get conscious for a month, i double-dawg dare ya

As of late, I have been a lazy blogger.  Not lazy per se', just a little behind on some postings and such.  I've got so much going on, which ain't a bad thing, especially when you're plotting and scheming over good things to come.  Yes, exciting things to come, but not just yet.  So, in the meantime, I'll share something else that is exciting.

This month, Grist (I work here, btw) is asking you, me, and other conscious souls to rock out some daring environmental changes.  Woohoo.  Excitement with a conscience.  Okay, I know change is scary.  However, we can all heart change, especially when it's for something stellar, something worthy, something good!  We can also heart dares.  And, no, this dare does not entail making out with someone in a closet for 40 seconds, unless that makeout session is about raising awareness for love ... or same sex marriage ... or kindness ... or--you get where I'm going with this.  

Alrighty.  So, I'm gettin' behind this dare thing.  I'm a devoted Grister, and I want to commit to easing up on the ol' foot print, even if it's for one week.  Drum roll, please ...

I've decided to walk to and from work for at least one week... maybe two.  We'll see how it goes, but I'm an ambitious spirit.  My walking distance is approximately 1.4 miles each way.  For one week, I'll walk 14 miles, total.  Piece of cake (minus the Kilimanjaro-esq Seattle hills), and thank god for my trusty, never let me down, iPod nano.  I can do this, y'all!

If you're still interested in what I'm hootin' and hollerin' about, check out Grist's lineup of daring participants.  Also, you can join the challenge.  It.  Is.  Easy.  But!  If you're not quite ready to go there, then donate to Grist.  Come on, I dare ya ...

worn fashion journal: eco vintage wares, fashion mullets, and mom style icons

Here's a quick shout-out to Worn Fashion Journal.  I discovered this wondrous Toronto-based publication while browsing my Bitch magazine one afternoon.  These ladies put the D-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y and S-T-Y-L-E in everything from vintage finds to hankies to tomboy inspiration(s).  

I give Worn's site kudos for being ubber creative, humorous, seriously engaging, and downright empowering.  Worn does a great job of breaking through those narrow beauty ideals that, unfortunately, saturate our mainstream fashion industry, today.  Personal style is celebrated, along with artful concepts, and historical references.  I mean, who wouldn't want to know about the history and origin of hankies and western jewelry design?!

Whether you're in need of some inspiration or just a different perspective on main-stream trends; click on over to Worn Fashion Journal and take a looksy.  Oh, and if you're feeling super generous or inspired (which you will, trust me) visit this page, http://www.wornjournal.com/html/get-involved/ to find out how to support this fantastic publication.

 

 

seattle international film festival: WTF? shorts (no, not those kind, the other kind)

The Seattle International Film Festival (otherwise known as SIFF) is, in a nutshell, bad-ass.  It is a (almost!) month of artistic supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  And I've enjoyed my first encounter, thus far ... in all its bad-ass-aucity.  

This past Sunday,  I witnessed my first SIFF - WTF? lineup of shorts.  All eight of them.  Some were fabulous, and some, not so fabulous, but regardless of my own value judgement(s); I have to give the format of "the short film" kudos--like, massive kudos.  This genre of filmmaking HAS to be one of the hardest artistic forms to master.  Sorry features (ahem).

Some of my favorite highlights included:  Theo chocolate bars, "director Q & A" (yay!), and a super enthusiastic, supportive crowd.  Drum role, please ... short favorites were:  Howard From Ohio, directed by SJ Chiro (she rocks), Love Birds, directed by Brian Lye, Time Freak, directed by Andrew Bowler, and Anna Fitch's The Burning Wigs of Sedition (humorous, erotic, and delicious).

 Still from Howard From Ohio

 

 Still from The Burning Wigs of Sedition

 Still from Love Birds

For more festival news, schedules, and announcements, click here.  Oh, and check out SIFF Cinema for July screenings.

say, "hello" to tomorrow: san francisco's artists envision their future

West coast sistahs and fellahs, check out this upcoming exhibition.  What:   hello tomorrow: Bay Area Artists Envision the Future.  When:  opens June 16th at the Brower Center, Hazel Wolf Gallery. The exhibition will run until September 2, 2011.

