Arts and Dafts

Arts and Dafts tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2008-08-21://48 2010-07-29T16:15:42Z Arts and Dafts is a place for discovering what it means to give full attention to life's passions and all the daft in between. Movable Type Pro 4.25 Most creative mommy blog? I think so... tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6615 2010-07-29T16:03:06Z 2010-07-29T16:15:42Z

A creative way to imagine what your little one is dreaming about...

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com Mila's Daydreams

Adele Enersen is a genius. She's on maternity leave and for fun she creates these little dreamworlds while her little one is napping. Mila's Daydreams is a must must must visit.

]]> Brooklyn Two Ways tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6613 2010-07-28T17:28:05Z 2010-07-29T00:20:04Z

Two scenes, both shot in Brooklyn, NY.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

]]> Gotta See It - Ashley Meaders tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6611 2010-07-27T19:42:26Z 2010-07-27T19:49:06Z

You must see this artist's beautiful website

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

You must see this artist's beautiful website. She's so cool... she makes swings.

]]> Blogher... Do Not Toss tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6606 2010-07-22T19:25:33Z 2010-07-22T22:24:53Z

I am both thrilled and terrified for the up and coming Blogher '10 in New York City. Who's comin with me?

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

Yep, that's my badge envelope. Here we go!

Blogher '10. It's in NYC so I have absolutely no excuse not to attend. I'm both thrilled and terrified. Me, in a giant room filled with women? Highly opinionated and extremely talented women? This is not necessarily what I'd call a comfortable situation. However, I do think I'm excited enough to overcome my fears and will brave the conference alone, leaving with handfuls of new friends, photographs, swag and contacts.

Or die.

I've been trying to kind of ignore it the last few weeks because facing this is facing my own silly insecurities. I know I'm not the only one with these feelings, but that doesn't make them any less... ooky. I mean, I'm outgoing enough, but... this a huge group of WOMEN. Let's face it sisters, we can be a little harsh sometimes. It's what makes us special and extremely intimidating.

So like, what if I'm the worst blogger/artist/photographer there? What if I don't meet anyone? What if I let the awkward take over and I hide in a corner the entire time? What if I ask a dumb question? What if I don't ask any questions at all? What if I do something to embarrass myself, like make an incredibly lame joke or spill my drink? What if... people make fun of me?

Oh the horrors!

Honestly, when I put it all out like that, it just seems ridiculous, doesn't it? Who cares. I mean, really. Who gives a shit about any of that? This is about a new experience and meeting people I would never normally have the chance to shake hands with. In fact, if I really walked in with all those silly fears, it just means I'm being as judgmental as I fear others will be to me, right?

So, who else is going? Let's be Blogher pals. I've got an arsenal of terrible jokes to tell you.

]]> Can ya dig it? tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6604 2010-07-20T17:41:58Z 2010-07-20T18:38:51Z

I return with photos!

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

It's no big surprise that things like blogging fall by the wayside in the summertime. We're all so busy living and enjoying life that there's hardly anytime to write about it, nevermind actually reading. I remind myself that this is not a bad thing, but also realize I could be more forthcoming about my daily antics and general tom-foolery.

I've spent a LOT of time with my family this summer. And by family I mean those two no-goodniks up there. That'd be my cousin on the left and brother on the right having a tickle fight on a picnic bench in the park. What better place for a tickle fight?

Sadly I haven't been very good at documenting everything. I made a commitment to change that last weekend, so do keep your eyes peeled for more. On second thought, that's gross. Don't peel your eyes. Just keep stopping by.

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You can catch us etching our name into any local picnic table while singing our acapella version of Footloose... or perhaps a salty number from Earth, Wind and Fire. It depends on our mood really. Or how many Bloody Marys we've had.

