Lily Mayfield

2012-01-06T17:30:00.002-06:00

Surf Pavones, 2010

I am pleased to announce a solo exhibition ofmy photographs, de Pavones, at UIC Student Center West Art Lounge.

UIC Student CenterWest Art Lounge
828 S. Wolcott
Chicago, IL 60612

January 9 - February 9, 2012

Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5

Opening Reception: Thursday January 19, 4-7 pm

More info about my work:

The photographs in this series reflect myinterest in the rural surfing community of Pavones, Costa Rica, a small townthat is home to the world's second longest wave. Even with its attractionfor surfers, Pavones remains a rural community, untouched by the typical chainhotels and restaurants you might expect to find in a tourist-driven Costa Ricantown with views of the Pacific Ocean. There are many reasons for itsprotected state: its location near the southern tip of Costa Rica far from thecapitol city of San Jose; the unpaved roads into and through Pavones discouragethe less adventurous; and its lack of connection with the modern world. Until 2008, there were no phone lines or Internet in Pavones. Since thisrecent introduction of modern technology, the town has begun changingrapidly. My intention is to create a portrait of Pavones by photographingthe residents, the many scenic spaces, and the local businesses.

I hope to see you at the reception on Jan. 19th!

2011-11-10T17:01:00.001-06:00

Use promo code: BIGTEN for $10 off the price of my book, now through Nov. 30!

That's only $17.95 for the soft cover book with 80 pages. You have to admit that's a great deal!

de Pavones by Lily Mayfield | Make Your Own Book

2011-10-31T16:37:00.000-05:00

2 for 2!

So I've been submitting more work to shows lately and recently heard that I was accepted into 2 new exhibitions! The first one is the Coalition of Photographic Arts (CoPA) 5th Annual Midwest Juried Exhibition. The juror was Chicago's own Catherine Edelman. I noticed a few other Columbia College Chicago alum will also be represented in the show: Margaret Wright, Nate Mathews, and Victor Yanez-Lazcano, along with former adjunct faculty member Jennifer Greenburg. Congrats to all!

The show will be on view Dec. 2, 2011 - Jan 21, 2012
opening reception Friday Dec. 9, 5-9 pm
Walker’s Point Center for the Arts
839 S. 5th St.Milwaukee, WI 53204

copamilwaukee.com

The other exhibition is a solo show (!) at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Student Center Gallery! Really excited about that one. I'll be showing images from my series de Pavones. This will be my first solo show of this work. Early warning on this one:

on view Jan. 9 - Feb. 9 2012
opening reception Thursday Jan. 19, 4-7 pm
Art Lounge
UIC Student Center West
828 S. Wolcott
Chicago, IL

2011-09-22T17:37:00.001-05:00

2nd Edition of de Pavones book now available!

This 2nd version is smaller (7 x 7 inches) and it is available in either softcover or hardcover image wrap at a very affordable price. The book is 80 pages and features 57 photographs from the past 3 years.

de Pavones by Lily Mayfield | Make Your Own Book

2011-09-20T17:03:00.002-05:00

In Memoriam

Two weeks ago, my husband's best friend Nate (also the best man at our wedding) passed away. He had just turned 34, needless to say he was far too young. He had a tough lot in life and was just never quite able to keep things going on the upswing. But I remember many good times filled with the laughter of him and my husband. On many of our trips back home to Florida, Nate and Jesse would get up early with me to photograph and go fishing. Nate knew some of the best spots for both of those activities. Peace be with you Nate. You will be missed.

Jesse and Nate fishing, December 2010

Ozello, Florida

2011-09-08T18:02:00.001-05:00

Opening Reception - Friday September 9


Storefront Portrait, 2010

Walking through the Westside
An audio-visual collaboration
by Lily Mayfield and Jesse Ruff

at

Woman Made Gallery

685 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, IL

Juried by Mary King
"The Project" was an invitation to artists to submit work in any media that involved persons outside the typical gallery sphere in its creation and/or its exhibition--work that is interactive, interdisciplinary, and/or collaborative.

on display:
Sept. 9 - Oct. 27, 2011

opening reception:
Sept. 9, 6-9 pm

gallery hours:
Wed, Thurs, Fri 12-7 pm
Sat, Sun 12-4 pm

2011-08-23T17:35:00.002-05:00

Goodbye Summer... Hello Fall

I got back last week from a 2 week journey in our car with our 2 dogs. We went to North Carolina, then to Florida (making small trips all over north central Florida), then back home. Althogether, we drove over 3000 miles.

I came home to a class cancellation due to low enrollment (which was a real bummer) only to find out that my other class at the same school had been sacrificed to a full-time faculty member who also had a class canceled. No hard feelings, but as I am soothing my worries about finances I am realizing I will have a lot of time to work on my own projects rather than those of 4 sets of students in what would have been 4 classes. I will still be teaching 2 classes, but from now on much more blogging will be taking place!

So here are some photos I wanted to share from my trip:

Dehra in her room

Jesse & Dehra

Jesse at Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs Tubers

Lake Alice, Gainesville

Alligator at Lake Alice, Gainesville

Indiana Wind Farm

2011-07-22T20:01:00.001-05:00

Reframing Ruin: a Prelude to the Bloomingdale Trail

Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival

July 29 - 31

Please come join me at the Reception or stop by during the weekend to see 4 new works from my Bloomingdale Trail series!

Opening Night Reception:
2644 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL
Friday, July 29
7-11pm

Festival Dates:
July 29-31, 2011
Friday: 4-11pm
Saturday & Sunday: Noon-11pm

Curated by Shannon Bourne

For nearly a century, freight rolled across the Bloomingdale line on Chicago’s Northwest side. Today the tracks are aligning to convert the line into a mixed-use linear park. Reframing Ruin: a Prelude to the Bloomingdale Trail features photography inspired by the trail’s urban landscape, while allowing viewers to imagine the potential it can have for Chicago once completed. Artists will share their own interpretation of the future trail, its relationship to the diverse neighborhoods it cuts through, and how we currently interact with this stretch of land. It will reveal new perspectives on a sometimes-overlooked part of Chicago’s industrial past.

Artists: Philip Bussey, Peyton Chung, Ryan Patrick Clarke, Amanda Curtis, Jodie Fisher, Kate Friedman, Kelley Greenwood, Bill Guy and Amanda Bless, Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, Joshua Koonce, Lily Mayfield, Sean Mcewan, Sarah Morton, James Nowak, Thomas Plum, Kevin Ponziani, Greg Sandford, Satya, David Schalliol, Eric Schumacher, Bart Shore, Igor Studenkov, Charlie Thomason, The Building Society, Yates Elementary 4th graders

2011-07-18T14:29:00.003-05:00

de Pavones book is now published and for sale on Blurb!

The book is 12" x 12" square and hardcover with image wrap. It is 78 pages with more than 50 photographs taken over the past 3 years. I just received my copy of the book and it is beautiful!

Coming soon: small versions of the book will be available for a lower cost.

de Pavones by photographs by Lily Mayfield | Make Your Own Book

2011-06-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

Work in Progress - The Bloomingdale Trail

Still shooting for this project... I will be exhibiting photographs in July at the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival.

2011-05-25T09:59:00.002-05:00

Student Work - Spring 2011

A sampling of images from final projects

Color Photography 1 at College of Dupage:

Mark Wright


Juli Gauthier

Debbie Corpeno

Funcamentals of Photography at College of Dupage:

Heather Schulze

Heather Bambalas


Caroline Trespalacios

Digital Imaging 1 at Columbia College Chicago:

Claire Carter

Herriberto Quiroz

Spencer Bagley

Samantha Tadelman

Sophie Baron

2011-04-27T11:16:00.000-05:00

Returning the Gaze - Web Archive

I created an online archive of the exhibition I curated last month, Returning the Gaze: Contemporary Portraits by Women Photographers. The exhibition was on display at Northern Trust Bank from Feb. 28 - April 1, 2011, in conjunction with Women's History Month in March.

