mieke Zuiderweg

Time-Lapse of Artist Michelle Peterson-Albandoz

2011-08-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

The StatiCCreep Exhibition of Sequential Art coming to Las Manos Gallery in January!

2010-12-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

StatiCCreep from Mieke Zuiderweg on Vimeo.

Show opens Friday, January 14th, 2011. 6-10pm.

Chicago Comic Book Artists included in this show are:

Tony Akins, Chris Burnham, Corinne Mucha, Jill Thompson,

Gary Gianni, Andrew Pepoy, Alex Wald, Mike Norton,

Hilary Barta, Dave Dorman, Jeffrey Brown, Jenny Frison,

Sarah Becan, Nicole Hollander, Mitch O'Connell,

Douglas Klauba, Heather McAdams, Lucy Knisley,

For more information check out:

www.lasmanosgallery.com

A little overview on the making of the War of 1812...

2010-04-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

I worked on the set of the upcoming documentary

on the War of 1812 this past year. I Decided to

combine all my images, interviews and sound for

a light "making of." Enjoy the gunshots!

Tribute to Dylan...

2010-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

The Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art

2009-12-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

Strange things in the sky above my apartment...

2009-12-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

My dreaming kitty meets my paintbrush...

2009-12-01T11:21:00.000-08:00

Lake Michigan

2009-10-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

New Photographs Show reviewed in Newcity!

2009-09-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

http://art.newcity.com/

RECOMMENDED

Featuring eight gifted straight photographers and photo-artists practicing in a variety of genres and techniques and experimenting with them intensely, this “spectrum show”’s most powerfully emotive work is Benjamin Wilson’s series of “Interior Spaces,” in which ordinary empty rooms are transformed into surreal sites that smack of ominous antiseptic modernist labyrinthine torture chambers, through the quiet offices of a simple pinhole camera fashioned from a paint can. A second dose of the twilight zone is provided by Mieke Zuiderweg’s small hazy color shots–taken with a primitive plastic Holga camera–of details of the figurative commercial statuary adorning the roofs of stores; shot from below, these icons of kitsch take overpowering command over us poor mortal consumers. For the opposite effect of the finest intricate precision in endlessly involved and layered black-and-white abstractions of tomato cages, fencing and sheeting, look at what Paul Clark does with a plastic Isolyi camera, which he calls “a higher-line Holga.” All power to the primitive. (Michael Weinstein)

Through September 30 at Las Manos Gallery, 5220 N. Clark

A few images from my Holga Series #1/#2

My first photo show in Chicago!

2009-09-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a short video I made of the gallery show

opening I'm featured in this month... All my

images were shot on a Holga camera, the most

relaxing and fun way to record life since cave

drawings! Enjoy, I did!

Current Project...

2009-08-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

RIP Kitty

2009-06-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friskey the cat. Thank you for making

my life a little easier when I moved to a

new, strange state in 8th grade. Your 18

years on earth filled us with hilarity, hair,

holey socks and cuddles. Meow...

A cultural way to spend a Saturday

2009-06-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

So I've been pretty good to my Toyota Tacoma

the last 7 years. Oil changes, taking the corners

slow, occasional hugs. Well, all that was a

waste. Evidently my truck is happiest while

careening through mud and up steep inclines.

I should've known better than to baby it!

This little Saturday outing was near Woodstock,

near Jill + Ronnie's new place...

"Oops"

"Over the hill"

Bits of Randomness...

2009-05-18T09:57:00.001-07:00

Remember, when children ask "can we do your

make-up?!" you are NOT going to get super

model results. More like bride of Frankenstein

or a character out of a Tim Burton film. I

personally prefer this type of make-up, so A

for effort Jenna + Will!

Evidently it was too scary to take a photo of

me in the tree with the chainsaw. Too much

hand-clenching for snaps. But here's me with

a hack-saw and a tree. Tree still won, I just

trimmed some branches around my parents'

roof...

Thank goodness for a truck! Just toss, tie and

dump illegally. Kidding!

Ohio Rust Belt Sings the Blues

2009-04-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth's Aunt- Sister Lucille, was kind

enough to put us up in one of the cozy rooms

at the convent. I am embarrassed to say

we snuck in some byob. Is that extra bad?

Poured concrete apartment buildings circa

1918. Heating and electricity, revolutionary

for the time. Youngstown steel mills kept these

units filled till the 80's, then laid-off workers

fled to bigger cities in the south for jobs...

Rain plagued 2 of 3 shooting days. Caboose and

old factory through a mottled windshield.

Take shelter! This random train will suffice.

That's a lovely puddle there. Lets

all contort and capture the reflection.

Aren't yoga friends fun?

Most places down there looked like forgotten

lives. One home popping up where 30 used to

cluster. Youngstown is trying to cut down the

number of blocks they have to plow in winter

by moving residents in closer to each other.

Steel mills, churches and gray days.

And that was the only thing on the block...

What can I say to explain this? Nothing really.

For a man missing his limbs and head, he sure

strikes a self-confident pose.

This giant Uncle Sam seems to be delivering

more than a patriotic message. What's that?

A bird in the sky?

Odd finger detail.

I'm starting to recognize a pattern. It's missing

some hands and I'm in love...

And he wandered the land looking for a

soulmate... yet everyone took fright of his

size.

A little pretty rusting.

Even though Youngstown was just granted a

few million towards steel production, the collecting

of scrap has been a staple.

Did I mention we were escorted into these old

buildings by a man with a pry bar? How kind.

And of course, the lunar moon module in the

run-down Big K shopping center sends all the

kiddies into a rage. Maybe.

