Lee DeJonge has been an institution in my neighborhood for years now. With her stewardship of the nearby knitting supply store, she teaches aspiring crafters the basics, and gives them the tools they need to express themselves. You can always spot her not just for her striking, energetic presence but the fresh cap, coat or vest she’s sporting.
Portland is a crafty city. People come here to explore a trade, or learn a new one. What’s extra special about Lee’s approach to craft is the way she embeds her art with bits of her personality: her curious nature, love of warm autumnal colors, images of her sweet dog Bodhi.
When she approached Human Centric Media to produce some portraits of her and her wares, as she launched a new mending and customizations business, we wanted to capture the human being behind the craft.
Because that’s what people really want to invest in – not just a solution to their problem but the charming person delivering the solution.
Lee is a practical, steady presence. Her friends rely on her to tell it like it is, and keep fighting for what she believes in. Maybe that’s what makes her so good at knitting – she has a methodical mind for details.
Whenever we photograph artisans, there’s a funny dynamic: you can see their personality in their work. With Lee, it’s her warmth, her practical approach to life, the steady way she’s built her business.
Calling people like this neighbors is a blessing and a gift. We have so much to learn from each other.