I tried to organize the archive to reflect the curation of the works in the gallery space. Initially, I thought that I would arrange the works alphabetically by artist, but I decided the juxtapositions I created in the gallery space were integral to the experience of viewing the works.

You can view the works by visiting my website lilymayfield.com, then click on "Returning the Gaze Archive". Click on individual images to view them larger with artist name and title.

Here are screen shots of the thumbnails as seen in the archive:

2011-04-20T10:38:00.021-05:00

Dominican University Student Blogs

For my Digital Darkroom class at Dominican University, I asked my students to set up a blog with either Blogger, Wordpress, or Tumblr. They are including posts about their new Blurb books as well as 5 images from their final projects. We just set these up today in class, so most have few posts as of now, but it's still fun to see what they are up to!

Karolina Aniol
http://aniolphoto.tumblr.com/

Dorothy Bugalski
http://photodobu.blogspot.com/

Nicci Cisarik
http://niccicisarik.tumblr.com/

Barbara Garcia
http://blg-ikick.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Kaplan
http://jenniferkaplanphotography.blogspot.com/

Emily Karavas
http://emilykaravas.wordpress.com/

Jennie Left
http://jennieleftphotography.wordpress.com/

Mary Peterson
http://marypetersenphotography.blogspot.com/

Sandi Rodriguez
http://srodriguez09.tumblr.com

Samantha Sanchez
http://samanthadoes.wordpress.com/

2011-04-20T09:44:00.001-05:00

Current Reads

I am currently reading Chicago's Jewish West Side by Irving Cutler. I found this book among many others about various Chicago neighborhoods at The Chicago Cultural Center.

This book details the 50 year period from 1910-1960 when Lawndale (my neighborhood) was a Jewish community. Many of the massive churches located on Independence and Douglas Boulevards were originally synagogues. Even now, on closer inspection I can see traces of the former Jewish occupants on the houses of worship in the form of engraved stars of David, or yiddish writing. There are many old photographs in this book that I find endlessly fascinating. It restores the community to its former glory in my mind and instills hope in me that the neighborhood might eventually return to a community full of locally owned businesses, and people working together for prosperity and peace.

On another note, one of my students at Columbia, Heriberto Quiroz, has photographs that are included in a brand-spanking-new Chicago neighborhood book put out by Arcadia Publishing entitled, Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood. I can't wait to check out this new book too. Heriberto lives in Pilsen and has been documenting his community for some time now. What an accomplishment for a young photographer!

2011-03-15T12:45:00.004-05:00

Returning the Gaze:

Contemporary Portraits

by Women Photographers

on view now!

reception and cocktail event Thursday March 17th,

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Northern Trust Bank

50 S. LaSalle St

Chicago, IL

curated by Lily Mayfield

reception & cocktail event:
March 17, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 pm

Artists:
Caitlin Arnold, Shasta Bady, Sarah Baranski, Kris Brailey, Suzette Bross, Patty Carroll, Alicia Chester, Stephanie Dean, Latrice Dixon, Mary Dritschel, Alexis Ellers, Sarah Faust, Kaitlin Fletcher, Laura Friedlander, Deborah Guzman Meyer, Anni Holm, Gwynne Johnson, Shannon Johnstone, Edna Lanieri, Elizabeth Libert, Leila May, Lily Mayfield, Tammy Mercure, Carisa Mitchell, Jennifer Ray, Katie Reagan, Katie Swietlik, Susan Tennenbaum, Katherine Walters, Kate Wichlinski, Rachel Wolfe, Krista Wortendyke

*postcard image by Kate Wichlinski

Show closes April 1. Hope you are able to stop by during the reception or anytime during the month of March, Mon-Fri, 9-5.

2011-01-31T09:59:00.001-06:00

Best explanation of the difference between collections and smart collections in Adobe Bridge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTSu7xoWWXY

I have collected many textbooks over the years as a Digital Imaging instructor at Columbia (and now Digital Darkroom instructor at Dominican University), but I have never found a thorough explanation of how collections and smart collections work differently, or why you might use one over the other.

I thought some other digital imaging nerds might be wondering about this too, so check out the youtube tutorial posted above!

2010-11-08T12:46:00.001-06:00

New Images - The Westside

2010-11-05T09:44:00.004-05:00

Questionnaire

A former student asked me to answer some questions about my work for an assignment in one of his classes. I thought the questions were interesting and worth sharing...

What is your name/company's name? Lily Mayfield Photography

What is your specialty and why did you choose it? My specialty or main interest is fine art documentary work, but I also do freelance work.

Did you study photography in school or come from another field? Yes I did. Although I started off as an English major, I switched majors and got a BFA in photography, and later an MFA in photography. My dad is also a photographer, so I grew up looking at photographs all the time. I think that helped develop a strong sense of composition even before I began shooting.

What were your first clients/first photo jobs as you began your career? The turning point for me, what made me switch majors to photography, was when I went on a mission trip to Havana, Cuba. I was asked to document the trip. I took my role seriously and spent all my free time wandering in the streets of Havana and photographing. I got some amazing photographs. I'm still very proud of that work. Other first jobs were shooting weddings, shooting portraits of kids in their dance recital costumes, and high-end event design photography for a company called Botanicals.

How did you market your work when you began your career?

A website is crucial, business cards are also helpful. I also maintain a blog. Word of mouth and networking has gotten me many jobs. I think the first step is to create a website and update it with new work periodically.

How do you market yourself today? Honestly, I think I could use some help with that! Maintaining the website is very important. As an artist, I am constantly applying for exhibitions and grants. You can find web resources for that info. SPE (Society for Photographic Education) and CAA (College Art Association) are helpful resources. Also, maintaining relationships with people who support your work is important, it often leads to more opportunities.

What advice do you have for photographers starting out today?

Find a way to use your camera to make money. That's essential. But also don't give up on your personal work. That's just as important. It feeds the spirit.

What camera and lens combo do you use?

I have 3 combos for various subject matter:

#1 - Canon Rebel XTi (digital SLR) with 24-105 mm lens

#2 - Pentax 67 (medium format) with 45 mm and 105 mm lenses

#3 - Toyo 45A (large format 4x5) with 90mm, 150 mm, and 210 mm lenses

Where do find your inspiration? What keeps you motivated to be a photographer?

I am inspired by beautiful days with rich color and light. That makes me want to go outside and look around and discover things with my camera. I also have a bit of a competitive streak and when I see other people doing amazing things with their cameras, it makes me want to get out and shoot. So I think just getting out and looking around me as well as viewing other photographs - both inspire me.

How often do you make photos just for yourself - ones you haven't been hired by a client to do?

It really varies on how much time I have. My goal is to get out once a week to shoot for my personal projects. But depending on the demands of teaching, I may or may not get around to it.

It's important to keep your personal style as a photographer - How do you keep yourself from having every shoot the same, yet keep your style?

That's a tough question. I just try to be open to the subject and not formulaic. I try to see each subject with fresh eyes and think about the best way to see that particular subject with my camera. My "style" is just a part of me - not really something I think about too much.

What defines you from your competition?

I think I have a certain sensitivity to my subjects that others may not. When I photograph people it is very important to me that I do not take advantage of them or exploit them. I think I do that partly through the way I photograph them (often looking back at the viewer/camera), also through the fact that they have agreed to allow me to photograph them, and it is a collaborative effort rather than me "stealing" their image. I photograph where I am - what I know, what I see on a daily basis. I also have a particular use of color and light that is different from other photographers. But honestly, I can't get stuck on that too much - I just have to go out and use my camera to see. Each photographer sees things differently.

2010-11-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

New Images from The Westside

Here's a few more images that I shot last weekend. These are all locally owned storefronts on 26th St. This region of Little Village is quite lively on the weekends. These locally owned stores have a lot of support from members of the community. Of course, the economy has also affected this area and you can find some empty or transitioning storefronts as well.

