James Mackay. Photographer. Activist. London.

James Mackay set out to publicize the plight of Burma’s more than 2,100 political prisoners by photographing former prisoners of the regime who now live in refugee camps or have emigrated. He asked the former prisoners to hold up their palm, a Buddhist symbol of dispelling fear, with the name of a political prisoner still in jail. Mackay’s subjects help tell the story of the hundreds of people who are arrested in Burma each year for merely exercising their freedom of speech. "The sole purpose of this project is to raise awareness of Burma’s political prisoners (...) They must all be released. Unconditionally”, said James.
James' exhibition of these photos, Even Though I'm Free, I Am Not , has raised amazing support for Burma's political prisoners. He will now spend up to one year traveling around Thailand, Japan, Australia, Canada, the US and Europe photographing former political prisoners from Burma with the help of org's like the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
enigmaimages.net

Peta Mazey. Photographer. New Zealand.

These photos capture life near the ocean... where life is so beautiful and joyous.
petamazey.com

The Victory Garden of Tomorrow. Joe Wirtheim. Portland.

Screenprints and posters.
"Poster campaign designed to channel the bold energy of historical poster propaganda. It is committed to civic innovation and social progress — better food, better gardens, and better cities. It is design, politics and whimsy for the modern home front."
victorygardenoftomorrow.com

Danny Bowien. Chef. Rad dude. SF.

Danny Bowien is the chief chef at SF's Mission Chinese Food, an original project started by partner Anthony Myint (Mission Street Food) in 2010. Operating out of Lung Shan Restaurant, a rando Chinese joint on Mission St., Danny's food has received national acclaim and the resto will soon open a 2nd location in New York's L.E.S. "The idea behind mission chinese food is quite simple." says Danny. "Alot of people think of chinese food as sweet and sour pork and walnut prawns. And no matter what they say on the menu, it's usually not 'spicy'...And although we enjoy sweet and sour as much as the next guy, there are so many different types of chinese food that we are excited about and feel challenged to make. Islamic chinese. Sichuan. Taiwanese. (no stinky tofu, sorry can't get behind that one.) So there. We want to make delicious, frequently spicy chinese food, besides what everyone already gets delivered, without m.s.g., with responsibly sourced proteins and vegetables." Even more impressive than the menu, is their charity involvement: the resto donates .75 cents from each dish to the SF Food Bank (the NY resto will work the same-with a local charity yet to be determined). Danny says, "Donating to charity is our biggest goal. We have no fine-dining aspirations.” Awesome.
Check out the VBS MUNCHIES feature on Danny here
missionchinesefood.com

Wind & Willow Home. Minneapolis.

Artisan wooden bowls and spoons.
Check out Araya Jensen's awesome online design shop HERE.