Learning the Art of Visualization by Joseph W. Stampfl
Urban Sewciety (aka, “US”), a clever name if you ask me, is a sewing school and brick-and-mortar supply store located in Westfield, New Jersey. A friend of mine, the business’s marketing director, asked me if I would be interested in photographing US’s products worn by some of the kids who create these products while in sewing class and/or camp.
I once had the idea to create a cabin getaway where two separate families could share a common kitchen and dining space while also having separate private areas. Each “unit” would have its own private entrance, private bathroom, storage, fireplace, and sleeping areas.
I’ve been tinkering with the design of this house on the hill for nearly twenty-five years. It was originally designed for me by me for a site in Montecito Heights in Los Angeles, CA, overlooking downtown LA.
A house I designed for myself with a mid-century modern flare. It was thought to be designed for a suburbs style sized lot. Total of 3,600 SF with a basement, not including the garage. Three bedroom, three and a half baths – nothing too fancy.
It’s been roughly twenty-seven years since I presented my senior thesis during my fifth year at Cal Poly Pomona’s architecture program. In all of those years, I never fully realized what the interiors could have looked like, until now.
The GBBR didn’t necessarily come as the natural progression from the AEG to HPA to GBB, it was more born out of a need for pistol and rifle training in my basement to help save on ammunition and to keep the skills sharp.
It might be helpful for me to briefly give some context about my larping goals. As a 52-year-old man, with little larping/airsoft experience, who enjoys gadgets and guns, airsoft was an easy hobby to get into.
I know, it’s 2024 and the modern lever action craze was so two years ago but after drooling over AR platforms for the better part of those past two years, I started to crave something different. And although I am definitely late to the game, it’s never too late; here’s my Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Model X in .357 magnum.
The build of the bike was really what this post was supposed to be all about but as I began to share the story of this build with you, I realized that the build was probably the smoothest part of the process.
There’s really not much to it and there’s not a ton of technique involved but I thought I would at least give a few tid-bits of the process to hopefully inspire others to get out of their comfort zone and personalize their rifle, be it real steal or airsoft, and make it your own.
