2 0 ! 2

Y E A R  of the  D R A G O N

 I hope everyone had a happy and safe celebration.  I was elated when my good friend, Stefani, invited me to her annual New Years Eve soiree.  This particular gathering was really special for me, for it has been a really long time since I have seen my art school friends.  One of my resolutions is to make more art, and I feel inspired already.  It helps when you have creative minds around you.  Speaking of creative minds and feeling inspired, I suggest you take a peak at A Collection Of.  This blog is run by Stefani and our friend, Gilda.  These ladies are super women.  They make jewelry, take breathtaking images, cook interesting dishes, D A N C E  to awesome music, and they always manage to look put together in the process.  Also, their blog features some really rad interviews with all kinds of movers and shakers.  They are sweethearts.  Thanks ladies! 

Alex made this beautiful meringue pie!

 My boyfriend and Britt hovering over the treats.  D E L I C I O U S

Serge being a model as usual.

 Awkward prom photo of the evening courtesy of Alex.  Aren't we cute?  Jeaux always makes this face.

You did it!  Japanese puzzle completed by my man and my pal, Alex Lewin.  They are even flashing the peace symbol like little giddy school girls.

Retro image by our very own hostess, Stefani.  The gold balloon is just the perfect touch!

These last two images by the lovely Gilda.  I'm definitely channeling a 60s vibe here.  

h&m pants

all black lace oxfords

urban outfitters faux fur 

vintage top from my ma

I like shiny things

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R  ! ! ! 

your friend,

ava

Part Time Punk

  So, I've been house sitting for my girls, Alex and Britt.  While they are hanging around in Seattle and Portland, I am here in the sunshine capital, manning their home and getting to spend some quality time with Teddy and Potato (their adorable cats).

  While looking for things to do, I came upon this book and decided to borrow it (thanks ladies!)  It is called Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk.  I was sold with that title alone.  Since high school, I've always had a little bit of lingering rebellion inside of me, but I was way too timid to fully commit to anything my parents wouldn't approve of. I had Goth friends and really wanted to be Goth.  I loved The Cure, and had wannabe Doc Martens, but that is as far as it went.  I didn't really think I would look good wearing black lipstick, witchcraft was never my forte, and hanging out in graveyards seemed too scary.  I never did drugs, never had the desire to, but knew some people who did.  The hardest thing I ever did in high school was take a few drags from my friend's clove cigarette.  How PUNK.

  In college, I got really obsessed with The Clash, and I only knew a few Ramones songs.  I've always loved the Talking Heads because my mom had Little Creatures on cassette tape, and would play this over and over.  If I were to label that band, it would be more "art rock" than "punk", I guess.  A teacher of mine, Michael Perkins, use to bring vinyl records to class, and that is when I first heard Funhouse.  You can literally feel the raw energy that Iggy projected onto that album.  It still gives me chills every time I play it.  And the saxophone, people!  That sax! 

  Right now, I am exploring the Velvet Underground chapters.  Unbelievable stuff!

  "IGGY POP:  The first time I heard the Velvet Underground and Nico record was at a party on the University of Michigan campus. I just hated the sound. You know, "HOW COULD ANYBODY MAKE A RECORD THAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH A PIECE OF SHIT? THIS IS DISGUSTING! ALL THESE PEOPLE MAKE ME FUCKING SICK! FUCKING DISGUSTING HIPPIE VERMIN! FUCKING BEATNIKS, I WANT TO KILL THEM ALL!  THIS JUST SOUNDS LIKE TRASH!"

  Then about six months later it hit me. "Oh my god! WOW! This is just a fucking great record!" That record became very key for me, not just for what it said, and for how great it was, but also because I heard other people who could make good music-without being any good at music. It gave me hope."

I G G Y    P O P
I love him because he is fucking nuts

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

Adventures in House Sitting

  

  While house sitting, my friend Ema came over and we had a photo adventure.  I took some serious black and white, medium format images that I have yet to develop.  These polaroids, with magical colored frames, are from Impossible Project.  It was wonderful being able to photograph again.  I feel a bit rusty, but looking forward to practicing and creating more images next week.  Jeaux and I will be in one of my most favorite destinations, the bay area!   I finally caved in and bought a digital slr just for the occasion.  It's time to get serious!

E M A

 Alex and Britt's home gave me so much inspiration.  Lots of great, classic architecture and an abundance of plant life.  There was an abandoned home up Montecito that looked like something out of Grey Gardens or Great Expectations.  I expected Little Edie, or Miss Havisham to jump out at any moment.    

M A K E   A R T

& Have Fun Doing It

your friend,

ava