Tomorrow the High Hand Gallery will take down all the artwork, and in two days it will become a whole new invention of sorts! We do this every two months, and it amazes me that our curator can get this done in two days. We're helping of course, but she has the vision. I'd be in there for a month trying to figure out where everything goes, that it flows, and the colors compliment each other. It's a BIG job! So tomorrow I'll put in my time over there and help out. I did drop off my two new pieces.
I also sent in my JPEGS to the Blue Moon Gallery for the group show in August. These are marketing images for Sacramento Magazine. I really don't know if they will be used, but I sent them in! In regards to marketing images, I also sent in some of my Greece images to the administrator of the High Hand Gallery Blog. It's free marketing for each of the artists, so why not take advantage of it.
I did receive my order from Dick Blick and I really love the Bamboo frames I ordered to try out on some of my acrylic paintings that are hanging in Kerry Terese Salon & Gallery in Auburn. I will have to go down there and pick them up so I can try it on for size - see how it looks! I think they need a finishing touch of some sort.
Right now I am free of any project and I think I'm going to just enjoy that for today! But I'll leave you with these photography thoughts, again from LensWork Magaine:
"Good photographic composition is merely the strongest way of seeing." Edward Weston
"Without compassion, photography is a bore!"
"A full 30% of your best photographs will be lucky accidents."
(Ain't that the truth!! However, they are more in the category of amazing accidents. Maria)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Color Photography and Painting
Wow! I feel like I've been sniffing darkroom chemicals! We got HIGH SPEED INTERNET! Cowabunga! Everything is so fast! I love it. It's not to say that it was an easy install mind you, but I have to say the AT&T service woman hung in there and got it done despite the complicated wiring of our house, and we are so happy!
Yesterday I did start painting. I can't really say what it was or is, as someone I know might read this and I want it to be a surprise. I will say that I am trying this new SouthWest painting style. Maybe you've seen it. It's done in bright, primary colors which can be hard for me as I'm in the black and white world! I'm using water colors and it's progressing very well. I will go back and put another layer to give it some more depth, and then I still have the background to do. I worked on that until around 9:00 p.m. last night. I might have to do a couple of photo transfers now that I'm in the painting mode.
Today I'll go drop off my two new framed images to High Hand Gallery. And later today I need to update the High Hand Gallery FB page. I'm behind on that one because I didn't have Internet access on my computer. And then I need to send off my JPEGS to the Blue Moon!
I know I previously talked about enlarging my work, you know making the images bigger. And I did do that with going to large gallery wraps. However, I've calmed down a bit in regards to the 'size' of my images after I came across a few more quotes from the Lenswork magazine:
"Bigger prints are not always better, but better prints are always better."
"It is not the size of the print that counts, but the 'size' of the impact it makes on the viewer's brain/heart that matters."
"To give away ten prints is more rewarding that to sell one. But, to sell ten prints is more rewarding than to give away one!"
And last weekend I did give away about ten prints to the other artists participating in the High Hand Gallery Shed Sale, and it did feel good! In galleries and/or museums not all of the photography is large by any means. In fact, in my opinion, I kind of wonder what truly makes them think some of the photographic images are worthy to be hung in the first place! But - hey - that's me. Here's one of the framed images that sold last weekend! I took this photo of our fall leaves from our fruitless pair trees. It was taken early in the morning and no adjustments/manipulations were made.
Yesterday I did start painting. I can't really say what it was or is, as someone I know might read this and I want it to be a surprise. I will say that I am trying this new SouthWest painting style. Maybe you've seen it. It's done in bright, primary colors which can be hard for me as I'm in the black and white world! I'm using water colors and it's progressing very well. I will go back and put another layer to give it some more depth, and then I still have the background to do. I worked on that until around 9:00 p.m. last night. I might have to do a couple of photo transfers now that I'm in the painting mode.
Today I'll go drop off my two new framed images to High Hand Gallery. And later today I need to update the High Hand Gallery FB page. I'm behind on that one because I didn't have Internet access on my computer. And then I need to send off my JPEGS to the Blue Moon!
