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

missoula vs spokane

November 6th, 2010
Missoula's Hellgate Rollergirls hosted Spokane's Toothless Annies for a very exciting roller derby bout. The Missoula crowd of 1500 cheered for their derby dolls as they fought their way around the track. The energy was high, the girls really wanted it and the fans loved it. 

 

cleaning what doesn't need cleaning

perfect piles

I'm finding........ there is so much to do....... when I'm arranging my life...... to better suit me.

2011 calendars

Of all the things I've done in 2010, I'm most proud of the Hellgate Rollergirl calendars. I have a special place in my heart for those girls, which I will share more of in a future blog post. But for now, I want to celebrate the release of the calendar.

                                                                                         Pinup calendar cover

Bitty Bitch, that's Brae's rollergirl name, and I got together to dream up the 2011 calendar, we left our meeting with two calendars in mind. The first one is a 'pinup style' 11x17 flat calendar. The classic, Vargas pinup calendars with their white backgrounds and sexy girls were our inspiration. We asked Dave McKay Designs to take our ideas and step them up with his clean, simple and effective design. I'm really grateful to him for putting his magic touch on the Pinup calendar, but also for busting out on our 'gritty' themed calendar too. The Gritty calendar is a 81/2 x 11 folded calendar with a darker edger feel to the photographs and design.

                                                                                         Gritty calendar cover

This project really turned out to be a community collaboration, which warms my heart even more. Here is a list of the local talent: Hellgate Rollergirls modeled, I photographed, Dave McKay designed, Josh Quick did the HGRG logo, 12 business sponsored each month, Allegra and Pyramid printed the calendars while walking me through the process, and now derby fans will buy the calendars.....oh, love community.

The girls will be signing and selling the calendars for the next two months. I will be at their release signing tomorrow night, Friday, Nov. 5th at Break Espresso from 5-8. 432 N. Higgins, see you there!