happy april

friends going to great places

click on the book to see some pages!

My fantastic friend, visual artist and educator Eileen Rafferty has just published the first edition of Butterflies and Anvils, a quarterly photographic journal filled with inspiration and art.  She features an artist every time. This time, it's the wonderful Elizabeth Stone, another fantastic friend, visual artist and educator. The journal is available through Magcloud and you can purchase it through this link: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/168106.

It was just a thought in her mind.... now it's real.

crosscountry skiing in Montana

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."
- Ruth Stout

inspiration

When does an inspiration board become a collage? Well, if I went to far...lie to me.

 I have a big year coming up and I wanted to start within...
...and that led me to do an inspiration board (duh)...and in the end, I found it was full of strength, contrast, ideas, creativity, nostalgia, and a sense of calm. What a great thing to do at the start of a new year. (break some copyright laws and sniff some glue -ha!)

hey mama, does the torn edges and magazine mix bring you back to the good old days? can you hear the scissors? can you smell the pop corn covered in olive oil and brewers yeast?

mamas on wheels

Here in Missoula we have a fabulous magazine made for moms called Mamalode. The two ladies below asked me to document their adventures with the Hellgate Rollergirls as they learned to skate fast, stop safe, and what it means to be in the circle of pain. You can still get this article on the magazine stand or you can click here and go to page 37.

http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=52505

Thanks Elke and Dori for including me and suPer thanks to Darby Smash (hot roller mom) for making it happen.

holiday leftovers

 

1 cup holiday cookies
2 cups water

Soak the cookies in water for 60 seconds.  Blend for 30 seconds. Strain through cheesecloth. Take the cookies out of the cloth and blend again with 2 more cups of water for 30 seconds. Strain through the same cheesecloth. Throw cookie grounds in your mouth. Drink milk.

almond power

I'm inspired by Hailey King. She photographs her world of baking, in a soft intimate way, making me wish I lived with her. In her honor, I thought, I would share how to make your own almond milk. I can't believe how impatient I am when photographing still life. I don't know what to do with something that can't pop out it's hip or bend the elbow more...oh well.

My mother is one of the most healthy food makers, food preparers, and label readers out there. She influences her bothers, maybe her sister, maybe my sister, her mother and defiantly me with her organic this and her no-growth-hormone that. I spent the holidays with her and now...I will be making my own almond milk.

1 cup almonds (organic - duh)
2 cups water

Soak the almonds over night in water. Mix almonds and water in blender for 30 seconds. Strain through cheesecloth. Take the almonds out of the cloth and mix again with 2 more cups of water in blender for 30 seconds. Strain through the same cheesecloth. Throw almond grounds and cloth away. Drink milk.

california hanging out and playing - part one

A ballerina needn’t be a saint and a skater isn’t always a sinner.

Bamphetamine - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar       

These roller radicals blossomed in just barely a year, growing into a bouquet of vigorous wildflowers, capable of standing beautifully alone. 

Here are some images from the two calendars the girls and I made together for 2011 designed by Dave McKay Design (layout and design...not shown here).  There are only a few calendars left. They can be found at Betty's Divine in Missoula, MT, or through the Hellgate Rollergirls by emailing them at hellgaterollergirls@gmail.com 

More calendar images can be seen on Athena Photography.com

                                                       

Bitty Bitch & P.O.'d Box - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar

                     

   Night Mare - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar                            Psyco Bows - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar 

  

Lola Botomizer - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

      Tricksie Fiend - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar                 Hell Bunny Hunny - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

  Harpy Marx - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar 

I started working with the Hellgate Rollergirls  in their first year and this is partially why it has been so enjoyable. A friendship is beautiful to witness but seeing the introduction, formation and trust building between these girls has been mesmerizing and inspirational.  I photographed the Rollergirls 2010 calendar, these were the days, and I began to notice that these Hellgate Girls weren’t just amicable and polite, but that they had a generous bond and camaraderie with each other.  Something often not found in just a regular group of friends, they had a deeper care.  They continue to be a cohesive unit of stability and encouragement… they just happen to skate around a rink wearing fishnets. And they beat the crap out of their opponents. 

After shooting their calendar piece, I began to shoot practices and battles.  I witnessed their progression of skating skills and their growing collection of battle wounds, and also saw their organization and authority advance as they came together as athletes.  They developed together, yet as independent women.

I get goose bumps and a lump in my throat when I tell people how proud I am. These girls are finding themselves again or discovering themselves for the first time. The comments that they’ve shared with me are infectious and leave me energized.  Roller derby has given them power: a power of confidence, a power of determination.  It has given them power to get up after they fall again and again.  (Not to mention, roller derby has given them all great legs!)  

 Hott Mess - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

Hellgate Rollergirls, thank you for filling my year with your courage, love and toe stopper stands.  Happy holidays and I look forward to the new year with you!

back to cleaning

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.  ~Author Unknown

Don't cook. 
Don't clean. 
No man will ever make love to a woman because she waxed the linoleum -  "My God, the floor's immaculate.  Lie down, you hot bitch."  ~Joan Rivers