Jill Devries Discovers London

I like to think of myself as a pretty open minded traveler. for the most part, I value the journey over the destination. I don't have a million stamps on my passport, but I've lived abroad and traveled enough to know that the loveliest moments often pop up when you let go and just open yourself up to whatever may come your way. 

A trip to London last spring gave me an even fresher perspective on the beauty travel can offer.

Last april, i journeyed through England and Italy for a few weeks with my dear friend

M

ary

. I had been to London once before and, to be honest, hadn't fallen in love with it. The people seemed cold to me.  This year's trip was mary's first time in the UK, and together we'd only traveled to various cities in the US. Mary is one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet, her eyes are wide with wonder, and her ability to truly connect with anyone - an old friend or a complete stranger - has always amazed me. i hadn't really taken the time to think about how this beautiful trait would shape our travels.

As i mentioned before, Londoners seemed cold to me. I was taken by the city's history, by its style, by its pride… but not by its people... not until i stepped back and saw the way Mary was interacting with them, that is.

On our first night in town we wandered into a cozy little pub in soho. we ordered pints of cider and grabbed a corner booth. before long we were chatting to the bartender. I'll admit, his friendliness caught me off guard a little bit. Before long we learned his name was Aaron, he was from Australia and was living in the UK for a year. We talked about family, about traveling, about rugby, about life.

The next morning while wandering through covent garden, we walked past a man taking out the rubbish from the cafe he worked at. A totally normal moment to just pass by without thought. But - he was singing while he carried out the trash, so naturally… Mary had to stop and talk to him. His name was Kola. He had a charisma and a warmth about him like i've rarely seen. he told us all about his home, about why he loves London, about the places we simply had to visit. His presence and his joy have stuck with me, even a year later - here is a guy who is so grateful for life that he can't help but sing while he takes out the trash. I want to live like that.

At this point i began to see that Mary was on to something. Maybe simple interactions with strangers don't have to be so simple, so short.

Later that day we grabbed espressos and I decided to follow her lead and strike up a conversation with the barista. He was a bit surprised by my asking about his day while he prepared my americano, but it soon turned into a conversation about his ideal day in London and our upcoming trip to Italy. it was a very simple conversation, nothing deep, nothing life changing. but it felt significant.

Over the course of our time in London, we had conversations with kind cab drivers, servers who dreamt of pursing their love of photography, we even bumped into our aussie bartender friend on the street. and since then i've tried to adopt this practice of mary's into all my travels - engaging strangers a step further than 'hello' - and oh what a beautiful experience it has been.

I have felt for years and years, that the way to learn about a new place was through art, music, museums, architecture, sport, history, fashion. and those things certainly are incredible ways to engage a culture. But my trip with Mary reminded me that is the people who comprise a culture, and all those things are actually just about people, about their stories, collectively and individually. So to really engage a culture, why not chat to its people? I had thought Londoners to be cold - but how much of that notion was shaped by the simple fact that I

hadn't let

my

guard down? Everyone - every single person - has a story. Yes - even the ones taking out the trash, pouring your pint, brewing your coffee- and you should ask them about their day. Ask them where they came from. Ask them what they love. Perhaps their answer will be brief and you'll never think about it again- but you never know - this simple action might just change the way you view the world.

Jill Devries is a very accomplished Photographer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She loves Spain, and is a bit torn between moving to Barcelona and discovering new places. She is always stylish and perfectly put together. Follow here adventures

here

.  

Jill Devries

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Culture Keeper

Istanbul Adventure // The Bosphorus Ferry

The recent events in Istanbul have me pondering my trip there- particularly to the exact moment when I fell in love with that city.

It is not difficult for water to tug at the emotions, nor for antique forms of transport to do the same. There is of course the magical experience when you encounter both in a foreign land. That is how I fell in love with Istanbul. It was inevitable. The ferries that ply the waters of the Bosphorus are white, historic vessels, with aged wooden planks. To board, one must purchase a ferry token, and wait in a great hall till the ferry arrives and the deck hands slide out the boards and walkways. The decks and cabins are mingled with people of every heritage and style drinking tea and chatting quietly.

The sun was setting on my return trip from Kadikoy. I was smitten. I was transported (literally and figuratively).

As the world begins to notice the current events in Istanbul, those of us who love that city are watching with even greater expectation. It is heart-breaking to see such a beautiful people desecrated by fascism. When I posted a week and a half ago about revolution brewing- I thought it was perhaps a few years off... I had no idea it would strike so immediately and with such bloody results. It is terrifying to witness. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Turkey right now. 

