[Photo Preview] Graffiti Adventures: On the Road with Graffiti Richmond!
Photo Essay coming Friday. The Cheats Movement X Graffiti Richmond. Oh it happened – The Takeover Continues!
A 2nd Street Story [2nd Street Festival Photos - RVA]
It took me a second to warm up at a fairly chilly 2nd Street Festival on Saturday — but once the music got going — the pictures started flowing. 2nd street is really a fun time – Good food (overpriced but good) – Great Live Music, Classic Cars, and some of the best dressed in RVA. Check out my story in photos of the 2nd Street Festival by clicking HERE.
Nice to Meet You…Summer McCarley (Quite Cheeky & Mint Collective)
I knew Summer McCarley was a busy lady…I just had no clue how busy. I first met Summer a few months ago during an improv class at the RCC. In addition to being a very entertaining actress and improv performer (S/O to her RCC Team Karate Practice), she is also a business entrepreneur. Summer leads Mint Collective, her agency for make-up artist, hair stylist, and personal stylist. If that’s not enough she also is the co-founder of a very cool and unique make-up blog: Quite Cheeky. I sat down with Summer at Shockoe Espresso to learn more about Quite Cheeky and how she does it all. CLICK HERE to read my interview with Summer McCarley.
Full Disclosure: This is only about 1/3 of our interview — Summer and I both talk really fast — and we get off topic a bit (haha) so this is the very professional version.
The Vault: Random Photos From RVA Music Fest
Click HERE to see NEW RVA Music Fest photos — not yet posted. Click HERE to see RVA Music Fest photos of Best Coast and Girl Talk. Click HERE to see photos from RVA Music Fest Hip-Hop Hooray.
RVA Music Fest: Backstage with Best Coast, The Diamond Center, & White Laces
RVA Music Fest: Cheats Movement Photos of Best Coast and Girl Talk
RVA Music Fest Week continues on The Cheats Movement. Click HERE to see my photos of the Headliners: Best Coast and Girl Talk. The show was amazing and thanks to the good folks at RVA Mag I was able to get backstage for Best Coast (video interview coming soon). Girl Talk made me a believer…The hype is real.
Coach Shaka Smart on The Cheats Movement [Part 1]
VCU Men’s Basketball Coach Shaka Smart is indeed the Toast of Richmond. Over the last year, he has been on a roll that is too good for fiction. Of course, their was the history making run in the NCAA Tournament that took the Rams from First Four to Final Four; along the way upsetting Georgetown, Florida State, Purdue, and #1 seeded Kansas. This summer, Coach Smart spent time helping out the USA World Basketball Trials, attending the ESPY Awards, which VCU won for best upset, and signing a new contract that will allow him to stay at VCU, and in RVA, for the next 8 years (on paper at least). He’s done all of this while he, and his wife Maya, prepare for the birth of their first child, a baby girl (which is coming any day now).
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with Coach Smart for a few minutes. And while he is an outstanding basketball coach, I wanted learn more about him as a person and as a leader. This profile allows Coach Smart to define himself; in his own words. In two parts, Coach Smart honestly talks about a range of topics from, why he decided to stay in Richmond, to what music he listens to in his Ipod. Coach Smart is a lot like the city itself, though he has already achieved a great deal, there is truly no limit to his future.
The Morning Aftermath…Photos of Irene [RVA]
All in all – it could have been much “MUCH” worse in RVA. With that said, a lot of RVA is still out of power and clean up will take a while. The parks didn’t hold up too well…particularly Paradise Park – the historic tree in the park went down (pictured). Byrd Park is a complete mess (trees everywhere). I walked the streets of the fan and took some shots and talk to some of the residents. Check out my photos by clicking here.
RVA Living History: The Cheats Movement X Grape Cloth [Part 1]
There are some parts of running The Cheats Movement that are pretty difficult – balancing out time – deciding when to post what material – and of course, always searching for RVA content that is new, exciting for me to post, and interesting for you to view. However, there are some things that come together and you know instantly – this works; today’s post is one of them. I’ve wanted to highlight Grape Cloth since the start of this blog. Iain Duffus, the founder and co-owner, of Grape is truly a self made entrepreneur. He, along side his wife, started Grape as a way to escape the corporate world and work for themselves, their family, and their community. This is Part 1 of my interview with Iain. I caught up with him outside of the Camel while he was co-sponsoring an event featuring local hip-hop artist. Grape Cloth represents what The Cheats Movement Blog is all about – highlighting diversity and originality, uplifting our community and making RVA a better, more positive place. Go visit www.GrapeCloth.com and support the vision.
