Cost and flavor.

More often than not, the cheap produce at stands is the best.  Low prices usually mean those items grown really well in the region and farmers have an abundance.  Here in middle Tennessee, melons, tomatoes, squashes, eggplants, and certain legumes thrive.  Peaches, corn, okra, dark greens, and tubers also grow pretty well but not as well, so prices and quality can vary quite a bit.

This dish takes young, Tennessee produce in the peak of the season and transforms it into a Mediterranean delight with only a few simple ingredients.

Roasted Baby Vegetables w/ Olives and Feta 

1 lb baby eggplants
1 lb baby yellow squash (and/or zucchini)
2 medium tomatoes
2 Tbsp chopped basil
1/2 C pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 C crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Cut vegetables into large chunks.  Toss with oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast, covered, in a 400 deg F oven for about 18 minutes.

Remove cover.  Toss with basil and olives.  Sprinkle feta over the top.  Return (uncovered) to oven for another 10-12 minutes.  Add some fresh basil just before serving.

Serves 4-6.  Great over couscous alongside grilled meat or seafood.

It’s the middle of the summer with nothing new to watch. So what do we end up talking about? The Newsroom, The Walking Dead, and the lineup for this fall.

Check out TVBFF’s Episode #10 -

The Summer Drought

How do know if you’re a professional? You get paid.

Being a professional doesn’t have to do with quality, it has to do with compensation. Some of the finest practitioners of arts and sciences have been amateurs. I greatly dislike the term “amateurish,” when it’s used to mean ‘of poor quality or effort.’ Some of the finest athletes on the planet are amateurs. You can be a great writer, musician, artist, and never collect a single paycheck for that effort. There’s pride in being an accomplished amateur.

It’s the pay that makes you a pro, not the quality of your work.

- Randy Murray “Getting Paid“

I stumbled across this the other day from a friend on Twitter and I’m still mulling it over.  There’s a lot of truth to it.  Generally speaking, I break it into a hobby vs business.  If you don’t get paid from your passion, it’s a hobby.  If you do, it’s a business.  And both are run very differently.

But there’s lots of professionals out there that don’t get paid because they’re doing what they love to be doing instead of focusing on a paycheck.  Since I’m split about this article, I thought it’d make an interesting topic for our artists here.

I’ve included a snippet of the article to get you hooked but make sure to check out the whole thing.

So what say you?

I won’t lie, I’m not a huge fan of country.  But this song is so sweet and the video makes you long for summer days with a new love, you can’t help smiling.  Not to mention, Greg has a voice bigger than himself that gives you goosebumps whether you are country fan or not.

I first learned about vortographs in college during my History of Photography class. At the time, I was far more concerned with making sure I could fit all those slides and facts in my brain than the inspirational things I could learn from these photographers. But looking back, that class exposed me to photographers and processes I probably wouldn’t have heard of otherwise. Like this one -

Vortography is a completely abstract form of photography invented by Alvin Langdon Coburn all the way back in 1917.  You know, back when you couldn’t just *create* these effects in photoshop – you had to be creative enough to visualize them beforehand. What Coburn did was absolutely new and unique, although not so appreciated at the time.

The images are created using a kaleidoscopic effect that repeats forms with the use of mirrors arranged in a specific pattern around the lens. Although Coburn’s technique died out quickly in his day, modern photographers are picking it back up and adapting it with their own mirrored creations.  Here are 10 amazing examples of Vortographs from photographers who have picked up Coburn’s craft:

Geometric vortograph by Coburn himself

4-sided vortograph by Kawahara Kazuhiko

From flickr user Stewart Bremner

From the sky down by Simon Gardiner

From flickr user davidjlee

Papillion Twist by Simon Gardiner

From flickr user JayneIF

Another by Kawahara Kazuhiko

Vortograph by Taylor Claiborne

Kawahara Kazuhiko (again, because it's that cool)

So now you know where Christopher Nolan got some of his world-bending ideas for Inception – at least, that’s how it appears. It’s also a bit reminiscent of the work of M.C. Escher, which just goes to show that artists from every medium can inspire each other in unexpected ways. Some of the photos featured are just fantastic flickr finds, while others are done by seasoned Vortographers – but this goes to show that this technique is not out of anyone’s reach. With just a few dollars and a trip to the craft store, you can make your own kaleidoscope for your camera’s lens using only small mirrors and duct tape.

