coming soon...

// somewhere in Oregon //

©Ava Alamshah

Transitions

My friend, GC Erenberg, is in the middle of moving to her new home. Not too long ago, I was immersed in that very thing. I was living a bit like a gypsy for a month, in between my parent's houses and feeling less than stellar.  During this period, I decided that I wanted to have new experiences, and try things that I wouldn't have tried years ago.  All this to create a more positive state of mind and to move forward. GC is working on a documentary about a healer named Sharelle Roth, and was asking for volunteers to participate. She had asked me once before, and I put it off, and I'm not sure why at first. Most likely because I was pretty skeptical and was worried I wouldn't commit to her project and become a flaky mcflakerson. 

During this transitional time, I finally bit the bullet and thought, "Why not?".

So I sat with a spiritual energy healer, and looking back on it, I really needed her during my transitional state. She helped me put some things into perspective. You can find some of my thoughts about it here. Just scroll down a little and you will see me, looking relaxed. 

And below, a photograph of my pal, GC.  Shot on the same day I was healed (a little spiritual humor). I see the light now....

well, I see a soft light beside her in this photograph, and I like to think it's a spirit watching over her. Maybe Sam, or maybe Kitties. 

Remember GC? I photographed her for my series. I was ecstatic with how they turned out. Dream shoot, for real. 

images ©Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

Like Home {continued}

 Here are some more photographs that I wrote a bit about in my last entry...

Stefani, I'm so close to touching the light this time!

all images above © Ava Alamshah

Today I submitted some of these images to two beautiful online magazines. Very anxious and hopeful. It feels nice to be a bit productive again. Last night I went to yoga for the first time after having missed classes for a few weeks. Yoga really clears my head and challenges me. Such a wonderful life motivator. My friend, Marie, has been going A LOT, and she's been kicking ass (also, she has been cutting my hair for years and she is amazing). Another lovely thing to look forward to is T H I S ! I'm very much looking forward to My Bloody Valentine, as I'm sure many people are. I bought my tickets this afternoon, and I feel like I needed this. May has been such a difficult month, but I am very lucky, and I know that if I remain positive, life will get better. What is it that Jeff Goldblum says in Jurassic Park? "Life Finds a Way". I know he meant that for dinosaurs, but I'm going to use that as my personal mantra. Thanks, Jeff!  

  I have a sexy memory of listening to Loveless in it's entirety, while making out in the backseat of this guy's car, parked on Reservoir, on the steepest part of that hill (San Francisco style). Not cheesy at all, totally hot (I was in my 20s and they were EPIC times...EPIC HEAVY times).

I have an even fonder memory of listening to earlier stuff with Jeaux, while cruising around the valley. These are times I will always cherish, and now I get to see them perform. Bittersweet. 

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

With You, Today / Brian

My portraits of Brian on With You, Today

©Ava Alamshah

withyoutoday.com

I'm very happy with how these turned out.  I particularly love the blue tint from Brian's 1904 (?) home. On top of that, the weather was really warm in Pasadena (almost like a summer day). I just wanted to relax in the tall grass and sip on some iced tea.  We had iced green tea with a hint of brown rice (indoors to avoid the sun).  I've written about Brian before, and you can see that here.

your friend,

ava

Brian

C O M I N G    S O O N

©Ava Alamshah 

www.withyoutoday.com

Merry Merry

  Ema finds the best photos.  The best!   Rita Hayworth, xmas, ornaments in a pool?!!!  AHHH

  I hope to see you all for the holiday festivities this Saturday.  Click  H E R E  for more info.  Now if I could just recreate this scene...pool and all.

your friend,

ava

Night at the Musee

  Thursday night, we got to check out Musee 16.  My friend, Gabi Mendoza, curated a little show there.  It was a great, intimate setting, with dimmed lighting, cushy chairs, and pizza!  I had two slices.  

Photo of a photo.  Gelatin silver print by Gabi Mendoza.

A photograph of one of my favorite places, Giant Rock.  Work by, Elizabeth DiGiovanni

  I loved these paintings by Elisa Saether.  Loved how she captured the "everyday" Los Angeles.  The markets and the hazy sunsets, and those telephone poles. Beautiful.

Collages by my friend, Marie Mingoia

   

 The shots I took below are from the gallery's permanent collection. 

Little dogs

They have the tiniest little butts

Me with the curator. Yay, Gabi!  There are palm trees coming out of my head.

your friend,

ava

© 2012 Ava Alamshah