Surreal double-imagery to magically immortalize

Do you Google yourself? I do! I used to do Search Engine Optimization professionally, so checking my rankings on certain key search terms is part of my regular routine. But it’s also fun to search for my own name!

Tonight I found a really cool description of my work…

Cheryl Spelts Photography
This native Southern Californian photographer specializes in fine art photography. Using a popular slow-shutter technique, she is able to create surreal double-imagery to magically immortalize moments in time.
http://www.greatersandiego.worldweb.com/BusinessIndex/Photographers-Commercial/

I also like this one…

Spelts, Cheryl
Photography, 20th Century, modern — ,
http://wwar.com/categories/Artists/Photography/index30.html

So I guess I’m soooo last century, huh? At least I’m modern.

Google yourself! You might find something really fun!

Am I Idyll? Or am I Wild?

Maybe a little of both?

I’m in Idyllwild! It’s a beautiful little mountain town, with rock climbing, hiking, shopping, and lots of restaurants. It’s also a bit like Snow White’s Forrest – squirrels and chipmunks and blue jays all play together, with an occasional rabbit or deer joining in. I’ve actually seen five deer in the nearly two months I’ve been here. It’s a magical place!

L.A. Guns, Live at the Key Club in Hollywood

When a quintessential Los Angeles band like L.A. Guns comes home, after a summer on tour, it’s a big deal! And when that band has a new lead singer, and said lead singer is Marty Casey, and the band also includes Tracii Guns, and the venue is located on the Sunset Strip? Well then you know it’s going to be a great show!

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

LA Guns at The Key Club

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

L.A. Guns // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

This is just a taste from this very sexy and intense concert….

The full slide show is at http://www.rockbandlounge.com/news/2008-08-la-guns/ – and in this case, bigger is definitely better! If you have any comments or questions, there’s a discussion thread on RBL at http://rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=8230.

Stars Down in Los Angeles

I posted a little tease last week, but here’s more from my session with Lukas Rossi and Stars Down for RBL. We shot it in late June on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles – so if you know the area, you may recognize some of the locations…

The full slide show is at http://www.rockbandlounge.com/news/2008-07-stars-down/ – and it’s definitely worth viewing there! It’s big and bold and beautiful! And if you have any comments or questions, there’s a discussion thread on RBL at http://rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=7184

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Jon Jamieson of Stars Down / Photo: Cheryl Spelt

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Lukas Rossi of Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Sounds Across Paved Grass

Walter Trout used to jam in Huntington
Till the condos went up
And Golden Bear went down
Don’t try to tell me there’s nothing wrong
Sounds across paved grass
Where’s Bolsa Chica
Among the yuppie flats?
There’s nothing going on down there
It’s not where it’s at

— “Walter Trout” by Ces Jacuzzi, 1998

Sunburned

One of my favorite sensations… Being slightly sunburned – just arms, upper back and shoulders, and maybe a little on the cheeks – and then that same night, letting a chilly summer evening breeze blow across my hot skin, and give me shivers. It’s bliss.

I also love laying in the sun, at the beach, on a towel on the sand, and letting the sun bake down. Not for long, but for a few brief minutes, how much damage can you do?

I actually love the way my pale skin looks – I’m one of those rare people too pale to match most makeup brands, but I tan easily. But tanning makes me look older, so I avoid it… Pale is good, right? But this weekend, while moving, I ended up spending a lot of time in the sun, and came away slightly pink everywhere that wasn’t covered up – even the back of my neck got some sun – since I had my hair up.

As I was driving the moving truck back last night, traveling down Highway 101, right along the beach, and letting the cool night air give me chills, I just felt so fortunate and lucky and eager! And I was singing with the radio the whole way down. I only sing when I’m happy. It’s impossible not to sing, when I feel that way, it just comes out – at full volume! And when I’m not happy? Well I don’t sing. So I always sort of know, that if I’m in the middle of a change – big change, little change, any kind of change at all – and if I find myself singing, it’s an excellent sign!

I’m actually enjoying the night breeze again tonight – with my laptop out on the deck – perfect summer night! I’d never intentionally get sunburned – I’m too aware of how damaging it is – but it was accidental this time, and I see nothing wrong with thoroughly enjoying every sensation I can!

Twisted Trees

Trees Dog Tag from Marty CaseyI love it when people send me fun stuff! This just came into my mailbox, and it’s super cool – and not just because the ad features one of my images!

The twisted “Trees” illustration is beyond cool – loved it since I first saw it – and it’s a perfect fit with silver. I LOVE this necklace! And it’s for a good cause as well – the world needs more trees.

You can read all about it on martycasey.com – and buy one too!

And while we’re on the subject of Marty Casey, tonight is the very first show with his new band, LA Guns in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They’ll be in Los Angeles at the Key Club and in Hermosa Beach at Saint Rocke in August, but if you live in other parts of the United States or Canada or Puerto Rico or Peru or Venezuela or Chile or Argentina or Uruguay, then check out the tour dates on his site.