Reflections

As I look back through this, my MA journey with Falmouth, I am pretty amazed at the experiences I have had and the progress I have made personally and professionally.

Even though I have been doing photography for over 20 years, prior to this program I admit I did not have much of an audience base, and certainly not a varied one. I had never had mention in a magazine, or on anyones blog or website past my own.  Even when I 'googled' my own name- the results were sparse.

Since beginning this program, the MA with Falmouth Flexible, I have now been:

Featured in two magazines

Been featured on several blogs and online magazines

My work was featured in two Youtube videos (one with over 100k views!)

And I participated in several art shows, digital and physical.  I also won an Honorable Mention, and a 3rd Place (with $500 cash prize!).

But more importantly is the obvious arch of my own progression from beginning to end. 

Previous to this program I had never officially 'studied' photography; including the theories, the methodologies, the historical, economical, political, etc. effects in society. I was unfamiliar with the concept of Tableau, the index and the icon, as well as many other concepts that inform my work currently.  I was less informed in what my contemporaries were doing.

Also, my photography itself has had major growth as I have attempted a variety of methodologies and studies that branched from my previous experiences and stretched my skills.

Also a significant increase in my NETWORKING has been accomplished.  'Who you know' really is everything in the industry and throughout the program I have been pleased to make acquaintances and form relationships with other professionals in the industry throughout the world.  

This program has pushed me in every direction.  It has made me, in turns, pull my hair out and jump with excitement I have (must admit) complained and dragged my feet as well as pushed forward with new enthusiasm and energy.  I came into this program knowing there was a 'next level' to my photography and I desired it.  I feel I discovered not just one but several and varied levels that I am excited to continue to explore.  

Above is the very first image I shared as part of my first module: An image through a window containing the essence of an introduction- and I feel it is as accurate today as a conclusion. Today I feel like the world is wide open to me, with increased potential for further growth and advancement, of discoverable beauty and light through photography.  

IDAHO Magazine is here!

It's here!!! 

Nothing is better than seeing your artwork being consumed, either in a show, online, or- like today when I received my copy of IDAHO Magazine in the mail!

Pro's- it's a 6 page spread!  6 Pages!

Con's - they mislabeled a couple image titles and edited out credit to the Ballet Art's studio in part of the text. 

But I'll take it!

Landings

I have the opportunity to participate in the fourth annual virtual Landings exhibition from Falmouth Flexible that will take place Monday July 27th- Aug 3rd.  Including a launch with a 2 minute introduction on Instagram.  It was excited to wake up to this having been posted by the @falmouth_landings:

"The purpose of Landings:2020 is to have a base to widen and increase connectivity between photographers and the public globally so that we can exchange and communicate ideas, opinions and experiences"

The Theme: Metamorphosis 

I feel like this is a great match for my current project and I am excited to be part of it.  

Pop Up Art Show

Pop Up Community Art Show at the Historic Tabernacle

TROUBLE: In meeting with the curator as we set up my project in the designated wall space and my home projector was the right size but there was too much natural light coming in tabernacle windows for my project to project properly.

SOLUTION: The city owned a larger projector/ screen combo that his team set up for me to use instead.  I was grateful for the help and the use of bigger and better equipment.  

I created a 1.5 minute soundscape to my image slideshow, to add an extra dimension to the experience.  You can see the full effect here:

The soundbite only played 1.5 minutes every 10 as to not overpower the other displays. 

As I mentioned they were also interested in filling the pews with my Teddy Bear Project, which they spread out and lit, and it ended up looking very much like some sort of vigil.  I got some fun responses from it.

Updates Updates Updates

Time is flying by and I feel like the end will be here before I know it!  I've been keeping busy and hardly have time to update my CRJ but here are somethings I am working on:

First show- The Snake River Valley art show at Hemming Village did their awards night and reception to recognize the 'Best of Show' and the show's opening.  Usually there is a guest speaker and a fancy reception with refreshments and mingling but of course that was off the table.  They shared a zoom link for the awards and opening celebration and I planned on watching until I received a text asking me to join the live session!  They didn't say anything else but I assumed that was because I was receiving an award of some sort.  They were careful of social distancing and asked that everyone except the musicians and speaker wear a mask.

The event was laced with an amazing string quartet and even thought they had technical difficulties at the beginning the live YouTube went off without a hitch.  You can see a recording of the event here:




The guest speaker was the talented Kimball Geisler who specializes in Plein art painting:

http://www.kimballgeisler.com

The show accepted two pieces that had to be framed with wire hangers, and no artist statement.  As I prepared which images to share and how to print them I was a little discouraged because I feel it is the collection together, with the artist statement that brings full meaning to the images themselves.  I printed two large prints but was only happy with one of them. 

