Hie thee to Paste

I have posted before about Paste, the new art and craft supply store in Soulard.

I was able to preview it a bit when I brought some of my photos there for sale a couple of months ago. (I can't believe it's been that long already.) But the summer was packed and I hadn't gotten back there to shop until a couple of weeks ago.

Love this place! Beads and ribbon and yarn and stamps and beads and photographs and beads and I am a sucker for beads, especially.

Much as I was super excited when City Art Supply opened up in my neighborhood -- an art supply store in the city! -- I am also excited that Paste has made a home in the city.

It's been a while since there's been a great spot for craft supplies in the city of St. Louis. Plus, it's nice when the folks who open these stores have a love for and knowledge about what they are selling, and even cooler when they are supportive of local artists, both of which are true about both Paste and City Art Supply.

So: go check these folks out! Spend money with them so we can keep them in business and keep them in the city! And while you're at Paste, you'll see some of my photos for sale (no pressure, I swear!)

St. Louis Through the Lens

Aren't my nieces cute? When my little sister (their aunt) got married two years ago, we -- the wedding party -- traveled around town to various spots to take photos. The wedding photographer did a phenomenal job. I got a few photos off to the side when we weren't "on". Like this one.

This photo was accepted as a finalist (yay!) into this year's Irv Schankman Memorial Photography Contest, St. Louis Through the Lens.

The exhibition is intended to promote work by regional photographers and features the city of St. Louis as its subject. The jurors for the competition are Ellen Curlee, Olivia Lahs-Gonzales, and Bob Little.

In addition to the juried exhibition there will be a selected exhibition of work by Irv Schankman. Irv Schankman (1924-2004) was a professional photographer and the founder of Allied Photocolor and Imaging Center. His love of documenting St. Louis began as soon as he picked up his first camera in the 6th grade. In his junior year of high school he made his way through police lines to shoot an emblazoned gasoline storage facility. These photographs, which appeared in St. Louis’s Star Times as dramatic silhouettes, marked the beginning of his professional career.

The exhibit runs September 10-December 5, 2009 at Gallery 210 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The opening reception and announcement of awards is this Thursday, September 10 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Come!