I know I previously talked about enlarging my work, you know making the images bigger. And I did do that with going to large gallery wraps. However, I've calmed down a bit in regards to the 'size' of my images after I came across a few more quotes from the Lenswork magazine:
"Bigger prints are not always better, but better prints are always better."
"It is not the size of the print that counts, but the 'size' of the impact it makes on the viewer's brain/heart that matters."
"To give away ten prints is more rewarding that to sell one. But, to sell ten prints is more rewarding than to give away one!"
And last weekend I did give away about ten prints to the other artists participating in the High Hand Gallery Shed Sale, and it did feel good! In galleries and/or museums not all of the photography is large by any means. In fact, in my opinion, I kind of wonder what truly makes them think some of the photographic images are worthy to be hung in the first place! But - hey - that's me. Here's one of the framed images that sold last weekend! I took this photo of our fall leaves from our fruitless pair trees. It was taken early in the morning and no adjustments/manipulations were made.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Lenswork Magazine
It's been really hard not to have my PC working in my studio. I'm LOST to say the least. I have had to use my husband's and it's not always available to me when I want it! ; ( And I really don't like his flat keyboard! Tomorrow we are getting high speed Internet (DSL). I can hardly wait. I am so sick of this slow satellite connection. Manana! It better work out for us or I might be a little on the upset side.
While I was sweating it out at the shed sale this weekend, I kept busy reading my alternative photography process books that I brought along. And I also brought a couple of older Lenswork magazine issues to peruse. I stumbled across a second printing of "Things I've Learned About Photography" by Brooks Jensen, who is the editor of Lenswork, along with his wife Maureen Gallagher. They are both photographers, naturally. But I really got hooked reading his article which is basically comprised of sayings/comments by other photographers that he heard over the years. Some of them are so true that they made me laugh at times. I hi-lighted the ones I thought were memorable enough to share. Here's one:
"A good photograph, when first seen, hits you like a ton of bricks. A better photograph is often almost unseen at first but comes back to mind over and over again long after you've stopped looking at it. This often happens unexpectedly."
and
"Workshops and/or instructors can be addictive and can take up valuable time that is better spent doing photography!"
I found the second one to hit home because I was just talking about wanting to attend a workshop. So, maybe I won't. But at the same time maybe I will! Just once won't hurt me! It's not like I have that kind of money.
Yesterday I did work in my studio and got two images ready for High Hand Gallery. New work is due tomorrow. I framed a color image from Santorini that I had already cut double mats for and the other is a photo transfer that I originally had at the Blue Moon. Other than that I'm taking it easy this week. I kind of feel like painting...hhmmm...we'll see what happens with that!
While I was sweating it out at the shed sale this weekend, I kept busy reading my alternative photography process books that I brought along. And I also brought a couple of older Lenswork magazine issues to peruse. I stumbled across a second printing of "Things I've Learned About Photography" by Brooks Jensen, who is the editor of Lenswork, along with his wife Maureen Gallagher. They are both photographers, naturally. But I really got hooked reading his article which is basically comprised of sayings/comments by other photographers that he heard over the years. Some of them are so true that they made me laugh at times. I hi-lighted the ones I thought were memorable enough to share. Here's one:
"A good photograph, when first seen, hits you like a ton of bricks. A better photograph is often almost unseen at first but comes back to mind over and over again long after you've stopped looking at it. This often happens unexpectedly."
and
"Workshops and/or instructors can be addictive and can take up valuable time that is better spent doing photography!"
I found the second one to hit home because I was just talking about wanting to attend a workshop. So, maybe I won't. But at the same time maybe I will! Just once won't hurt me! It's not like I have that kind of money.
Yesterday I did work in my studio and got two images ready for High Hand Gallery. New work is due tomorrow. I framed a color image from Santorini that I had already cut double mats for and the other is a photo transfer that I originally had at the Blue Moon. Other than that I'm taking it easy this week. I kind of feel like painting...hhmmm...we'll see what happens with that!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Shed Sale
This weekend I'm at the High Hand Gallery Shed Sale. Boy, is it warm here and especially in the sheds! I got all set up on Friday afternoon with my Propanels, table, framed and matted images. I'm going back today, but I'll have a break as two of my girlfriends are coming down for lunch.
