xo

© Ava Alamshah

Girls on Film

Thank you to Girls on Film for featuring my work. You can see more photos from this series by clicking here…

31

Just a few things...

©Ava Alamshah

these flowers while hiking

©Ava Alamshah

this tree

these women

Taken earlier this morning at Cliff's Edge in Silverlake, celebrating my 31 years of being alive. I am now officially in the midst of my 30s and there is no turning back. It is crazy to think about all that has happened in an entire year. This time last year Amber and I were here. A lot has happened since then... some good things, some sad things, and I am so grateful to have these women in my life. They have seen me at my worst, and at my happiest, and I truly felt the L O V E today. Thank you, my lovelies! xx

your friend,

ava

Simplicity, Work, & Enjoyment

I came across this short film some time ago.  Beautiful, simple, inspirational. 

Film by Julia Warr
Music by Lola Perrin

juliawarr.com


xo
your friend,


ava 

The Roaring Weekend

My friend, Amber's wedding is this Sunday, which means I'm going to be M.I.A until next week! It's been a crazy month. Things are finally starting to settle down and come into place for her.  Right after the bachelorette party, I had the worst cough imaginable.  Bronchitis as it turns out! Luckily I got some meds and should be in tip top shape by the ceremony. Believe me, I was super worried. Being sick has had some advantages.  I was able to finish reading Bukowski's "Women", watched all season one of Boardwalk Empire (um hello Michael Pitt!), and started reading "Century Girl" about the long and glamorous life of Doris Eaton Travis. She was the last living Ziegfeld Folly and was 106 when she passed away in 2010! All these wedding details are making me think of my own future wedding (someday *crossing fingers*).  I hope for a little classic glamour for sure, and thank goodness for the internet because there is just so much eye candy at my fingertips! Can't wait to reveal Amber's dream dress and spill wedding details!  In the mean time, enjoy this car porn by Kenneth Anger. Speaking of eye candy, this is seriously one of my most favorite films I had the pleasure seeing while attending CalArts.  Enjoy.  ;-)

your friend,

ava

Mari Naomi's Kiss & Tell

I was first introduced to Mari Naomi's art through my good friend, Rio, who was curating a show a few years back at SomArts Cultural Center in San Francisco.  Mari's art stood out immediately.  They were large water color images of sumo wrestling clowns, softly painted with bright colors and simple white backgrounds.  Beautiful paintings with such whimsy and humor, depicting the clowns throwing up (..and farting?) a rainbow assortment of balloons!  I remember wishing I had money to buy every single painting of hers on the wall that night.  I truly admired her vision so much and it stuck with me. 

Some time later, I got to connect with her on the social networking extravaganza known as Facebook.  I would check out a drawing of hers every now and then, and left a comment about this one here...

Copyright MariNaomi 2010

I think I told her that this was my favorite image of hers, and to make a long story shorter, we ended up making an old fashioned art trade (her watercolor, for one of my photos).  I was so excited when I got it in the mail, along with one of her zines!  I finally got to hang it in my former apartment.  Thanks Mari! 

See it on the wall, to my right?! :)

I recently ended up cruising her website and found out that she currently has a graphic novel published.  It's called "Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume Ages 0 to 22".  This is what inspired me to write this post about her and about the relationships (romantic or otherwise) we come across in our daily lives. Before I reconnected with my man, Jeaux, I had an assortment of tales to tell about my dating trials and tribulations. The good, the bad, and the oh, so ugly.  I always wanted to write about these experiences, but never knew how to start.  A year ago, I finally created a small zine about my last break up, which was both cathartic and liberating. In order to truly move on, I had to jot down my feelings, like the pages from my diaries. I felt exposed, but it was alright because these are experiences we all go through. I have yet to pick up Mari's memoir, but it details her dating history up until her early 20s.  From those first loves, to scandalous rendezvous, to heart breaks.....

I always admired artists who can laugh at themselves and add humor to their creations.  I also respect when life imitates art. I am a huge fan of non-fiction. When artist's tell stories from their own lives, whether its through writing, or visual art. Lately, I've been getting into Bukowski.  I know he was the cliche, alcoholic, & womanizing writer, but there is something so pure and refreshing about his honesty. Believe me, there were times when I would read something from his novel, "Women", and had to put the book down because it was so blunt and outright misogynistic.  Though I can respect that, and commend his late ability to put it all out there.  

I love this kind of honesty, good or bad, it's relatable. How people come in and out of our lives.  Losing and gaining connections.  It's so inspiring. 

Thanks Mari, for giving us a woman's point of view and for being so awesome! 

I can't wait to see your memoir! 

Check out her site at www.marinaomi.com 

your friend,

ava