And although many have chosen to study abstract shapes or architecture in their vortography, nothing is off limits. I’d love to study how vortography works in the realm of portraiture.  The options are endless. Kaleidoscopic, even. It’s a great project that will make you see the world from a whole new angle.

Or angles.

Photographer Joe Klamar was one of the photographers who was given the incredible opportunity of photographing the exceptional athletes who have been deemed worthy for competition in the Olympics.

Only problem is – his photos were….less than worthy of the Olympic athletes.

Many a blogger and professional photographer (such as the folks at Solstice) who have seen these photographs have already responded in outrage, and with good reason. It’s not often that photographers receive such an honor to be represented in this way, but the photos released by Klamar and Getty images are just….a mystery. They are unfit for publication in a professional aspect, and this photographer certainly hopes that Americans are able to discern why.

Here is a sampling of Klamar’s photos from Getty Images. See for yourself and tell us what you think:

Gaby Douglas of the US Olympic Gymnastics team

Nastia Liukin of the US Olympic Gymnastics team

Debbie Capozzi of the US Women’s Olympic Sailing team

Michael Phelps of the US Olympic Swimming team

Brendan Hansen of the US Swimming Olympic team

Leshawn Merritt of the US Track and Field Olympic team

(View the whole gallery HERE)

The photos don’t tell the fantastic story that these athletes could tell – they are poorly lit, haphazardly composed, and altogether sloppy. And honestly, HOW could you look at that and submit it as a finished image? After seeing them, I am only left to wonder if this is some kind of joke. Or perhaps the photographer had a reason for doing this?

Either way – the message does NOT compute. 

My point with showing these photos is not to rant about how much better I could’ve done – my purpose for this is to say one thing:

Whatever opportunities you are given in your life and in your art- whether they are great or relatively insignificant – PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. These photos prove that art (specifically photography) is about so much more than content. These are the greatest athletes in our country, but these photos don’t truly show that.  It is important to consider not only what your subject is, but how you choose to portray it.

Hopefully it is a lesson that Klamar himself can take away from this experience.

Take advantage of every photograph you take (or song you sing, word you write and brushstroke you paint). Make sure that everything is perfect and a reflection of the type of artist you desire to be. If your art doesn’t do that, what’s the point?

Tell us what you think about these photos and how they affect you as an artist. Are you angry at the photographer, sympathetic, or something else entirely? 

Courtesy flickr user Brisan

Alright, guys. Time for some real talk.

I’ve been in a personal rut since the big move (Oh, didn’t you hear? Chase and I are living in the thriving metropolis of Flintville, TN now). And I haven’t done a helluva lot toward getting myself out of that rut. I’m allowing my new surroundings to defeat me, taking my creative spark and determination right out of me.

I’m done. 

This week’s Friday Five is going to be a little different. It’s about the lessons I’m attempting to learn in order to adapt. In order to rise above a tough change and make something of myself – about evolving as an artist and seeing something inspiring at the start of every single day. It’s not just about dealing with change, it’s about BEATING THE HELL OUT OF CHANGE.

There is a lot to be learned from this experience. Here are five ways that I can make something of myself and my art through all of this:

1. Positives are ALWAYS there, if you allow for them – Yep, I moved to the country. There are lots of insects, and I’m fairly sure I share my house with at least one unwelcome rodent.  Nothing is close by. Our internet is unreliable. The closets smell funny.
Yeah, I could spend my time noticing THAT, or I can open my eyes to the incredible opportunities and new inspirations that are hiding all around me.
Like, for example – I’m something this small town has probably never seen before. That’s my new challenge. Make waves. Cause a scene – one that people with *remember* for the incredible impact I can have. I’m not surrounded by competition here anymore. Literally, the backwoods world is at my fingertips. And that’s a great thing. No matter what surprise pets I find in my house.

