Besides climbing to the rooftop and making images of some incredible Arizona sunsets…I’ve been busy readying the studio and starting my “storied objects” project. As some of you are aware this is an important personal project…one that involves photographing my family and travel treasures.
Why so important? Because there’ll likely come a day…years down the road…I simply may not have the space to keep it all. You see…ever since I was a small child I’ve collected memories. I still have the white dress my mom made me when I was six for my baptismal…the set of dinnerware I ate from since I learned to eat with big people…my grandmother’s depression glass collection that was plucked from large boxes of oatmeal or detergent during her young days…the antique camel saddle bag that I found high in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco…the Inca pottery from the Andes of Peru…the wooden elephant bell from Myanmar or the cow bell from Switzerland…the batik pieces from Vietnam…a peach seed carved into a basket from a dear family friend given to me when I was five…or le coq (the rooster) from the south of France…the list goes on and on and on…a memory created with each and every object. The second reason it’s so important? The concern of memory loss. It’s inevitable with the aging process…regardless if it’s age related memory loss, dementia or full blown Alzheimer’s…this book will be a visual stimuli regardless of my path.
What I’m learning so far is how time consuming this project is! Perhaps it’s the perfectionist in me? Don’t know…but I do know I can spend hours – from designing to shooting the images – for just one storied object. That doesn’t even include writing the few sentences about the object. Thank goodness I have time! An unexpected pleasure? The process – the power of touch – as I design and shoot…moments of reminiscing…so wonderful!
My grandmother was an excellent and experienced knitter and crocheter, not to mention having an amazing green thumb…her backyard was filled with annuals and perennials. It was fascinating to spend time in her flower gardens and I’m sure it’s why I adore flowers to this day. Anyway, this afghan has been in my family since I was a small child. Today’s it’s riddled with moth holes which to me is part of its charm. I love that my mom still had the yarn, needles, and the beginnings of a new project, as well as the perfectly matched piece of depression glass. I tossed in a little desert globemallow that I collected on a morning walk here in the desert…a perfect compliment.
My mom grew up cooking southern…and a staple in our house was a pound cake. That aroma…the crustiness on top…the first taste coming right out of the oven…precious memories. Her cake pan…worn from years and years of making hundreds of pound cakes…complete with farm fresh brown eggs and flour sack towels…the real ones…a treasure.
I love planting dill and cilantro in my flower gardens for a delicate and whimsical feel. Can you believe I cut these from the garden over two weeks ago and they are still as fresh (well almost) as the day I cut them!…not to mention their aroma…perfect for the kitchen. The chair is from the infamous Bianco Pizzeria in downtown Phoenix, Arizona – the owner – Chris Bianco – a James Beard award winner discarded a bunch of old chairs from his restaurant oh some 15 years ago…well of course I had to take one home! The vintage French florist vase was purchased from a plant store in the Biltmore area of Phoenix, Arizona when I first moved into my current home some twenty years ago. The gauze…oh that star stamped gauze from Portico Bed & Bath in Soho, NYC – oh gosh…purchased back in 1989! Too bad they closed…loved that store. And of course the buddha head…another to add to my ongoing collection…one of many that I’ve collected from my excursions.
I will continue to include a storied object every once in a while in my future blog postings, but if you’re on Instagram I’ll be under the name of @storied_objects as well as @thegothamgirl. It’s just a place to compile them all and especially useful when it comes time to produce a photography book now that there’s more and more choices to make them directly from Instagram.
And speaking of making a book, I came across a wonderful resource – blog2print. As some of you may recall, I had an on-line journal to document my father’s Alzheimer’s as well as my artistic journey. I was able to document some memorable times with my dad before he passed, but for the rest…my travel schedule made it hit and miss so I eventually stopped posting. So instead of losing all those entries, I used blog2print to creative a permanent archive by creating a pdf document. For $8.95 and unlimited pages, I now have my images and stories in one place off-line. I can’t speak for the hardcover book making part of their business, but I was extremely pleased with the pdf outcome. Such an easy process to marry up the postings from the wordpress blog platform (or blogger, tumblr or typepad) with their printmaking capabilities.
