NEW YEAR, SCARS, AND WINE

I had realized something the other day. That in all my life, I've never broken a bone...so far. I did remember though of something that I do have.
Scars.

Three of them to be exact.

One on my left wrist from when I was a young goth punk. Out of anger, I branded myself with a lit cigarette a few times.

The second one on my right thigh from when I was five. I was asked to go grab a motorcycle helmet hanging from a parked motorcycle that had just been ridden. I was severely burned and had to be rushed to the hospital. It left a huge crescent moon shape there all of these years.

The third, a thin scar running down from over my right eyebrow onto my right cheek. When I was an infant, the babysitter failed to keep my diaper safety pins away while changing me (gotta love cloth diapers and dumb sitters). Naturally, I grabbed one of the pins (coupled with no motor skill control) I gouged my face.

Scars are significant in reminding us of specific emotions connected with an event that has happened. Sometimes an emotion that shapes us as a person with long lasting effects.

Upon examining my skin, I can see that the scars are still there but have faded significantly and like the scars, so have the emotions connected with them. I don't feel that anger, fear, and pain anymore and I'm grateful for that.

I'm really not sure why I'm writing this. It may not pertain to you, but if you can take something away from this, that's great too. It most definitely is therapeutic and applicable for me now and my future self.

As I sit, though, and think of an old year passing away and the birth of a fresh new year just hours away, I will continue to let time distance me, not only from negative emotions associated with physical scars, but from emotional ones too. I will choose to keep letting go. And god knows there's still work I need to do.

That being said, may 2015 catapult us further into fresh new adventures, inspirations, new growth, life, and excitement for what the future holds. And may new scars be (mostly) the only byproduct from taking risks in fulfilling our goals and dreams with no regrets.

Now let's pour a big glass.


Cheers,

Amia

Merry Christmas!

About to send this abroad but thought I'd send it to all of you first.  Merry Christmas!  -Amia

       Collage, acrylic and pen on photo postcard
       12/14

       amiaart.com

HYDE

RIP 2014-2014

Good-bye Summer (RIP 2014-2104).

TERRAIN 7, 2014

I have a couple of paintings that will be in this upcoming Annual showing...Terrain 7 on October 3, 2014! If you haven't had the chance to experience Terrain, you should check it out!

255 Artworks
142 Artists
10 Bands
1 Night

To see a glimpse of past Terrain's go here: EXHIBIT OVERVIEWS AND PHOTOS

#weallbuildthis
#Terrain7
#SpokaneArtScene

IN THE STUDIO WITH JOSE' PARLA'

Jose' Parla' (one of my very first favorite artists I met back in 2006 when he was featured at The Koehler Gallery here in Spokane) has inspired my own work from the beginning.

Jose' has painted a phenomenal 90ft x 14ft mural that will be installed into the entrance of the World Trade Center.

There are also new paintings that will be featured in his solo showing titled, 'En Media Res' beginning tomorrow, September 12th - October 18th in New York at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery. 

If you're close it's a must see!

IN THE STUDIO WITH JOSE' PARLA'

A HUGE THANKS...

A HUGE THANKS...

Would You Like a Steak and Cheesy Potato To Go With That Fragrance?

This Summer I purchased for the first time a Bath and Body Works Duo titled, "Hello Sunshine" (so I could save a little on my Nordstrom's fine fragrance perfume).

It's no wonder why I chose "Hello Sunshine" as it contained some of my very favorite ingredients...Sparkling Meyer Lemon, Luscious Tangerine, and Sunflower Petals. Ooh.

I couldn't help but think how we humans enjoy smelling like edible things which actually consists of a plethora of dessert items that appeal to our senses (Honey Crisp Apples and Buttered Rum Orchard,  Pumpkin Latte and Roasted Marshmallows, Brown Sugar and Fig, Warm Apple Pie...to name a few).

I mean. Why not smell like something that will not only make YOU, but all of those around you really really hungry too?

Stay with me now.

And if we so enjoy wearing edible scented fragrances, why not take it a step further for the Modern Man. I say Men should have a line of fragrances equally as desirable.

How's about some:

*Steak and twice baked cheesy potato

*The Papa Murphy's Cowboy Family Special (I know, right?)

*Liver and Onions (for some great 70's childhood memories)

*Oh. Let's not forget the Coney Island Hot Dog (heavy on the Coney)

*Five Guys Burger and Fries (for that one guy)

*Moon's Mongolian Grill (need I say more?)

*Beef Pho with hints of mint leaves, plum sauce, and sriracha

*Chips and Salsa (classic)

Hey. Why not?

All I know now, is that it's about lunchtime and this whole conversation has made me hungry.

TO DEFINE IS TO LIMIT. A SKATE DECK SHOW. 8/9/14

THIS SATURDAY!
8/9/14

Pictures Of Walls/The Best Worst Graffiti In The World

ooh, 3 of my photos made it on Banksy's website.
Click on album #52 and scroll. Some super funny stuff on here!