Sale on Shoes

Now Hiring / Se Solicitan

2010-10-31T20:06:00.004-05:00

Happy Halloween...
new images from The Westside

Se Renta

Costumes for Sale

Undergarments

2010-10-23T17:28:00.002-05:00

New Images from The Westside

It's interesting how teaching filters into your own work. The two images below were shot in September. The week that I shot these, I had been lecturing about the impact of time of day and weather on color in a photograph. And it seemed that since that was on my mind, I kept looking for a change in color due to time of day. Then on a stormy Sunday, the sun began to peek through pockets in the clouds and the light was amazing. I took some of my own advice and went out to photograph in this stormy, moody atmosphere. The sad little storefront churches on Ogden never looked so full of life.

Livingstone Church

Douglas Park

This next image was taken over the summer. This romanticized image of an unconscious and curvy young woman thrown over the man's shoulder and the fact that they seem to be some kind of mirage emerging over the landscape like an oasis for the weary traveler is quite strange to my gringa, feminist sensibility.

Zacatecas

2010-10-12T18:35:00.005-05:00

Art Loop Open -
Art Crawl Friday Oct. 15

Can't believe I haven't posted anything in over a month... obviously the semester is in full swing. So this weekend marks the beginning of Art Loop Open. Organized by Chicago Artist Coalition, the month-long exhibition seeks to exhibit work by Chicago artists and to draw art enthusiasts downtown to Chicago's loop area.

Art Loop Open is on display at 10 venues: Block 37, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Macy's, Merchandise Mart, Chicago French Market / MetraMarket, Palmer House, Hotel Allegro, the Wit Hotel, and W Chicago-City Center.

Three prizes will be awarded to the artists with the most votes by viewers. You must go to the venue and send a text message in order to vote for your favorite work of art.

Antony, Harold, Agel, y Hector on display at Block 37

My work will be on display at:
Block 37
108 N. State St
Chicago, IL

Please go view the works and vote!
1st round of voting: Oct. 15 - 22
Art Crawl: FRIDAY Oct. 15, 5-8 pm

Hope to see you there!

2010-09-05T09:32:00.000-05:00

Rug-hooking Projects:
Iglesia de Punta Banco rug is done

After more than 2 months of work, my Iglesia de Punta Banco rug is finally done. This little blue church is in Costa Rica near the very end of the beach road, south of Pavones. I still have to figure out what I want to do to finish off the edges. This is certainly the most detailed rug I've ever done, with the finest cut of wool strips I've ever used. Thanks to Jane Halliwell Green for her suggestions in the pictorial workshop.

2010-08-27T15:06:00.003-05:00

New Image from The Westide - Ogden Courts

This sign was fairly new about the time I moved to Lawndale in 2007 - an advertisment for a soon-to-be-built condo development. The Lawndale neighborhood seemed ripe and ready for new construction back then before the housing market crashed and recession hit. Lawndale is directly west of downtown, and close to shopping areas in the near suburbs of Cicero, Berwyn, and North Riverside. Suggested sales prices were posted ranging from $230,000 - 300,000.

Now this billboard serves as a space for other local advertisers: cab drivers and plumbers, and as a reminder of Lawndale's once shining promise of growth and development.

2010-08-15T17:34:00.002-05:00

Two New Images

from The Westside Series

I'm working on a new sequence for The Westside photographs. I hope to get some more work done on it and post it on my website soon! The green, brown, and neutral color combinations in the images above are really pleasing to me. Both images were taken in the Lawndale neighborhood.

I really enjoyed hearing stories from Lawndale residents who came to our Foto-op @ Op shop event. I heard stories ranging from personal anecdotes to historical information about areas I photographed. I found out that the Lawndale used to be a Jewish neighborhood about 50 years ago. And apparently there's a photographer who documented the community during that time. I find the massive transition of culture in a specific location quite intriguing. Lots of research and shooting to do!

2010-08-12T13:40:00.002-05:00

Photos from Foto-op @ Op Shop

August 11 2010

We had a great turnout last night at our most recent Foto-op event. We were excited to feature work by new Foto-op participants Kelly Jones and Sarah Baranski. And what a beautiful space provided by the Op Shop of Hyde Park! Thanks to Laura Schaeffer and the Op Shop crew! If you haven't been to Op Shop, get down there and check out the daily featured artists through August 16th. Tonight, Op Shop features Rachel Herman's Imp of Love series! http://www.rachelherman.net/

Hair Stories - Kelly Jones

The Westside - Lily Mayfield

Was Once Home - Sarah Baranski

Symbiosis - Nicole Wingate

2010-08-10T16:45:00.009-05:00

Foto-op @ Op Shop -
ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Foto-op artist collective is at it again! We're having a one night only special event featuring photographs by Nicole Wingate, Lily Mayfield, Sarah Baranski, and Kelly Jones at the Op Shop.

We'd love to have you come out and support local Chicago artists and the Op Shop of Hyde Park. The Op Shop is an organization that utilizes empty urban spaces as temporary sites for art and performance.

The Op Shop in Hyde Park
5226 S Harper Avenue
Chicago, IL

Wed. August 11th, 6-9 pm

Hope to see you there! There are some great little restaurants in this area - make a night of it!

For more info about the Op Shop:

http://www.theopshop.org/index.html

2010-08-05T14:57:00.006-05:00

New Images from the Westside

Cubs and Sox Garage

I've been photographing in my neighborhood again this summer. Here's a few new images. I'm shooting these images with film, which really slows down my process in all phases of production. My least favorite part of working with film is spending so many hours removing dust from the scans! That's certainly a HUGE advantage of shooting digitally. But I like what is happening in my process as far as slowing me down while I'm shooting.

Fence with Roses

Hair Studio

I love this scene for many reasons - first as a gardener I admire the lovely aloe plants that are obviously thriving. And as a photographer, I find the window display mostly full of plants quite curious. Its appearance is reminiscent of someone's home and it feels very much like a typical Westside neighborhood shop.

Under the Pink Line Tracks

The Village Well

I finally got around to photographing this building a couple weeks ago. I'm glad I did. This morning I noticed that it was in the process of being demolished.

2010-07-22T17:31:00.010-05:00

Extended Family

Just got back from a very quick visit to Florida. Spent some time in Tarpon Springs and of course back home in Gainesville. There's so much I'd love to shoot down there... wish I could've stayed longer.

I really enjoyed getting to photograph my family members again. I particularly love making photographs of my 11 year old niece Zoey, and 8 year old nephew Evan. They are endlessly fascinating - their imaginations and their developing personalities. I really regretted having to leave to come back for work.

Here are my favorite images of Zoey and Evan:

Telling Secrets: Evan and Jesse

Firestarter: Zoey

And here is a photo of my Mom's long hair. It was always pretty short when we were growing up.

Mom's Hair

2010-07-08T10:10:00.009-05:00

Favorite Images from Maine

I went to Maine in June for a rug-hooking workshop and stayed a couple extra days to explore. Here's a few of my favorite images from the trip.

Stonington Harbor

Tied Down and Anchored, Stonington ME

Dock with Rope, Stonington ME

Cream & Sugar, Searport ME

Sky at Fort Knox, Bucksport ME

On the summit of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

at Fort Knox, photo by Jim Mayfield

2010-06-08T16:06:00.004-05:00

New image from the Westside

I find Little Village fascinating. I live just a few blocks from its boundaries. Here's a new image. This is one of many locally run neighborhood businesses in Little Village. Many of them, including this place, are located on neigborhood streets not on any main thoroughfare.

I enjoy the intersection of various kinds of text here. And of course the graffiti and gang references which allude to a darker aspect of the culture in this neighborhood.

2010-06-08T15:59:00.003-05:00

Old Florida

Pond, Ozello, FL

Another image to add to the series.

2010-05-18T15:43:00.004-05:00

Old Florida

Spanish moss always reminds me of north central Florida.

Tree with Spanish Moss, Ozello, FL

This tree seems to be morphing into some kind of signpost - its limbs pointing in different directions. Florida at a crossroads.

2010-05-07T14:37:00.005-05:00

Old Florida

I love this time of year. The semester is winding down and the summer is stretching out before me. My mind starts to wander back to my own work. I have so many subjects that I'd like to photograph and the time is nearly here when I can really focus on it.

