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wildflower magazine Ashley Noel Hennefer Editor Contributors Susan Botich Melanie Copeland Sandy Finelli Michael Gines Stephanie Gines Margie Klein Nicole Melvin Jessica Ross Tim Stobierski
Ashley Dodge Jessica Farkas Rachel Quinn Scarlett Caitlin Aly Thomas
Life and Food Columnist Get Reel A Network Timeout Scarlett Speaks Fight Like a Girl
Members Kelley Hodges Anna Belle Monti Allison Young Rachel Casiano Jessica Ross
Wild Member Rebel Member Rebel Member Rebel Member Wild Member
Published by Desert Underground | Independent Publishing and Media Email: wildflower.magazine@gmail.com Copyright Š 2011 by the artists published and Wildflower Magazine. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions. Your support of the artists’ rights is appreciated.
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september
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table of contents featured artists stephanie and michael gines
8 drink it in by meredith white
16 self-made woman: Q&A with susan botich
18 super mario paints degas by tim stobierski
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desert rain by margie klein
24 girl, isolated by jessica ross
26 contrast: images by melanie copeland and nicole melvin
30 general information
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editor notes
I don’t consider myself a summer person - the heat makes me irritable, the bright sun gives me headaches, and I like the business of the school year. So when the first grey sky appears and the subtle bite of cold greets me in the morning, I get excited. Fall is my favorite season by far, so I guess I’m a little biased about this issue. I like transitions, natural and personal. The autumn is where I feel most at peace with my environment. I love spending time outside amongst the falling leaves and in the rain. I love making meals with rooted vegetables that make up such a colorful plate. I love a hot glass of tea and a good book. It’s a very literary season, and many of my favorite stories and poems take place in the fall. Like every issue, a theme emerges completely unintentionally. I noticed the pieces in this issue address the idea of a personal ecology. Through the diverse creative work you’ll read about women in various habitats. Featured artists Stephanie and Michael Gines photograph women, men and children in various settings, the models’
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beauty highilighted against backgrops of the earth or manmade. Jessica Ross discusses the experience of a young woman who feels out her element with others who share a passion for the same hobby. Sandy Finelli celebrates National Recovery Month and helps people find themselves in the midst of hardship. And Susan Botich discusses where she finds inspiration for her stories and songwriting. I hope this issue encourages you to reflect on your ecologies. Where do you find peace? Of what are you afraid or intrigued? Where is your place in the universe? Happy reading! Ashley Noel Hennefer, Editor
A special feature from Sandy Finelli, director of the Empowerment Center in Reno, Nevada Every September, the Empowerment Center, along with numerous other safe and sober organizations, celebrates National Recovery Month. Recovery is an undertaking that is accomplished one day at a time and every year the Empowerment Center joins the community to acknowledge yet another benchmark on the path to long-term sobriety. National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is hosted by the national Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The 2011 theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Recovery Benefits Everyone.” In collaboration with Join Together Northern Nevada (www.jttn.org) the Empowerment Center and numerous community agencies seek to carry the message of recovery to men and women who are suffering from the devastation of addiction and alcoholism.
The professional recovery network in Northern Nevada is launching a fundraising effort for a heroin media campaign. This campaign is spearheaded by Join Together Northern Nevada. Why heroin? It’s cheap, it’s in our community, and it’s a problem. Our kids are using heroin at alarming rates. We want to help parents identify the signs and symptoms of heroin use before a drug problem turns into a deadly problem. Click here to find out more. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from learning more about the rewards of recovery, please contact us at info@LaunchingPadNV.com or www.LaunchingPadNV. com . Finally…the Empowerment Center has spread its wings and is trying out Social Media! Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow Us On Twitter. Join Our Mailing List to keep up with “The Buzz” at the Empowerment Center.
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habitat Husband and wife team, Stephanie and Michael Gines of BLINKit Photography capture women in diverse surroundings
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Model: Tia Phann Photograph by: BLINKit Photography
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Model: Jodi Newton Photograph by: BLINKit Photography
How long have you been in the business? Mike has been doing video production for fifteen years but its has been only a year for us together as BLINKit Photography. Mike bought me a camera for Mother's day when he saw that I enjoyed taking photos of our two daughters. At first we just wanted to find something that we both love doing, which led us to what is now BLINKit Photography.
Where do you get inspiration for your photoshoots? We look at a lot of magazines, like PDN, After capture, and high fashion magazines like Vouge, and Cosmopolitain. Also, trend changes like the Apple iPod; we try to just be inspired by others, but not mimic them. We believe it's important to be ourselves and create our own masterpieces. A lot is preparation and experimenting on what works for the shoot. We try to think out of the box.
What are your educational back grounds? Mike has a bachelor of computer sciences and graphic designs. Stephanie started her schooling to become a registered nurse, but the interest and passion of photography changed that. We are both self taught in photography and try to educate ourselves by going to workshops and seminars, learning from the best in the industry like Joe McNally and Zack Arias. They really made us better photographers. We have had to step out of our comfort zone in many situations. And of course lots of practice. How is it working as a team? It's great! Especially when our client is female, it makes them feel more comfortable having another female to take their photos. The funny thing is, when we shoot together, a lot of the other photographers and models laugh at us because we know when one another is ready to shoot and we always finish each others sentences when we pose someone. We also give a goofy and relaxed vibe to each other, not to mention we support each other on ideas and compositions. However, after twelve years of marriage there are times when spouse mode takes effect and we know each other pretty well how to handle those moments. I can just give Mike the look and he knows to tread carefully.
What has been your greatest accomplishment as photographers? Within the a year we were very blessed to be published in multiple publicastions like Glam Rock Magazine, Lowes, Costco, Kawasaki, and Hard Rock Hotel. We designed and photographed a couple of indie movie posters along with new designers clothing lines, like famous hat designer Sarah. Next month will will be doing a shoot for a cover for The Dark Beauty Magazine. We also created a group called The Inland Empire Photography Group (IEPG). We do shoot outs with other talented people in the photography industry such as photographers, make-up artist, hair stylist and models . What makes us different from the other
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group is that we try to make our workshop a two to one ratio. Meaning one model to two photographers. The photographers will have the opportunity to pose, light and do their own unique shots than a regular paparazzi shoot out to were everyone has the same shot. You also do video production. How is the film process different than photography? The big difference is handling a crew and a array of equipment on set. Post production is longer and not to mention render time on color correct and effects added on the clips. With photography we try to do all the effects and color correct in camera so at post process we do little Photoshopping. What are your upcoming projects? We hope to start our pre-production which is a movie entitled, "Whisper My Name," which Mike wrote and will possibly co-direct. Are your children involved in the photography process? Our girls love coming with us to our shoots and at home we experiment with lighting, composition and angles quite a bit with them. They are interested in modeling as well. Both of our girls, Katelynn and Layla, are very artistic. They have gotten multiple awards and have an interest in photography and video. Time to time they do take photos with our DSLR. Any fun facts about yourself? We like playing Wii dance with the girls. Stephanie always like to eat Jack in the Box tacos before a shoot. Mike loves frozen yogurts and tries to brain freeze himself. Overall we try to think were pretty normal.
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Model: Erinn Lyon Photograph by: BLINKit Photography
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