Last Few Days of Summer

With the kid's summer vacation winding down to it's last couple of days I wanted to make today special. It'd been a rainy start to our week but today the sun came out! After lunch we loaded up the Jeep and went to Governor Dodge State Park. We took the back roads all the way there, so we had time to just talk and have fun. We canoed to a small beach where she ran around with a big group of children for a while, and then the two of us played. canoeing back we did some bird watching, drifting up very close to a Great Blue Heron. We capped the day off with takeout lo mein and a samurai movie. Tomorrow is the very LAST day of summer! Thankfully my wife will also be coming home at the end of the day as she's been in Canada for a while.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinparks #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #canoe #canoeing #radissoncanoe #Sportspal #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #getoutdoors

Warmup Throws

Here's another photo from this past Sunday of my BJJ instructor Thales Blaso warming up for sparring with his Judo partner Jeff Lee. After an hour of watching them I had to head home. My kid was with me and she'd spent the night at a friend's so was very tired and hungry. As I went to leave I mentioned to them that I'd really like to learn Judo. Jeff then invited me to come out on the mats, with me in my street clothes, and he'd begin right then. So on one hand I had a hungry kid ready to go home, on the other a chance to learn from an expert. (In other words; a chance to get tossed around while wearing jeans.) As I stepped onto the mat I was still trying to decide if this was a "good idea." Thankfully Thales kept me on track and pointed out I had to leave and there'd be another time for me to get slammed around.The next time I go photograph him training I'm leaving the kid at home and taking my gi!

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #judo #judoka #judolife #judomotivation

Languid Beauty

Before moving to Wisconsin I had spent a few years working with the belly dancing community in Pittsburgh. The graceful, artistic movements combined with colorful, flowing costuming and often very comely dancers inspired me and helped shape how I photograph an wide array of subjects to this day. I've respect for how much work and attention to minute detail these performers often put into their craft. Capturing them is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. At Pennsic this year I happened to be camped with one of my favorite dancers of all time, namely Samira Shuruk . Late one morning we worked together for a bit in Casa Bardicci, an amazingly detailed set piece recreating an Italian villa along the lake shore. After years of not shooting dancers it was truly a thrill to once again do so. So, an amazing set. An amazingly talented and beautiful dancer. All the right gear for the job and an open morning to just relax and enjoy "doing my thing." Pennsic was awesome!

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #bellydancesuperstars #the_bellydancer #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #vladspleasurepavilion #bellydance #bellydancer #scadance #middleeasterndance #dancephotography #italianvilla #casabardicci #veildance #lovebellydance #love_bellydance #bellydancing #dance #dancing #dancer #oriental #orientaldance #perfomance #passion #bellydancestars

Elite Sparring

Today I had a rare treat. I go to go do a little casual photography of my BJJ coach Thales Blaso and Jeff Lee training together. It was great to be able to watch two very skilled martial artists. No egos. No prideful boasting. No fluff. Just technical skill, patience and guile in a display of friendly sparring. It was truly inspiring.

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #judo #judoka #judolife #judomotivation