So since today is a rainy kind of day, I figured I'd spend some time tying up loose ends... and believe it or not I still have photos that I haven't edited yet... some photos from Florida. So here's one of 3 or 4 that I'll be posting.

Cans, Ozello, FL

If I was able to travel back home more often, I'd photograph images of what I refer to as "old Florida." There's plenty of small towns that still feel completely wild, like Florida once was before Disney World culture took over. This photo was taken in Ozello, a tiny little town on Florida's northwest coast. I was struck by the aluminum cans decorating the shrubs like ornaments on a christmas tree, a trace of human presence in this wild place.

2010-04-12T18:10:00.005-05:00

Opening Reception Friday April 16th, 5-7 pm

Hope you can make it to the opening of Alumni on 5: Greater than 16x20; Less than 4x5 this Friday April 16th 5-7 pm at Columbia College Library, 624 S. Michigan, 5th floor.

I have 3 pieces in the show, 2 of which are brand new works!

If you can't make it to the opening, the show will be up from April 16 - September 1.

2010-04-03T15:13:00.006-05:00

De Pavones

Another image from the series. This is someone's driveway... as seen from the main road. I was interested in the light, but now I wish I would've included a figure in the space. It's still an interesting space, but I'm not sure that it's a keeper.

A doorway to the church into Punta Banco... a town at the end of the main road, south of Pavones.

Don Ricardio. His family has lived in the area for a very long time. I've photographed him previously. He donated land for a new school that was built recently. In this picture, he leans on my sister's truck, as he tells stories.

This is a shed that is on the grounds of the new school. I loved the way the chickens were strutting around.

Both of the above photographs were taken during a soccer game in town.

New Year's Day at Rio Claro. This is where the river flows into the ocean. It created a little pool that was great for kids to swim in. I've never seen this many people at the point before. All the locals came out to celebrate the holiday.

Chele. He's a mechanic. I talked to him for quite awhile and found myself understanding most of what he said... kind of a break through in my Spanish listening skills.

Surfboard locker. I love the traces of care that went into creating the locker, and also the traces of wear that have come from years of use.

2010-03-30T11:43:00.003-05:00

Upcoming Exhibition

Just found out today that I got into a Columbia College Alumni exhibition entitled Greater than 16x20; less than 4x5.

Opening Reception

3rd Floor of Columbia College Library

Friday April 16, 5pm-7pm

Exhibition runs from April 16 - October 1, 2010

I will have 3 pieces in the exhibit, 2 of them are brand spanking new images that I shot in January!

More info to come.

2010-03-21T15:51:00.006-05:00

De Pavones - more new images

I've been working on some more images from the series. I'm just about done working with what I've already scanned, so I'll have do some more scanning next week.

Pavones tag

Macho

This image was made at the big Pavones town event, Bingo. Macho is a fisherman and takes tourists out in boats to go fishing. Jesse and I went out with him many years ago. Here, Macho is making and selling a juice made out of sugar cane. He gave me a little sample, it was very sweet without much flavor. You can purchase the regular sugar cane juice, or get a spiked version which is probably much more enjoyable...

Hector

I photographed Hector on my previous visit to Pavones. His family runs the ceviche restaurant, Brisas Del Mar. Hector, age 11, has quite an artistic eye. He loves to draw. The mural behind him was sketched by him and a friend. I gave Hector some drawing paper and colored pencils and when I saw him the next day, he had done about a dozen detailed images of the local scenery and of monster trucks. He let me pick one of his drawings to keep. I chose one that he had drawn of his house, with detailed depictions of local flora along the uphill incline of his driveway that leads to the house.

The Road

This is one of my favorite things about Pavones. I love walking, riding bikes, and driving up and down the twisting and bumpy dirt roads. A completely different vista is at every turn, and the condition of the road and roadside vegetation varies with the seasons.

2010-03-05T16:49:00.004-06:00

Surf Pavones O Not

I finished another image from my de Pavones series - a sleepy guard dog taking an afternoon siesta. This was taken on the side of the ferreteria, Pavones' local hardware store. I was attracted to this scene by the sleeping dog, bold color and text. The sleeping dog references the ubiquitous presence of dogs both in Costa Rica in general, and Pavones specifically. It is always quite a shock for us Americans to see so many beloved dogs roaming freely in the streets, and a surprise to realize that most all of them have homes.

The tag on the wall is a curious detail because it is almost a threat, as in the standard construction to do (a particular activity) or die. But it is softened with the change of die to "or not". The text is an interesting combination of macho surfer talk combined with humble Tico talk. It is also a confusing mix of languages, an attempt at English, but instead of "or" the tagger wrote "o," slipping back into the Spanish equivalent.

This image speaks to both the Tico culture, and specifically Pavones culture, which revolves around surfing the world's second longest wave.

2010-03-05T14:04:00.003-06:00

New Photos - Evan & Zoey

These are some photos I shot of my nephew Evan and my niece Zoey while I was in Florida for Christmas. Evan is age 7 and Zoey was 10 at the time, although she'll be turning 11 in one week. I've been photographing both of them since they were babies, but photos are now fewer and farther apart since I live in Chicago.

Evan

Zoey

I miss these kiddos... another reason why I'd like to get back to Florida permanently! Relocating halfway across the country as an adult is so much harder than it was a grad student. Hopefully a teaching job in Florida will be in my near future...

2010-02-20T17:28:00.003-06:00

Andrea & Faviana - de Pavones

Andrea

Here are a couple more portraits of local ticas: two young girls from Pavones, Costa Rica. Andrea was in town for the big Bingo event. My sister Angela used to tutor Andrea in English. I love Andrea's colorful and carefully coordinated outfit, and how the light is illuminating her.

Faviana

My limited knowledge of Spanish makes it difficult to communicate sometimes, but from what I understand, Faviana's mom works at the town's Super (grocery store), and Faviana was waiting for her mom. Faviana seems to present that typical tween mixture of both boredom and curiousity.

2010-02-19T12:56:00.004-06:00

Marlon - de Pavones

Marlon

This is Marlon, age 12. He was one of the many curious kids who were intrigued by my large camera while I was shooting in town during a Bingo fundraiser. Marlon is a local kid who has grown up in the Pavones area. I found his somewhat urban style of dress interesting, particularly his shirt which has dollar signs and English words on it professing his "Rawthentic" and "Raw and Uncut" persona. Both the language and the symbols on the shirt are signs of the influence of American culture in Costa Rica. Costa Rican currency is called colones, and the symbol for it looks more like the symbol for a cent.

The familiarity with American dollars, also speaks to the location of Pavones and its proximity to the Panamanian border. Pavones is only about 1 1/2 hours from the border town Paso Canoas. Many locals go there to shop, and I would bet that this shirt was purchased there. Panama uses American currency.

As I tried to communicate with Marlon in my garbled and simplistic Spanish, I told him I would send him a copy of the photo. He responded politely by saying "thank you" in English.

2010-02-14T19:03:00.006-06:00

First New Image from de Pavones series

So I've been having a hard time trying to find time to work on my most recent images taken in Costa Rica. I finally have one of the images scanned and edited, and I'm working on printing it right now. This one took a lot of work because I had some sort of light leak, but I was able to repair the image.

Anixia y Tatiana

Anixia and Tatiana are a mother and daughter team that run Brisas del Mar, an open air restaurant with ocean view, that serves the best ceviche in the area (or anywhere for that matter). It is located between the two villages of Pavones and Punta Banco.

2010-01-28T08:16:00.007-06:00

Ellen Gale (Hopkins) Green to be honored this weekend

So this has nothing really to do with photography, but as a feminist I am really proud of my grandmother, now 92 years old. She will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame this weekend.

Ellen Gale Hopkins Green is being honored for her swimming achievements in the 1930s. While still in high school, Ellen Gale was named one of the Men of the Year for 1936 by the Springfield News-Leader, the only woman to ever achieve that honor.

Ellen Gale and her sisters were known around town as the "Hopkins Mermaids". All 3 of them were swimmers, but my grandmother was the sister who excelled at the sport.