We are experiencing computer problems - well, I am anyway. My husband remodeled his office: made new desks and cabinets, painted, etc. In the midst of all that he disconnected the computers. Now because they were disconnected for about a day, our Ethernet connection became corrupted. Neither one of us are savvy about that kind of stuff. I called our Internet provider and they wanted $150 to tell me over the phone how to restore it. Well, I wasn't willing to pay the $150. We want to get high speed Internet anyway, so next week, tomorrow to be exact, I'm calling to set that up. I think we have two options for high speed up here in the foothills. I won't be adding any images to the blog until I get my PC up and running again since I'm on his computer.
We are experiencing computer problems - well, I am anyway. My husband remodeled his office: made new desks and cabinets, painted, etc. In the midst of all that he disconnected the computers. Now because they were disconnected for about a day, our Ethernet connection became corrupted. Neither one of us are savvy about that kind of stuff. I called our Internet provider and they wanted $150 to tell me over the phone how to restore it. Well, I wasn't willing to pay the $150. We want to get high speed Internet anyway, so next week, tomorrow to be exact, I'm calling to set that up. I think we have two options for high speed up here in the foothills. I won't be adding any images to the blog until I get my PC up and running again since I'm on his computer.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
High Hand Gallery Shed Sale
Never a dull moment around here! This weekend is the High Hand Shed Sale! First one ever. I am planning on being there on both Saturday and Sunday with my older inventory - and some not so old - giving a 20% discount. This would be the perfect opportunity for those of you thinking of remodeling your home or redecorating and you're looking for some new artwork for the walls! There will be several High Hand Gallery artists participating in this event. Also, the whole High Hand Complex is participating: 9 - 5 both days. The Gallery artists will be participating from 10 - 5 p.m. You just might have to check it out. Should be great weather too. This is one of the images that will be there. It's called, "Bodie Spirit", from my 2010 visit to Bodie Ghost Town.
I finally used my gift card and placed my order with Dick Blick That is so much fun when you get to shop with someone else's money!! Oh, yeah! Thanks Lee & Alicia. I think the card was over a year old, but they still accepted it, even though that's not what it said on the back. I called to confirm what the balance was just to confirm.
I've mentioned before that I like to try new products in the photography industry. There is some new black and white fine art, variable contrast, paper with a high silver content, made available through Freestyle. It is manufactured by BFK Rives in France, who is considered "...one of the finest and most respected of all fine art papers in the world....". It's available under the name Arista® Silver Artist Series. It comes in either white-matte or grey-matte surfaces. And then in regards to ink jet papers, I've never tried Moab's Slickrock Metallic Pearl paper. That looks exciting. Also, Freestyle has a new line of Arista Americana Collection of ink jet fabrics. "It's optimized for pigment based ink jet printers with matte black ink." That would include my Epson. I just have to make sure it can handle thick canvas media. I already have some canvas 8 1/2 x 11 sheets. I'm pretty sure I tried it on the Epson, but I'll check again. It's been awhile.
Other than that, today I'm going to take it easy and get my inventory together for this weekend's shed sale.
I finally used my gift card and placed my order with Dick Blick That is so much fun when you get to shop with someone else's money!! Oh, yeah! Thanks Lee & Alicia. I think the card was over a year old, but they still accepted it, even though that's not what it said on the back. I called to confirm what the balance was just to confirm.
I've mentioned before that I like to try new products in the photography industry. There is some new black and white fine art, variable contrast, paper with a high silver content, made available through Freestyle. It is manufactured by BFK Rives in France, who is considered "...one of the finest and most respected of all fine art papers in the world....". It's available under the name Arista® Silver Artist Series. It comes in either white-matte or grey-matte surfaces. And then in regards to ink jet papers, I've never tried Moab's Slickrock Metallic Pearl paper. That looks exciting. Also, Freestyle has a new line of Arista Americana Collection of ink jet fabrics. "It's optimized for pigment based ink jet printers with matte black ink." That would include my Epson. I just have to make sure it can handle thick canvas media. I already have some canvas 8 1/2 x 11 sheets. I'm pretty sure I tried it on the Epson, but I'll check again. It's been awhile.
