#moose driver

Adam Driver #112 (Hobo magazine, Nov 2016)

Adam, caught in a moment of playful communion with his dog, Moose, Adam's long-haired & bearded profile spotlit dramatically from above, a rogue tendril of forelock fallen over his forehead, balancing a ball on his fingers between them, Moose's ears pulled back in sweet entreaty, tongue lolling as he pants, reflected light caught in his eyes, his happy, eager gaze locked with Adam's mock-serious stare. This man and his best friend. Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Adam, who turns 39 today! In what's become a tradition (three times is definitely a trend), I've chosen to paint a portrait of Adam with his favorite furry person to celebrate. Seen faithfully awaiting his friend in the back of SUVs on two continents over the last couple of years, Moose's presence adjacent to closed filming locations has become a quiet indicator, for those in the know, of Adam being on set. Last summer, Moose was spotted at least twice in Ohio during the filming of "White Noise;" once, just off camera during the filming of a scene of Jack and Babette walking down an 80's idyll of Main Street, and again, near a lecture hall at a local university, where the scenes for Jack's classes took place. And then, late this summer in Italy, a canny Rat spied a very familiar canine calmly chilling in the open back of an SUV parked just outside the barriers around that day's "Ferrari" filming location; I don't think we ever got a glimpse of Adam in costume that day, but we knew he was there working, because Moose was there waiting for him. The thing I love the most about this image is the intense eye contact; that rather well chewed ball is the nominal focus, but really they're looking at each other. The light reflected in Moose's irises means it's easy for us to tell that he's looking at Adam, past the ball; if he were simply focused on the toy, his gaze would be ever so slightly lower. Adam's gaze is more difficult to make out, being mostly obscured by the deep shadows cast by the stark overhead lighting, but his eyelids are subtly lit by the reflections off his cheeks and the ball he's holding, and that reveals that he, too, is looking OVER the ball and right at Moose. His face is serious, brow faintly furrowed, no dimples visible, but there's a slight curve to his lower lip that suggests he might have a small, playful smile hiding in those scruffy shadows. It's a moment of wordless communication, where clearly Moose knew exactly what Adam wanted him to do, and was trying his very best to Be A Good Dog. I am also amused by the "Alas, poor Yorick" vibes; it's as if Hamlet had a dog that wanted to play with that lovely round skull, who was silently entreating if his master could he be so good as to throw it, now that he was done musing upon mortality?

Adam Driver #89 (British GQ Dec 2017)

Adam, face furrowed in a frown of concentration, eyes cast carefully downward as he navigates descending a ladder while cradling a very happily exhausted Moose in his arms.  

The happiest of birthdays to Adam, who turns 38 today. I hope his day is filled with joy, laughter, good food, and everything he loves most. 

In what's becoming a tradition with me (is two times a pattern?), I'm choosing to celebrate the occasion with a portrait of him with what he's described as the best present he's ever gotten, his dog, Moose. 

They'd just been romping around on the roof of the building for the photoshoot, and it's clear that Moose was hot and tired, but so very happy. His tongue was fully flopped out as he was panting, his eyes and ears both so relaxed, and his implicit, absolute trust that Adam will safely carry him down the ladder is just so sweet to see. That a dog that big should be so chill about being carried like that is remarkable, and a sign that Adam really is a Very Good Dog Dad, indeed.

Blessings to you, sir, on the anniversary of your birth, and here's to another trip around the sun. 

Reference used was a photo taken by Matthew Brookes for the Dec 2017 issue of British GQ.

31DaysofAdamDriver

Day 6: Favorite Adam Driver Photoshoot

Me - just don't crash us ok?

Son - AAAAHHH it's too late Dada! *makes crashing noise*

Me - you just broke my car! Yay, now I get to whoop you!

Son - ok ok ok Dada, I'll fix it, ok?

Me - how?