Handcrafted | ArtPrize 2014

If you haven't made it to The Mitten Brewing Company yet to check out my ArtPrize piece, here are the images.  The environmental portrait series of West Michigan Brewers is called "Handcrafted."  I wanted this portrait series to be about the brewers as individuals.  So much of the growth of Grand Rapids as a city has come from these people pouring their passion into their beer.  They have brought to our community some great places to bond with loved ones, to laugh, to get to know each other, for deep conversation and I'm sure a few awkward first dates. I wanted to do a no bullshit portrait series in the place of their work with the best natural light I could find. For two weeks I traveled around West Michigan pulling my resources together to get this done.  I am so happy with my work and proud of it.  I am so proud of where I come from and the sense of community Grand Rapids embraces. I chose this project because of my love for craft beer.  While working at Perrin Brewing Company I really recognized the role of the brewer and the art of bringing craft beer to our draft lines.  They spent time with us every week teaching us about each beer and the brewing process.  It truly is an art.  Since then I have always felt like our breweries, our city and our beer get a lot of attention but the faces and hands behind it do not.

Cheers to our brewers!

Special thanks to all who participated: Odd Side Ales, Dark Horse Brewing Company, Arcadia Ales, Perrin Brewing Company, White Flame Brewing, Pike 51, Brewery Vivant, The Mitten Brewing Company and Founders Brewing Company.

The Thirsty Pig | Portland, ME

Day One - Stop One of my road trip up the coast of Maine into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I've always heard such wonderful things about Portland, Maine.  I knew my first time in the state I would have to stop.  Coastal cities are my favorite cities to visit.  I love the mix of laid back salty beach goers with the liveliness a city offers.  Portland is known for its beer and that sits very well with my family and I.  We were only there for a few hours so I knew we just wanted to have a couple great meals and great beer to start the road trip off right.  I did a little research and we happened upon The Thirsty Pig. Located in Old Port right downtown by the water and was an  awesome atmosphere with local Maine beers and hand crafted sausages.   They make all of their specialty sausages in house.  I had not seen my dad or brother since February and this was the perfect place to catch up.  Next we went to In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation.  They served up some great samples of in house brewed beer.  We also really enjoyed the home-made pretzels and beer cheese.  Our view was a harbor full of lobster traps and when in Maine you eat lobster…or lobster mac n cheese.  I highly recommend these two places for a laid back dinner with a vibe you can't beat.

Cheers Portland!