2. New surroundings mean new inspirations - one of the biggest tips given to artists who are feeling stuck is to find new surroundings. Sometimes changing your location can give you a fresh perspective. Well holy crap, guess what? I was just served up a heaping portion of DELICIOUS new perspective. Might as well use the opportunity to see a new viewpoint and see what it can yield creatively.
Sometimes, your best work is done when you placed in a new and unfamiliar situation.

3. Don’t Tune Out - Sometimes as human beings, we tune out when faced with particularly overwhelming changes in our lives. It’s pretty common, but that doesn’t mean that we should accept that. As artistic individuals, tuning out is how we miss all our chances. We have to keep our head on straight and take in everything we are faced with no matter how overwhelming it might seem.
Lately my instinct has been to go on autopilot. I’ll say in my head “I can’t deal with this right now. I’ll just sit in the house for the rest of the day.”  But how much do I miss by choosing to do that? If I’m paralyzed by my fears and my insecurities, I’m not any closer to overcoming them.

4. It doesn’t matter if you know what you’re doing, JUST DO IT - Since moving here, I’ve been floating along in a clueless haze of sorts. I’ll tell Chase I’m not happy, and he’ll say “Well, what are you going to do about it?” and I respond with “I don’t know.” This conversation has played out at least 47 times in the past month. You know what though?
It doesn’t matter if I don’t know exactly what to do. Taking the first step is honestly the most important part. I’ve got to start my new life here and not just spend all my time pining for what I left behind. I have to step toward something, which means getting out and DOING something, ANYTHING.
Take a chance – have an adventure. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t go the way you planned – it’s better than sitting at home and doing nothing. As a teacher of mine once said “I’d rather you fail, and fail spectacularly than do nothing because you were afraid of trying.”
Sound advice.

5.  Finally, a quote that has been very relevant lately -

Full view

Secondaries and peytral (chest piece-I made only the fabric portion)

Crupper and partial view of saddle pad cover

You can’t see the center of the crupper, the piece in the last picture.  It it scalloped on both sides and the straight lines come down from the center of the points.  It is kind of hard to take a picture when the horse is taller than you.

I learned a few valuable things with this project.  For example, if you have a lot of curved edges, grosgrain ribbon is not your best choice for detail edging.  Also, I came realized that I have no concept of how to properly fit a horse body just by looking at it (something I can do with most people.)  And if you spend a lot of time locked in a bubble, thinking about designs and discussing them with your husband who is set on one particular idea, you get a Batman-esque horse costume that is absolutely unintentional.  It is a good thing we didn’t go with the idea of putting a bat on his banner.

If you would like to see some great action shots, check out DWRD Studios.

I love a good music video – and I love great dancing.  This music video from Kimbra (of “Somebody That I Used To Know” fame) absolutely blew me away with both.

The filming and editing is flawless. The production team needs to be given medals. And Kimbra – well, I’d like to hide in her bushes and ambush hug her just for giving this to the world.

Not to mention the choreography by Lucy Richards and Ashley McKenzie.  It’s nothing short of brilliant. I have a soft spot for some amazing Fosse-esque moves, so this wins my dancing heart.

But enough from me – I’ll let the video speak for itself.

Are you doing a standing ovation at your computer? Good. Me too.

Good Intent is my favorite offering from Kimbra’s album Vows, which I have recently been wearing out on my iPod while dancing around my living room in a desperate attempt at jazz fusion bellydance. Her radio-worn duet with Gotye is only the beginning of what this artist is capable of, and I would definitely encourage you to look into Kimbra’s work if you haven’t yet.

This song and this video bring back everything we love about the heyday of jazz. It’s just….beautiful. And it makes me want to wear mink and drink scotch and smoke cigarettes in long decorative holders.

To director Guy Franklin and everyone involved with this video – Seriously. Bravo.

I thought I would let you in on my current local music crush:  Sugar & The Hi Lows.  Their debut album has been on my ipod repeat for months.  The duo of Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup, two independently successful artists, have been gaining some serious steam with song features on The Vampire Diaries and Army Wives, and performing at this year’s SXSW (South by Southwest in Austin, TX for those who are unfamiliar with this festival).   I could sit here and tell you how awesome their vintage, bluesy sound with a modern flair is.  And I could try to impress on you the fact that this album needs be in your regular music rotation.  Or, I could just let you see it for yourself….