Summer Road Trips


It is the very height of summer here in the Pacific Northwest.The weather has been perfect to unplug and get outside-for picnics, road trips and languorous rambles. To laugh and be silly. To dream.

This is the concept/inspiration for the photos which follows.

 

 Meg and Sherry, spontaneous picnickers, photo by Eric Fiitzpatrick 
Meg and Sherry, spontaneous picnickers, photo by Eric Fiitzpatrick 

The models for this shoot are a mother and daughter I met at a performance of one act plays at a community college. Both women are beautiful, but what really makes them stand out is their loving bond-they positively glow!

 Splendor in the grass. Photo by Eric Fitzpatrick
Splendor in the grass. Photo by Eric Fitzpatrick

 With the theme Summer Road Trip,  what better prop to use than a 1971 Karmann Ghia? (as luck would have it the car was ready to come back from the garage with a new carberator, just in time for the shoot)

I purchased some exquisite turquoise at the Tucson show last January, (see the post Tucson or Bust.) Inspired by the upcoming shoot, I had a great time making big “Ghia colored” statement rings.

We were especially lucky to have photographer Eric Fitzpatrick and Los Angeles based stylist Amy Jo Davies contribute their talents-it was a magical collaboration!

 The Blues photo by Eric Fitzpatrick
The Blues photo by Eric Fitzpatrick

We set up on the grounds behind the historic Tokeland Hotel on a (former) golf links that has now “gone native.” It was a pristine setting,  the sky punctuated by the flutter and dip of swallows and the occasional eagle  high above.  We waited until the sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows over the tall grasses, and then were ready to begin…

 Prepping with Prossecco   photo by Eric Fitzpatrick
Prepping with Prossecco   photo by Eric Fitzpatrick

Okay-NOW we’re ready to begin! 

What follows are a small sampling of some of my personal favorites…all photos by Eric Fitzpatrick

 Noir Girl 
Noir Girl 
 Statement Rings-sea glass, turquoise, beach stone and diamond.
Statement Rings-sea glass, turquoise, beach stone and diamond.
 Reverie...etched copper cuff and ring, sea glass and turquoise.
Reverie…etched copper cuff and ring, sea glass and turquoise.

Field Day…belt, cuff, rings, earrings  and necklaces in sea glass and turquoise.

 Blissed out! Photo by Eric Fitzpatrick
Blissed out! Photo by Eric Fitzpatrick

Creativity magnified-the exuberance when it all comes together-location, light, and talent! 

Thank you to Dr. Sherry Franks, Meg Moilanen, Amy Jo Davies and Eric Fitzpatrick. Also a big thank you to Katherine White, owner of the Tokeland Hotel, for her gracious hospitality.

Whats next? Follow my late summer sea glass adventures in the UK on Instagram-stay tuned.