Then I had the idea to create a 'mini' show in one print where I hung images as if they were family polaroids.  I printed it and framed it as well and decided to through my hat in with one of the large prints and the mini display.  I named the mini display House For Seven; Quarantine Familymontage. Here they are ready to go: 

They recognize seven pieces in the professional division, with a cash prize for the top three :
1st place- $1000
2nd place- $750
3rd place- $500
Merit Award (2)- $100
Honorable Mention(2)- Certificate only.


The competition is pretty tight with multiple mediums competing against each other.  But I must have made the right selection choice because my mini display earned me third place with a $500 cash prize!! The top two places were both oil paintings.  

I have also been scrambling to get my images ready for the other more 'homespun' and eclectic show happening in July.  These shows are a bit early for my project timeline but with the restrictions of COVID-19 I was lucky they were happening at all, and that I would be included.  Our local Arts Council have been amazing to recognize the benefits of art during this time.  

Looking at the space I had offered I had a few ideas. I'm not a 'cut and paste' person.  I get too stuck on the process itself and have a hard time relating the scale to real life.  Since I work with imagery in photography I decided to do a few digital mock-ups as that makes more sense to my brain.  Here is the space I have offered to me (more specifically the wall only): 

My first idea was to try framed enlargements:

This would work if I was allowed some extra space for easels.   This arrangement is aesthetically pleasing but I feel doesn't fit the genre or 'flavor' of the show.  Frames were much more appropriate for the other event.  Also they can't guarantee me the extra space for the easels as they are still collecting displays.   

Next I tried wire/clips to hang unframed prints:

This is more fitting for the show, but again I would be limited to 9 images displayed or adjust to smaller images. With social distancing and the way they are planning the display it isn't very conducive to people getting up and close to my images so - the bigger the better in this case.

I finally decided if I am looking for large images in limited space- a projector show might be the answer!  So I am currently working on a video loop that would project my project as single large and evolving images on the wall space offered me.  This would match the eclectic flavor of the show and allow my images to be seen.  I also think they will be very effective at that size.  I am also working on a 1 minute sound bite to accompany the images to really draw people in, and I am also allowed a printed artist statement that will be displayed to the side.  

Phew- I am exhausted.  This summer life with work/school/kids home is trying and I feel like I am running a marathon on a treadmill but I am pleased with the progress I am making and feel fulfilled in the artwork I am producing.  

Meeting with the Curator

I have appreciated that even with the COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, our extremely awesome City Arts Council has successfully nudged a launch of two opportunities for art shows in the areas. 

Each show is polar opposites in design, venue and execution, and will adapt for social distancing and other COVID-19 regulations. 

The first is a 20 day show that is sponsored by the Hemming Family Foundation in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Upper Valley Art Guild. The venue is the posh Hemming Village Atrium and targets the visual artists of the Snake River Valley.  The show exhibits a variety of mediums but pieces are required to be framed with wire hangers.  They accepted two of my prints, which I framed per regulation of the show. Typically there is a formal reception with a guest artist speaker, where recognitions of top submissions are acknowledged.  This year will be different, of course.  No live reception, though there will still be an online YouTube speaker. They do not arrange items by artist but prefer a random showing so your items must be able to stand alone in their work.  Also there are titles but no artist statements.  

http://atrium-weddings.com

The second opportunity is more eclectic and homespun and also more of a pop-up show variety.  Sponsored by the local cultural arts director this show will be only two days, and take place in the downtown historic tabernacle building.  This show will specifically feature art created during the COVID-19 isolation of 2020, and my work has been invited to participate.  Artists will be involved in installation and artist statements are encouraged.

Here is a shot inside the Tabernacle:

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with the curator of the show, Jed Platt, to look at the space and where he would like my section.  He is planning on possible dividers and tables as the show is open to a variety of installations.  But he was hoping to offer me this section of wall for my House for Seven images:

I accepted.  I think it is open to a variety of ways they could be displayed and he has left the design open up to me.  

After looking through my website he was drawn to my other project, The Teddy Bear Project of COVID-19.  He said that he had been hoping for some kind of collection that could be somehow displayed among the pews- but as it is such an awkward space he wasn't sure what would work there. But at the same time he didn't want to leave it dead space either.  He thought the addition of my images with a 'bear hunt' theme would be perfect.  So now I am working on that as well.  Here is the space: 

With all that is going on in the world I am glad there will be this moment of distraction.  The arts must go on!