Grounded: The Art of Looking Down (Part 4)

This photo was taken during a tour of my friend Matt's apartment. I was climbing down from the attic when I took this photo. The view extends into Matt's bedroom looking at the piano he received as a gift and a chair that had previously been in the attic.

Cool blue toes in the jade pool at Wekiva Springs. 

Sitting on the dock at my aunt and uncle's house at Thanksgiving. 

At some point I was taking out the trash at my apartment when I looked down and noticed how colorful my feet were compared to the dead fall leaves on the ground. It my have been cool outside but my feet were still in summer. 

Ankle deep in some delightfully messy DRIP photo shoot materials. Coincidentally, my toenail polish happen to match the dye we were using. 

These feet actually belong to my friend Freddy. He swears by his toe shoes and wears them all the time. He is usually in the wilderness off on some adventure, but on this particular occasion we were shopping downtown for a Christmas gift for a friend. After we left the store I remarked at how funny his feet looked. I love the juxtaposition of his shoes, still covered in burs, on the pavement of downtown Orlando. 

DRIP Backstage (2009-2011)

I got involved with DRIP during their 2008 show WET at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. I feel in love instantly and have been honored to be part of the company for so long. With a new permanent show on the horizon I went back through my photos and picked my favorite backstage shots from the past few years.

Our musical director David with videographer Josh after one of our performances at Blank Space in Downtown Orlando 2009. 

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Samantha performing in the water box piece at Blank Space in 2009. 

Creative engineer Evan at our Winter Fundraiser in 2009 with ice from one of our installations. 

Performers Darci and Nikki applying makeup in our warehouse. Shortly after we moved our supplies into the warehouse we began rehearsing for our FRESH show. Being the creative people that we are; we set up a mirror in the bathroom and doodled over it with a dry erase marker. I got a kick out of watching the girls applying makeup between all the art work. 

Darci rehearsing for our FRESH show in 2010. 

Evan constructing some of the FRESH set in the workshop.

Performers Ashka and TinTin waiting outside during FRESH in 2010. They were covered in dirt for one of our installations but had to wait outside the backdoor at one point during the show. It was cold outside so I brought them a towel. They were excellent sports and remained in good spirits until their cue. 

David refilling ice for our fountain in our white room during FRESH. 

Performer Michael after a FRESH show. 

Micheal, Darci, and Steven at out Rock Out With Your Cocktails Out fundraiser in 2010. As part of the fundraiser patrons could participate in a live human body paint by number. 

Creative engineer Ben working on one of our installations for a private performance at the Isleworth Country Club in 2011.

Looking back over the years I can't believe how much working with DRIP has influenced my life. I feel much more in tune with my own creativity and the arts community of Orlando. I can't wait to experience all of the new adventures that our next show will bring. 

Driving While Inspired

I was taking I4 to get home when it began to rain. The storm was behind me and catching up fast. I was fascinated by the two different view of the same sky. Speeding down the highway with on hand on the wheel and the other on my camera I was able to capture this moment.

The atmosphere behind me was dark and muddy. People were racing away from the downpour with there lights on; searching for clearer skies. As I steadied my hand to take the shot I thought about how powerful the metaphor was. 

You may not be out of the rain yet, but as long as you're moving you will get there. 

Fishing on Thanksgiving

These photos were taken on my trip home to visit family. I spent Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's house in St. Petersburg. They have a beautiful home with a fantastic backyard.

The view from the living room complete with Christmas ornaments.

A close up shot of my uncle's bait box loaded with shrimp.

Ben, one of my little cousins, trying to wait patiently for his fist bite. 

Charlotte, another little relative, wants to explore all the excitement on the dock. 

Ben catches his first fish!

Ben proudly showing off his catch. 

A photograph of my grandparents from 1975 at my parent's wedding. 

Little Charlotte making faces. 

I went out on the dock one last time before I left and found this Blue Heron waiting for me.

Light My Way Home

An unexpectedly beautiful moment captured during a walk. 

Jenny and Amber

This is one of my favorite photographs

My sister Jenny on the left and my best friend/roommate Amber on the right. We were sitting at Bagel King waiting for our food and light was hitting them perfectly from the window. This is the reason I take lots of random photos - because I love catching gems like this one.

Happy Housewarming

A short while after my friend Matt moved into his new apartment we met up so I could get the tour. Our first stop was an adorable little restaurant called Spooky's Black Cat Cafe.

This image was taken behind Spooky's. I was simultaniously trying to capture the beautiful haze in the sky and Matt's child-like resistance to being photographed.

Matt playing the piano he received as a gift from one of our Starbucks customers. I love the way his head blocks lamp making it look as though he wears a halo. It reminds me of those medieval manuscripts elaborately depicting monks busy at their desks, surrounded by the books they are meticulously working to reproduce.

I was having a hard time getting the color to come out right on this shot. I don't do black and white photos that often but I fell in love with this one. 

And so our tour ends in the attic. Sleep well Starbucks Prince.