Matrix coat and martial arts.

I have been tardy to writing posts in this blog lately. Life has been a mess of being busy, getting over a nasty cold, and trying to get out of the house with friends as much as possible.

I had one last Superheroes/Villains shoot for 2011 in late Nov.

Above and below: Kym by Brie A. Edwards

Kym was a very energetic model who showed up with all her martial arts swords, knives, and a brand new bow staff. Yes, she actually practices martial arts and knows how to use all the above! She was also a trooper when it came to the very cold weather we were dealing with during the shoot. I was just happy the snow held off until the next day!

I am now taking a break from this project for the holidays. I am hoping over this break-time to have snow fall and blanke the local world with white so I can use snow as a backdrop for future photo shoots. Cross your fingers for me to have that opportunity this winter.

Happy holidays everyone! Eat, drink, and be merry!

Tank Girl in October.

I had a final October Superheros/Villains/Comic Character shoot with Amy as Tank Girl.

Above Amy as Tank Girl by Brie A. Edwards

Amy was a lot of fun to shoot and is an make-up artist and is in the film Knights of Badassdom (Yes, this film was shot in Spokane!) that is coming out soonish. She has a smaller part but gets to kick all kinds of demon ass in the film.

I got to try out a new location for the shoot and may use it in the future because the old buildings are great background. I have only just started to explore the area and there is still other parts of it that I want to try as backdrop in photos.

I have another shoot I am editing for this project that I beat the snow by shooting on Sunday, Nov. the 13th. It was cold as heck but I managed to get some great shots. Cannot wait to share an example from the shot here after I am done editing.

 I will take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday and then see if we cannot get some lasting snow that I can use as backdrop in future shoots.

Willard Asylum Suitcase Project by Jon Crispin.

I was doing a bit of wandering around online tonight and came across this wonderful project that the photographer Jon Crispin is undertaking.



He is raising money to fun this project on Kickstarter (and you can view the video about the project there since it will not embed correctly!) and hopes to maybe share it on completion as  a book or some other form of artistic medium.

I would definitely buy a book of these images since these suitcases show who the people were through their personal effects and most of them never left the asylum after entering it. As a lover of history seeing these photos he is taking of the personal belongings really fascinates me. It also gives you a look at who the people were before/as they were overtaken by mental illness.

I am so glad to come across this project and hope that Crispin is able to publish a book of his images of the suitcases sometime in the future.

Johnny as Albert Wesker from Resident Evil

Another photo shoot from my superheroes/villains project went without too many hitches.

Johnny dressed as his version of Albert Wesker from Resident Evil and we tried locations near my home since we both were in the same area that day. We dodged the racing clouds and rain to do the shoot in just an hour and 15 minutes time.

I am happy with some of the results and will show you on of my favorites here

Above: Johnny as Albert Wesker from Resident Evil by Brie A. Edwards

This shoot had a lot of really cool images and I am very happy with them. I am not sure which one to send my partner in this project to draw.

Jared Photo Shoot

I took a little break from my superheroes/villains photo project and did a straight-forward photo shoot of a model, Jared, to just have some new images to add to my site.

I got some pretty good results and will share one or two here.

Above: Jared, Oct. 2011 by Brie A. Edwards

Above: Jared, Oct. 2011 by Brie A. Edwards

I have one more photo shoot to edit and then I can take a breather until the 13th (of Nov.) when the process starts all over again with a new photo shoot.

Spokane on a Fall day.

I was downtown this afternoon taking snapshots of what I encountered and even a bit of video. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Above: Riverpark Square on a Fall day.


Above: Electric Violinist performing on street.


Above: My video of the electric violinist street performer.


Above: The escalators in Riverpark Square.


Above: Chefs competing and being judged in the First Annual Riverpark Square Battle of the Chefs.


Above: Cake design entry for a cake design contest.


Above: Spokane City Hall with sky walk.


Above: Buildings against one another and sky.

You can see more of the photos from my wanderings today by CLICKING HERE.

I will be heading back downtown tomorrow to take photos of a model dressed as Tank Girl. That should be fun and I cannot wait. I am hoping that the weather holds up for the shoot since we got a little bit of rain today.

Meow!

