Chris Natrop

Lately, hand cut paper has fascinated me. It seems to be popping up and out in my world left and right. For instance, I've noticed several glorious displays around town of beautiful hanging, hand cut paper. And a few weekends ago, Grace presented small works of hand cut paper her mother found at a garage sale in Lubbock, of birds and such. And to complete this reoccurring theme, today I found the artist Chris Natrop, featured as wall art in a sneak peek of Heather Taylor's interior design. 

The intricate positive/negative space screams love me! Not to mention, the radiating darkness in the cast shadows. Excellent..excellent indeed. {art school lingo, thanks Texas Tech.}

Images from Chris Natrop's website.

My Saving Grace.

Have you ever seen a photographer this pretty? Girl, we need you in front of the camera, not behind it! 

Gracie took me in from the cold and rain and brought sunshine back in my life. I have the privilege of working along side her and I just love love love her. I can't imagine what I'd do if she wasn't in my life! Seriously. 

ps. her photo skillz are crazy good.

Thrift Store Cowboys...

rule.

I hold these guys dear to my heart. 

Derek's putting out his very first 7" freaturing Thrift Store Cowboys and One Wolf. This collectors item will be a limited run so if you want to get your paws on one, stay tuned folks!

DIY mania.

Lately, I've been wanting to make a lampshade to put in my workspace because it's a make-shift, under lit space stuffed under the stairs in a location that's probably only meant for storage. So, I promise a little sparkle popped up in my eye when I came across this DIY 'wood' lampshade project inspired by David Trubridge.

Basically, you make a template from cardstock that you've covered with contact paper. I'm hoping there will be more options when strolling down the shelf paper aisle. *Fingers Crossed.

Then assemble with scrapbooking brads. Like snapping your fingers.

I haven't tried this yet, but I'll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck. 

PS. Today, I found this excellent DIY book by Ellen Lupton, called D.I.Y.: Design it Yourself. ie. the instigator.

Behold.

"The sound of church bells and a procession of school kids dressed in black headed toward the end of the street where a wide set of stairs wrapped around the exterior of an ancient building.
i caught up and quickly passed without giving them a glance, climbed the stairs and waited at the half way point for them to pass me.
i held my camera low figuring i’d leave it mostly to chance.
Once past the last child gave me a face and stuck her tongue out. i stuck my tongue out in kind and she turned away laughing.

A few days ago i dreamt of a pale grey sky crossed by over head wires and crows so black they seemed like holes into an endless night."
-Gary Isaacs 

(This quote is from the caption of this photograph. Please look through his photos and read his stories both will not disappoint.)

This work has a marvelous haunting beauty. I'm absolutely infatuated with them, apparently desolate solitude calls my name every time.

All images via Gary Isaacs.

Loves.

A few of my favorite pictures from this past weekend's wedding, which Grace and I shot.  This is Stacey and Chris, they were married on 10/4 (good buddy! Sorry, I couldn't resist.) at her parent's beautiful house in Kerrville, TX. Sweet sweet couple. They choreographed their first dance, which. was. awesome.

Images ©2008 Julie Cope Photography.

Make a difference.

Ok. So I should have posted this yesterday for all you Texans. But, there's still time to register in other states, and hopefully you're already registered...so you can vote.

VOTE. 

It's fun.