Black & White and Shades of Gray

My degree is in Photography from Western Michigan University - way back in 1977. WOW that really does sound old. Anyway, my study of photography was all in black and white. Think Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Steichen. It was also film and darkrooms. It was chemicals and the Zone system. It was unthinkable to NOT convert either a bathroom or closet to a darkroom. I guess you could say I was the bad roommate. I stunk up the place and occupied the bathroom for hours at a time. 

Every now and then it's fun to look at things as I did then, in shades from white to black. Here are some pictures I took at the Palo Alto Art Center art studio. I went last weekend for the Dia de Los Muertos celebration, but was transported to 1977 and looking at things in black in white and shades of gray.

Most digital cameras can be set to black and white mode. Go out and take some pictures thinking in that mode and see what you come up with. Forget about the color. Upload the images to your computer and use the settings in Photoshop or another image editing software as your darkroom. Play around with it. The key for starters is to get a good rich black and a pure bright white. The shades of gray will fall where they will. Try it out and let me see what you make.

Chuck Close at San Jose Museum of Art

On the way to the Chuck Close show, the first thing I see before I even get out of the parking lot is a face in the arrow on the ground.

Closeup: (Isn't that cool?)

I'm always struck by the beautiful San Jose Museum sign and building. I love the bold graphic - that's what first catches my eye. Then there is the blending of the old (originally the San Jose post office) with the new. The new wing was added to the original building in 1991. Gorgeous.

Out front, you cannot miss the incredible statue by Italo Scanga.  "Figure Holding the Sun"

The new wing:

The old wing and "Figure Holding the Sun":

 

I went to see the Chuck Close show. Geez, this guy creates so much work. He is prolific. I love to see his process. He is one who really works something over and over. I love how he uses a grid, the color, and the myriad of printing processes he's explored. He's used very few subjects, a friend, his wife, his daughter, and his own self-portrait. Truly inspiring work and show. A must see. No photography allowed inside.

Michael Jackson's Thriller World Record Attempt

It was so cool to be walking down Lincoln Avenue Saturday and all of a sudden see Michael Jackson's Thriller being performed. Yep, full costumes, music, videos, cameras. Right here in San Jose. In talking with people at the event, one being my ex-boss Stan Harris from etc group, who was filming, there was an attempt to set a new world record for the largest number of people simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". We got to see it 3 times, 2 dress rehearsals and then the real thing. It was really cool. Here are some pics. The location was the parking lot in front of a very cool costume and dance store called Adira Dance. Check them out some time.

http://www.adiradance.com

Here's the official news blurg: On Saturday, an attempt was made to set a world record for simultaneous dancing to Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Dancers in the US, Australia, Germany, Russia, and Pakistan all participated in the massive, highly coordinated event. Although no official announcement has yet been made about a world record being set, videos have begun surfacing that illustrate the success and the global scale of the endeavor. From various locations around the world, the “Thrill the World” dancers achieved their goal to orchestrate one of the largest coordinated dance routines ever witnessed on the face of the earth.

A Beautiful Wedding

I'm so glad I rethought this BLOG to encompass more than just art because I can included precious times like I had this past weekend in Michigan.


On Saturday, October 17 my 86 year old dad married a beautiful 86 year old woman named Helen Cox. The full story is in the article covered by their local newspaper the Adrian Daily Telegram in Adrian, Michigan.

http://www.lenconnect.com/lifestyle/x536355872/Grand-Court-residents-both-86-tie-the-knot

I am so happy that I was able to be at their wedding. It was by far the best wedding I've ever attended. I cried when the bride walked up the aisle, and felt pure joy for my Dad at his happiness.

My friends and family made the weekend even more special.

My husband and I stayed with my lifelong girlfriend and her family in Dexter, MI. They are my extended family and I appreciate every moment with them.

My brother Mark and his wife Tracey lent us a car to get around in. So thoughtful. It was shining clean, detailed and filled with gas. How nice is that?

My brother Jim and his wife Terry suggested another get together on Sunday so we could spend more time together. We walked around Dexter, and went to the Cider Mill.

My brothers and their wives are all saints. They take care of my Dad and make sure he has as comfortable a life as possible. I love them all and I will be grateful forever.

Janet and Jerry, their family and animals (4 cats and forever precious McGeyvor) were hosts extraordinaire.

What an amazing weekend. Here are some pictures.

 

 Helen and Dad

Walking up the aisle after the ceremony

 

Me, Dad, Helen, Sam

  

Happy times

  

At the Dexter Cider Mill the next day

  

Janet and me at the Huron River behind the Dexter Cider Mill

 

Railroad Crossing as Sculpture

Terry and Jimmy

Tracey & Mark

 

Dexter Depot

 Jerry & Janet

My future studio!

Halloween Street Lamps

Every year we decorate our street lamps for Halloween with our next door neighbors, Kirk and Leah. We have done this for years under cover of darkness. When we were finally caught in the act several years ago, we disvoered that the adults enjoy it as much as the kids.

We have 11 street lamps on our street and we put 3 images (faces or characters) on each lamp. Here are a few pictures of this year's lamps. We cut the images out of black contact paper. If you live near San Jose, you can see these on Nevada Avenue between Bird and Hill.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Paintings from Mug Shots

It's Sunday morning and I just looked at two paintings that I made this week. Each of these is from the same reference photo - interestingly a celebrity mug shot. Sorry, I don't know who the celebrity is. I am completely ignorant of pop culture. I made the photograph off the TV screen. Why was I watching this show? Mug shots make good subjects for my current work.

Here are the two paintings I made. I think I'll call them "Pink Girl" and "Pink Boy" or something like that. Brilliant!! Many of you know I am title challenged. I guess my creativity goes into my painting. By the time I'm done I haven't an ounce of creativity left when it comes to titling my work. Actually, that's not exactly true. It's days later and I still don't have a good title.

Here you go...

Getting Ready for Open Studios 11/7-8/09

I've been getting ready for Open Studios November 7 & 8. So far I've made a new postcard advertising my painting lessons, a new business card, and am working on a brochure that will be ready in time for the event. I also got a new credit card machine that works without a phone line, and had new checks made reflecting a new address. I just received an order of 12 x 16 inch backing boards to go along with limited edition prints that I will be selling. Two nights ago I made 15 new prints in the 12 x 16 inch size. To help the artist community that I am part of, I will be volunteering along with Lori Krein to publish the event on all of the freebie online and print media sites. This is the very unromantic vision of being an artist.

I've had people say things like "don't you feel guilty painting all day when your husband is out working". I've had people sarcastically ask whether I can get the time off to do something with them. These are the type of comments that confirm that people have no idea what it's like to be a full time artist - and that's what this blog is all about. It's a behind-the-scene look at everything that goes on before the painting are displayed anywhere outside of my studio.

Hopefully, this blog is an education for non-artists, and a validation for artists who are in the same boat as me. We are all on our own paths trying to make a living doing what we love.

The painting above is called "A Touch of Color". I thought it would be appropriate for this entry so that it's not just of words.

Enjoy the day. Thanks for reading. Comments welcome!!