I am smack dab in the middle of editing a few photo shoots and have another this weekend. Yes, Halloween has brought out the models willing to pose in costume and I am reaping the benefits from it.

I enjoy being this busy though at times the editing makes me feel like my eyes are crossing. At least I know that it is time to take a break when I cannot focus my eyes anymore during the editing work.

I thought I would share my latest, kick ass, Catwoman dressed model, photo.

Above: Rebecca as Catwoman by Brie A. Edwards

How much do I love this photo? A LOT!

This Sunday's shoot has a model dressing up as Tank Girl which will be a lot of fun!

And that, is what I have been up to...I will be sharing more photos in the future from shoots I am editing at the moment.

Photoshoot today!

I have another one of my superhero/villain photo shoots later today and I am looking forward to it. These photo shoots are keeping me sane right now during a time when I am struggling to get anything going.

A peek at my last photo shoot's  results to hold you over until I am done editing the one from later today.

Above: Rachel G By Brie A. Edwards

The model I am shooting today is going to be Catwoman. So I will have two different versions of the character which should make things fun.

Wish me happy shooting and that the rain holds off later this afternoon to at the very most a drizzle.

Body Butter Love: Whipped Up Body Butter by mark

Spokane has a very dry climate. I am sure that must surprise many people since Washington state has the reputation of being rainy. The rain mainly falls on the west side of the state and Spokane is on the east side. So, the air can be very dry since we could be classified as "high desert" except it is a desert of pine trees and lava rock. This leads to a lot of parched skin since the air is less than moist. I end up buying a lot of different moisturizers because of this.

I recently gave mark's Whipped Body Butter a try and really like it.

Above: Whipped Up Lemon Sugar Body Butter by mark

It has a nice, non-greasy, feel to it and makes my skin very soft. It also seems to lock moisture into my skin. It has a pleasant scent that can be a tiny bit over-powering at first but lightens up shortly after you apply it. You really don't need a lot of the product for coverage so a little dab goes a long way.

A really nice thing? It is only $10.00 so it doesn't cost too much.

Right now the only scent available is the Lemon Sugar scent but soon a Pear Blossom scent in this product will be released.

I definitely give this product a thumbs up.

Supergirl! Violin Player! More!

I have been a bit busy recently and unable to update my blog. Boo and hiss at me if you must but it is true.

What have I been up to you ask?

I have been working on my superheroes/villains project, trying to pull together a hanging of my macro flowers photos locally, house sitting/feeding a neighbors cat, and worrying about paying bills since I am broke. So, yeah, I have been busy and rather scattered in my thinking recently.

I am currently editing photos from a recent photo shoot and will share a photo from one I had in the later days of August.

Above: Mary O as Supergirl by Brie A. Edwards

I have a few superhero/villain shoots this month and have time for to paying portrait sessions as well. Hopefully, I will find a few interested parties who would like to pay me for photos.

Other than that I have been reading quite a bit now that I have re upped on my library card. I have long loved the library, even though I love to buy books, because I can read anything without having buyer's remorse if the book is not good. They also have the option to put books on hold through the online site so I can just run in and pick them up when notified. Huge plus for me since I can pick up the books I want while running errands.

I have to mention I won a North Face jacket in their Spokane store opening Twitter contest. It is windbreaker in style and will be good for those warmer days when it is windy/drizzly. The jacket is waterproof as well which is a huge plus. The jacket should come in handy for heading out on photo shoots here where the weather can change in minutes.

When I was downtown on my errand to pick up the won jacket yesterday, I happened upon this electric violin player who was playing right outside Riverpark Square.

Above: Electric violin player, downtown Spokane, WA- Sept. 2011

He was quite good and I listened to him while waiting for my ride to pick me up. He was making quite a bit of cash from his street playing because he was really good, as in "should put out a CD" good. I wish I had caught his name but I didn't have a chance after he was mobbed by listeners between songs.

Above: Violin player getting mobbed by listeners between songs.

My ride showed up soon after I took the above photo.

So, now you are caught up with my goings on. I will try and update again soon since I am taking a lot more photos these days and like to share them.

Frida Kahlo, an artist I love, and footage of her.

I have long been a fan of Frida Kahlo's painting.

