West Seventh Freelance

Photography, seeking, writing…and learning along the way. Want to come along?!

recent posts

about

  • “About” Page: Revisited

    bagheerabacklit2My first post on WordPress was October 18, 2012. It didn’t get views, but the second was the first of many photo challenges and introduced me to many of you!

    Since that time I have tried many themes and ideas, sticking primarily with the notion of developing skills in photography. The cats, Dylan and Bagheera, have been a huge support, and have graciously agreed to photo-ops on numerous occasions. Despite their best efforts, they have not been able to help mama land a job that buys the veterinary prescription food and will pay for the upcoming dental visit (anesthesia and all that…)

    So, with their encouragement, I am adopting more of a ‘magazine-style’ blog in which I will test my writing muscle– and get a bit ‘testy’ now and again. Photography is still a huge interest and the boys will no doubt appear in all their sweet glory.

    So on we go– boldly in to 2014 with a new look and lots of ideas for stories and photo-ops. Thank you all for continuing on the journey…

    Christine, West Seventh Freelance

  • Weekly Photo Challenge: Community

    steph2Community happened this morning.

    Stephanie came to my studio for a few shots for her LinkedIn page. We are both members of a group for women in “career change”. The meetings are held at a local library twice a month. One of the delightful outcomes is sharing our skills and talents with each other. Steph is going to help me with editing! (Of course I could not resist a couple of “glamour pics”!)

    steph magazine2 steph2 copy

  • Winter Wares: Ceramic Arts To Have AND To Hold

    circa1.jpgAn evening of ceramic and glass art showcased by the fine cuisine of Sapor Cafe & Wine Bar was the perfect prelude to Winter Wares, a companion event held at Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, December 13th.

    Winter Wares provided a festive, personal venue in which supporters, collectors, visitors and fellow artists could browse and meet-and-greet. The work of ceramic artists, Nick DeVries, Victoria Dawes, Will Dix, Adam Gruetzmacher, Mike Helke, Joe Kraft, Nick Moen, Erin Paradis, David Swenson and Jason Trebs was on display. Guests took full advantage of the ‘pottery dessert formal’ theme, purchasing items in which to enjoy the desserts and beverages provided.

    The evening’s host, Tom Lancaster, friend of artist Nick Moen, shared a story that highlighted the accessible, multifaceted nature of the art– and the event.

    “A guest of the exhibit arrived and indicated that she was visually impaired. She was worried about experiencing the show; how she would ‘look at it’”.

    “I told her not to give it a second thought. We walked through together and she marveled at the pieces that were so ‘visually tactile’…like a mug with an intricate, patterned surface and the plate by Victoria Dawes that has a bite mark constructed in to the design– she was just blown away by those pieces and bought them to add to her collections.”

    Circa
    Circa
    Hands that work
    Hands that work
    cups
    Victoria Dawes
    Victoria Dawes
    David Swenson
    David Swenson
    vase
    Tom Lancaster
    Tom Lancaster
    North Loop
    North Loop
    beauty
    Joe Kraft- AU Alum (right)
    Joe Kraft- AU Alum (right)
    Mike Helke
    Mike Helke
    music
    Nick Moen (center)
    Nick Moen (center)
    practical beauty
    practical beauty2
    practical beauty3
    Joe Limpert, glass artist of Hennepinmade.com
    Joe Limpert, glass artist of Hennepinmade.com

  • The Intersection of Food & Art: Perfectly Plated at Sapor Café & Bar

    boat on the nile

    Drawing upon visual and culinary themes inspired by the textures and colors of Peru, Japan and India, ceramic and glass artists collaborated with Sapor Cafe & Wine Bar, in Minneapolis, MN, to blend art and food- and made a bold statement about the blissful collision of form and function in contemporary art and cuisine.

    Nick Moen (Nick Moen Studios, Asheville, NC) and Kathryn Adams (Asheville Glass Center, Asheville, NC), collaborated with fellow artist, David Swenson, of The Northern Clay Center, and restauranteurs, Tanya Sienbenaler (chef and co-founder) and Julie Steenerson to create Pairing Pottery Dinner, held December 12th  at  Sapor Café and Bar in the North Loop Neighborhood of Minneapolis, MN. Other ceramic and glass artists who contributed to the event include: Hayden Wilson, Erin Paradis and Victoria Claire Dawes.

    The artists and Sapor Café provided an unforgettable evening of art and food, blending the beauty of the work with fine cuisine. All food and beverages were plated and served in hand crafted, hand blown objet d’art.

