Wednesday, January 24, 2007

NHSPA Show Gallery Posted

I just starting posting photos to the 2007 NH Society of Photographic Artists Members Show gallery. Check them out here. (Additional images will be added on an ongoing basis.)

Boston Globe Delivers

A writer for the Boston Globe called me today to obtain a photo (of the photographer)that will be running next week on Boston.com to promote the library show.

I did NOT send her the M&M picture below. :-)

Monday, January 22, 2007

NPL Featured Artist -Colette Guimond

If that name sounds familiar, it should: she's not only a phenomenally talented artist, she also happens to be my mother.

She was my first art teacher: in fact, one of my earliest memories is of sprawling on the floor, coloring... while she sat at our kitchen table creating a drawing in colored charcoal pencils.

She's the proud owner of my earliest artworks: most posted at one time or another to the Refrigerator Gallery. (In fact, I had to wrestle away an absolutely "butt-ugly" painting I made in college from her when she and my dad moved last fall.)

She's the one who taught me the value and beauty of being surrounded by art... and she's the one who didn't have a meltdown when I announced that I wanted to study art in college. (My degree's in English, but I concentrated in visual arts.)

What's more, she's the one who made me understand that I can do anything I want to in life.

In short, she's quite the masterpiece herself.

Media Mention in Today's Telegraph

Kind words from Teresa Santoski at the Nashua Telegraph on the ongoing library show:

Let the images transport you past seasons, past time, into the artist’s vision, where with a click of the shutter, one person’s mundanity becomes another person’s mystery and details become works of art in their own right.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Ice Storm photos

These are the types of photos I love shooting:









Monday, January 15, 2007

NHSPA Dropoff

Yesterday, I drove out to Exeter to drop off two photos for the NH Society of Photographic Artists (NHSPA)Annual Members Show. I was very excited to see the quality of submissions for this non-juried show. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 1-4 at the Exeter Town Hall, 2nd Floor. Hope to see you there!

NPL Featured Artist - Keith Spiro

I first met Keith at Chimera Gallery (Nashua, NH) a few years ago during part of its provocatively-titled show "The Art of Sex". As a brand-new photographer, I'd submitted extremely tame pictures that I thought were over the top at the time: black leather masks, red lace thongs with a cherry on top, etc.

Keith encouraged me to join a group called the NH Society of Photographic Artists. Several meetings later, I'm now their webmaster. (Or "web dominitrix" if you'd prefer to continue the analogy of the Chimera show.)

Like me, Keith has a sales and marketing background, so he's a wonderful resource for any questions I may have on promoting and pricing my work. He's also been the driving force behind a series of critique sessions, where he and I and other artists provide feedback on each other's works.


Here's how one of his photos looks on the library wall:

Friday, January 12, 2007

NPL Show Publicity

I've been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local press in covering my show at the Nashua Public Library. Last week, the NAshua Telegraph's "Encore" section prominently featured this photo, entitled "The Offerings: Earth":



The Union Leader reportedly ran something in its Thursday entertainment section last week, but I didn't have a chance to see it.

My eagle-eyed guest photographer Keith Spiro also e-mailed me this AM to let me know that the "Offerings: Earth" image was featured in this week's issue of the Hippo.

And keep an eye for a feature article running this Sunday in the Sunday Telegraph by Tom Mungovan, himself a very talented artist.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

A Staggering Statistic

This article by Photographyblog.com quotes a research firm that predicts that there will be ***130 million*** digital cameras by 2010!

More incredibly, that won't be the total number in existence.. instead, that's the number that will ship that year alone!

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Classifying Photography

I find it interesting that photography seems to be the only art medium where one is more concerned with the tools with thich the image was created (i.e, digital camera vs. film-based one, etc.)that which category the image falls (landscpae, portrait, etc.)

Therefore, it's refrshing that a number of art books covering photography are using the traditional genres to describe the works. These categories include portait, landscape, narrative, object, fashion, documentary, city, etc.

"Documentary" has been the hardest genre for me to understand. On one hand, it looks very much like the commercial genre photojournalism, in that it attempts to document "real life". (Albeit a "real life" that leans toward the shocking or heartwretching.) On the other hand, many of these scenes are set up with a care usually seen only in theatrical productions. The fact that "real people" (as opposed to professional models) are used in these images doesn't diminish their inability to effectively capture and record a moment of actual life as it happens.

Of course, there are those who will argue that the staged images were inspired by real life and capture a reality that does exist elsewhere. I'd argue that they go take a look at a Salgado exhibit and learn how a pure, communicative vision can be portrayed just by recording actual events. His work define what true "documentary" work should be.