New Orleans I miss you already...

2009-04-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you're going to take a road trip

to New Orleans in April, be sure

to pack apples, music, cash and

a man that find photographic

poetry in a greasy pizza box.

You can't go wrong with that!

Always pack a bible for the road. Just kidding!

A dictionary actually gives you concrete answers!

Rough weather kicked in right around Louville.

Who needs to see when they're driving anyway?

Here Brad scales a house for a better

angle on "cat claw" a very invasive

vine from South America that has

overtaken some of the hurricane

ruined homes in rougher parts of

NoLa. They only bloom for about a

week, and they carpet everything...

Orange shirt was planned to match cone. I

swear.

I think the wind-sheered cross on

this church was left as a reminder

of Katrina. I can't be sure, but it

is a stark reminder of it.

Lynette and Rob took us in

for 3 days, showed us the

French Quarter and overall

defined southern hospitality!

Private garden I snuck into. Completely

silent from the street.

Evidently being run down by a car doesn't make

you stay in your seat when good music is afoot.

Praise the lord she's healed!

I don't know if I like the fact that you could

bring your beer from one bar to the next.

What am I talking about?!?! free music and

you could just sip one drink the entire evening!

Now that's having fun on a budget. Hello NoLa,

I'm moving in!

Tons of music on Frenchmen Street. Old music

halls that had the same types of music blaring

in them 100 years ago. The only difference now

is the electric light bulbs overhead and the plastic

shoes we all wear...

The Palmeto Bug Stompers. Swing dancers,

clapping, some mild crying due to sheer

amazement and an overall incredible time.

dba on Frenchman.

The Hot Club of New Orleans at the Spotted

Cat.

Brad dancing to the Zydepunks.

Cutting a rug with Rob and Brad. What an

amazing place to visit. Where else in America

do people dance in the streets and talk to

strangers with such openness? The weather

helps a bit too...

Marshy Day

2009-03-04T15:35:00.001-08:00

I think I'd forgotten why I love the midwest

landscape. No, not all the strip-malls and

condo developments, but the prairies and

marshes. The scraggly trees popping out of

ponds and the prairie grasses catching the

light. Can't wait for summer and its

reddish light...

Frozen Beans

2009-03-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

I think I managed to crop out the tops of the

buildings. Can you tell I'm out of practice?

Pete doesn't seem to mind... although he

might have been frozen to the Bean. That

would explain all the yelling.

Bruised butts for the old-timers!

2009-01-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

It's sled bowling! Now if we just had a couple

of people with blindfolds on at the bottom

of the hill, things would've been perfect!

Probably a good thing all those folks with

back problems, bruised ribs and busted ankles

didn't go, we hurt after the first run! Wow we're

getting so old...

Winter Time!

2009-01-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

Might as well have some fun

while freezing your buns off...

Here I am collecting the icicles

from a grotto created by Lake

Michigan right near my apartment.

Thank god the cave didn't collapse,

guess I didn't eat as much holiday

food as I thought!

Okay, it's also icy. Just some small bruises!

Adriaan, Amy and Chris doing an

interpretive sculpture dance.

I love this sign! It looks like the man with

the crazy eyes was already struck by ice!

Bean!!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

Well, this about sums it up people! Happy

"S00P" to everyone. Thanks for playing along

Amy, Adriaan, Brett and Chris!

To make the hours go by a little more quickly

a ruckus game of "salad bowl" was played, and

double-decker tacos were consumed to the tune

of 54 shells.

Cheers to 12:01 a.m.!!! 2008 was trouble for

a lot of people, so here's hoping it picks up

and is the best year so far.

And as is custom in JasonLand, whipped cream

is applied to the face while others rejoice.

Adriaan took a liking to Roman candles. Thank

you for not setting that nice tree on fire...

Kevin encourages the fireworks gods by

burning off his eyebrows. At least he didn't

burn a hole in his shirt like Conrad did...

Okay, so I'm blurry, but considering there

was extreme cold, late hours and champagne

involved in the celebrating, I'm surprised this

photo came out at all! Happy 2009 everyone...

Andrea and Chris got hitched!

2008-12-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

Northampton, MA., was the perfect

place for Andrea and Chris (of N.Y.!)

to tie the knot. The Garden House

at Look park was perfect. The weather-

well- let's just say it was cold enough

to flash freeze a bride!

A few portraits of the two at my

old house- now Serena's diggs...

Better to be cozy inside than

to loose a toe outside. Wait...

I did make them go outside

without their coats on. Sorry

about that! Photogs loooove

good light...

A quick smooch in the hallway.

Serena, sister extraordinaire, helps her

brother-in-law with his tie.

And make sure her sister's boobs

aren't going anywhere in that

beautiful dress...

Every one's brother need to high-five while

the wedding kiss takes place. If he's not a

fan, then who is?

Crongrats you two. I think separately you're

great people, but together, you're amazing

and dynamic. I look forward to photographing

your 50th wedding anniversary! Don't worry,

I'll post more pics soon...

Chilly Vermont

2008-11-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

If a rock hits the ice in the forest, does it
make a sound? But why would a rock hit
the ice in a forest unless you have some
curious photogs around to mess with nature?

So I swung by Brattleboro, VT., for a quick
visit with long-time friends Amelia and James.
They're always good for a winter stroll and some
odd behavior...

I am actually underground looking
up through the roots for this photo.
I take it all very seriously. my angles
I mean...

Amelia and James in a patch of
sunlight in front of a little frozen
pond surrounded by slate cliffs.
To bad we couldn't feel our legs
after 20 minutes!

