Bodie Ghost Town

Yesterday when I worked the High Hand Gallery, there were two specific visitors that I had lengthy conversations with about Bodie Ghost Town and ghosts in general. There is one photo that I took that I have titled, "Bodie Spirit". When I took the photo, because you can't go inside each and every building left standing there, I put the lens right on the window glass so that there is no reflections from behind me. Well, after the film was developed, you can see a white ghost-like spirit waving right there in the middle of the scene. When I saw it, yeah, it was like "whoa"!!

One of the women I spoke with had been to Bodie several times and taken lots of photos. She told me that she has a couple of photos just like that!! She also suggested that I join the 'Friends of Bodie' and I do remember seeing that in the brochure. When you join they will notify you of events they might have coming up in the future, as I definitely want to go there again.

The second couple I met were also admiring my B&W's of Bodie, and somehow again, we got talking about ghosts, and I showed them my ghost photo. They were really into seeking out the ghost towns and even have books on them. Even their children were into it. I mentioned that I've seen historical new publications of local pioneer towns and there is one in particular that is just about 'ghost towns'. So I think I will buy one and seek some of those out. This last couple were very interesting and proceeded to tell me about their ghostly experience at the National Hotel in Nevada City, where they both awakened at the same time in the middle of the night and felt some one's presence over them!! Yikes!!

Experimenting with Ilford Papers on Epson R2400

In my opinion, I am discovering that it appears that 'cool' toned pictures come out beautifully on the Ilford Smooth Fine Art Paper. I called my supplier in Sacramento and they do carry the larger print size, so I'll move up to the 11x17. Actually I've never printed an 11x17 size print, I usually stick with 11x14 which makes it easier to find frames and non-glare glass without having to cut the glass myself. Yesterday was a disaster on the cutting - I need to hone up on my skills for sure! It's been awhile. I bought 22x28 which I thought I would only have to make one cut, but in reality you end up with 4 pieces of 11x14 - make sense?? Yeah, I know, I was surprised!! ; ) Shocked is a better word!

I printed out a couple of other 'cool' toned prints on the fine art and I liked them. I also printed out a 'warm' toned picture - and it's just not the same. I went back to the glossy paper for that one. The digital prints on the Epson R2400 will be giclee prints (large file with archival K3 inks). In addition, I will develop two prints in the darkroom for this show - that way I'll have all bases covered!

I printed out signage to go with the photos when they are hung: Transient Keepsakes, Forgotten Keepsakes, Mother Nature's Keepsakes, and Historical Keepsakes. I'm thinking of matching up some poetry - either my own or others - to go with each photo. Or possibly some dialogue that's not poetry at all.

Ilford Galerie Fine Art Paper

So I've been going thru some recent photos and some prior works to put in the High Hand Gallery for the "Keepsakes" show running March and April. I came across a picture I just took last week when it snowed here. It had an ethereal look to it and was hoping it would come across that same way in print. I don't like to alter my photos in the first place, but it just looked so good the way it was.

I've tried the matte papers before and wasn't impressed - I'm a die-hard glossy girl. However, this time, maybe because it was in color?? Or maybe it was this particular type of paper?? Ilford Galerie Smooth Fine Art Paper. I mean it came out 'fabulous dahlin'". So I'm going to keep trying using some of this paper for this show and see how it comes out. The one issue I found was that the Epson 2400 printer I bought isn't always listed on the papers. The 2200 is and after the 2400 - did something happen that I don't know about? Because when you print you have to select the type of paper and for some reasons this paper was only listed in a 'roll', but it did give me the option of 'ignoring' this issue. As it was it came out faboo! Check it out!

Third Saturday Artists Reception

Last night at High Hand Gallery was definitely craziness! In conjunction with our normal 3rd Saturday Artists Reception, the High Hand Nursery hosted "Wings, Wine and Art" a benefit in support of the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Organization. They had a few endangered species on show for short periods of time, including a red winged hawk, named Dakota. They also had a white faced owl, but I couldn't get close enough for a picture. Lots of folks out for the evening - 450 people paid to attend - and I think they all showed up. So it was good exposure for the gallery too as they overflowed into the gallery and we actually had some art sales.

The High Hand Gallery had a special display made by three of the artists: Susan Cawthon (fabric), Kat Oliver (copper and silver utensils), and Cindy Rubado (glass fused dinner ware). Beautiful setting!

There were also two live art demonstrations. Here's Ann Bowns with her silk painting demo.

High Hand Gallery

Now I'm moving on to pondering what and how "Keepsakes" can be applied to my photography. This title is the theme for the show of which I am one of three featured artists for the months of March and April at the High Hand Gallery.

