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Citygarden – “Kindly Gepetto” by Tom Otterness, originally uploaded by Nikon66.

You should definitely check out this photographer’s work. His photos of the Citygarden in downtown St. Louis are just incredible. His shots are absolutely inspiring!

Vino., originally uploaded by gina.banina.

I spent today out and about in St. Louis enjoying the incredibly beautiful day. First brunch at Merriweather’s, a restaurant inside of the Missouri History Museum. Then shooting photos around Forest Park. Then wine at Duff’s on the patio. I cannot imagine a more perfect way to spend a Sunday in St. Louis.

I have been enjoying the warm weather that has hit St. Louis and am very much looking forward to the 71 degrees we are expecting tomorrow and the 76 degree high expected Tuesday. I love capri and flip flop weather!

Ignore the long toes. Hehe.

(Above drawn by Derek Simmons)

This weekend I attended Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus at the Tin Ceiling Theater. Titus Andronicus is directed by Robert Strasser and produced by Andrew and Elizabeth Byrd. As with every show I have seen there, it was outstanding.

Titus Andronicus tells the tale of a general (Titus) who backs the wrong man as Emperor and as a result must watch his family ravaged, raped, and ruined. Titus smartly and gruesomely exacts his revenge.

The set for Titus is minimalist, the static piece being a 5’ x 7’ or so painting by local artist Amy Vandonsel. The actors’ body language and dialogue fills the stage instead, bringing to life the tragedy and betrayal of Titus Andronicus.

The play includes 14 actors, with four actors’ work standing out especially: Alan ‘Soupy’ David as unapologetically malevolent Aaron, John Johnson as steadfast Marcus, Robert Mitchell as title character Titus, and Tara Lawton as the tormented Lavinia.

I encourage you to see Titus Andronicus while it is still at the Tin Ceiling Theater (3159 Cherokee, St. Louis). It runs through December 21st.

Yesterday afternoon was the opening reception for Man-Made, a national juried photography exhibition at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.  Two of my photographs were featured.  (I blogged about the show previously).  I was thrilled to have so many of my friends show to support me.

The other photography in the show was for the most part outstanding.  I was honored to be presented with an award for one of my two shots.  I was given a certificate and a check.  I have learned if a presentation is held during one’s opening reception then do not have a cup in your hand or food in your mouth (yeah, I was looking awesome… LOL).

If you were unable to attend the opening reception, the photography will be on display until January 9th.

To protest Proposition 8, people across the country will gather in their towns and cities today, November 15^th, and protest this assault of GLBTQ rights. St. Louisans and those in surrounding towns will gather at the Old Courthouse today at 12 Noon in Downtown St. Louis to join in the protest. For more information, go here.

If you can’t make it to the protest, speak out against GLBTQ prejudice and intolerance when you are confronted by it, blog against it, write letters to elected officials, and volunteer with GLBTQ organizations and events. Every one of us can make a difference.

I have been invited by the St. Louis Artists’ Guild to participate in a juried photo exhibition called Man-Made.  Two of my photographs will be featured, Motion and Madness.  The opening is Sunday, November 23rd, at 1 p.m.  It is free and open to the public.  If you are unable to come to the opening, feel free to view the exhibition anytime between the 23rd and January 9th.  I hope you are able to make it to the opening, though!  Directions here.

This Saturday is Art Attack: Day of the Dead Art at the Koken Art Factory (2500 Ohio Avenue in St. Louis).  This is an auction to benefit KDHX and the Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery.  My gal pal Amy Vandonsel is in the show again this year and everyone should go and cheer her painting on.  Last year the Art Attack show was a lot of fun and this year’s promises to be even more fun!

Two paintings are put against each other in elimination rounds determined by the audience. The painting receiving the best response, as ascertained by the Applause-O-Meter, moves on to the next round. The fate of losing paintings is determined by the Wheel of Misfortune, which includes opportunities to bid on and rescue the works, as well as the ever-popular “certain death” option – which sends paintings straight to the gallows. Past paintings have met their end via chainsaw, samurai sword and a hillbilly hell-bent on destruction.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and in addition to the art-carnage, you can enjoy performances by the Alley Cat Revue burlesque troupe and a soundtrack selected by DJ Doug Morgan. Tickets are $10. For information visit KDHX.

Come out tonight if you can and support Amy (on the left in pic with moi).  She is being featured with several other lovely artists in a fab art show “As Above, So Below” (2101 Locust, St. Louis City) from 7 – 10 p.m.  Free entry, free food, and free Schlafly beer.  You may even see me there if you’re lucky! (*wink*)

The blog “The Inspired Room” is doing a contest of fall porch photographs and so I give you these two that I shot this month in the Central West End: