Monday, November 27, 2006
Friday, October 6, 2006
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Hola Fall!
Things have been moving forward, with all their twists and turns. I'm no longer working for Weaver. I was not Weaver-like, Weaver-material, Weaverite enough for the Weavereans; life is better outside the Weaver cult.
I did my first job for AOL/Moviefone in Toronto covering "Unscripted" during the International Film Festival, thanks to Kellie at Retna; and last week I did my first job for ALM, American Lawyer Magazine.
Leaves are falling and the weather is turning cool. My knee has healed even though it creaks occasionally. I must say, all is well in Brooklyn, New York.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Pix
Michelle, Larry, Hannah & Jake at Terra Alta, July 2006
Me and my "Jimbo" Jeep on a rainy night in May, 2006
Gabriel and I at my Dad's Birthday dinner, June 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Summer
August 18, 2006
I’m sitting at my desk at the Weaver office on 44th Street with my leg in a soft cast, my body sore from the weekend, reviewing the past days and weeks events. Andrew and I went to East Coast Sturgis, he was really excited about riding and experiencing the event and I was more curious about the motorcycle culture. We were on a back road, returning from checking out the local swimming hole. It seemed a bizarre cult lived year round in a tent colony complete with altars and their own personalized Stonehenge arrangement. I asked Andrew to pull over so I could take a picture on the road back to the campsite. There was an incredible amount of beauty, both sublime and sub-cultural, to photography.
Unfortunately, things turned ugly when he tried to pull over to the side of the road the bike fell over and onto us. The uneven pavement and rocky gravel floor was no match for our two wheeled machine. I didn’t even realize we were going down until we were on a forty-five degree angle.
It happened in both fast and slow motion. My knee jerk reaction was to put out my left hand to break the fall, which bruised my left elbow and palm. The bike trapped my ankle, which is fine thanks to the graduation boots Andrew gave me. “Get it off me!” was the only thing I remember saying, he reacted quickly lifted the bike up, I dragged my left leg out and jumped up.
Assessing my condition, adrenaline pumping, I limped a few feet towards a shaded area under a tree, holding back my tears, feeling embarrassed and shaken. I was ok, I thought, nothing broken, able to move everything a bit, just severe pain on my left side. I had to get back on the bike to the campsite, that was a challenge. My left knee would not bend far without feeling extreme pain and my left arm was blown up twice the size of my right, it lost the ability to grip anything. We got on the bike and made it back in less than half an hour, it seemed like an eternity. Back at the campsite, feeling like a broken mess and having made one trip to the port-o-potty, a complete nightmare when injured, Andrew and I decided to take me back to New York.
The doctor gave me an x-ray a couple of days later; my left knee has a vertical fracture (no fun), lucky for me no broken bones. The accident has and is affecting my whole body; my right side is overcompensating for my left side. This really stinks. I want to heal quickly.
July 2007
What can I say, I’m a baaaad girrrrl… this month has been a real whirlwind of travel and life changes. I’ve been to Philly and Chicago, covering the city for Weaver’s official city travel books. It is physically and mentally draining, and the heat wave this month has not helped. I’ve met some amazing people and overall it has really been a great experience.
I’m sitting at my desk at the Weaver office on 44th Street with my leg in a soft cast, my body sore from the weekend, reviewing the past days and weeks events. Andrew and I went to East Coast Sturgis, he was really excited about riding and experiencing the event and I was more curious about the motorcycle culture. We were on a back road, returning from checking out the local swimming hole. It seemed a bizarre cult lived year round in a tent colony complete with altars and their own personalized Stonehenge arrangement. I asked Andrew to pull over so I could take a picture on the road back to the campsite. There was an incredible amount of beauty, both sublime and sub-cultural, to photography.
Unfortunately, things turned ugly when he tried to pull over to the side of the road the bike fell over and onto us. The uneven pavement and rocky gravel floor was no match for our two wheeled machine. I didn’t even realize we were going down until we were on a forty-five degree angle.
