Beseler Enlarger

Artfest is over and I cannot stress enough the work that goes into just setting up and breaking down the  artwork, table and propanels!!  There were a lot of folks that stopped and talked to me and I did hand out some of the information I had printed up. I can't say it was a success, but I wasn't out any money, so that was good.  My artist friend whom I shared the space with did excellent!  And I'm so happy for her as she is an up and coming budding artist and people LOVED her work!  That is just so great for her.  Good job Rose!

I finally heard back from the company that found the foam gasket for my Beseler enlarger.  It didn't get shipped until Monday morning, so hopefully today I will get it.  Over the weekend I picked up some more 8x10 glossy fiber base paper and chemicals, so I would be ready to go when the gasket arrived!  I do hope it solves the light leak - otherwise I'm hosed.  Although I did get the name of a local guy in Sacramento who works on them.

Sunday I had a photo shoot for some friends of their nine month old son.  Now I will be working on those images sometime this week so I can get them off to them as soon as possible.  Last night out of part boredom and cleaning off my work table, I double matted and framed a Japanese block print (post card size) that I have been wanting to get finished!  Voila!  Done!

Artfest - High Hand Gallery

This morning I am off to Artfest at High Hand Gallery.  It is a two-day event from 10 - 4 p.m.  However, I will be there for today only.  I am sharing the space with another artist friend.  I will be demonstrating the matting and framing.  Lugged all my heavy gear yesterday - the panels and table and framed images.  I am bringing more stuff I forgot this morning.  I have made copies of my handouts which include a 3-page description on how to cut mats on the Logan mat cutter, WITH DRAWINGS! ; )  My second hand-out is the list of references on where to purchase various photographic supplies.

Off I go, and wish me luck!

High Hand Gallery

Good news!  The company down in Los Angeles will be sending me the foam gasket I need for the Beseler enlarger.  Finally, an answer to the problem.  This better be it, I don't need to buy a new enlarger!  Hopefully I'll receive it by the end of the week and I can get started on some darkroom processing!  I'm anxious to get back in there!!

Worked this weekend at High Hand Gallery and did meet numerous folks who really 'loved' my images.  A woman purchased one of my unframed photo transfers - Monet's Jardin.  So that was pretty encouraging.  Things are starting to pick up in the gallery, so that's a good sign.

This morning I was off to another artist's home to take photos of her clay pieces of art.  Taking photos of artwork is not an easy thing to do.  After about a half hour, we got good lighting to get some good takes.  Now I just have to upload them, work on them, resize them, and put them on CD for her.

Last night I framed the final poster for the High Hand Gallery's 5th Annual Artful Bra Show!  That was not easy, as I cut a double mat for it and almost ruined it!  But I saved it.  It looks pretty nice I must say.  The next project I need to tackle is getting ready for Saturday's Artfest at High Hand Fruitshed.  I think we will have about 30+ artists on hand, demonstrating their artwork.  Since I can't take my PC or my darkroom over there, I will be demonstrating matting and framing and handing out a list of reference materials.  I'll also have some of my works on display for sale.  

Photography Shows

I'm kind of in limbo now with the darkroom.  Still waiting to hear back on whether a part has been found for the enlarger.  The suggested light leak 'fix' was short-lived.  I think I will also call Sacramento tomorrow and see if they can maybe refer me to someone here locally who can perform maintenance on enlargers.

I did spend most of the day yesterday entering three shows.  Doing those entry forms and sizing images to submit, sure takes up a lot of time.  But for the most part I am finished.  I need to start my artwork if I'm going to enter the 'Art Deco Reimagined' competition.  It just sounded so cool and interesting.  I believe I already mentioned that I found an image from Venice that I can use as a photo transfer.  I was even thinking of printing it out on my Epson printer!  I'm still debating that one.  I don't want to get the inkjets clogged!  That would be disaster for me.

That's all I have going right now.  Worked at High Hand Gallery today and I'm basically pooped to say the least!

NVAL 2013 International Juried Photography Show

I know, it's been a few days since I've written on my blog.  With our 'fake' spring we had to start working in the yard.  Then work at the gallery.  I finally did get back into my darkroom yesterday afternoon!  Hallelujah!  I printed out four more images from Croatia - almost done...I know, it just goes on and on!  I guess I liked that place.  However, bad news.  I have notice that I had a light leak from time to time.  It's gotten worse to where I can't eliminate it.  The leak is coming from the film negative holder area.  There is a foam gasket (called the Lamphouse Cushion) that I think has taken it's final toll and so I'm trying to locate where I can purchase another one.  I called Freestyle and the woman I spoke with will get back to me with a price as that is one item they don't carry in stock.  I had searched the Beseler website and Freestyle told me you can't order directly from them - well that's not nice!  So that's where I stand with the darkroom.

I went into a frenzy trying to locate my coveted manual for the Beseler.  It took me a night and all the next morning to finally locate it.  I hate it when I get so dang organized I can't find anything.

Next on my 'to do' list will be to complete the application and enter the NVAL (North Valley Art League) 2013 International Juried Photography Show.  Robert M. Nishihira, who is chair of the Photography Department and full-time instructor at City College of San Francisco is the juror.  This will be my first international anything and would be curious to see how I do.  I think!?