Who is Frida Kahlo you wonder? She is a Mexican painter in the early 20th century who definitely had her own style of painting. She painted a couple murals and married the Mexican painter Diego Rivera. She had many affairs with famous people. She was a beautiful woman and carried herself in a way that you can tell she was aware of this fact. She lived large in the sense that she embraced life despite being in pain.

Kahlo was in a lot of pain for most of her life because she was in a streetcar accident as a young woman in which one of the bars from the center of the car impaled her through her lower abdomen. That accident made her unable to have children (she would lose many babies when she attempted until the doctors told her she should stop harming her body that way), the accident caused her to have numerous operations throughout her life, and made her unable to sit/stand up for long in later life.

I happened across this video that has old footage of her (and some of her with Diego Rivera, the plump, older, man you see her with) while wandering around online and it was exciting for me because I had never seen it before.


I wrote a 20 page paper on her life and art when I was studying Fine Art as a 19 year old. I also have been lucky enough to see an exhibition of her work when I lived in San Diego. It is quite stunning and colourful, as well as some of the imagery being a bit grotesque in nature because she would paint about what she knew; including her hospital stays, operations, and miscarriages.

I just thought I would share about a painter that interests me.

Much love for this product!

I have struggled for years with my wild eyebrows that have hair that grows in odd angles. It doesn't matter the thickness, the hairs point all over the place. I admit to using hairspray (sprayed into hand and applied by fingertip) to control them and have the lay correctly. That is, I used hairspray until I found this product by Avon.

Above: Brow Gel by Avon

This product gets my eyebrows under control! It also doesn't make the eyebrow hair stiff. It lasts all day, is colourless, and even seals the brow pencil to your face a bit so it doesn't wear off as easily. I even wore it out in 90+ degree heat and it kept my eyebrows under control.

I highly recommend it and will not be going back to my hairspray trick as long as Avon makes this product.

Labor Day Weekend Means Spokane Pig's Out At The Park.

Labor Day weekend is coming to a close and for many, this means the end of summer. As for me, I don't count summer as over until the weather cools off and the leaves start to change colour. The forecast for this week is 90+ (F) temps and to me, that means summer is hanging around for a while. I do admit that the cooler nights are definitely feeling a bit Fall-like though.

I didn't have a Labor Day weekend full of activity but I did get out on Saturday to Spokane's Pig Out At the Park. I met up with some friends and we ate food, listened to music, enjoyed the warm weather (I got a bit sun burnt but do not mind.), and people watched since the event was very crowded. It was a really fun day and I hope that the colder weather doesn't stop the fun of meeting up with people to enjoy days like this.

Above: The crowds were dense. That goofy dressed person was making balloon animals. He was getting mobbed by people at the event.

Above: Spokane Valley electronica music artist James Elvidge performing for the crowd on one of the 3 stages. I quite liked his music and he is worth checking out.

Above: The Riverfront Park Clock Tower with the stage in front of it. Taken from our seats in the beer garden of Pig Out.

Above: The ever stylish Maria.

Above: Night falls and Carbon Leaf takes the stage.

Above: Carbon Leaf onstage. They were quite good when not overdoing the instrument solos.

Now, Labor Day weekend draws to a close. I am a bit saddened by this because it is seen as the end of summer and summer is my favorite season.

I hope that everyone has had a great Labor Day weekend and has many plans for the Fall.

Macro Flowers Type Of Day.

I passed yesterday afternoon taking macro photos of flowers in the yard.

 See More Here

It helped keep me sane yesterday and my mind off things that have been stressing me out lately.

This afternoon I shall be heading to Pig Out At The Park (Yes, awful name for an event.) with my friend Maria. I will be eating some mediocre food, listening to many different types of music, enjoying the warm day, and doing a lot of people watching at this event. I will also try and take a few photos while there.

Summer has reached it's end and I can admit that I am very sad to see it go. I wish it would stay summer and I could get out and enjoy the sun for many more months. The sadness of being a California girl stuck in a colder climate.

I hope everyone else is enjoying the end of summer, or if in the southern hemisphere that you are experiencing warmer days. You southern hemisphere dwellers, I envy you your warming days!

Tiny Bit Of A Break From Fashion.

