Folk Steady

Folk Steady: a gathering of artists and vibrant souls that come to picnic in the ojai sun, swaying to the folky sounds of the banjo.

 

 

 

Whimsical Warm-Blooded Beings

The new year has had a rumbling start, full of tears, laughter, and creativity! My creativity with a camera in had has yet to come out of hibernation though. If I’m not snapping away at a whimsical story, I am mixing and tasting heart healthy recipes. My cravings of long sunday afternoons with miscellaneous ingredients scattered about on the worn table top is what I admire the most. Families and friends who follow my visual updates and stories come to me in hopes of their own personal remake. I love being put to the task to create a wanderlust story out of two warm blooded creatures seeking adventures and the comfort of one another. Just this past Sunday I was fortunate to create a symphony with colors and patterns with two kind souls, Emalani and Harrison. Emalani has this gleaming ora about her that is angelic and melodious, and as for Harry he is hush and tranquil but hidden with in he is creating musical notes to a masterpiece. These two growing individuals are intertwined with one another soaring on a long journey through what life brings about. They share a love for music and passion for the arts. These photographs were Kinfolk/The Roots blog inspired with a western twist. From a rustic old chop to vibrant blankets and running hens, the warmth of Emalani and Harry is raw and real.

See the rest below!!

Sophie

225 Miles North bound…

Alas! My never ending itch to start traveling has begun.

As a 17 year old with a cluttered mind and the never ending obligations your forced to fulfill, I believe that to really appreciate your home and where you live is to leave the warm nest and journey to undiscovered places. This has always been my long term dream, to travel and seek new findings. My motivation is to unlatch this undying fear of the unknown and to except it and find the  beauty of new feelings that surface within my discoveries. My stuggles in life have transformed into inspiration to venture to the rugged places in the world and document with my lens my travels.

The dreaded 225 mile drive away from my “safe” place was worth every nail biter. I seem to fear the future and expect the worst, as for this trip, lose control (as in get car sick and vomit). The anxiety thats spurs through every winding switchback is something I dread, but the more I accept these feelings the more I can embrace my fears! But as of what I have learned from my travels is that not matter what there is a light at the end of each tunnel, tube, or canyon whatever you may call it. From emerging out of the Channel Islands dark caves, or biking through a lightning storm, or repelling off Mt. Whitney, I have made it through the hard times. I apologize for my long incentive motivational talk, but my journey to Big Sur was a trip to remember!

As for the actual trip, it was dreamy. The 4 of us camped in Limekiln in a hidden canyon of red woods right on a stream. about half a mile up the canyon was a 100 ft waterfall trickling off moss. about a 1/4 of a mile in the opposite direction was a beach cove with the most magical sunsets. We ate like kings let me tell you that!

Enjoy!

More photos below!

Augustine and The Yellow Rowboat

Happy Friday!

Today in particular is a day I would love to be spending at sea! It is 80 degrees out and the sun is beaming! I was rummaging through some of my old photos and came ac   ross a voyage I almost had forgotten, my trip to the islands. During my midddle school years my classmates and I took a journey out to our local islands. We had a crew of savvy sailors and intelligent sea men, one being the one and only Mike Degruy! Mike knew almost everything  about the sea, well practically everything…He even knew how to survive at the deepest parts of the ocean floor :o! Below is a story I made up about a boy who lived at sea:

Augustine and the Yellow Rowboat

The Island Boy lived on each island, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa. He owned a yellow rowboat that he used to explore what he called la mystere. He discovered sea caves never seen before with his yellow rowboat. The tides where ever changing and the winds where never still. Augustine lived alone with the pinnipeds and the island foxes, and fourteen years he walked and rowed alone around his home filled with his ever-changing sequences.

Augustine was tall with long legs that were able to jump over large rocks easily. His hands were tarnished with calluses from rowing from each island, and his eyes were the deepest blue. The boy’s feet had fresh tar from his morning clam gatherings, that were never-ending because every clam Augustine picked, it tore a callus. Even though the boy was lonely, he was still young and full of curiosity. The Island brought new creatures that welcomed Augustine and shared their way of living on the Island. All the animals had helped the boy survive his years on the island, whether they were protecting him, providing him with food, or keeping him company.

