Love to preach the gospel of The C-Word, especially with @kellyclarksonshow. The only thing missing is @arnoldfriend6 – but you can find like 70 hours of us together on @hearluminary…
Jimmy DeSana moves through my earliest memories- when I was born he and my mother didn’t share a studio anymore, but they were still partners in crime. It was clear to me my mother had my father- a partner in traditional ways- and Jimmy, who was her partner in the more mysterious pursuit of art. Their dialogue- the dialogue of photography, the conversations they had through their cameras- are the images that I see behind my eyelids when I shut them at night, a visual language older than I am. Jimmy- a quiet but searingly intense man of immense physical beauty and explosive creativity- died of AIDS in 1990. While I understood the gaping hole it left in my mother’s life, in all of our lives, it took me a long time to fully grasp the enormity of the creative loss- at 40 (4 years older than I am now) he had hardly put a dent in the body of work he was capable of. But- knowing that at that time there was no successful treatment for HIV/AIDS and that his time in this particular life was limited- he worked with a diligence and passion to complete the narrative. When he passed- on a very clear day in July, surrounded by love and having looked squarely at illness and death through his ever-observant camera- he left his estate to my mother @lauriesimmons and for the last 32 years she has been diligent as well, keeping her best friend alive by nurturing the work and urging people to understand its importance. Now, thanks to his show at the Brooklyn Museum- Submission- his place in the canon is being properly understood. It moves me immensely to see people, particularly young queer people, find this work that has lived in our home for so long. It moves me to see my mother’s commitment and the extent of her friendship, that it has outlasted death by many years. It moves me to see Jimmy recognized. I encourage anyone who is in the New York area to head to the Brooklyn Museum, curated by @drewmsawyer. Link in bio, and above are a smattering of favorite Jimmy works (including a pretty dreamy portrait of my mama.)
Jimmy DeSana moves through my earliest memories- when I was born he and my mother didn’t share a studio anymore, but they were still partners in crime. It was clear to me my mother had my father- a partner in traditional ways- and Jimmy, who was her partner in the more mysterious pursuit of art. Their dialogue- the dialogue of photography, the conversations they had through their cameras- are the images that I see behind my eyelids when I shut them at night, a visual language older than I am. Jimmy- a quiet but searingly intense man of immense physical beauty and explosive creativity- died of AIDS in 1990. While I understood the gaping hole it left in my mother’s life, in all of our lives, it took me a long time to fully grasp the enormity of the creative loss- at 40 (4 years older than I am now) he had hardly put a dent in the body of work he was capable of. But- knowing that at that time there was no successful treatment for HIV/AIDS and that his time in this particular life was limited- he worked with a diligence and passion to complete the narrative. When he passed- on a very clear day in July, surrounded by love and having looked squarely at illness and death through his ever-observant camera- he left his estate to my mother @lauriesimmons and for the last 32 years she has been diligent as well, keeping her best friend alive by nurturing the work and urging people to understand its importance. Now, thanks to his show at the Brooklyn Museum- Submission- his place in the canon is being properly understood. It moves me immensely to see people, particularly young queer people, find this work that has lived in our home for so long. It moves me to see my mother’s commitment and the extent of her friendship, that it has outlasted death by many years. It moves me to see Jimmy recognized. I encourage anyone who is in the New York area to head to the Brooklyn Museum, curated by @drewmsawyer. Link in bio, and above are a smattering of favorite Jimmy works (including a pretty dreamy portrait of my mama.)
