disposable

E C H O   P A R K   R I S I N G

I tried out a disposable camera for the first time in years (I honestly can't remember the last time I used one). Here are the results! The purest in me loves the nostalgic, dreamy quality. The graininess just adds to these photos of crooner, Gabriel Hart. I work with Gabe, and he is in a few bands. His band, Jail Weddings (best band name ever!), capped off Echo Park Rising three weekends ago. I'm glad I was finally able to see him perform. I was starting to feel guilty, always mentioning that I was going to check out a show, and always, always flaking. 

I ended up going to this show on the night of my Mom's birthday. She showed up to my place earlier, and we had brunch at Cliff's Edge, followed with pedal boating at the lake.  I am a tourist in my own city. I realize that I've blogged about the lake several times now. It's all I can talk about. It has given me peace of mind, and I've fallen in love with Los Angeles again. 

Mommy & Me being tourists! I love you, Mom.

life vests are so hawt right now

©Ava Alamshah

Recently, I was told that the city dyes the water blue. I was kind of bummed to hear it, but it certainly looks extra sparkly! And check out that r a i n b o w !!
 

your friend,

ava

Allan Sekula

Goodbye, Allan 

Rio and I use to joke about how much of an art star you were. We would wait and wait for you to show up to class. Sometimes we gave up, but most of the time, we'd stay knowing that it would be worth it. I was always intimidated by you, and in shock that you are not around to challenge me. Challenge the way I think about photography. I will always remember what you said before my thesis (the smallest detail would have made a difference). Back then, I was afraid, but I will do things differently now. 

allan, rio & the san pedro harbor (2003?)

source

More on Allan's passing here.

Dixie

Dixie working on an airplane, during WWII

picture source

Teasing photographer, and former silent film star, Harold Lloyd. Lloyd also photographed the real Monroe & Bettie Page!

Photos of young Dixie I found randomly on google. Mostly tumblr...

The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, Dixie Evans, died this month on August 3rd. I found out a week ago. She was 86 years old. 

I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2004/2005 while I was a student at CalArts. Her ranch in Helendale, CA was one of the first stops during an epic road trip that would lead my classmates and I to The Spiral Jetty. I will never forget Andrew Freeman's "Into the Field". Those excursions into vast desert lands were pure magic. Youthful, fiery magic. 

I shot this image of her in 2005.  I titled it, To Dixie, with luv, xx Ava. Soon after, she would leave her ranch home and head out to Vegas.  Her Miss Exotic World Ranch was a time capsule in the desert sun. 

Rest in Peace

 More about her passing here.

your friend,

ava

Movable Magazine

Very happy that my work has been featured in this month's issue of Movable Magazine. It's the E S C A P E  issue! The word escape resonated with me at the time I was living at home, with family, and felt that my life had become so out of place. I had lost a sense of control, only to realize, I had let that happen on my own. It was a choice. To wallow in uncertainty, or to gain a sense of awareness, and to stop being so damned afraid of life. I still have a long way to go, but I embrace the learning process.

Ps: Friends! I've shown this work before. Remember?! 

Here....and here. 

All of this positivity motivates me to shoot more film. I'm crawling out of my funk, and slowly making the best of things, and soon there will be adventures. This month and next are full of exciting times x a trillion bagillion! Until then....

your friend,

ava

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

Amber

It's been a while since I've worked on my portrait site, but today, I felt inspired. It was also a good excuse to avoid doing laundry. Here are the images of Amber, pre Gillian. 

From her marriage to Daniel, and now the arrival of their newborn, life has been blowing my mind.

I had to share these images of her, taken with my Yashica Mat-124 G. I'm going to get that camera repaired very soon. Marek, at General Camera, told me that my camera is the last model, made in the 80s. That's a 30 year old camera! Vintage.

all images © Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

Echo Park Life

L O S   A N G E L E S 

Last Friday, my family came for a visit to see my new place. I was really excited to show them the newly renovated lake. My aunt Violet said that my tiny apartment reminded her of Europe. 

I'll have to ask my landlord, but I believe the building is from the late 30s, so it definitely has that old world charm (with some quirks here and there). My place is coming together very slowly. I'm currently in that nesting process.