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Jane Mow // Sydney Adventure

Yes, it’s been a while since my last post!

Things have been somewhat busy on this side of the world. For the past few months I have been styling for television, a music video for a well-known New Zealand band; KORA, commercials, look-books & campaigns for fashion designers, also managed to design a campaign shoot for Miss Piggy's,  a cake company. I think my most exciting job since my last post would’ve been assisting fashion stylist, Kiri Donaldson. Now that was an experience! She is one amazing woman who has now become a friend. Shhhh…don’t tell her but I’ve been stalking her work for years! I was on cloud 9 while assisting her on a winter editorial for M2Woman Magazine. Can’t wait for those pictures to come out!

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to work with Tony Wilson on the images seen here. 

Tony is a very talented hair stylist, and these pics were his submission for Mens Hairdresser of the Year at Hair Expo Australia.

Our Photographer was Iain Smith, who I’ve worked with before. I had heard of Tony & his boutique salon before this. The day of the shoot couldn’t have gone any better. Iain & I had met before hand to discuss the concept. We threw ideas around & talked endlessly about taking something from the old & placing it in the present. A concept that had to be achieved through texture & different color tones since we were shooting in black & white. Everything came together really well. The models were outstanding. I tend to let styling take its course during the day of the shoot. I think creativity comes out at it’s best when you just let it flow. It was as if each model stepped out of an ancient picture frame into the present. I think it’s been one of my best works so far. Thanks Tony for trusting me with your collection! 

I have a good feeling about June. It is jam packed with photo shoots, collaborating with various photographers both new & old friends.

...Starting off with a trip to Sydney, Australia- where I will be re-creating these looks (with a twist) for Tony’s show.

Australian adventures, and heaps of fun to be had! Wish me luck!

Hair Stylist: Tony Wilson

Fashion Stylist: Jane Mow

Photographer: Iain Smith 

Jane Mow

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Culture Keeper

Istanbul - A Growing Discontent

At first I was not sure if it were real or imagined. It was only a sense, an energy. All over Istanbul- (well, in pockets at least) one could sense it .... in the clothing, in the style, the demeanour, the literature that lined the walls of underground shops, the music, the sounds, and especially the faces of the 20-40 something Galata Tower set. It is a feeling that is greater than frustration but less than anger. 

I know this feeling from my studies, from books and even from film- but I had never yet experienced it in person. As a child I was obsessed with this sensation. An ardent Royalist, I spent many of my younger years discovering and then bemoaning the French and Russian Revolutions. Perhaps it is a bit premature to predict that Turkey is ready for revolution- no one can know that for sure- but the sentiment remains true. 

Here is what I discovered whilst in Istanbul this month: 

Turkey is growing on the world stage as an economic power, at the same time continuing various subtle human rights abuses. It is surprisingly (or not) a safe and welcoming nation- but the buzz in coffee shops and cafes is that government censorship is on the rise. Of course all of these ideas are just rumors- but they are consistent rumors.  In recent years the turkish government has grown verbally hostile towards artists/ bohemians/ liberals. This has meant the ongoing presence of riot police, tear gas and scurrying civilians  in the vicinity of Taksim square and Istiklal Street. Groups speaking, and singing and protesting are springing up constantly. 

On May 1st during a peaceful memorial march- a young girl heading home from school was caught up in the fray as police began gassing the crowd. Frightened, she tried to run away- but was beaten to death by the police. I probably don't have to mention that this has people PISSED. A neighborhood that already feels like 1960's Paris now has the "Spirit of '68" fervor to match. The growing unrest of the intellegensia and younger generations is palpable. Of course this is only a small sliver of the country- elsewhere life perhaps continues as usual. When I met with the Couturier Elif Cigizoglu, she mentioned that her work continued despite the turmoil... " Fashion is not effected by politics... I continue working as usual". 

My experience in Istanbul has been rather idyllic... beautiful sights, beautiful people, beautiful food. However, every day brought new clouds of tear gas creeping down the streets, and wispers in cafes, and the passionate stories of strained voices. Each voice imparted to me another pain, another evil- and a growing hunger for change. 

I am not sure what any of this means for the future... all I can describe is the sensation. If I had any advice to impart to visitors it would be: Visit Turkey now. Don't wait. The air is electric... and you might no have the opportunity in three years. 