The timing for James' 1930's camera
might have been a bit off. It took
upwards of 5 minutes to get the
exposure and focus right. Try that
one in the Bahamas next time. Brrr!

Doesn't this look like a faded photo
from the 1950's? Like an ad for
tobacco or scotch. "Only real men
who climb cliffs with their bare hands
are allowed to smoke our manly
product."

Of course hot tea is immediately in order after
freezing our pant legs. Nice reflective surface
to end the day. Good to see you two!

Golden Girls Thanksgiving. Who knew?

2008-11-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm not sure who came up with the

concept of a Golden Girls themed dinner, but

since everyone seems to enjoy putting baby

powder all over their hair, well, we went with it...

What a spread!

The term "feeding frenzy" seemed to apply.

Who knew crossing soy beans and bread stuffing

would end up tasting like a turkey! Is it bad to

want it every day?

Angela as crotchety and sassy

Sophia

Kellie as saucy Blanche

My Dorothy costume didn't fly

too well, how does one get

Bea Arthur's hair? Got the shoulder

pads down...

Gene and Monica, we missed you! And

Jason, thanks for making that great

fennel salad even though you left the state...

Friday Night Art Mania!

2008-11-16T22:10:00.001-08:00

Joe finally got some gallery

action on Friday evening. Three

sublime paintings at the Mars

Gallery. Tons of artists, tons of

compliments. It's about time!

I still say your work was the

least contrived. Such a flow

to it all...

Mikael Kennedy, -1 degree of

separation. Geoff and Sophia

in Northampton mentioned him

having a show in Chicago. Little

did I realize he knows my friend

Amelia in Vermont, and we hung

out at mutual friend Kate's

graduation at Bard a few years

ago. Great coincidences. Great photography...

Awww, ouch...

2008-11-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

The way to fix a headache? Lots of water and

some friends to rub your tired little noggin...

The Future...

2008-11-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

Hey Jason, here you go! Wonder no more

what you'd look like as an 80-year-old.

Kinda Hunter S. Thompsonesque...

Polka till your feet fall off.

2008-11-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

Grab your polka dot shoes and head to the

Polkaholics show!

Polka music + Rock = woooooooooooooooo!

You can't stay seated with crazy polka pumped

into your ear holes!

Unless of couse you stay seated and dance at

your table. That's okay.

If you do an extra dandy job of hopping around

like a crazed idiot- you get a sticker slapped on

you. Don't worry, we all got some!

She's D-List now!!!!

2008-11-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

Angela!!! You never told me you

went to Hawaii with Mr. Owen!

No wonder you didn't return all

my texts and phone calls about

getting together and watching

Full House! You were rolling

around with HIM in the white

sands of paradise. Darn you and

your secret D-list life!

You Snooze, You Loose

2008-11-10T11:16:00.001-08:00

If you choose to take a nap during

fun time with your friends, you will

have professional hair products

applied delicately to your

scalp for that fresh-bed-head look.

Beautiful! Guess Andy's not going to fall

easily asleep again..

Good Obama to you!

2008-11-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have to say that this election has given me

a new view on this country. I feel like

people of my generation have been awakened

with a political appreciation. We've been branded

as apathetic for so long. It's been the generations

before us that went out and stood up for their

beliefs. They fought for civil rights, women's

rights, fought against a never ending war.

The young now have an understanding of that

passion. To know what it feels like to shake up

a country. To change something. Something big.

This is the first time I wept upon hearing the

song "America the Beautiful" and I like that...

Kellie and I took bike ride downtown to

experience thousands of blissed-out people

hooting and hollering for Obama. I think

folks gravitated to Grant Park because

positive history does not happen to often

around here...

Kellie cheers after Obama takes yet another

scary southern state.

Angela and her man.

Michael hosted the Obama election party.

Such an historic moment needs to be

experienced with friends.

Tracey keeps good track of the electoral votes

and keeps updated on which states came to their

senses. At right is a picture of Sarah Palin and

her moose friend. Both are crying . Sorry about

writing on your wall Michael, I'll help paint it!

Much happy crying and hugging.

So amazing was this moment that non-

alcholics drank, and straight men frenched!

It might have been the yelling, clanging of pots,

smoking of cigars and drinking of Champagne

that had the cops at the front door. All in a

good night's work!

Royale Living

2008-11-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Envy and Wrath Royale, siblings extraordinaire,

travel the country to sweep corn hole bags

competitions. They were expert jugglers

before retreating to the swamps of the South

for five years. There they honed their skills in

bean boarding. Now they hit the road in their

flame-riddled el camino and dazzle the bagging

circuit. And they wear their underwear on the

outside. Who knew?

Like they need an excuse to get dressed up!

2008-11-02T10:30:00.001-08:00

Once apon a time, a mime that did not like

to mime, and his beloved dead girl (that was

actually living) had a party on the eve where

the non-breathing around us are celebrated.

There was punch with strange ingredients,

sugar skulls, pumpkins of cheese and nibbles

galore. They came and they ate, they came

and they danced. A little...

Their cat, a businessman reincarnated, made

sure all was legal.

The mime had an altercation with a

deranged doctor. But by pulling himself

out of the situation with a fake rope, he

gained safety.

Marla the dead disco queen longed for days

of glittery shoes and gold pants...

A frightening jester showed up. He was

allowed in only if he didn't sit on delicate

chairs. Or kill anyone.

The Royal siblings showed up even though

they had to fly out to Munich the next day

to easily take grand prize in the corn hole

competition. They signed autographs for

booze.

The prom queen had a bad night. Ladies, never

drink on an 17-year-old stomach and leave the

dance with a stranger!