Photo: Sunday Inspiration [Take Time Away From the Grind]
I’ve been on the grind pretty hard the last few weeks: building the blog, working my 9 to 5 (which is more like 7 AM to whenever), meeting a lot of new – talented people, and learning more about photography and video editing. I don’t sleep much – no time. And the grind has been paying off – the blog is growing every day and the feedback has been wonderful. BUT this week my Grandmother has not been feeling so hot – thankfully she is getting the medical care she needs and she has a loving family around her BUT it’s been a huge reminder for me so I will pass it on: Take some time away from the grind and spend it with the people that you care about and that care about you. Let them know that you appreciate them and you are better because of their support. Stay Focused! [Sorry RVA, this picture was taken in Scottsville, VA]
Yesterday in Richmond – Part II
Richmond is filled with amazing views. I took this photo at the flood wall overlook; right as you cross over into Manchester. Just another day in RVA. Enjoy!
New Photo: Yesterday in Richmond – Part I [Brown's Island, RVA]
Brown’s Island [shot from the bridge] Canon T2i -41mm – f/5.6 – 1/100 – iso 100; Edited in Adobe Lightroom – Soundtrack: Night Train Remix Joell Ortiz & Novel ft. Bun B & Tech N9ne.
Saturday Morning Popular Re-Post: Virginia is For “Lego” Lovers [RVA]
This is one of my favorite all-time works of Street Art. It was up in Shockoe Bottom during Arts in the Alley (2008) and one of the very first photos I posted on this blog. Unfortunately, it is no longer there. I’m not sure who did this amazing piece but I just love it.
RCC’s Richmond Famous Featuring Brian McDaniel (Dirty Richmond)
Last week, I listed Dirty Richmond as, “The blog we are all trying to catch.” I stand by that statement – Brian, I’m coming for your #1 spot. As it turns out, Brian is a really nice guy and did a great job telling hilarious stories that the RCC turned into great fun. Check out all the photos from Richmond Famous by clicking here. And though Dirty Richmond doesn’t need any help – be sure to check the site. Brian really deserves the credit he gets.
Weekend Preview: Top 5 Things to do in RVA
There is so much going on in RVA this weekend! It’s the perfect Friday to launch The Cheats Movement Weekend Preview - Top 5 Things to do in RVA. I hope to hit you with 5 great weekend activities every Friday. It’s all going down in the Cap City. Click here to see the entire list.
Number 1: DRAGON BOATS ON THE JAMES! This is no contest in my book. The Dragon Boat Festival at Rocketts Landing. 8 am – 4 pm. And best of all – It’s FREE. Click here to see the rest of the Top 5. [Photo Courtesy of SportsBackers]
Photo Preview: Richmond’s Graffiti Goldmine [RVA]
Huge shout to my friend Andy Johnson (JRT/VCU connect). I haven’t seen Andy in years but we linked up today and he took me to a Graffiti Goldmine. Tons of shots coming soon but I couldn’t wait to set the scene today with this shot. Check back later for more.
Attack of the Tree [Fulton Gas Works, RVA]
I really love this photo. Fulton Gas Works is filled with graffiti but the area is so under maintained that trees have taking over. I hope the city finds a use for this area soon. It's been too long.
No Trespassing! [RVA]
Photography is extremely dangerous!
RVA Photo: Horseshoe Swag! [Gillies Creek Park]
First I have to credit Becca Johnson for the title...Becca, B. King, and I were playing disc golf at Gillies Creek a few weeks back and just saw a massive horseshoe game. It goes down every afternoon at Gillies Creek. I took this yesterday. My goal for the summer is to get some of this on film.
Graffiti in the Woods! [Great Shiplock Park, RVA]
The trains at Great Shiplock have tons of art on them. It's impossible to capture it all but I shot a lot last week. Check it out.
River City Diner [Shockoe Bottom]
Farmers's Market in the Background - My trip walking down Shockoe Bottom.
Art in the Alley [Speed of Sound] Shockoe Bottom, RVA
I shot this wall over the weekend. It's located in Shockoe Bottom by Alley Katz. It's a little more faded but I brought out the color with Lightroom.
The Cheats Movement