"One of Ellen Gale Hopkins' most memorable performances came in 1936, when she swam at the Grant Beach AAU meet and won the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and the 440-yard freestyle, setting pool records in each race in front of a crowd of 1200. Her performance prompted the News-Leader to say 'She's [Hopkins] perhaps the most outstanding swimmer in the Missouri Valley Division.' " (Missouri State University Athletics)

Congratulations to Ellen Gale Hopkins Green!

For more info, visit:

Springfield News-Leader

http://www.missouristatebears.com/

http://www.kspr.com/sports/

2010-01-20T11:23:00.005-06:00

While In Class

opening reception Friday Jan. 22, 6-9 pm

*image by Elise Hibbard, student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The exhibition I juried for Woman Made Gallery will be opening THIS FRIDAY, Jan. 22.

Featuring photography, painting, sculpture, & video installation works by women student artists from Columbia College Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, Depaul University, and other national institutions.

I went to help hang the work on Saturday and I was quite impressed with the quality of the works on display. Not to be missed!

While In Class

Jan. 22 - Feb. 25 2010

Opening Reception Jan. 22, 6-9 pm

Woman Made Gallery

685 N Milwaukee

Chicago, IL 60642

Go to womanmade.org for a preview of the exhibition

Artists: Kristyna Archer, Margaret Carsello, Mary Chiaramonte, In Kyoung Chun, Renee Couture, Kelsey Curkeet, Hope Esser, Anna Gratovich, Erin Hernsberger, Elise Hibbard, Gwynne Johnson, Julie Jones, Robin Juan, Mel Keiser, Kaitlin Kostus, Susan Kwon, Elizabeth Larew, Mary Laube, Laurie LeBreton, Miranda Maher, Molly Nuzzo, Rachael Olmstead, Megan Ory, Katherine Perryman, Nirmal Raja, Rebecca Sonnack, Elizabeth Start, Jamie Steele, Sara Stubblefield, Olivia Swider, Katie Swietlik, Anna Timmerman, Davana Wilkins, Nicole Wingate, Rachel Wunsch

2009-12-03T09:51:00.007-06:00

More From the Westside... Douglas Park

Here's a few new photos... shot these in mid November, but haven't had time to work on them until now. I've been wanting to photograph in Douglas Park for awhile. It's an amazing space that just seems to go on and on... it has a mini golf course, pool, baseball & soccer fields, ponds with stone bridges, trails, native prairie grass gardens, etc. Douglas Park is also an example of a Westside site that has fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. Not to say that this park isn't used, but it doesn't seem to be utilized or valued for its full potential.

2009-11-16T13:36:00.007-06:00

More images shot from the pink line platform...

And another Westside graffiti shot...

Spent some time printing this weekend - printed these 3 recent shots, plus a few others. I still have more editing to do of images that I shot a week ago. It seems like I can't ever get caught up on my own work, at least not while the semester is in full swing. Only 5 more weeks to go!

2009-11-09T13:43:00.003-06:00

More from the Westside... The Pink Line

Okay so here's a quick post before I go off to teach my next class. Took some images about two weeks ago of interesting things I noticed as I ride the pink line. Can I just say how much I really love the pink line? My favorite parts of the blue line were always the areas that are on elevated tracks, well the pink line is completely above ground, and you see amazing things as you ride through the various neighborhoods on Chicago's westside. Here's an image I took at the polk station - propbably my favorite stop on the pink line because it has such interesting 60s-style windows that frame various views of the city. Here's one of the photos... will post more.

2009-11-04T13:33:00.001-06:00

More from the Westside...

There's an amazing block in Little Village that is covered by graffiti on 4 sides - nearly the whole block. I had noticed the ever-changing graffiti before, but recently my husband and I took the time to walk all the way around it and really study the artwork on it. This section of the wall was made by the "Saw Crew". The wall features several different graffiti crews who seem to be battling it out with their paint. I thought it had an interesting use of color, and liked the way it fit into the late October foliage.

I printed this image on my new (well new to me) Espon 7880 printer - what a powerful machine it is! Love it!!

More photos to come when I have time to sit down and work on them...

2009-10-09T14:47:00.008-05:00

Upcoming Events - Around the Coyote Fall Festival, and Mirando Al Sur at Woman Made Gallery - October 16-18

This is a busy month! But then again, October is Chicago Artists Month. Next weekend I will be super duper busy. I have 2 art opening events, plus I'm shooting an event for someone else, and I have tickets to see MeShell Ndegeocello at the Oldtown School of Folk Music! Whew! Trying to catch my breath in preparation...

So the first event I want to announce is:

Foto-op Collective has a booth at Around the Coyote Fall Festival and we will be displaying works by our members: Nicole Wingate, Gwynne Johnson, Mark Marano, and myself. Please stop by and say hello! If you haven't been to Around the Coyote before, it is quite an event featuring some amazing works by local and national emerging artists. Here's the info:

Venues
1817 W Division St Visual Art (this is where Foto-op will be located, booth #1)
1287 N Milwaukee Ave Theatre, Performance, and SlideLuck PotShow!
1275 N Milwaukee Ave Visual Arts
1240 N Milwaukee Ave Video and New Media by LiveBox
1238-40 N Ashland Ave Visual Arts

Hours
Opening Party Friday, October 16
All venues open: 7:00pm to 11pm, Special Evening Lounge Hours at Blue Coral Sushi from 9-11pm
Saturday, October 17
all venues open from noon to 10pm
Sunday, October 18
all venues open from noon to 6pm

The 2nd event I want announce is:

Opening reception Friday Oct. 16th, 6-9 pm.

Exhibition runs from Oct. 16 - Nov. 12 2009

I have one of my very favorite images from my de Pavones series in this show. This exhibit is also featuring works by fellow Foto-op member Gwynne Johnson! Not to be missed!

2009-10-05T11:48:00.005-05:00

Thoughts on jurying an exhibition of works by women students...

As an undergrad and graduate student of art, I noticed the way art programs are dominated (at least in numbers) by women. As an instructor I see the same thing. My student populations are generally at least 75% women. And yet, high-paying full-time positions in academia, in galleries, and in museums - all of these prestigious positions seem to be heavily dominated by men. STILL. Look at works being exhibited in any gallery or museum space - the artists are STILL predominantly male. The numbers just don't add up. This may all sound like the guerilla girls circa 1989. But in 2009, representation of women artists is a huge problem. STILL.

How can this be?

What happens to our young women artists? Where do these women with BFA and MFA degrees disappear to? This discrepancy in representation both silences and de-emphasizes women's contribution to the arts. If I attend a gallery and I see that the artists are 50% women (which statistically they should be), I am absolutely astounded.

That's why Woman Made Gallery is so important - it more closely resembles the reality of who is creating art. Of course it is an extreme representation (100%), but it more closely reflects the ratios I have seen firsthand of young student artists in training.

So WHY are women artists disappearing post-BFA and post-MFA? I think it is certainly a reflection of our society - a male-dominated world where the sensibility and subjectivity of men is the "norm". Women's sensibility, point of view, and subjectivity is therefore regarded as "other". STILL.

Woman Made Gallery is a haven from the realities of the art world - a place where "other" becomes "norm". There you will find the women artists dominating (or perhaps trying to make an appearance in) the art world. Let's support them so they may begin to have a larger sphere of influence. Let's turn these others into the norm.

WHILE IN CLASS - the deadline is approaching! Submit your work by OCTOBER 14

Juried exhibition at Woman Made Gallery. We are looking for women student artists (undergrad or grad) to submit works. Works can be of any subject matter, and in any medium.

Go to the Woman Made website to submit your jpg images and artist statement:

http://womanmade.org/entryform.html

2009-08-29T13:12:00.003-05:00

New Photo of Jesse

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago when Jesse and I were making dinner. The light coming in through the lacy curtains made it impossible for me to let this moment slip away.

I ended up using two separate images to build a composite here, although you can't really tell. In one image Jesse had a great expression on his face, but I didn't like the body language nor the way I had cropped his hands. So I found another frame that had a simpler posture and combined the two. I'm pretty happy with the results. I love the way Photoshop allows photographers to layer and build images, working in a way that is much more like a painter, rather than the traditional "straight" photographer.