So anyhow, from Saturday to Monday I found myself doing all of these things with one or both of the other members of Family Style:

    -Brunch at Lodge in Williamsburg
    -A meander to the park where tickle fights and stranger gawking ensued.
    -Rootbeer floats from the "gourmet" ice cream truck on Bedford.
    -Lounging outside a music venue discussing what the next move was.
    -Late night bagels and coffee at a cafe in the 'burg when we got tired of lounging outside the venue. (did I mention that during said lounging, I caught the cousin taking a cat nap?)
    -A later night meet up with some friends at a Polish dive bar in Greenpoint. At least, they told me it was Polish. Just looked like a regular ol' dive bar with 25 cent peanut dispensers to me.
    -Batting cages on Sunday afternoon where I found out how out of shape my batting arms are. Also: blisters.
    -A stop at P.S.1. where we chose not to pay and got to the second floor before they made us return to the front desk. We left instead. P.S.- You've gotta go there on a hot summer day. The outdoor install is awesomely fun and it includes cooling mists from on high.
    -A party in a bar behind a barber shop yesterday evening. And by evening I mean we were a little tipsy when we returned outdoors into the sunlight. We still don't know what the party was for, only that some of the yougins were losing their lunch by 7:30pm. Those hairdressers know how to party.
    -A delicious bite to eat a Caracas. Which sounds awful after telling you about lunch losing. I promise, it was delicious.
    -All topped off by a late night heavy metal show at Lit with one of the cousin's pals. I just got my hearing back. Please to be reminding me to take ear plugs next time?

Well, catch ya later suckers. More soon!

]]> Brother Gypsy Sings tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6597 2010-07-13T15:16:02Z 2010-07-13T15:18:57Z

Photograph of my brother performing.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

My brother. He is one talented motha.

]]> Two Sunrises and a Dixie Land Band tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6584 2010-07-02T14:30:10Z 2010-07-02T15:42:44Z

It feels so good to finally get out and create my own adventures. I'm pretty sure even in the last 5 years I can't top the things I've done this week. I'm on a roll.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

This week I have seen 2 sunrises (as in I didn't go to bed before the sun was in the sky), a dixie land band, had dinner at 3 new places, played frisbee in the park at night, went to a Coney Island Cyclones game, had two photo shoots, went to a variety show, etc... and now the 4th of July weekend is upon us. Good grief.

It feels so good to finally get out and create my own adventures. I'm pretty sure even in the last 5 years I can't top the things I've done this week. I'm on a roll.

However, I am also insanely behind on the rest of my life. Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about balancing priorities? Yeah, I need to revisit that. I'll accept calling June my month off to fool around and pick up July with a clean slate.

The good news is, all this running around has given me some interesting ideas for new articles. Now I just gotta squeeze the time in to write them up.

Thanks for you patience while I turn my life around.]]> It's not about the tool... tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6576 2010-06-24T14:04:24Z 2010-06-24T14:59:37Z

I had a conversation last night with some friends about photography and how important the equipment is.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

I had a conversation last night with some friends about photography and how important the equipment is. I used this shot I took with my new phone (Droid) to backup my argument that it's got nothing to do with the stuff you've got.

Even I can't believe I took this with a phone. I'm not saying it's some award winning shot, but you have to admit it's pretty decent for something that makes phone calls, texts and updates your Facebook status too, right?

So what do you think? Is it the photographer that makes the photograph or is it the camera? Can anyone be a photographer now in the digital age or does it still take a certain amount of finesse and creative skill to get the right shots?

]]> KickStarter of the Week: Broken Pancreas tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6573 2010-06-22T23:13:06Z 2010-06-22T23:56:55Z

Ken S. Kotch is a professional photographer with Type I diabetes. He wants to prove he is capable of anything....

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

Ken S. Kotch is a professional photographer with Type I diabetes. Over the last 23 years, he's been told he can't do a lot of things because of it. With his project, Broken Pancreas, Kotch will show us all that he is perfectly capable of doing anything he wants.

The goal is to photograph at least 25 people with diabetes doing things they're not supposed to do. Each piece will also be accompanied by personal stories. Lined up so far are a lobster fisherman, cycling team full of diabetics and a high risk Obstetrician (who also happens to be pregnant).

These people are all over the country, hence the need for a KickStarter project. Ken needs our help to pay for the travel expenses. That's not so much to ask, is it? Especially with a goal of only $7,500.

I'm hoping you're as excited as I am to see this one get completed. So skip your cappuccino or whatever that daily vice is and give your pennies to the Broken Pancreas project. Be a pal?

Of course, as with every KickStarter, you get a little something in return. Head on over to the page and see for yourself.

]]> Mermaid Parade tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6571 2010-06-21T23:33:51Z 2010-06-22T00:21:01Z

Check out what I got to do on my birthday...

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

Saturday was my 32nd birthday and the Mermaid Parade down at Coney Island. I haven't had my birthday off from work in years and I've never had the opportunity to go to the parade. As luck would have it, I got both this year.

