August 22, 2012

Follow-up, the DDA Art Initiative

Well, two of my three photos made it to the semi-finals, that is, the DDA selected them to be put out for public vote. The two selected were High & Dry and a version of Deer Skull II, which I called Ghost Deer.  After the public vote, none made it to the finals.  Still, I am pleased to have been selected.

August 17-19 was our Howell Melon Festival.  This is to celebrate Howell Melons which are a specific variety developed by local farmers along with Michigan State University.  The weekend includes an Art Show by our Livingston Fine Art Association, of which my Wife and I are members.  We each had our booths in the Historic Howell Opera House for the weekend.  The traffic through the show was really great all weekend.  Although buying wasn’t great, both my Wife and I did very well.  Sunday night we went home tired and pleased.  It’s a lot of work to have a booth in one of these shows.  Everything has to be carried out of the basement and loaded into the truck.  Then carry it into the Opera House and set up. When the show is over, everything must be broken down, packed and carried to the truck.  Just a lot of work if you don’t do well.  Show hours were 5:00-10:00pm Friday, 10:00am-11:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am-4:00pm Sunday.  Just leaves time to sleep nights and early church service Sunday.  Sunday night supper was wine, cheese, fruit etc. to celebrate.

Our next show is a juried show (no selling) September 17-19.  I’ll have more information about my entries and the show later.

June 1, 2012

The Howell Downtown Development Authority Art Initiative Reception started at 5:30 tonight.  I had entered three photos and two were selected for the semi-final judging.  The event was catered by Mexicalie Allies, a small Mexican restaurant just around the corner.  As always, excellent food.  Most of the artists were there, and, of course, several officials of our community.  Afterward, we went out to vote on the art work.  There were seven categories, with three semi-finalists in each category.  Voting was by cell phone text.  That way it's hard to 'stuff' the ballot box.  Any one phone can only vote once.  Each category is in a place of business, so this brings in people to help the business.  Also involved was the local winery.  Free tasting for all involved.  We did our best, and chose 'Hot Rod Red' as their best wine.

I'll be waiting to see what the final winners are.  Top winner gets a $1,000 prize.  Then all the works will be auctioned off, and the artist gets 60% of the final price.  I'll let you know in August.

May 8, 2012

My Birthday!

I have recently started exploring what I can do with Holga cameras.  These are plastic, poorly made Chinese cameras that are now part of the Lomography rage.  My first results can be seen in the gallery I have added to the Subminiature files.  I'm working in eliminating a bad light leak in one of the cameras - otherwise things are good.  Take a look, and there will be more later.

March 29, 2012

Well, the March show has come and gone.  The crowds were kind of thin, not only for the Art Show, but also the Home Show and the Taste of Livingston.  Guess it's just the economy.

The next thing coming up is my display at Classic Carpet and Floor Covering on Grand River in Howell.  http://classiccarpetandfloorcovering.com/  This will be during the entire month of May, so stop by and see my work.  Better yet, buy some!

Bruce

March 13, 2012,

Been away a long time.  Actuelly, I've recovered pretty well.  Lost 20 pounds while sick, and I'm going to keep my weight there.  Been wanting to lose weight anyway, so here I am.

New show coming up March 23-25 at the Howell High School. 

The Livingston Fine Art Association, which my Wife and I are members of, will be there with lots of booths and a great variety of art.  There will be several photographers included.  Saturday “The Taste of Livingston” will be right next to us, so come and see what all our local restaurants are like while you enjoy the art show.

I’ll have some new work posted soon, so check this site often, and hope to see you at the show.

January 4, 2012,

Whew!  It's been a rough November and December.  Came down with the flu the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Did manage to do our Thanksgiving weekend show, but probably shouldn't have.  Had to call my step son to help us pack up Sunday afternoon. Without him, I never would have made it.  Then intestinal infection, lost 18 lbs. During December my Mother was in the hospital twice, once with a mild stroke and then a broken hip.  She is doing better now, thank the Lord.  Needless to say, I haven't been doing any work all this time.  Hope to get back to work and have some new images for you.

November 3, 2011 - about 9:00 p.m.

Uploaded the two new deer skull photos I worked on.  Used a brush to apply the developer and/pr toner.  Thought they have a neat look.  Very unreal!

November 3, 2011 - Our In-Home Show

This show will run from 5:00-8:00p.m. Friday 11/4, 1:00-7:00p.m. Saturday 11/5, and Sunday 11/6 1:00-5:00p.m.  It will be in our home.  If you come, please bring a friend.

I have been experimenting with brushing on developer and toner on my prints.  It really looks neat.  There will be photos up soon for you to see.

Our next show November 25-27 at the beautiful Howell Opera House.  I will have some of my new work there for sale.  Times are 3:00-10:00p.m. Friday, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Saturday and 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Sunday.  This show is by the Livingston Fine Art Association, and there will be many artists there. Check out the Opera House at http://www.theoperahouse.us/

Hope to see you there!

September 19, 2011 – Livingston Fine Art Association All Media Show.

The show was held September 16-20 in the beautiful Howell Opera House.  My Wife entered five items and received a second and two third place ribbons.  I also entered five items and received a first, second and two third place ribbons and an honorable mention.  You can see my entries in the “Shows and Awards” folder.

I will soon have my Wife’s entries on her site which you can view at  http://www.carolynscreations.biz/

Enjoy and blessings to all.

September 9, 2011 - Subminiature Photography

I have added a new collection entitled “Subminiature” to my page.  Many years ago, I enjoyed using my Minox, and later my Minolta 110 Zoom cameras.  They were easy to carry and fun to use.  Certainly the resolution was not that of larger formats, but they were available when other cameras weren’t.

Minox film is still available.  I have half a dozen 36 exposure cassettes of Adox 25 which my Dad bought in 1987, and have been stored in the freezer.  I enjoyed shooting with the Minox again, and have provided a few photos for your interest.

110 film is no longer manufactured.  I dug out my 110 Zoom and two cassettes of K-Mart 200 color that had been stored with it.  A couple of A-76 button cells and I was on my way to try it out.  The results, though nothing great are also there for your viewing.

Watch for more to come.

April 28, 2011  Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day.

April 24 was Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day.  I decided to participate, as I have done the past few years.  For those not familiar with pinhole photography,  a camera is used that has a very small opening instead of the lens.  The opening can be 0.015-0.005 in. in diameter.  This "pinhole" will focus the light to an image just like a lens.  Pinholes were used centuries ago for "camera obscuras", which were darkened rooms with a small hole through which the outside scene was projected on the opposite wall.

Some interesting sites will explain it better:

The Pinhole Resource: http://www.pinholeresource.com/shop/home

Mr. Pinhole: http://www.mrpinhole.com/

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day site: http://www.pinholeday.org/

Oh, yes, the photo I submitted:

Motorcycles in Hell

April 16, 2011  Texas trip photos posted.

I posted several color photos this week.  These are from digital.  B&W Film prints to follow when I can get back in the darkroom.  Hopefully, after Easter.

April 9, 2011 Trip from Texas to Michigan

Just returned from driving from Killeen Texas back home.  None of the route was expressway.  It is so nice to see all the small towns and "real" America.  Mom & Pop businesses are, in general, doing well, despite the state of the economy.

Experienced many small, independent restaurants of all types - Cajun, Mexican, Seafood, Barbecue and more.  All very good!

More later with some photos -

Bruce