An honor to chat with my true blue Honor Titus about the brilliant and highly romantic paintings in his London show at Timothy Taylor gallery. Link in bio, where links belong
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
It’s been the joy of my life to build a home in my parents’ backyard- and it was also a joy to invite @archdigest into my coziest space. My essay about finding a place in the world (and decorating that place with my mother) is linked in bio 🏡💗
Photography: @lelanief
Styling: @kellemiles
Design and Architecture: @davidbers_architecture
Decor/general maternal floofing: @lauriesimmons
Warning- fan girl walking. If you don’t care for gushing, do not pass GO: Everyone has that person who they hold up as the gold standard- who embodies the qualities they believe compose a life well lived. We don’t get a road map, and without role models we would crank the wheel, take a left turn and wind up in a ditch (can you tell I don’t know how to drive?) For me, that person is Tilda Swinton. From the moment I saw her on the screen almost thirty years ago in Sally Potter’s Orlando, her presence recalibrated my sense of how we are allowed to roll our game as women, as people. The choices she’s made, the directors she’s championed (Derek Jarmon, Sally Potter, Joanna Hogg) and the unshakability of her ethos- not to mention the ‘fits, omg the fits- give us mere mortals hope that there’s a way to push yet stay true, shine but relax. Meeting her last night checked an item off the old bucket list, and it was enough- but when a photographer suggested a photo, I seized the moment like I seized her hand. My face didn’t know what to do, so I just told myself “look up and at her like you always have.” Listening to her speak last night about the power films have to unite us, how she wants to live “in wonder, amongst friends and rich in dogs” I was reminded- for the millionth time lately it seems- how lucky I am to do this goofy yet, if we spin it just right, useful job i love. She has been more useful than any one person has the right to be. To Tilda, who could play a mushroom and we’d know its heart. Thank you to the academy museum for having me, and to Hollywood for sometimes- just sometimes- being just what you want it to be. You know, when *she’s* there. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Warning- fan girl walking. If you don’t care for gushing, do not pass GO: Everyone has that person who they hold up as the gold standard- who embodies the qualities they believe compose a life well lived. We don’t get a road map, and without role models we would crank the wheel, take a left turn and wind up in a ditch (can you tell I don’t know how to drive?) For me, that person is Tilda Swinton. From the moment I saw her on the screen almost thirty years ago in Sally Potter’s Orlando, her presence recalibrated my sense of how we are allowed to roll our game as women, as people. The choices she’s made, the directors she’s championed (Derek Jarmon, Sally Potter, Joanna Hogg) and the unshakability of her ethos- not to mention the ‘fits, omg the fits- give us mere mortals hope that there’s a way to push yet stay true, shine but relax. Meeting her last night checked an item off the old bucket list, and it was enough- but when a photographer suggested a photo, I seized the moment like I seized her hand. My face didn’t know what to do, so I just told myself “look up and at her like you always have.” Listening to her speak last night about the power films have to unite us, how she wants to live “in wonder, amongst friends and rich in dogs” I was reminded- for the millionth time lately it seems- how lucky I am to do this goofy yet, if we spin it just right, useful job i love. She has been more useful than any one person has the right to be. To Tilda, who could play a mushroom and we’d know its heart. Thank you to the academy museum for having me, and to Hollywood for sometimes- just sometimes- being just what you want it to be. You know, when *she’s* there. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Warning- fan girl walking. If you don’t care for gushing, do not pass GO: Everyone has that person who they hold up as the gold standard- who embodies the qualities they believe compose a life well lived. We don’t get a road map, and without role models we would crank the wheel, take a left turn and wind up in a ditch (can you tell I don’t know how to drive?) For me, that person is Tilda Swinton. From the moment I saw her on the screen almost thirty years ago in Sally Potter’s Orlando, her presence recalibrated my sense of how we are allowed to roll our game as women, as people. The choices she’s made, the directors she’s championed (Derek Jarmon, Sally Potter, Joanna Hogg) and the unshakability of her ethos- not to mention the ‘fits, omg the fits- give us mere mortals hope that there’s a way to push yet stay true, shine but relax. Meeting her last night checked an item off the old bucket list, and it was enough- but when a photographer suggested a photo, I seized the moment like I seized her hand. My face didn’t know what to do, so I just told myself “look up and at her like you always have.” Listening to her speak last night about the power films have to unite us, how she wants to live “in wonder, amongst friends and rich in dogs” I was reminded- for the millionth time lately it seems- how lucky I am to do this goofy yet, if we spin it just right, useful job i love. She has been more useful than any one person has the right to be. To Tilda, who could play a mushroom and we’d know its heart. Thank you to the academy museum for having me, and to Hollywood for sometimes- just sometimes- being just what you want it to be. You know, when *she’s* there. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
