Saturday, December 27, 2014

Dr. Frank: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller


How do you even begin to describe someone who has so profoundly effected the music scene in your area and then has gone on to take those talents and successfully transfer them into the form of a novel? Well, you can't and luckily for me I am a photographer who's sole purpose is to capture and present a visual documentation. As for this introduction, I can only humbly present to you the facts. The fact that Frank Portman, who is also referred to as Dr. Frank, helped start the seminal punk rock band The Mr. T Experience back in 1985, does not go unnoticed by those who are keenly aware of their influence on numerous subsequent bands.The fact that Dr. Frank is now a successful author is no surprise to the legion of fans who have enjoyed the lyrics he has crafted over the years. The fact that we cannot wait to hear another song about a girl...

I met Dr. Frank back in 1997 when I photographed MTX for their 11th album "Revenge Is Sweet, and So Are You" on Lookout! Records. His kind and gentle nature was a pleasure to be around and his wit and quick observations reflected a mind fully awake and firing on all cylinders. It was with great anticipation that Dr. Frank agreed to let me follow him for a day, documenting him for my Day In The Life of series. We decided that documenting him on the day of his book signing for his 3rd novel "King Dork, Approximately" might prove to be interesting. 


What ensued was a day I wont soon forget. He and his lovely gal Dina graciously allowed me a peek into their private world which included practicing "King Dork, Approximately" the song in his bedroom! The day unfolded into night as we headed over to 1,2,3,4 Go! Records for his official book signing. It was a night filled with music by Dr. Frank and MTX, Bye Bye Blackbirds, Chuck Prophet, Dina Graves and Her Sliding Trombone, John Denery with Virgil & Judy and dramatic readings by Paige O' Donoghue surrounded by The Devil-Ettes, Jack Boulware and the amazing Karen Finlay all presented by Lookout!'s own Christopher Applegren. It was truly a night to remember and thee best book signing I've ever attended.

It is therefore with great pleasure that I present to you, "Dr. Frank: A Day In The Life of a Rock 'n' Roller"!

Julie Pavlowski Green
December 27, 2014


















Saturday, December 20, 2014

Kitty, Kitty from The Mask Series

"Kitty, Kitty No. 1" from The Mask Series

What's better than a kitten for Christmas? A wild cat on a Saturday night! This Kitty was spotted prowling around the neighborhood and I was lucky enough to catcher her with my camera before she got away.

"Kitty, Kitty" is the 9th set of images from The Mask SeriesAs always, two limited edition prints are available to purchase through my Etsy store

Meow!

Julie Pavlowski Green
December 20, 2014



 



"Kitty, Kitty No. 2" from The Mask Series

"Kitty, Kitty No. 3" from The Mask Series

"Kitty, Kitty No. 4" from The Mask Series

"Kitty, Kitty No. 5" from The Mask Series

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Ventriloquest Ectoplasmold Xanaxax

Ventriloquest Ectoplasmold Xanaxax are a synthpop performance happening who create a textural backdrop to a world they create from scratch. Reigning from Oakland, California V.E.X. are fronted by Roxy Monoxide on vocals, guitar, Farfisa keyboard, drum machine, FX and Lulu Gamma Ray on vocals, Kurzweil keyboard, analog synth and sampler. They breath life into songs like the hypnotic and enchanting Satan's Sister's Dance and the watery, undulating HighWay, LowRoad which contains some of my favorite guitar riffs I've heard in awhile.

As an old Xmal Deutchland fan, I still have a soft spot in my heart for synth laden textures sprinkled with crunchy guitar leads with a dark cloud hanging overhead. In Telepathic Radio, the snap and unemotional resonance of their drum machine snuggles perfectly next to the warmer pitch of their Farfisa. Hauntingly crafted with wit and premonition, V.E.X. hint at an apocalyptic world which they stitch together with found objects and memories.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with V.E.X. when they were recently on tour in Southern California in November when they performed at the lovely 5 Star Bar. The following photographic essay was shot in the outdoor arena of downtown Los Angeles. Although the surrounding neighborhood was filled with cement and office buildings, V.E.X. beautifully contrasted with their rather average environs. What was just another parking lot by day, became a stage and urban backdrop by night.

I'm please to present this visual vestibule of Ventriloquest Ectoplasmold Xanaxax.

Julie Pavlowski Green
December 13, 2014











Saturday, December 6, 2014

Honeycomb Heaven!



This blog o'mine has been primarily focused on Patters from my Fine Art Photography and Tones from my Rock n' Roll Photography. But in between these two very distinct genres lives my passions for Honeycomb objects which doesn't quite fit into either category.

None the less, I cannot hold myself back from sharing with you my undying love for all things HONEYCOMB!!! Today my friends is the apex of my collection: the ornaments. These sweet and fragile holiday characters were all made in post war Japan. The mere fact that they are mostly intact and uncrushed is a testament to the love and attention (or complete disregard and delegation to the attic) - how ever you want to look at it, from their former owners.

