Françoise Weeks was asked to present again this year at Billingsley.

While photographing her latest shoe inspired design, I overheard an attendee say to her companion “but when would you ever use this?” Does art really need a practical application?

To me, referring to Françoise’s work as merely a floral bouquet or “arrangement” is demeaning.  Her work is art.  It is art that inspires and it elicits an emotion – it makes me smile.  I admire the detail, the intricacy and with her shoe inspired designs – I love its whimsy.

I feel her type of art is akin to the work of Cristo – installations that are unique but fleeting – much like admiring a fall sunrise, the laughter of children running through a water fountain on a hot summer day, tasting a velvety glass of Syrah or a hug from a loved one.

Her artwork is my muse.

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery.
Being inspired by Hood to Coast, Knowledge Universe (KU) has generated March to Beach. Beach is not the one with shimmery white sand but a North Portland Elementary School. This is the second year that KU has participated in the Schoolhouse Supplies Tools for Schools program.

Read more in Larry Bingham’s story on Oregon Live.

Click on the following links to see more of my photographic coverage of this event:

KU & Beach Video

KU & Beach Album

Dr. Brandon did not disappoint again this year!  All his patients were treated to ice cream, games and a chance to win a new Touch iPod!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click the following to see all the images:  Joni Photo on Facebook

The Opening Night dinner event was attended by the brother and sister of Janis Joplin, Michael and Laura.  They were instrumental in the development of this play by providing personal stories and Janis’s artwork.  To see a slideshow of the Opening Night dinner, click the following link:  Janis

One Night With Janis will be playing until July 3rd.  Ear plugs are handed out if needed but this is Rock N’ Roll – who needs ear plugs?!  You knew it was a great concert if your hearing was a little impaired the next day, right?!

The theme for this year’s Portland Business Alliance Annual Meeting was their program – Value of Jobs, which is about making job creation a top priority.  The Keynote Speaker Renee James, VP & General Manager of Intel’s Software and Services Group provided scary details which could be used to support investing to boost education in Portland.  Intel is bringing 1,000 full time jobs to Hillsboro, however these jobs require highly skilled college graduates, a limited resource amongst Oregonians.

This story is well covered by Erik Siemers in the Portland Business Journal.  Yes, Erik does look like Rainn Wilson (a.k.a. Dwight Schrute of The Office), this is how he caught my eye.

Mark Bocchi of Alaska Airlines and their inflatable Alaska Airlines Airplane mascot were present to meet and greet.  A happy ending to the Annual meeting was Mark pulling the 2 winners for a drawing of tickets for 2 to any Alaska Airlines destination (including Hawaii – pretty sweet!).

Click on the following link to view a slideshow of this event:  PBA Annual Meeting

And also let me make an argument for a wide angle zoom.  Most photography enthusiasts would use a wide angle to take scenic images like the following top left.  But try using it at a different angle – maybe purposefully distort some things like in the very bottom image…whose sexy now?!

If you ever feel a block in your creativity, try pulling out different lenses and think of different ways to use them, i.e. different perspectives, different points of view.

To view a slide show of the opening night dinner for OPUS at the Portland Center Stage, click the following:  OPUS Slideshow

Portland Center Stage never disappoints!  This event was a GAS!  West Coast Productions brought the hip-ness with a “magic bus” bar, lava lamps, mod black and white lounges with black and white posters of The Supremes and Nancy Sinatra with her white go go boots.  Great food and drink was created by Art of Catering – check out the “Lucy in Sky with Diamonds” table holding the shrimp cocktails!  Shoshana Bean was amazing with her Barbara Streisand medley.  And the auction was lively and upbeat with moderators from Chris Murry and Courtenay Hameister and auctioneer extradionaire, Johnna Wells.

Click the following to view more:

PCS Slideshow

PCS Album

Deb Hatcher of Rex Hills Vineyards hosted a wedding reception for newlyweds, Jessica and Jordan, who were married in Hawaii early February.  Jessica along with her Dad, Howard, form the father – daughter team of Et Fille Wines – meaning “and daughter.”  Jessica’s Mom, Mona, grew up in Hawaii so I got to “talk story” with Mona and a few of her friends at the event.

To see more, click on the following links:

Jessica & Jordan Slideshow

Jessica & Jordan Album

Wieden+Kennedy sponsored the Partners in Diversity (PiD) “Say Hey” event held February 10th.  These quarterly events honor new minority professionals relocating to this area and help connect them to the multicultural community.

As we say in Hawaii, the “broke da mouth” (loosely translated means “awesome”) culinary experience was provided by Mayahuel Catering and Micro Mercantes.  If you crave great authentic Mexican, you’ve got to check them out!

Chaucer Barnes (W+K) shared his experience of a Say Hey event.  Having just moved to Portland, he attended the Say Hey event and met Dan Wieden.  Not knowing Mr. Wieden’s background, Chaucer was “himself” in his conversation with this advertising titan.  Chaucer was hired by W+K and has moved up the ranks over the years.

It was an exhilirating and comforting feeling to see such a huge collection of talent and diverse color in one place.

To view more from this event, click on the following links:

PiD@W+K Video

PiD@W+K Album

Charismatic, entertaining and extremely generous – this is Patty Mills, point guard for the Portland Trailblazers.  Stealing the show at OnPoint Community Credit Union’s Celebrity Spelling Bee to benefit Schoolhouse Supplies.  Patty modestly and gracious posed with adoring fans who donated $100 to meet and have their photo taken with the NBA star.  Even danced with lucky fan, Willie Poinsette – the principal at Humboldt Elementary and former school board member.  I just read from Patty’s fan page that the Blazer Fan Shop is donating 50% of the sales of Patty’s #8 jersey to flood relief in Australia, Patty’s home country.

Here’s Patty’s participation at the Bee to give you an idea of how he helped to make this benefit for Schoolhouse Supplies a success – Patty Steals Show.

For more of the Spelling Bee, click on the following links:

Bee video

Bee album