2012 was without a doubt the best year of my life so far, I was actually a little sad on this New Year's Eve to see it go. I started last year not knowing what to expect and everything just clicked into place. Here are twelve images that touch on some of the highlights.
From January to April I was studying at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, where I finished a post-degree certificate in Design. Strangely I have no photos that reflect that bout of academia. Though this photo was taken during that time in my old bedroom in Halifax. This is Hank, the cat I had on loan for nine months, he was a total shit and I miss him very much.
A highlight from the wintery months in Halifax was that I got my first tattoos, as seen here above a hairstyle that I made up and sport often.
My birthday is in late April and as a special treat, my friend Krista and I took a two day trip to Prince Edward Island. I had never been before, it was an amazing little vacation and my best birthday yet.
In May I went on the first half of my Photobooth Expedition! I ran an Indiegogo campaign to raise the funds I needed to do this research for my graphic novel. I was overwhelmed by the support I received from family, friends and strangers. The first trip was to Los Angeles for the International Photobooth Convention, followed by a trip to Montreal to visit Auto-Photo's warehouse.
In June my parents who live in Edmonton and my sister who lives in Montreal came out East for a visit. Together we went to Newfoundland, it was the first time any of us had been. I was blown away by the province, its history and charm, it's so unlike anywhere else in Canada. I would go back in a heartbeat. Below is a photo of Cape Spear, the most Easternly point of North America.
In July and August I continued my Photobooth Expedition to Europe. This was a last minute idea that I concocted while in LA. It was spurred on by a rare exhibit of photobooth art. My trip started in Brussels, the exhibit was at Le Botanique, featured below.
After Brussels I spent a week in Paris conducting interviews, it was exhilarating and very good for my French skills. From there I went to Amsterdam, for more interviews and to visit an old friend. A huge highlight of the trip was visiting one of the world's largest private collections of vintage arcade machines, complete with a rare photobooth model of course.
From there I went to the south of France. I stayed with an artist couple in the Roman city of Nimes and attended the Rencontres de Photographie in Arles.
I finished the interviews I needed with quick trips to Turin, Florence, Cesena and Milan. I spent most of my time in Italy on trains. I headed back to Halifax and within a few days I exhibited at the Dartmouth Comics Arts Festival. Soon after I packed up my things and said a tearful goodbye to my east coast friends.
En route to Chicago, I stopped in Toronto for a week partially on photobooth business and partially to help my little brother move. After much ado I finally arrived in Chicago, I'd only been in there for a few days when I got a phone call about acting in a short film in Toronto. So shortly after settling into my new apartment, I headed back for the Nuit Blanche weekend.
Chicago in the fall was lovely. With the help of old and new friends, I easily nestled into my new neighbourhood, the Ukrainian Village.
I can't begin to explain how fortunate I feel for my time at A&A Studios. I learnt so much and met some great people. Amongst the many projects from those months, I re-built an old photobooth, which I'm now the proud owner of! It's seen here, without it's back, being used in an experiment.
Leaving Chicago, I made some quick trips to New York City, Burlington Vermont and Montreal.
In December I came Edmonton to have surgery on my jaw. After some initial hiccups the healing has been smooth sailing. I'm here now, working on a grant application, submissions to publishers, editing an animation, doing freelance illustration and working on a visa application! A&A Studios has offered me a job and if all goes well I should be moving back to Chicago for the long term at the end of February.
I'm anxious to see what 2013 has in store.
