Dec 18

Stephanie in Solvang {personal}

Ladies and gentleman ... Stephanie Croff !!!

Stephanie Croff

Stephanie Croff

Stephanie Croff

 

May 08
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the jesusita fire, santa barbara, ca as seen from carpinteria beach, 20 miles south.
Nov 16

FREE FAMILY PORTRAITS FOR FIRE VICTIMS

It may be a bit soon to be offering this now, I know most everyone is just trying to figure out what to do next.  When my De la Vina apartment burned down in 2003, I thought constantly about the photos and the things were just gone. It was about 3 months later, after settling into a new place, with all this new stuff around me that I wanted to finally decorate my walls, but I was lost and nothing seemed to fit.  A friend gave me some of her treasured artwork to hang up and that small familiarity helped me feel at home again.   I know for a fact that one of the first items someone will grab when the house is on fire, if they are lucky, are family photos.  I know many people did not get the chance to grab anything and lost everything.  As a photographer and a fire victim myself, I understand. Please allow me to help in the best way I know how. 

To the Tea Fire Victims,

I am offering a FREE FAMILY PORTRAIT to help start your new family room.  Call or write to me anytime you are ready. 

(805) 684-9201 
kristen@grinnellphoto.com

All my best~Kristen

Nov 14
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Nov 14

Tea Fire

It was a terrifying sight to see from Rincon mountain.  At 8 miles away, we were safe from the wind and the heat, but watched in shock the natural disaster no one in the car had witnessed before.  After personally knowing what it's like to have your house burn down, my heart was really heavy last night for everyone going through such a devastating loss.  Still, it is a relief to hear no one has been seriously hurt.  My prayers go out to all the famillies and people who lost a home in the inferno's path and to the fire fighters battling the elements.

Oct 08
Hearst in Film

Visiting Hearst castle in San Simeon is like taking a trip back in time. The place is kind of eerie with a stillness only a historical place could hold. I thought it appropriate to only shoot 1600 black & white film to honor the great William Randolpf Hearst and his legacy.

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Sep 05

My Paul Bunyan Encounter

A while back I lived in Portland and since I tended bar at night, during the day I would chase the sun. Every morning I would wake up, switch on the machine and check the weather. Since the consistently gray forecast put an instant frown on my face (Arizona raised sun goddess here), I would check Roadside America for anything in my area that was wacky and something fun I could drive to in my car and photograph. The destinations made me smile all the way, despite the constant drizzle. I absolutely love Roadside America, it saved me from months of cold, rainy, boring days. After I moved back to California, I just had to submit one of my images of my favorite Paul Bunyan. Being published on their site is to say the least one of my proudest moments, here is the entry ...

Portland, Oregon - Paul Bunyan Statue

I was living in Portland for a few months and stumbled across this great Paul Bunyan in the Killingsworth district of Portland. He sits on a corner that is busy with traffic and train. [Kristen Grinnell]

[RA: He's a rare, semi-urban woodsman we've visited before. Not a Muffler Man, but an impressive ax wielder in friendly Portland.]

Aug 22
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Aug 22
Kara Joy ~ 8 year old photogrpaher!

Hanging out with my youngest cousin, Kara Joy, is purely a hysterically fun occassion! She not only has a heart of gold, an attitude that would make Mother Teresa proud, and a persona that is more like a 30 year old rather than her true age, only 8, but she is also a budding photographer. The whole time I was there taking pictures, she was always right beside me asking to take pictures herself or telling me what to take pictures of. I tell you, she is bound for greatness and will soon be editing our photos for Time Magazine! Here's an email from her mom, my Aunt Pat, relaying Kara's photos and her new found passion.

*I was just downloading my own camera shots of Mom's funeral gathering and I came across these. I don't know how many I can send at once... but it turns out you have inspired a young photographer. I can't believe how beautiful these are. I hollered for Kara to ask her who took these flower shots? And she said, "I did Mom", like it was nothing. I said, did Kristen show you how to use my camera? She said "No, I just zoomed in... ." Holy Mackerel! Now, bear in mind, my camera has been strictly off limits to those sticky little peanut butter hands and that weekend I "let" her use it, just cause I was too busy yakking with my sisters! Look what I've been missing! I'm so glad she took these. She told me she wants to be a photographer. Just thought you would especially enjoy and appreciate the 8 year old perspective. Love, Pat (and Kara!)*

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Jun 26
Nothing_so_alien
Jun 26

nothing so alien

this ad struck me to the core. not just because it's main painting is by my favorite artist of all time, keith haring, but also because of what it reads.

there is nothing so alien ... as a home without art.

how true is that!? it got me thinking how i grew up. there were books everywhere ... markers and crayons and coloring books, blocks and trucks and dress up clothes in the chest. and there was artwork, monet, van gogh and seurat posters my mom had framed, a bronze sculpture of a woman's figure, native american rugs and tapestries. i was surrounded by art and creativity, it's no wonder i turned out the way i did. but in today's society, art is sometimes lost in the digital age. i just hope that the creativity within the new technology shines instead of darkens our youth. thank you to all the artists who are evolving with the new age and continuing to maintain that importance.

Jun 23

kauai dreaming

summer time is not the same without surfing. especially with the current heat wave, getting in the water is what is on everyone's mind! i had a wedding in mailbu on friday and i saw what looked like about 100 surfers sitting in the water at county line, waiting for what appears to be the first real south swell of the summer. and how appropriate it hit on the solstice! i took my sister surfing when she was in town, and the water felt so good. it was barely cold, but it wasn't kauai water that's for sure. my favorite waves are at hanalei bay in kauai. i dug out some shots from when i was last there. i got all sporty with a water housing and took my time hawaiian style and surfed every day when i was there. hopefully the south swell will stay here a bit and give us some fun rollers, but i'll always dream of the water that is warmer than the air and the waves that go on forever.

Jun 23
Waves
May 30
Redhorp-thumb
click here to see the wooster collective
May 30

wooster collective

every now and then my mom sends me random websites that she finds while browsing the net. i have no idea how she finds these sites, but they are so fun and unique and completely what i need for a creative recharge.

it doesn't take much to walk out your door and see art everywhere you look. especially if you live in a city where walls are like canvas to those who dare to be arrested for doing what they love!!

this site is awesome! just check it out and pass it on!!

woo·ster (noun) A street in the Soho section of New York City

col·lec·tive (noun) Of, relating to, characteristic of, or made by a number of people acting as a group: a collective decision.

The Wooster Collective was founded in 2001. This site is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating ephemeral art placed on streets in cities around the world.