I'm not alone

While walking in the Village, running errands, I passed this.  See? Others are keeping their decorations up, too!  :)

Also, here's a snippet of a WIP digital painting I'm working on.

Summer's End

Tomorrow is the technical last day of summer.   The official day is not something which normally 'counts' in my opinion, but this year especially it pretty much spot on.  Since returning from the beach house this year the weather has been lousy.  I've not had any nice day to sit in the park with my sketchbook to keep my tan alive, (something this otherwise pasty girl likes to do) and the days have been drab and rainy thanks to residual effects of slow moving tropical storms.  To make it worse, it's been hot and muggy.  At least if it's not going to be sunny, I'd rather it be crisp and chilly, appropriate for a cardigan or sleeves.  Instead, it's a subway rider's nightmare.  Blecch.  

Here's me in happier times.  Though it is summer, and the days are fitting for the beach, new england temperatures can take quite a dip after sundown, especially at the beach (where I am here) when the wind kicks up.

Selfie Collage

I'm not much of a blogger, I think this has been established, but I'll try to post randomly like I do from time to time.  Here's a crop of a self portrait collage I've made using multiple photos, paint, and doodles.

Merry Christmas!

To all who celebrate!  And happy holidays to others whose observations are different than mine.  May it be a happy time of year for everyone.

Two Hands Up!

I had my cast removed and although I really am still only one handed for the most part, I have turned a corner.  Also, it's the time of year for twins to get together and have fun twin time.  At least it is for myself and my sister.  Soon she'll be here and we'll be down in the street having a great time.

Since It's Still Summer Outside

Here are some recent scans from the beach.  Seemed summer started late and still lingers on, so likewise, I'm not letting go yet.

Recent Works in Sepia

 From my Stepchildren Series

 From a new series, The Royals (WIP)

Recent Polaroid scan from this past summer.

Re-covery

I have three Polaroid SX-70 cameras, the original, the Alpha, and Model 2.  All are in varying states of distress, but the Alpha, which was the first one I owned, had a leatherette covering which was so dried and crumbly that it caused anything it came into contact with to be stained with a rusty brown filthy dust.  I had to carry it in a plastic bag, and as I often go withs several cameras on my shoots, not being able to just sling the long strap over my shoulder was a pain.  So this summer I said no more.   I took a heavy rasp and sandpaper, and tried to remove as much of the cover as possible, and then commenced with a variety of duct and electrical tapes.  The whole thing is eyeballed, and not perfect, but it's so great to be able to pick it up without getting dirty hands.  :))

First Pinhole Polaroid of the Season

10 second exposure on a lovely summer day by the Hudson River in a little park between Soho and Tribeca in NYC.

Taken with this camera: The Arunas Cigar Box Pinhole with Polaroid back....

Monster Photo Gestalt Exhibit

I'll be in this show which opens tomorrow at bG Gallery in Santa Monica, CA tomorrow.  (Would love to hear from anyone out there able to attend.)

This is what will be in the show.  

Titled: Hand me down to the soft Earth and let me start from scratch.

Sales and inquiries can be directed to the gallery:

T: 310-906-4211

info@bgartdealings.com

I cut and put my mats together myself.

The biggest stressor for me while framing for galleries is removal of all dust particles from between the art and the acrylic.  I don't know what it is, but no matter what I do... antistatic cloth, clearing the work area, brushes, and careful attention, there's always that one little speck which stands out like a sore thumb after I close everything up.  Then I have to open it up and start all over again.

I Made the Huffington Post!

In all the excitement, I forgot to mention here that I was featured there on March 10.  The only reason I even found out about it is because the gallery where I'm currently showing this piece sent me the link.  Pretty cool.  Here's a screenshot:

The article starts out... "Technology can only get you so far.  No matter how many clear-as-day DSLR shots you take, no matter how many Valencia filters you lovingly apply to your iPhone photo of brunch, you can't fake pure photographic genius."

Then, there's my cigar box pinhole shot on old Polaroid film of sand paths taken at dusk in the summertime.  I'm so honored!

Patti Smith's Polaroid Exhibit

The Robert Miller Gallery at 524 W. 26th Street in Chelsea is having a show of Patti Smith's Polaroids.  Some I liked very much.  There were a lot of beds.  And table and chair shots.  She also does this thing where she writes on the photo and/or the mats they are in, and it's quite beautiful - her handwriting is art; the shapes and patterns it forms.  Like an accessory.  I didn't have a camera with me that day, so borrowed an iPhone to snap these.

Krappy Kamera 2016

So I'm in this year's Krappy Kamera show at the Soho Photo Gallery in Tribeca.  Though it's not my first time to be selected,  it's always an honor to take part.  The show opened yesterday, with the reception happening two nights ago.  When I arrived, I was one of three asked to make a speech about my camera and my photography - nerve-wracking, to say the least.  My photo, taken with my Cigar Box Pinhole camera with a Polaroid back, titled "Summer Dusk", took the People's Choice Award!

Afterwards, I went with friends to a nearby local bar/bistro which has been in business since the 1800's.  It's one of those warmly lit places with dark wood interior, and tin walls and ceilings.  They set out crayons on the butcher paper covered tables, and of course, I had to draw my 'Devil Boy' character.  By the end of the night, our table top was covered in art.

Next, we walked home to Soho, (it's right next to Tribeca) and stopped after dining hours at a favorite place of mine.  It wasn't until the next morning that I opened my People's Choice Award.   I still can't believe it, and was thrilled to find a lovely red and white Lomography "Meg" camera with ring flash, a little hardback book about Diana cameras (and Diana clones), as well as three rolls of film.  It will be fun to see what I do with this one.  

Three in a Row

I currently have some photos in a small group show at Lightbox Gallery, which is located in Astoria, Oregon.  I've never exhibited on the west coast, so it makes me happy.  Check them out if you are in the area.

Happy New Year!

It has to be better than the last one.  My gut says it will be.  Sometimes things look better with a splash of red!  Here are some photos taken on my walks to illustrate that fact.

Urban Christmas Tree Lots

It's amazing how many Christmas tree lots sprout up during the holidays here in Manhattan.  Most people I know don't get one, and I don't either, but would love to if I had more time to spend with it, along with more space so it could breathe and not suffer with the radiator air which dries them out very quickly.  Walking near or through one of these lots, however, does conjure up all sorts of childhood memories, the pine-y smells reminding me of the magical time.  I don't think that will ever go away.  May the season be bright and merry, any way you celebrate it.

 

It May Not Be Enough For a Rake

But leaves do fall in Manhattan.