All season I’ve been wanting to take my kids to a local strawberry farm and pick our own berries. After several weeks (and weekends!) of non-stop events and end-of-school activities, this past weekend we finally had our chance. While the unseasonably cool weather has kept us away from most of our summer staples like our daily swimming pool trips, it was just perfect for a day picking strawberries! Each of the kids had their own pallet, and it of course turned into a race of who could pick the most.
The staff at Wohletz Farm Fresh were friendly and greeted us with big smiles! Once we arrived and grabbed our pallets, they led us to a section of the strawberry patch that they blocked off just for us. The kids had so much fun digging through the plants to find the ripe, red berries (the redder, the better!). I think they would have stayed all day if I’d let them. Although the strawberry picking season is almost over, I would definitely put this on my to do list every May. The team at Wohletz told us this week would probably be the last week for picking, so if you haven’t been out yet, get going! You can check their Facebook page for updates on when the patch is open to guests.
On Friday, I had my first official art show opening. It was terrifying. And amazing. And scary. And overwhelming. I won’t rehash how the project came to be (you can read all about it here), but it was sensitive and emotional subject matter and I was so honored to just be asked to tell these stories…let alone be featured in an art showing!
If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember my life list from years back. It’s no longer active on this site, mostly because my life kept changing so I felt like having this master “LIST” was a little silly, but I still love the concept. I wrote down all of my wishes, big and small, even if they seemed completely insane. Some of them have come true, and many of them have not, but having my photographs displayed in some sort of gallery show was definitely at the top of the “probably never going to happen” portion of the list.
But it did. Miracles are all around us.
Walking into Aimee’s Coffeehouse on Friday was more overwhelming than I had anticipated. I had sort of blown off the whole thing as no big deal, until saw my images adorning the wall. And then under the sign that said “Artist of the Month” was my face and bio. The smiling faces of the women who spent so much time putting the Phoenix Project together and creating this amazing concept were all there, along with a few of the women I photographed. My kids and husband came too, beaming at me and snapping photos as I dumbly stared at the displays in awe. A few people came up to me and said, “You’re the photographer, right?” I then tried to sound smarter than I felt and answer their questions, even though my head was spinning. Oh yeah, and my dad was there. Totally surreal.
I am so grateful and filled with appreciation that this project, three years in the making, is finally living! The Phoenix Project will be on display at Aimee’s Coffeehouse in Lawrence, Kansas until the end of June. All the art displayed, including my photographs, are for sale, with the proceeds benefiting the women, men and children that are served by the Willow Domestic Violence Center. If you’re in town, stop by and check it out! And if you do, send me a photo! I’ve loved getting texts and images from people who have gone to see the show. It makes my day to know people are seeing the work and being touched by it.
As always, thank you. If you’re reading this, you’re a part of this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you.
http://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_9977-WEB.jpg640960Meganhttp://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Crazy_Banans_Logo_WebsiteBanner.pngMegan2015-06-01 13:56:442017-02-22 15:58:05Dreams, Gratitude and Opening Night
I’m so excited (thrilled, terrified, proud) to share that the Phoenix Project: Healing Through Art is opening TONIGHT! The Willow Domestic Violence Center’s Phoenix Project is both a collection of narratives and interpretive art intended to connect the community on a personal level to decrease violence and promote healing through transformation. The show is on display now through the end of June at Aimee’s Coffeehouse, 1025 Massachusetts. The kickoff reception is during Final Friday’s on May 29th from 6 – 10 p.m., and will feature my images of domestic violence survivors.
I could not be more honored and humbled to be a part of this project. The Willow Center is near and dear to my heart, as I worked there in college as an advocate for women and children who were dealing with domestic violence in their lives. Three years ago, I created a photo series called “The Motherhood Project,” where I depicted mothers from all backgrounds along with their stories for the website Go Mighty. This project was then sponsored by Olay, who made a donation in my name to the Willow Center. In the years since, I have stayed in touch with the team at the Willow, and when they told me about their idea for the Phoenix Project, I jumped at the chance to be involved.
This is my very first gallery show…something that has been a dream of mine for most of my photography career. For this first show to be in the name of such a good cause is the icing on the cake. I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with everyone who has supported me and helped me arrive at this place. Thank you to to the mothers who allowed me to photograph them for the original “Motherhood Project.” Thank you to Maggie Mason, the Go Mighty Team and Olay for helping me get started. Thank you to the team at the Willow for all you do for victims and survivors. Thank you to the South Mass Street Art Guild for co-sponsoring this event. Thank you to the incredible women who allowed me to photograph them and tell their stories for the Phoenix Project. Thank you to my husband for listening to me talk about this for two years and always believing it would happen, even when I wasn’t so sure. Thank you to my kids for making me laugh every day.