I think the photos from my last entry represent the day so clearly. My cousin and I are riding the peace train. I just love that photo so much. Here are some more...

I love this woman. She is a good human being.

The lotus flowers are epic. I was disappointed to see trash floating around near the wetlands. Come on people! The lake has only been open for two weeks! Sigh...

Sweet babies, chilling out in the grass & getting some sweet vitamin D.

Dad is also getting some vitamin D action. Looking suave, as usual.

siblings 

love

My cousin likes to make me things. Her art is displayed on my fridge and gives me the greatest joy. Here is something she created a while back. 

your friend,

ava


©Ava Alamshah

Ladies of the Lake

C O M I N G   S O O N

Echo Park Life 

©Ava Alamshah

Plant Life/Love

I've really grown to love my plants. Last entry, I posted an image of my succulents. They sit happily along the kitchen window. The photo was taken about two weeks ago when I first settled into my apartment. Click here to see. 

My plants seem to be very happy here and there is proof! This past week, I discovered something amazing while watering one of them. 

Look closely....

This little one seems to have grown overnight! It's stem grows longer and longer each day, reaching towards the sunlight. It wants to burst through my screen! I'm not sure how much longer it can grow, but I am in awe.

Moving has been the best thing for this little dude. x
Stoked!

If only I can keep my basil plant alive. It's looking a little sad.

your friend,

ava

images ©Ava Alamshah 

Los Angeles, I'm Yours

Okay.
It is July 4th, and I am typing this entry from Casbah Cafe, in Silverlake. I've always loved the beauty of this place, with it's Moroccan flair. Almost like being there (well, not really....I wouldn't know, but I can only imagine). My friend's independence day bbq was canceled, and I haven't had internet, so I almost went there with a huge watermelon in hand (sort of like that scene in Dirty Dancing!) I wonder if the bbq would have ended up with all of us gyrating our hips? One can dream, right?

It's been an overwhelming couple of months. Sad/new/tragic/wonderful/weird/lonely....I have been feeling somewhat out of place, going through a transitional period. May was a very hard month. It would have been three years together for Jeaux and I if we decided to stick things out. I went through a dog attack (a scar remains just inches below my left eye), and early last month, I moved into my own, little apartment. I've been adjusting alright to living alone for the first time. I've had maybe one or two little crying spells, which is pretty good considering I cry a lot, even when I'm really happy, or during a really good orgasm. Yes, it is true, I like a good cry. I'm happy to take this time to write again, and I am being awfully candid, but I haven't had this outlet in two weeks! 

Some positive things I'd like to share...

This photo of Katie

Katie, I hope you are not mad at me for putting this up, but I think you look stunning! Fun fact about Katie: I met her through my friend, Angie. Stef and Gilda blogged about her...AND through facebook, I found out that she is good friends with Mari Naomi. Cool thing is that I got to meet Mari in person for the very first time after being internet friends since 2010! Her and her husband moved to LA from San Francisco. I shot this photo of Katie at Mari's housewarming. Awesome small world! 

Palm trees at the reopened Echo Park Lake, which I live very close to. About a five minute walk!  Some friends and I had a picnic there a couple of weeks ago. It looks beautiful and I can't wait to take more photos of it.  I want to be there every day. My friend Taylor and I talked about that scene in Chinatown, which I think about every time I visit the lake. 

Some dear friends had babies...

 

 

plants in my kitchen window, an Assyrian rug from my aunt Violet, and the first tea at my new home...

 Lydia

Last Friday, we finally went to Ooga Booga together and got to meet DEATH! Look how happy we all are! More on that later, but I couldn't wait to show you. UGH..it was so much fun. Such cutie pies. Those pearly whites. MAGIC. 
Check this out. And this! And THIS!! Also this!!! 

xx So much love xx

That's me holding a signed 7" from their very first band, "ROCKFIRE FUNK EXPRESS"! They were a funk band. 

all images ©Ava Alamshah

Also, this blog is pretty great. And the song of the same name, by The Decemberists. That song came on the radio while driving to my apartment, and guess what? Yep..... I cried. 

your friend,

ava