Proud to Be a Do-It-Yourselfer

by Patricia Lamkin

March 12, 2013

I’ve been changing vacuum belts, unclogging my own toilets, unjamming garbage disposals and fixing malfunctioning appliances in my various dwellings for as long as I have dwelled in them. Pulling up my sleeves is part of my character.  But, unfortunately even “liberated” women like myself sometimes have to be reminded there’s no shame in it. Yesterday that reminder came from an unexpected source.

I have been at my mother’s house in southwest Mississippi to attend to some much-needed home maintenance and repairs. Yesterday morning I had a roofer over– the roof has been leaking in several places, and it has been raining here quite a bit. I had this old fashion southern notion that if I put on something casual nice, I would be treated better than if I just threw on my home improvement jeans and t-shirt. Works when I take my car in for service in L.A., right? Well, the roofer arrived, a gracious “good old boy” of 60, and asked me to come outside. I walked out, expecting to just glance up thoughtfully as he pointed at the roof. To my surprise the first place he pointed was the ladder. “After you!” he said. Needless to say, what I was wearing was suddenly quite inappropriate – especially the shoes.  I went back in, threw on my jeans and rubber all-terrain sandals, and up the ladder I went. 

Sometimes even I underestimate my ability to take on something a little out of my comfort zone, but when I leave that zone behind, it feels really good. Like that time I figured out how to remove the plastic J pipe under the bathroom sink. I’ve been cleaning the gunk out myself ever since. What a sense of accomplishment - even if it is disgusting and stinks!  

Of course I’ve been on a roof before, but it was fun to get up there with a pro, and even educational.  I learned a little about flashing and attic vents, and got to see first hand the toll a roof takes after 20 years of hail, and rain - not to mention hurricanes Katrina and Isaac! As we walked over the roof, I gave my expert some roofing advice on the project.  He laughed, and said maybe he should hire me!

Thanks to that roofer, my daring, do-it-yourself nature has been re-affirmed.  Now I’m ready to take on the two broken toilets, change the calcified shower-head and figure out why the fridge won’t stay cold.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

A Pixel Paints a Thousand Words: Donna Ikkanda's Digital Evolution

Published in Asia the Journal of Culture and Commerce, March 21, 2008.

For Donna Ikkanda, art isn't to be taken too seriously, but taking control of her creative identity is.

Donna Ikkanda

by Patricia Lamkin

Painter, graphic artist, and illustrator Donna Ikkanda has long struggled with her artistic identity.  Her ethnic heritage, her role as American woman, her sense of wonder and humor, and her love of clean, graphical images, all have informed her work – though not always to her advantage. But now Ikkanda has found a means of unifying and controlling these seemingly fractured aspects of her self, through digital technology. 

Afterschool Awards Email Sample

Afterschool Awards Social Media Updates

Patrick’s Café, Not Just Another Diner

By Patricia Lamkin

Patrick’s Café is what I would call a “healthy” California diner – it has everything a diner has, in generous portions, but without the “greasy spoon” reputation. And they have those diner prices everyone likes, with entrees averaging about $8.95. They serve breakfast, lunch and brunch.

Birds Café & Bar

Where the Locals Flock

By Patricia Lamkin

Located at the foot of the Hollywood Hills on Franklin Avenue, Birds is perched in the middle of a unique block between Tamarind and Bronson Streets, where Hollywood wannabes and stars alike flock to the sunny sidewalk cafés to hang out, talk industry, see-or-be seen.  Bird’s diverse and delicious menu is a one of the draws that keeps the locals landing.

Promotional Flyer

Copy with Art Direction
Originally a 1928 stocking ad, I had the text modified and the original font incorporated into the title text to create a new ad. I found the original ad, wrote the synopsis, and provided art and layout direction.  This was created and printed as a 5x7 handout for an outdoor Pagan event and was written to appeal to that audience and bring them to the show.