i just can't get enough of it.
breakfast with cos. its the best.
what's also the best is having a roommate who is studying photography at art center and can document me with my bird at all times. shaina kasanoff. she photographs us every few days. its kind of throws me off to be the one in the pictures. but hey.... embrace.
so this shows three things. 1) my new haircut which i love, being air-dried 2) green power juice from trades 3) i feel like there's a weird tint to this photo and its bugging me. maybe its because of the neon sweatshirt. who knows.
breakfast with cos. its the best.
what's also the best is having a roommate who is studying photography at art center and can document me with my bird at all times. shaina kasanoff. she photographs us every few days. its kind of throws me off to be the one in the pictures. but hey.... embrace.
so this shows three things. 1) my new haircut which i love, being air-dried 2) green power juice from trades 3) i feel like there's a weird tint to this photo and its bugging me. maybe its because of the neon sweatshirt. who knows.
classic---------
its not 100% bliss.... he often FREAKS ME OUT by sitting at the back of my neck. totally tickles.
i scream pretty loud. every time.
i scream pretty loud. every time.
okay, and everyone needs to check out these songs, recommended to me yesterday by my hair-artist lindsay.
- synonynonym by the tune-yards,
- two planets by bat for lashes.
do i EVER recommend songs?
nope.
so, it must be good.
i will also say that i am usually the last to know about music.
so------ maybe everyone already loves this stuff. WHO KNOWS.
- synonynonym by the tune-yards,
- two planets by bat for lashes.
do i EVER recommend songs?
nope.
so, it must be good.
i will also say that i am usually the last to know about music.
so------ maybe everyone already loves this stuff. WHO KNOWS.
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cosmo and i at breakfast, again.
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this photo was supposed to be a portrait of my friend jasmine, a closeup of her pretty red curls. the leaves and flowers were supposed to be blurry and her curls were supposed to pop. apparently my polaroid had a different plan. polaroids tend to always have a different plan, but this time it made me mad...... because it was my last one, and i really really really wanted a photo of the curls. it has taken me a few weeks to become okay with this image in my spirit------ i had to let it settle with me for a while. i'm finally okay with it and decided to post it extra large so we could take it in and let it be. so here's my portrait of jasmine. we had a picnic in griffith park among the old abandoned LA zoo cages. we went on a photographers hike, which to us means: photograph for 10 minutes, walk for 2. photograph each other taking photographs. walk a bit more.
1 comments so far
jasmine says:
You are loveliness. I have a shot of you up on my flickr page! http://www.flickr.com/jasfitz
(04.10.10 @ 11:45 AM)
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throwing expectation out the window,
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lately he's been tweeting SO LOUD ITS DEAFENING until i feed him his scrambled eggs for breakfast. its pretty cute. i love it. and yes, birds eat human food: vegetables, fruit, potatoes, grains, eggs... we basically just share. i love it, because i hate the smell of pet food. sick.
this morning i decided to have him come eat at the table with me. i was so enthralled that i forgot to eat my own food and do my morning pages. i took photos of him instead. by the time i got to my coffee and oatmeal it was cold. not an issue though, because LOOK AT THESE----------
this morning i decided to have him come eat at the table with me. i was so enthralled that i forgot to eat my own food and do my morning pages. i took photos of him instead. by the time i got to my coffee and oatmeal it was cold. not an issue though, because LOOK AT THESE----------
when he gets food all over his beak i secretly love it and wish he wouldn't shake it off. glad to have this photo :) AND! when he tilts his head up like that? so cute!!! he just looks around. curiosity seems to be one of his top strengths,
us in all our morning glory,
each day we get the hang of each other a little bit more,
today has been a good day,
yesterday all he wanted to do was bite me and hiss at me.
no clue what i did that made him so protective of his space.
but hey.
i'm learning to give him space when he needs it,
which is often.
so much seems to be going on in that teensy little head of his.
and i've realized lately that cosmo has many many fans.
you guys are loving him.
you want more photos of him.
you facebook stalk him--- via me.
i love this.
he's worth stalking.
so, continue.
glad to give you a little ammo today,
shan :)
today has been a good day,
yesterday all he wanted to do was bite me and hiss at me.
no clue what i did that made him so protective of his space.
but hey.
i'm learning to give him space when he needs it,
which is often.
so much seems to be going on in that teensy little head of his.
and i've realized lately that cosmo has many many fans.
you guys are loving him.
you want more photos of him.
you facebook stalk him--- via me.
i love this.
he's worth stalking.
so, continue.
glad to give you a little ammo today,
shan :)
5 comments so far
Meg says:
Hi, Shannon! I love your work. Do you have a formspring page? I have some questions I'd love to ask you!
(04.06.10 @ 02:44 PM)
shannon leith says:
no formspring, but go ahead and ask :)
and, fyi: your blog is lovely
Cafe Pasadena says:
You two make an interesting couple, SL. If I were your bird I wood bee afraid of getting to close and find myself in your stomach.