It all began when Augustine had first set off in his rowboat from Santa Barbara to explore the deep, and then ended when the storm had hit his wooden oars. The boy traveled for weeks alone with his compass in hand and his determination manifesting in his bones. It never came into mind that the boy might be stuck in rugged waters alone. Augustine’s mouth was parched for days and the salt had crusted on brow. Lost and confused, the boy drifted into a deep sleep. As the boy slept throughout the night, stars formed a path towards the right direction, land. The dreams never left Augustine, especially when he was on the sea. Dreams weren’t comforting at his time on the ocean, and were always nightmares.

As waves awoke the boy from his sleep, he was senseless. He could not see a thing, but smelled fermented animals, and heard the seals. Heaven was never what he thought it was, and light seemed miles away. Paddling in the direction that Augustine had thought to be the right direction towards light, was the opposite. Water had spit into his boat and filled it to the rim. Gasping for air as he wailed his arms for safety, a seal had emerged from the water ahead. Could it be that the boy was in a mouth of an animal? Soon the boy saw a glimpse of life, light! Augustine paddled for his life to enter life again.

The “mouth” had spit Augustine, boat and all, out into the sea again. All his senses were awake now, and realized he was in a sea cave. For about an hour life seemed like death and sorrow, but coming out of it, seemed happy and bright for once. Suddenly all his nightmares were gone and his mind was filled with happiness.

The story of Augustine and his yellow rowboat went on for seventy-four days and ended with the feeling of accomplishment.

Sophie xoxo

He’s My Brother She’s My Sister

Featuring Oliver Newell, a/k/a ~Oliwa!

Yesterday to my surprise, the band He’s My She’s My Sister came to Santa Barbara and played at Soho. They are one of my favorite folk bands especially because of their style and unique sound. Unfortunately, the other band members were scattered in preparation for the show, but Oliwa the bass player was around to have a chat and take a few photos. Oliwa is not the lead singer of the band, but a really interesting person. “He was raised in the music mecca of Austin Texas on a regular diet of rock, blues and two-stepping. He served as the principle bassist in The Kona Symphony, performed extensively across the U.S. and Europe as a jazz/classical/rock/folk/experimental upright and electric bassist. In addition to playing bass he is a composer, electronic musician, dancer, performance artist and amateur scientist.” -(Hesmybrothershesmysister)

Check out more of his stuff and the band at http://www.hesmyborthershesmysister.com

Sophie xoxo MORE BELOW!

Teitur & The Tree

Hello World!

I formally introduce you to a warm hearted fellow named Teitur. This talented soul has made his was through music all the way from his hometown the Faroe Islands, a small island right off the coast of Scotland. His future was sparked in 2002 when his first album was produced! In the meantime, Seal heard Teitur’s song “You Get Me” and recorded it for his new album, which has recently been released, going top 20 around the world. He has the voice of an angel and a spirit like the wind!

When I found out Teitur was coming into town I had a vision and an urge to go on a photographic adventure with him. I took a big step out of my comfort zone and emailed his manager the day of his show at Soho, eeeeeek! To my surprise he emailed back in a jiffy, he was delighted and told me Teitur would personally call me! A few minutes later I answered to a thick accented voice, and scheduled our photoshoot! With no clue as to what I was going to do on this journey or where it was located, I had a camera in hand and my rain boots, after all it was a stormy day! I picked Teitur up at the hotel he was staying at and took him down to the train station for some unreal shots intertwined in the biggest tree in Santa Barbara. He was dressed to impress, and sure nailed it in these photos! Not to mention his sense of humor and witty attitude that makes him all the more special! Also check out his site www.Teitur.com 

Keep on Jamming Teitur!

Sophie xo

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Aunt Martha (Tim Noyes)

Bonjour Ladies and Gents,

To my miraculous surprise I was able to photograph Tim from the Aunt Martha Band yesterday, February 7th 2012. This young, soft spoken lad blew my mind with his talent. The Singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Boston has followed his thriving passion for music all through out the United States. Right off the get go in 2008 this band of men were up and strumming! I was able to pass through Tim’s tour when he played at Soho Monday night in Santa Barbara. His folk rock and roll voice was unbelievable! He is similar to that of Brett Dennen and Mason Jennings.

There I was sitting in an empty restaurant/music bar when I discovered his song. He stood there in his dark blue beanie and white running shoes while he harmonized each poetic word that floated out of his mouth. I had sent an email out that day to his manager hoping I could score a photo shoot with the little time he was here. Well folks, there I was the next day on the top of the courthouse during a stormy day clicking away with Tim.

Catch him while he is still rolling on through the states! www.auntmarthaband.com

Sophie xo

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