the alchymista 6/19/14 the alchymista 6/19/14

>> south austin gothic

this portrait series started with a photo that ian and i took on a whim before our 3 month journey to india in 2006. (you can see the series here.)

the unwritten "portrait rules" are:

1. style and throw everything together haphazardly maybe an hour before the shoot.

2. only use clothes that already exist in our wardrobes.

3. look serious.

3. bribe kids with a treat for participating in all of the above.

pretty damn fun.

grande thanks to the talented shana berenzweig for this and almost all of our other portraits.

the alchymista 6/11/14 the alchymista 6/11/14

> > squash <

crazy squash and zucchini harvest this year!

the alchymista 6/5/14 the alchymista 6/5/14

> > huejuquilla <

i recently spent a remarkable week at the huichol center in huejuquilla el alto, jalisco. At the center they raise turkeys, rabbits, and organic chickens and grow their own vegetables while employing, training, and educating the huichol people.

while i was there, we finalized the HUICHOL LOVE earring line and began work on the line of HUICHOL LOVE bracelets.

my time there grew me in countless ways. i'll be back.

the alchymista 5/7/14 the alchymista 5/7/14

> > wirikuta <

i happened upon the huichol people and wirikuta on my first long adventure in mexico.

i happened upon the huichol people and wirikuta on my first long adventure in mexico. wirikuta is a sacred place - its destruction would be a devastating loss.

i'm excited to be heading back to the mountains of mexico to be with the huicholes next week.

¡hasta pronto!

the alchymista 4/11/14 the alchymista 4/11/14

>> ian

12 years ago in prague, i sat down at a coffee shop next to ian ingram.

i thank my lucky stars for that day and every day since.

happy birthday, mi el.