The End is Near...

So says the echoing voice of the doomsday prophet. Indeed, 2009 will end and 2010 begin. Like many, I’m compelled to make resolutions for the new year; declarations of intent to improve my life, make more money, help others, lose weight, stop swearing (at least publicly) and so on. The majority of resolutions are often so wildly unrealistic, that they will almost always fail. Even my one and only resolution made each and every year, which is my resolution to stop making resolutions, hasn’t panned out so well.

I’ve essentially given up on resolutions. I don’t make them. Instead, I forge ahead in life, trying to recall lessons learned before making the same mistakes again. Or, I apply knowledge gained during the passing year to make things better in the coming year. If nothing else, I try not to repeat the same actions while expecting different results; I've been told that's one way to define 'insanity'. Harnessing the processes of wanting to do better, of being smarter, wiser, and  doing one’s best in everything one does is, at least for me, the best way to go. It's natural and instinctive.

Certainly, all of ‘wanting to do better’ applies to photography and art. I’m planning much more natural light imagery in 2010 and will be working diligently to find more receptive markets for the work. I also promise to be more attentive to this blog and to my cameras, as well as so many other aspects of my life.

Yeah. I know. I just can’t help myself it seems.

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As 2009 draws to a close, so does my partnership with Savannah’s The Gallery. My resignation as a partner was presented to the other partners in mid-December and I believe a new partner is ready to step in and fill the walls I once occupied with their own work.

I've been a partner in The Gallery since 2006. Frankly, the departure feels a little strange. I practically had to convince myself I wasn’t ending photography; that I wasn’t ending my work as an artist. As with most things, anticipation proved much worse than action, and after making the decision and announcement the proverbial weight was lifted away. It was a personal acknowledgement the time has come to move forward with my work, making introductions into new markets and taking advantage of new opportunities. While I will miss many things about The Gallery, particularly the other artists, some of whom have become close friends, I know this was the right thing to do on so many different levels.

For now, my exclusive representation in Savannah is with Horizon Gallery, located at 206 East Bay Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401.

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A quick note on my recent show COURSE; you may recall that while the show was a bomb financially, I felt the PR was some of the best I’ve gotten. A direct result of that good PR has been an invitation to participate in the American Cancer Society Art Auction with a commissioned piece, to be held in September, 2010. More to follow on this.

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I want to extend a personal “thank-you” to those that follow and read this blog. Your interest and support of my work is appreciated more than you’ll ever know. If you’re a reader, please become a follower so I'll know you’re here. If you don’t want to be a ‘formal-follower’, please take a moment to drop me a line and say hello. Your comments, thoughts, and well reasoned critiques and opinions are always welcomed.

Some of you will notice the blog's color change. I've always read that white text on black is hard on the eyes, and to a point, I suppose that's true; how often do we see newspapers printed that way? Regardless, I felt the blog was a bit lack-luster and dull as it was. So I epxeriemented with various tones and colors and found that I like the white on black look. Let me know what you think. If the chorus is loud enough, I'll change it back.

Because of a hurting back and general holiday hoopla, I didn’t get the chance to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season, or to keep this blog current. My wish for everyone is that the holidays have been fun, safe, and filled with joy for all.

Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2010!

An 11th Hour Save

My exhibition COURSE: Selected Photographs of the Nude Female Figure, 2002-2009, has run its course. The show came off the gallery walls yesterday afternoon.

It was beginning to look as if this show was going to be a record breaker, and not in a good way. Without question, the artist's reception had the lowest turnout I’ve ever experienced at an opening. Worse, it seemed that none of the work was going to sell, and that struck me as quite remarkable. In the ten years I’ve been showing my work in galleries, I’ve always sold at least one piece from an exhibition. But in the end, the very end, something did sell, and it sold late yesterday morning.

