time travel

I've been going through some archives. Some from my last trip to Portland. Some from an excursion to a childhood favorite - The Huntington Library, and some from my last shoot with the lovely Ema. I want to use these photos in some way eventually. Maybe some mini zines, or up on my site as "extras", but they are more than just random shots. They are a way for me to time travel. Wander back into a beautiful memory. 

All photos © Ava Alamshah / all rights reserved 

your friend, 

ava 

Far, yet not forgotten

  I have some friends who I don't see as often because they live in Portland, or San Francisco, or Seattle…

Though, every time I do see them, it's like time hasn't passed at all. My last trip to Portland was very precious to me. My initial reason for going was to see Al and his show at Blue Sky. Here is the link to that beautiful exhibit. He will live on through his work, and through the people who knew and loved him. He was such a personality that I won't forget. In class, he would get so frustrated with us. He was a master black and white printer and took his craft very seriously. We were all young, and irresponsible twenty somethings who wanted to do things our way and shelve out work as quick and easy as possible (speaking for myself, and maybe a handful of others). I'm glad he was hard on us. It means he actually cared. He cared about his students. He snapped at me once when I introduced him as my former teacher. He wanted to be introduced as my friend. That made my day.

© Ava Alamshah / all rights reserved 

The portraits of Josephine are up on with you, today! This time, I decided to shoot film for this project. 35mm. I stayed with her and Dave in downtown Portland. Here is a photo I shot of her last year, in September. It was so lovely seeing them again. I got to see another side of Portland that I didn't the first time. We walked a lot. Went to the Willamette river, ate great food (oyster omelets are a thing of dreams), ( uh oh…NSFW warning coming up) Mary's……oh, let me tell you about Mary's. The murals depicting merchant seamen are spectacular and remind me of Tom of Finland.

"Painted with paint that glows in blacklight, the murals depict scenes that Roy thought the regular crowd would enjoy. There's a tropical scene with sailors loading a ship with bananas while an island beauty watches, a Cleopatra-like figure lounging with the Pyramids in the distance, a ship docked in a Portland-like harbor with Merchant Seamen working in the foreground, an exotic Priestess performing a sacrifice with a volcano behind her, and this scene depicting the Orient."

I also got to see this handsome devil again.

© Ava Alamshah / all rights reserved

Cherish the time you have with others. Always hug your friends, and tell them you love them (even if it gets super awkward). Time is strange and bittersweet. 

your friend,

ava

Josephine

C O M I N G   S O O N 

www.withyoutoday.com

// film edition //

rainy days...

Slowly coming back from a long hiatus and I'm really forcing myself to type this. I've been feeling a bit under the weather for the past week, and since I'm cooped up in my apartment, I thought the only sensible thing to do would be to stop feeling sorry for myself and focus! So here I am….

So much has happened since I came back from my trip and I wanted to share some highlights.

This is a one day art sale that I'm very proud to be a part of. So many wonderful artists - many CalArts friends / fellow alumni. Hope to see you there this Sunday! We got a pretty cool shout out from Los Angeles, I'm Yours !

©Ava Alamshah for Ermie x Weltenbuerger

 One of my photographs from an event I shot for the ERMIE x Weltenbuerger pop up at Arts (Re)Store LA!  Click here to see more photos and get an inside scoop from the event and future workshops. I can't tell you how happy I was to be a part of this night. Jennifer Parry Dodge is absolutely talented, and the warmest soul. Please check out her shop & support local! x 

If it wasn't for Joanna introducing me to Jennifer, I wouldn't have had this opportunity. Joanna, you are a gem. Thank you. xx

©Ava Alamshah

// This photo of Josephine //

I feel like our friendship has gotten closer over the years, and that makes me really happy. She lives in Portland, OR, and is married to my friend, Dave. Dave and I have known each other for 12 years. Dave & Jo met through craigslist! I love them, dearly. Good eggs.

Jo writes and curates. 

When I was visiting, I really had it in mind to do a couple's shoot for with you, today, but it rained so much and the timing wasn't right. I managed to get some good, random stills of my friends that I will share in the coming months. My boots were worn in that whole trip, and everyday my feet were soaking wet. It was all worth it. One evening, Dave made clam soup (delicious). We drank wine and listened to records. Her grandma, Katie, was also visiting and told wonderful stories of her childhood. She is an awesome, inspiring woman. I hope to be as independent & full of life in my 80s.

grandma katie © Ava Alamshah

Hey! I'm going to have a table at LA Zine Fest, 2014! Wassup!!!

Excited / nervous as hell. More details as the time inches closer.

your friend,

ava