cyan- self portrait. February 2009. Marfa, Texas. © Joe Swayze

I'm headed out west to Marfa this week for the opening at the Thunderbird Hotel. The best part is some of my most favorite people will be there. Including Joe & Joanna Swayze. Joe ( as seen in self portrait above) was my photo teacher at the Maine Photographic Workshop in 1986. It's not the first time I have blogged about him and it won't be the last. Joe opened my eyes to the world of photography. I cherish that our friendship continues and grows!

Ray's Gun Shop. February 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Funny... I shot this very same photo last summer on assignment for a French magazine . Shot with my 5D as a mental note to return someday with my Hasselblad. The detail of the 50s ceiling is more evident with the Hasselblad shot. And it's true...It's all about the details.

Another reminder.. if you are the neighborhood, stop on by!

Bobby's beard. February 17, 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

If you are in Austin tomorrow, check out the The 3rd Annual Austin Beard and Moustache Contest at the Mohawk. My friend Bobby Johns will be entering his work of art into the contest. Read more here and VOTE BOBBY for BEARD!

Marfa Lights. October 2006. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Want to meet in Marfa next weekend? It's not too late to book a room. If you can't make it, come get a sneak preview of the show this Saturday, February 21, at the Barry Whistler Gallery from 3-6pm.

Ali & Augusta. February 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Jonas-Brother-Crazy. February 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

My twin nieces have pimped their crib Jonas-brother-style. They have taken the bulletin board to a whole new level and I could not help but documenting it & their cuteness.

Uncle Henry with the Sunday Times. NYC. February 15, 2009. © Sarah Raymont

This photo made my day. My Uncle Henry reading the Sunday New York Times. Thanks for taking & sending it Sarah! Editors Note: Uncle Henry worked for the New York Times for 12 years, starting in 1961 as the bureau chief in Buenos Aires. In 1966, he was transfered back to the city where his editor "instructed us cover NYC as if we were still in a foreign country." Awesome.

mother of Brandon McClelland .Paris, Texas. February 2009. ©Allison V. Smith

A roadside memorial for McClelland near Paris, Texas. Feb. 2009. ©Allison V. Smith

local activist, Brenda Cherry, Paris, Texas. February 2009. ©Allison V. Smith

A few weeks ago, I worked with New York Times reporter James McKinley on a very sad, tragic story in Paris, Texas. The story ran on the cover of the National section of the paper and can also be read here.

Cadillac Ranch. February 13, 2009. Amarillo, Texas © Allison V. Smith

The Horchow's Backyard. February 14, 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

It's all in the way you see it.

Matthew Earnest. January 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Check out my modest & fiercely talented friend and Texas designer Matthew Earnest on style.com! Congrats Matthew and thanks for sticking up for the women of Big D... we're not all about the big hair! See his boutique here.

Domesticated © Amy Stein

Mark your calendars, Amy Stein is coming to town! I have been a fan of Amy's (her work, her blog, her book) for a few years now. I am excited to finally get to meet her and hear her talk!
Artist Talk: 7pm, Thursday, February 12, 2009. Room C104 at Collin County Community College in Plano. See you there!

Tim Cole's Family. Fort Worth, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

A week and a half ago I photographed Tim Cole's family beside his grave in Fort Worth, Texas for USA Today. Cole was wrongfully convicted of a rape in 1985 and died in prison in 1999. Yesterday, 24 years after his wrongful conviction, he was exonerated. I am glad I had a chance to meet his family and be a part of telling their story, and I am extremely relieved for them as well.

photo pose. January 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Long time Dallas photo-hot-shot James Bland took my photo last week. Gulp. It was terrifying, entertaining and educational all at once. Click here to see one of my favorite shots of Bland's.