It happened in both fast and slow motion. My knee jerk reaction was to put out my left hand to break the fall, which bruised my left elbow and palm. The bike trapped my ankle, which is fine thanks to the graduation boots Andrew gave me. “Get it off me!” was the only thing I remember saying, he reacted quickly lifted the bike up, I dragged my left leg out and jumped up.
Assessing my condition, adrenaline pumping, I limped a few feet towards a shaded area under a tree, holding back my tears, feeling embarrassed and shaken. I was ok, I thought, nothing broken, able to move everything a bit, just severe pain on my left side. I had to get back on the bike to the campsite, that was a challenge. My left knee would not bend far without feeling extreme pain and my left arm was blown up twice the size of my right, it lost the ability to grip anything. We got on the bike and made it back in less than half an hour, it seemed like an eternity. Back at the campsite, feeling like a broken mess and having made one trip to the port-o-potty, a complete nightmare when injured, Andrew and I decided to take me back to New York.
The doctor gave me an x-ray a couple of days later; my left knee has a vertical fracture (no fun), lucky for me no broken bones. The accident has and is affecting my whole body; my right side is overcompensating for my left side. This really stinks. I want to heal quickly.
July 2007
What can I say, I’m a baaaad girrrrl… this month has been a real whirlwind of travel and life changes. I’ve been to Philly and Chicago, covering the city for Weaver’s official city travel books. It is physically and mentally draining, and the heat wave this month has not helped. I’ve met some amazing people and overall it has really been a great experience.
Monday, May 1, 2006
April just flew by this year. It has been quite a busy time, I’ve been pounding the pavement taking my portfolio around and getting great responses. Now it is starting to pay off. I landed a full time staff photographer position at Weaver, a multi-media corporation that concentrates on travel and tourism. Very exciting! I’ll be covering the East Coast, mainly New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago. The position will start the middle of this month so I have time to complete a freelance job for Cigar Aficionado Magazine, nine portraits of their editors at various locations around the city.
My graduation from Parsons is May 19th, a great reason to celebrate! I get to walk down the aisle at Madison Square Garden. That day happens to be Hannah’s third birthday, Jake just turned one, February 10th, and Gabriel will be one July 3rd.
Charles, my brother, is flying to Germany this Thursday, to give a lecture, “Terrorism Definitions: Effect on Policy”, at the Institute for Criminological Research Department of Social Sciences, University of Hamburg. He is in the Doctoral program at John Jay College of Criminal Law.
This Thursday Andrew and I will be starting a project together, a portrait series and article covering dancers from Riviera. Kellie at Retna told me that she might be able to shop the article around to magazines and possibly syndicate the images.
The club's interior has a modern design and interesting décor, perfect for a shoot. We met the manager and a few of the girls last week, my first time in a Gentleman’s club. It was a strange experience, we sat at the bar where the girls dance, topless only because they serve alcohol. After they do their set, the girls move around the bar and ask for tips. The music was pumping so loud I could barley hear myself think let alone a person speaking to me. As one of the girls made her rounds she stopped in front of Andrew and I, massaging her breasts, I thought she said ‘tits’, when she said ‘tips’, so I said ‘no thanks’. I felt a little bad after Andrew told me she wanted a tip- oops. There is a VIP room called the “red room” where I would love to shoot in. The red print couches are low to the ground attached to the red walls in a circular layout with a full view of the bar and exterior room through a two way mirror.
My graduation from Parsons is May 19th, a great reason to celebrate! I get to walk down the aisle at Madison Square Garden. That day happens to be Hannah’s third birthday, Jake just turned one, February 10th, and Gabriel will be one July 3rd.
Charles, my brother, is flying to Germany this Thursday, to give a lecture, “Terrorism Definitions: Effect on Policy”, at the Institute for Criminological Research Department of Social Sciences, University of Hamburg. He is in the Doctoral program at John Jay College of Criminal Law.
This Thursday Andrew and I will be starting a project together, a portrait series and article covering dancers from Riviera. Kellie at Retna told me that she might be able to shop the article around to magazines and possibly syndicate the images.