The concept was inspired by David Brower's quote, "have a good time saving the world.  Otherwise, you're just going to depress yourself."  Okay, well, I can get behind that.  I can also get behind the artists who were chosen to represent this concept.  A total of 22 works were selected for the exhibit.  Yummy.  These delicious and contemplative works range from traditional painting to installation to, well, you'll just have to see for your pretty little self.

And, you're in luck; I've pulled some juicy works for your gaze and enjoyment. Oh, and here is a list of the participating artists:

Artists include: Mari Andrews · Timothy Armstrong · Claire Brandt · Noah Breuer · Mark Bryan · Hagit Cohen · Alicia Escott · Lisa Espenmiller · William Harsh · Ryan Hendon · Anthony Holdsworth · Grant Johnson · Michael Kerbow · Kimberlee Koym-Murteira · Alexis Laurent · Jeff Long · Viviana Paredes · Ruth Santee · Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang · Esther Traugot · Michelle Waters · Stephen Whisler

 

Mari Andrews, PLEXUS, color softground etching on Hosho paper coated in beeswax, 9-1/2 x 9", 1998

 

Timothy Armstrong, Tree Memorial, San Francisco, CA, 2006

 

Ruth Santee, Mystery Coat, 1993

 

 

Alexis Laurent, Billboard, 360" x 4", COR-TEN steel and succulents, 2011

 

Claire Loreen Brandt, Ocean: January 29, 2007; 17" x 14"; graphite on paper

 

POWFest ... also includes a sidebar that reads "women filmmakers kick ass"

Portland's audaciously rad and supportive Women's Film Festival, POWFest is currently accepting entries for next year's festival schedule, March 8-11th, 2012.  Films submitted must be either directed or co-directed by a woman.  Yippee!  They are doing something really remarkable here ... showcasing the artistic contribution of women filmmakers, which in and of itself, is few and far between (i.e. the minuscule amount of women directors in Hollywood). 

Hollywood Theatre, Portland, OR

Deadlines, fees, and submission categories are (basically) copied and pasted for your sheer curiosity, below.  For all the good stuff, visit their site at www.powfest.com. 

Deadlines & Fees

Early Bird Deadline: Postmarked by June 24, 2011 -- $20
Regular Deadline: Postmarked by Friday Aug 12, 2011 -- $30
Late Deadline: Postmarked by Friday Sept 9, 2011 -- $35
WAB Extended Deadline: Postmarked by Friday Oct 7, 2011 -- $45

Filmmakers may submit as a General Filmmaker or Young Filmmaker in the following categories:

Short Narrative: Any genre under 40 minutes in length

Short Documentary: Any genre under 40 minutes in length

Narrative Feature: Any genre over 40 minutes

Documentary Feature: Documentary films over 40 minutes

Experimental Short: Experimental films under 40 minutes

Animation Short: Any genre under 40 minutes in length

Young Filmmaker: Shorts and features of any genre

a fashionably late shout-out ... do something reel film festival

Saturday night, my hubby and I decided to roll on down to Seattle's Central Cinema (which, in and of itself, is total awesome-aucity) and catch enviro-doc, On Coal River.  This passionate film is one of six documentaries presented by Whole Foods Market, Do Something Reel Film Festival.  This traveling festival has been and still is (yay) screening six provocative and eye-opening documentary films in 70 (give or take a few) cities across America in celebration of Earth Month.  For a "city roster", check out screening locations here.

I have to say, the West Virgina girl inside just can't shake what I watched on the big screen last night.  On Coal River is one of those amazing stories that, time-and-time again, reiterate the power of the people when government refuses to take action.  Ed Wiley, one of the main characters in the film, is a former coal miner, who embarks on a tumultuous quest to relocate his granddaughter's school, Marsh Fork Elementary  to "safer" ground.  Ed and his tenacious and completely devoted neighbors are on a mission to save their valley, educate their community, and keep their families safe.  Truly, fearless.