And speaking of Instagram…I came across this article from the art world…Study Finds Millennials Prefer Instagram to Museums. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I love Instagram. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of inspiration I receive from this particular social media platform. And if you sell your art? This is a good article to read.
On another note – as if you didn’t know – I’ve been a little obsessed with Georgia O’Keeffe of late..which of course I’m blaming it on Alfred Stieglitz…one of the masters of photography. Well as I’ve learned more about her, I’ve also learned about Mabel Dodge Luhan. Attended a wonderful documentary titled Awakening in Taos that told her remarkable story. Keep an eye out for it if you’re interested in learning more about a woman that was 100 years ahead of her time. An activist for women’s rights and social change, as well as influential in the world of music, literature, and art. Plus it’s always an excuse to spend a little time in downtown Scottsdale…and make new discoveries such as the Western Spirit – Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. I’m not a big westerner fan…but there were some good looking chaps and spurs hanging out…
xo,gg
p.s…The workout and diet plan continues…muscles are aching, but coming around! On my third week. I’ve had a little setback because I pulled a muscle…ready for it…photographing! Yep, my fault. Didn’t drink enough water during a two hour walk and an hour or so afterwards I did a squat to get the angle I wanted and OWEEEEeeee. But it’s on the mend and I’ve learned to drink more water as I increase the exercise routine! Every day there’s a lesson to be learned!
p.s.s…Thanks always for your notes and comments. I want each of you to know how much your visits mean to me. Even though this is my life’s journal – and first and foremost I update this for myself – I’m fortunate to have you along for the ride as well…encouraging and supporting me…thank you so much!
I do remember now when you wrote about your studio and creating the memoirs. I know with all you’ve been through with Dad and Mom’s changes when you see her, all are very real and weigh in the back of your mind of your health and aging process. Thankfully, you embrace life fully and do have so very many wonderful memories docuemented. The organizational process of putting it all together is a huge task.
I absolutely love your above photos and why they mean so much to you.
I just can’t wait to see your finished project some day.
Glad you are feeling better. Yes, that desert makes even your nostrils dry. Part of why I asked you how far you walk in the morning. You definitely need to stay hydrated.
Funny, I pulled my quads this week, too. Been feeling very dry and thirsty and had an abnormal pre-op EKG for the 1st time. Having an echo on Mon. But had bloodwork and found out my magnesium levels were low. I believe that’s why I couldn’t get up and can’t lift my leg. So, make sure your magnesium is at a good level and stay hydrated, my friend.
Love this project and love you. XOXO
Thanks Lisa! So sorry to hear about your pulled muscle in your quad…I feel you pain! Hopefully yours is on the mend…mine is better, but not totally mended. Thanks always for your encouraging words! xo
Just to let you know from the get-go, Robin, that I do NOT buy books anymore…except for the rare exception that comes across my path. YOURS will be one of the exceptions, so keep at it and let us all be amazed. Thank you for this labor of love. Even though it is mainly for YOU, it will be for all of us in the end…not only as a keepsake but for inspiration.
Well the rate I’m going you want have to worry about buying one anytime soon, ha ha! Can’t believe how long the entire process takes! Thank you so much Ginnie!! xo
You keep providing me with deep inspiration, and I feel I should pay you. 🙂 I love following you on IG, and now am following this project. How supremely lovely to chronicle your treasures this way! I can feel the honor you give them, and all life, every time I read your writing and look at your photographs. Your spirit is very nurturing. Thank you.
Thanks Ruth! You made my day!
Robin I love this project of yours! I’ve been MIA in the blog world for a while but when I see what you’ve done with your photography and your blog I’m inspired. I can’t wait to hear more about this book you have planned.
Nancy, thank you! I’ve missed you so it was wonderful to hear from you again!
I love that first photo! And your idea of saving things through photography. As the only surviving child, I have everything from my parents and I need to start downsizing my life. So I think I’ll try your tactic, it may help me let these things go. You have so much great information in this post, I need to save it and go back to check the links later. I’m on the train right now with my bike and the wifi is not so great… : )
I just got back home from my 10 days in Phoenix and then Tucson. I did a lot of walking in downtown Tucson and various hikes in the desert. Yes! Drank so much more water than I usually do! I am trying to learn the names of the desert plants – a trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens helped, but is there a book you’d recommend that helps a person from Minnesota learn more about the desert?
