I have been abysmally bad at blogging this past month!  I’ve just been too busy!  I’ve done about three times the work in Jan/Feb 2011 as compared to Jan/Feb 2010!  Actually, it’s awesome.  I’ve had a lot of fun with some very interesting events and assignments…I just haven’t had the time to tell you about them!  But first things first.

Yesterday, Idrissa and I spent a few hours at VisArts in Rockville, MD at the opening reception of a juried Lensbaby exhibit, featuring one of the works of my photography student, John Jacks.  This was John’s very first fine art exhibit, and he did a terrific job with the printing, matting, and framing of his artwork!  His piece is called “The Entire City,” a photograph of a wax statue of a woman at Madame Tussaud’s, Washington, DC’s wax museum.  The woman is in profile, her brown hair falling across her face, shrouding her in mystery.  Around the woman, a display of lights dance around the statue.  In fact, standing on the street outside, John photographed the woman through the glass storefront – the lights are lights from cars and streetlights reflected in the window and rendered into circles and ovals by John’s Lensbaby lens and a wide aperture.  This Lensbaby exhibit runs through March 30, 2011, so stop by VisArts and see it while you can!  Featuring 50 images selected from more than 500 entries, VisArts is located in Rockville Town Center at 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD.)  Congratulations, John!

As for me, I am pleased to announce my newest exhibit – FLASH, opening March 17th with a reception and party on Friday, March 18th, organized by Washington, DC’s very own FotoDC (formerly FotoWeekDC).

A month or so ago, 160 photographers went through portfolio reviews with one of the members of a high-profile judging panel, composed of Molly Roberts, photography editor at Smithsonian Magazine; Philip Brookman, chief curator and head of research at the Corcoran Gallery of Art; Avi Gupta, photo editor at U.S. News & World Report; Philippa Hughes, chief creative at Pink Line Project, and Amanda Maddox, associate curator of photography and media arts at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.  Each of the five judges selected five photographers and five photographs per photographer for the FLASH exhibit.  I am pleased to say that my work was reviewed and selected by Molly Roberts, photography editor at Smithsonian Magazine.  Molly selected five images from my body of Africa cultural photography, three of them from my most recent trip to Burkina Faso in November 2010, and four of which have never before been exhibited.

A woman in Djibo, Burkina Faso rolls a spatula between her hands to cook millet "pot," similar to the Italian polenta. Without a stove or electricity, women throughout West Africa cook outside on an open fire.

The other half of FLASH is a group of 30 photographers juried into the exhibit by an in-house review panel at FotoDC.  In addition to photography, the space will contain a lounge and bar where you can browse through a library of 150 photography books from around the world. In FotoDC’s words, “FLASH will represent a total photographic immersion featuring works from across the thematic spectrum – from documentary to fine art with every genre represented.”  Even wine tastings will be available, brought to you by the Washington Wine Academy!

From March 17-April 17, 2011, FLASH will occupy two floors of 2450 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, Virginia, and you are invited!

Details:

Opening Friday, March 18,  Party from 8:00-11:00 PM

Exhibit dates: March 17-April 17, 2011
2450 Crystal Drive
Crystal City, VA

Viewing Hours:
Mondays and Tuesdays: closed (available for private events)
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5 PM – 10 PM
Fridays: 5PM – 11 PM
Saturdays: Noon – 11 PM
Sundays: Noon – 7 PM

In addition to the FLASH Exhibit, several other FLASH events will entertain you during the month long period, like FLASH after DASH.

Every Friday in April, the Crystal City Business Improvement District in partnership with Pacers, hosts 5K Fridays – 5 kilometer races through the streets of Crystal City starting at 6:30 PM (April 1, 8, and 15, 2011). For the three Fridays that coincide with gallery hours of FLASH, runners will be invited to “FLASH after DASH” for an after party. Runners will be provided with a complimentary drink and enjoy the lounge atmosphere and photography exhibit. The Washington Wine Academy will also be hosting wine tastings.

Media R.S.V.P.: Members of the media who need more information, images of exhibited photos or would like to attend the media preview on Thursday, April 17th, should contact Laura Gross,lgross@scottcircle.com or at 202-207-3645, c: 202-255-2054.

This week, I am working on planning for my next few photography workshops:

• a beginning-level people photography workshop on Saturday, March 12th, around the Gaithersburg, MD St. Patrick’s Day Parade – TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEKEND
• an intermediate/advanced-level photographic storytelling workshop on Sunday, March 27th , around the National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival in Washington, DC – TO BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN A WEEK
• an intermediate/advanced-level photographic storytelling workshop on something horsey (still a secret, as I’m planning to do some field research on this today!) – TBD

So check back here frequently for the official photography workshop announcements and sign-up/registration information!  Or, if you’re interested in 1-on-1 private photography lessons, download a brochure here.

And finally, I have also been over to the offices of HuttonPatt Title & Escrow in Potomac, Maryland several times this week.  Their walls are bare, and we’ve been talking artwork to hang!  This past week, we picked out 15 pieces – a series of 5 black & white landscapes for one office/meeting area, a series of 5 color landscapes & nature pieces for the second office/meeting area, and 5 pieces of local scenes for a third area of the office.  We are pondering over the weekend – more to follow soon!

And by the way, if you are buying a home or refinancing, give me a shout, and I can put you in touch with HuttonPatt – they’re the best, and they’ll do a fantastic job for you!  And if you’re looking at buying a home and you so desire, I can also recommend a realtor, mortgage lender, and moving company!

Last March, I exhibited 10 photographs from my “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” collection at the Arlington Public Library, Central Branch.  Dyann Bishop from Shirlington Library saw my exhibit and called me up just a few months ago to invite me to show at Shirlington Library.  So I will be launching the new year with 11 photographs from “Of Fairytale Kingdoms,” half of which I have never exhibited before!  The space I’ve got at Shirlington is larger than at Central Branch, so I’m able to put larger pieces up.  So stop by and enjoy the artwork!  And if you don’t have to go to the office on January 3rd, or if you can take off an hour for lunch, Idrissa and I will be at the Library at 1:15 pm for installation; feel free to come by and keep us company or even give us a hand!

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I am an explorer.  An explorer of vibrant colors that stir my heart, an explorer of the multitude of hues, both natural and man-made.  An explorer of shadowy contrasts that make me wonder, an explorer of the supple paths of light.  I travel down dusty highways and onto dirt roads, and through lush landscapes and into desert sands.  And with my camera, I seek beauty in my subjects.  Sometimes, I find it on the surface, easily displayed for the world to see.  But always, I seek the more subtle beauty within.  I seek the essence of our world.

In December 2009/January 2010, I took my first trip to Utah, and my first trip (as an adult) to the American Southwest, visiting a wide range of national and state parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion National Parks, over a 2-week period.  Incredible rock formations sculpted over thousands of years by gravity wind, water, and other erosive forces dot the landscape.  Coupled with a staggering range of color, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the sandstone formations glow a fiery orange, these amazing feats of nature remind me of fairytale kingdoms.  My goal in “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” is to capture the fantastic and fanciful nature of these unique locations.

Exhibit Dates: January 3-31, 2011

Address: Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA

Hours of Operation:

• Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Monday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Tuesday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Wednesday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Thursday CLOSED
• Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

You can also view all images from my 2009/2010 winter wonderland trip through Utah, including stops at Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park here.  Treat yourself or a loved one to some beautiful fine art photography this holiday season!  You deserve it!

A few days ago, I got a call from the Gallery Coordinator at Shirlington Library in Arlington, Virginia.  Turns out that she had seen my May 2010 “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” fine art photography exhibit over at Arlington Public Library, Central Branch.  She enjoyed it so much that she put me on her list and called me up to invite me to exhibit at Shirlington Library in January!  In honor of this invitation, I decided to feature one of my favorite images from “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” on my November calendar wallpaper, which you can download here.  You can also purchase Turret Arch Red IV as a fine art photograph here.  Fine art photography makes great Christmas gifts for loved ones!!!

Artist’s Statement, “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” Collection

I am an explorer.  An explorer of vibrant colors that stir my heart, an explorer of the multitude of hues, both natural and man-made.  An explorer of shadowy contrasts that make me wonder, an explorer of the supple paths of light.  I travel down dusty highways and onto dirt roads, and through lush landscapes and into desert sands.  And with my camera, I seek beauty in my subjects.  Sometimes, I find it on the surface, easily displayed for the world to see.  But always, I seek the more subtle beauty within.  I seek the essence of our world.

In December 2009/January 2010, I took my first trip to Utah, and my first trip (as an adult) to the American Southwest, visiting a wide range of national and state parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion National Parks, over a 2-week period.  Incredible rock formations sculpted over thousands of years by gravity wind, water, and other erosive forces dot the landscape.  Coupled with a staggering range of color, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the sandstone formations glow a fiery orange, these amazing feats of nature remind me of fairytale kingdoms.  My goal in “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” is to capture the fantastic and fanciful nature of these unique locations.

Turret Arch during a winter sunset in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Over many years, the forces of erosion have created many such arches, pinnacles, and spires.

Hey, so I’ve been getting lots of great feedback from people who’ve seen my current exhibit, “Of Fairytale Kingdoms,” at the Arlington Public Library, Central Branch in Virginia.  This weekend is the last weekend of the show, so do stop by if you have a chance, and leave me a message on this blog if you do!  I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Click above for the artist’s statement for this collection.

"Of Fairytale Kingdoms IV": Fantastic rock formations and arches sculpted over thousands of years by wind, rain, and other forces of erosion dot the winter landscape of the Windows Section of Arches National Park in southern Utah.

I’m heading over to Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland in an hour.  I’ve got show duty today until 12:30 pm for the spring show (“Shades of Spring”) of the Art League of Germantown.  (I’m a member.)  Feel free to stop by!  The artists’ reception is tomorrow, so I’ll also be there from 1:00-3:00 pm.  I live very close by, though, so if you want to come by another time, feel free to give me a call at 202-596-8147, and I’ll see if I can meet you there for a tour!  Click on the link above for more information.

