Me and Tom Allen

Tom photographing Tim photographing Tim and Tom, 2007

A month or so ago I posted about Thomas Allen and his most recent show at Foley Gallery. A few weeks later Tom contacted me while I was in Florida. We spoke a bit and I learned that, to my surprise, he lived about an hour North of my parents, on a small farm in Michigan. After I went to visit some family who live in the same town (weird), I went to the beach -- check out this photo of the "Lake Michigan Ice-Burg" -- I then went to hang with Tom.

We chatted for awhile - art, photography, etc. We then went outside to play a bit and hang with his chickens. A good time was had. I was especially struck by his energetic daughter, Miren. See a few photos I took of her, here and here. As I was leaving I felt a feeling of sadness and envy. I'm not a big fan of this city. Not sure how long I could last on a farm, but it sure seemed nice!

Check out Tom's work here. View his blog here. And check out his wife's blog here (El's a Gardner, amongst other things it seems). Miren doesn't have a blog, yet.

Humble vs. Chelsea

Dixe loves you!

Thanks to all who made it to the opening of Humble Arts Foundation's first Chelsea showing!

The place was crowded. Way too many people came out. Seriously, it was hot and tight (nice). On a good note: Lots of beautiful people showed up. When you have no choice but to rub front-to-back or back-to-front or front-to-front, having beautiful people around is a huge plus!

Thanks again to all that have made it out to see the show, Dixie had a blast! It closes Saturday, March 24th - so get out there and buy some shit!

Kay and Jake

Kay and Jake, 2007

It turns out photographer Kay Westhues lives about 20 miles from where I grew up in Indiana. She's been photographing rural Indiana for the last few years. Check out her daily blog here.

While I was in town I met with Kay and her boyfriend Jake. Over dinner they told me some great stories: Kay spoke of the days when she would "take the train" to Cuba to give aid and take photos. Fascinating stuff! Jake is a sculptor and spoke about his time in New York and at Cinque Gallery in the early 90's. He also had some fun stories about New York's elite artists from the 80's and 90's. Check out his sculptures, they're amazing - Here and Here.

Photos of Jake's enormous studio below. He's got a showroom, a work space, a kitchen, a bedroom, another workspace, another showroom; It doesn't end. The best part is he pays his landlord with one sculpture a year!

Via Chicago

After my vacay in Florida I spent 3 days in Chicago before going on to Indiana and Michigan. I was able to spend some time with my best friend from high school and my good friend Sidne. These people (who have actually only met once) have been in front of my camera so much, there was a time when neither of them would talk to me. To my future muse: I promise, it only hurts once!

I was also able to meet up with a few Chicagraphers. Brian, Jason and Greg.

Florida = weird shit: part 3

Everglade City-ish, FL, 2007

After a loud and adventurous airboat ride through the everglades, my dad, my step-mom, Laura and I made our way back home. As we were leaving we noticed an "ice-cream" sign on the side of the road. As we pulled up to this place I saw a sign that said, "Official Skunk-Ape Research Center". Weird place to research skunks and apes I thought to myself. Poor little Tim, it's not a skunk and ape research center, its a Skunk-Ape research center!

Skunk-Ape (official site here) is Florida's Big-Foot. Inside the "Official Skunk-Ape Research Center" you will find an assortment of odd alligator trophies, Skunk-Ape DVD's and Skunk-Ape T-shirts, as well as a very bizarre caged room full of exotic animals caged within, well, a cage. Looked like something out of "Silence of The Lambs"!

We didn't buy any ice-cream.

Springtime in the Village

chick @ Marc Jacobs on Bleeker, 2007

I used to live in the West Village near the Magnolia Bakery. Across the street from this cult is another ridiculous establishment; Marc Jacobs. This store hires a bunny for Easter and has it pose with all the upper class kiddies from the neighborhood. Today there was a lively chick in the window.

Florida: "Photographer on a beach"

Ft. Myers Beach, FL, 2007

Florida = weird shit: part 2

Bass Pro Shop! This place was heaven; I could have spent all day watching these people shop.

My favorite thing (meaning the most outrageous thing) was the restaurant inside this Mecca.

My other favorite thing was a coloring book titled "The Young Hunters Coloring Book". Naturally one would want to combine a child's two favorite things... killing animals and coloring!

Florida: "Photographer in a convertible"

On our way to the beach...
Florida: "Photographer on a beach" coming soon.

Florida = weird shit: part 1

Boomba party, Parrish, FL, Feb. 28th 2007

Laura and I have been planning a trip to visit my Grandma in Sarasota for awhile now. I decided to plan the trip around her retirement communities' annual "Boomba" party.

I could not find much about the "Boomba" online but I do know it originates from the German one-man-band. Now imagine 200 70-something retired folk, a terribly-awesome DJ playing in-the-round and Laura and I. The majority of the people were dressed up, drinking, and dancing around in a circle while banging one-piece musical oddities. So much fun!

This event was my Grandfathers favorite thing (he passed away in 2004). He would often dress up like a woman, drink and be Mary (ha). One of my Grandpa's best buds wears a t-shirt in his honor every year. Picture.

Travel update

Been traveling for the last 9 days. Laura and I hung with my grandma and about 200 other crazy 70something folk while they banged and screamed at there annual "Boomba" party. Stopped at the "Official Skunk-Ape Research Center" in the Everglades after renting an airboat with my Dad, my step-mom and Laura. Tuesday I flew to Chicago via NY, laura got off in NY. I stayed with my best friend from High school and met with some Chicagraphers. Just hopped off the South Shore and I'm sitting in a Cafe in Michigan City, IN waiting for a ride. Photos and details coming soon. I'll be back in NY for the opening of the upcoming group show I'm in on the 15th.