Folia Design: Gathering Inspiration

The Anthropologist

2009-11-10T00:37:27-08:00

Of course, one of my favorite retailers has come up with an inspirational online space called the anthropologist for inspiring works and individuals. I find it curious how my own personal intrigue for the past, whether it be in old tools, worn leather-bound journals, calcified bones or butterfly wings suspended forever in beauty mirrors this space. (Maybe that minor during undergrad in anthropology had more to do with my calling than I realized.)

I still credit Anna Grauer for being one of the most fascinating and stimulating faculty persons that made my first year of college so profound. It was a Wednesday night class with mostly upperclassman, and I loved that sense of discovery in the wonder of human evolution, the fascination of examining the skulls of Homo habilis, Australopithecus afarensis to Homo erectus. In class, I later came to discover that she was in charge of analyzing skeletons from an old burial site in Chicago that was being dug up for commercial property development. It was right in the neighborhood I grew up in. I went there the summer before college to walk around, hearing rumors about bones and stuff. I remember finding two teeth, putting them in my pocket and taking them home to my secret little holding box for mementos and oddities. How beautifully random life can be to thread an experience like that to my enthusiasm for a college course, and even more so because of the person teaching it. Well...I felt like a budding anthropologist.

There's much to *discover* and interact with. I've been so nose-to-the-grind stone lately that I really hadn't seen the release of Jane Campion's Bright Star. Be still my heart. Some friends were recently talking about it, and I just had no idea. I may miss it in the go-arounds at the theater, but will definitely put it on the NetFlix cue for sure. This little video segment of her talking with young child actors is so touching. She says "Filmmaking is about being...about telling the truth". Acting is about courage." ....wise words...reflective of life in general, I think?

Director of Photography for the film, Greig Fraser presents some images that made me pause and hunch ever-so-close-to-the-screen. beautiful. sentimental. haunting. delicate.

I guess I should admit it: Anthropologie is brilliant to unearth and present such artistry in the realm of historical reverence within avant garde contexts. More to love the creatives behind this company.

fall family frolic (fff)...

2009-10-30T12:30:48-07:00

I am so overjoyed in the latest photos that Megan Reeves has unleashed of our family.

One word that fits how I'm feeling is:forte fortissimo (or spelled fff for those musically inclined).

I don't want to leave a long unnecessary trail of words which could never give justice to what these images do on their own - but only desire to make known the deepest heart-felt gratitude to Megan for being the eyes to the moment of what this wife, mother and woman feels in her heart.

Thank you Megan.

Lost - in more ways than one

2009-10-28T13:45:00-07:00

There are times when an image can completely melt away the worries and stresses of life. This is one of them.

Megan Reeves posted a preview (or should I say HUGE TEASE) for what's to come from a recent family portraiture session. My intention for a "shot" was based on another she did for a friend's family (which you can see if you go to Megan's gallery section under portrait two - last photo on the right). Of course, all that hope went down the tube when Liam decided it wasn't a good day for pictures (can we say TANTRUM!?) The only way we could get him to even step into the little patch of trees at Kennedy Park was for him to wrestle with Oliver and run all over the place, except for where I wanted for said-like-image.

And here, we have proof, that in the talent that Megan does with the lens, she was able to capture just one image to make me say "awww, it's all ok" and forget how much patience I had to succumb from my core. And supposedly, there's more to see! I just hope the scowl on my face isn't too noticeable, cause in the end - "it's all ok".

Thank you Megan, my friend.

owen - one of these days

2009-09-18T12:37:53-07:00

...feeling a little sentimental for Chicago...

John Daina-Palermo: Spring 2010

2009-09-16T22:55:23-07:00

Some bragging rights are in order here! My good friend John has just released some photos of his newest line of fashion— absolutely gorgeous! I can see it now, bright lights, cameras and lots of strutting models on stage surrounding modest John...and I get to say, "I use to know him when...."

Seriously though, what's not to love? As a lucky owner of some of his wearable art, they are made so impeccably well too!