I think this image of Jesse would look great juxtaposed with the one of me in the same location and in similar light:

This would look amazing installed in a corner, so that the two photographs are facing each other, creating a dialog between them.

Even though both of these images were created out of "happy" moments in our marriage and daily life, I can't seem to stay away from creating dramatic tension in the photographs. Perhaps it is a way to introduce intrigue and drama into an otherwise copacetic life.

2009-08-13T17:18:00.008-05:00

More from the Westside

I went out yesterday and photographed some more for the Westside series. I started looking closer at the neighborhoods, found this quaint little lamp store:

An altar outside of a local church

Side view of backyards

Found this while walking through an an area where they were setting up for a neighborhood carnival.

"Creaciones Susy's" - advertisement for handmade crafts

2009-08-10T16:16:00.009-05:00

More New Photos

Haven't started photographing people yet - still working up the nerve. Here's more photos from my new Westside series.

This building's exterior was constructed out of styrofoam. Bizarre building.

Love the golden light and blue sky in this one.

I don't know what the heck these metal structures are - are they silos? If you know, leave me a comment!

This wild prairie flower is called quinine - I learned that at the Nature Museum! :)

Nikki taking some photos. This was before we got chased away by a security guard.

2009-08-10T14:52:00.007-05:00

While In Class

I will be jurying an upcoming exhibition at Woman Made Gallery, While in Class.

Here's the info:

Entry deadline is October 14, 2009, Exhibition dates: January 22 - February 25, 2009

Accepting submissions of up to three works in any medium by women artists from the international community, who are currently undergraduate or graduate students. Art schools are a major site of exploration and discovery for new artists. However, much of the work students produce is graded and stored away under the bed. This exhibition seeks to get these works out of storage and into the light, and thereby examine the process of becoming an artist. What kinds of innovations are being made “while in class?”

Click here to access online entry form: http://womanmade.org/entryform.html

2009-08-07T16:44:00.012-05:00

Lots of new Photos!

I went out and photographed a couple times this week with a friend. Began working on a project loosely titled West-side - something I've been thinking about for awhile now. I started by just looking at some of the more industrial areas and sites of construction. I do hope to include people in my photographs, but for now the images are just places of visual interest.

Living on the west-side of Chicago is really a completely different experience than living on the north-side, as many young people of my ethnicity and class seem to do. Recently a friend mentioned that we are living in "the real chicago"... an interesting idea to explore.

I've been pretty productive on my first week of summer vacation, I only wish I had more time off!

On a side note, I also spent a lot of time learning Adobe Lightroom this week. I'm pretty impressed with all of the non-destructive editing that can be done, before you even open a file in Photoshop. It has really sped up my process for posting images on the web. Highly recommended!

2009-08-01T17:43:00.003-05:00

New Photo: Summer Self Portrait

A new(ish) photo - made this one in late June, on the one day we've had all summer when the temperature was in the 90's. I was taking a break from painting some boards on our back porch, waiting in between coats of white paint.

I think it will be interesting to examine the changes in the physical self, after years of doing these self portraits - like Rembrandt or even Nick Nixon's Brown Sisters.

I am now done with the summer class I was teaching, and I have 3 weeks off!!! My plan was to photograph in Florida and Costa Rica, but those plans fell through once Jesse lost his job. So I'm going to utilize these 3 weeks to photograph regularly, as I was planning to do when I went on my trips. So more photos will be posted soon!

2009-07-23T17:07:00.003-05:00

New Photo: Jesse with Dandelions

I shot this photo back in May, but finally got around to removing all the dust from the scan. I took this photo with my Toyo 4x5 camera, using my new Schneider 210 mm lens. This photo was taken in Douglas Park, when the Dandelions were in abundance. I knew I wanted to use the space as a backdrop. I really like the warm yellows and greens.

I also love Jesse's expression. His eyes and his wrinkled forehead convey a sense of earnestness. This is the Jesse I know, but I'm not sure everyone sees.

2009-07-19T12:09:00.010-05:00

Photos from our trip to Michigan

Dune Flora

Criss Cross Trees

Joni in the Dunes

Beaches like Florida, but prettier

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

2009-07-06T16:21:00.003-05:00

Women Imaging Women: A Study of Female Portraiture
Opening Reception Thursday July 9, 5-8 pm

A multi-media exhibition curated by Beate Minkovski and Amy Galpin of Woman Made Gallery. Featuring new work by Lily Mayfield, from her Costa Rican portrait series "de Pavones"

Exhibition runs from July 9 - September 13 2009
State Street Gallery at Robert Morris University
401 S. State Street, Chicago IL
Opening Reception Thurs. July 9, 5-8 pm.

Hope to see you there!

2009-06-20T15:14:00.006-05:00

Disc Golf

I'm thinking this could lead to an interesting new project. The hard part is deciding whether to photograph or play, since it is hard to do both and keep up with the group. I recently had a minor surgery that prevented me from playing, so I brought my camera and tagged along. These are some of the images I liked.

In an article I read recently about disc golf, the author described the sport as a "long walk in circles." I hadn't really thought of it that way - but what an accurate and poetic way of thinking about the the sport. The courses are often in fairly small parks, and through a highly creative and meandering use of space, the players are able to play 9, 18, or 27 holes. I often find myself slightly disoriented, because of the twists and turns of the course. You come around some corner, and realize you are right next to an earlier hole. Walking in Circles might be an interesting working title for this project.

2009-06-20T14:06:00.003-05:00

Meet Foto-op:
BBQ & Art Party, Sunday June 28th 2-7 pm

What: inaugural exhibition and potluck for foto-op, a lens-based artists’ collective, where works by its newest members will be on display. This event will be held on Sunday June 28th, between 2pm and 7pm.

Why: While at the party, we will discuss our purpose and future plans for the group, and take suggestions as to ways to improve the collective.

Why not? Any drink or food donations for the BBQ & potluck would be greatly appreciated! What better way to start the summer?

Please RSVP if you wish to attend. We hope to see you there!

- Lily Mayfield, Mark Marano, Nicole Wingate, & Gwynne Johnson

Note: Location is near all CTA lines, Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, and I-90/I-94.

Light snacks and grilled food will be served, but feel free to bring your own as this is a potluck. Due to the very limited space of the room, we kindly ask that you RSVP.

For more information, click the button below:

2009-06-11T14:41:00.009-05:00

Some photos of my solo show at Woman Made Gallery

2009-06-04T08:34:00.008-05:00

Last Call - Show Ends June 11

My solo exhibition at Woman Made Gallery ends next week on June 11. This is the final weekend to view the show. The gallery is open Wed - Sun. Please stop by if you haven't already!

Time to pack up the artwork...

womanmade.org

2009-05-22T11:52:00.004-05:00

Another Shadow Image

Not sure where these images are going, (or if this is going anywhere) but it was just something I wanted to photograph. The quality of light and shapes of the shadows are so transitory, and so pleasing to the eye. Here you can see the newly sprung leaves through the inclusion of them in the frame, and also through the shadowed patterns on the wall. The bare braches of the Catalpa tree serve as a reminder of the past season. A study of early May.

2009-05-08T11:25:00.007-05:00

Opening Reception a Success! ...Now What?

The opening for my solo exhibition at Woman Made was an absolute success! A ton of friends, colleagues, and yes even my students came to see the show. I arrived early around 5:45, and the next thing I new it was 8:45 and the opening was nearly over. What a whirlwind! I also sold a piece - Lily at the Table.

At the opening, someone asked me, "So what's next?" What a great question! I have several ideas for photographs and new bodies of work. So a pursuit of these new ideas will be something I'm focusing on now. Also, where else to exhibit the work? For a long time, I imagined my work at Woman Made Gallery, so now that I've checked that off my list, it's time to find new venues. And that is the trickiest part of this profession if you ask me!

New Photos
Summer is nearly here. One more week of classes and then I can really focus on my own work. Now that things are slowing down a bit, I actually have time to look back at some of the photos I've shot recently. I've got 2 images that I really like of the windows in my living room. I think I have a visual obsession with these windows. Their appearance changes so much throughout the day, and also with the seasons. These two were taken in winter & early spring.