Some of these photos were taken in my favorite shop in Istanbul-

The Fahrenheit 451 Recycling Store

. It is the perfect spot to find a worn copy of Camus, a Jaques Brel record, or a pair of vintage shoes. The shop always has great music playing, which has lead on several visits to impromptu dance parties. Bask in banned music and literature. 

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Tour Lives // Michael Newsted

05.24.13 / It's night time now. I'm laying flat out on the hardwood floor that the whites of my shelves and walls and ceiling and lamps and books and t-shirts are founded on. With patience, my candle burns in front of me. With impatience, I catch myself in a high state of concentration, typing speedily and spritely in a (sure-to-lose) battle with a pair of droopy eyes, a fading mind, and two rows of unbrushed teeth. No good.

I'm doing my best, though, it's somehow hard to recount the melting pot of happenings and tales of our spring tour. But I'm trying darn hard. (All of the load-ins, load-outs, plug-ins, plug-outs, sound checks, bus calls, glasses and hats flying off/head-banging, sleeping, waking, walking, running, eating out, drinking up... and whatever else attaches itself to tour life- it all becomes one long and transient and radical journey.) It all flashes by in my mind like a flip-book viewed upside-down through a pair of 3D glasses- so fast and fleeting, but also so tangible- even though it was only one long month ago.

So much can happen in a month.

/ One of my dad's best friends passed away. He was my friend, too. His name was Pete Sandman. / One of my cousins had a baby boy. / My five-year-old nephew's soccer and baseball seasons started up for the summer. / I took a small step forward in enthusiasm for fashion and design. / I finally got to see Vampire Weekend perform live. It was great.

So much more has happened, too, of course.

But tour- best one yet. We all agreed.

This six week venture, quickly dubbed and hashtagged, "MARCHMATTRESS", was honestly very inspiring to us all. The shows were quite diverse in venue type and attendance, and yet, we were constantly surprised and encouraged to witness at least a small tribe present to listen and engage with us/our music.

And now we're home. Safe and sound.

And now we're dreaming, for more of this, but in ways we haven't yet experienced or shared together in. We hope our music will soon swallow us whole, allowing us no time for anything else but to create music together that we all love and can't wait to share- with people we know well, but/and especially the people we don't.

It's fun. To be back home is fun! We're writing new songs, scheming new tour routes, imagining a new album, hoping for a new rehearsal space... it's fun. I say, let the fun never end.

Listen to The Soil and The Sun Here // See More Tour pics Here

 Michael Robert Newsted

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Culture Keeper

Paris // City Guide

Paris is the city I know better than any other on earth... probably even better than my home town. I have spent months scouring and exploring. The crazy thing about Paris is that it is almost endless- I don't think I could ever experience every beautiful cafe, or every museum or every park. I am constantly getting asked for recommendations- so here they are- more a list of the places where I hang out weekly, than a must-see-guide. 

Eating:

+ Candelaria- best tacos in Paris. Great little resturaunt, A few blocks from the Cirque d'Hiver in the Enfants Rouge neighborhood. They also have a super-hip bar in back. During Fashion Weeks this place is packed. 

+ Le Nemours- When I want coffee and polite conversation and people-watching- this is the spot.  It is right next to the Comedie Francaise and the Palais Royal. Classic Paris. Metro: Palais Royal 

+ Joli Deli- The cutest sandwich shop. Moderately priced lunch. I go here all the time because it owned by family friend, and also because it is just adorable. Try their deserts. Metro: Arts et Metiers

+ Cafe de L'Industrie- my favorite resturaunt in Paris. it is legendary. Always a hip crowd. get their early (8pm) and plan to stay till 11ish. Great atmosphere. The decor is pretty much exactly how I would style my own home or parisian apartment. the food is inexpensive but classic. they have two locations across the street from one another. Metro: Bastille. 

+ L'Imprevu- my favorite hideaway in Paris. It is on Quincampoix- a little alley near the centre Pompidou. Best chai in Paris. very bohemian. dark and cozy. This is my go-to spot in inclimate weather. whenever I need to meet up with someone who does not know Paris very well- I have them meet me at the nearby Stravinsky fountain (centre pompidou) and then walk over here. The kids who work here are always in a good mood, so I can bring american friends  to practice their manners. 

+ Lunch Spots- One of the best things about Paris is that it is perfectly acceptable to sit on the steps of a church or on a park bench and eat your lunch. Do so. Enjoy the weather and the fact that the person setting next to you could be a countess, or a street sweeper. In Paris they use the same benches. 

