Day Dream

I recently went through a stack of negatives and discovered this wonderful image of Claudine lying on a falling tree surrounded by fan palms which I titled “Day Dream”


There are been many translations of the daydreamer from Dante Gabriel Rossetti “The Day Dream - 1880”, Andrew Wyeth “Day Dream - 1980 to Julia Margaret Cameron “The Day Dream - 1891”

I have always admired the works of Paul César Helleu a 19th Century French painter. The name of Paul César Helleu evokes an era, and especially a fashionable society of the late nineteenth century to the years preceding the first World War in Europe, that Marcel Proust described so beautifully in his works. The delicacy, the taste and talent very personal artist have contributed to the extraordinary success of this artist. His fame rests on the representation of women virtuoso pretty great Parisian circles, but also of international society dominated by Anglo-Saxon elegance. (Source: Friends of Paul Helleu)

Paul César Helleu, Lying naked on a sofa - 1915

New Additions!

Keira - 8x10 Platinum Palladium Print
A few weeks ago I had the chance to work with the talented Keira Grant while she was visiting the windy city. She was a wonderful person to collaborate with. Our shoot was almost cancelled because of a serve storm with 80 MPH winds was hitting the area just an hour before our shoot. Thank goodness it all worked out.

I recently had a gallery that wanted to see more photographs from my Plucked from Nature series. Here’s one of the images that we created for the series. It was great working again with my petzval lens which is an old Wollensak-Vitax from the 1900s even if it doesn’t have a shutter the results are always magnificent.

Bok Choy - 8x10 Platinum Palladium Print

Pineapple and Chair - 8x10 Platinum Palladium Print
This was a last-minute fun image we did in natural light from my studio windows.

Platinum Printing on Skeleton Leaves!

Last week I successfully printed new images onto skeleton leaves. The process is similar to my platinum palladium prints, but instead of hand-coating rag paper I coat skeleton leaves. The success rate is around 20% because of the fragility of the leaf when wet and its pH balance for my platinum mixture. But when it all works they are just incredible. Under a microscope the image actually wraps around the veins of the leaf.

"Tatiana #2" Platinum Leaf

The leaf I chose is from a Bodhi or Peepul tree, which is a species of fig and a sacred tree for Buddhists. The most famous Bodhi tree is located about 100 km (60 miles) from Patna in the Indian state of Bihar, under which Gautama Buddha, spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism, arrived at Bodhi (lit. (supreme) knowledge, enlightenment).

"Marble" Platinum Leaf

You can view more of my photographs on leaves HERE

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Kim and Gina Weston

I recently traveled to California’s Monterey Peninsula were I met up with Kim and Gina Weston at their home on Wildcat Hill in Carmel which was the home of Edward Weston. I had the chance to see some of Kim’s recent work which was awe-inspiring. I also saw some of his incredible oil-based painted photographs which are more amazing in-person.

Edward Weston's home at Wildcat Hill, Carmel, CA

Kim Weston, me and Gina Weston

One thing I always have to do in Carmel is to hike around Point Lobos. It’s famous for its picturesque ocean views and cypress trees. Here’s a link to a few of my photographs at Point Lobos…enjoy!

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

I took this photograph with my pinhole camera from a past trip. It had an exposure time of 1.5 hours! It was then printed onto hand-coated platinum-palladium paper…you can view more of my pinhole images HERE

Lover's Point Beach 3, Monterey, CA

Studio Update

(Click to enlarge)

I am finally settled into my new studio, I still have a little organizing to do. But I’ve already started printing in the darkroom which is a delight from working in my bathroom at home. I recently picked up a camera studio stand which will make shooting almost effortless with an 8x10 camera. Soon I will be starting a couple of new photography project that I’ve been wanting to do for awhile, now with the studio it makes it all possible. Some of the projects require a little set building…can’t wait!

It’s also been delightful sharing the space with a person working in a totally different medium but in the same subject matter. Audry’s recent collected works are comprised of cast-bronze. Now with the new studio she’s planning to cast larger pieces of work. It’s been amazing to watch the whole process.


Stay tune for news on our open house party which will be in a few weeks.

New Studio Space!

Exciting news, I am finally moving my studio and darkroom out of my downtown loft. I now officially have a studio!

The building is a brick and timber building that was constructed in 1900 which originally belonged to Viviano Macaroni Company. It’s now being renovated into artist studios by the Lacuna Artist Lofts Company. This is the newest addition to the Pilsen artist community here in Chicago.

I’m sharing the space with a good friend and fellow artist Audry Cramblit whom is a very talented figure sculptor. Here's one of hers latest bronze pieces "Image and Echo"

Right now the space is totally raw, so we had the opportunity choose where we wanted the space as well as designing the floor plan for the space. We have beautiful views of downtown from the windows and roof-top deck. The construction should be completed in two weeks including my darkroom!

I’m very excited for the final outcome-it’s going to be a wonderful space. Invitations to our space warming party coming soon…so stay tune!!

Located at 2150 S. Canalport Ave. Suite 5B-2, Chicago IL, 60608

The Art of Human Rights

I will be participating in Heartland Alliance’s The Art of Human Rights. This event attracts more than 400 attendees each year and has been ranked as one of Chicago’s top 100 events.

Forget-Me-Not #1
8x10 Silver Gelatin Contact Print
Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit organization which advances the human rights and responds to the human needs of endangered populations—particularly the poor, the isolated, and the displaced—through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a more just global society. Heartland Alliance provides housing, health care, economic security, and legal protections services to more than 200,000 people annually whose lives are threatened by poverty or danger.