It was amazing. We showed up a little late and I figured I'd be doomed to stand 6 people back from the barricade, making my birthday wish an impossibility which was to make the king and queen, Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, acknowledge my presence for just one second.

But I'm me and I'm resourceful. I simply pushed my way to the front of the crowd, mumbled that it was my birthday, wielded my camera like I was a pro and made my way into the street with the rest of the press.

I was out there just in time to chase Laurie and Lou's little cart and yell "Laurie I love you! It's my birthday!" and somehow snag this shot right as she looked at me. She totes blew me a kiss too.

It's ok, you can be a little jealous.

The rest of the night was spent drinking and rabble-rousing with a great group of friends. It's the best birthday I've had in years.

Oh, and see the rest of my Mermaid Parade shots on Flickr. More to come so keep checking back!

]]> KickStarters You Should Know... tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6563 2010-06-15T14:39:43Z 2010-06-15T15:13:01Z

Check out a great handful of KickStarter projects!

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

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]]> Tomorrow is tomorrow. tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6562 2010-06-15T14:25:30Z 2010-06-15T14:38:41Z

My summer has officially begun.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

My summer has officially begun. The show I was working on closed Sunday. My mind came back Monday. My body returned with caught up with sleep today. Tomorrow is tomorrow.

I can't see any further than this right now. I have no idea what lies between here and there. I don't really want to know. I just want to take it one step at a time and end up where I belong.

I don't think it's too much to ask.

]]> To the greatest woman I know... Happy Birthday. tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6557 2010-06-11T15:09:08Z 2010-06-11T15:48:50Z

My mom is: an artist, an inspiration, strong, smart, beautiful, funny and the most amazing woman I have and ever will know.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com Mom

My mom is: an artist, an inspiration, strong, smart, beautiful, funny and the most amazing woman I have and ever will know.

My mom knows everything about me. I mean that literally. The strongest and most open relationship I have in my life is with her. She doesn't try to "fix" me. She let's me make my mistakes and then bitch about them for hours a day. She supports and helps me when I say I want to be a photographer. She teaches me how to be a better person.

She loves me unconditionally and I her. Even after the hell I put her through as a child/teenager.. which I still feel a little guilty about.

Sorry mom!

Today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom. I love you more than anyone on this earth. Thanks for making me laugh when I want to punch something. Thanks for letting me talk for hours and hours without judging me. Thanks for supporting me in every single stupid thing I do. Thanks for being such an incredible woman. I never would have made it this far without you.

I love you.

P.S. Don't kill me for putting up this old Polaroid of you. It's my favorite.

]]> Tom foolery. tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6551 2010-06-07T21:26:17Z 2010-06-07T22:35:52Z

Trying to figure out how to mix priorities in with general tom foolery.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

For the last, oh I don't know... 3 years? Maybe more? I've pretty much been a sort of shut in. I'm responsible, I work all day on my photography, try desperately to catch up with my writing, go to my day job, watch tv at night and basically don't do much of anything else.

Then about 2 weeks ago, it felt like the summer weather flipped that random switch that never turned anything on and suddenly there's a light glowing out on the porch. I've been a little irresponsible, stayed out too late a handful of times and generally been up to "no good."

Why it's not good to have this much fun, I'll never know.

It could be a phase. It could also be a major life change. Either way, I haven't been this content and happily exhausted in a long time. I tell myself it's okay to slack off a little because I'm searching for some crazy inspiration.

Of course, that other side of my brain is starting to nag. I have to start mixing the priorities in with the tom foolery. A healthy balance is needed or I'm going to torment myself into misery.

So, fellow artists, creators, writers and no-goodniks, how do you do it? How do you force yourself to sit down and create when you've got the itch to go out and play? And as artists, should we even resist that urge or is it actually more productive to get out and do it, making room for new inspiration?

And what's the meaning of life anyway?

]]> Etsy Wednesday - Get yer t-shirts on! tag:www.artsanddafts.com,2010://48.6540 2010-06-02T17:35:56Z 2010-06-02T20:26:18Z

I am a jeans and tshirt girl. It's just how I roll. Whenever summer comes around, I start stocking up on new tees... it's that time.

Ry http://www.artsanddafts.com

Tree vs. lumberjack by Gnome Enterprises

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