Civilization As We Know It

A film that I have been anxiously awaiting the release, arrived on US soil yesterday. "Children of Men" adapted from P.D. James novel set in 2021, when women no longer have the ability to procreate and the youngest person on the planet dies at the age of 18 years, 11 months, 7 hours and 16 minutes (or somewhere around there). The entire world is in a state of destruction & warfare, which we witness here on English terra firma. Although the film strays some distance from the original novel on a few details, most probably for cinematic & time reasoning, what it stays true to is spot on. Hope where there is none. This film has everything from light hearted moments you'll chuckle at, to tension that will make you hold your breath for 20 minutes and great acting to boot!

Happy (Long Lost) Family Day!

More Christmas Cards

"Well, my family may be butt ugly, but look at the house I bought to hide them in..."

Just A Thought

I found this little list of tips on the website of Canvas Magazine. They are all things we know, but it's nice to be reminded & may be a few more people will continue the goodwill throughout the year. If you're on my very short list of gift receivers this year, you will recognise my favorite tip is the very last one!

Christmas Past

Remember when a simple photo & a few choice words said it all. Here are a few Holiday Cards I found in numerous second hand & junk stores over Chicago. I thought it might help some people get in the Holiday Spirit.

Really Good Read

In the portrait studio I work in, we get numerous magazines and publications that I wouldn't consider picking up never mind purchasing...however, I am more than happy to spend a few mintues of the day flipping the pages discussing who looks good and how they acheived the lighting and how many different Kate Moss' there are. She is an idol simply for her chameleon abilities. One magazine we are all happy to part with money for this month is Vanity Fair's "The Art Issue." Now I've read some other blogs & reviews of this magazine & especially this issue. Focusing on the front cover of Brad Pitt standing in the rain in nothing but white boxer shorts. Questioning what VF are calling "art" & the following controversay with Mr. Pitt stating he did not agree to this image being used for the front cover (a year after it was shot). What they appeared to miss in my opinion are the articles inside. Take the time to read this issue & you will rediscover not only the known, classic & contemporary artist, but also fresh new emerging artists who you'll be sorry you didn't hear about before.

Small Delights

I'm not big on religion. Tend only to go to church for funerals, weddings & other family associated gatherings that dictate such proceedings. However, I do purchase the odd thing for a few people who I care & want to show my appreciation for through objects and artifacts. I always struggle with what to get, wanting to "out-do" last year or simply attempting to find that one shiny pebble that I know will overwhelm them with emotion on sight. Ultimately, I just want to make them smile, like everyone else out there. So it's always a delight when finding someone's gift, also opens me to something new. After spending too much time in an art store being seduced by the beautiful handmade papers, I stopped in at Quimby's on North Ave just to see if anything jumped out at me. In fact numerous zines & books caught my attention, but I was already at the end of a tiring day of work & now shopping, so I picked quick. The two zines that made the cut were "Make This Magazine" which lists assigments for the next issue on the back page, from New York & "Islands Fold" an artist residency out of Canada. Both are very intriguing & visually fun & allow the viewer to make their own conculsions & discoveries. "MTM" treats it's publication like an extension of the classroom for people of all ages to experiement & be creative. So follow the links & get submitting.

A Vision of Beauty

When I left the studio this evening I felt an incredible tension in the air stabbing at me with blood dripping talons. A mass of people frantically attempting to beat one another to the biggest most expensive thing they simply must have, wrapped in smooth sparkly paper, finished with a big velvet bow to enunciate their love. Bah Humbug! I decided to join in and steaked my place at the North Avenue bus stop at the Wicker Park 6 corners. Didn't wait an unsually long time for the west bound bus to arrive & without fail it was full, but there were two more following close behind, so no need to jump the queue here. Of course I was going to one of the most middle class, white, 2.4 kids, Weimaraner in the back of the SUV shopping areas in Chicago. Sheffield and North Avenue. Now, I have never taken a single driving lesson and living in Chicago has shown me I don't need that kind of stress. I am fortunate enough to be able to walk to work & shops from my flat & if I need to go further a field, then I have no phobia inhibiting me from using the CTA. This one particular death trap that has reafirmed my prior decision is at Kingsbury & North Avenue. I have long questioned why the city did not have traffic lights. Voilà! We have lights in place...but no juice to put them into action. Don't panic, they went one further and got the best traffic management person (what are they called?) to work the insane on slaught of cars at this very junction. Watching this woman control the traffic was like magic. At no point did she make a wrong call, keep anyone waiting too long or pause for breath. If only I had remebered to put the battery in my camera when I grabbed it this morning, then you could have seen her. Instead, here is a polaroid I found at a bizarre little antique shop I came across on Belmont 2 years ago.

The Sound of Silence

I know I haven't been the best at keeping up with my blog, however it seems one entry I managed to put together made quite the crater. I'm talking specifically about the review I posted regarding my thoughts & experience of an acquaintance's show. When I wrote the post I didn't take into consideration that I know the person directly & that my posting of such sharp tongued words would effect this person so deeply. I thought I was writing my own personal point of view & giving a "friend" some helpful words of advise. Unfortuantely, my dagger shaped limited volcabulary & non-existent tact got to the keyboard before the reserved, overtly polite, true Brit climbed out of the Calvados glass. What I believed I was saying was... "this show has lots of potential that I know the creator is more than capable of pulling together and I hope to see it in the future." Sadly my words didn't translate as I had wished and now I have offended another person. Someone who means the world to me. Sorry to the both of you and to the countless few who partially listen to a word I say. I hope this photo is a prelude to better things to come.