No matter how much time I spend in LA- sometimes days, sometimes years- I always get a case of the Calis. They’re not bad- they’re not exactly good either. They just are. Something about the preponderance of fine weather and healthy food options and people exercising with full faces of makeup highlights the very aspects of life I find the hardest- namely, the life of the body and not the mind. I look around and wonder how everyone is doing it, and why I’ve never been able to (unless I’m in the very lucky position of being dressed and painted and even then I am begging for tacos and lying down a lot.) Growing up in New York, I felt at home amongst the rushed and anxious, coffee spilled down chests, smoky men wheezing their way onto the subway and women with hair askew settling into two seats- one for them and one for their exploding briefcase. It’s why I love film sets too. The challenge it takes to get anywhere, to get anything done, the thick mist of stress levels the playing field- it’s hard enough for all of us to be people and we put every ounce of what we’re capable of into our work. LA contains multitudes (let’s just say I’ve had some weeeird nights out in this town, some east side LED light classics) and no place with this many people is a monolith, but what the LA I’ve inhabited wants you to see is ease- messy buns that aren’t messy at all, sweat-wicking leggings and superfood smoothies in reusable mugs and striding into the salon ten minutes early. But when you spend time here living and working, there really is that inexplicable magic you hear so much about. I remind myself that LA is many things, and one of those things is a haven for people who love movies, a place we go to try and live the life we fantasized about as kids sitting too close to the TV. And that can sometimes bring darkness but its essence is light. So thank you this time, LA, for letting me come and talk about my childhood dream #CatherineCalledBirdyMovie which is streaming now on Amazon @primevideo. And thank you @puppetsandpuppets for the Shelley Duvall Fairytale Theater weird-girl looks of my dreams. I tried not to spill coffee on them. But I did. Because I’m from New York. Los Angeles, California
What I love most about this man is his spirit- big and life giving, cunning and goofy. I love how he wakes up so excited to greet the day- every day (unlike his moody wife)- and shares that spirit with everyone we meet, everywhere we go. I love most how he shares it through his music. His debut album Presence (by @attawalpa) is out now- watching him hone and perfect these devilishly psychedelic sounds has been a great privilege. If you like to go deep and go hard, download or stream wherever you like to do that. It’s music to be here now too.
On Friday night we had Birdyfest. It was basically Medieval Coachella except trade music for a braid bar, jewelry engraving station, DIY candle rolling and a screening of Catherine Called Birdy on a big outdoor screen with a pillow pit in front. There were giant turkey legs. My mom is going to be mad she missed the giant turkey legs- the only reason she allowed us to go to Disneyland. If every night were like this, I’d never make another movie cuz I’d be partying too hard. This was all to let folks know that the movie is officially on @amazonprime. Wear your coziest Medieval look, grab a drumstick- but perhaps leave the metalsmithing to the experts #CatherineCalledBirdyMovie Los Angeles, California
I spent my childhood reading Catherine Called Birdy to find a space of safety, calm and adventure right in my bed. That’s what the best books do, and the best movies too- and I wanted to make that kind of movie, the kind that keeps you company when you need it most and also makes you want to go out crusading. Here I am hugging the real life embodiment of Birdy- and the truest pal who made this journey a joy every step of the way @bellaramsey. Today our movie is out on Amazon @primevideo, where it can be your friend the way the book & Bella are mine. From us to you with love and Medieval curses. And tomorrow I’ll keep on crusading, Birdy style, looking for the next creative adventure. But for today we celebrate this one and thank you for joining us. #CatherineCalledBirdyMovie
Leotard & cargo pants for @latelateshow with @j_corden she asked? Well, certainly the Lord said. This is an outfit that 5 year old Lena work have given aaalll her allowance for… See ya on the 🛋
Styling: @paulburgo
Hair: @hairbyjohnd
Makeup: @stephensollitto
Nails: @nailthoughts Los Angeles, California
Leotard & cargo pants for @latelateshow with @j_corden she asked? Well, certainly the Lord said. This is an outfit that 5 year old Lena work have given aaalll her allowance for… See ya on the 🛋
Styling: @paulburgo
Hair: @hairbyjohnd
Makeup: @stephensollitto
Nails: @nailthoughts Los Angeles, California
Leotard & cargo pants for @latelateshow with @j_corden she asked? Well, certainly the Lord said. This is an outfit that 5 year old Lena work have given aaalll her allowance for… See ya on the 🛋
Styling: @paulburgo
Hair: @hairbyjohnd
Makeup: @stephensollitto
Nails: @nailthoughts Los Angeles, California
