Cool Cars and Things

Boy oh boy am I behind on my blogging. I'll start back up with this one. Had a fabulous 2 weeks back in Chicago. I just happened to be in town during this once a year open house for Voodoo Larry Kustoms. I'm such a sucker for all things colorful and this was the perfect place to fulfill my senses. Music, food, people. Oh yeah...COOL CARS! When I go to shows like this I always dream of having all these fun cars in my back yard as photo props! I seem to have been a little into the grills this time. Probably one of the fun-ner car shows that I've been to. Take a look!!!

It was like I stepped into the 50's! 

This was by far the cleanest garage I've ever seen!

I guess if you need to take a break, you pull out the bass
and bang out some tunes. Well, maybe not bang.

Grill number one. Just so cool.

Interesting concept....

Cool lock.

This had a sticker on it that said "I AM finished".

I love purple.

Nice hearse :)

We saw this on the road on our way to the event. I wanted to jump
out of the car I was riding in and hop in this ride. I was so close to doing it!

Just a nice row of colors and shapes.

This is my buddy Critter. We pretty much shot all the fun
events together when I lived there. I bet he misses me! :oD

Oooooo, grill number two!

Here's Christine and I getting the obligatory reflection shot. 

Ooooooo, grill number three! :)

Up close from one of the bands that played.

This little girl was push'n her tush out on the dance "floor".

She was so stinkin cute!

Oooooo, grill number 4.

Ah yes, a Voodoo doll hanging under the hood. Nice hiding place.

Ok, I'll spare you the Ooooo's.

Oooooo, just kidding. Not.

Critter and Christine

Had to take some fun shots with the Lens Baby.

I just loved the look of this Corn Dog stand. Wish I had one.

I totally loved how these two dudes were dressed and checkin out the bikes.

This would totally be my bike!

This guy might be on to something....

LOVE this car! It had shag carpeting. Doesn't get any better than that does it?

Coolest sporty looking car I've ever seen.

I think we can all relate to this. Sometimes I totally wished I had these
planted on the outside of my car when I'm behind an idot driver. (I would
never be one of those drivers.)....juuuuuuust say'n.

Why yes, it's me with Voodoo Larry and his lovely wife Collette!
Pic taken by Critter.

My Shoot With Norma Jeane

It was a gorgeous, sunny, fall day during the Thanksgiving holiday in the magnificent city of Chicago. Wow! That was a long sentence. I'm pretty sure it's not a proper one either. Where's Jake when I need him?! Whatever! I'm not a writer, I'm a lover...oh wait, that's a different saying...

As we walk Michigan Ave. I'm reminded of why I love this city so much and how much I really do miss it. Chicago lacks for nothing in the way of things to do, eat, and see. One of the highlights are the unique pieces of art that gets displayed in different parts of the city. Right where "The American Gothic" by Steward Johnson was once displayed is now his work of Marilyn Monroe. The official image was taken by Bernard of Hollywood in 1955 for the movie The Seven Year Itch. He was the photographer who discovered this now famous american icon that still lives on.

As I recorded my version of the statue amongst the other tourists, Troy tells me he's been listening to the comments of the passerby's who can't help but to notice the enormous piece of...ART...where most stop to get their picture taken next to it. When I shoot, I tend to block everything out other than what I'm focusing on. So I start listening.....

"How come you don't wear a dress like that?!"

"You want to take a picture of her underwear?! Don't worry, you can't see anything!"

"I don't know why they put that up, it's tacky!"

"I was already under there!"
"Oh, she is wearing underwear!"~ what Troy heard from a couple of asian ladies

"Is that Madonna?"~ what Troy heard from a group of teens

"Granny panties confirmed."~what Troy heard from a group of Twenty-Somethings. 

"This is embarrassing!!!"~Ryan Johnson (My Son)

Willie Nelson & Family

It was my great privilege to be the house photographer for The Coronado Performing Arts Center to cover the multi-talented Willie Nelson and his opening act Brett Eldredge. Unfortunately I wasn't able to meet the man but I did get to meet Brett along with a few other of his fans and that was pretty cool!

Even though Willie is now creeping up on 78 years young in April, he sounded phenomenal and sang for an hour and half straight, standing the entire time. Not bad for an almost 80 year old. His energy level was high (no pun intended) and he got the audience out of their seats, dancing in the isle ways.

It was truly an amazing experience to be under the sound of such a musical icon!