"Pictures of Walls. The Best/Worst Graffiti In The World"

Underpass Mural

Brothers Todd and Cain Benson (One of four selected groups by the Spokane Arts Fund) work on a mural on the Maple St. underpass in our city. It's been a long time coming. So proud. Looks amazing!















*Will post photos of other murals as they go up! To see more "Art In My City" go HERE!

GO SKATE DAY!

Did you go skate today? My good friends Mike and Chris did. They're so rad... and so is my city!



A short film by: Chris Malsam and Isaac K. Martin
Music by: Chris Malsam
6/21/14

LVIV

LVIV

Double-Exposure

My homegirl helping me out with some self-portrait double-exposures. 

Check it!...

Amia

Requests

Two requests I leave with you today:

1. Do not step into the flower beds, crushing the new baby flowers.

2. Please refrain from eating thine own poop.


Thank you & have a nice day.

Artery Anatomy

This last February, some of my good friends were in a group showing titled, Artery Anatomy, held
at the quaint Bon Bon lounge.
I finally had some film developed and am now able to get a just few snapshots up. Always an enjoyable time hanging with friends and soaking up amazing local art and music.















Photos shot with: ILFORD SUPER XP2 400 B&W FILM
Amia Photos

Shawn Whisenant

Our tears fall like rain
Converging into one great place
Pure, beautiful, glistening water...
Love.

-Amia




I didn't personally know Shawn Whisenant, but our paths crossed many times over the past two years. 

My first conscious recollection of Shawn was when I joined a small community of  San Francisco based film camera lovers called, Find Rangers Camera Club in early 2013 as well as Film Por Vida (a print exchange program). It was here that his street photography struck me and if you know me by now, you'll know that I have a love for street photography. 

Being an avid FecalFace.com fan, I began recognizing his photography popping up frequently on the site as Photo of The Day.  We both had numerous Photos of The Day from 2012-2014 on FecalFace, staggered in just one months time frame apart. 

In 2013 I book marked his website so I could enjoy his work at a click away. And I did.

In January 2014, some of our photography was surprisingly featured (on separate days) on UK's film photography site, One Giant Arm. 
A week and a half ago, I sent him a photo through our Photo Exchange Program and was anticipating a return print. 
On Saturday, March 1st, Shawn got FecalFace Photo of The Day.
On Sunday morning, March 2nd, Shawn passed away.

I was looking forward to eventually meeting this rad guy as we both have mutual interests as well as close friends. I think we would have become friends too. 

My heart breaks. What a great loss. I hope his passion and love for photography, art, and life will continue to stimulate, inspire, and encourage all who see it. He leaves a great heritage for those who wish to partake. 

Rest in peace Shawn.



Memorial:
Wednesday, March 5th 2014
Book and Job Gallery
838 Geary St
SF, CA

My Boy...

...killin' it in SF! (R).


Photo: Tadashi Yamaoda

Links for Tadashi:

http://www.tadashiphoto.com
http://www.lowcardmag.com
http://www.stragebirddist.com
http://www.kobrahmagazine.com

The Great PNW's Store From Scratch

My good friend Joel Barbour wins Big Cartel's "Store From Scratch" Contest. Amazing video. GREAT clothing line. Not surprising.

Check them out here: The Great PNW


Had some fun snapping some shots in one of my favorite PNW t's last year.
Still can't get me out of it:
Amia Photos

Say I Love You...

... in an edgy, abstract way.



Valentine
Collage, acrylic, & pen
on 8"X10" canvas board.
2014
amiaart.com

To see full view visit Amia Photos on Flickr:

VALENTINE

8:45 a.m.

My alarm goes off at 8:45a.m.

Still tired I turn it off, roll over, and fall back asleep.
I begin to dream.

A lucid dream.

I'm out kneeling in the Sunflower garden weeding when I sense a presence coming up from behind me to my left. I turn and see him happily approaching me...smiling with honey colored eyes intently fixed upon mine.

"Wubby" I exclaim as I open my arms to hug him. As he comes in closer, sits, and rests his head upon  my shoulder, in my mind I think, "This is only a dream. When I hug him, he'll disappear like a hologram."

We hug.

I feel the weight of his chin resting upon my shoulder...so close.
My arms wrapped around his soft, wavy, black and caramelized fur covering his dense 100lb body.
He reciprocates. It feels good. Everything's ok.

I wake up.

I cry.

7/3/13

A River Runs Through My City

Named after the Salish speaking Native American Tribe (Spokanes), the beautiful Spokane River runs through the heart of my city, Spokane, meaning "Children of The Sun." The Spokanes lived by and fished on the Spokane River. This river inhabits Rainbow Trout, Northern Pikeminnow, Bridgelip Suckers, as well as other non-native species. Today our metropolitan area (pop. 425,000) is the largest human settlement on the banks of the Spokane River. I've lived here for 33 years and am proud to be a Spokanite.

Photos:
1946 Kodak Rangefinder
Fuji Superia 800 Film
10/13

To see photos in full size visit:
Amia Photos

NYE with Bandit Train & more

Mama Doll

Lavoy









Nothing like bringing in the New Year with long-time friends, Bandit Train!





Playing around with the digital...