Select pieces will be featured at Gallery 180 during the month long Preview Exhibition and/or at the live auction during The Art of Human Rights. Jurors this year are:

• Aaron Baker, Curator/Development Director, Playboy’s Art Collection
• Chuck Gniech, Professor of Art, Curator for Gallery 180, Illinois Institute of Art
• Allison Peters Quinn, Director of Exhibitions, Hyde Park Art Center
• Steven Zick, Vice President/Head of Office, Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers-Chicago

Preview Exhibit & Reception:
Gallery 180 – 180 N. Wabash, Chicago
January 19 - February 11, 2010
Preview Reception:
Friday, January 22, 2010 ~ 5:30-7:30pm

Main Event:
River East Art Center - 435 East Illinois Street, Chicago
Friday, February 19, 2010 ~ 6:00pm

An evening of food, fun, and fine art! Bring health, hope, and opportunity to the frontlines of an epidemic.

Please visit: www.artofhumanrights.com for further information.

New Limited Edition Portfolios

I recently completed two new limited edition portfolios, Simple Beauty-Volume 3 and Oasis of Mara which are available through my website at a 15% discount from the individual print price. Each portfolio contains ten original platinum-palladium prints. You can also customize your own portfolio contents. These limited edition prints are part of the original print series of 25 and are not an extension to the original edition.

Prints are presented in a 12x15" clamshell box, hand-bound in grey or black cloth, with artist's name embedded on the front.

For more information please visit PORTFOLIOS

New Additions!

I recently had the opportunity to work with Tiana once again. She has been a wonderful person to collaborate with this year.

My endeavors are to convey the natural beauty of the female form in a way that she portrays her own persona and individuality. I feel Tiana’s images from her bodyscapes to her portraits really represent my perception for this series. She always exceeds my expectation.

Viola - 8x10 platinum-palladium print

Twiddle - 8x10 platinum-palladium print

Farewell Irving Penn

Another favorite photography icon has past away. Irving Penn was 92. Though trained as a painter, Penn spent the majority of his career (40 years) creating portraits and still-lifes for Vogue, 150 of which appeared on the magazine’s cover. Penn’s photographs were marked by a kind of stillness that gave his work a timeless feel over the changing decades of his working years. He is also credited with bringing back a 19th century printing process (platinum process) back into popularity in the late 20th century.

"Girl in Bed" 1949 - Irving Penn

After seeing his beautiful platinum prints for the first time at the Chicago Art Institute it really inspired me to learn this hand-crafted alternative printing process which still awes me every time I print one.

New York Times Obit - Irving Penn

New Additions!

I finally found the time to do some platinum printing. Here are two new images of Tiana whom I have worked with before. Within these images I wanted to capture her renaissance look with a little film noir feel at the same time. I’m hoping to have a few more finished and framed for an opening at the Karen Solem Gallery which is in two weeks!

Tiana

My Artichoke

Willy Ronis dead at 99

Willy Ronis, the French photographer famous for his black and white images of ordinary people in post-war France, died aged 99 today.

Born in Paris in 1910, Ronis became one of the Groupe des XV, or group of fifteen, that included fellow photographer Robert Doisneau, that defended photography as a true art form.

A number of his snapshots of working-class Paris became classics, such as his image of a boy running with a baguette under his arm. Other famous photos include one of his wife nude leaning over a sink by an open window, called Provencal Nude.

"Le Nu Provencal" 1949 - Willy Ronis

I really admire the man and I became inspired by his work...RIP

You can see more of his work HERE

Solo Exhibition & Artist Talk at Maison Rouge Gallery - Chicago

I recently was asked to exhibit my platinum-palladium prints and to give an artist talk explaining my printing techniques and why I use antique cameras to create my art. I will be exhibiting many of my Simple Beauty and Oasis of Mara series. So please join us for an evening of awe inspiring ART.

Friday, August 28, 2009 – 6pm-9pm
Show runs throught September 27, 2009
Maison Rouge Gallery - 2828 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657

Hope to see you there!

New Additions!

Here are two new images from Julia. After my trip from Twentynine Palms I wanted to continue to creating more images with my narrow focus lens similar to my images Fan Palm and Thistle.

I draw my inspiration from all the marvelous shapes from nature and to keep in mind we are also part of nature.

Zerographica
Julia and I have been working together for the past five years and have created a number of remarkable images like Willow , Morning Light and Kite.

Enjoy!

CALIENTE/HOT Exhibition - New Orleans

During the hottest months of the year, August and September New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery will put on display photographs that explore and interpret the many meanings of the word CALIENTE or HOT.

Chili Peppers
8x10 Platinum-Palladium Print

CALIENTE: comunicando calor / temperatura alta * intenso / violento / vehemente * lujurioso * ardiente / apasionado /sensual * fresco / urgente /popular * robado / ilegal / peligroso * picante / con especies

HOT: communicating heat / high temperature * intense / violent / vehement * lustful * fiery / passionate / sultry * fresh / urgent / popular * stolen / illegal / dangerous * piquant / spicy

Opening Party: Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 6-9 pm at the NOPA Gallery.
Mr. Torres-Tama will give a juror’s talk in the gallery at 8 pm.

The New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery
1111 Saint Mary Street, New Orleans, LA