Lens Baby + Dr. Sketchy's

One of my goals this summer is to work on my portfolio. Since I don't have a 'specialty' this has always been a challenge for me. I like a little bit of everything: photography, drawing, painting, clay, etc. When my friend Martha invited me to the Dr. Sketchy's anti-art school drawing class in Kansas City, I was completely thrilled.

I haven't done much serious drawing since college so most of my drawings of the model look a little amature-ish, but it was so fun to be surrounded by other artists and photographers. (Peregrine Honig even sat behind me for most of the class).

After riding up an old-school death-trap elevator, the atmosphere in the West Bottom's loft was relaxed and cool. I felt like I was stepping back through time to an artist's haven in the 60's. The windows were open and a soft breeze would waft through the sheer curtains bringing in the sound of slow moving locomotives on the tracks below.

The loft smelled of braised chicken and sauted peppers, only $5 a plate. Some people in the crowd were only there to socialize, some were there to draw or take photos. Everyone was friendly.

The loft was decorated with a very eccentric collection of found objects, old furniture and fine art. There were plenty of things to photograph and as the sun went down (and the eclipse came up), I had a very good time experimenting with my Lens Baby. 

Walk of Unity: May 22nd 2012

On a bike, it was easy to follow the crowd along the path of the unity walk. It was an incredible way to commemorate the one year anniversary of the tornado.

The crowd was so colorful, wearing various Joplin support shirts in every color of the rainbow, the people who passed were upbeat, almost cheerful.

Some teenage girls were blowing bubbles as they walked, kites were flown all along the path and many carried signs in memory of lost family members.

This is the very beginning of the crowd as they walk down 20th, the new Wal-Green's and Home Depot are in the background.

That little dog looks like my mom's Charlie.

20th and Connecticut

The most impressive swell of people coming over the hill at 20th and Connecticut.

The Dillons crew in front of the Spirit tree, near the Old Dillion's location

The church near the high school gets a new steeple during the walk. Being on a bike, it was easy to get ahead of the crowd and watch it progress along the path from afar.

Near Cunningham park all of the major news networks were set up to broadcast.

Cunningham Park

You can see the cross from St. Mary's as the Unity walk continues on 26th to Cunningham park.

I have photographed this exact location multiple times over the past year. To see the other shots, click here. It is pretty cool to see the crowd marching past this exact location.

SO SAD!

At 5:41 there was a moment of silence at the Cunningham Park memorial service and a hot air balloon went up.

On year later in photos.

80 Days after, two days after.

One year after.

The day after, 80 days after.

One year after.

Last week, I went on a little walking tour of some of the destroyed areas. It was right at sunset and I tried to take a few photos of the spots I remember taking photos of right after the storm. It was difficult to remember where I stood before as the landscape has changed so much. I am proud of how the rebuilding is going.

To see more photos from '80 days after and the day after' click here.

The rest of the photos are a year later....well almost 1 year....I was a few days before the one year anniversary of the the storm.

Moffet Ave looking north.

The lot where mom's neighbors once lived.

Mom's front stoop. This was her little porch.