(Year in) Review

Took Uncle Al to see Australia today. He really wanted to see it since they premiered it across the street from our hotel in Sydney. I wanted to see it too until I kept reading all the bad reviews it was getting. I went hesitatingly but since Uncle Al bought me the Canon g10 for Christmas I figured it was the least I could do and I'm so glad that I did. I can't think of a better way to spend my last afternoon of 2008. I expected a corny love story; all pink-orange sunsets, dramatic music and the big kiss, and there was some of that, but what I didn't expect was a truly political movie. Good on ya' Baz for tackling Australia's history of racism, colonialism, and oppression. Also for giving us strong female representation, not just Nicole, but many of the supporting characters both Black and white.

This was indeed an epic story about love. Romantic love for sure but more importantly love of family, love of country and love of self. So I'm very happy that me and Uncle Al finally made it to Australia this year both to the country and the movie. Happy New Year!

Espada de Dos Filos, Latina Voices: California – New York

The Usual Suspects is currently on view at the Ruiz gallery at Arte Americas in Fresno, CA.

This exhibition will feature contemporary Latina artists from California and New York. Approximately 20 artists, 10 from each state, have been selected to participate in this unique show that culminates our 2008 exhibition schedule. Espada de Dos Filos will examine, reveal and highlight the voices of contemporary Latina artists.

Arte Americas, 1630 Van Ness, Fresno, CA

Exhibition runs December 16, 2008 – February 14, 2009

Wish List

So its that time of year again, to make a list and check it twice. Here are some of my favorite things for the photographer or photo enthusiast in your life.

I love this Lomo Fisheye camera. Lomo has a range of fun toy cameras out like this one and even remakes of old classics like the Diana.

Also for all you young collectors out there Juliana Beasley has a holiday print sale going on. This is a great opportunity to snag one of her photographs for an affordable price. Rona Chang is also offering prints for sale. Get'em while the getting's good!

I've already got my signed copy of Amy Stein's new book Domesticated because i predict they will sell out soon. Aperture is also offering 50% off gift subscriptions so get one for a friend, I've got mine already, thanks Mike :)

Happy Holidays!

Home Sweet...

Back from Aussieland! The long flight back has got me all discombobulated. Really didn't want to come back. Shot heaps of pictures for my Away from Home series. Think uncle Al needs a break from being photographed for a week or so. Here's a shot from a hotel in Sydney.

Away From Home

Heading off to Australia tomorrow to shoot some more images for my Away From Home series. This trip is just me and my Uncle Al since my mom is sitting this one out. Haven't booked any hotels yet so i'm gonna have to wing it and hope for some photogenic rooms. I am really excited for the weather, shrimp on the barbie, koala bears and Bondi beach!

Arts For Art, Inc. Photography Exhibit/ Charity Auction

Exhibition at The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Heading off to Milwaukee tomorrow to install my show at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design's  Perspectives Photography Gallery. 

I'll be showing new work from Guayabera Series. Looking forward to giving an artist talk and studio visits with the students there and of course spending time with my good friend Sonja Thomsen.

Still Thinking About Still Life

"It is an art that points to the human by leaving the human out; nowhere visible, we're everywhere. it is an art that points to meaning through wordlessness, that points to timelessness through things permanently caught in time. That points to immensity through intimacy. An art of modest claims that seems perennial, inexhaustible. " - Mark Doty

Thank You CPW!

Its so weird adjusting back to my normal life after spending such an amazing month away from home. Wow, i can't believe its over. This month long residency at the Center for Photography at Woodstock has been jam packed with making work,  being surrounded by great people and thinking about photography 24/7.  It's been heaven! I shot a lot of film, used the 8x10 camera, had 24hr access to digital equipment/darkroom, went to lectures by Larry Fink, Angelika Rinnhofer, Keith Johnson, and David Hilliard but the best part was the technical and emotional support of everyone at CPW! I needed a lot of both :) and they were always there for me. 

So Ariel, Larry, Liz, Meghan, and Phil-THANK YOU for everything!  Also a special thanks to all the interns: Sarah, Emily, Bree, Amanda, Josephine and Kendra for their camaraderie, silliness, and their willingness to be photographed.

Thank You CPW!

Going, Going, Gone

Its my last day here in Woodstock and i really don't want to leave. But i've already eked out two more days of my residency and all good things must come to an end... plus the seasons are changing and reminding me its time to go. Here's one of the last still lifes i shot at CPW.

Still Going, Still Life...

"Still life. The deep pun hidden within the term: life with death in it, life after the knowledge of death, is, after all, still life."- mark doty

Been shooting with the 8x10 camera for the first time and it is intense. Larry here at CPW has been helping me out A LOT and i 've really needed it. (Thank You Larry!) Shifts, tilts, swings, bellows, its all more than i can handle at times. The camera itself is so big and heavy, and hard to manage, but when i see the image gleam from the shadowy back of the glass it takes my breath away.

Still Life with Bowl of Figs

This Still Life stuff is a lot harder than i thought! Usually i lay things out on the table get the lights and focus all set up and then realize i hate it and don't want to waste a piece of film on it and start all over... Shot this one last night and I actually like it so i thought i'd post it.

Lecture Tonight at CPW

upcoming lectures

Friday, September 12, 7pm CPW invites you to a special Friday Evening lecture with Justine Reyes, our current artist-in-residence. Reyes' work revolves around issues of identity, history and time; and our relationship to these themes in a post 9/11 world. Using photography and installation, she examines family, the idea of leaving and returning home, and the longing to hold on to things that are ephemeral and transitory in nature.

Still Life with Melon

Still working, still shooting, Still Life. Waiting to get my film processed from the first two rounds. Above is a digital test I did since polaroids have become so scarce and precious.

Residency in Motion

Finally out of the digital darkroom and started shooting! While i'm up here at Woodstock this month i'll be creating a new body of work based on Dutch still life paintings from the 16-17th century. I have been in love with the subtle beauty of Vanitas paintings for years now and have always wanted to create my own. Here's a polaroid from my first round. I'm using objects that belonged to my grandmother and pairing them with my personal belongings. Once again thinking about identity, history, time and my own mortality.

Rainy Days for The New York Sun

Just found out the New York Sun may be shutting down before I finish my residency at the end of the month! No October 1st articles to read when i get home. Will they get the funding they need? Awaiting the fate of this great arts and culture paper...

A.I.R

Just began my Artist in Residence(A.I.R) at the Center for Photography at Woodstock. I'm excited to make new work, experiment with new equipment, and have some time away and to myself. I've really needed to take a deep breath lately and maybe this Woodstock A.I.R is just what i need.

UFO Sighting!

Ok ok... its my first time blogging and i wanted to make it exciting. This whole process is alien to me so its fitting that my first post is about UFOs. Seriously was walking home tonight when i looked up and thought the moon was strangely purple, then realized it was some object hovering above me in the sky. Since i couldn't identify it i decided to take a picture and add it to the millions of blurry photographs out there of UFOs, ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.

Not much of a believer it was actually kinda fun even after i realized it was a blimp. I kinda understand that search for something greater than oneself, something unexplainable and out of this world. :)