Sighs, Tears, and Darkness

Horror is a pervasive theme in my art, my dreams, my inspiration. We all have dark thoughts and fantasies that might only come out before we open our eyes. I acknowledge my fantasy as moving and emphatic. Horror allows us to feel something that we never expect or anticipate to confront in our lifetimes. It is slightly surreal yet motivates deep and visceral tones in our minds. Suspiria (2018) is one of the most inspiring horror films I have seen since Hereditary. Flooded with mystery, lacking explanation, and evoking those feelings that we wish to suppress. When I went on this photoshoot with Nathan, Kate, Maisie, and Kyle, Suspiria was on the forefront of my mind.

mungbean

Nathan and I photographed Emma and Sean, our good friends and members of mungbean, for the release of their new music.  Listen to their music on Spotify

Pittsburgh/Birthday Weekend

Thanks Nathan, Sarina, and Connor for celebrating my bday with me in Pittsburgh, PA.  The list of highlights is not short but includes vegan Polish food, a tiki bar, the Mattress Factory, hanger leading to lunch at Starbucks, rosé champagne, Hambone's, Arsenal Bowling, feeding deer & seeing at fox at Allegheny, etc. etc. 

Maisie & Cassie

Shout out to Nathan for helping me with the lighting.

The Secret Hike

You're usually reluctant to hike, but I know that you always leave proven wrong.  Thanks for letting me pressure you into doing these things with me.

Low-key Adventure Sunday

Javi, Mallory, Julie, and Nathan

Independence Day

Although we have a heinous, unfit president in office, it is still important to recognize the freedom that many of us have in the USA.  People immigrate here from all over the world to share that freedom, and I can only hope that we continue to welcome these humans with open arms.  On July 4th 2017, many people gathered in solidarity to share their anger with the current political state or celebrate our freedom in Columbus's lefty, punk-rock Doo Dah Parade.  I marched with the impromptu Doo Dah Drum Corps (which I have been referring to as the Drunk Corps) to celebrate this holiday.  July 3rd was a special night as well with fireworks, flat tires, doubling up on a bike with a six pack of beer, bottle rockets, anticlimactic sparklers, and an undertone of romance.  These two photos are from Red White and Boom.

Of Two Times

Nathan and I drove to Blackwater Falls, West Virginia where we found few indications of what year it might be.  We drank beer out of paper cups and walked through the snow on an unintentional winter vacation.  Winter came strong in Washington, D.C. where the city shut down in response.  Whistler, Magritte, Rembrandt, Hopper, and Dijkstra carried us through the cold.  I am grateful for the remaining half-burrito in my fridge and for the crumbs of potato chips that will forever be in my car.

Like Sand Between Your Fingers

I look forward to freedom as if it were the road that I am driving on.  Freedom is the "N" on my compass that the magnet is drawn to.  I hear my name being called and naturally, I turn.  February reappropriated April and the world isn't yet mad.  You stole the culture of the warmer months to make the cold just a memory.  Snow happened, but we have to try to remember it.  We remember it by the white color, the lack of people on the streets, the slow motivation.  We can't remember what it felt like.  Although we remember the sensory perception while the feeling no longer exists, we cannot forget that the snow came and went.  

Sleep Paralysis/Floating in the Dead Sea

I look to you with my eyes closed and beg you to wake me up.  I'm floating in a sea of salt and my body responds to nothing or no one. I beg you to prop up my back when I can't. I'm floating in a salty sea and no one can lift me up.

Disposable

Talia gave me this disposable camera back in June.  I have slowly been using it since then.  Some photos are from a music festival in Zurich, Switzerland. 

Nathan

Yesterday happened with no plan, and it worked out in our favor.

Supermoon

During the moon's perigee, the tides are pulled by a stronger force of gravity.  Today we gravitated toward one another, feeling the proximity of the moon.  I am lucky to have this hobby that has introduced me to such wonderful people.

Nathan

I met Nathan just over two years ago, and we have grown closer ever since.  A friend that you can learn from is a friend worth having.  Yesterday, we spent the day aimlessly roaming around Downtown Cleveland snapping photos of the pretty fall vibes and the City's photographic interiors.  Nathan had never been to Severance Hall, and we were serendipitous to stumble upon a pianist practicing at a smaller stage.  I really like the word "severance".