+ The Markets- really there are fresh food markets all over the city, every day of the week. find one. bask in the colors and sounds and diversity. my favorite are Bastille, Edgar Quinet, Maubert Mutualite, and Place des Fetes. Check online for days and schedules. also here is a handy guide.

Sites: 

+ St. Thomas D'Aquin- my favorite church in Paris. Quite, beautiful. It is a church you can actually sit and pray in. very peaceful. Great Art. just off the Rue du Bac and the BLVD. St. Germain. 

+ Musee Du Art Modern du Ville de Paris- great art museum. rarely crowded. very few tourists. wonderful collections. Housed in the Palais du Tokyo. Metro: Pont D'Alma

+ The American Church in Paris- All of their services are in English. They also have a contemporary service at 1:30 on Sundays and pizza nights for young adults. When you move to Paris and want to make friends- this is the place to start. instant community of people from all over the world under 30. 

+ La Flèche D'Or- Former metro station turned indie club… sometimes they have free concerts. This is the spot to hear everything from bluegrass to indie rock. Now and then they get acts like Cat Power and Over The Rhine. 

+ Square Samuel Rousseau is my favorite little park. head there towards sunset. children playing. old people chatting. it is tranquil and divine. directly across the square from the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde on the Rue Las Cases. 

Shopping

+ Puces St. Ouen- a labyrinth of flea markets- antiques, african crafts, cheap clothes. I go at least once a week. There is a moroccan family there who custom makes all of my bags. go. explore. Metro: Porte de Clingancourt. 

+ Deroyle- Fantastic taxidermy shop on the Rue du Bac. check out the treasures on the second floor. This place is magical. 

+ Kilo Shop- second hand clothes sold by weight. This is where the cool kids shop. Metro: Hotel De Ville

+ Merci- one of the most wonderful shops in Paris. clothing, home goods, bookstore, cafe. Beautiful and tranquil. You will not regret a trip here. Metro: Bastille. 

+ Collete. If you want to hang with the fashion kids, you will check out this place. Boutique, books, cafe, art gallery. crowd in crazy clothes. I once saw Grimes perform here. Rue Saint Honore

also: 

+ Explore the Marais- great cafes and tiny streets.

+ Walk down the rue Mouffetard

+ Lounge in the Luxembourg Gardens
+ Hang out along the Canal St. Martin- there is a cool crowd and you can get
   Pizza and beer delivered to wherever you are setting. 

+ Get Lost. 

 

Most of these pictures are from a rather drippy day when I ventured with Megan and Mike Gilger and Michael Newsted through the Puces St. Ouen. Mike captured the photos while we browsed through antiques and listened to music. 

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Inspiration Board // An Ode to Tan

Here are some of the inspiring pics that have been popping up on my Pinterest feed. Some Evelyn Waugh, Picasso, Taxidermy... Its a pretty great collection. Tan can be underrated... but today we pay it tribute.

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Bosphorus Adventures // Hidden Cove

Even in a city that feels like it must be the busiest on earth, there are spots of quite, calm, and peace. Istanbul has quite a few of those spots. One day, after mistakenly purchasing the wrong ferry tokens... Ricky Cohete and I discovered a distant island and a hidden cove.

The ferry was packed. We sat in the dinning compartment, and I spent the trip journaling. We landed at a sleepy little town, glowing in the sunlight. We strolled past houses that seemed an odd mixture of Cape Cod, Russian, and Victorian architecture. Everyone seemed peacefully headed to a beach, a mixture of locals and a melange of friendly street dogs. A pup followed us. We named him Giuseppe. He followed us down roads and and through forests. We sauntered on till we discovered a collection of hand-painted signs pointing through a forest to a cliff. we headed that direction. ... down that path we discovered a hidden little cove. An old man tended the beach. From a concrete hut that looked like it had been there for at least 50 years he sold tea and french fries. While we were later to learn that this charming old man also perhaps used the cove to run drugs- but for that day- it was a bastion of tranquility and an escape from the hectic life of Istanbul. There was a guy camping who offered us apples... and a couple sunning themselves on deck chairs. Every person who met Giuseppe offered him water.

Guiseppe stayed with us all day- darting in and out of the forest and always staying near. By the time we got on the crowded ferry, the sun was setting. It was an adventure that was surreal and calming.