The Garden of Earthly Delights

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Camping at Vlad's Pleasure Pavilion has to be one of the more unique experiences I've enjoyed. This year was their 30th anniversary as a themed camping group. Their device was a stylized "XXX" with their bat symbol emblazoned above. (It figures I'd camp under the sign of the Bat!) Now if you have ever camped at Pennsic you'll have heard of Vlad's late night "shenanigans." (I can't speak to any of that. I kept me eyes closed.) All during the first week of the two week event the camp operates as the defacto place to stop by while out and about. For me, on the couple of nights I was actually on site that first week, this meant I never had to go looking for my friends as most of them would likely walk through the "front of the house." What I mean by FOH is in the way it's used in the entertainment/club sector. Basically Vlad's is set up as an "open camp" out front, with living quarters to the rear and cut off from the front. There's a giant "U" shaped space which is anchored at one end by a beer tent/bar, a stage complete with wings, carefully arraigned pavilions with open seating under awnings, all of which are meticulously decorated, and wraps around the open area. There's a giant fire-pit that languid dancers take advantage of while rhythmic drumming charges the pulsing energy of the night. For me though the true treat as an artist is that I am camped with many other artists. This year they culminated the fun of the first week with a three part performance playing out their interpretation of the famous 15th Century triptych, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" painted by Hieronymus Bosch. It was a three stage, multi act performance that was a blend of burlesque, tribal fusion, burner rave, traditional belly dance, all accompanied by a talented group of live musicians. I'd watched them plan out the acts, choreograph the dances and figure out the timing. Being around such a pool of talent and artistic vision was truly something I'll always treasure. So, not only do I not have to go anywhere in order to see my friends, I don't have to go anywhere to find artistic inspiration. @mercurial_creation @rosalieash88 @dj_cosmo @hakandances @reverandmother @Bagoasdances

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #vlads #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #vladspleasurepavilion #gardenofearthlydelights #fireperformance #fireperformer #pyrography #firebreathing #fireflow #cooperslake #cooperslakecampground #travelpa #explorepa #burlesque #burlesquedancer #burlesqueshow #burlesquelife #juliadiverdi

After the Storm

The lake at Pennsic a few hours after a small group of scattered thunder storms rolled through. One of the things you can count on in early August in western PA are scattered storms that can brew up quickly, soak you really well, and then clear out. You'll find out right away if you've set up your tent in a drainage area, as well as how well you've staked down your tent. If you've set up a big piece of canvas and it's not taught enough great bags of suspended water form, sometimes bringing the whole mess down. On the plus side sometimes these storms cool things down. This one brought in a perfect, cooler, less humid evening.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #pennsiciscoming #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #cooperslake #cooperslakecampground #naturalpennsylvania #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

When You're Home

I took this soon after returning to my hometown area after an 11 hour drive. While I love where we currently live in Wisconsin, I do truly miss this amazing lake. This particular spot where "Old 422" runs into it from the east is a favorite location. So many memories. My grandfather used to take us bicycling up and down the old highway. My father used to launch his boats from here. (Sometimes without incident!) When I fished I'd often wade in the waters as I walked down the submerged road, trying to catch pan-fish on a fly-rod. I've no clue how many times I've come here to simply watch the waterfowl, or the sun set. Going to the Pennsic War for me truly was about going "HOME" and not in the sense so many other attendees imply. I can recall being a kid and my Italian grandpa getting all worked up about "Gypsies" when he'd see the tents going up on the other side of the lake. So while I can say I enjoyed my time at the Pennsic War, it was being home and seeing my family, and being able to enjoy the PA landscape, that I will always treasure the most.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #morainestatepark #lakearthur #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

Capitol Ecplise

Yesterday Teri & Freja modified one of my spare lens caps for an older dSLR I had lying about. They created a pinhole camera and them tried to capture the partial eclipse today. While they captured images, we've still a lot to learn about pinhole shooting. Even though it didn't work as planned, it was still worth the drive down to Teri's office to at least try.

#midwestisbest #midwestliving #wi #travelwi #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #wisco #madisonwi #madisonwisconsin #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #driftlessarea #capitolsquare #capitolbuilding #capitol #eclipse #partialecplipse