(04.06.10 @ 06:34 PM)
MAREN mcmillan says:
SHANNON.. I LOOOVE YOUR COSMO... GROWING UP MY WHOLE ENTIRE CHILDHOOD I ALWAYS HAD A COCKATIEL... I LAHLAHLOVE THE PICS OF COSMO WITH FOOD ON HIS BEAK... SOOOOO SWEET.... ;)
(04.24.10 @ 07:55 PM)
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cosmo and his breakfast routine,
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blythe and i had lunch together the other day and it was lovely.
i like having lunch with people because i like conversation.
i like being with.
i love how food becomes a space to connect.
i also love how food is just GOOD.
body and soul, so good.
i like having lunch with people because i like conversation.
i like being with.
i love how food becomes a space to connect.
i also love how food is just GOOD.
body and soul, so good.
1 comments so far
Erin says:
Such pretty table settings! I love your little insights like this.
(04.03.10 @ 07:29 PM)
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i had a new experience a few weeks ago: curating an art exhibit.
there were 26 artists and over 50 pieces of art! so rad.
the opportunity came to me through two people: rachel clark and victoria smith. they both work at biola and wanted to do an art show for national women's month. they asked me to curate it and i got pretty excited to try something so new to me. what got me most excited was the location: the university's library. putting art into unconventional spaces is such a challenge, but i love that there's no right answer. galleries have developed pretty rigid expectations, and people who break the rules are usually doing it for a reason. there was a whole new set of obstacles at the library though: from millions of fire-extinguishers to fake plants to random lighting. nothing about installing this show was exactly straightforward or easy. the solution we came up with makes me smile. we had fun with it, embraced the space, and let the work sing.
the opportunity came to me through two people: rachel clark and victoria smith. they both work at biola and wanted to do an art show for national women's month. they asked me to curate it and i got pretty excited to try something so new to me. what got me most excited was the location: the university's library. putting art into unconventional spaces is such a challenge, but i love that there's no right answer. galleries have developed pretty rigid expectations, and people who break the rules are usually doing it for a reason. there was a whole new set of obstacles at the library though: from millions of fire-extinguishers to fake plants to random lighting. nothing about installing this show was exactly straightforward or easy. the solution we came up with makes me smile. we had fun with it, embraced the space, and let the work sing.
what was the show ABOUT?
read my statement >>>
read my statement >>>
The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner's humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.
- Julia Cameron, "the Artist's Way"
Each of the 26 artists in this exhibition have willingly thrown themselves full force into the often scary process of creating art.
These women come from a variety of different places: you will see art from Biola staff members, current students: both art and non-art majors, and alumni who are now working professional artists. The range of work displayed is wide, but the pieces are linked by a foundation that has seen the process as more important than the product. Each artist seemed to have some sense of the unknown, but moved forward anyway.
the word process takes on a few different meanings in this show:
>>> the exploration of specific materials
>>> the exploration of a collection
>>> the exploration of a life phase or experience
I invite you to explore this space and make your own
connections, hopefully becoming inspired and empowered to participate in
the act of creating something yourself!
Art? You just do it. -- Martin Ritt
here's a closeup of the three pieces up there at the beginning,
its a triptych by bonnie mancini.
a self portrait,
its a triptych by bonnie mancini.
a self portrait,
gretchen farwell's lovely white ceramic pieces,
ruthi auda custom-made a sculpture out of coffee filters that she dyed.
want this in my house. pink!
favorite image from the show. delicate and careful.
its the back of a quilt, by janna lotze. we displayed the back because it is lovely and payed attention to. she said that the highest compliment you can give a quilter is to say that the back is as beautiful as the front. janna, this is beautiful.
its the back of a quilt, by janna lotze. we displayed the back because it is lovely and payed attention to. she said that the highest compliment you can give a quilter is to say that the back is as beautiful as the front. janna, this is beautiful.
just peeking out and saying hi to people writing essays.
this project honestly sparked a little passion in me for art in public spaces.
this project honestly sparked a little passion in me for art in public spaces.
i think i'd like to do more.
this is one of my favorite uses of the space, hanging things from the stairs. i sacrificed my jellyfish from my room and let them hang out here (MISS THESE GUYS EVERY DAY!), and then on the right is a series of jars with a treasure collection inside.
kimberly hocking,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
natalie anderson,
and ru getting interviewed about her piece. no biggie.
there were a few writeups about the show if you're interested:
the whittier daily news
a great one w/ photos on biola's site
the chimes
and here's a facebook album with most of the pieces documented (this is a small selection--- there were 50 pieces!)
the whittier daily news
a great one w/ photos on biola's site
the chimes
and here's a facebook album with most of the pieces documented (this is a small selection--- there were 50 pieces!)
and FYI,
the show would have zero existence if it weren't for victoria smith (click to check out her rad blog) with the events department at biola. i kept saying that all of us art people need organized people like her who get things done. she made so many emails and phone calls in order to pull this off------ i was in awe. things that would maybe take me a few days took her a few minutes. it was incredible. i felt so supported by her. AND----- she created the most lovely atmosphere at the the opening: poetry, LATTES, candles, live music------ it was a dream. thank you, thank you, thank you victoria.