Late Winter
The blinds are down. It's February and I just woke up. I'm headed into the kitchen to make coffee. My feet are cold. The sun shines bright through the bare trees, casting shadows on the blinds. It almost looks like it could be warm outside, but I know better than to think so.

Early Spring
On a mid-April afternoon, I am fascinated by the layering of limbs, shadows, and brick wall as seen through one of my 3 living room windows. I can feel spring coming. Any day now.

2009-04-28T14:38:00.005-05:00

Intimate Distance - Opens this Friday, May 1

Wow - can't believe it is just around the corner! I'm going to the gallery this afternoon to help hang the show. Hopefully there will be a good turnout for the opening. I know there are lots of other Chicago art events going on. But you should definitely check out this event!

Where:
Woman Made Gallery
685 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL
(between Chicago and Grand on Milwaukee Ave)

When:
Friday May 1, 2009
6-9 pm

See you there!

2009-04-15T15:43:00.005-05:00

Solo Show opens in 2 weeks

If you want to preview the exhibition, you can check Woman Made Gallery's website: click here

I'll be dropping off my work this Sunday. Getting excited and... okay slightly nervous, about the big day.

Portrait Photography Showcase - TOMORROW!

This is also the last week of my After School Matters program at Wells High School. We will have our final showcase tomorrow. Yesterday we mounted prints, combined the text from student journaling with the photographs, and assembled portfolios. I think we are ready to go!

I just love all of these kids... so glad to have the experience of working with them. But I'm also looking forward to a little more "me" time after this week!

2009-04-08T10:15:00.007-05:00

Hooked Purse - Finally Done!

The hooking part was so much fun, but I kept putting off the assembling and sewing part. I realized I don't really like to sew much... it is too tedious, and you don't get to think about color the way you do when you are hooking. But the purse is done now, and I think it looks pretty good.

2009-04-01T18:43:00.005-05:00

SOLO SHOW - opens 1 month from today!

And that's no April Fools joke. I've got the postcards ordered, frames ordered, and the prints are being mounted.

If you want to receive a postcard invite, email your address to me.

2009-03-17T13:17:00.002-05:00

HI

Just thought I'd say hi to those of you that actually read my blog - I'm still alive but super-duper busy, so no time for blogging lately. Hope to post some new photographs and new pictures of my hooked purse soon!

Happy almost-Spring!

2009-01-26T09:56:00.009-06:00

SOLO EXHIBITION!!

So I was offered a solo exhibition at Woman Made Gallery here in Chicago! I have been in a couple of group shows at the gallery. The gallery director Beate Minkovski and the gallery coordinator Amy Galpin thought that my Intimate Distance photographs would compliment an upcoming group exhibition entitled, The Emotional Body. I couldn't agree more, since I was considering submitting works for the group exhibition!

Woman Made is such a great gallery space. They have an upper floor where they usually install the group shows and works for the artisan gallery. They also have a lower floor where they install solo exhibitions. My work will be in the rear space on the lower level.

Below is a map of the space where my work will be installed. You can click on the image for a larger view.

The exhibition will run from May 1 - June 11 2009. The opening will be Friday May 1 from 6-9 pm. I'll send out reminders when the date gets closer. Yay!!!

2009-01-14T16:41:00.004-06:00

Choices
On a side note, I was beginning to feel a sore throat coming on, so I began to prepare some tea made by one of my favorite tea companies, Traditional Medicinals. As I waited for the tea kettle's whistle, I noticed the little note printed on the tag of the teabag. The words just screamed out at me (see above photo). It's so true - the choices YOU make, even the little teeny ones, can create change. In fact, they probably have a more serious effect than you may realize. And it seems to me that it is a conscious and continual effort to make choices that create the change you want in the world, the choices that fight against maintaining the status quo.

Are you recycling? You should. Click here to find a recycling drop-off location in Chicago. There really is no good reason to throw away so much of the stuff you buy.

Are you listening to, reading, viewing and/or supporting works by women? No? You should.

YOUR CHOICES WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

2009-01-10T20:25:00.004-06:00

The hooked purse is done. Now I just have to finish off the edges and sew it up! I'm really happy with the colors, can't wait to use it!

2009-01-04T13:04:00.006-06:00

Returning to Normal Life after a mini-vacay in North Carolina

We returned last week from our Christmas mini-vacation in North Carolina. We stayed in a cabin in Saluda, about 30 miles south of Asheville. Particularly memorable moments were: enjoying a Christmas feast on the deck in the sunshine, coffee in a hot tub with a mountain view, dense mountain fog, wine in a hot tub with a mountain view, playing disc golf in Asheville. Here's a few photos taken along our journey.

On our way out of town... about to embark on our 11 hour (plus) journey, as it rained the ENTIRE day... yes the ENTIRE day... through 6 states

A North Carolina winter landscape

Jesse searching for rocks in the creek

North Carolina Fog

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T21:09:00.004-06:00

The hooked purse is coming along...

Fig gives her approval

2008-12-23T14:51:00.006-06:00

Snow

Here's a few photos I took the other day right in between snowstorms. There's a lot of snow on the ground. And more coming down steadily outside the window right now. Looks like Chicago will have a white Christmas.

Peace and Joy

2008-12-23T14:42:00.005-06:00

New Project: Hooked Purse

Here's some photos of my new rug-hooking project. Thanks Dulcy for the pattern. And thanks Tammy for the the beautifully hand-dyed wools!

It has two sides that will be stitched up the side. It will have a deep aquamarine green background which should make the colors of the flowers pop.

More photos soon!

2008-12-08T21:02:00.005-06:00

Bob

I found out today that one of my brother's close friends died in September. He came along with us to Costa Rica last summer. I spent a week with him in Pavones. It's so strange that he is now gone. I took a few good photos of him. Here they are.

2008-12-04T09:52:00.005-06:00

Two New Images of Jesse

These were taken on Thanksgiving Day at my Dad's house in Springfield, MO. I love the deep reds of this room and thought that Jesse's milky white skin might look nice in there. Plus it was beautiful, warm day and the light was amazing.

I think I like the vertical one better because it gives you more of a sense of place - there's more of the room visible. Plus, I like his gesture - his fist propping himself up on the bed. But I'm still mulling it over - I like the horizontal one too.

These were taken with my digital camera. I can't help but imagine how much more detail I would get with my 4x5 camera. I just bought a Schneider 210 mm lens and I'm really itching to use it! Only 11 more days of grading and teaching left for me - then maybe I can focus more time on my own work. I can't wait!

2008-11-18T10:49:00.005-06:00

Icons exhibition at Woman Made Gallery
opening reception Friday Nov. 21, 6-9 pm
juried by Margaret Denny
Nov. 21 - Dec. 18 2008
685 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
click here to see more works in the ICONS exhibition

I have 2 pieces in this upcoming exhibition. These works are from a series entitled Signs of Women. In 2005, while working on a research paper I found myself looking for synonyms of the word “woman”. I was shocked to discover that so many of the so-called synonyms were both completely offensive and belittling (such as prostitute or cupcake) or they referred to the ways in which women served or related to others (wife, maid, etc.). I realized that there aren’t many synonyms for women that are positive or that don’t involve subservience to others. So what do these synonyms for women say about the representation, status, and iconography of women today?

Signs of Women presents silhouetted figures along with “synonyms” of women. This project questions the way both language and imagery determines our understanding of women. The images are engraved on plastic plaques reminiscent of the signs we see on bathroom doors, everyday icons that reduce us to, and sort us into, symbols.

Icons at Woman Made Gallery features 3 other Columbia alumni/students: Liz Chilsen, Mary Farmilant, and Niki Grangruth. The exhibition was juried by Columbia faculty, Margaret Denny. I'm proud to be part of this exhibition, which adds some much needed, and sorely missed, female perspectives to contemporary photography. I hope YOU will see the exhibition and support women artists, and Woman Made Gallery!

