The Chateau Marmont

  

  We had the pleasure of being invited to an art reception for Nancy Riegelman Picot, at the Chateau Marmont.  This is a place I have always been intrigued about and wanted to visit. It has that gorgeous classic architecture and an old Hollywood mystique, so it felt like a natural place to take photos.  The funny thing is that the staff didn't really let me take photos for privacy issues, being that it is swarming with the famous and infamous.  However, I could take plenty of photos in the two bedroom suite, where the reception was being held.  Fancy.

  Stefani is Nancy's assistant and introduced me to her a few years ago.  She came to support one of our group exhibitions with our art collective, From Here to There.  I remember being in awe of how high her platform shoes were.  Nancy has a great sense of style.  She was even interviewed for Nylon TV. 

 

  Nancy designed these tongues, and had them made from glass.  I love how they were placed on top of the bed, and how delicate they look under the lamp light. 

  Here I am admiring the pink tiles of this classic bathroom.  I could see myself living here (in my fantasy life). 

  I believe these are watercolors by Nancy.  The jewels look almost real from afar, and the frames themselves are a work of art with that subtle, golden sheen.  My favorite piece was the pink ribbon necklace on that bedside table.  I really enjoyed the context of the work, and it made me think about travel and what someone might bring to a hotel.  Jewelry is something I try not to forget, underwear is another.  The glass tongues touched on a sensual element of travel and leisure.  I love the intimacy of seeing work in a hotel versus being in a stark gallery.  It really worked for these pieces.

  Speaking of underwear...these are paintings by Michael Perelman, who was also a part of the exhibit.   I could not find enough information about him, but I really loved his realistic paintings and his use of light.  I've never seen white undies look more beautiful. 

  

  This woman looked very elegant and told me she used men's dress shirts to create her full length gown.  I loved that she made this herself.  That wreath!  I found out that she also has a blog.  Click on it here.  

  All and all, it was an inspiring evening filled with art, friends, and fancy times.  

your friend,

ava

All images © 2012 Ava Alamshah

 

Halloween Tour, 2012

  Remember when I wrote how I couldn't wait to tell you about our plans for actual Halloween (which fell on a Wednesday)?  Well, this is what we ended up doing!  Above, Jeaux is wearing his fancy diy Halloween tee.  This is before we went on our walk down Meridian, so we could see the old Myer's house.  Still looking ominous, even with the blue paint and red trimmings.

  The film's location is set in the fictitious Haddonfield, Illinois.  It was cool to find out that all the filming was done in the beautiful South Pasadena and Hollywood.  Nerding out!

 

  Below, are the stairs inside the Myer's house.  It's a chiropractic office now, and we weren't really suppose to go inside, but....

  The door creaked as I let myself in.  Gave me the chilly willies.  The building is a historical landmark, along with the hardware store, which use to be a hotel.  Jeaux also talks about our day here.

The hardware store, once an old hotel (now a restaurant)

A walk down Meridian Ave.  The trees are amazing there.  It doesn't feel like Los Angeles.

These tracks were right by the old Myer's house and the hardware store, in South Pasadena.

  I stopped to capture this rose.  Very American Beauty.

Vintage amber reminds me of fall.

  Finding the hedge was probably my favorite part of our adventure.  Who is that creep and why is he just standing there?

  The last three photos is where all this took place.  You can see why I am so scared!

  We are so fascinated by this low budget, independent film, and how everyone who made it were so young at the time, including John Carpenter.  After our tour, we ended up watching it twice.  The second time with commentary.  Happy Halloween!

your friend,


ava


© 2012 Ava Alamshah

Halloween 2012, Part Two

I N S I D E   T H E   R E A L M S

you are innocent when you dream

   

  Here are some more photos from this year's Halloween!  In my last entry, I wrote a bit about our costume inspiration, but didn't elaborate.  After Jeaux told me about Henry Darger, I became a little obsessed with his work.  I posted about his paintings a couple of times...here and here...

  His work was so vivid with imagination, and his use of color is unbelievable.  L O O K

  

  Thanks to my mom for her sewing skills and for keeping all of her jewelry from the 80s.  It really helped out with Jeaux's embellishments.  Darger generals are nasty characters, but they have swag.  Take a look at these dastardly fellows!  The one on the far right was inspiration for Jeaux.

  

  Sasha invited us to Albert Reyes home for his annual Halloween party.  We do not know him personally, but I'm pretty certain I have seen his work at my favorite little gallery, Synchronicity Space.  The photographs above were taken while gazing upon his artwork.  His studio is in the backyard and sits right next door to the totally rad haunted house, which Albert built himself!  It was spooky, and I was way too scared to photograph in there, so you will just have to imagine the greatness and hopefully get a chance to see the work next year!  Pretty impressive.  Our friend, Brian Kinsman, shot this little documentary about Albert and you can see the trailer here.

  Chocolate Rain, dudes!  I didn't know who he was, but Jeaux insisted I take their photo together.  Here is something Jeaux helped work on while living and working in New York City.  I have to admit, this song has sort of grown on me, and how is that voice coming out of this guy's mouth?!

   

  © Ava Alamshah

  For more images, take a look at Jeaux's new site!  I hope everyone had an exciting Halloween.  I'm kind of sad it's already over.

your friend,

ava

Halloween 2012, Part One

H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

   The other night, Jeaux and I were invited to a Halloween party by my friend, Sasha, pictured above as Enid!  She also provided these sweet polaroids.  You should check out her blog, The Holy Nail.  This lovely woman knows her nail art and she is such a bad ass.  Looking forward to spending more time with her. 

   I really LOVE Halloween and try to go all out every year.  Last year, I was Sally Bowles.  This year, Jeaux and I were channeling In The Realms of the Unreal.  More on that later!  

  Jeaux and I have something fun coming up on actual Halloween that I cannot wait to tell you all about!  Until then....

your friend,

ava

  

  

End of Summer Picnic

 D E B S   P A R K  

  Last Sunday, I was invited to a picnic in the park to celebrate the end of summer, and the beginning of blustery fall.  Bring on the sweater weather, Los Angeles!  I was so happy in my chunky knit cardigan, hanging out with good friends, munching on yummy treats, and getting crafty. 

  This is the second time I got to hang out at Debs Park, located in the hills of Highland Park. I recommend taking a stroll because there is so much to look at.  There are great views to gaze upon our smoggy, LA sunsets.  Pink and purple sky is the best, right?!  There is a lake at Debs that I have not yet seen, but I vow to the next time I am there.  Beautiful place all around.

  

paper flowers + pumpkins covered in glitter = ! ! !

  Check out Serge's handiwork!  We were all kind of jealous.

* M A G I C   H O U R  *

I really do love shiny things

All images © Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

The Shining

I am obsessed with Shelley Duvall's yellow jacket and moccasins

LINK

LINK

  This just means that I am excited for Halloween and fall clothing.  I wonder if I can find a southwestern pattern similar to this one?   

  Just FYI, try not to fall asleep while watching The Shining.  You may wake up the same way Wendy Torrance wakes up; to a disturbed child shrieking, "REDRUM!  REDRUM!!"  ***shudder***

  The colors and patterns in this film are visual candy.  Kubrick was a master.

L O O K

Behind the scene continuity polaroid
LINK

um...

your friend,

ava