Other than that, today I'm going to take it easy and get my inventory together for this weekend's shed sale.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Auburn ArtWalk
Getting back to Thursday night - wow, what a thunder and lightening storm we had with torrential downpours! Oh, well! C'est la vie! We did have numerous groups of people come into the restaurant just to look at the artwork, so that was encouraging. And they enjoyed looking at my France images. I also met some new artists too, which is always an added bonus. Meeting and being with artists is very inspiring for me. Again, my France images will be at Latitude's thru the end of May.
Friday and Saturday I worked on selecting the images I plan on entering the Fine Art Competition at the California State Fair. Lot of rules to read, follow, take pictures of my pictures, put them on CD, and of course they had to be a certain size! They asked for large files, but no larger than 2MB. Now I will get them in the mail tomorrow. Deadline is this Friday the 20th! I'm entering two of my gelatin silver prints. May 12th is when the artwork is juried.
I think I'm going to make it easy on myself and just do some digital images for the Blue Moon Gallery's group show. The JPEGs are due May 1st. I'm thinking 'street scenes' in Europe.
I'm going to start working on my Artist Statement for the State Fair in the event I'm accepted! ; ) I've been wanting to do this as I've never really put a timeline together of what I've done so far in my career. I've made a list of galleries I've been in, but that's about it. So that's my work cut out for me today.
Friday and Saturday I worked on selecting the images I plan on entering the Fine Art Competition at the California State Fair. Lot of rules to read, follow, take pictures of my pictures, put them on CD, and of course they had to be a certain size! They asked for large files, but no larger than 2MB. Now I will get them in the mail tomorrow. Deadline is this Friday the 20th! I'm entering two of my gelatin silver prints. May 12th is when the artwork is juried.
I think I'm going to make it easy on myself and just do some digital images for the Blue Moon Gallery's group show. The JPEGs are due May 1st. I'm thinking 'street scenes' in Europe.
I'm going to start working on my Artist Statement for the State Fair in the event I'm accepted! ; ) I've been wanting to do this as I've never really put a timeline together of what I've done so far in my career. I've made a list of galleries I've been in, but that's about it. So that's my work cut out for me today.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Auburn's ArtWalk "April in Paris"
What a week! Yesterday I took all 18 of my framed images to Latitude's and got them hung in the dining area. It went pretty smoothly and it was a load off! I honestly don't know how that works with the featured artists 'hanging' around since it's a restaurant and people will be busy dining. Where do you stand? What do you do? I guess I'll find out tomorrow night!
I had the pleasure of meeting, via email, one of my blog followers. He was asking for more information on the State Fair Fine Art Competition. Just in case someone else is wanting to know about the requirements, here's the link: http://www.bigfun.org/pdfs/competitions/ca_art/CFAQuickReference.pdf Getting back to my blog follower, Cedric, if you other readers would like to see some rather fantastic digital color, time lapse photography, and he also does some very nice digital black and white's, here is his website: http://cedricsimsphotography.blogspot.com/ Thanks for being a reader, it means a lot Cedric. At least I know my words aren't falling on empty ears!!
I received my monthly email from Freestyle Photographic Supplies and they had another update on Eastman Kodak. "Some product discontinuations have been announced, such as all Kodak Ektachrome Slide films, Kodak Plus-X, as well as price increases on all film products of about 15%." The only thing that would affect me would be the price increase! However, Freestyle's own brand, LegacyPro B&W chemicals are made to the same or improved formulations as Kodak brand chemicals. That's good to know that if things get tough, there's another option available.
I've never taken a photography workshop with a well-known photographer, or even a not so-well-known photographer for that matter. I'm not much of a 'joiner' for lack of a better description. But doesn't mean I didn't want to. They just cost so much. However, Freestyle also mentioned upcoming workshops with John Sexton. They are a little pricey (aren't they all?) but I would really like to go. It's definitely food for thought. Here's that link if you'd like to check it out: http://www.johnsexton.com/schedule.html The workshop that really calls to me is "The Expressive Black and White Print".
