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

Nail Party

!  O O G A    B O O G A  !

 

  Hi friends!  

  Here are the photos I promised to you from this post.  Pretty sweet times at Nail Party 2012!

  Tea at Intelligentsia.  The tea was delicious (and expensive).  Still not sure what all the fuss is about.  I was just happy to be with my friend.

B E F O R E

A F T E R

© 2012 Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

Ooga Booga/Madeline Poole

  Last night, I got to hang out with my pal Sasha of The Holy Nail.  It was so lovely to see her and get to hang out for realsies.  It is so nice when the stars align, and I really cherish those moments because they only happen every so often.  Being an adult is hard.

  

  So back to the evening...

  When I saw that Ooga Booga opened up another pop up, and that Madeline Poole was doing nails, I knew Sasha and I would have to be there!  I've always loved having my nails painted and I have such respect and admiration for women who can keep up the classic look 24/7.  I also love that it has become such an art form and yet another way to express yourself.  

  So I guess Madeline Poole is a big deal in the nail scene and I've been kind of out of the loop, but she is very friendly/down to earth person and makes nails look like jewelry.  It's unbelievable what she can do. I cannot wait to show you photos of her handiwork, and of the event.  If I didn't already end up spending a ton of money on mix tapes, a zine, and a gift, I would have picked up the book in that image above.  There was a short reading of it during the festivities, and it sounded really smart and funny.  Stuff about cults, stealing small items, and friendship....SOLD. 

your friend,

ava

*Post* WORK/SHOP

  WORK/SHOP was a fantastic and inspiring event.  I had such a pleasure meeting so many lovely people and getting to take their portraits using my make-shift, diy, silly little back drop.  The artist in me felt sick to my stomach and overly critical throughout the process of putting this little back drop together, wishing I had a wider screen, and more fun props, but I got over that really quickly after seeing the joy in people's faces after photographing them.  It was love and positive vibes all around.  I feel grateful I got the chance to do this and to be amongst so many talented artists, like Bianca D'Amico of Chaparral Studio (she creates the most amazing terrariums/ jewelry / ornaments), and Kate Miss of For Me, For You.  I was recently on her site and not only does she make really elegant jewelry ( Angie's fiance, Will, bought her this Kate Miss necklace not too long ago), but her photography puts me in that happy place.  Humbled, dudes. 

  Thank you to all my friends who came to support me, and hang out.  I feel loved  x  a million  x  infinity.....

  

  Thanks to this kind man above.  He always puts up with my stressful tantrums.  I love you. OOOhhhh, and thank you, Stefani, for my pretty flowers! The irises are starting to bloom!

  Lastly, I wouldn't have been able to do this without the help from my mother.  She rocked it!  xx

polaroids  © Ava Alamshah

  I'm happy with how nostalgic these polaroids look, although they took about 20 minutes to develop completely!  It was a little nerve racking, but also kind of exciting(?) !!!

  

  You never know what you are going to get from Impossible Project, but I am SO STOKED they exist.  Polaroid Por Vida 

  This weekend I embark on a mini adventure.  Until then...

your friend,

ava

 

 

 

WORK/SHOP

So, this is happening next Saturday!

  Come hang out and get your holiday portrait taken by yours truly!  I am so excited and humbled to be on board with such a great group of women artists.   Below are some photographs I've collected for inspiration.  Hope to see you there!

M I D   C E N T U R Y   X M A S

Something like this, with the white tree and glass ornaments (sans nudity, of course).  RIP Bettie.

Everything in this photograph is ridiculously amazing!

your friend,

ava

Ooga Booga

  One of my all time favorite stores, Ooga Booga, has a pop up shop in San Francisco that will be ending it's run in the next two weeks!  If you are in town, I suggest you head on over to grab some zines and some records.  November 30th is the last day.  The location is at the Kadist Art Foundation on the corner of 20th and Folsom.

  I first heard about Ooga Booga about six or seven years ago from an article in Nylon Magazine, about the owner, Wendy Yao.  HERE is an article from 2007, about Wendy, her amazing space, and what influenced her to start her business.  Some more recent articles from KCET here and here.  I am happy that I've gotten to meet Wendy and volunteer a couple of times at her shop.  Really glad that her store exists.

 R I O

Mike Kelley's Destroy All Monsters.  RIP

  The shop in San Francisco was great.  I loved the polka dots in the windows.  I happened to be wearing a polka dot dress that day, too.  It's such a happy design.  It felt nice to be the only ones in the store for a while.  We could just hang out and gaze at all the art and zines.  The plant, in the image below, gave me such fuzzy feelings.  Everything is a visual feast, from the potted plant, to the different colored books and zines laying on the wooden surface, to the beautifully woven rug underneath....M A G I C.

Underneath it reads:  Chris Johanson & Jo Jackson, Sic Alps/Awesome, Vistas print, $200

Fruits and Nuts by Laura Owens

your friend,

ava

Images © 2012 Ava Alamshah