Category Archives: Spaces
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Think you’ll find the best barbecue someplace like North Carolina or Texas? Well, think again. Because Rochester, NY has some of the best barbecue ever. So incredibly good that my husband, who spent part of his childhood in the South, will make a journey back to Rochester for the meat at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que alone. Their food is absolutely delicious, the space preserves history and they serve it all up with Upstate hospitality. Being a hometown girl, I got a complete tour of the former railroad station. I especially loved checking out the enormous ovens, where they were busy smoking some amazing-looking brisket. Then we were generously loaded up with t-shirts and BBQ sauce. Thank you to Kevin, Monica and Danielle for such a memorable meal and fabulous time – we’ll be back for sure!
Portland Spaces: Demimonde Studio and Shop
Demimonde Studio and Shop is my new favorite boutique in town. Rachael Donaldson has filled a small, light-filled space on Northeast Broadway with her own stunning jewelry, along with a well-curated selection of bags, cards, candles, and vintage clothes and accessories. Her designs are fierce yet delicate, and constantly evolving. Rachael also has the most exquisite taste when it comes to vintage finds. Demimonde and its neighbors are hosting a Block Party this weekend with sales and Prosecco, and I can’t think of anything more perfect to do on a Saturday afternoon than exploring this lovely space with a glass of bubbly. And if you’re not in Portland, you can purchase Rachael’s pretty jewels in her etsy shop. But you’ll miss out on her dog, Churros – aka sweetest shop dog ever. Even without hot chocolate.
Reverend Linville and His Ass Car
Where do I even begin with the Reverend C.E. Linville? I think I’ll just let writer A.P. Kryza fill you in on The Reverend and his totally irreverent Ass Car. I will tell you that I hung out with The Reverend for over two hours, he orchestrated much of the shoot (from the shirt changes to putting his beloved dogs in the car) and told some of the most far-out there stories I have heard in my life.
Thuyn
Last week, I had the honor of shooting for the Willamette Week’s Best of Portland 2012 issue. I was assigned some of the quirkier nominees on the list, starting with Thuyn Pham and his reptile shop on Division. This shoot was a blast, even though I can now fess up that I’m scared of snakes. But Thuyn cracked up as I shrieked, and after we finished up he treated me to a margarita and tales from his homeland of Vietnam. Check out Matthew Singer’s write-up of Thuyn and his shop, Rose City Reptiles, here. And huge thanks to Ben Mollica, Willamette Week’s Art Director, who helped to make this shoot a total breeze.
Urban Landscapes
If you’re in Portland, please come to the opening of my show, Urban Landscapes, Saturday, July 21st at Slingshot Lounge. The festivities will start around 7 p.m., and besides the stiff drinks, there’s pool, pinball, Wild Buck and a photo booth. I said a photo booth, people!
Slingshot is located at 5532 SE Center Street, at the corner of 56th and Foster Avenue. You can check out my photo essay on Slingshot here. See you tomorrow night!
The Listener
Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet! Vive La France!
Foster Avenue Portraits: Ivan’s Cut & Style
Men in the know from all parts of Portland will tell you that Ivan Parvankin, of Ivan’s Cut & Style, is the best barber in town. He also has a pretty amazing story.
Born in Gradetz, Bulgaria, Ivan escaped the country in 1951 for what was then Yugoslavia. From there, he made it to a refugee camp in Italy where he was recruited for the U.S. Army. Ivan says of this experience, “I’ve been everywhere, almost. From the Panama Canal to the Philippines.”
Ivan was based in Fort Lewis, Washington, and when he finished his service he decided to move down to Portland. He enrolled in barber college, then apprenticed with a master barber for three years: “In those days, you had to serve as an apprentice. You didn’t just do something. School only gives you the basics, you still have to learn from a master.”
Ivan’s building at 5324 SE Foster has been used as a barber shop since 1938! He took over ownership of the space and opened Ivan’s Cut & Style in 1977. The next time you need a cut or beard trim, I highly recommend you check him out – he most certainly did give my husband (photo #6) the best cut I’ve seen in our fifteen years of being together.
Portland Spaces: Julia Barbee’s Studio
Remember this stunning tiara? It’s just one of Julia Barbee‘s beautiful and unique creations. Last December, this prolific Portland artist and designer opened up shop at 811 E. Burnside. Her space is equal parts studio, gallery, perfumery and vintage shop. Julia not only has an inspiring creative output, but she also works in a number of mediums, including textiles, scent and performance art. I adore her dresses, which are a little bit punk princess, a little bit rock and roll. Then there are her hair clips, necklaces and perfumes. For this year’s Open Season Mercury Fashion show, Julia draped belly dancers in sculptural headdresses made of crystals. I absolutely can’t wait to see what she does next!
Fit For A Queen
Finishing work on a shoot featuring the work and studio of one of my favorite local designers, Julia Barbee. Julia is an incredible artist and a very special soul, so stay tuned for the rest of this peek into her fascinating space…
Scratch On Walls
“Everyone has to scratch on walls somewhere or they go crazy.”
~ Michael Ondaatje, In the Skin of a Lion
