Patterns and Tones Turns 2!

February 9, 2013 Patterns and Tones was born

Wowwie, two years already! How can it be? The little photo blog that could has been chugging its way into the world weekly now for two whole years. Sharing my vision with you has been an honor and a thrill. I have so many ideas and images in my arsenal, and I derive so much joy in presenting them to you and the world, that I can only see this developing into a life long adventure!

I have been asked many times where the name of the blog came from. Patterns represent my Fine Art creations and Tones covers my love of photographing Rock n' Rollers. But the name actually originated from my a talent show my mother used to perform in as a member of her Glee Club when she attended Oakland Technical High School from 1951-1955. The talent show was called Patterns in Tone.  

I remember as a child going through her old scrapbooks and seeing the red cover of a Patterns in Tone program from 1954. The maracas, guitar, sax, trumpet and conga were very hip and exotic to me. The modernist abstraction of the overlaying pattern burned an image in my mind that represented what I thought cool was. Perhaps it was the beginning of my love for both art and music...

Oakland Tech and their performing arts department is still going strong today and can boast Clint Eastwood, Rod McKuen, The Pointer Sisters and Huey P. Newton as just a few of their famous alumni... Their upcoming Talent Show "Song and Dance Review Celebrating Tech's 100 Year History" will be taking place Feb. 8, 2014 from 2-4pm. It will feature "Technites" from 1940 to the present.

In celebration of Patterns and Tones 2nd birthday, I have listed the top 5 Patterns and the top 5 Tones that YOU have visited. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Here's to many more entries to come...

Julie Green
February 7, 2015

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Top 5 Patterns

#5   Stop and Go: Documenting in a Traffic Jam

Posted on May 24, 2014

This project evolved from pure boredom while stuck in a traffic jam across town on Beverly Blvd.

Reaction to this piece was swift. Many people wrote me and shared their experiences in traffic and various ways they channeled their anger and frustrations.

I'm happy that this project resonated with so many people. Next week I"ll be posting the 2nd installation of Stop and Go with a look down Wilshire Blvd.

#4   ARID Entry: A Journal of Desert Art, Design and Ecology

Posted on May 3, 2014

I submitted a series of photographs taken out in 29 Palms and Joshua Tree titled "The Structural Ecology of the Lower Desert" to ARID: A Journal of Desert Art, Design and Ecology.

Although the series was not selected for their Fall 2014 issue, the blog piece drew a lot of viewers. Many commented on the last motel room of Graham Parsons and the now defunct Al's Swinger Bar.

My friend Kim Stringfellow, an amazing artist and educator, is an Editor for this annual Journal which focuses on "cross-disciplinary explorations of arts, design, culture and the environment for both scholarly and new audiences."

#3 Cemetery Crow from The Mask Series

Posted June 21, 2014

The Mask Series, consisting of 33 individual explorations, include the Cemetary Crow. This crow drew a large crowd due to the amazing creator extraodinaire behind the mask, Christiane Cegavske.

The images from this photo shoot are very strong and captured the essence of crow energy. Christiane was effortlessly able to embody their characteristics, as she is part Crow.

#2   The Hayes Adobe -  Exploring the Mojave Desert in Southern California

Posted July 5, 2014

Coming in at number 2 is my photographic essay on the incredible Hayes Adobe out in 29 Palms.

The owners graciously allowed me to document this hand built gem built back in 1936 by my friend's Grandfather, Theodore M. "Ted" Hayes.

This story and the accompanying images had a LOT of traffic and interest. Historians loved the tales and those who love to preserve the past wrote in and shared their enthusiasm for this beautiful structure and her creator.

#1 Moving Pictures - The Feline Feeling

Posted March 1, 2014

The NUMBER ONE Pattern that was visited this year was a faux movie trailer I filmed for the vintage clothing store The Loved One titled The Feline Feeling.

This post saw the most hits this year and sees a high volume of traffic everyday. If you haven't seen this trailer, be sure to see what all the fuss is about!

Top 5 Tones

#5   Leesa Creamer: A Day in the Life of a Rock n' Roller

Posted May 31, 2014

This feature I did on the amazingly talented Leesa Creamer came in at number 5 and is a wonderful look into the life of this true Rock n' Roller.

Leesa let us take a peek into her colorful world and didn't disappoint my viewers. Daily hits keep pouring in making this Day in the Life tops!

#4   Chris Barfield: A Day in the Life of a Rock n' Roller

Posted March 29, 2014

Coming in at number 4, another fabulous Day in the Life of with the legendary Chris Barfield!

The kiddies can'g get enough of Chris and visit this entry each and every day to take a peek into this versatile musicians life.







#3   Dave Gleason: He's a Little Bit Country

Posted June 14, 2014

A perpetual favorite that gets quite a bit of traffic on Patterns and Tones is the piece I did on the amazingly talented singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Gleason.

His Memphis style Rn'B mixed with his Bakersfield Country flair makes this blog entry number 3 for the year!

#2   The Vooduo: A Day in the Life of a Rock n' Roller

Posted April 26, 2014

Two of rock n' rolls finest, The Voodue made the Top 5 Tones this year at #2.

Following these kids around was just pure fun and it shows. As I aways say - you can't fake having fun!

Maybe that's why this blog entry gets so much traffic, it's infectious...

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

Posted November 29, 2014

And coming in as the NUMBER 1 Tone on the Pattern and Tones chart for the year is Mighty Manfred Jones!!!! The Professor of rock n' roll reigns supreme and rightfully so.

From his amazing stage performance in the legendary band The Woggles, to his daily dose of pure joy he distributes to the masses on his radio program on Little Stevens Underground Garage make this Day in the Life of a super duper hit!

It was an honor and thoroughly enjoyable to spend the day with the nicest guy in rock n' roll. One I wont soon forget and neither will the multitude of fans who come to visit this entry every single day.