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

Like Home

All images above ©Ava Alamshah

To all my friends, I just wanted to take the time to apologize for my hiatus from the land of blogging. Since my birthday, I've gone through a lot of personal ups and downs. There are some wonderful prospects in the works, and these are all positive things. Finding a new place to live, more friend portraits, and an ambitious project about childhood memories and longing. Looking forward to all these beautiful things. 

The photographs above are from my small series titled, "Like Home". All shot while house sitting at Alex and Britt's former home in Highland Park. I brought along my old 35mm point and shoot that I used a lot while attending CalArts.  It was nice to shoot film again. I absolutely love the fuzzy, dreamy quality. I could never get that with my dslr. This roll has some candid/casual shots while hanging out with Stefani one afternoon. I'll have them up here very soon! Promise.

I use to live in a tiny apartment, very close to my friends. We were neighbors! I had some of the best times of my life, and some of the worst times, but I learned a lot. Housesitting so close to my old place brought back so many memories, and I thought about how life can change in such a short amount of time. It's unreal. Looking forward to what the future may bring. 

your friend,

ava

K O K E D A M A r a m a !

G E T   C R A F T Y

Photo by Lili Cuzor aka Tigers to Lilies (a new favorite)

  This is my hanging plant, or Kokedama in Japanese!  I had the pleasure of attending a kokedama making workshop with my lovely friends, Stefani and Angie.  It was at a place called Shelter Half, for their Midsummer Nights Crafts (the last workshop is T H I S Thursday, people!) Go get your craft on!

  Lili Cuzor was our kokedama extraordinaire and an excellent instructor.  She also has this rad blog called, Tigers to Lilies (! ! !)   L O O K

  She was the sweetest.  In fact, everyone I met that night were absolute dolls.  So welcoming as Stefani and I entered the room (we were half an hour late due to terrifying LA traffic, which led us through the mean streets of downtown during art walk...ART WALK....then over the hump towards the west side.....UGHHHHH, the pain and pleasure of LA life), we were put to ease immediately with the warm greetings and got our hands dirty right away while listening to the epic sounds of Peter Gabriel and the sweet melodies of Francoise Hardy (I need to add all her records to my collection).  So glad we made it to this class.  It was inspiring to create something new and make new friends.  Pure joy. 

  More photos below that Lili snapped throughout the night. Enjoy, and go make something!

Everyone looks so summery.  IN LOVE!

My creation!  He hangs in my mother's office, by her window!  Ps: See that necklace I am wearing?  That is a handmade beauty by Stefani.  See more necklaces she created HERE.  Let's all force Stefani to start a necklace making workshop!  I would go to that in a heartbeat!! 

Look at that mess we made!

  

  I have to thank Angie for inviting me to Midsummer Nights.  Thanks, Angie!  Angie also mentioned the wonderful evening HERE.  Blogging Buddies! 

your friend,

ava

  

Dish Inspirations

  Today's breakfast was inspired (more like stolen) from the beautiful blog, LA in Bloom.  I think I have to work more on my presentation, but it was the easiest dish to make, and I LOVE easy meal ideas because I can become quite scatter-brained in the kitchen.  I found Heather Taylor's blog site, by looking at THIS blog.  These women have amazing style and great ideas about food, art, dress, life...really inspiring.

 I plan on picnicking with Jeaux this week and am going to steal T H I S.   I already bought figs, and instead of basil, I have mint.  Can't wait!

 More meals to come! xx

your friend,

ava

I N T E R V I E W numero dos!

My boyfriend has been on fire this year!  He is, after all, a dragon.  


I'm so proud of him for working hard and stoked that two of the coolest sites have featured him.  A Collection Of and Chubstr.  C H U B S T R  is an online fashion resource for stylish men of all sizes.   If you don't already know about ACO, I suggest checking it out.  You will not be disappointed. 


Here is the handsome Jeaux Janovsky and some of his beautiful art.  I almost forgot to mention that he was featured on Chubstr once before. Click here to see, its pretty awesome. 

This photo was taken by yours truly at The Madonna Inn!  Click here to see more images.

your friend,




ava

I N T E R V I E W

Jeaux was featured on A Collection Of!  He answers some interesting questions, and got to create this portrait of Stef and Gilda as Simpson characters.  Here are some more of his Daily Dohs. 

Thanks to my friends!  The most lovely ladies on the planet. 

Click here to see the interview. 

your friend,

ava