Under the terms of my show contract, I was to be present during the removal of unsold works. The contract specified the take down to start no later than 9:30 am on Wednesday, December 2. However, late on Tuesday afternoon, the gallery director called me. She had fallen and broken her wrist sometime during the prior week, and because of scheduling issues with the artist following my show, I was not to be at the gallery for my take-down until mid-afternoon on December 2.

In a remarkable, if not odd sort of way, things came together in my favor at the last minute. Had the gallery director not broken her wrist; had the artist following me been able to adhere to a delivery deadline, I very well may have had my record breaking show.

Body at Rest, Study #2, 2006

“Body at Rest, Study #2, 2006” was the piece sold. It was one of the show images in my post of October 19, 2009, when I announced COURSE. It also happened to be one of five that I and the gallery director had pegged as a sure seller. Still, we were both keenly aware that any sell would be a tough sell, given the current economic climate. I suppose there’s validation in the sale from that point of view as well, but one thing’s for certain. Five, seven, or ten years ago, I would not have considered one print sold to be representative of a successful exhibition.

Having said that, I also want to say I consider COURSE to be an overall success. Certainly, this was not a successful show on every level. However, it is the show in which the work received a good amount of favorable press from unexpected sources and it is the show in which I established the most beneficial contacts in the art markets. Success isn’t always represented by dollars.

Here’s one other thing I find interesting; the greater portion of my nude work sold in Savannah has not remained in Savannah. It’s always left for New York, Chicago, or London to name a few locales. I can only think of two exceptions, and now I have a third, as this particular sale was to a local collector. I suppose that represents a something of stronger foothold in the local market.

The work from COURSE will be delivered to Horizon Gallery Friday, December 4, for long term display.

To all that did see the show, and to all that helped spread the word, you have my sincere and heartfelt gratitude. Thank you.

And Now for Something Completely Different...

Aboard BULLDOG

For me, these are very different.

I made these images while aboard two of Crescent Towing’s tractor tugs working on the Savannah River. The tugs, “SAVANNAH” and “BULLDOG”, assist the cargo ships calling at the port with maneuvering, docking, and undocking in the narrow and swift flowing tidal river. The skill of the crews and the tugs themselves made a lasting impression.

Bound for Sea

The Working River

It has been many, many years since I have done night photography on any level. The port of Savannah at night is a spectacular sight. Of course, the work was riddled with challenges; shutter speeds were low and apertures wide, and my shooting platform, the tugs themselves, were constantly in motion. Nonetheless, I got several shots I like. I’m looking forward to getting back aboard the tugs again, this time for some daylight work.

The M/V Charleston Express

This experience has definitely pushed me closer to the goal of getting away from controlled shooting environments and I have to say I enjoyed myself immensely. You can’t get much more uncontrolled than shooting subjects at night without a tripod, and from a moving object, especially when the subjects themselves are frequently in motion.

View From the Wheelhouse of SAVANNAH During Undocking Operations

I can’t wait to do it again.

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Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers. Enjoy!

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You'll recall from the last post, in which I wrote about my time aboard "SAVANNAH" and "BULLDOG", that I lost my glasses overboard before we even left for the frst job. I've spent most of life around boats, so losing my glasses to the river was embarrassing - and, as it turns out, expensive.

I managed to get them replaced quickly, a good thing, as I had more difficulty without them than I cared to admit. So on this American holiday of Thanksgiving, I'll add the staff of Boland Eye Center along with LensCrafters and their 50% off clearance sale to my list of appreciation.

Well there's your problem...

Last night, I rode aboard one of Crescent Towing's harbor tugs, the “SAVANNAH”, and photographed the tug and crew at work on the Savannah River as they assisted with the undocking, docking, and escorting of container ships and tankers. It was a good, fun and somewhat chilly experience and I made some pretty good images. At least I think I did,

Before we were ever underway, I lost my eyeglasses overboard. Now I’m experienced at being aboard boats of all types; I’ve worked in the marine industry for over twenty years and I’ve owned my own boats for longer. I know how to move around on and conduct myself aboard boats. But in a moment of haste to get my camera strap over my neck, the strap caught the side of my glasses and flipped them off of my head into the murky and fast moving Savannah River. Gone.

