some of my fav pics from my first 2 years with pa’lante :) thank you andrew for the trust. thank you to all my wonderful cool talented friends for being willing to get out and be photographed. the privilege of meshing my life and work in such a chill and organic way is not lost on me ❤️❤️
I met Darrell Walters when I was 15 or 16 years old. My high school photo teacher, a former student of his, had told me that I had to meet him, so I sought out his intermediate photography course at COC. We quickly hit it off, and he would spend the entirety of his office hours talking with me about photography, local history, and as he would say, “the economies of imaging”. When I started as a student at CalArts a couple years later, I knew I wanted to work for him in the darkroom, so I offered to be his color processor maintenance and chemistry person, which he thought was cheeky but was happy to oblige. Our friendship grew deeper over the next few years, and following my graduation we became even closer — I was housesitting for him with some regularity in Wilsona Gardens, where he made his home and tirelessly volunteered at the Antelope Valley Indian Museum that he loved so much and eagerly hyped up to anyone who would listen. In Wilsona Gardens I learned the beauty of a high desert porch cigarette, watching the light flatten and expand Saddleback Butte throughout the day, guided by his gentle and always curious way of seeing. I would roll a spliff occasionally and offer it to him, and he’d take a small puff — “only to be polite” he would say — and we would spend our nights sharing stories and laughing loudly over cheap wine on his porch. He was the only person that called me Andrew, and I will always hear my proper name with his particular brand of intonation. I can’t put into words how much he shaped my world and how I see and move within it — no one has been more impactful on the trajectory of my life — but I know that somehow he knew, at least a little bit, and I take comfort in the fact that he is everywhere always with me in this way. Thank you for everything — your deep love and friendship, your compassionate instruction, mentorship and selfless advocacy for your students. Rest assured he would have thought that the 4th of July was the funniest possible day he could have passed — I can hear him maniacally laughing about it now. Independence Day no longer, Darrell Eden Walters Day forever. Love ya forever and ever Darrell. Ciao, I miss you already ✨❤️
Word is out — here’s @zachgalla mid-send on The Process, V16. 9 years unrepeated since @dawoods89 first ascent. So special to see this go down in person, and very pleased to get a proper pic w/ the big camera. Big ups Zach‼️
