Creating Art, Helping a Community – Danger Schmanger

OK, though much like Pope Benedict is soon to be this site is largely functioning as a Blog Emeritus to the new site I do want to use it from time to time, though, for special announcements, etc. Won’t you consider donating to this worthy project. I know a lot of people (including a ton of artists) are asking for your money these days, but I can vouch for these gentleman and their heart and vision and I want to promote their cause wherever I can.

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Some gentlemen I know from church are part of an endeavor to create a business that does good by helping to foster new artists and to change the perception of a much maligned but amazing city, my city, St. Louis.

Would you watch the video on their page and consider donating? As a personal connection, the house that the video was shot in? Yup, that’s das Haus, my house, right in the middle of the aforementioned city. Check them out on Facebook here and the web here. Click on the image below to go to their fundraising page.

From their Indiegogo page:

“Hey there people. My name is Cardin Irakoze and I am one of the interns for Danger Schmanger. I’m originally from Congo. I have been in St. Louis for five years and the first thing I noticed about St. Louis the danger. It took me awhile to notice the beauty of St. Louis. The first thing I want other people to notice about St. Louis is the beauty not the danger. One of the best ways we can do that is through Danger Schmanger. One t-shirt can make a huge difference. We need your help. We need $4500 to finish buying equipment and things for our shop. And even if you can’t help us financially, you can still pray for us. Thank you.”

Cardin is an awesome kid studying at Forest Park Community College to do web design. We are truly privileged to be burning screens, pulling ink, and making T-shirts with him.

How it all works:

Blue and Gold – A Very Blingy Christmas to You – das Haus

Some friends describe my aesthetic choices as being stuck in the ’70s. I prefer to think of them as Hobbity, with perhaps some influence from my Pakistani side, which leads me to be desirous of some gaudiness and bling

Deck the Halls – A Start – das Haus

Window Seat – An Invitation to Oneself – Das Haus

Soundtrack here.

The Yard in Springtime – Peonies and Queen Magnolia – Das Haus

The Magnolia Effect – The First of the Leaves and Falling II – Magnolia liliiflora

Four magnolia posts in a row! Perhaps the blog ought to be renamed to The Magnolia Effect for the week. Have no fear, though, there will be some diversity of postings soon; indeed, I have a number and variety of sets of photos that I only need the time and energy to process and post. And I do try not to overflood my subscribers email on any given day

The intriguing thing about this varietal of magnolia is that unlike the classic white magnolia which has large waxy petals throughout the year, this magnolia is bare during the winter, then first the flowers appear, and second the leaves, as the flowers begin to fade and fall. The first set of photos below are of the new leaves popping out, which are followed by another set of fallen petals which often cradle tiny bundles of stamens, like tiny purple piano hammers.

Thank you for indulging my love for my magnolia tree. It is simply rather impossible to walk out to my car these days and not want to stop to take some more shots, especially as even now the ephemeral nature of this glorious beauty is already in evidence.

Falling – Magnolia liliiflora

In Sunlight – Magnolia liliiflora

In a Gentle Rain – Magnolia liliiflora

The Magnolia at Dusk – Magnolia liliiflora – Direct Positive Lightroom Preset

As I noted in the post yesterday, this tree is likely to have many pictures taken of it. This is true not only because of its lovely blossoms but also because of its shape. I think you will agree that it is pretty amazing.

Having been pretentious enough to name my house, I am not going to name every blessed thing in and around it, but I do think this tree deserves one. I am thinking Queen followed by something, because she looks rather queenly to me. I will let you know if I come up with anything.

The Direct Positive preset is an interesting one. It brings up the black values and dramatically increases the saturation levels of blue, aqua, purple and a little in green and yellow. I almost always tone the effect way down, but it can make for some intense, striking images.