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Behind the Scenes on the Clyde Oak Shoot

I always love featuring the behind the scenes of a photo shoot. It gives me a chance to credit and feature the wonderful team behind the project. It also sheds a bit of light on the styling-photo process. For the Clyde Oak shoot I got to work with Corey Mason, Mike and Megan Gilger of Wild Measure, and Jenn Elliott Blake. Our models were Justin and Matthew of ArrowHead Collective. The perfect guys to represent such a masculine brand. It was a superb group of creative professionals. Now, I'm already excited for our next project... what will it be?

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Introduction to Istanbul - On Adventure

I am one of the least adventurous people I know. 

Seriously. I understand that I have the public persona of a courageous gypsy... but I don't know how much of that is truly me. It is of course who I want to be- carefree and adventurous- but I'm still working on it. Really I desire a comfortable place to create, and to be surrounded by the people who love and inspire me. I tend to shy away from risks unless pushed- I get stuck in routine and comfort. So when

Ricky Cohete

invited me along to Istanbul I immediately came up with a million reasons why that would be the least responsible decision ever. Thankfully I have friends and family who understand that I also desire to be adventurous- who urged me to go. 

As I sat on the plane from Chicago, I began thinking about all of this. Comfort and security in my mind create a cocoon to heal and prepare you for the next adventure. Some times I get so focused on the recovery phase that I forget about the next adventure. When I get on an airplane I can feel the cocoon being stripped away- exposing me as the person I want to be. 

I am excited to share my trip to Istanbul with you over the next few weeks. While I was there I got to meet several designers, chat with locals in street-corner cafes, and explore to my heart's content. It was a beautiful experience. So many friends gave me suggestions and advice on this trip- Kareen,

Peter

,

Shamila

, Katie, and Alara from

The Guide Istanbul

... They all helped shape my experience and connected me to this fantastic place. 

These are a few of the images that

Ricky

and I captured on our first day. 

Istanbul has intrigued me for many years. It was the constant focus of my collegiate studies on the crusades, and it has always seemed a complicated and mysterious place. I love cities where cultures converge- and Istanbul has more cultures converging than just about any place I know. There were neighborhoods that felt like the left bank of Paris, parts that felt like Nantucket, entire districts that seemed like they had stopped the progress of time in about 1860, and some that were as modern as New York. Denizens from every corner of the earth seem to converge there- and its growing reputation as a fashion capitol had in no way escaped my attention. 

 If I had to sum up Istanbul in a few sentences (which I feel obliged to do) I would describe it as a very raw city- teeming with life- almost to a dizzying pace. The city seems caffeinated in a way far outpacing New York or London. Perhaps the narrow streets lend to this effect, but on the european sides at least, one cannot seem to get away from the crowds. I loved it. Energy all around. It is a dirty city- I don't say this as a negative aspect- but merely to give you the idea that it resembles an old city- like London or Paris a hundred years ago. It is a city that still has large portions that are un-gentrified and un-modernized. Such a refreshing refreshing aspect in a city today. 

In Beyoglu- the neighborhood where I stayed- this meant that I constantly saw street children running around, and old ladies sitting on my front steps when I returned home at night. It meant that neighborhoods felt like neighborhoods, and everyone hung their laundry to dry over their street. It meant that by the end of the week I knew the street dogs by name, and the girl at the corner shop knew me as "the guy who buys orange juice". I will tell more stories about Beyoglu soon. It was a raw, beautiful, sometimes frightening place.

As if calculated solely to win my heart- Istanbul is full of fresh fruit and juice. Its pretty much the thing there. Local markets, vendors and kiosks full of vibrant delights. I am constantly comparing Paris and Istanbul... and in this area, Istanbul wins the prize for healthy habits.

What we wore this day-

Me- Vintage Gold trousers, Vintage Army Jacket, H+M Tee, Cole Haan Loafers 

Ricky- Striped Shirt he created, Vintage Harem Pants, Vintage Bomber Jacket, Baggu Backpack

This post is simply an introduction to my adventures in Istanbul... more posts are forthcoming. I am excited to share with you all of the exciting finds and stories and people I met along the way.

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Off To Istanbul

Photo by Ricky Cohete

In a few days I will be leaving for Istanbul. Its crazy because for the past year that city has come up in conversation at least once a day. Totally serious. Something is drawing me there. Of course I am excited to see all the usual sites (though normally I abhor touristy things)... but mostly I am excited to meet all sorts of awesome people. I will be doing a few shoots for Culture Keeper, as well as interviewing designers... including the lovely ladies behind Cuyana. Best part of the trip? It has been my dream since childhood to visit the underground cities of Cappadocia.

Also new for this adventure: I will be leaving technology behind. No cell phone, no laptop, not even an electric shaver. Nothing. Mostly I am doing this just to prove to myself that I am still a human being and not some kind of robot-pawn-of-industry... and in part because I am attempting to travel with only a tiny carry-on bag. I also have this romantic idea: I want to travel in such a way that- should all my possessions be stolen- I would not even be slightly bothered. Just pick up and carry on. I am sure I would freak out a little bit- but getting a new passport seems a lot easier than getting a new computer at this point. So there. I want to be a bit more care-free. As a blogger this means that I will not be updating twitter, Facebook, or this site... for at least 10 days. An exercise in abstinence. All this being said- I will be traveling with a photographer- so brace yourselves for a barrage of posts following the trip.

Jonathan Ranall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Blue // Inspiration Board

More inspiration blowing up the old Pinterest feed. This time it is of the blue variety. Looking blue- and  it would appear- feeling blue. 

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Culture Keeper

On Finding Inspiration...

Many creatives are discouraged by a lack of constant inspiration for their work. Days come and go when nothing of substance has been created in the studio, and we all have the tendency to get down on ourselves about not producing. While I totally understand this phenomena, I have also come to realize that there are methods of preventing creative stagnation. I don't know if my methods will work for everyone, but I will attempt to outline what keeps me productive. 

The photos accompanying this post are from a visit by my friends Bryan and Mae to my studio in Traverse City. It was a few years back, but the images still reflect my creative process. 



+ Chill out
First of all, you are not going to get anything done by stressing out. I should know, because I stress about creating- all the time. Nothing productive comes from worry, so take a breath and start over. Do something relaxing- go for a walk, try yoga, or eat a bowl of ice cream. You will feel much better. Don't try to create when you are stressed (unless you dig that sort of thing). 

+ Establish a Routine

Some times the world gets in the way of our process... so it can help to have routines that separate your creative work from the rest of your life. I always start with a few physical acts. I put on a tea kettle. I light incense. I put on a record. They are all mundane physical acts- but they have become a sort of ritual that tells my mind it is time to paint. I make sure my computer is FAR beyond reach, so I don't get distracted. 

+ Know Your Elements

In Her book "A Room of one's own" Virginia Woolf discusses the needs of creatives. She mentions that, for her at least, financial independence is key to her ability to create. While that holds a bit true for me, my needs are a bit simpler. For a good day of painting I need: a clean floor, tea (and lots of it), a record player stocked with Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, etc. and incense. These are a few of my creative elements. It also helps me to have friends around. Many people paint solo- but I like to have others to talk to while I work. I also need a sink handy because I wash my brushes after each use. I am one of those overly-tidy types when it comes to painting.

+ Re-fuel

Creativity is not a one-way street. For me, taking in creativity is about 80% of the process. I know that art books, music, taking a walk, going to a museum, discussion with friends, or even watching a vintage French film... are all things that will re-charge me and get be back to work. Sometimes a few hours in a well-loved novel is the best way to recharge. It is important to know when to take a break. I take far too many, but at least I know I am headed in the right direction. 

I am currently back in the studio preparing for my next exhibition "Bless Monsanto" that goes up on Saturday. This will be a collection of recent paintings that exploring the politics of nourishment. So if anyone happens to be near Northern Indiana in the next month, be sure to check it out. 

What about you? What helps inspire you? What do you need in order to create?

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper

Behind the Scenes on The Fresh Exchange Shoot

This Winter I made my way back to Traverse City for a few shoots with Ricky Cohete and Mike and Megan Gilger. One blizzardy night we all trekked up to Corey Weber's studio in Bay Harbor to work with him on a few projects for The Fresh Exchange. The trip in itself was quite the adventure. As these things tend to do- the late night work plus music and pizza devolved into a dance party. I guess these pics are not really behind the scenes, but now and then we try to have fun with the camera as well. 

I love working with all of these talented creatives. They are pretty chill about their work- yet driven and specific in their goals and aesthetics. This shoot was a great mix of work and play.

You can see the results of the shoot on The Fresh Exchange. Stay tuned for more photo-work-turned-dance parties coming your way soon.

Jonathan Randall Grant

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Culture Keeper