This is a small sampling of my photography. I’ll add more soon. Enjoy! 

 

The following are different Bio and Publicity pieces that I’ve written for various projects.

Bio: Kim McManus

 

Kim greeted me at her front door with joy in her voice and led me inside her home. I had never met her before but as I stepped inside and glanced around, I could tell a lot about this woman. Her home is filled with colors and she is quick to laugh, her home is an eclectic mix of art, memorabilia and farmhouse charm. So is she. Instantly we were dear old friends sharing a good laugh and a much needed cry all at the same time. Kim is a force of nature.

She is quick to offer her story with vulnerability and grace. At the age of 8, she was sent to live with foster parents, Ruth Davis and Theodore Roosevelt, in Leicester, North Carolina on their tomato/tobacco farm.  She was their fifth official foster child. She spoke of the longing for a normal home and the feeling of always being an orphan. She spoke of loneliness and hard labor on the farm. She spoke of Zion Baptist Church where she came to understand that God would never hide from her.

“God my Father did not hide me from his powerful overwhelming love or His grace that sustained me through ever lonely nights. His presence was not hid from a young adolescent who had no idea how to become a lady. In the midst of my dilemma, I found the strength that God did not hide from me. He gives it generously to those who call out to Him and I did call many times, hundreds and thousands of times. Some of those were more than calls. They were screams and pleadings. My calls were answered and I learned the beautiful words ”I love you” from the Jesus who saw my condition and saw me through it… If I had courage at all, it was this: I know that I am not alone or powerless. All the mothers in the world cannot be the one I lost but even the one mother I had could not be the one I need. I desperately need the one called Jesus. He is the courageous one in me.”

She says all these things with a passion that doesn’t quit. She tells me that her children think she is overreacting most of the time. Her reply to this is always the same: “When I am dead in my coffin you’ll be able to say: At least now she isn’t overreacting!” Kim is using her voice to help women find freedom, freedom from fear, abuse and hopelessness. And to mentor leaders that will shape our culture not only relationally but also through entrepreneurial ingenuity. Kim’s firm belief is that we cannot change the world around us simply by reading books or singing songs by other people, we need to be the ones writing the books, writing new music, creating new ways of seeing the world.

Kim McManus is the leader of SHE Community: a force of women at Mosaic who desire to revolutionize Los Angeles and the world with a message of faith, hope and love. Kim is married to Erwin, the lead pastor and cultural architect of Mosaic, a uniquely innovative and diverse congregation in Los Angeles. Kim and Erwin have two children, Aaron and Mariah, and a foster daughter Paty.

***

Spinning and Balance

By: Amie Longmire

 

Her studio, like her personality is eclectic, mixing old with new, light and color with warmth and texture. She spins wool into yarn. Then knits that yarn into sweaters, scarves and all sorts of wearable art. Michelle Hoffee says, “Spinning creates a feeling of balance within myself and a connection to the past.” People have been spinning wool onto yarn for centuries. For the last 2 years, Michelle has been spinning yarn, knitting wearable pieces and selling her creations at art galleries and trunk shows. What initially brought her to this art form? At first, it was the feeling of mastering a difficult task that involves the entire body and the recovery a lost art that drew her. Now, it’s the sheer fun of it. She loves the creative process, the push and pull as the wool finds it’s way; first into a skein of yarn and then into a scarf or poncho or sweater… The possibilities are endless. Michelle’s main goal is to keep the art fun.

Michelle’s pieces genuinely reflect her warmth and joy.  Her color palette is reminiscent of the earth tones in her garden. You see, gardening is her day job but spinning yarn is fast becoming the task that fills her time while living in an old Craftsman home in Historic Escondido with her husband and dog and cat. I had the chance to sit down with Michelle in her studio recently and over a cup of tea we talked about our shared love of the color and texture of yarn, knitting for the fun of it and being an artist for a living. I was immediately drawn to her style. In fact, when I stood at her doorstep and knocked on the pink trimmed front door, I knew I would be able to connect with Michelle. This is the other reason Michelle is drawn to art. The process of creation has the power to bring people together, to teach and give back to the community. Her favorite part of spinning yarn is sitting with other people as she spins and the unlikely conversations that happen with those who pass by. She says that sometimes people will stop and watch from a distance, others will come close and ask questions. Still others will want to try it for themselves. It’s exciting for Michelle to show people something new, even if this type of art has been happening for ages. This is Michelle’s way of giving back and contributing with art. The community aspect is huge to her. It’s not so much about the skein of yarn or the sweater that results; it’s the relationships and community that result from engaging in the process of creation.

Michelle’s pieces are on display and for sale at the Shiva Gallery on Grand Avenue in Escondido. Or you can check out Michelle’s website at: www.madebylovecraft.com

***

About Miriam J.

 

It all started with a question. Miriam asked herself, “If I could do anything, what would it be?” Her answer came quickly. Designing fashion was a natural fit, combining her art and design background with her love of finely made clothes that fit well.

Miriam is a perennial student, having studied in Hawaii and Los Angeles. She brings her love of the west coast, Hawaii, warm weather, flowing style and intricate detail.

            “My growing up years in Pompeii and other islands in Micronesia was a wonderful experience. After school, we made forts in the forest behind our house, and took sides in war games.  Sometimes we would play house. Often we took long hikes to other neighborhoods to see other friends.  Later, when the stars came out, after we’d had dinner with our families, again we would go outside and lie down on woven mats and tell stories.   Then at the latest part of the night, we were reminded by the curfew siren to go back into our homes.

            For a year, we lived on the island of Kosrae, in what felt like complete isolation from the rest of the world. Some Islanders can be superstitious and easily frightened during the sunset hours. Once my little brother wore a mask and jumped out onto the road as a man on a motorbike was approaching. I watched from my hideaway as the man ran off, leaving his motorbike sputtering in circles on the road.

            At this time I became an artist.  I drew faces.  Natural surroundings fascinated me. And I often daydreamed from my favorite roost in a particular tree that stood on the side of a road, and bent out over the shoreline.  During the high tides were my favorite moments, listening to the crashing waves and being perfectly camouflaged.”

Design, according to Miriam, asks questions. What is beauty? What is style? Where do we come from? Who are we? Miriam answers those questions in her own way with natural silks, linens, bright colors and a handful of stories.