So I'm racking my brain...rather than trying to work up whole new scenarios of taking pictures of still life keepsake memories...I could take the easy way out and say that all my photos are my own 'keepsakes'. I mean, why not? They are a 'still life' or 'keepsake' of Mother Earth, right? The landscapes will never be the same as they change daily: snow, rain, erosion, wind moving sand and dirt, ripping the leaves and branches off trees - I could go on. Nothing lasts forever (I hate this saying!). So by capturing the moment of a day in the life of Mother Earth - that to me, would be a most precious and beautiful 'keepsake'.

I'm going to have to toss this one around, but if anyone (is anyone reading my blog?) can chime in and tell me what you think, please do so! Hoping to hear from my few fans who are out there. Thanking you in advance...Maria

The Thrill of it All!!

What a night, what a night, what a night! You know it's hard work to stand on your feet for almost four long hours on a concrete floor. But what a blast! So many of my good friends came out in support, and in addition, there were loads of people out on a great night to enjoy art!

The photography show was so unique in that each artist had their own style and subject. Jim Klein showed his photography from his trip to Italy; Susan Raines exhibited her talented works in color digital overlays of various subjects; and Holly Renfro displayed her color photos from her trip to Japan.

My photos included a variety of my own choices - all in black and white, developed and printed in the darkroom. I had two from France, two from the Sacramento area including a diptych of a street person explaining the 'theory of global warming', Chihouly in black and white, Bethesda Passage Way in Central Park, two from Gladding McBean, and "Lithograph Cypress" from Point Lobos. Many hours I labored, but it was all worth the journey. I basically forced myself into delving deep into the study of this process by simply telling the gallery owner, "...all my prints will be gelatin silver prints". That was all I had to do! What a trip that was. Now that it's over, I am totally exhausted.

However, next month I am one of the featured artists at High Hand Gallery...so here we go again!

Blue Moon Gallery Show - SF Examiner Write-up

One of the photographers in this weekend's show at the Blue Moon Gallery writes for the San Francisco Examiner Online version. She wrote a little something about each of the photographers...actually took it from our bios, but that's okay. At least the info is out there and that's a good thing! Here's the link if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.examiner.com/events-in-sacramento/blue-moon-showcases-photographers

Looks like we're all set for the show. I've made a lot of contacts with new people and most of them said they were coming. I just wish my sisters could have been here. However, they'll be here next month. Our friends Gary & Pat from Fresno are making the drive and staying over. It's going to be great! See you there!

Delivery of Black and White Prints

Tomorrow I will drive down to Sacramento and deliver all 10 of the framed B&W prints to the Blue Moon Gallery. Then it will be final! One would think that things would slow down around here and give me some time to recuperate and rest, but now we're on to another project.

The oven broke Friday. We've been planning on getting new appliances soon, but that made us get on that task even sooner! We went down to Sacramento and picked out our new brushed chrome appliances. As an after thought, we added a small 32-wine bottle fridge that will also fit under the counter for my husband. Those should be in by this Friday, however, first we have to get the new counter tops picked out since they have to be put in first, and we've decided to go with granite. So we hit a couple of granite and tile places this morning. We've decided on Ubatuba, a black granite with hints of brownish-gold in it. Ron will do the rest: call the granite subcontractor and work it out with him on the installation.

But in the middle of this process, we saw some really interesting insets that you can do on the wall above your stove top. Now to save money I had this brainy idea that I could take one of my photos and have a friend who is in the graphics business print the photo out onto Italian tiles. Then the tiles could be put in over the stove and we wouldn't be spending over $1,000 just for this inset! Wow, someone's making some money on it. So now I need to figure out what kind of photo. Is it one I already have? Or do I set up a still life and photograph that? I've got to put on my creative thinking cap right now!

Four Year Wedding Anniversary

We were so busy having fun yesterday I forgot to post like I said I would!

My husband Ron and I went to the same high school 46 years ago in Barstow. We vaguely knew each other then, but later ran into each other up here in Sacramento numerous times over 25 years. Then when I retired in 2005 we met up via email for a high school reunion, we were both single and let's just say the 'rest is history'. Because of our connection with the same hometown, the same friends, and the fact that even our siblings went to school and had the same 'history' from their classes - it was pretty easy getting to know each other's families. It was like old home week!

Our four years together seem like 40+ years together - and I mean that in a good way. We share laughter, love and have the best time of our lives together. Here's pics of when we first met (again), our wedding, and lately having a good time!

Finis!

That's right, I believe I am done. Finished printing one last print yesterday morning, I just have to replace it in the frame. Wrapped up the last of the cards last night too. In fact, today I hung the new gold sheers in the dining room this morning, cleaned the plantation shades first, and the windows! If my sisters are reading this I know they're laughing!! ; )

I do have to post some photos to the High Hand Gallery on Facebook. I took photos a week ago and haven't done that yet. After I get that chore done I think I'll be 'free to move about the cabin' as they say on the airlines!

Tomorrow is our 4th wedding anniversary - and I think I'll post some photos in honor of this event!