National Education Association: Edmunds Elementary

Last month I had the very, very special opportunity to help the National Education Association (NEA) document Edmunds Elementary School here in Des Moines, Iowa.  Their main focus was on the English Language Learners (ELL) instructor at Edmunds and their African refugee student population.  I will not tell their story here, but will ask you to please click on the following links to view a slide show and read an article about the school, the teachers and the community.


Educating Refugees in the Heartland 
by Amy Buffenbarger - NEA


Educators in the Heartland
by Alain Jehlen - NEA

My friend Becky

Let me tell you a little bit about my friend, Becky.  She lives in a round-house.  She lives in the country.  She has a couple of dogs.  She is a potter.  She is a very, very awesome potter!  Last Saturday was Willow Avenue Pottery's Grand Opening!  I was there all day long and had all kinds of fun taking photos and hanging out while Becky entertained the many, many customers who came.  It was a fun, fun day.  


I must say that if you LOVE pottery, then I insist that you go out to Becky's place and check out her awesome pots!  

We listened to records all day - even this one.  :)

Becky's mama and Becky. 

My Brand "New" Bike

If you read my blog, you will know that I did a photo session for Ichi Bike a little bit ago.  While I was there I fell in love with this little beauty.  Dan fixed her all up for me:  put on new tires, a different bike seat, made sure she was road worthy and even added a bell!  


Isn't she beautiful?!!  Now, get yourself down to Ichi Bike and get your self one too!  

"Barn Series"

When I moved to Iowa in 2005, I was so moved by the scenery and the beautiful, old barns that are everywhere.  I would take photos of these beautiful barns while my husband drove.  I loved their mystery.  I loved the stories they held.  I wondered who owned them, what they stored, how long they had lived there.  I did not want them to be forgotten. 

My fascination with these barns eventually (and unintentionally) led to a series of photographs.  I wanted these barns to appear as is they are in your dreams and did that by manipulating each image to bring out a more surreal texture and tone.  

Currently this series is on display in Cherokee, IA at the Sanford Museum and Planetarium.  Fifteen photographs from this series will be on display through the end of April.  

Here's a few photos of me taken by my friend Missy:

Here are a few of the Barns you will find on display:

"Untitled" - 2006

"Untitled" - 2006

"Untitled" - 2006

"Untitled" - 2005

"Untitled" - 2006

I want to thank some very, very good friends of mine for coming with me on the 6 hour round-trip drive Cherokee, IA to help me hang this show.  It was one FUN road trip and I was so very happy to have you both there with me!  Thank you so, so, so, so much Missy and Becky!!

(Becky, me and Missy)

...and *here* is a link to a blog post Becky wrote about the trip too!