Monica the good host decided that even dead

mobsters are not welcome in her home. Too

much mess to clean up.

The mobster had a bad time of it. No one

wanted him around. Tracy the feminine

cowgirl rode him out of town...

Trying my hand (ouch) at comics

2008-10-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

Okay, here's an attempt at a comic.

I'm doing a bit of photography,

painting, sculpture and now a small

slice of the graphic novel. It took a

heck of a long time to complete

(2 weeks) but I think that's because

I used colored pencils instead of

water colors. Live and learn.

It's a story inspired by Kellie. Hope

you can read the text, just click on

the image to make it bigger. Enjoy.

Snap Snap!

2008-10-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is in appreciation for the folks in Chi Town.

I could have easily come to this city and spent

my better days looking for a group of intelligent,

funny and creative freaks and never found them. But

there you all were. Thank you for taking me in like a

little lost straggly kitten and feeding me some

wacky milk. I love hanging out with you guys, I

just can't put my camera away!!!

Now if I could only get them to stop smoking

like chimneys, they'd be perfect!

The combination of bikes, tall boots and a

night on the town does not make it easy to

get back home...

Fall dinner, whipped up over the course of

several days by chef Michael and assistant

Jason. Amazing soup! Amazing dessert!

Amazing everything! Thank you guys...

Happy! Happy! Real Esate Company

2008-10-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here at Happy! Happy! Real Estate Company
we will do whatever is humanly possible (but
the possibility of calling up Satan is never ruled
out) to make your home buying experience as
wonderful, enjoyable, fantastic and hug-friendly
as possible. Your priorities are our springboards
to bending over backwards. Or forewards. If you
are not happy with the home you purchased
through one of our kind, caring agents, well, then
you'll have to take it up with your bank...

Your buying pleasure is our joy, we hold ourselves,
and the 12% cut you give us in high esteem...

Sincerely,
The "regular Joe" folks at Happy! Happy! Real
Estate.

God Bless kittens...

Name: Jason "Jason"

Title: Owner of Happy Happy Real Estate.

History: Built the business from the ground up
by painstakingly borrowing loads of cash
from his uncle, who has not been payed back
yet. Launched the "golden blazer" look to
encourage you, the customer, to feel like
you're investing in the Fort Knox of real
estate.

Specialty: Good luck getting him to show you
around a house unless your gorgeous, really
really rich or gush over how good he looks in
gold.

Name: Angela the "Closer"

Title: The business' number one seller.

History: Angela joined the business when
she was 14. She's been steam rolling over
the sales figures for more than a 15 years.
There's nothing she can't sell. Be it a 20
room mansion, or crack shack on the corner
of depressing street and tin can alley.

Specialty: If you want an agent with energy,
Ang is the one for you. Get ready to see upwards
of 50 homes in one day, you'll be sure to get the
house of your dreams in less than 8 hours, guaranteed!

Name: Kellie the "Map Lady"

Title: Real Estate Agent

History: Kellie joined the team after she
was finally released from the women's
prison after a decade or two. Her sense of
direction is a bit off since spending that much
time in "the hole" leaves you without a sense
of reality, or north, south, east or west...

Specialty: If you have a specific neighborhood in
mind she's the one that will map out any stores,
schools, laundromats, dentists, pedicurists, florists,
toy stores, bagel places, cell phone stores, hell, any
useless information about your future community,
even though you haven't decided to live there yet...

Name: Mieke "Make it YOUR Home"

Title: Real Estate Agent

History: Mieke has been with the company
for 5 years. She was given a flier about joining
the real estate business at a local bake sale. She
signed up right away due to boredom and 9 kids.

Specialty: The eternal optimist, she will make you
believe that a moldy wall has a "charming carpeted
1960's look," that linoleum is more valuable than
granite, all while feeding you home-made pot brownies.
Score!

Name: Tracy "Whatever"

Title: Some times real estate agent

History: She stumbled into the office one
morning and never left.

Specialty: Tracy doesn't "do" selling since
she is filthy rich and has no understanding of
trading money for small ranch houses with
no room for a maid. But, if you happen to
be filthy rich yourself, you might enjoy a
local tour of the private country club and
discussing your old money ancestors on the
East Coast together...

Name: Monica " mmmmblaaa what?"

Title: Real Estate Agent

History: No one knows Monica's history
since she can't keep her eyes open long enough
for her to watch you form a question. She has
been a proud member of the team for 1 year,
and could possibly make it to 2 if she remembers
to eat something. Anything.

Specialty: She has an amazing ability to sell. No
one knows how, but she is often seen missing a
shoe after a big sale...

Name: Kevin "Don't Waste my Time!"

Title: Sexy Dude Real Estate Agent

History: Kevin joined the team as a pimply-
faced 17-year-old drop out. His sale figures
were abysmal until one morning in '93 when
he came to work charged, hyper and ready to
roll after meeting up with "cokeball chucky."
He's been a high roller ever since!

Specialty: You will buy the damn house from him.
Now.

Name: Michael "Chaz"

Title: Mob Underwriter, I mean, real estate agent!
(sorry about that chaz, please don't hurt me!)

History: What are you, a cop or something?!?!

Specialty: Chaz will help you bankroll that 10 room
mansion on Richbitch Lane in one simple afternoon.
Except now you'll be paying a 300% interest over the
next 30 years, or 5 years at the rate you're paying him
back...

Name: Jill "The Sweetheart"

Title: The cutest darned real estate agent ever!

History: The Sweetheart has graced the business
for 6 wonderful years now. She brings smiles to
the faces of those who can't afford a home, brings
in kittens for those who's bank just turned down
the mortgage, and gives candy to bums outside on
the street.