The club's interior has a modern design and interesting décor, perfect for a shoot. We met the manager and a few of the girls last week, my first time in a Gentleman’s club. It was a strange experience, we sat at the bar where the girls dance, topless only because they serve alcohol. After they do their set, the girls move around the bar and ask for tips. The music was pumping so loud I could barley hear myself think let alone a person speaking to me. As one of the girls made her rounds she stopped in front of Andrew and I, massaging her breasts, I thought she said ‘tits’, when she said ‘tips’, so I said ‘no thanks’. I felt a little bad after Andrew told me she wanted a tip- oops. There is a VIP room called the “red room” where I would love to shoot in. The red print couches are low to the ground attached to the red walls in a circular layout with a full view of the bar and exterior room through a two way mirror.
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Gabriel
My nephew Gabriel is such a happy little one. I just want to eat him up! How can you resist those adorable toes... Manhattan 2006.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Winter kite flying
Winter kite flying on the beach with my niece and nephew, Hannah & Jake. Rockaway NYC 2006.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Road Trip!
Wow, what an incredible trip from Boca to Key West with Andrew, March 8th through March 10th! This ride was approximately 208.81 miles each way, not bad for a first time on a bike. Andrew was great. I felt completely safe on the back of his bike. There were a few moments when I thought the wind would pick me up but I managed to hold tight. When we rode on the main highway at higher speeds there was a tremendous force and it took a real effort to maintain a straight neck. I kept my head directly behind his, otherwise I was able to peek over the top and/or left and right. Riding on a bike felt very natural, free and comfortable. Why did it take me so long?
Saturday, February 25, 2006
It’s a beautiful cold Saturday morning here in New York City. I’ve been taking advantage of the fireplace at the old homestead, sleeping by the light of roaring flames in the winter is quite a delight.
The last few weeks have been quite interesting. First, I signed with Retna, a major photography syndication company, I finished my Masters of Fine Arts at Parsons and I landed a photo in Time Magazine, (link sans photo), thanks to my wonderful representative at Retna, Kellie McLaughlin. The current issue of Fade In Magazine, Vol. IX No. 1, has two of my images, actor David Strathairn featured on page 64, and director Stephen Frears, featured on page 118.
Yesterday, I bit the big bullet that I have been avoiding (by sheer luck), and purchased business/camera insurance and worker’s compensation. I feel like an official company!
The last few weeks have been quite interesting. First, I signed with Retna, a major photography syndication company, I finished my Masters of Fine Arts at Parsons and I landed a photo in Time Magazine, (link sans photo), thanks to my wonderful representative at Retna, Kellie McLaughlin. The current issue of Fade In Magazine, Vol. IX No. 1, has two of my images, actor David Strathairn featured on page 64, and director Stephen Frears, featured on page 118.
Yesterday, I bit the big bullet that I have been avoiding (by sheer luck), and purchased business/camera insurance and worker’s compensation. I feel like an official company!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Bizarre Letter
Welcome to the Ilona fan club! This is a scan of a letter that someone left in my mailbox yesterday. Freaky! Who can it be? This person knows me, my parents, sister, where I live, but not how to spell my name properly "Elona". So walking by the house inspired him/her (you never know) and now he/she wants to date me? Regarding my moving back to New York as a joy for my family, you'll have to ask them. I love how whiteout carefully masks ‘Birthday’ and it is replaced with ‘Valentine’. When you open the letter it sings happy b-day to you. There was no name, other than "Beach Channel Person", and no return address on the envelope. Should I put an ad in the local paper: “Desperately Seeking Beach Channel Person”?
Welcome to the Ilona fan club! This is a scan of a letter that someone left in my mailbox yesterday. Freaky! Who can it be? This person knows me, my parents, sister, where I live, but not how to spell my name properly "Elona". So walking by the house inspired him/her (you never know) and now he/she wants to date me? Regarding my moving back to New York as a joy for my family, you'll have to ask them. I love how whiteout carefully masks ‘Birthday’ and it is replaced with ‘Valentine’. When you open the letter it sings happy b-day to you. There was no name, other than "Beach Channel Person", and no return address on the envelope. Should I put an ad in the local paper: “Desperately Seeking Beach Channel Person”?