Infrared photograph of palm trees at Myakka River State Park in Florida. This image is part of my "Alternative Reality" series. All cameras have an internal filter that blocks most, if not all, infrared light from passing through it. Because the infrared blocking filter in my camera still allows a very small amount of infrared light to trickle through, I am able to do infrared photography by placing a filter on my camera lens that blocks all visible light. Thus, the camera can still make use of the trickle of infrared allowed through. Because so little light enters the camera, I use a tripod and set very long exposures, up to 10 minutes in length. The advantage of working this way is that the long exposures allow me to creatively capture the movement of my subjects – such as trees and grass blowing in the wind. I love the resulting effect, as well as the alternative reality of infrared. This image was also a 2009 Photo District News (PDN) Photo of the Day.

I’ve just put the finishing touches on my artist’s statement for my “Of Fairytale Kingdoms,” which will be featured in my upcoming art exhibit in May at the Arlington Public Library in Virginia, as well as at next week’s Art League of Germantown “Shades of Spring” show at Black Rock Center for the Arts.  Here’s the artist’s statement to give you a sense of what you’ll see at the exhibits!

I am an explorer.  An explorer of vibrant colors that stir my heart, an explorer of the multitude of hues, both natural and man-made.  An explorer of shadowy contrasts that make me wonder, an explorer of the supple paths of light.  I travel down dusty highways and onto dirt roads, and through lush landscapes and into desert sands.  And with my camera, I seek beauty in my subjects.  Sometimes, I find it on the surface, easily displayed for the world to see.  But always, I seek the more subtle beauty within.  I seek the essence of our world.

In December 2009/January 2010, I took my first trip to Utah, and my first trip (as an adult) to the American Southwest, visiting a wide range of national and state parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion National Parks, over a 2-week period.  Incredible rock formations sculpted over thousands of years by gravity wind, water, and other erosive forces dot the landscape.  Coupled with a staggering range of color, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the sandstone formations glow a fiery orange, these amazing feats of nature remind me of fairytale kingdoms.  My goal in “Of Fairytale Kingdoms” is to capture the fantastic and fanciful nature of these unique locations.

Photo: “Waters Rushing at the Temple of Sinawava,” Zion National Park, Utah.  I decided to post this photo in honor of Izzy and Jason – wedding date: July 17, 2010.  They were over at my studio today – I happened to have all my artwork out for the upcoming “Shades of Spring” show, and this was Izzy’s favorite image.  Congratulations to Izzy and Jason – can’t wait for the wedding!  You two rock!

"Waters Rushing at the Temple of Sinawava": The North Fork of the Virgin River rushes past the Temple of Sinawava, one of many spectacular rock formations in southern Utah's famed Zion National Park.

I’m getting ready for my next exhibit, which will be at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland.  I’m a member of the Art League of Germantown (ALOG), and this is our annual spring show.  Come and view a quality selection of affordable fine art photography, original art, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, and small art works.  Join us anytime April 23-25, or come meet me and the other artists at the Artists’ Reception on Sunday!  (By the way, that’s my photograph, “Wrapped in Blue,” on the bottom left row of the postcard.  It’s one of my signature images, though I’m not actually including it in this particular exhibit.)

2010 "Shades of Spring Exhibit, Art League of Germantown & Black Rock Center for te Arts, Germantown, MD

Show & sale hours are:

• Friday, April 23, 10 am to 5 pm
• Saturday, April 24, 10 am to 5 pm
• Sunday, April 25, 1 pm to 4 pm
• Artists’ Reception on Sunday, 1:00-3:00 pm

You’ll be able to catch me there on Saturday morning (I’ve got show duty) and of course during the Artists’ Reception on Sunday.

Last weekend, I was prepping for my next next exhibit, picking out the 10 images, figuring out what sizes I’ll print them in, and drawing out the schematic of their placement.  My next next exhibit will be at the Arlington Public Library, Central Library Branch in Virginia, and I’m calling it, “Of Fairytale Kingdoms.”  Since I just got back from my first trip through the American Southwest (Utah), I’m itching to print and show these photos, so I’ve decided to focus on that.  All those strange, incredible rock formations, hoodoo canyons, and giant arches with their surreal orange glow in the early sunrise or late sunset light reminds me of fairytale kingdoms.  I hope you have a chance to stop by the exhibit – come back here and leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

By the way, I’m referring to this as my “next next” exhibit because my real next exhibit is really just in a few weeks.  I’m a member of the Art League of Germantown (ALOG), and we’re holding our annual “Shades of Spring” member exhibit on April 23-25 at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD.  Stay tuned for more on that once I pick up the invitation postcards…

"Of Fairytale Kingdoms IV": Fantastic rock formations and arches sculpted over thousands of years by wind, rain, and other forces of erosion dot the winter landscape of the Windows Section of Arches National Park in southern Utah.