As my visual Christmas gift to you, I would like to present a slice of my Honeycomb Heaven!

Happy Holidays,

Julie Pavlowski Green
December 6, 2014


Honeycomb ornaments in the shape of Christmas characters really floats my paper boat! This little guy on the left has added paper elements that are quite unique. His red paper hands, black boots and scalloped white beard (sans mustache) is pure 6T's Pop.

The paper mask on the other Santa is quite rare and adds another dimension to his honeycombed structure.


Adding cotton batting on his chin was a great idea for this Santa. Surprisingly, his neatly trimmed beard still holds its form after all these years. It's slightly crushed honeycomb hat wasn't so lucky.

Funny how Santa looks like a clown without his beard!


The word Jolly really does describe the color palate that was assigned to Santa years ago. Adorned in red velvet and white fur, who wouldn't want to sit on his lap? The dusting of glitter has hardened over the years but the sparkle is still there. His buckle adds a sparkling detail to this little elf.

Teeny Santa heads are some of my favorites in this series. Their pristine honeycomb folds are crisp and rarely crushed, probably due to their size. This one is another variation on the beardless Santa theme.



Santa in a hot air balloon! A a rare find that I was thrilled to add to my collection this year. This one is in perfect condition. The Honeycomb ball at the top is adorned with mercury glass beads as well as decorating the "strings" that connect it with the basket. Golden rick rack surrounding the balloon, to me, is  just the perfect accent to this adorable ornament. The bottom is dusted once again with glitter.

I see a stop motion animation project coming on!


These little frosty snowmen in blue and green make me want to whip up a hot cup of coco just looking at them! Their crazy googie eyes are hard to stare at for long periods of time but the hint of a candy cane made me fall immediately in love.


Stovepipe hat, check. Two eyes made out of coal, check. But the unusual hands and feet adorn this little guy helps him to stand up if you don't want to hang him as an onrmanet.

Frosty on the right is missing the standard red nose which looks like a plastic matchstick but I really don't mind. He looks dapper just the same to me.

Hints of green and red for the holidays make these snowmen Holiday ready. I like how the selection of body shapes vary. I'm assuming different companies produced different items without conferring with their competition.

If anyone has any background knowledge on this variation or clues to who the manufacturers were, I'd love to hear from you!


Who can resist this little guy with his sign and shovel? As tiny as the Santa head listed above, this snowman measures 2" in height. Just precious and in pristine condition aside from a missing matchstick nose...


As a rule I don't collect Soldiers or Angels. But these faces melted my heart and I could not bear to leave them out of my collection.

The atomic shape of angle #1 is so groovie that it makes me smile every time I take these ornaments out of the box. His gold scalloped wings flutter with every breeze.

#2 is the perfect Angle. Her Halo sits perfectly on her head and the fabric detail at the bottom reiterates the wonderful paper patter of the Honeycomb. Her wings are embossed which helps to refract the light.


Harkening back to a more Baroque halo is this little one on the left. I don't see this Angle very often and only have 3 in my collection. Here their transformation of the bell shape is apparent.

Although the thought of a naughty angle does appeal to me, especially when their halo is crooked! The blue halo is actually tinsel and an unusual color to use for this iconographic symbol of light.


Here I am breaking my own rules again. This handsome soldier seems very French to me with this pencil mustache and formal military hat. Glittery soldiers are quite a different from the real thing.

Happily, so are these Candles made of paper. Burning candles were originally placed on the first Christmas tree back in the day posing a serious fire hazard! Now I get to hang with care free...


Trees hanging from a tree. I like the continuity of that! One is glittery the other is not. Both make me smile.


Last but certainly not lease is sweet little Rudolph. This rare red nosed reindeer along with all of these honeycomb ornaments will be adorning my child's tree this year. I hope that all of these whimsical characters formed in paper become a pleasant memory for her and that when she reflect on her childhood holidays she thinks of her Honeycomb heaven!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Mighty Manfred Jones: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller



It was an honor spending the day with the Professor of Rock n' Roll. His affable nature and incredible knowledge of music made an ordinary day filled with a few chores and errands extremely enjoyable and educational. One look at his selection of 45's in his jukebox and I knew I was gonna be schooled!

Manfred's weekly show on Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM Satellite Radio has been going strong since 2005. Sharing his passion and knowledge makes the world a better place and with almost 10 years under his belt, the kids agree.

This musicologist is a performers performer. As the lead singer in the legendary band The Woggles, Manfred has been leading the charge to keep Rock n' Roll sizzling hot with nonstop energy that is infectious and entertaining. Originally hailing from Atlanta, The Woggles have been serving their special sauce of straight up 6T's rock n' roll with a large helping of rhythm 'n' blues since 1987. The Woggles recently played at The Redwood in Los Angeles and once again gave their audience a thrill ride throughout their entire set. Check it out here!

I am please to present to you this photographic essay on Mighty Manfred Jones: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller.

Julie Pavlowski Green
November 29, 2014