Archive for May, 2009

31
May
09

AKFO, Pt II

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Events and Fashion

crowd

It was estimated 500 showed, 200 more than the year previous…

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20 models.  Five designers.  Six Retailers.  3 Musicians.  40 looks.  I even got my sister in on the act (up there, far left).  There was supposed to be a dancer (who performed the previous year), but he did a no-show.  That’s the way, sometimes….

fashiononewht

“Power in numbers” was my motto.  Get everyone involved, and the word will spread.  The first show was all about the grassroots.  Literally, as I was pushing garden blocks in a wheel barrow 30 minutes before the show to make a stage with plywood.  There was a lot of ‘it won’t happen’ thought back then, but at the end of the night… Bernie himself came up and gave me a hug.

end

I attempted to get the show going again, back in 2007.  Couldn’t find the numbers, really, so… no power.  And doing it all myself might be good for a show, but not good for me months after.  So I let it go.  The experiences, though, they never go.

shinyface

31
May
09

Work…

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Paint

eye tree you

A work in progress, bit and spurts along the way… laying color down, while apartment sitting in downtown Oaktown.  Tongue-twister…

diff

The life I’m living with this canvas reminds me of Orlando, and the parchment the hero/heroine carried with him/her through the ages.  The scroll wherein was writ that poem… that poem that was a heroic thing; I guess it laid neatly on the tongue.

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So I’ll keep working…

25
May
09

Flyers: From the Vault

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Draw and Events

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fashion flamer

I always make my flyers for shows with the intention of making art.  Like the old schoolers from back in the day, I want my flyers to be something original and worth having, if so inclined by the viewer.  Original pieces vs. sole reproductions, left to step on.

And of course, piquing interest and titillating eyeballs and imagination.  Flyers are, thinking of it now, a seduction of sorts.  ‘Welcome to my view…’

24
May
09

Mural, Part 2

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Murals

Bliss Yoga Mural

Yes, I know, it’s unbe-leaf-able.

muralleaves

Day 3 (and a bit into Day 4) found branches budding.  Margo had concern at first, “I have a dead tree on my walls,” she thought to herself.

But not to fear, what a difference a little foliage will make.  She was relieved as the leaves started to go up, rounding out the experience of the form.  Funny, the process our art can take, it can be like a rollercoaster at times, even though you know there’s gonna be a loop or too, there’s still the actual experience of it separating all thoughts from your head for a second and leaving you with a blast of air to your face.  Call it refreshing, then.

And I started her…

mural yogini

Yogini, taking it all in with peace peace peace…  I had been watching some episodes of Rome, thanks to my fiancé, and the costuming there made its way in.

Later this summer will find color on the walls.  Here’s to things to come…  Cheers.

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21
May
09

From The Vault: AKFO

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Fashion

DSC_0522

Fun days, and what a daze it was, working my a– off for an hour show.  I type that with a smile on my face, as it was the most fun at the same time…

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At Bernie’s Lounge in DT Anchorage, under the late-night AK sun, a calvacade of local designer’s, models, retailers, and talent came together.  There is yet to be a show I know of that showcases the local talent AK has for fashion.  Too bad, cuz there were a lot of peeps ready for the chance.

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Above is Eddy Santistevan’s work; the guy has all these fun ideas just waiting to come forth – his first time putting needle to thread was a week before the show. And he was the only designer I knew of with people walking around asking him to make them clothes.  Hawt.

Shirt by Ben Ellis

I started the AK Fashion Outing in 2004, after living a year and a half in Portland, Oregon.  One of my big crushes at the time was into fashion, and we went on a superb date.  I came away from the crush a but crushed yeah, but with the resolve, “I could do that.”  So I did, with help.

Dress by Stephanie

To me, Fashion is style, and style is choice. From a new pair of jeans your mom picked out for you, a hoodie in need of washing you picked up off the floor, or something you made yourself, its your choice.  I think when people say ‘that person has style,’ it’s just a certain type, and amount of choice.  It’s art, so discuss.

Styled by Lisa

I’ll post more picks from the AKFO 2005 before too long.  Cheers.

19
May
09

Branching Out

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Murals

3 Days, 4 Blank Walls… Thanks to my amazing friend Margo, a rare, exotic and talented creature she is.

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First things first, though.  Some color on those walls.  Hence the first day was spent laying more color…

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Much better!

Day 2 found us branching out, laying down the first coats of paint…

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and then leaves, leaves, leaves…

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Very impressed what we did in two days.  I’ll post our adventures that took place on the third day soon.  Thanks Margo, for the opportunity!!  Doing what I love. Woot.

15
May
09

From the Vault: Heal and Lola Drape

By Benjamin Allen Ellis 1 Comment
Categories: Draw

healed_b&w

There’s determination in those eyes…

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… and then there’s there Lola.  Cute top.  Watch out, yo.

I just found these… I go home-state to Alaska and unearth so much past work.  This is what I said to myself the other day: “Wow, I’ve done a lot of work.”  Love it.  Grateful.  Cheers y’all.

11
May
09

Puya

By Benjamin Allen Ellis Leave a Comment
Categories: Dance

Oh, the Puya Loca!  Fun stuff with Colombian Soul; I’m up onstage with  Hector, Catherine, and Senya.

The Puya is from the coastal region of Colombia, hence a more African influence in the dance.

I just take it all in and try to keep up!  Fun though, lots of isolation going on in the body – work work.

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