Inspiration

your friend,

ava

Boris

Things that make sense in your dreams, don't seem to make any sense in reality.

 

Copyright Ava Alamshah 2011

your friend,

ava

Unexpected Treasures

While shopping for bridal shower goodies for my gal, Amber, I found this cute little picnic basket at World Market for 25 bucks! I had to treat myself to this little gem, and as you can see below, I was very excited.  It's insulated, comes with cute, blue gingham napkins, silverware (for two), and best of all, matches my outfit! 

I suggest you all make a run to your nearest World Market. I always loved going there when I was a younger, less responsible adolescent. I would buy candy, or check out their vintage toys (which, btw, would make great party favors). Now that I'm in my late 20s, I find myself looking at kitchenware, & pillows. There comes the realization that this place is a real gem. 

Later on, we found ourselves at the local mall. Here's Jeaux hanging out with his bored homies. Por Vida! 

your friend,


ava

Tattoo Ideas

So, this is my first & only tattoo that I got almost two years ago in October. I've been meaning to get more, but when you really think about it, they are super expensive, but SO WORTH IT. 

She needs a touch up. Le sigh...if only I could afford it. 

Here are some future ideas that I've been dreaming about. 

Darger

 The Red Balloon

 Matryoshka

I found this little gem while cruising google for photos. This lady lives in a magical place called New Zealand and makes things! Check out her blog site! 

One can only hope. I'll just have to keep saving. 

your friend,


ava

LA

I love this city

Copyright Ava Alamshah, 2011. 

Irina Werning's Back to the Future

While obsessively perusing the Vena Cava blog, I came across these photos by Irina Werning.  I've been wanting to do something like this after discovering super 8 footage of me as a little baby Ava.  An absolutely brilliant idea I must say. So, so glad to find out about this!  Let the photographs speak for themselves. Enjoy.

Love it!

This one made me giggle

This one's my favorite

Also made me giggle

There are more of these here.  

your friend,

ava

Mari Naomi's Kiss & Tell

I was first introduced to Mari Naomi's art through my good friend, Rio, who was curating a show a few years back at SomArts Cultural Center in San Francisco.  Mari's art stood out immediately.  They were large water color images of sumo wrestling clowns, softly painted with bright colors and simple white backgrounds.  Beautiful paintings with such whimsy and humor, depicting the clowns throwing up (..and farting?) a rainbow assortment of balloons!  I remember wishing I had money to buy every single painting of hers on the wall that night.  I truly admired her vision so much and it stuck with me. 

Some time later, I got to connect with her on the social networking extravaganza known as Facebook.  I would check out a drawing of hers every now and then, and left a comment about this one here...

Copyright MariNaomi 2010

I think I told her that this was my favorite image of hers, and to make a long story shorter, we ended up making an old fashioned art trade (her watercolor, for one of my photos).  I was so excited when I got it in the mail, along with one of her zines!  I finally got to hang it in my former apartment.  Thanks Mari! 

See it on the wall, to my right?! :)

I recently ended up cruising her website and found out that she currently has a graphic novel published.  It's called "Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume Ages 0 to 22".  This is what inspired me to write this post about her and about the relationships (romantic or otherwise) we come across in our daily lives. Before I reconnected with my man, Jeaux, I had an assortment of tales to tell about my dating trials and tribulations. The good, the bad, and the oh, so ugly.  I always wanted to write about these experiences, but never knew how to start.  A year ago, I finally created a small zine about my last break up, which was both cathartic and liberating. In order to truly move on, I had to jot down my feelings, like the pages from my diaries. I felt exposed, but it was alright because these are experiences we all go through. I have yet to pick up Mari's memoir, but it details her dating history up until her early 20s.  From those first loves, to scandalous rendezvous, to heart breaks.....

I always admired artists who can laugh at themselves and add humor to their creations.  I also respect when life imitates art. I am a huge fan of non-fiction. When artist's tell stories from their own lives, whether its through writing, or visual art. Lately, I've been getting into Bukowski.  I know he was the cliche, alcoholic, & womanizing writer, but there is something so pure and refreshing about his honesty. Believe me, there were times when I would read something from his novel, "Women", and had to put the book down because it was so blunt and outright misogynistic.  Though I can respect that, and commend his late ability to put it all out there.  

I love this kind of honesty, good or bad, it's relatable. How people come in and out of our lives.  Losing and gaining connections.  It's so inspiring. 

Thanks Mari, for giving us a woman's point of view and for being so awesome! 

I can't wait to see your memoir! 

Check out her site at www.marinaomi.com 

your friend,

ava

Vivian Girls

Copyright Ava Alamshah 2011

I had no idea about Henry Darger until Jeaux pointed out one of those ridiculously expensive coffee table books showcasing his abundant paintings. We were at that Skylight Books continuation next door & among the sea of books, zines, and knick knacks, there was the Darger book staring right at me. The cover alone was so beautiful and when I opened the book, I was confused as to why this guy drew little girls with penises. It wasn't until I saw "In the Realms of the Unreal" that I found out about this man, who was basically a loner all his life. His innocence startled me & I believe that was the only way someone could paint the way he did. There is no irony in his work. Its just pure, from the heart and it became his world. I envy that sort of creative freedom.  I'm currently thinking about my next tattoo, which would be Darger inspired. It would help if I had this.   

Here's a little something from a band named after those loveable little ladies.

your friend,

ava