Earlier I mentioned it is a busy week for me. Tomorrow night is Auburn's Artwalk from 6 - 9 p.m. Above is one of my Paris images titled, "Louvre Staircase". Saturday night is Second Saturday in Sacramento, and for me, The Blue Moon Gallery. And Sunday is Artful Sunday at High Hand Gallery in Loomis. Hope to see you at one of these events!
I had the pleasure of meeting, via email, one of my blog followers. He was asking for more information on the State Fair Fine Art Competition. Just in case someone else is wanting to know about the requirements, here's the link: http://www.bigfun.org/pdfs/competitions/ca_art/CFAQuickReference.pdf Getting back to my blog follower, Cedric, if you other readers would like to see some rather fantastic digital color, time lapse photography, and he also does some very nice digital black and white's, here is his website: http://cedricsimsphotography.blogspot.com/ Thanks for being a reader, it means a lot Cedric. At least I know my words aren't falling on empty ears!!
I received my monthly email from Freestyle Photographic Supplies and they had another update on Eastman Kodak. "Some product discontinuations have been announced, such as all Kodak Ektachrome Slide films, Kodak Plus-X, as well as price increases on all film products of about 15%." The only thing that would affect me would be the price increase! However, Freestyle's own brand, LegacyPro B&W chemicals are made to the same or improved formulations as Kodak brand chemicals. That's good to know that if things get tough, there's another option available.
I've never taken a photography workshop with a well-known photographer, or even a not so-well-known photographer for that matter. I'm not much of a 'joiner' for lack of a better description. But doesn't mean I didn't want to. They just cost so much. However, Freestyle also mentioned upcoming workshops with John Sexton. They are a little pricey (aren't they all?) but I would really like to go. It's definitely food for thought. Here's that link if you'd like to check it out: http://www.johnsexton.com/schedule.html The workshop that really calls to me is "The Expressive Black and White Print".
Earlier I mentioned it is a busy week for me. Tomorrow night is Auburn's Artwalk from 6 - 9 p.m. Above is one of my Paris images titled, "Louvre Staircase". Saturday night is Second Saturday in Sacramento, and for me, The Blue Moon Gallery. And Sunday is Artful Sunday at High Hand Gallery in Loomis. Hope to see you at one of these events!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Auburn ArtWalk
I'm just about ready for the show at Latitudes. All of the images in this show are 'film' images; black and white and color. (I'm not shooting Kodachrome anymore; hence the Canon T2i.) Most of the images were printed by a lab a few years back before I had my darkroom. However, three of them that were previously sold, I scanned in the negative and reprinted copies. Sent out my emails to those on my email lists, made some extra cards of France, labels done, framed images cleaned and wrapped, bio done. Only one last thing which is a cover letter and I'm trying to decide if I need a more specific list, which I keep telling myself 'yes' you need to do this one last thing! I deliver everything tomorrow morning and then I can breathe. There are two other artists showing with me and they are both acrylic painters. It will be a good combination.
My next immediate project is whether or not I will participate in the State Fair Photography Competition. I don't know why I'm doing these 'contests'. I normally don't pay any attention to them. This deadline is April 20th. Then the Blue Moon Gallery deadline to submit jpegs is May 1st for the group show.
In between and after that I will be getting back in the darkroom and finishing up Bodie and move to the European images. I took some time out of the studio and worked in the garden. The weather was so beautiful this weekend. Finally got my two shopping bags of bulbs planted all over the property - kind of like planting an Easter Egg hunt for us!!
The Auburn ArtWalk is this coming Thursday, April 12, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Latitude's is located at 130 Maple Street. For those of you who live locally I hope you come by and say "hi". You can even check out the Latitude's website for their dinner menu and music listings at: http://www.latitudesrestaurant.com/about.htm#32
My next immediate project is whether or not I will participate in the State Fair Photography Competition. I don't know why I'm doing these 'contests'. I normally don't pay any attention to them. This deadline is April 20th. Then the Blue Moon Gallery deadline to submit jpegs is May 1st for the group show.
