Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
My First Trip Without Sam
I just returned from Italy and Barcelona with my adult daughter. Our first mother/daughter trip since she graduated from 8th grade. And that was a loooooong time ago. We made a lot of great memories, had some really funny moments, shared like only mothers and daughters do. Priceless.
It was my first trip without Sam in a year. There were so many times I thought: "Oh Sam would love this place!" Really, really? Sam has become a fixture in my life. I joke that she's somewhere between my invisible friend, and a doll. As disturbing as this may sound, she is more. Kinda a pet--a pet rock. Just kidding Sam. :-) She's been busy in front of the camera at home.
She now has a calendar in my SammieSam shop on Etsy. Greeting cards, and Christmas Cards. Of course this has all gone to her head. Some days she is such a diva. But I love her just the same.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
Sam's Day of the Dead altar. |
She now has a calendar in my SammieSam shop on Etsy. Greeting cards, and Christmas Cards. Of course this has all gone to her head. Some days she is such a diva. But I love her just the same.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Parade Pictures: Sam's People
Day of the Dead Parade is call Muertos y Marigolds. Always the first Sunday in November.
So many great skellies. Sam and Sam2 were really with their people. Lots of cool low riders. One even had it's hydraulic system break in back, and ended the parade with half it's back end in the air. We are already planning for next year.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos on the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
So many great skellies. Sam and Sam2 were really with their people. Lots of cool low riders. One even had it's hydraulic system break in back, and ended the parade with half it's back end in the air. We are already planning for next year.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos on the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Muertos y Marigolds Parade
Sam and Sam2 returned to the parade this year. Of course everyone was so happy to see her, and her twin sister. I'll post more photos of the parade tomorrow.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
xo
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Day 365: That's A Wrap, Sam
Day 365
Today seemed like a long time ago when I started this project. Seeing if I could take a picture every day for a year was my challenge to myself. Having the backbone to carry a skeleton around in public straight faced, like everyone was doing it- was the fun part. Travel, airlines losing Sam, areas with no wifi, computers crashing, camera lens breakage, illness, death, all were road blocks. But became speed bumps for Sam and me.
I have fallen deeper in love with the bone than I ever dreamed I would. I met so many skeleton lovers, and many who were not. I love that people have begun to associate me with skeletons, and post pictures on Facebook, or text me when they see one. As I have said from the beginning: "the art is in the experience." It really is.
Our wrap party. I am wedged between Sam and Sam2. Thanks for coming with me on this adventure. I ran out of calendar days before I ran out of ideas, so you will see more of Sam. I am lining up her travel schedule for next year, as I feel she will be my muse for life. I now have 8 full size skeletons. I think the party is just getting started.
Remember: each day is a gift. Open now.
xo
Suz and Sam, Sam2, Karl Olga, and the Costco Brothers
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
I have fallen deeper in love with the bone than I ever dreamed I would. I met so many skeleton lovers, and many who were not. I love that people have begun to associate me with skeletons, and post pictures on Facebook, or text me when they see one. As I have said from the beginning: "the art is in the experience." It really is.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Remember: each day is a gift. Open now.
xo
Suz and Sam, Sam2, Karl Olga, and the Costco Brothers
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Day 364 Halloween Night
Day 364
And so tomorrow will be my last blog in the 365 project. I'm a bit sad, a bit relieved, and delighted to have done this. There will be more Sam. And of course we have the Marigold Parade on Sunday where it all began.
Sam and Sam2
The other Costco brothers, and Karl Olga in her jogging suit.
Each Day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
And so tomorrow will be my last blog in the 365 project. I'm a bit sad, a bit relieved, and delighted to have done this. There will be more Sam. And of course we have the Marigold Parade on Sunday where it all began.
Sam and Sam2
The other Costco brothers, and Karl Olga in her jogging suit.
Each Day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Day 362 The Dark Plague Doctor Skeleton
Day 362
Sam wanted it all black, all dark, wearing the black plague doctor mask from Italy. She decided she would wear this on Halloween.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Sam wanted it all black, all dark, wearing the black plague doctor mask from Italy. She decided she would wear this on Halloween.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Day 358 Our Lady Of Glowstick
358
So the glow sticks from the dollar store were mostly duds. These were all I could get to glow. More next time. Sam was pleased.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Day 357 Posada Skeleton Bandito
Day 357
My love of skeletons started with a very famous artist from Mexico: Jose Guadelupe Posada.
