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Fritz in his studio

Fritz Ho was kind enough to donate some time toward my project.  Below is the result of the shoot, in near finished form.

More good news as I'll be showing work at the Livonia Public Library for the month of October.  Accompanying this will be a lecture on Saturday, October 15th at 11am on New Ways of Approaching Travel Photography.  I'll be using my own work as well as others for the demonstration.  Expect some contemporary art references.

Ugly Mug, portrait of Steve

Thank you to Steve Zwilling and the Ugly Mug Cafe and Roastery for their help with the most recent portrait.  Inspiration came after a conversation Steve and I had when exploring John K. King books in Detroit.  Hope you enjoy this blows your mind.

Metonymy

I've been experimenting for a short while with some new methods.  Rather than taking a picture of someone, why not create a portrait through the tangible things in one's life?  This is still early work but I have to admit I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Thank you Carmen and Silviu for suggesting metonymy when I rather rambled on the scope of this project.  I'd like to think of it as my title now.  Thanks also to everyone who has helped so far and has expressed a willingness toward it.

(Left) Untitled self-portrait  //  (Right) Portrait of Ryan Bogan

Images du Nord-Est

Northeast road trip

Seven days and 2600 miles, I drove out to Maine for the opening reception of Photo National 2011 at the University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor, ME) where I have two pieces (cake, teapot) hanging.  It was great meeting everyone there.  I'm always happy to be apart of the art community, to meet warm, caring, hardworking people, which has been the case nearly everywhere I've gone.  This was especially true of the UMMA show and Maine.

Following that night, I made my way to Acadia National Park, a little gem on the coast where I rode my bike to the top of Cadillac Mountain.  This was a good break from the car and the long road to Montreal that followed.  Driving through that part of the US was fantastic.  Maybe it's because I've never been there, but there was never a dull road.  Canada was also beautiful, as I spent time with friends in Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa.

I keep wondering what could be more important than traveling.  Perhaps it's pertinent for someone in the arts whose goal might be keeping an open mind and challenging one's self.  I think the best (art) work comes when you can balance your interests with local support (friends, other artists, mentors) and a broader set of ideas.  So what better way than to travel and make some positive connections?

Here's an article for the reception and facebook page where you can see some of the work.  Congrats again to all of the other artists!

Bangor Daily News - Photo National 2011
UMMA - Photo National 2011 - Facebook

SPE Conference and Exhibit News

Two weeks ago, my roommate Leigh and I left by car on a road trip from our home in Ypsilanti, MI, down the East Coast and ultimately to Atlanta, Georgia for the 48th annual SPE National Conference.  It was another great experience this year, having several reviews, showing work, seeing work, and meeting lots of wonderful people.  We had a tour of SCAD Atlanta, which nearly broke my jaw; the facilities are are incredible there.  Before I knew it, the conference was over and we were on our way back to Michigan.  I was thrilled to find a letter in my mailbox announcing I have two photos accepted to Photo National 2011 at the University of Maine Museum of Art!  The press release can be found here.

Beginning April 2nd, I'll also be showing work at the Ugly Mug Cafe & Roastery on Cross Ave in Ypsilanti with several friends.  Our opening reception will be April 2nd from 7-9:30pm with music, snacks and refreshments and a silent auction to benefit Ann Arbor SafeHouse.  Our common theme is portraiture and we'll also have a group made piece on display.  Music by Walk Your Bike, Amber Fellows, and Elliot Street Lunatic.