2 New Zines: Mini Preview

I have been working on a couple of zines these past few weeks getting ready fro the new year and possibly this years Brooklyn Zinefest (more about this later). For now enjoy a little preview of the two zines coming out very soon.

preview here

preview here

Pocket Tokyo Photo Zine

Here's my new Pocket Tokyo Photo Zine, Breathing in Japan, Part I. All these pics are analog photos shot with my Nikon F3 during my last trip to Tokyo.
Sold here and here

Tokyo on Foot

Tokyo on Foot is the most amazing book I've seen in a long time. This book is by Florent Chavouet, a wonderful artist that while living in Tokyo for 6 months documented everything he saw and did in his sketchbook. The book is full of beautiful and comical color pencil renderings, of buildings, people, parks, maps, plus the notes and bits of story are really funny. Here are a few pages.


Tokyo on Foot by Florent Chavouet.

Tokyo Living

Someone once asked me if I was living in Tokyo when I was there last or was I there on holiday (that's vacation to us Americans). Well I thought about that question because I felt like I was living there even though it was for a short period. I spent a better part of my childhood moving a lot, sometimes only living for a week in the same apartment and having to pack up all over again, furniture and all. So as an adult I have certain parameters to define living in a place, length of time not really mattering only my routine. While in my Tokyo apartment I pretty much did everything I do living in my Brooklyn Apartment here's a little (long) photo narrative....

I folded up my futon after waking.
I did my laundry. Yes everyday, unfortunately.
I freshened the bedding.
I looked out my apartment window to admire the view
  I locked my apartment door before heading out  
I coveted my neighbor's garden
I picked up breakfast when I didn't feel like having toast and eggs, again.
I saw my favorite corner at the bottom of my hill.
  I went food and supply shopping at the local supermarket. I walked to the train station. On the way to the train station I wrestled with riding a bike in the freezing cold, the train won as usual. I passed the local pet store.
  I picked up a maatcha latte right before getting to the train station.
  I molested a dog on the way to the train.
 
  I sketched.
I went out to photograph the nearby neighborhoods.
I pondered what this storefront held inside every day on the way to the the train.
I regretted not buying that cute thing I could have used.
I had lunch.
I bought a yummy pastry after lunch.
  I picked up some crafty supplies.
I had a beer.
I molested a pack of wild chihuahuas.
  I checked out my favorite vintage store.
I rode the train home.
  I checked out my favorite local clothing and accessories stores.
I cooked a crappy meal in my sad little Japanese kitchen. I went out for dinner because I didn't want to eat a crappy meal.
I molested the neighborhood kitty.
I coveted my neighbor's house
  I had another delicious craft beer at the local Taproom.

OH! I paid rent and took out the trash. Yep, seems like a was living there.

Remembering

I spent this past week and weekend sick, so I had a lot of time for reflection. But before I was laid up in bed I was fortunate enough to have been invited to a special event given by Japan at the United Nations remembering the victims and thanking the world for their heart felt support. An amazing group of Taiko drummers from Tohoku along with singers and contemporary musician gave an amazing performance.

Remembering it all brought back a lot of feelings of sadness.... My wish is for those who lost so much can have a brighter future.

My experience that day...

"Breathing in Japan" my new photo book

This is my new photo book, Breathing in Japan. It's a selection of my photos from my last trip to Japan in March of 2011. If you are interested in getting a copying you can get one here.