He was a woodcut artist that used skeletons to portray life as he knew it. I have seen Sam in my mind dressed as Posada's woodcuts. Now you will get to see them too. I shot Sam in many variations of this Bandito with belted ammunition. My Etsy shop will have them in it. I am attaching a link. Make sure you scroll through the images on the website.
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/enews/2009/october/insider.html
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
He was a woodcut artist that used skeletons to portray life as he knew it. I have seen Sam in my mind dressed as Posada's woodcuts. Now you will get to see them too. I shot Sam in many variations of this Bandito with belted ammunition. My Etsy shop will have them in it. I am attaching a link. Make sure you scroll through the images on the website.
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/enews/2009/october/insider.html
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Day 356 The Cover Up
Day 356
Sam was delighted to drive the bobcat. She was even more relieved to be filling in this big hole that I tried to put her into yesterday.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
Sam was delighted to drive the bobcat. She was even more relieved to be filling in this big hole that I tried to put her into yesterday.
copyright polkadot magpie |
xo,
Suz
No photos from the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Day 355 Get Me Outta Here!
Day 355
Sam didn't like it when I tried to stand her in the trench that runs the entire length of our driveway. We are converting from propane gas to natural. So at the moment there is a 3ft. deep trench where the pipe was laid. Sam refused to stand or lean for me. I wanted a photo of her crawling out of the dirt....but no. She was like: "I'm not going in the ground!"
Silly skellie.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sam didn't like it when I tried to stand her in the trench that runs the entire length of our driveway. We are converting from propane gas to natural. So at the moment there is a 3ft. deep trench where the pipe was laid. Sam refused to stand or lean for me. I wanted a photo of her crawling out of the dirt....but no. She was like: "I'm not going in the ground!"
Silly skellie.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Day 352 The Perfect Truck
Day 352
Sam and I are no strangers to cool vintage pick up trucks. She found one at the Farmer's Market that belongs to the property owner Robert. Now she's bugging me to get a truck for her to ride around in.
Silly skellie!
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sam and I are no strangers to cool vintage pick up trucks. She found one at the Farmer's Market that belongs to the property owner Robert. Now she's bugging me to get a truck for her to ride around in.
Silly skellie!
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Day 351 Sam's First Cemetery
Day 351
Sam usually stays away from cemeteries, as she is very much a lively skeleton and doesn't want to be associated with death. We were encouraged to go to the "Smelters Cemetery" in El Paso where the smelters from the copper mines are buried.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sam usually stays away from cemeteries, as she is very much a lively skeleton and doesn't want to be associated with death. We were encouraged to go to the "Smelters Cemetery" in El Paso where the smelters from the copper mines are buried.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Day 350 Rosa's Cantina
Day 350
Can you hear Marty Robbins singing? I could the whole time we were in this location. People honked as they drove by at Sam. I loved the guy who came out of a dark smoky bar after having a few, into the bright setting sun, and there was a skeleton in the doorway. The look on his face said: "am I so drunk, I am hallucinating?" Priceless. :-)
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Day 349 What You Lookin' At?
Day 349
While in El Paso I picked up their arts magazine: "Art Avenue." It had Catrina on the cover, so I was intrigued. Inside they had published a mural painted by "Colective 17" a group of local artists. I loved the Berlin Wall art when I was in Berlin last May. This was a block long mural, that is pretty spectacular. A monochromatic beauty.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie
Day 348 On The Fence
Day 348
Sam stands at the fence which is the border between El Paso and Juarez Mexico. I was impressed with the amount of Border Patrol officers and vehicles I saw when we were there. I can't imagine anyone in the daylight trying to cross here.
We were greeted by an agent who was absolutely delightful. I explained the project to him and he said it was cool to take the pictures there. He also explained that after we left he would have to sweep the sand so our footprints would be erased. This is an aspect I had never thought of...looking for footprints. I was more concerned with getting a soft light, and shadows from the fence.