So, while I believe I got some good shots last night, I can’t be sure just yet. They do look interesting. I’ll keep you posted. I should have replacement glasses by Monday afternoon.

I want to extend thanks to Crescent Towing and the captain and crew of "SAVANNAH" for allowing me to be aboard as they worked through the night. Special thanks go to Justin Taylor, Crescent Towing deckhand and aspiring photographer, (and a damn fine one too!),  for making the tug boat opportunity possible.

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COURSE continues to hang, and will be on the walls at Gallery Espresso through December 2. If you’re in or near Savannah, please drop by the gallery to see the work.

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Here’s an old image of model Kirsten, shot in Savannah in early 2006, the beginnings of my work with nudes and natural light.

The Artist's Reception...

COURSE has officially opened – albeit quietly.

The remains of hurricane Ida lingered and fussed, and did not move through quickly as forecasters had promised. The weather was simply gross, with heavy rains during the morning hours and by showtime the skies were dark and misty. The evening was blustery, with chilly temperatures. However, the most significant impact on attendance was due to the fact so many of Savannah’s art scene events also took place on the same night. The volume of buyers and lookers seemed to be quite diminished compared to past gallery events. Many of those that did show moved through quickly.

I don’t want to imply the reception wasn’t well attended. There was significant interest expressed in several of the prints by prospective buyers, and some prominent Savannah artists came, for which I’m most grateful. Also, and I just found this out today, the local National Public Radio affiliate had been announcing the opening as a part of their events calendar and a Savannah newspaper columnist praised the work in his most recent column. With the exhibit hanging through December 2, it would seem time is still on my side.

On the lighter side of things, I neglected to check the charge on the little P&S camera’s battery that I brought to the opening. My lovely wife was in charge of taking pictures, and after only six shots, the batteries were drained. She didn’t know the spare battery was in the camera pouch, and I didn’t know she had brought the pouch along with the camera.

The show is at Gallery Espresso, 234 Bull Street (corner of Bull and Perry, on Chippewa Square) and will hang through December 2.

Veteran's Day, 2009

Bridge, 2003

Apse, 2005

The opening reception for my photography exhibit titled COURSE will be at Savannah’s Gallery Espresso tomorrow evening, from 6-9pm. All are welcome to attend; the more, the merrier!

Everything is settling into place. I spoke with the gallery director this morning and confirmed the wine is chilling, the cups are plentiful, and tables are made ready for the food spread. The work still looks fabulous on the walls.

If the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida will clear the area as forecast, we’ll have a beautiful fall evening filled with art and friends.

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Happy Veteran’s Day to those that serve our country. Sincere heartfelt thanks are extended to the men and women who, along with their families and loved ones, have sacrificed their lives and endured suffering for the greater good of all.

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Today’s images are from the film and darkroom days, and are also a part of the COURSE exhibit.

Work is now hanging in Horizon Gallery. For the initial delivery, I had chosen five pieces, but gallery director Luc Ebner protested five wasn’t enough, so I eventually delivered 13. Nine of those thirteen are now on the walls and I have to say myself, they look pretty good.

The space is still undergoing quite a lot of renovation and I’m holding off on posting pictures here until things are closer to being completed. Luc’s plan, he told me yesterday, is to eventually have my work on three walls between the main floor gallery and the upstairs gallery. I’m still very excited by the opportunity to exhibit at Horizon.

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No new news on COURSE; the show continues to get a good bit of attention from visitors to the gallery space, but no pieces have sold as of yet. My artist’s reception is this Thursday, November 12, from 6-9pm. The gallery is Gallery Espresso, at 234 Bull Street, Savannah, GA. Come one come all, and bring guests!

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Today’s images are from The Revelations Project and were created in 2006 at studios in Atlanta and Savannah.