And thank you to you…for reading, supporting, lifting me up, and being all-around awesome.
http://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Phoenix-Project-2015.jpg27444116Meganhttp://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Crazy_Banans_Logo_WebsiteBanner.pngMegan2015-05-29 09:48:102017-02-22 15:58:12Opening Tonight! The Phoenix Project in Lawrence, Kansas
Strawberry Fields Forever
/0 Comments/in Crazybananas Photography - Personal, Kansas City /by MeganAll season I’ve been wanting to take my kids to a local strawberry farm and pick our own berries. After several weeks (and weekends!) of non-stop events and end-of-school activities, this past weekend we finally had our chance. While the unseasonably cool weather has kept us away from most of our summer staples like our daily swimming pool trips, it was just perfect for a day picking strawberries! Each of the kids had their own pallet, and it of course turned into a race of who could pick the most.
The staff at Wohletz Farm Fresh were friendly and greeted us with big smiles! Once we arrived and grabbed our pallets, they led us to a section of the strawberry patch that they blocked off just for us. The kids had so much fun digging through the plants to find the ripe, red berries (the redder, the better!). I think they would have stayed all day if I’d let them. Although the strawberry picking season is almost over, I would definitely put this on my to do list every May. The team at Wohletz told us this week would probably be the last week for picking, so if you haven’t been out yet, get going! You can check their Facebook page for updates on when the patch is open to guests.
Dreams, Gratitude and Opening Night
/0 Comments/in Crazybananas Photography, Finding My Path, Giving Back, Happiness /by MeganOn Friday, I had my first official art show opening. It was terrifying. And amazing. And scary. And overwhelming. I won’t rehash how the project came to be (you can read all about it here), but it was sensitive and emotional subject matter and I was so honored to just be asked to tell these stories…let alone be featured in an art showing!
If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember my life list from years back. It’s no longer active on this site, mostly because my life kept changing so I felt like having this master “LIST” was a little silly, but I still love the concept. I wrote down all of my wishes, big and small, even if they seemed completely insane. Some of them have come true, and many of them have not, but having my photographs displayed in some sort of gallery show was definitely at the top of the “probably never going to happen” portion of the list.
But it did. Miracles are all around us.
Walking into Aimee’s Coffeehouse on Friday was more overwhelming than I had anticipated. I had sort of blown off the whole thing as no big deal, until saw my images adorning the wall. And then under the sign that said “Artist of the Month” was my face and bio. The smiling faces of the women who spent so much time putting the Phoenix Project together and creating this amazing concept were all there, along with a few of the women I photographed. My kids and husband came too, beaming at me and snapping photos as I dumbly stared at the displays in awe. A few people came up to me and said, “You’re the photographer, right?” I then tried to sound smarter than I felt and answer their questions, even though my head was spinning. Oh yeah, and my dad was there. Totally surreal.
I am so grateful and filled with appreciation that this project, three years in the making, is finally living! The Phoenix Project will be on display at Aimee’s Coffeehouse in Lawrence, Kansas until the end of June. All the art displayed, including my photographs, are for sale, with the proceeds benefiting the women, men and children that are served by the Willow Domestic Violence Center. If you’re in town, stop by and check it out! And if you do, send me a photo! I’ve loved getting texts and images from people who have gone to see the show. It makes my day to know people are seeing the work and being touched by it.
As always, thank you. If you’re reading this, you’re a part of this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Opening Tonight! The Phoenix Project in Lawrence, Kansas
/0 Comments/in Crazybananas Photography, Giving Back /by MeganI’m so excited (thrilled, terrified, proud) to share that the Phoenix Project: Healing Through Art is opening TONIGHT! The Willow Domestic Violence Center’s Phoenix Project is both a collection of narratives and interpretive art intended to connect the community on a personal level to decrease violence and promote healing through transformation. The show is on display now through the end of June at Aimee’s Coffeehouse, 1025 Massachusetts. The kickoff reception is during Final Friday’s on May 29th from 6 – 10 p.m., and will feature my images of domestic violence survivors.
I could not be more honored and humbled to be a part of this project. The Willow Center is near and dear to my heart, as I worked there in college as an advocate for women and children who were dealing with domestic violence in their lives. Three years ago, I created a photo series called “The Motherhood Project,” where I depicted mothers from all backgrounds along with their stories for the website Go Mighty. This project was then sponsored by Olay, who made a donation in my name to the Willow Center. In the years since, I have stayed in touch with the team at the Willow, and when they told me about their idea for the Phoenix Project, I jumped at the chance to be involved.
This is my very first gallery show…something that has been a dream of mine for most of my photography career. For this first show to be in the name of such a good cause is the icing on the cake. I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with everyone who has supported me and helped me arrive at this place. Thank you to to the mothers who allowed me to photograph them for the original “Motherhood Project.” Thank you to Maggie Mason, the Go Mighty Team and Olay for helping me get started. Thank you to the team at the Willow for all you do for victims and survivors. Thank you to the South Mass Street Art Guild for co-sponsoring this event. Thank you to the incredible women who allowed me to photograph them and tell their stories for the Phoenix Project. Thank you to my husband for listening to me talk about this for two years and always believing it would happen, even when I wasn’t so sure. Thank you to my kids for making me laugh every day.
And thank you to you…for reading, supporting, lifting me up, and being all-around awesome.