I really do think a project like this will help in letting things go! So I’m glad you’re thinking that way too! I have so many books on the desert from so many years ago, so by now there could be really good ones out that I don’t know about. Mine are twenty plus years old, so I think it would be best to just spend some time in a book store and see what speaks to you! The next time you’re in AZ, I hope you give me a shout!
I absolutely love this storied project of yours. Your passion and perfectionism stand out in each and every photo you shared here in your blog. From the way you placed each item to the way you photographed them…, each photo just speaks to me and I really do get the feeling you are sharing your life story through your photographs. Precious, precious, memories you have and this storied project is a wonderful way to make sure you can always have them to revisit. Love this post and you. Thanks for sharing. XoXo
Thank you so much!!! XOXOXO
Well my goodness, aren’t you just filled with all sorts of creative excitement. Your family treasures project is a beautifully sentimental. Each photo represents another fiber of who you are, elegantly presently. Well done!
And on top of that you are getting fit? This is too much for me, I’m still in slug mode desperately waiting for spring to kick in in VT.
Brava to all you movement.
Thanks so much! Well the project is very time-consuming…but good things take time, right? Yep, I’m doing my best to get this body back in the groove! Thanks for the words of encouragement! xo
Brilliant. I love this idea.
You honor your life and journey like few I know.
It’s a lovely, lovely thing to record the beauty you’ve known
and then preserve it for others to know, also.
So inspired.
Thanks, friend.
-Jennifer
Thanks so much Jennifer! So appreciated!
You have such a good eye for these very lovely still life’s … I love how your images tell stories and they soothe me so much.
Thanks for including all the helpful links, too, I like the idea about the blog2print and will check out the others of course.
Hope you keep mending so you can keep doing your thing!
Thanks Susan! Always enjoy your visits! You always give me so much inspiration to keep going! xo
Fabulous pictures and I read it all.
I am sorry to hear about the pulled muscle, listen to your body and it will be alright. It took me three months to get in the running rhythm and now I am very comfortable with the run on Saturday morning and Monday morning. Great post again. Like always.
Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid! You Facebook postings of your weekend runs always inspires me! xoxo
I love your “storied objects” project, Robin, a great way to make those things unforgettable. Presenting them as still life images must be very time consuming though, I can understand that. But when I imagine the book, the images accompanied by the words, that might look really great… I’ve subscribed to your new channel at IG and I’ll be looking forward to seeing what will come next. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about that pulled muscle, wishing you quick recovery!
By the way, I quite regret that although I’m subscribed to be informed by email on your new posts, the service doesn’t work. Is it just me?
Have a nice day!
Hi Petra! Thanks for your note and visit! Yes, this project is quite time consuming…and the good news is I have no time limit, ha! But it will be a treasure for sure. Hmm…I haven’t had anyone else mention there’s an issue with being informed of my email postings and I checked with several and all seems to be OK…so not sure! Hope all is well with you!!
This project of yours sounds so wonderful! All those incredible treasures! Keep going with your compilation because it will be an amazing keepsake! I wrote and self-published a coffee table book about my mother five years ago, and followed that up with a 45 minute documentary filled with old film clips and photographs. It was a labor of love, one that consumed me for nearly two years. I will never forget the look on my mom’s face when I presented her with the book and video. The memory of it is one of my life’s greatest joys. She died the following year, so needless to say I am so happy I stuck with it. I loved interviewing her and exploring her massive treasure trove of letters, photos and memorabilia. I learned so much about her that I never would have known had I not endeavored the project. Good luck and enjoy the process!
xox-M
P.S. So sorry about your pulled muscle. Drink that water and since it’s Friday, maybe a glass of wine would be okay, too 😉
I recall some of your postings about the project about your mother and was truly inspired. And to think you also followed up with a 45 minute documentary is over the top! How wonderful!! What a treasure for future generations. So awesome. Thanks so much for your visits and catching up! That is truly appreciated! Cheers! xo
An inspired idea and out of this world images!
Thank you so much Elena!