Friday, February 10, 2006
The other day I went to the JCC in Manhattan where Larry Fink was giving a lecture. I couldn’t miss that. Years earlier, during the summer of 1989, I did work study at the Maine Photo Workshop where I first met Larry Fink.
That was a grand summer of experimentation, jumping off the local quarry with my rubber ducky for protection and falling in love with photography. It was on a lark that I even managed to go to the interview for the highly desired position that coincided with my first ski trip with college friends Jim and Liz. Hey I’m a city girl, we don’t usually get out of the concrete jungle.
I didn’t mind sweeping floors and taking orders, for a short time, as long as I could spend time shooting and printing. It was one evening where we were encouraged to approach artists that I first spoke to Larry and asked him for his opinion on my images. I shot nude self-portraits using infrared film. Larry spoke of my images in such a seductive way that my creative juices began to flow, I was captivated by his critical descriptions. He gave me the confidence to pursue photography, to follow my love with fearless abandonment.
When given the opportunity following his lecture I jumped at the chance to speak with Larry once again. I told him my story and expressed how he deeply influenced my life. He told me that I looked familiar, held my hands firmly in his own, then gave me his card and told me to contact him and send some images. My work is so different now; I really want to get back to that place of free association and off the cuff shooting. There is no time like the present.
That was a grand summer of experimentation, jumping off the local quarry with my rubber ducky for protection and falling in love with photography. It was on a lark that I even managed to go to the interview for the highly desired position that coincided with my first ski trip with college friends Jim and Liz. Hey I’m a city girl, we don’t usually get out of the concrete jungle.
I didn’t mind sweeping floors and taking orders, for a short time, as long as I could spend time shooting and printing. It was one evening where we were encouraged to approach artists that I first spoke to Larry and asked him for his opinion on my images. I shot nude self-portraits using infrared film. Larry spoke of my images in such a seductive way that my creative juices began to flow, I was captivated by his critical descriptions. He gave me the confidence to pursue photography, to follow my love with fearless abandonment.
When given the opportunity following his lecture I jumped at the chance to speak with Larry once again. I told him my story and expressed how he deeply influenced my life. He told me that I looked familiar, held my hands firmly in his own, then gave me his card and told me to contact him and send some images. My work is so different now; I really want to get back to that place of free association and off the cuff shooting. There is no time like the present.
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Hello, my name is Ilona, I am a photographer based in New York City. My interest in photography is the depiction of the human spirit and to capture moments in time honestly and poignantly. Recently, I have been exploring themes of decay and rebirth on the urban landscape in New York City. My aim, as a creative principal in Flowers In The Cracks, is to develop a visual style that will allow me to incorporate both my personal interest in beauty as well as the address themes of joy and renewal that are the core of this project.
Peter Corless and I have known each other for almost three decades. As our lives have crossed paths once again, I have come to both appreciate and respect Peter as an artist, philosopher and overall decent human being. I look forward to the continued growth of our project, Flowers In The Cracks, as well as working with you all in this artistic collaboration.
Peter Corless and I have known each other for almost three decades. As our lives have crossed paths once again, I have come to both appreciate and respect Peter as an artist, philosopher and overall decent human being. I look forward to the continued growth of our project, Flowers In The Cracks, as well as working with you all in this artistic collaboration.
Cracks On The Wall, Rockaway Beach
I'm a Rockaway girl, born and raised, the blend of a Brooklyn father and a Manhattan mother. Third generation New Yorker, eldest of three, back in my home town after ten years on the West Coast. I love California, especially LA, full of ex-patriot, ex-cranky New Yorkers who love the sun, fresh produce and freedom from winter.
I'm a Rockaway girl, born and raised, the blend of a Brooklyn father and a Manhattan mother. Third generation New Yorker, eldest of three, back in my home town after ten years on the West Coast. I love California, especially LA, full of ex-patriot, ex-cranky New Yorkers who love the sun, fresh produce and freedom from winter.
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