The Final Blow

One of the events that I looked forward to the most while I was at Pennsic War 46 was the Tuchux Charity Tournament. While watching the big battles where thousands of people in armor bash each other is fun, I really like watching the one on one matches of this tourney. Basically it's MMA in armor and using weapons made of wrapped rattan with high density rubber warheads. It's an awesome display of martial skills. Within the first five minutes I pointed out the Knight on the left to my kid. I told her, "you watch that guy, he's going to make the final round." There are four "bear pits" in which an evenly divided number of fighters are grouped. The are randomly paired and the weapons randomly handed out. The fighters never know what they'll get, it could be a spear, a sword, an ax, etc.. Then through displays of martial skill, ferocity and guile they try to beat each other. The winner stays in the pit and gets a mark. They go many rounds until the top two of each pit then fight. Eventually there are only two fighters from all four pits left. This shot is of the winning blow being delivered by Sammick, clan leader of the Red Lions Tuchux. All proceeds of this event go to support the Drop in the Bucket Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to chronically, and terminally ill adults.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #cooperslakecampground #dropinthebucket #tuchux #redlions #mma #fighters #bearpit #tournament #martialarts #armsarmor #armor #knight

Order of the Pelican

This amazing piece of stained glass art was created by my campmate Q Phia Sherry, pictured on the left, as an award to Lucius Aurelius Valharic. He was being elevated into the Order of the Pelican. As per the SCA website, "Members of the Order of the Pelican are recognized for great service to their kingdom or to the Society as a whole, usually for many years and without thought of reward. They are chosen by the Crown in consultation with the Order. They are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name). Their insignia is a "pelican in her piety," a pelican piercing her breast to feed her young with her own blood."

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #cooperslakecampground #Vlads #vladspleasurepavilion #orderofthepelican #stainedglass #stainedglassart #artglass #curiouspath #qphia

The Right Place

It was such a rewarding experience for me as an artist to be camped with other artists. Some of them I've worked with in the past. Camping in with a group that tries to not just "whoop it up," but actually puts on a real show makes for a very easy life for me. All I need do is wait and watch everything unfold. It's as if I live in the set of my imagination. The exchange of creative energy is pure, powerful and very sensual. So many times while having conversations, or photographing something I would physically feel a rush that made the hair on my arms stand up.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #cooperslakecampground #Vlads #vladspleasurepavilion #bellydance #tribalbellydance #tribalfusion #sworddance #shimmy #tribalfusionbellydance #tribaldancer #kirahabibilal #lovebellydance #love_bellydance #bellydancing #bellydancer #dance #dancing #dancer #oriental #orientaldance #perfomance #passion

Waiting

The thing about camping at Pennsic War for me is that it gave me a chance to really relax and just be me. I occurred to me at one point that I probably bother a few people. I don't play out a fictional "persona." I'm just the same me in all the settings. When I would talk to people it wasn't to the character they were trying to portray, but to the person. My photography was the same approach. I didn't run around, trying to find the best thing to photograph. I didn't look at Pennsic with an eye as to what it was trying to portray. Instead I shot it the way I saw it, when I saw it, and most importantly, when I felt like shooting. I tried to set up a number of special sessions, and then waited to see which of the many ideas would come back to me. A lot of my time was spent just sitting around camp, waiting for those moments to come. Honestly, being down by the lake wasn't so bad.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #cooperslakecampground #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #getoutdoors

An August Sunset Welcomes Us Home

After a nearly eleven hour drive from our house in Wisconsin we found ourselves HOME. I love this lake, and our first night home the sky gave me a little show. I cannot even begin to try to calculate how many sunsets I've seen from this vantage point.

#morainestatepark #lakearthur #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

Pennsic War XLVI

So I ended up going to Pennsic War 46. While I was onsite during of the 2 weeks of the event, I mainly spent time running around visiting my immediate family. It was a whirlwind trip, and at first it was a bit disorienting. One minute I'd be somewhere in "Time." The next I'd be with those whom I don't spend enough time with. It was all amazing though. As I write this my mind is flogged from the over 12 hour drive home (yay for road construction on 80 west!). I just needed to process and post ONE photo. It's not the best of them. I will need time to sort and review everything. I shot this as I was walking around the lake on a clear summer night. The moon was shining brightly having been totally full the night before. I began with this photo location, which is way at one end of the event grounds, and I meandered all the way to the "Castle" at nearly the other end. I can't wait to share the really good ones!

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #archery #viking #camp