Even street photography -- an activity which can undertaken by anyone dumb/brave enough to hang out some really seedy areas with a very expensive camera -- is a more honest art form.

Now let's say that the creator of a staged "documentary" image makes absolutely no attempt to represent the image as anything other than what is really is-- an act of artifice. Does it then qualify as art? And does the fact that an image is staged disqualify it as art? I think anyone reading my earlier post on the ParkeHarrisons already knows my answer to that one.

Monday, January 8, 2007

Other People's Art

Below is a snapshot taken at Elizabeth's Art Gallery in Nashua, NH. I attended an art opening there yesterday, for my mother's two person show. She's the lovely woman on the right; on the left is her friend Pat (the other artist in the show) and in the middle is gallery owner Elizabeth Biga.




Images like this can be hard to set up, because of the height differences. As the gallery owner, Elizabeth deserved the spot in the middle, leaving an unfortunate "staircase" effect no matter how the picture was composed. And because it's only a snapshot, I didn't pay much attention to the reflections: it was more important to me simply to capture a moment.

NPL Featured Artist - F Ellis Merrill

I first met Ellis at the Wednesday Breakfast Group, a gathering of artists who meet once a week at the Nashua Borders bookstore. After the meetings, we'd sometimes go for "cheap eats" at the nearby Papa Gino's. There, we'd talk a lot about the business of art. As a newbie, I had much to learn from Ellis, who has spent made his career in photography.

Since I went back to work fill-time, I haven't had the chance to spend time with the Breakfast Group. Luckily, Ellis also attends meetings of the Nashua Area Artists' Association, so I get to see him there.

Below is a snapshot of the wall where his photo is hung at the library show. It's the image on the far left. Trust me: it's worth the trip to go see it in person.


Saturday, January 6, 2007

More Show Images





More to come next time...

NPL - Entrance to the Show



This image is called "Mermaid Dancing in a Sea of Fire" and was featured this past fall at Amethyst Wyldfyre during Firefest.

Thursday, January 4, 2007

More on the NPL Show

Many non-artists believe that once an art exhibit is hung, that the work is all done. Not true! Over the next few days, I'll be building the show binder, putting out a guest book, interviewing with local press, submitting press releases, tying up any loose ends, etc.

Trying to keep the excitement building over the next few months is challenging. The first few weeks are especially important, as newspapers don't like to cover shows that have already been up for a month or more.

Due to other commitments, I won't be holding an opening reception. I am flirting around with the idea of a "virtual reception" where attendees can sign a guest book, view an online verison of the show, etc. (The food won't be as good, though... ;-) )

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Hanging the NPL Show

Tonight, I hung work for my Nashua Public Library show, which will be running though the end of February. The show features 29 pieces of my photos and photo-based artwork. The waiting list to have a show there is very long: I signed up in early 2004!

Special guest artists joining me are Colette Guimond, George Eross, Ellis Merrill, Keith Spiro, and Amethyst Wyldfyre, all from New Hampshire.

There's no way I could have got this show hung in the alloted time without the help of my dear friend George Eross. His ongoing good nature as I stressed and griped about assorted "nothings" kept me sane throughout the evening. George also happens to be a very talented artist who has two pieces in the show: a metal sculpture and a copper wire and wood multimedia wallpiece. Both artworks are exceptional and I highly encourage you to attend the show and see them in person.

Towards the end, we were joined by my photo buddy Keith Spiro, who stayed around and helped us complete the installation just as the library closed for the evening. Keith is a well-known area photographer who showcases his work at(and is on the board of directors, I believe, for) Nashua's Chimera Gallery. I'm pleased to have his work in the show as well.

Each week, starting next Monday, I'll focus on one of the guest artists in the show and tell you how their work inspires me and has influenced my own work. I'll also share images from the show in future posts.

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Photo of the Month




"Exterior II/Star Island" (2006)

Limited edition of 25; image size 12x8", matted and framed to 20x16".

Retail price: $125.

Acquire this and similar images directly from the photographer or at any of the galleries that represent her.

Other sizes also available; ask for details.

Monday, January 1, 2007

Optical Unconscious

In 1936, a German art critic wrote an groundbreaking essay entitled "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction". In discussing the work of Surrealist photographers and their forebears, he talks about the "optical unconscious" and the ability of photography to open up spaces that previously existed only in dreams - things that had never been consciously seen, let along reproduced.

Perhaps earlier than most, the author appears to recognize photography's rightful place among other fine art media. For art - no matter what tools and techniques are used to create it - rises above the world as we see it... and shows the world as the artist sees it.

Happy New Year!

Just a heartfelt wish that 2007 brings you much hope, love, laughter.