Specialty: Jill scrubs and decorates each home that
she is responsible for selling. Each one smells of
banana bread candles, teddy bears in each bedroom
and she even paints every kitchen pink and yellow
to brighten the experience. God bless her little heart...

Name: Gene "Please, Please, Puleeeeeeze!"

Title: Desperate Real Estate Agent

History: Gene joined the crew 2 years ago
when the federal government took away his
home, car, hot air balloon business and wife
after his gambling debts started to effect the
private banking sector.

Specialty: His sweaty grip on you shoulder as
he pushes you urgently through yet another
home with a cracked foundation will make you
sick to your stomach. Gene has been known
to sell something, but only when he has strep
throat and can't beg you to buy this house so
he can move out of his cardboard box and into
a seedy hotel room. Please?????

Exactly

2008-09-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Coming out of the Casket!

2008-09-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

So we had a True Blood (HBO) binge on Sunday

at Jason's. Four hours of vampire action and the

bike ride home was a little scary. I did actually

check to see if there was anything in my closet-

pathetic I know! The odd thing is I just looked

at the photos from karaoke at Geo's on Saturday

night. Here Ang is pretending to put $ in Kevin's

pants because he actually got the nerve to perform

the song "milkshake" in front of complete strangers.

But then I noticed she had no pupils. Then the little

sharpened teeth. And those nasty little bug bites

on Kevin's torso! Come to think of it, I don't think

I've seen Ang in daylight since I met her. Everything

that happens around here is after nightfall. How

frightening! I thought I felt her stiffing around my

neck last night! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Ahhhh the weekend

2008-09-29T11:25:00.001-07:00

The L&L is the best little bar in

Chicago. I'm bias because the light

there is stunning. Beer is beer is

beer anywhere. Beer in glowing

setting sunlight is magical (maybe

I had too much beer).

Guess the card and get a free gift. The percentages

seem dim, but the game is amusing...

Crisp dollars floating in air...

Kellie and Angela decide to have one

more, the motion passes.

Jason, Gene, Me, Angela and Kellie catch a

break after a long long work week. Except

I'm a big poser because I don't work anymore.

They pretend they don't know that to smooth

things over.

Angela and Kellie pose with a famous Chicago

parking meter, even though they say "feed me"

from 8-6, there are all sorts of parking bans

and zones that leave you with a big fatty ticket

on your windshield. After two such events, I

now take my bike everywhere. Much better

for the atmosphere anyway...

Jason the deer perks his ears and

scans the Holiday club for any hunters.

This is after all the season when people

begin to make thick stews, and Jason the

Bambi tends to make mouths water...

Yay HC! The perfect place for a cup of coffee,

an amazing breakfast, great conversation and

lovely waitstaff. What perfect Sunday morning,

um, I mean afternoon..

Sadness...

2008-09-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

It's hard being a non-meat eater in a flesh-

obsessed culture.

I think... I like dogs...

2008-09-23T18:16:00.001-07:00

This is Huck. Huck is a dog. I don't

usually like dogs. Huck is quiet.

Huck is easy-going. Huck makes it

possible for me to go to the beach

everyday and sit in the waves and

not look like a complete lonely nut...

I think I might be in danger of becoming a dog

person. I guess I just haven't met enough cats

that enjoy a good romping in the water. This

is the gorgeous beach outside my apartment.

Not too shabby for the Midwest eh?

Kayaking the Chicago River. The low angle...

2008-09-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

Chris and Jill paddle off towards downtown

from North Street.

It was a bit dicey right by the

new Trump Tower- a block-

long barge kicked up some seriously

swirly water, and the tour boats kept

zooming by at a good clip. It felt like

paddling on Lake Michigan, except

we were 1/2 from the locks.

Seeing the architecture from the water up

was an unusual view. I still don't know how

people manage to live in tiny little boxes

looking out over other buildings holding

tiny little boxes, but hey it takes all kinds...

Party in the sky.

2008-09-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Went to a party in Goldie Han's building.

The view was amazing. I asked the host

if he was constantly distracted by the

view from his window. He said he'd gotten

used to it. That makes me think that if

there is a heaven people will "get used

to it" after about 6 months and then

completely loose interest in the waterfalls,

angels on harps, brilliant clouds and

god-like wonder. They'll just go back to

their cloud pad and catch the latest

Cosby rerun and call it a day...

Even mediocre drinks taste fabulous with a

view from the 65th floor. It's like flying in a

plane- in which I mostly have my face against

the window the whole flight. Naive? No, I've

taken literally dozens and dozens of flights-

I'll never get used to the view...

Random peeps

2008-09-19T13:30:00.003-07:00

Painting takes strength and a short skirt.

Rich gives it a try.

Priscilla on the phone in New York. I think

she was actually talking to Adam!

Kelly freezing her bum off in Chicago in

early January. Sorry chicky.

Praying to the gods of slivered light everywhere.

Luke the giant (6'8) demonstrates his useless

ability to touch searing light fixtures on tall

ceilings.

Joe planning his next big movie award.

A fuzzy Gretchen.

Jason looks good in any country.

A political sky...

2008-09-19T13:30:00.002-07:00

Praise be to those who take our money and

burnish gold to their steeples to make themselves

closer to god.

Amelia is tired of war and government.

Kids! Got some?

2008-09-19T13:30:00.001-07:00

Suddenly a small hand appeared from under

the table and felt around for the bacon.

I miss being a kid. As an adult you can't just

stretch out like a cat and spin around on the

bar stools.

