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 College of DuPage Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit closed on Sunday, and I went over there yesterday to pick up my entry. I was very excited to receive an Honorable Mention for this work, titled "Prairie Power: Winter's End." Presented as a 24x36 canvas wrap, this was one of a series that I created for my Color II class last spring, a celebration of the power and endurance of prairie flowers over the harsh midwest winters. Happily, spring has finally arrived in the Chicago area, and I love seeing the beautiful colors of the tulips, daffodils, and budding trees. At the same time, I miss the stark shapes of bare trees and dried flower remains from the winter. Congratulations to my fellow students in the Photography program, Charles Loggins III for his 1st place and Gabriela Guganovic for Honorable Mention. I am in good company. For more information on the exhibit, see the blog entry in Silicon & Silver. About a month ago, I received an email from a friend and fellow fotoMuse member Noriko Buckles. She had seen a Call for Entry for the exhibit "2013 Flower Power" to be held at 1650 Gallery in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Noriko knows that I love flowers and said briefly "When I saw this I thought of you. I hope you will consider submitting your work." I was in the middle of school, focusing on my latest project, and wasn't really paying attention to any contests at the time. But who could resist such encouraging words from a friend? I was experimenting with some new techniques and styles; maybe this would be a good time to test them out in public. To my surprise and delight, one of my entries, called "Pansies" was accepted. The opening reception is tomorrow night, Saturday, December 14. Unfortunately I will not be there, but I encourage anyone in the LA area to stop by and check out the exhibit. 1650 Gallery is located at 1650 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, California, My pansies are in good company. But don't take my word for it - click on the link above and see for yourself. I would love to hear your comments. Now that I am on my way to being organized (more about that later), it is time to move on to the business of being a photographer. This is probably the most difficult aspect of transitioning from hobbyist to professional, but it is essential. There is so much to learn and think about: marketing, promotional materials, website building and management, financial, taxes, and more. While it is challenging, it can also be fun and creative. Did I really say that? Yes, I did; and here are a few examples. Check them out for yourself, and let me know if you did or did not find them to be informative, inspirational, and helpful in any way. Online Webinars / Seminars / Podcasts / Audio Resources Creative Live - One of my favorites. They have a regular schedule covering a variety of topics relative to photography, business start-ups, and other peripheral topics of interest to entrepreneurs, artists, and others. Recently they have completed or scheduled several topics related to startups. They deliver live content, with interactive chat rooms; all free for the watching. If you missed it, they will do free re-watches. People from all around the world are listening in and participating. The courses can also be purchased, usually for under $150, some as low as $29. Discounts are given if you purchase during the live broadcast and for a short time after. Courses usually last anywhere from 1 to 3 days. For example, Jasmine Star ReSTARt http://www.creativelive.com/courses/restart-jasmine-star (3rd and final session will be on March 6). In January, Creative Live topics included Building a Profitable Portrait Studio with Bambi Cantrell, the Right-Brain Business Plan with Jennefer Lee, and many others. Kristen Kalp Brand Camp http://www.brandcampblog.com/ I just started following this, seems there are a lot of spin-offs with good information. Sarah Petty’s The Joy of Marketing http://www.thejoyofmarketing.com/ Sarah Petty has great ideas and her enthusiasm level is tremendously uplifting. There are lots of resources available on the internet, facebook, Youtube, etc. Many of them can be found just by checking out the three examples above. Hands-on / in person If you prefer hands on, in-person, there are lots of opportunities in the local Chicago area. Local Colleges: Chicago has many of these, with some great photography programs. I am currently taking classes at the College of DuPage. (A great bargain tuition-wise, and a great staff in the Photography Department). Here is a starting point: http://www.cod.edu/photo/ In addition to a variety of technical courses, there is the Professional Practices course for Photographers. This semester, there is a Career Boot Camp, a 5-week intensive class jointly sponsored by the Photography, MPTV departments. These classes include guest speakers, many of them alumni of the program, and always actively pursuing their craft. There are field trips, lots of homework assignments with specific and practical applications, and great networking opportunities. Conferences Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) - http://www.selfemploymentinthearts.com/. This weekend, February 22 and 23, is the 13th Annual SEA Conference. Hands-on practitioners in Performing, Literary, Media and Visual Arts fields will share their knowledge and experience during this 2-day jam-packed conference. Topics include finding clients, alternative income options, crowdfunding, networking, financial management, and many other subjects of interest to those wishing to pursue a career in photography or other artistic areas. SPE (Society for Photographic Education) This year’s SPE conference, the 50th, is being held in Chicago, at the Palmer House, from March 7 - 10. https://www.spenational.org/conference. While the focus is not on the business aspects of photography per se, this is a great place to network, meet other professionals and students, and learn from many educator/practitioners. In addition to individual presentations, panel discussions, and caucuses, there are exhibits and portfolio reviews. Filter Photo Festival The Filter Photo Festival http://www.filterfestival.com/ also deserves mention here, since it provides a connection point between producing art and presenting it in a public way. This is a ‘community’ whose mission is to “connect emerging, mid-level, and professional photographers from across the country with gallerists, educators, curators, editors, and other elite photo professionals, focusing particularly on those of the Midwest.” Coinciding with the SPE conference, the Filter Festival is running the exhibit Archetype Drift, from March 6 - 23; opening reception on March 6. Covering new methods of photography-making, the exhibit is held at Johalla Projects on Hubbard Street in Chicago. The Filter Festival website explains “Johalla Projects was established in the fall of 2009 by Anna Cerniglia as a venue for emerging