Adventures Across the Pond!

Trip of a lifetime 2012: England, France and Scotland, in that order. Nothing short of life changing. Along with seeing some very missed family, and meeting the newest addition, traveling for 2 weeks through the United Kingdom and France was the time of my LIFE. I was sleep deprived, jet lagged, and train lagged, and never felt better, I met up with some old friends in new places and took so many pictures for a moment I was touched with carpal tunnel. I saw places I'd only read about and breathed air my body had never had before. I ate new food and very much upgraded my usual foods. I drank way too much, outside, with baguettes and what I'm positive was the best butter ever made, surrounded by the people I love most.

This is the first leg of my journey; Daventry, Upton, and Warwickshire in England

For February in England, it was pretty warm and sunny. 

Not a cloud in the British sky! Perfect for taking in some Daventry scenery...

...and some local sports...

...and cuisine of course...

...as well as nightlife...

...and even some local wildlife!

Stratford Upon Avon sounds like a stop on the MetroNorth, 

but is actually the hometown of Billy Shakespeare. 

THE William Shakespeare. 

^^^His house is still there!^^^

ALL the houses are still there, by the looks of this ancient town.

 It was like taking a trip in a time machine!

Those swans could be hundreds of years old, and no one could ever tell.

We had to make a trip to Tanworth in Arden (also in Warwickshire),

to the Churchyard of Mary Magdalene

To pay our respects to one of the greatest artists, whose life was cut tragically short.

 Nick Drake. My words cannot express my love for your music, but one man left a note that spoke so clearly, I hope you do not mind, fellow fan, if I share your heartfelt letter:

You inspire me every day, Nick Drake, you are loved by more now than you could have ever hoped for in your lifetime. You were born a little too soon for this world. Rest in Peace.

Stay tuned for the next post: Paris, France.

Bon voyage!

Frightened Rabbit: A Tribute

Dear Lads of Frightened Rabbit,

I have been one of your biggest fans since I first heard your music over three years ago. Since then I have been at all of your shows in New York City, I even met your frontman Scott Hutchinson at one of them, the only one I went to by myself. I have traveled across the ocean to your home country Scotland, and can't understand why you ever left it, even for tours. I have taken photo upon photo of you, and lest they be in vain, since I refuse to Facebook, I used them as imagery for my artwork. I did this for years, with passion, without permission. As you are now basically celebrities, since you've blown up at Lollapalooza and been on American television, anyway, I have no way of reaching you. So just consider this me clearing my conscious. Here is my ode, my sonnet, my thanks, to you, Frightened Rabbit. Your songs have gotten me through a lot and your shows have left me with some of the best tonitis I've ever had, your image has even inspired my art. Thank you for influencing my life in the most positive of ways, I'll always think of you fondly and smile for that.
Never change.

With love always,

Alexa Strautmanis

All of the images posted below are mine, taken by me, 

with the exception of the album artwork, courtesy of Google. Thanks Google.

Sing The Greys

 First FR show ever. 

Bowery Ballroom

Feb 1st 2009

The beginning of an era.

Live album. A must have, post-concert.

Second FR concert, 

sorta secret acoustic show 

the very next night.

Up close,

 but not personal.

Okay, a little personal.
Technically because it was after midnight,
this photo was taken 3 years ago today.

The Midnight Organ Fight

Hands down,

one of the best albums of the decade.

The DECADE.

Go get it.

First FR paintings, from photos taken at Le Poisson Rouge show.

June, 2009

First trip to Scotland and the United Kingdom in general.

4/28/2010

Webster Hall

Paintings from a photo from that show.

School of Visual Art BFA Senior Show Part 1

The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Indeed.

October 30, 2010

Terminal 5

 SVA Senior BFA Show this past December, 2011

Had a fantastic turnout.

Keep doing what you do best, boys.

I can't wait to hear more. 

Come back to NYC soon!

Burns Night

Today is January 25th, a Scottish Holiday known as Burns Night. 

Tonight, in true Scottish form, we will pay tribute and celebrate the life of the poet Robert Burns. 

A traditional Burns Supper includes whiskey, toasting, addressing the haggis, then eating said haggis, along with some key veggies and gravy. Most important of all, after the haggis, is reciting some Burns poems. Unless you have a thick Scottish accent, this is easier said than done.

What an excuse to post some pictures of my trip to Scotland way back in 2009. Up until a month ago that didn't sound as far away. Good thing I'm going back next month (27 days, 7 hours from now) !

No trip is complete without looking for Loch Ness Monsters.

Wow. I really looked like that 3 years ago.

Scotland is mostly made up of cloud supporting green mountains, huge rocks, and sheep.

Some are bite sized!

Happy Burns Night everyone! 

Coming soon: 

Further tribute to Scotland with thorough Frightened Rabbit post!