Arda flew to the US for an East Coast tour

2008-09-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here I am sliding off the edge of a rocky cliff.

How do I manage to get into these situations?

Perhaps I'm missing the "danger" gene. That

would explain my past boyfriend choices...

My cousin Arda and her boyfriend Sjoerd strike

an odd pose. But what's weirder than that?

Amelia's husband James crouched under the

stairs trying to be that proverbial fly-on-the-wall.

Here's Arda walking though some pretty

oppressive looking architecture.

Priscilla and Adam got hitched!

2008-09-15T09:11:00.001-07:00

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Adam walks down the isle at the Pelham Library,

surrounded by knowledge and books banned in

certain countries. Perfect!

Adam watches Priscilla walk

towards him.

Priscilla in the dress her mother wore at her

own wedding in 1964.

Cill scanning the front rows and finding most

everyone in tears...

That grip looks tight!

This is the look Priscilla's dad gave her through

the whole ceremony. Tear jerker to be sure...

This ring is no laughing matter- although the

crowd kept chuckling throughout the

speech on how hard marriage really is.

Almost done, I think it's starting to sink in

here...

Priscilla's sister says some prayers.

I didn't get a kissing shot!

You couldn't see Priscilla past

her flowers and Adam's embrace.

Oh well, that is a very private

moment anyway...

Kirsten and Priscilla exchange a knowing

glance. Something about being part of the

marriage club I'm suspecting.

Husband and wife public kiss

number two. I wonder if they've

stopped counting yet.

The grand enterance at the

Forbes Library in Northampton.

This photo could be from '64, it

has that timeless feel to it, right?

Hugs and applause- a rare combination.

Smoozing

Great hair clip under that

veil, I'll have to ask about its

history some time...

Evidently that's the picture of Priscilla's mom

in the same dress. This was VERY important

to know...

Someone's deliriously happy.

Surprisingly the wedding cake was really really

good. Who knew it could be like that?

Kirsten and her almost-husband

AB.

Mike and Nic- who will get married

and have lots of presents if they

decide to put themselves through

the hubbub!

JennyO and her gorgeous new

girlfriend Julia.

Michele the yoga babe.

Molly and her very sexy and

nice man. We all agree.

Jason. You ooze good taste my

friend. If I were a man, I would

dress like you- except I'd do it

wrong...

Geoff, Soph and Penelope.

It's good to have people in your

life that make it look so easy...

Even with one eyeball peaking

over the flowers we know that

Serena is one saucy stunner!

The best grand exit ever!!!

(I'm actually glad I wasn't the wedding

photog, I got to enjoy myself the whole

time. Pris and Adam, thank you so much

for inviting me to such a great event, I'm

so glad I came back to see it go down in

history...)

Wedding Pictures

2008-08-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

Toni and Shawn, October 2008

Priscilla and Adam, Fall 2008

Andrea and Chris, Winter 2008

Amelia and James, Fall 2007

Sophia and Geoff, Fall 2006

Amy and Chris, Summer 2005

Liz and Ann Marie, Summer 2007

Ben and Thuy, Spring 2008

Cups up for the Eclipse!

2008-02-21T11:13:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone took a good gander at that

amazing eclipse last night. We had pomegranite

with vodka in luna's honor...

Yep, it's frickin winter.

2008-01-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

I'm so bored with landscape/nature pics,

yet I still take them. Help me to quit!

Tepid, snowy reflection in gloopy water.

Just kidding! Crunchy, fresh, spectacular

mirroring of snowfall in clear stream in Michigan!

Tea on top of a ridge in N.H. very civilized
indeed!

My mum in the sunshine in flat 'ol Michigan.

Here I fall victim to the fluffiness that begs
for a snow angel...

Wow. I look absolutely insane. Which tends
to happen when good scotch comes into
play. What is even stranger is that Peter is
about to start a fight right behind me!

Drew, Marla, Brad, Liz, Adriaan and Kristie all
express their last thoughts of 2007. Trust me,
08 will be better people!

New Year's resolution: never EVER buy $60 worth of cheese.

November Colors

2007-11-26T15:50:00.001-08:00

Back to the old waving
car salesman statue. I'll
get his front
one of these days...

Old mills reflected in
the canals of Holyoke.

If you stare at those
leaves long enough you'll
put them over your eyes,
just like Jenna.

I don't remember that
climbing structure
looking so darn
creepy at the
museum...

Lovely Weekend!

2007-11-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

Hold on Fall!

Ahh, the Connecticut
River in fall.
Does it look
like I'm sky-
diving?

Weird puffy
pink cloud.

Little soldier
saluting during
the veteran's
day activities,
downtown
NoHo.

Man with
very long
white beard.
Wore plaid.
Arrrrrr!

Dan playing the
saw during art
club.

Stormy Sunset

2007-11-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

Caught Gretchen after class.
Such perfect light for
a redhead...

Holga Tour of New England

2007-11-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

Brad trying to catch some
of the season's last
good light (w/out mittens).

A crooked little
graveyard
in Adams, Ma.

This bride reflects
perfectly the
madness that is
marraige.

This man still
displays his kids'
fundraiser painted
toilet project in
his front yard.
He was quite
proud.

"Mommy, what's a type-
writer?"

"I don't know honey,
mommy's not old
enough to
remember."

I bet they
regret this
billboard now!

We all need
gimicks to sell our
stuff. A giant
concrete gorilla
usually does the
trick....

Thank god this bear
has a muzzle on!
It could chip me
with its flakey
teeth trying to
reach the
concrete picnic
basket I was
carrying...

I'm sure they didn't
know they were
offending anyone
in the 1950's...