I am taking a little time off from blogging to figure out what the heck to do with myself. I feel a bit like I am spinning my wheels and not accomplishing all that much. So, I am reading a lot of historical books and taking notes in a research for character in book way. It makes me feel like I am doing something and less like I am hitting a brick wall.

I have also been avoiding being online for very long due to super hot weather which makes it uncomfortable to sit in front of the computer screen. I have been hanging out with my friend Maria and taking photos of pets. For example, here is one of Matilda.

Above: Matilda more seen on Flickr

I am hoping to head down to Pig Out At The Park (horrid name for an event, I know)  this Saturday and take some photos while there. I am feeling the whole "taking photos" thing a lot at the moment. I just need some paying gigs.

As Fall creeps in I hope to get back to blogging a little more regularly. So, keep checking in to see what I am writing about.

Summer activities and distractions.

The Fall fashion magazines are arriving in the mail in all the glorious thickness. I am starting to pour over them and love things that are shown in photos within the covers of the likes of Elle and Vogue.

Sadly, I am tapped out when it comes to money so will not get to indulge in buying any new Fall clothing items this year. It makes em sad since there are things I would love to own but I am also sure I can make it through with the clothing I own at the moment from past years. I do wish I owned more than jeans though but I will make it through with just jeans.

It is funny how being broke really makes a person see how much they already own and how the worry of paying bills trumps buying anything but the essentials. I guess I am one of those people that only spends when I know I have cash coming into my account at a semi-regular basis. This is a good thing and it's time for me to be a bit frugal and not buy things that are unnecessary.

I have been distracting myself from money issues by looking at magazines and online to see what fashion appeals to me this season. I have also been getting out of the house more and trying to amp up my creativity because that is the road to happiness for me.

Above: Flower photo by me (click photo for larger size)

As an example of things I have been doing recently. I spent a day in Manito Park taking flower photos, chatting with my friend Maria, and eating at the park's Manito Park Bench Cafe. It was a wonderful day and I did get a bit sun burnt but it was so worth it. I took many great images while there.

Above: The Japanese Garden's bridge at Manito Park (click photo for bigger size)

I am hoping to incorporate a lot of the flower/nature images I took into the painting I am currently doing. More on that in a future blog post.

Above: Thistle Flower by me (click photo to see bigger size)

Distraction can be a lot of fun and heaven knows many of us need that right now. I will continuing to head out and do fun things at least once a week until life starts to ease up on the economic side.

I hope everyone is enjoying summer and getting excited about the fashion coming out for Fall.

Interesting shoes.

I am a shoe girl. There is just no denying it. I also like footwear that the average person would consider "weird." Guilty as charged! I just love styles that are new and different when it comes to shows.

Above: Short-Edge Wedges by Jeffrey Campbell

Above: Snake-effect leather pumps by Camilla Skovgaard

I also love shoes that have a classic yet new feel to them.

Above: Shearling-lined ankle boots by Burberry

Maybe it is the teenage punk rocker inside me that draws me to the slightly off-center when it comes to footwear? Or maybe I just like shoes that look ultra modern? Whatever the case, I love a shoe that demands attention but can be walked in.

Get in my wardrobe, now.

I need these things added to my wardrobe.

Above: Crochet Sweater Poncho w/ Hood at Forever 21

I love ponchos and the open crochet style, colour, and the fact that this poncho is hooded really appeal to me.

Above: Cozy Knit Pullover by Forever 21

I love slouchy, comfy, pullovers because they are perfect for those days when I just prefer comfort over being very dressy. I would wear this pullover around the house on those days when I wanted to get out of my pajamas into clothes to hang out in.

Above: Strappy Suedette Cuff by Forever 21

I saw an upscale version of this cuff with silken cords instead of suedette straps at Cues downtown. I so wished I had the money for that version but, like a lot of people, I am having to watch every cent recently. This Forever 21 version would be fine and captures the spirit of the cuff I saw.

I am not picturing myself doing a lot of shopping this Fall. I am sure I will be relying on what I already own and trying to mix and match outfits from my closet. It should be fun and a bit challenging at times since I love to shop but haven't the money to this year. I am going to be doing a ton of loving things from afar and not buying them.

