Gifts from the Midwest, with Love

a short film and some beautiful art

Jun 30, 2024

Friends! I have a gift for you today. Reunion (9 minutes 40 seconds) is directed by Stella Blackmon. Stella is a gorgeous filmmaker who has draws inspiration from her extended family in southern Missouri. The next time you pick up your phone to start scrolling - watch this instead. It’s the comfort you’re craving! *

And while I’m handing out gifts from the Midwest, I should introduce you to Stella’s mother: photographer, Julia Blackmon. (What is it about this family?)

"Four children on a wooden raft floating on a calm river surrounded by lush greenery. One child stands on a pedestal in the center, wearing a brown dress and looking upward, while the other three children sit or lie down around her, engaging in various activities like drinking from a cup and relaxing." — Flatboat, Julia Blackmon

Julia didn’t start to take her photography seriously until her 30’s when she was going through a particularly difficult time. She was sandwiched between raising three kids (one with special needs) and taking care of her dying parents.

“I was feeling really super-trapped,” she said. “Part of it was my life itself. But Springfield didn’t help. Where do you go? Target?” **

Around this time period, Julia and her family moved into an old house and found a run-down dark room in the basement. Her sister gently encouraged her to restore it. And so Julia signed up for a photography course at the local college and started to use her full-to-bursting life as creative inspiration.

"Two children are in a dimly lit garage with concrete walls. One child sits on a chair in the background, while another child roller skates in the foreground. A man is leaning out from an upper section of the garage, watching the children. A bicycle, a rake, and some scattered toys are also visible in the scene." — Garage, Julia Blackmon

I love that her creative voice was born during a dark period of her life. Her work is joyous and innocent, but there’s always something a little bit dark or mysterious in the undertones. Plus there are just so many little things to look at in each photograph. It’s like a scavenger hunt of details.

"Children playing and relaxing by a stone wall near a river. Two children lie on top of the wall reading, while three children play on the sandy area below, with one child climbing steps and another sitting near the water. A baby is crawling on the sand. A black tire swing hangs from a tree, and a yellow and white umbrella is planted in the ground." — Riverside, Julia Blackmon

"A child lies on their stomach on a stone wall, reading a book titled 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. The child has an orange and white towel wrapped around their head and is resting on a white towel spread over the wall." — Detail of Riverside: Girl reading The Handmaid’s Tale

I’ve been collecting her photographs on a Pinterest board for years. Some are moodier than others, but I love them all! Here is Julia’s website and here she is on instagram.

What the heck??? I just learned that another member of this family is a talented artist. Rosie Winstead (Julia’s sister) is an illustrator, painter and collage artist. Seriously what is in the drinking water in Springfield, Missouri?

"An abstract collage artwork featuring numerous cut-out figures in various poses and activities. The figures are made from different patterned and colored paper, giving a textured and dynamic feel. The background is a neutral tone, allowing the colorful and patterned figures to stand out prominently." — Rosie Winstead

I hope you have a great week and find art everywhere you look.

xo, Laurie

* I learned a new word that I love: anemoia. It means to feel nostalgic for something that you didn’t experience. (pronounced an-uh-MOY-uh)

** I too have searched for the meaning of life at Target and found it wanting.

If you enjoy my Sunday Letters, please consider sharing this with a friend! :)

Susannah Rigg

Jul 2, 2024

Gosh I loved Reunion so much! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Expand full comment

1 reply by Laurie Mucha

Jul 1, 2024

Love your writing, love your recommendations, love all of it. As a fellow Midwesterner who's been away for decades, I love the reminders of where I come from. Thank you. x

2 more comments...

I'll Have What She's Having

Discussion about this post