A Documentary

Are you tired of this yet? Too bad! My sister Jenny (above) and sister Lindsey (a few below) came with me on this trip and documented our experience. The photo credits go to those ladies. Don't miss the video of our interview at the end! The Glediator advised me against posting the video claiming, "no one will think it's funny but you." He is probably right. Warning: we are pathetic when we get together. Please tell me other people act like fools around their siblings.

Stepping Into the Dream

Pumpkinhead

My sister Jenny has a wall of beautiful photos in her home office. A photographer herself, she has always had an eye for fine art. One photo in particular spoke to me. I inquired about the print of the boy with the pumpkin head and Jenny lit up as she spoke of the original photographer. She showed me a book on her shelf from which the photo came called "Sound of Summer Running." This was my first introduction to the photography of Raymond Meeks.

I flipped through the book, wide-eyed. The images looked like the kind of dream I could step into and live in for forever. So I did just that. I picked up the phone, dialed Ray's number and stepped into the dream.

Abby Wind

Six weeks later, I found myself captured in the work of Raymond Meeks. Even the child in the photo above (now a young woman) was present, assisting her father as he shot with his fifty-year-old Graflex. We spoke about life, religion, faith, ancestors and of course, dreams. Ray told the story of how he used to go to his Italian grandmother's house where she taught him how to make the secret family sauces. He noticed that there were no pictures of her in her home. He began his career as a photographer in his mid-twenties by spending precious moments with his grandmother as he photographed her and made spaghetti sauce. She still visits him in his own dreams.

Imitation on Dance

Dreams do not have to be complex and intangible. When you find yourself living them, they feel as real as anything. Sometimes they are as simple as making a phone call or stirring up a pot of spaghetti sauce and within those simple acts, we connect with human beings who change us for forever.

Please feel free to share a simple gesture from your own life that has helped you carry out your dreams.

To find out more about Raymond Meeks and to view more of his work, visit http://www.raymondmeeks.net

All images are the copyright of the artist and protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. All rights are reserved.
Any use of the these images without express written permission by the artists is not permitted.

Proposal in Portland

For those just tuning in, I am currently immersed in the lushness of Portland, Oregon. My photographer, Raymond Meeks, my assistants (and sisters) Lindsey and Jenny, and myself dined in culinary heaven at the end of the day in a local restaurant called "DOC." When you walk in the front door, you are in the kitchen, which as part of the small dining area of the restaurant. A symphony of pots and kettles clinking along with rhythmic knives on chopping blocks filled the delicious air. We ordered the "tasting menu" which allowed our table to share a little something from every dish on the menu. I've never eaten so well in my entire life. Portland, can we get married?




Photos by Jenny Winkel

Welcome! Photo Shoot: Day 1

Discussing photography ideas for the shoot tomorrow

Welcome to my first post on my journey through the album-making process! I have dreamed of this day for the last several months since I first got up the guts to call Raymond Meeks. I had seen his book, "Sound of Summer Running" and instantly fell in love with the dreamy essence of his photography. Good thing I made such a great first impression after crashing my rental car into a curb as I pulled up to his house this morning. (Glad I got that full coverage). Even more glad that Ray is the nicest person on the planet and found my grand entrance to be somewhat comical.

The unique thing about my time with Ray today was that he planned this day as a "get to know you day." We ate the most delicious food I have ever had, we meandered down streets in downtown Portland and perused through album covers at a used record store. What normal photographer would regard taking the time to get to know their subject as this essential to the art? That's just his way.

Joining me on this trip are my sisters, Jenny and Lindsey - both amazing photographers who have long admired Ray and who also happened to act like two thirteen-year-old girls, backstage at a Jonas Brothers concert. They will be documenting this process so I will post some of their pictures later tonight. I'm falling asleep at the wheel here, but juicier details to come . . .

Little sister, Lindsey finds a new favorite coffee shop.

Inspiration for you found in a display window.

An Invitation

Photo by Russ Dixon

It's been a little quiet around here lately and for good reason. Remember Cocoon Girl? Well that's just where I've been; deep in my cocoon whilst morphing my dreams into something tangibly beautiful. That's what life is all about, right?

I am extending an invitation to you to join me here on my blog as I create my next album. Step by step, I'll be documenting my writing sessions, recording sessions, PR campaign, and tour right up until my big release concert here in Utah. My hope is that this journey will in turn spark something within you to conjure up and play out your own dreams, which I would love to hear about in turn.

It all starts this Saturday, Oct. 10th, in the lovely Portland, Oregon. We'll be shooting the photography for my album cover and new website. I want to introduce you to one of my favorite photographers who has shot bands like the Cranberries and Wilco among others for Rolling Stone Magazine. Will you join me? Uh oh. I feel some serious excitement coming on. This is going to rock!

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."

Allen, James on Dreams

The Old Guy

The old guy works his can off to make my yard look awesome.

In the recent past we've discussed ways to simplify life. One way I do that is through getting help in areas where I'm falling behind: LIKE MY YARD WORK. If you're like me and you could use a little assistance there, you might want to email my friend Jerry Lovelace. His yard maintenance service, "The Old Guys" has some of the best pricing I've ever seen and right now they're doing Fall clean up specials and can come give you a free estimate. Also, if you mention my blog, Jerry will give you 10% off. I almost forgot, he washes windows too! I had him do that earlier this Spring. Then of course, Jackson and Thatcher filled up water balloons and chucked them at the windows the next day. Awesome.

You can contact Jerry at colorbluejer@msn.com

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Nearer

There's quite the buzz going on about the newly released album, "Nearer" this week. Hear/read all about it here and here. What could possibly be so exciting about one more hymns album? Most would roll their eyes at the notion. However, this one really is different. This is not new age, not pop, not classical. We've heard the hymns in all of those fashions before. Geared toward the college crowd, this collection of favorite hymns was produced with an authentic indie vibe. I LOVE it. Track one is my FAVORITE. HYMN. EVER. RECORDED. So brilliant. Oh ye traditional ones! Open your minds and ears to something new! Warning: some of you may need to allow time for these songs to grow on you. Once you do, you will never look back. I almost forgot to mention that I arranged piano and recorded the vocal for "Be Still My Soul."

Fun factoid: "Nearer" is brought to you by Scott Wiley, the same producer behind my album, "Feather in the Wind." Listen to samples here and on itunes now!