Hampton Roads Tattoo Show

had it not been for my friend, Ramel, needing some help to exhibit his art work at this year's hampton roads tattoo show, i would've never known about it and i would've never gotten to touch this yummy creature standing with me in the photo above. ami james is nom noms.

me: can i touch your head?

ami: no!

i smirk. he smiles.

ami: why?

me: because every time i see you on tv i want to touch it. it looks soooo smooth.

he bends down towards me giving me permission. my index finger approaches his shiny baldness. unexpectedly, he tries to bite my finger and i jump back. WHOA! he laughs and finally lets me touch the top of his head. i touch it nervously and the skin is soft and very smooth. my heart pounds excitedly and i'm flushed. the excitement is too much for me to handle so i bid him farewell walking away while fanning myself with my hand.

i swoon.

ladies competed in the pin-up model contest. i love the pin-up look.

how does one decide which tattoo booth to go to at these types of shows? easy... you check out their business cards and if the design is pleasing to you then you know their tattoo artistry has to be worth taking a look at. that's how i stumbled upon jesse smith. he designed two different fronts of his cards so that no matter which way they lay vertically they connect into one image. so genius of him! and his art is badass. check out his website by clicking on his name above.

ramel's artwork always has people stopping by in wonderment. click HERE to check out his facebook page of art. it's good stuff.

one day i'll get a whole back piece too. that'll be me laying on a table for next year's show.

Fall Festival

Freshly pressed apple juice.



Pirate story telling and artifacts.

Pumpkin painting

Local honey tasting.




I volunteered to be the photographer at the annual Fall Festival for First Landing State Park. It is the biggest event they organize. For the park staff, it signifies preparations for the closing during the winter season.

blue trumpet

jesse's trumpet. neat.

The Benny Hafla

A friend of mine is taking belly dancing classes at the Hipnotic World Dance Center. She sent me an invitation to an awesome event:

The Benny Hafla: Where You Can Let It All Hang Out!

Comedic Belly Dance Variety Show - Never been seen avant-garde acts, risque humor and seriously good dancing!

Bring your sense of humor, your wackiest skits and costumes. Leave the kids at home and come out to Hipnotic World Dance Center.

May 29th 8-10pm
www.hipnoticbellydancing.com
www.serenitytribal.com

i had the privilege to be the only one to take photos. due to the adult content of the show, i am limited to what i can post. hehehe. low lighting no flash action shots was the challenge of this event.



Mab was the emcee for the evening and man can she host a show! she does performances up in the DC and MD area. click on her name for more info.

good times.

art | everywhere

i was really excited to hear about the art initiative event in norfolk called art | everywhere. what better way to fill up empty store front windows and bring foot traffic to the downtown area than with local art work and other fun stuff like free mini cupcakes!

just cupcakes was one of many businesses that supported the cause.


a latte cafe provided a venue for musicians to perform. these ladies did a reunion duet cover of 4 non blondes' "what's up". they totally rocked it!


right outside the cafe the ladies of 7 city crafters created this awesome exhibit. it was a cityscape of little handmade treasures.






"this next song we would like to dedicate to.... (looks out to people passing by) hot photographer chic!" haha! these guys cracked me up.



like magic.



pretty cool to see colorful work and techniques used.


there was even live art going on.



i left a bread crumb of sorts. hehehe. the sign did say "draw here."



are you thinking what i'm thinking? my collection of tabs has a new purpose...weeee! this guy also created the free photo booth stand.










i dig clotheslines.



stalactites.



this was just a glimpse of what went down opening night. if you happen to be in the downtown norfolk, va area check out granby street. the installations will be up til july 1st.

snow day! part 3: japanese garden

lorimar gave me the idea to go out to the japanese garden the day after the snow storm to shoot the scenery. so we headed out four wheel drive style.




bamboo in the snow!

snow day! part 2: adobi and pixel

snow day!

photo by shane s.

one year i made a snow pikachu with the lightning shaped tail and pointy ears. this year i made a snow ladybug. hehehe. i couldn't help it. me thinks i want to try making sand sculptures this summer.

soulicious cafe

it's been so long since i've been to an open mic. stef, invited us to see her "spit fiyaaaah!" along with a few other good friends. i love the facial expressions i catch when folks are so focused on what they're presenting.








open mic @ soulicious cafe, norfolk, va every wednesday night around 8:30pm-ish