    Topher mixes Mango Lassi Cocktail
    David Swenson ceramics
    Julie Steenerson
    Saki Cups by Josh Beck
    Romantic night out
    Dave and Amy, left in photo, brought a group of friends; they are Sapor regulars
    flight…
    Nick Moen ceramics
    Erin Paradis and Victoria Dawes
    David Swenson
    The Menu
    Kathryn Adams glassware
    Kathryn Adams glassware
    Kathryn Adams
    Chef Tanya
    John and Jim
    The artists toast
    David Swenson

  • Wordless Wednesday

    bear hugJust a few words…my departed brother’s son- my beloved nephew, David. Taken in Asheville, NC

  • Weekly Photo Challenge: Grand

    Grand on two counts: flight and the Smoky Mountains as seen from the air on the approach to Asheville, NC.

    asheville  plane wing

    http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/grand-photo-challenge/

  • Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

    baby it is cold outsideBaby it’s cold outside…

  • Special Post: Jacox Family Recipe Bulletin or How I Messed with the Ginger Jelly Cookie Recipe

    photo bDateline: December 5, 2013, 15:04 Central Time/ Minnesota

    I have, unwittingly, corrupted Grandma Ruby’s Ginger Jelly Cookie Recipe. Yes, I intended to cut them into tree shapes (!gasp!), but I did not intend to leave out a good portion of the ingredients. Lucky for me, Minnesota has been noted as one of the states now known for cursing and being not-so-nice, dontchaknow…(seriously? People are getting paid to compile these stats? I need a job!!!)

    But, I digress. I thought I measured and mixed:    photo d photo c

    But…oops! They are not quite as crispy ‘cause I left out 2 cups of the “dry, day-old, cake/ cookie, or in my case, home-made-cereal-gone-wrong crumbs…

    photo a

    And yet…they taste pretty darn good. Please note! Dear Canadian family, I proudly fly the Canadian maple leaf atop the cookie pile! photo e_edited-1

  • 55101/ Part Two: Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar

    Winter may be upon us but my pursuit of interesting places in the “hip zip” 55101 continues. Of course The Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar in Lowertown is on my list. A favorite of many since opening its doors in early 1998, it started out as a place for coffee and conversation and has grown to include a menu of fresh, local foods, wine, and a diverse presentation of art and music.

    KarlDuring my visit today I met Karl Warnke, local filmmaker. He is currently working at Black Dog, noting that Sara Remke (one of the owners) is a true patron of the arts. Karl, a regular customer, worked for the Black Dog summers at the adjacent St. Paul Farmer’s Market and signed on 3 months ago as a manager. His true passion, film-making, was recognized at the 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest. The see Karl’s directorial debut, A Letter Home, and view his other work, visit Karl Warnke on Vimeo.

    liam betterLiam Watkins, First Communion After Party  guitarist was also at Black Dog this morning and graciously agreed to a photo-op. Everybody has to check out the music video, Sleepaway– awesome!

    Next stop for me? Who knows!

    Little black dogs everywhere!
    Stained glass art over front door
    Reality!
    Cup holder anyone?!
    Diana

  • Chestnut Street Inn, Asheville, NC

    The Inn_edited-1 (800x546)The little orange cat looked up at me through the side door of The Chestnut Street Inn. Because I had not done my homework, I did not know that this was THE Mr. Pumpkin Pie, feline resident and official greeter.

    The Inn, located in the Chestnut Hill Historic District of Asheville, NC, is part of a unique neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1983). Pumpkin Pie’s home, built for William R. Whitson (ca. 1905 by J.M. Westall), is a lovely Grand Colonial Revival with gorgeous dark woodwork, including a graceful closed stringer stairway, arts & crafts wainscoting, and elaborate mirrored mantles.

    Pumpkin Pie, resident cat at Chestnut street Inn
    Pumpkin Pie, resident cat at Chestnut street Inn

    Guests stay in classically elegant rooms with names like The Blue Ridge, Biltmore and the Chestnut Hill Room. There is also the option of the roomy and beautifully appointed Beau Catcher Suite adjacent to the main house. With a whirlpool tub, separate living and bedroom areas and gas fireplace, this is a perfect accommodation for a romantic–or working getaway, and is where we stayed!

    Innkeeper LaDonna and her amazing staff have an easy camaraderie with guests and one quickly appreciates the artistic and holistic spirit that embodies Asheville– and keeps people coming back. The Chestnut Street Inn is a must!

    Happily, Pumpkin Pie and I made peace in the warm sun on the side porch. The wide front porch with rockers invitingly queued is a favorite spot. If you like, there is a basket of soft blankets tucked neatly inside the front door so you can rock and watch the birds in the early morning, protected from any chill in the air.

    The Inn_edited-1
    decore at Inn
    blanket rock
    chef
    chris
    dining
    Inn mantel
    Inn origami
    Inn welcome
    ornaments Inn (2)
    the inn porch
    Inn Living Room
    David and his mom, Sue
    David and his mom, Sue
    Pumpkin Pie
    Pumpkin Pie