Enough of the cold and snow - it is time to get out of the house for something fun! The Bloomingdale Park District Museum's exhibit "Let There Be Light" opened today, but the best time to see the exhibit will be Friday night, January 16, 2015 from 6 - 8 pm. That is when the complimentary Artists Reception will be held - plenty of food, drink, entertainment, beaming photographers, and wonderful photographic artwork will be in abundance. Juror Richard Ainsworth will be there to hand out ribbons and talk about his selections. The photo above is a sneak peak of me checking out the exhibit this morning; shown with entries from my light-painting photography collection, right next to some of my favorite works from photographer friend Tammy Caltagirone. Throughout the two galleries, I was delighted to see entries from many other friends as well, including Al DaValle and Jim Hojnacki; MAPS members Mary Mehl, Diana Chrisman, Tim Rex, and Cora Jacobs; and fellow fotoMuses Noriko Buckles, Anne Frantzen, Janice Henry, and Judy Kinal. I hope to see you there, Friday night. It is close, it is warm, it will be friendly and fun. The Museum is located at 108 2nd Street, Bloomingdale, IL 60108. Click here for a map and directions. p.s. When you are there, don't forget to check the Bin for matted/unframed works by the many of the photographers in the exhibit. There are a few of my "Delicate Beauty" pieces, including my newest "Preening Egret."
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The fotoMuses spring 2014 Exhibit "Hopes and Dreams" is now open at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum. For this exhibit, I chose to illustrate a dream sequence of the young Ingenue Laura. "In the Clouds" is the transition from wake-state to her dream, which, like most dreams, includes tidbits of personal fancy and classic stories. The exhibit runs through June 7, with a complimentary Artists Reception on Sunday May 18, 2 - 4 pm. I am pleased and honored to be participating in several Photography Exhibits this spring. Each has its own ‘flavor’ and there will be Artist(s) Receptions. I would love to see my friends and followers at any one of these shows. Here are the details: 1. My Solo Exhibit “Flowers with Attitude” is currently on display at The Photo-Four Gallery, located on the South Suburban College Campus, 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL. The Artist’s Reception is on the closing date, Tuesday, March 26 at 12:30. 2. “As We See It”, the collective vision of the College of DuPage Photo Ex Club (www.facebook.com/photoexclub), will be the “Featured Artist” exhibit at Gallery 200 at 200 Main Street in West Chicago from April 4 through April 28. This collection features over fifty current works of fourteen students, former students, and COD residents. Opening Reception is on Friday, April 5 from 6 - 9 pm. 3. The fotoMuses (www.fotoMuses.com) are currently working on their upcoming exhibit “The Individual Photograph.” This exhibit of approximately fifty images will be on display from May 11 through June 22 at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum. The Museum is located at 108 S. Bloomingdale Road in Blooomingdale, IL. The Artists Reception will be on Sunday, May 19 from 2 - 4 pm. I am proud to be part of these three very different exhibits, each with a unique theme, each showcasing the photography of my friends and colleagues as well as my own works. Not only is “Focus” the title of the group photography exhibition opening this month at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum, but I have chosen this word as my mantra for 2013. Yes, I have a mantra. I like that idea better than making resolutions that will most likely be broken before the first full moon of the chilly night time sky. Before I get too far, the word “mantra” as defined by Wikipedia means “a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation." So, this year I will focus on transformation. Specifically I am going to focus on the business aspect of my photographic life. For the past two years I have studied, learned, practiced, improved my technical skills - color, printing, lighting, studio, post-production, work-flow, editing, critiques; in sum, creating works of art that I like enough to share with other people. Now it is time to get serious, to transform my hobby into a business that can be financially rewarding as well as artistically satisfying. My goal (yes I will still have goals) is to avoid spreading myself too thin. If I try to do too much, then I will accomplish nothing. I will take it one step at a time, baby steps if I have to, or “umbrella steps” to get a little creative. Anyone who played “Captain May I?” will understand umbrella steps - those kind of whirly, fun, free-for-all movements that can advance you beyond the limitations of silly rules. Step 1 is to Get Organized. This has been my focus for the last few weeks, and will continue to be my focus for the month of January. Empty out the closets, throw out all that stuff that I haven’t worn, used, or seen in the last two years. Oh, do I still have that pink sweater? Why? I will never wear it - out it goes. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Cancer Federation, have at it. Organize that pile of papers and either file them in labeled folders, or throw them out as unnecessary clutter. Now I have room to store my newly acquired gear, props, and accessories. Wicker baskets are great. They look good, they are trendy, and most importantly, they hide the stuff. Less clutter equates to calmer state of mind, which translates to ability to focus. Step 2. There is no step 2. Not until February. Remember? One step at a time. Oh, I know what it is, I am just not telling. You will have to tune in next month to find out. The accompanying image “Incapsulation” is one of the framed images I have on display as part of the “Focus” exhibit. The underlying images were taken on my recent trip to Austin and San Antonio, Texas. If you have a chance, please stop by to see me and many other local photographers at the Artist’s Reception on Friday, January 18 from 6 - 8 pm. Complimentary/refreshments will be served. For more information, go to Bloomingdale Park District Museum, 108 S Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL. September promises to be a very busy month in my world of Photography. I invite you to join me in one or all of the following events that are scheduled for this month: 1. Friday, September 7, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Complimentary Artist’s Reception at the Herb Aigner Gallery in the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Join me and my fellow fotoMuses for our latest exhibit “Who Am I?” As a group, we share a passion for photography, and the desire to share our knowledge and experiences with ourselves and others. The “Who Am I?” theme is a great vehicle for showcasing our differences: how we view ourselves, and how we interpret that vision through the medium of photography. For more about the fotoMuses, see http://www.fotomuses.com/ The exhibit runs through September 28. The center is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on many evenings and weekends. For directions to the exhibit location, see http://www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/PCA/PrairieCenter/Pages/PCAMap.aspx 2. Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The 57th Annual Park Forest Art Fair in downtown Park Forest. Although I have participated in previous art fairs as a member of the College of DuPage’s Photo Ex group, this is my first solo venture into the world of Art Fairs. Organized by the Tall Grass Arts Association, The Park Forest Art Fair is the second oldest juried Art Fair in the Chicagoland area. The Fair also features musical entertainment on both days, lots of activities for children, a variety of food vendors, and wine tastings. The Tall Grass Arts Gallery will be open throughout the festival. Both the Gallery and the Art Fair are open to the public and free of charge. Look for me in Booth #67, on the Village Green (grassy area) - I would love for you to stop by and say hello. Before you leave, check out the Gallery’s Luminosity exhibit. (Yes, I have an image on display in the main gallery area.) For more about the Tall Grass Arts Association and the Park Forest Art Fair, see http://www.tallgrassarts.org/Park-Forest-Art-Fair.html Getting there: Park Forest is about an hour’s drive from the Roselle/Schaumburg area, and a much easier drive than going into downtown Chicago. The art fair is located on Main Street in Park Forest between Western Avenue and Orchard Drive. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=367%20Artists%20Walk&city=Park%20Forest&state=IL&zipcode=60466 3. Sunday, September 23, 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Complimentary Artists Reception at Bloomingdale Park District Museum. Exhibit Theme: “Keep It Simple” I am pleased to have three entries accepted into this juried exhibit, including my first foray into the world of mixed media. I will also have matted, unframed images in the ‘bin.’ All are available for sale, with the exception of my experimental piece “Sand Runes II.” As usual, the reception will provide refreshments, musical entertainment, and the opportunity to meet and chat with the artists. The Park District Museum is located at 108 S. Bloomingdale Road (one block south of Lake Street). For more information about the Museum, see http://www.bloomingdaleparks.org/Facilities/BPD-museum/BPD-museum.htm “Keep It Simple” will be on display from September 15 through October 20. Museum hours are Wednesday 4 - 8 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am - 4 pm, and Saturday 12 - 4 pm. Of course there are many more photographic and artistic events going on in the Chicagoland area this month, but these are the ones that I will be participating in. Hope to see you there! This was the front-windshield view on our way to the January 20 Opening of "A Moment in Time." A rare (for 2011-2012 winter) but ill-timed snowstorm snarled rush-hour traffic, and put a damper on what promised to be a busy and lively gathering. Thank you to those who were able to make it; for those who stopped by at a later date, and for those who were kind enough to send regards. If you have not seen the exhibit, you still have time. Gallery hours are Wednesdays, 4-8pm; Thursdays and Fridays 10 am - 4 pm; and Saturdays 12 - 4 pm; through February 18. To satisfy Patsy Davis’ request to document 11/11/11, I selected four images. These first two were taken of the Bloomingdale VFW, who obliged my request to photograph their Veteran’s Day ceremony. I quickly settled on the gentleman in the motor cart. At exactly 11:11, he sat waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin. He had a pleasant smile and peaceful manner, but also a wistful look, perhaps in memory of days gone by. I was particularly touched by his careful and devoted raising of the flag. The next image also spoke to days gone by. This house was scheduled for teardown, and had been used for practice by the local fire department. They were allowed to chop holes in the roof and walls, but were not allowed to set any fires due to EPA regulations. Within a week, the house was completely gone. Perhaps next year, on 12/12/12 I will have an image of its much grander replacement. My final image pays tribute to mother nature, and her ability this year to hang in there with luscious colors. |
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