and mid-career artists.” This weekend, offerings include Thursday, February 21, at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) where Curator Allison Grant will give a guided tour of original landscape photography from the MoCP permanent collection; including works from Ansel Adams, Robert Adams, Terry Evans, Mark Klett, An-My Le, Richard Misrach, and Eliot Porter. Other events include exhibition talks on Friday, February 22, at the Milwaukee Art Museum and reception for “Subway” series at the Kasia Kay Art Projects on Aberdeen Street in Chicago. If these are too ‘short-notice’ for you to participate, mark your calendar for the annual Filter Photo Festival event in downtown Chicago on September 25 - 29. This includes workshops, lectures, tours, panel discussions, networking events, and portfolio reviews - all designed to help emerging photographers get to the next level. One final thought - there are many ways to learn about photography and the business of photography. Just as we can learn from teachers, peers, professionals, and others about what makes a “successful” image, we can learn from associates, professionals, entrepreneurs, and even clients about what makes a successful photography business. What worked for someone else may not be the thing that works for you, but there are plenty of ideas and techniques out there to choose from; and there are plenty of generous people in all of those categories who are willing to share what they know and have learned. How about you? What are some of your favorite resources for getting your photography business on a path towards success? Dried Flowers at Cantigny, Wheaton Illinois Over the weekend, most of us in North America, Europe, and a few other areas of the world received a gift of an extra hour of time as a result of falling back from Daily Savings Time to Standard Time. So, did we really get an extra hour of time? And just exactly where did we get it - e.g. staying up an extra hour on Saturday night, getting an extra hour of sleep, or having an extra hour to do things on Sunday? Come Monday morning, did we still benefit from that extra hour, or are we just as confused as my dogs are about what time it really is? My personal opinion is that the hour is more psychological than real, in that I know I have an extra hour so I will use it well. I did stay up Saturday night longer than I normally would have, and I did get up on Sunday morning earlier than normal; but most importantly I was determined to make the best use of that extra hour. So the time switch was a mental booster to get organized and get things done. Ripping through my To Do List, here are some of the things I accomplished:
While it is possible that the extra hour was taken up by changing all the clocks back, I prefer to think I used it to get organized, be more productive, and renew my energy to focus on my photography. Now if only I can figure out what happened to October... What about the rest of you - how did you spend your extra hour? The fotoMuses exhibit “Who Am I?” has now opened at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts in the Herb Aigner Gallery. The exhibit runs from August 27 through September 28, 2012, with a complimentary Artists’ Reception on Friday September 7 from 6:30 - 8:30. The fotoMuses was established in 1997 as a supportive group of women photographers from the Chicago metropolitan area. I joined the fotoMuses earlier this spring, and this is my second exhibit with the group. Curator Judy Kinal, one of the co-founders, challenged us explore our inner selves through our individual photographic styles. In addition to Joanne Barsanti and Judy Kinal from Roselle, exhibitors also include Marita Blanken, Noriko Buckles, and Linda Markese of Downers Grove; Diane Bruno and Delta Greene of Chicago; Janice Henry and Jackye Revely of Bloomingdale; Aichen Ho of Naperville; Joan Kalmenek from Lisle; and Elizabeth Smartt of Elmurst. The exhibit is a true reflection of our diverse interests and styles. It is personal, far-reaching, fun, silly, serious, elegant, and thoughtful. I invite all in the area to join us on Friday, September 7 from 6:30 - 8:30 to experience the exhibit first-hand, talk to the artists, and enjoy some wonderful food. For more information about the fotoMuses, go to www.fotoMuses.com. For directions and more information about the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, go to www. prairiecenter.org. I am very excited to announce that my first solo exhibit "Spring Ahead ... Fall Back” is now on display at the Roselle Public Library. Twenty-four images are presented in a continuum of pastels through vibrant colors and ending in more muted tones commonly found in our local area before winter sets in.
For those in Roselle and surrounding suburbs, I hope you will have a chance to stop by at some point over the next several weeks. Drop me a line and let me know what you think. The Roselle Library is located at 40 South Park Street (South of Irving Park Rd and a couple blocks east of Roselle Rd). Hours are Monday-Thursday 9:30 am - 9:00 pm, Friday & Saturday 9:30 - 5:00 pm, and Sundays 1:00 - 5:00 pm. I usually have at least two “walking around” cameras with me: my digital point and shoot Lumix DMC-ZS3, and my iPhone 4s, which also serves as a communication device. I can easily throw them in my purse (special side compartments for each) or stash them in my pocket. Either place provides quick and easy access for whatever visual image comes into view, whether it be a street scene, sunrise, sunset, or other subject of interest. I am ready. And so it was on a recent trip to Chicago, riding on the Dan Ryan Expressway, I found myself face to face with the beautiful evening Chicago skyline. I quickly grabbed both cameras and took as many shots as I could before the skyline disappeared from view.
The added beauty of the iPhone is the extensive range of creative pre- and post-process apps, not to mention the ease of sharing. Click, tap, tap, tap, send. Done. One of the images, Chicago Skyline 1, shown above, will be part of the upcoming exhibit iPhoneography: Updated Visual Dialogs, opening March 8 at The Lunch Box Gallery in the Wynwood Art District of Miami. The concept for the exhibit was inspired by Chase Jarvis, who said “The best camera is the one that’s with you.”™ What do you think about iPhoneography and its place in the world of serious photography? I would love to hear your thoughts. I am very excited to be part of the Love Apple Exhibit, which opens tonight at the 33Contemporary Gallery, located in the Zhou B Art Center at 1029 W 35th Street in Chicago.
Fellow College of DuPage (COD) student Christine Carroll and I were featured in The College of DuPage Photo Program Blog, Silicon & Silver, which also included our images. The exhibit, which runs through March 10, celebrates the innovation of Apple, Inc. and its late leader Steve Jobs. All of the art for this exhibit was created or manipulated using Apple hardware or software. |
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