Zombie Halloween

2007-11-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Zombie Pub Crawl- Ahhhhh!

Zombie JennyO is quite convincing as a long-departed airplane
crash victim. How long did that make-up take?

The zombie pub crawl took about 50 stiffs thru Northampton,
bumping into passing cars, walking disjointedly into restaurant
windows... bet someone didn't finish their pasta + meat
sauce!

Zombieoake at the WWII club.

I'm surprised I made it out alive after taking this pic...

Then off to New London for a Rocky Horror Picture Themed party.
Time Warp anyone?

Priscilla strikes a pose as Columbia in a fluffy chair.
Tired from the dancing to be sure...

Black lights in the bathroom frightened so much, it was
easy to tinkle...

Here I am with the lovely hostess- who combined Dr. Frankenfurter/Columbia and a
geisha. Unique that one!

Thank you Chris and Amy for your last-minute party! Still
sad the RHPS didn't happen outside- darn that late
October rain!

Ohioland

2007-09-17T16:20:00.001-07:00

Ohio, the photographic gold mine of broken
forgotten things...

Featuring Brad "the eye," Mieke "Click"
Zuiderweg and Terrance "formally known as
Terry."

Ohio's wild landscape features ample power
stations. The temptation of cheap electricity
resides in us all...

A shadowbox of figurines in one small town
cemetery.

A sleepy horse and its early
morning companion.

"Death by watermelon," at one seedy-ass hotel
in southern Ohio.

Jesus made a quick cameo, posing for the
quirky paparazzi.

The eye makes this moment even more
hilarious than it was to begin with. It
was Friday though, no dice...

Agitated kitty in the window of a Pomeroy
town house. It wanted out, we wanted in to
its grubby little world.

Stern Wheel festival! (????)

Always remember to brush and attend church,
that way you won't go straight to hell.

Ahhh! Fetal doll baby in the window of an old
school bus. Ahhhhh!

How odd is that? Second angle needed for this one.

Drive thru rocket. Get em hot 'n fresh here!

How convenient! Snap off and toss into to
traffic. Proceed to drive-thru McRockets.
(Brad- thanks for spotting this thing from
about 2 miles away. You mother must've
been a hawk.)

Crackly windshield in morning dew. Ahhh,
what a great photo trip. Thanks guys!

Enjoying the Country Bumpkin Lifestyle.

2007-09-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Cram summer into one last weekend!!!

On top of the world, well, just the fire tower

at the Daughters of the American

Revolution State Park. When did the DAR

get into parks?

Sorry Luke, I wasn't actually interested

in taking a picture, just wanted to catch my

reflection in you cool cop classes. Hey they

call police "coppers" because they used to

wear copper badges. Who knew?

This is the part where we got stuck. The

water rangers had to tow us out. It cost

a lot - $3.99 per nautical mile!

The free full-body massage at the

Chesterfield Gorge. How convinient!

Wayne the pig was the star of the three

county fair. He was close to a ton in weight.

He still seemed kind of short compared to

Luke.

We kicked butt! Or rather we kicked the butt

of that little target with a piddly stream of

water. Got a purple moose out of the deal.

What do I do with it now?

Luke didn't understand the concept of tubing.

Although jumping head-first through a ring

of them does strike me as potential

x-treme sport.

Waiting for the water to rise. At exactly 1 p.m.

the waters rushed toward us and swept us

away.

Priscilla and Luke had trouble

fighting the rushing waves. Here

we all hold on for dear life!

This tube-daisy chain helped us all get
our sun burns in unison.

Vermont Wedding

2007-08-20T16:10:00.001-07:00

Amela P. Lincoln + James M. Patterson
Saturday, August 18, 2007
(yay!)

Hey Melia, why you crying girl?

Is it cause you have a cool new

family that digs you? Or the

amazing wedding you just had?

How bout the great husband that

loves ya? Or did you just have a

little dust in your eye?

A bagpiper made sure that no one missed the

enterance of Amelia, Ed and Norah, the lovely

flower girl. What a view!

John was in charge of things. He made them

laugh. They made themselves cry though...

Seal the deal!

I guess since they're now

married James following

Amelia around and photo-

graphing her isn't classified

as stalking anymore. How

sweet...

My that's a long hill. Notice the bare feet on

Amelia. And the lovely dress of course, with a

swatch of cloth symbolizing the Patterson

clan from Scotland. How thoughtful.

Thank god these two finally got

married. All their children were

starting to get confused about

what marraige even was....

Sigh...

(more sighing)

Yeeehaw!

The best dang wedding cake ever! A film

cartridge and some nifty photo work!

Excellent job Ann Marie!

A little dancing to round off the evening. Did

anyone else have trouble walking the next

day?

Who knew our stoic groom could do the splits

in the middle of the air? It only takes some

good celtic music and a touch of scotch.

Richard was kind enough to summon

the fire gods and get their blessing

for a red-hot marraige for the bride

and groom. Excellent work my friend.

The Netherlands Part II

2007-08-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Back to Holland one more time...

Fennechien Zuiderweg 10-20-20 to 07-31-07.

Lien, Me, Erik and Adriaan.

View from the top of the Dom Tower
in Utrecht.

Hmmm, I seem to have taken to rock climbing.

The Dutch seem to enjoy the prospect of aliens
on earth. This UFO was placed on the administration
building as part of a music festival. Then they just
left it there for fun...

Evidently if you own a legless statue of David,
be sure to chain it to the drain pipe.

Water reflection of a few row houses. Trippy...

We managed to kayak all around and through
the city. The coolest part was going under
street tunnels and also looking into people's
homes. So nosey!