Years ago I worked on a movie called "Trade" with Kevin Klein about human trafficking between Mexico and the US. So I have always wanted to see a real border site. This looked nothing like the movie version. The fencing here was very low tech. There were other places where the fencing was very elaborate, and much more foreboding. I still would not want to try and cross the border this way. I am always moved by stories of people who swim, crawl, and climb there way into the USA.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
We were greeted by an agent who was absolutely delightful. I explained the project to him and he said it was cool to take the pictures there. He also explained that after we left he would have to sweep the sand so our footprints would be erased. This is an aspect I had never thought of...looking for footprints. I was more concerned with getting a soft light, and shadows from the fence.
Years ago I worked on a movie called "Trade" with Kevin Klein about human trafficking between Mexico and the US. So I have always wanted to see a real border site. This looked nothing like the movie version. The fencing here was very low tech. There were other places where the fencing was very elaborate, and much more foreboding. I still would not want to try and cross the border this way. I am always moved by stories of people who swim, crawl, and climb there way into the USA.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Day 347 Seymore Cash and Bump
Day 347
Sam was so fortunate to have adorable hosts in El Paso. "Seymore" Cash is on the left, and Bump is on the right. My dogs are not nearly as well trained as these two are. They posed like professionals.
XO to Cindy and Andy who are their loving owners.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sam was so fortunate to have adorable hosts in El Paso. "Seymore" Cash is on the left, and Bump is on the right. My dogs are not nearly as well trained as these two are. They posed like professionals.
XO to Cindy and Andy who are their loving owners.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
South of the Border
Sam is off to a border town. She'll be back soon.
Have a great weekend.
xo
Suz and Sam
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Day 342 Stranger Factory, Albuquerque
Day 342
We heard about an art show in Albuquerque, that features the "odd" at Stranger Factory. Sam really liked the art of Katie Carillo (top photo) and Ryan Singer (bottom photo). They had lots of skulls and skeletons that she admired.
Ryan Singer has a great web page: http://www.ryansingerart.com/gallery.html, and you can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSingerArt.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
We heard about an art show in Albuquerque, that features the "odd" at Stranger Factory. Sam really liked the art of Katie Carillo (top photo) and Ryan Singer (bottom photo). They had lots of skulls and skeletons that she admired.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Ryan Singer has a great web page: http://www.ryansingerart.com/gallery.html, and you can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSingerArt.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Day 341 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2013 Souvenir
Day 341
Can you tell how happy the Balloon Fiesta made her? She wanted a light up mohawk wig, but at the last minute changed her mind and thought the bow would look best. I agree.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Day 340 Up, Up, And Away!
Day 340
Such a natural, that Sam. She fires the jets of the hot air balloon. Thanks to the owner of the balloon. I will put his name in when I get it. Sam made lots of friends at the balloon fiesta. She had a blast (no pun intended.)
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Day 337 Wheels!
Day 337
Sam's borrowed some wheels! Thanks Wendy again! Now I need a jogger to push her down the street while I take the picture. Off to Balloon Fiesta...cross your toes the weather allows a glow tomorrow night.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
copyright 2013 Polkadot Magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Day 336 Sam and The New York Daily News
Day336
Sam celebrates her story being published in many newspapers and magazines.
Here are some of the links Sam was published in recently. We celebrated tonight with French Champagne. YAY Sammie Sam!
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/woman-travels-world-model-skeleton-gallery-1.1479785 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449566/Woman-takes-photos-skeleton-world.html http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/08/bone-voyage-skeleton-embarks-on-the-trip-of-an-after-lifetime-4139513/
Check 'em out.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Sam celebrates her story being published in many newspapers and magazines.
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/woman-travels-world-model-skeleton-gallery-1.1479785 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449566/Woman-takes-photos-skeleton-world.html http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/08/bone-voyage-skeleton-embarks-on-the-trip-of-an-after-lifetime-4139513/
Check 'em out.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Day 335 Punk
Day 335
Hey Sammie, you're looking kinda punk. More studio time. Weather looks as if it will cancel our night shoot tomorrow at Balloon Fiesta. Stay tuned!
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie |
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz
No photos from this blog may be reproduced in anyway without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.
Labels:
humor,
punk,
rainbow wig,
sam 365 project,
skeleton art,
skeleton punk rocker,
skull,
tattoo sleeve
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
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