In between and after that I will be getting back in the darkroom and finishing up Bodie and move to the European images. I took some time out of the studio and worked in the garden. The weather was so beautiful this weekend. Finally got my two shopping bags of bulbs planted all over the property - kind of like planting an Easter Egg hunt for us!!
The Auburn ArtWalk is this coming Thursday, April 12, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Latitude's is located at 130 Maple Street. For those of you who live locally I hope you come by and say "hi". You can even check out the Latitude's website for their dinner menu and music listings at: http://www.latitudesrestaurant.com/about.htm#32
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Matting and Framing
I'm almost done getting ready for the April and May show! I wrapped most of the framed France images yesterday, while listing them at the same time. I am also responsible for providing the cards for each image, which I still need to do. I thought I would also provide a list of the images coordinated with the region of France that I took them in: Bretegne, Paris, and the French Riviera. I brought home the France cards I had at the gallery to bolster my inventory on the cards - just for good measure. Then the last thing is to type up the inventory with the pricing to hand over to the curator. All the images I took in France were FILM. Some of the images were digitally printed by me, but most of them were done in the lab by someone else in 2006, with the exception of two darkroom prints I made last year.
Yesterday I cut an off-white, double mat for the digital print of St. Michel, and then framed it in the gold frame I bought. It came out pristine I must say. I have two more 11x14 images that I need to cut mats for and then frame them, and I will be done! However, I'm waiting for the prints to dry completely. In total, I will have 18 images for the show and that should do it.
Yesterday I cut an off-white, double mat for the digital print of St. Michel, and then framed it in the gold frame I bought. It came out pristine I must say. I have two more 11x14 images that I need to cut mats for and then frame them, and I will be done! However, I'm waiting for the prints to dry completely. In total, I will have 18 images for the show and that should do it.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Blogs
When you have a blog, it's always on your mind first thing in the morning! Whether or not you get side-tracked with your artwork, you sometimes get to it right away. I have been so busy running around getting ready for the 'April in Paris' show that I am actually whipped to say the least. Over the weekend I was still cleaning up my framed images: unscrewing the frame, removing the matted image, removing the glass, cleaning the frame, cleaning the glass, re-framing, sometimes cutting a new mat - I mean I was on a roll. So much so that I ended up stepping on a piece of my glass and breaking it! I don't have that much non-glare glass left, but I think I have enough for replacement for this particular show. That's when I left the room and stopped for the day.
Yesterday I went out to find another frame, just ONE frame for a digital print 11x17. They have new digital frames at Aaron Bros. It's not a huge selection, but I did find a gold frame that looked halfway decent for the St. Michel image I posted last time. Today I'm working at the High Hand Gallery and I'm already tired.
I also got my Artist Statement together as the restaurant wanted one with no mention of a website, blog, phone number, etc. I had three pages of paperwork to complete and mail that off. I can have additional prints and cards, but I won't have additional prints since I only had two weeks to get ready for this, and I'm thinking maybe I'll take and display just the cards I have on hand of France. I might have 20 - 25, but they just might not be the images on display. My studio is a disaster right now. Wednesday I'll be back in here, clean it up, and finish up with this project. It's probably good that I'm working today, I need to step back as I'm feeling like this is almost like 'real' work!! ; )
Yesterday I went out to find another frame, just ONE frame for a digital print 11x17. They have new digital frames at Aaron Bros. It's not a huge selection, but I did find a gold frame that looked halfway decent for the St. Michel image I posted last time. Today I'm working at the High Hand Gallery and I'm already tired.
I also got my Artist Statement together as the restaurant wanted one with no mention of a website, blog, phone number, etc. I had three pages of paperwork to complete and mail that off. I can have additional prints and cards, but I won't have additional prints since I only had two weeks to get ready for this, and I'm thinking maybe I'll take and display just the cards I have on hand of France. I might have 20 - 25, but they just might not be the images on display. My studio is a disaster right now. Wednesday I'll be back in here, clean it up, and finish up with this project. It's probably good that I'm working today, I need to step back as I'm feeling like this is almost like 'real' work!! ; )
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