Please do not use it besides a use.

I should mention Saya, the Japanese group escort/translator who stayed with us. You can glimpse her in my photos of a trip to Green Bluff HERE. She stayed with us for 3 weeks with the high school group (with teacher) were in the area since the group all gets "homestay" with host families while they are in town. They come every year for 3 weeks to experience American culture and practice English, have an American experience really.

Makio, the Japanese teacher with the group did not stay with us due to his pet allergies. My family did, however, drive him to activities and my parents gave him a ride to class each day. He gifted my family before leaving with many Japanese items. I ended up with the Japanese house slippers.


Above: The house slippers in all their glory. I will be wearing them.

The best part of the slippers?

The mangled, English, instructions on the back of their tag!


Above: I love these "instrdctions"!

My favorite instructions I have gotten on an Asian product recently! I had to share them because they amused me so much.

These Wedges!!!!

I love these wedges!

Above: The Wonder Years Wedges at Thread Scene

Classic 1970s styling in the modern day. I love it! I want them!

If I Were Shopping Today....

Since I am short of funds I cannot really go shopping so have resorted to pretend shopping websites every once and a while. This seems to successfully kill my inner shopper's impulses.

If I had gone shopping today, this would have been my haul.

Above: Cheetah Tan Lima Leather Multi Platform Pumps by Jessica Simpson

The mixture of the print and the colour-blocking just is great! I would so wear them!

Above: Mod 3/4 Slv Tunic at Forever 21

The pop of orange really is exciting to me and I like the Mod look of the tunic with it's geometric shapes.

Above: Out Tonight Clutch at Francesca's Collections

Neutral and very classy in style.

Above:Many Belles Down Cloak Polka Dot Pencil Skirt at Lulus.com

I love pencil skirts and the slight dot pattern on this burgundy coloured skirt really adds a bit of pop to the skirt.

Above: F7910 Sunglasses at Forever 21

The taupe colour and the chunky frames are so my thing.

Above: Basic Burnout Tee in Orchid at Forever 21

I may buy a lot of neutral colour clothing but I like pops of colour as well in what I wear. This tee would be perfect for that.

Above:Dream Heart Necklace at Forever 21

It would be a toss up if I would buy the necklace in sliver tone or gold tone. Both would go with so much that I own and both would be very pretty.

Above: Diagonal Stripe Tunic at Forever 21

I love the diagonal stripes and the cocoa colour mixed with the black stripes. Great neckline as well.

Above: Tribal Stripes Skirt at Forever 21

I would wear this skirt often and it would be a great way to really add some excitement to an outfit with it's wavy stripes.

Above: Free as a Bird Scarf at Francesca's Collections

I love the colours in this scarf! I have seriously thought of buying it but haven't the money for it at the moment. I would wear it so often this Fall season to really bring some life to outfits and because it is so pretty.

Above: taupe suede 'Toutenkaboucle' strappy buckle platform sandals by Christian Louboutin

The sandals are pricey but so versatile. I would wear them so often that the price would seem worth it. Oh to have $800 to drop on shoes like these when they crossed my shopping path.

Above: Knit's Warm in Here Tights at Modcloth.com

I have been wanting to have a pair of tights of this thickness and in this nude colour for years!

Above: Feelin' Drape Necklace at Modcloth

I like the drape affect of this necklace. It is so classy and timeless.

Above: Crinkle in Time Scarf in Tropical Smoothie at Modcloth

Another bright scarf to add pop to an outfit.

Above: Hello, Yellow Brick Road Wedge at Modcloth

I love the woven style of this wedge and the wedge heel.

Above: Dawn Reflection Dress by BB Dakota

I love the green dress with the print on it. Great length too.

Above: Benjamin Fringe Cardigan by BB Dakota

This cardigan looks comfortable as well as stylish.

Above: Bootcut Pant in Green by Thakoon Addition

I need a pair of pants like these. I have been looking for a pair with perfect flare for ages.

Above: Manic crocodile-effect leather sandals by Elizabeth and James

I love love love the colour of these sandals. They would look great with tights!

But, enough for today with the showing what I have found and like. I should do this more often since a new season is starting to seep into fashion websites and stores. So exciting!