It was like a drive-thru blackberry restaurant.
I think our hands were stained for at least 3
days.

Adriaan extinguishes the flame on
the Dom Tower.

Cheers Holland. You're such a weird
and fun place.

Welcome Penelope!

2007-06-22T12:13:00.001-07:00

Penelope, born June 21,
9:20 p.m. 7.9 lbs!

She seemed a little baffled by
all the clicking noises.

Geoff + Sophia with brand-new
addition.

Dang that's a beautiful babe.

Geoff + his daughter.

She has very large toes and feet-
6'1 anyone?

Chicago, Land of the Cicadas

2007-06-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

If you love large bugs with red eyes
that bounce into your hair and
eyes Illinois is the place to be!
The 17-year cicadas are out and
pummeling motorcylce riders
everywhere!

A little zydeco music on Friday night.
The view was a little obscured by a
very excited woman in a very small
shirt. By the way, how does one dance
to zydeco anyway?

I haven't been to the beach in ages. I have to say
the views on this beach off of Lake Shore Drive
was amazing in either direction. Little out of my
element though- lots of tiny bikinis and
posturing. Felt like a strange pale dorky
scientist observing another species...

This scene is much better! A quiet little kiddie
pool with Jill and her lovely mummy Chris.
Good conversation and no one staring at you!
I think we solved the world's problems in that
little tub.

Mike and myself in the same photo. Although I'm
not sure why I didn't just move my lazy butt over.
I'll chalk that up to being tired from my flight.

Jill and Ronnie smiling even though it was
90+ degrees out. Such global warming
troopers!

Bye Jilly, see you in those funny-bone
moments when I'm alone and stub my
toe + think back to all the tumbles
we took together 23 years ago!

Vermont. AGAIN?!?!?

2007-06-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

What makes Vermont so great?

First off, all the creative (yet violent)
artists holed-up in the cold woods.

Amazingly beer and shrooms
both grow on trees here!

No socks necessary- Vermonters always have
some sort of fire going, be it wood stove or
campfire.

Fresh fresh fiddleheads.

Spearemint picked right next to the
creek- naturally color complimentary
to clothing.

Beautiful chervil blooms. Oh wait! They're
an invasive species choking out the plants
native to the state. I retract that one...

Clean puddles reflecting people's
Vermonty love. Ahhhh....

That and I don't have nearly as many
nightmares when I sleep in Vermont
as opposed to Massachusetts! Maybe
I should've packed some of those
mushrooms...

Yes Michigan! (No!)

2007-05-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Jenna seemed to be the seasoned traveler
the instant she got on the plane. We
played cards at 30,000 feet.

Me and my peeps in Detroit.
I haven't seen Brad in 8 years.
Jeremy and Kisha over a year.
Liz about 8 months.
Okay, maybe they're not my peeps.
Sniff...

Up-the-nose-shot.
Brad the surfer boy,
Mieke the eurocracker.

Liz looks soooo good through this
glass of sangria. Wait, she looks
really good anyway.

Dancing Fools.

Me mummy.

May 25

2007-05-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

The best way to enjoy a pet -
is to make sure someone else
owns it! Verona is the cuddliest
pooch on earth. Her mama made sure
to raise her right...

NL

2007-05-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

They have equal oppertunity cross-walk
signs in Holland. Thank God, I've been
waiting to cross the street for years
in America...

Tekla and Tony walking back home...

Adriaan at work with his gas
chromatography mass spectrometer.
Don't ask me how it works...

The Singer Museum in Laren, NL.,
had a carnival paintings exhibit.
Here I look a little goofy in
carnival mirror...

YAHOO!

2007-05-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Amelia and James!
I honestly can't think of two other
people that are as caring, creative,
adventurous and talented. I'm thrilled
to pieces! Love ya both!

Danger in Vermont!

2007-04-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Even though it was a bit blustery and sprinkly, Amelia,
James, Ivy, Michael and I decided to not be big wusses
and plunged our way into the ponds of Vermont.

Considering Ivy had never been in a canoe she
managed to jump out and run off only twice.
Here Amelia holds her because she would have
bailed in a second to catch a fisherman's
bobber...

Here I am warning the general Vermont traffic
that this bridge is in fact flooded by water!
Thank goodness I was there with my danger
sign- how else would they know not to plung
into the frigid depths of this merciless pond?

That's one odd dried-out sunflower head in Amelia's yard!

Randomness in Western Mass

2007-04-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

"Mommy, why does my head hurt?"
Park in Montague

Micky D's in Springfield.
Okay, you caught me.
I added the lettering-
but really, did I need to?

Television = Death
(can it be any more clear?)
On Rt.9 in Hatfield

Parking lot in West Springfield.
This is what makes America great! Shopping,
a little war, and more shopping!

What's left of the methodist
church in Chicopee.
Looks like dinner might be a little late tonight.

The Perfect Birthday

2007-04-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't mind turning 30 every day with the friends I have!!!

Lunch by the river with local entertainment- kayakers bouncing around on one weird little wave in the middle of the Connecticut River in Holyoke. Surf's up land-locked dudes!

A little water ballet on dry land. Amelia from Vermont, Amy from Connecticut and James doing the clicking.

Amy had to stretch a bit after sitting on slanted slabs of prehistorically hardened sediment. She had an audience however...

Shooting from the hip- it's the newest trend!

Good God it's a shoot-out! This is what you get when you have a bunch of artist and photographers go anywhere- a pack of image hungry individuals that just end up taking pictures of people taking pictures. It's a nice catch-22 though!

Only James realized the insanity of the situation and made sure to offset it quickly...