Maker’s Remarks: Debbie Carlos

{ Black Mountain }

While looking for a new photo print for our bedroom that was both large and affordable, I came across this crazy cool Mountains poster by one Debbie Carlos. I just had to have it, and how (!), so I messaged Debbie to make sure I could get it quickly. I’m about as patient as a spoiled kid on Christmas Eve. I also wanted it as part of a mini apartment facelift before our first wedding guest arrived. But mostly, I just wanted it now! Debbie turned out to be very accommodating. So sweet, in fact, that I thought, “Gee. I bet she’s a lovely, interesting person, and I sure would love to learn more about her and feature her gorgeous work on our blog.” So that’s what I did! Debbie kindly agreed to participate in our Maker’s Remarks series and has answered a few questions about her work, her life, and her inner crab.

{ Lake }

Your photos seem to express a love of nature. How do you find things to shoot despite living in a big city?

I don’t often take pictures of the city itself, choosing to focus more on the home and the quiet surprising/beautiful moments that happen sometimes. But Chicago is great in terms of greenery. There are tons of parks and  preserves within the city limits that I often shoot in. I also tend to take the most photographs when I’m traveling.

{ Woods }

Do you have any current or upcoming creative projects that you’re excited about?

I’m collaborating on a project with my brother, who is an amazing graphic designer based out of Minneapolis. He designed the award winning catalog for Yves Klein’s traveling exhibition and is senior designer at the Walker Art Center so you know this is going to be good! We are finalizing the design and about to go into production. It should be making its debut at this year’s Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago!

What’s your spirit animal?

The Dancing Crab

{ Blue Egg }

You also have a food blog! Can you share one of your favorite recipes with us?

Since it is summer, I feel like I must share with you the recipe for Watermelon Shake! Its a take on a Mexican Agua Fresca but its name is a shout out to my Filipino background (we call our blended fruit drinks shakes even though there is no dairy in them).

Watermelon Shake

Watermelon, cubed
Cold Water
Lime juice
Sweetener (Sugar, Agave Syrup, Honey, Splenda etc)
Salt

Use about a  4:1 ratio of watermelon to water. Pulse in a blender and taste. If its too watery, add more watermelon or add water if mixture seems too stiff. Add a small pinch of salt and season with lime juice and sweetener to taste.

* to make this a little boozy add some tequila

{ Gradient / Jade }

And you make jewelry? How do you balance all of your creative drives?

I feel like I always need to have a project going on. I think if I sit still for too long or if nothing is on the horizon, I get really anxious. I also think its really great and healthy to change it up a bit every once in awhile. If I get tired of working on photos, I know I can go and work on some jewelry.  If I get tired of both, maybe I can go into the kitchen and have a cooking project. There are a lot of things that I’d like to be able to do that just don’t happen and thats ok and sometimes it does get overwhelming but I kind of wing it based on mood. Its always good to have something going on.

Happy Birthday, Westervin!

{ one hundred thirty three by Hannah Greene }

The Westervin blog is one year old! Can you believe it? We gave birth to this little idea of a silly blog around this time last year, and my how our little creation has grown in 12 months! My how our lives have changed in 12 months! An engagement, a new job, a new apartment, and our crazy kitty child, Fitzgerald. Happy as clams, we are.

How will we celebrate? Chocolate cake, of course! Lots of chocolate cake. And a little trip to see our bestest best friends in the whole universe. And probably some champagne, if I have anything to say about it. But don’t worry–we haven’t forgotten about you, our faithful reader. We probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, all of you, with your sweet comments and encouraging feedback. We’ve even got a little present for you. You’ll have to wait until Monday, though. But I’ll give you a hint… it rhymes with Clog Piveaway.

Awww… you guys <3!

If a blog shouts into the ether, but there’s no one there to read it… does it even matter? No! Which is why we’re so grateful you’re here. Thank you for finding Westervin even remotely interesting. Have a happy Thanksgiving (if you’re into that sort of thing), and let’s hang out again next week.

Daily Pretties: To Produce

{ Untitled by Michael Barry }  { Untitled (although, I’ve personally titled this one BlazAM) by Grace Steinel Jones (hey! i know her!) }

I know what you’re thinking. Where on god’s green earth have we been? Do we think we can disappear with no warning for a month and then pop up again like a greedy gofer wanting back in the spotlight? This isn’t a game of wack-a-mole! This is life. And you’re right. Well, all I can say is, this blogger needed a long staycation. But now we’re back. Stay on your toes.

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Daily Pretties: Curtained Stare

{ Untitled by Alex Howard }  { Untitled by Laura Morgan }

Speaking of the changes we mentioned yesterday, you may have also noticed a small change to the Westervin content.  With my new full time job (which I’m loving like a squid loves watercolors), I have less time to devote to this here bloggy blog, and the daily posting has gone from three to two.  This hurts me as much as it hurts you, people.  But don’t go blubbering on me — we’re not leaving you!  I’m still just trying to find the balance between work and play.  Before I set a blogging schedule in stone, however, I’d like to hear from you.  That’s right, don’t be shy!  (I know most of you by name.  Don’t make me come after you.)  What types of posts do you most enjoy?  What should I be devoting more time to?  You can see all of our post categories in the drop-down box to the right.  Ideally, I’d like to have at least one post per day that is substantial in both visual and written content, but would you also like me to supplement these posts with one or two purely visual posts?  Gimme some feedback here, babies.  Feed me, Seymour!  Feed me!

Westervin Wear: Baby it’s cold outside

Behold!  My Bloganista outfit for week 3, complete with go-to scarf, new booties and a hearty disdain for Chicago winters.  Now, I’m a southern girl with a circulation problem, so I’m no champ when it comes to bearing through the cold.  If you ask me, Chicago has a wind that will blow right through you and steal your soul.  And yet, just the other day, I saw a young woman walking by in a mini skirt and stilettos – no leggings, no tights, no nothin’.  I wanted to slap her on the wrist and say, “GUUUUURRL!  Get some clothes on!  No one’s gonna care how sexy your legs look when you have FROSTBITE.  Try balancing in those heels without any TOES!”  Fortunately, I was able to restrain myself.

Today I Love: Our First Comment!

Oh boy oh boy, were we excited to see this!  Our very first comment!  Yesterday morning at 12:12am, the holiest of hours (you’ll probably want to mark it on your calendar), the Westervin blog was christened with a comment from what must be our number #1 reader.  And for you other readers out there, don’t be shy!  We know you’re there, and we’d loooooove to hear from you.  Especially if you’ve heard any good jokes lately.  We love a good joke.  And bad ones, too…