I had an epiphany this week. Why not make Valentine's Day about something different this year? Sending heart-shaped mementos to friends and family is all well and good, but I had the inclination to try something new and step out of my comfort zone. To be true, this time of year reminds me of an image I took in Bellingham a few years ago...of a local icon--an ivy heart on the side of a dilapidated, yet historically significant eggery building. Local lore reveals the heart is tended every Valentine's Day by a Bellingham man, for his true love. Though to be honest, the heart has become more significant in my mind for it's statement about the community as a whole. Bellingham is one of those places where a sense of community and hospitality abounds. So why not celebrate this notion and donate some of the proceeds to a local non-profit, to return the favor to the community that birthed this symbol?
It seemed like the obvious thing to do. So here I am, providing a paper heart print to those of you who are interested in supporting this venture. Most importantly, I chose the Whatcom Humane Society to receive half of the proceeds, because pets of all shapes and sizes tend to make us happier and better humans. Click here to purchase an 8x8 inch print for 15$ and support a worthy cause!
Yep, this is a Holga camera.
A brief development history: you may be surprised to know that I shot the ivy heart image with a film camera, a very low tech film camera called a Holga. After which, I developed the film myself. And then I printed the image on B&W paper in the dark room. Eventually, I scanned the print to add color and character. So the development cycle is a combination of old world and new, and now the print is digitized and available for purchase in all sorts of colors. Hint--I'd frame several of these separately and hang them on the same wall!