i also had a ton of help from friends and random people who i saw in the library and pulled over to help me. yup, i really did that. so thank you each person who contributed art, helped put it up, and came to see.
so!
curating.
i like it.
the show would have zero existence if it weren't for victoria smith (click to check out her rad blog) with the events department at biola. i kept saying that all of us art people need organized people like her who get things done. she made so many emails and phone calls in order to pull this off------ i was in awe. things that would maybe take me a few days took her a few minutes. it was incredible. i felt so supported by her. AND----- she created the most lovely atmosphere at the the opening: poetry, LATTES, candles, live music------ it was a dream. thank you, thank you, thank you victoria.
i also had a ton of help from friends and random people who i saw in the library and pulled over to help me. yup, i really did that. so thank you each person who contributed art, helped put it up, and came to see.
so!
curating.
i like it.
1 comments so far
Heidi says:
SO stinking amazing. I want it all in my house to look at every day.
(04.03.10 @ 04:59 PM)
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process::: show opening and thoughts
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:::::::::::::::::::::
Thursday, April 1, 2010
maddie and justin's relationship was meant to be.
yes, lots of relationships are meant to be,
but there's had an extra sparkle of YES! this is right.
they had to get married.
only option.
maddie the bohemian beach blonde,
justin the tall and handsome singer songwriter architect,
they're perfect.
i cried when i saw her.
not normal for me.
i just had to let it flow though.
the day was elegant yet still simple. like this little bouquet making party,
yes, lots of relationships are meant to be,
but there's had an extra sparkle of YES! this is right.
they had to get married.
only option.
maddie the bohemian beach blonde,
justin the tall and handsome singer songwriter architect,
they're perfect.
i cried when i saw her.
not normal for me.
i just had to let it flow though.
the day was elegant yet still simple. like this little bouquet making party,
justin. wow,
why i love maddie #103,
top groom moment of all time. i'll go that far.
the wedding was held at the ayers hotel in hawthorne.
turns out the ayers hotel feels like a tuscan-villa:
turns out the ayers hotel feels like a tuscan-villa:
madison you just ARE.
you sit on the ground in your wedding dress and you shine.
you can't help it,
we had a little polaroid time, loved it, these are the middles,
maddie's one requirement for the wedding, that it included herbs. love her.
its not normal that i feature guest's outfits but its also not normal that i see this great of an outift.
wish i had thought of this. and you think i'm kind of kidding, huh.
wish i had thought of this. and you think i'm kind of kidding, huh.
maddie and justin,
honored.
honestly.
so grateful and happy to be there on your wedding day.
love you two,
meant to be,
shan
honored.
honestly.
so grateful and happy to be there on your wedding day.
love you two,
meant to be,
shan
7 comments so far
Elise says:
Loving the soft flowers, Tuscan villa mood, and especially the herbs! Beautiful!
(04.01.10 @ 06:35 PM)
Deanna Mandish says:
Simply lovely.
(04.02.10 @ 10:35 PM)
deanna Mandish says:
simply beautiful.
(04.02.10 @ 10:37 PM)
ally michele says:
Awww Shannon I love them! This place they got married was beautiful and they seem like a ton of fun! Grea job friend!! :)
(04.13.10 @ 04:55 PM)
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personal challenge....
dont care as much about the order of the photos, the quality of the photos, the flow of the photos, the timing, the pacing, the yes's, the no's..... just put them up. whew. so here you go. my lovely weekend with ruthi and megan in lancaster at meg's hip hot artist's loft.
and now i'm back with cosmo watching him sit on the top of his cage tweeting to regina spektor. he loves her i think. which i do as well.
8 comments so far
Erin says:
You all are so cute. And what a great apartment!
(03.28.10 @ 07:05 PM)
blythe says:
love these;; every single one of them. meg's place IS hip. !! in the good way.
(03.28.10 @ 07:14 PM)
Katie Neal Photo says:
Love love love them. I just adore your vision and the way you view things Shannon. I just adore you! :) P.S I wanna talk to Ruthi re: branding. How do I get her contact info?
(03.29.10 @ 10:41 AM)
Kat says:
play him "two birds on a wire..." i just know he'll love it!!!!
(03.29.10 @ 01:57 PM)
heather says:
that cat wins for coolest fur pattern EVER.
(03.31.10 @ 07:01 PM)
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why not. lancaster twentyten.
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You and your bird are so cute and hilarious! I love these photos!
(04.09.10 @ 12:18 PM)That juice is inTENSE. The haircut is darling - hair ARTIST? Whoa. And I can hear the scream. Surprised Cosmo doesn't keel over from shock. Love ya! Mom.
(04.09.10 @ 04:13 PM)I love your new hair. And that last photo tickles me pink.
(04.10.10 @ 10:17 PM)Near To You by A Fine Frenzy is very good.
(04.11.10 @ 12:42 AM)