geldman, Sergey Teplov, Sonya Mladenova, Sonya i Megan, Anya, Sofa, Sasha, Vitya, Ira, Pasha, Kolya and others.
Deborah's art is shown and collected internationally. "Sons of the Never Wrong" tours to sold out crowds, and plays the coolest, most prestigious venues in the country. After meeting her, the term "self-actualized" had a picture to go with it.
I met Deb several years ago when I was a printmaker at CPC's first location. It was in a rough space in the pre-gentrified raggedy East Village neighborhood. I loved everything about the place. She created an oasis of artistic productivity and community, there was nothing else like it. The newer Lincoln Square space is beautiful, more accessible and expansive in it's draw. It's become a beloved, important institution in the city's art culture - not an easy thing to make happen and sustain.
Back in December I was part of the CPC annual "Small Prints Show", selling my jewelry for the opening weekend event. Over the course of the heavily attended opening, Deb slowly acquired my work. In this pic, layering all her MarLa studio pieces, she's holding her "Bird in the Hand" pendant while the bird in her large etching peers behind her. I love this image.
As a serious admirer of Deborah and her work for many years, it is the greatest honor to see her wearing mine.
Heidi Meredith. Psychiatrist, Mom extraordinaire, partner, musician, Burning Man babe, total woman of valor.... and so, so much more. Heidi listens, for a living and for life - a full, adventurous life.
A graduate of Northwestern's Six Year Med Program, she started professional training when most are still figuring out what to do with their first degree. Medicine however, wasn't this young doctor's singular passion. While teaching herself guitar, she picked up the bass, put on Nirvana, and had every bass line down within minutes. She played nights with her band and spent her days.... well, listening, and treating, and steadily building what's now her own practice.
The word for listen in Hebrew is "shema". It's also the first word of the most recited and important prayer in Judaism. After Heidi saw my "shema" pendant she decided to commit - in a seriously permanent way - to a tattoo! WOW!
In preparation for shoveling out of what will most likely be the Mama of all Snowstorms, I bought SNOWPANTS! Now, to give a brief history, I've tried to find great snowpants for the past five years. I've attempted the boys route at Target (where I get my boys most everything) and no good. Not a good fit. Not a good look. Not even in the heart of darkness, the grayest, snowiest and coldest Chicago's got to give - nope. As cold as I was, I had to just say no. I've actively, and passively searched for years. It's been lonesome.
AND THEN! TODAY! In a mad search for gloves (Target had none) - I ended up at the Shred Shop in Skokie - a skateboarders/snowbaorders mecca!
Now, why is it, that snowpants for adults can't be this cool everywhere? Isn't there a huge "cool adult snowpants market" just waiting for exploitation? Why are they reserved for a specialty niche? I love that form follows function - that cool snowpants come from (literally) a cool sport, but why can't this be the norm? Why isn't walking around in groovy "winter pants" just what we do here in a cold but groovy city? Are you with me? Why aren't fantastic snowpants (or shall I dub them "very cool pants"?) readily available for people over 12?
Well, at 30% off, today was my lucky pre-megastorm, cold, gray, menacing day. Well designed, very cool pants, SNOWPANTS are now mine. Let the winter games begin... and by games I mean, shoveling.
I saw the future of cool commerce and its name is the ipad.... and Square. Every once in a while I happen upon something so brilliant and intriguing I stare with wide eyed wonder - as if I'm seven all over again, looking up at the John Hancock building from it's sidewalk base. Recently, I experienced this all too rare childlike fascination when paying at my new favorite, sleek coffee shop - Coffee Lab - at 922 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL.
This is a pic of Coffee Lab's cash register - an ipad with an attached device called Square. Square is a card swipe technology that can be used with ipads, iphones, and andriod phones, turning them into little credit card terminals. The Square hardware and app are free. You just set up an account and you're in business. Processing fees are less than conventional plans, and you don't need a merchant services agreement. Yes - wow, wow, and WOW - my thoughts exactly! I now have a square for my phone.
Most importantly, it looks beautiful - much like the Jetsons world I'd imagined "the future" to be when I was seven.
I'm still waiting for spunky round hover-cars, and responsible apron-clad robot maids... but, I've got a little cube and a phone that takes pictures... and credit cards!
Joy DuPuis, the daughter of Protestant Missionaries, grew up in the international expat community of Vienna, Austria. She vividly remembers traveling to communist Romania as a ten year old - on a mission. She was told not to talk to the border police about what they do, not to discuss anything in the hotel, car, or in public. She understood they were always being followed and taped. Yes - Joy learned very young that a big life of meaning happens through giving - through sharing goodness, practical skills, and hard earned knowledge.
Fast-forward to now! Evasnton, Illinois - the business is RawRah! Joy's teaching others how to create the most unbelievable, nutrient dense, live/raw/organic, beyond delicious, meals in a passionate, accessible way. A trained homeopath, she knows the healing power of seriously good food. In this photo Joy's wearing the bronze Hand as she nonchalantly instructs and fills the plates with, quite possibly, the very best thing you may eat - ever.
For a schedule of group classes you can email Joy at joydupuis@mac.com.
Just yesterday, I was describing my close friend (and model) Jessica to another friend. While doing this, I realized how all my models are strong, somewhat fearless, individuals who crafted their lives in brave, compelling ways. They inspire me. That I got all of them together one hot June afternoon, on time, and ready to shoot, still amazes me. Over the next few months I'll feature each of them, and my very incredible photographer - Pixie Spindel.
For now - it's Jessica!
We first met in a vegetarian restaurant at the self serve counter. She had a toddler boy on her hip and was having an animated conversation with an old friend she'd just bumped into. As he was telling her good news, she swung her dark brown hair to the other side, readjusted her son, smiled big with her blue eyes twinkling, and exclaimed "Mazel Tov!!!". Well, from then on, I was in serious girl-love with my soon to be friend - my "Mazel Tov!" queen - Jessica.
Right out of college, with a degree in theater, she founded, directed, and managed a theater company whose audience was children - in hospitals. Quickly her unusual troupe won donations and recognition. As a young single Mom she completely retrained herself. Quietly, and with great discipline, she gathered and practiced the skills necessary to succeed in law school. With a grounded sense of idealism, tenacity and passion she entered law school and graduated in the top 10% of her class. I watched in awe as she was raising a school age son, reading hundreds of pages a night, writing hundreds of pages, taking grueling exams, rarely sleeping, and still looking lovely, composed, and energized. She passed the Bar last summer and is applying for jobs while continuing her Masters in Law - specializing in international trade. Her goal - to one day feed the world through fair agricultural trade laws.
