Allan Sekula

Goodbye, Allan 

Rio and I use to joke about how much of an art star you were. We would wait and wait for you to show up to class. Sometimes we gave up, but most of the time, we'd stay knowing that it would be worth it. I was always intimidated by you, and in shock that you are not around to challenge me. Challenge the way I think about photography. I will always remember what you said before my thesis (the smallest detail would have made a difference). Back then, I was afraid, but I will do things differently now. 

allan, rio & the san pedro harbor (2003?)

source

More on Allan's passing here.

Dixie

Dixie working on an airplane, during WWII

picture source

Teasing photographer, and former silent film star, Harold Lloyd. Lloyd also photographed the real Monroe & Bettie Page!

Photos of young Dixie I found randomly on google. Mostly tumblr...

The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, Dixie Evans, died this month on August 3rd. I found out a week ago. She was 86 years old. 

I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2004/2005 while I was a student at CalArts. Her ranch in Helendale, CA was one of the first stops during an epic road trip that would lead my classmates and I to The Spiral Jetty. I will never forget Andrew Freeman's "Into the Field". Those excursions into vast desert lands were pure magic. Youthful, fiery magic. 

I shot this image of her in 2005.  I titled it, To Dixie, with luv, xx Ava. Soon after, she would leave her ranch home and head out to Vegas.  Her Miss Exotic World Ranch was a time capsule in the desert sun. 

Rest in Peace

 More about her passing here.

your friend,

ava

Movable Magazine

Very happy that my work has been featured in this month's issue of Movable Magazine. It's the E S C A P E  issue! The word escape resonated with me at the time I was living at home, with family, and felt that my life had become so out of place. I had lost a sense of control, only to realize, I had let that happen on my own. It was a choice. To wallow in uncertainty, or to gain a sense of awareness, and to stop being so damned afraid of life. I still have a long way to go, but I embrace the learning process.

Ps: Friends! I've shown this work before. Remember?! 

Here....and here. 

All of this positivity motivates me to shoot more film. I'm crawling out of my funk, and slowly making the best of things, and soon there will be adventures. This month and next are full of exciting times x a trillion bagillion! Until then....

your friend,

ava