.: 2013

Playing with light with Zane Spang

I met Zane Spang through my friend Dennis (from previous blog post) a couple of years ago. He was taking pictures at the Cloak Ox show at the Loring Theater and we only talked for a few short minutes and quickly he vanished. He would later come back into my life when he moved from Saint Paul to Minneapolis, which would explain why I never ran into him. I started seeing him climbing at Vertical Endeavors and we would just wave hello.

I didn't really start hanging out with Zane until the day after the windstorm hit the town and blew many of the big trees down. We both lived in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, so naturally we set out to explore the neighborhood with camera in hand. We spent some time biking around, climbing the fallen trees and taking snap shots of the natural disaster. That day I discovered that we had a lot more in common than I knew. We are both photographers, baristas, climbers, explorers, partiers and bikers. Ever since then we've been pretty close friends.

I wanted to make this post about Zane because he is really cool and a really amazing photographer and a very thoughtful person. Also, sadly he is moving away from Minneapolis, so there will be a a going away party where he will be exhibiting and selling his photographs tomorrow night. That's Saturday, December 7th, come say hello and celebrate: details here. Also check out his work here: Sure Dude.

The Many Faces of Dennis Conrad

I've known Dennis for many years, we met through our mutual friend Josh. Josh was moving away to Nashville and was like, 'you have to meet my friend Dennis he's an artist, you're an artist, you'd get along really well'. I wasn't sure if he was trying to be a match maker, but some time went by and we started hanging out and became really good friends. I'm sure, I would have eventually meet him through our many similar interests, but who knows, I'm glad we met when we did.

Dennis is a modest and out going guy. He spends a lot of time in a charming little room, which he created in his basement. It is a very colorful space, which matches his fashions. I admire him for his regular practices as an artist. He has stacks of painted canvases and stacks of sketchbooks with drawings full of faces. He has stacks of skateboards which he uses as his canvas, in fact he draws and paints on what ever he's inspired by, it just seems to spill right out of his imagination.

Dennis has toured around the country with Martin Dosh, selling his artwork at shows and does live paintings. He has designed many posters for Dosh and other bands around town. He also has a massive record collection, so he spins records around town. Check out his work on flickr and contact him if you have any questions.

My favorite female Minneapolis tattoo artist: Ayako Junko Osaki

I don't have any tattoos, but if I were to ever get one, June is the first tattoo artist on my list. She has amazing line work and she has an interesting style. Of the many adorable creatures that she creates, she lets us view the inside and outside of the body. It's cute and edgy at the same time, just how I'd describe June.

June is a tattoo artist at 4 Points Body Gallery on Chicago Avenue S. & 38th in Minneapolis. Check out their website for more work done by her and other 4 Points Body Gallery artists.

*self inflicted tattoo*

June sketching a tattoo for Zane (below).

Nice back Ginny!

We Saved Sandstone

This weekend, I was torn between doing the Scardy Cat alley cat race or go to a benefit put on by the Minnesota Climbers Association to save Sandstone's bouldering area. It was a hard decision because dressing up in costume and racing though the city is a great time, but I had the chance to compete last year and there seems to be a race every weekend.

This year, I did the opposite and camped out in the woods. There was much to do, but I felt relaxed for once; I am in the woods, I don't need to do anything! The day consisted of climbing, trying to walk the slack line, drinking beer, ticket raffling, hiking, meeting new climbers, hanging out by a fire, watching a movie on the rocks a pancake breakfast and of course, taking pictures. I had such a busy year that I didn't have much time to get out of town, so I'm glad I did before it got too cold. I even got to wake up to the first snow of the season and Sandstone was saved.