2008-11-06T08:55:00.005-06:00

La Ponderosa Beach, Pavones, Costa Rica

So the election is over... and I'm ecstatic about the results!! Maybe now I can get back to my own work.

The above image is one of my rare landscape photos. Rare in that I don't show many of them. I shoot a lot of landscapes, but I never feel like I quite capture the place. It always feels like the photograph needs something else - like a person within the space. Maybe it is just my personal bias toward portraiture. I think another problem is that this place, Pavones, pictured above is just so vastly beautiful and amazing in so many different ways that I find it difficult to capture it within the limited space of the frame. When I look at this photograph, I am also thinking of and feeling the expanse of the space around and behind me, which is not shown within the frame.

I realize that a photographer obviously cannot capture every aspect of a person in a photograph either, but somehow the physical space of Pavones seems to allude me and my camera much more than the faces of the people I come across.

I guess this challenge will be part of my next task whenever I return to Pavones.

2008-10-08T17:09:00.003-05:00

So I haven't blogged in quite a long time. I've been swamped with the classes I'm teaching and also getting ready for... Around the Coyote 2008 Fall Festival. It is just around the corner... October 17-19. I will be there all weekend long, so stop by and see me! Check the website for more information aroundthecoyote.org

2008-09-14T13:07:00.004-05:00

For a feminist's views on Sarah Palin, read the following article by Gloria Steinem:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,7541303.story?track=ntothtml

This election is crucial... make sure you know who and what you are voting for!

2008-09-05T12:11:00.003-05:00

Se Vende

The handmade signs in this photograph read, "Se Vende Palmas" and "Se Vende Este Lote". For those of you who are not Spanish speakers, the signs read, "Palms For Sale" and "This Lot For Sale". These signs kept catching my eye as we were driving, walking, or riding bikes down the road. Both signs signal the growing tourism-based economy in the area. Prices for land have increased tremendously over the years. A lot of tourists come to the area looking to purchase land. The fact that they are selling palms is a bit humorous since there is such an abundance of palms everywhere. But some tourists buy land that was cleared for farming, and may be looking to re-establish palms and other plants on their land.

2008-09-04T10:36:00.002-05:00

The photograph above will be on display at:

The Women's Caucus for Art

Midwest Regional Exhibition

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, September 5, 6-9 pm

Juried and curated by Beate Minkovski, co-founder and Executive Director of Woman Made Gallery, this exhibition includes artists chosen from 13 midwestern states, and the featured work includes painting, sculpture, photography, video and mixed media collage. Educated in Germany and the US, Beate is a recognized presence in the Chicago art world, particularly through Woman Made Gallery, a notable forum for women artists.

Participating artists include: ATYL, Barbara Aubin, Wanrudee Buranakorn, Pritika Chowdry, Patricia Delker, Ellen Roth Deutsch, Teresa Dick, Janet Gerske, Magadalene Gorecki, Susan Grace, Judy Gregurich, Jodie Hardy, Leslie Hirshfield, Sara Holwerda, Cydney M. Lewis,
Lily Mayfield, Monika Meler, Sheila Oettinger, Marivi Ortiz, Corinne D. Peterson, Judith Roth, Maura Schaffer, Victoria Senn, S. Gayle Stevens, and Rena Zaid.

Exhibition runs from Sept 3- 27. Come and check it out!!

ARC Gallery
832 W. Superior St. #204
Chicago, IL 60622
www.arcgallery.org

2008-09-02T15:23:00.003-05:00

Trina

This is Trina standing in the doorway of her house. She is a seamstress and her husband Carlos does carpentry and construction in the area. Carlos does a lot of work for La Ponderosa.

2008-09-02T14:41:00.002-05:00

Grandchildren

These are the grandchildren of the woman that sells Guayami crafts.

2008-08-31T15:01:00.003-05:00

Tania

I came to photograph at this house because I was told it was a typical Tico-style house. Upon arrival however, I was consumed by a frenzy of activity - I was surrounded by 3 young kids who were intrigued by my camera, plus adults who were talking to my sister, and other older kids who were headed off to the surf, with surfboards under their arms. So instead of focusing quite so much on the house itself, I ended up concentrating on the 3 young kids who had stuck around - Dominic, Leo, and Tania. I particularly like this photograph of Tania sitting on her front stoop. The muted color palette appeals to me, as well as her serious expression. She looks so feminine and delicate dressed in pink, just the opposite of the rough wooden and cool stone environment that surrounds her.

2008-08-31T12:47:00.003-05:00

Road to Punta Banco

One of the many things I love about Pavones is the wild jungle road. This photograph was taken at my favorite ceviche restaurant, Brisas del Mar, looking down the road toward Punta Banco. This image is interesting to me because of the mix of sprawling wild growth that is typical of the area, juxtaposed with the handmade sign that is a signifier of the tourism in the area. It makes me wonder just how much longer this region will remain unpaved and wild.

2008-08-23T17:42:00.003-05:00

Guayami Lady with Grandson

This lady sells handmade local crafts made by the Guayami Indians who live up in the mountains above Pavones. Proceeds help support the local Guayami community. I bought one of her dresses 2 years ago - I love the hand-sewn details and cheery colors.

About 6 years ago on a previous visit to Pavones, we had a guide (who happens to be the son-in-law of the woman in the above photograph) who hiked with us into the mountains to see the Guayami community. We were invited into the house of one family, and they served a warm banana drink to help fuel us on the rest of our journey. But by the end of the trip I was so dehydrated and exhausted I felt sick. It's hard to imagine that the Guayami hike up and down the mountain all the time.

2008-08-18T15:27:00.003-05:00

HECTOR

Hector is the son of the woman who runs Brisas del Mar on the road between Pavones and Punta Banco. I love the soft yellows and greens in this photograph.

2008-08-18T15:20:00.004-05:00

DON RICARDIO

Don Ricardio poses with his shovel in this photograph taken in the late afternoon in Pavones. The sky was darkening and the rains were on the way, but Don Ricardio was happy to stop and chat with me and my sister. He is standing on the property he owns. Other members of the family own the adjacent property. He had just returned from fishing in the river nearby.

Don Ricardio said he remembered seeing big cameras like mine a long time ago.

2008-07-31T16:14:00.003-05:00

AGEL WITH BICYCLE

Agel was very intrigued by my large camera. He was eager to pose for this photograph and, as you can tell, he took his job very seriously. His sober expression makes him seem so much older. Agel is also in the photo of the 4 boys posted earlier (scroll down). This is one of my favorite photographs that I made during my trip to Pavones.

2008-07-31T12:41:00.009-05:00

BOB

This is a my brother's friend. He came along with us on our trip to Pavones. Bob is wearing his LP souvenir tank, and with his passport sticking out of his bag, you can tell he is getting ready for his return trip home.

Bob, Rueben (my brother), and Dane (sister-in-law) were leaving that morning. I stayed on for two more weeks.

This was the first portrait I made with my 4x5 camera while I was in Pavones. I had been shooting my digital SLR, a bit too timid to break out the "big boy" until this moment.

2008-07-30T18:35:00.006-05:00

ANGELA IN THE GARDEN

This is a photograph of my sister, Angela. Her and her husband own and operate La Ponderosa Beach Resort in Pavones, Costa Rica. Here, Angela is pictured on one of the many pathways that weave through their 14 acres. This path goes along the northernmost edge of their property, from their front entry to the Villa.

In this portrait, I enjoy all of texture and the abundance of the ferns and palms, as well as the contrasting colors of Angela's clothing.

2008-07-25T13:36:00.005-05:00

ALEX (the painter)

Alex was working on the mural that you see behind him. He paused for a moment to let me take his picture. The mural is on the side of Pavones' surfshop, owned by another Alex (see photo of "surfshop" Alex below).

Alex also paints on canvas and creates designs for tshirts and stickers. He also designed the current La Ponderosa tshirts, and some of his paintings hang in La Ponderosa's rooms.

Alex lives in Pavones year round.

2008-07-21T17:53:00.007-05:00

AMADA

She works as a housekeeper and cook at Angela and Marshall's resort, La Ponderosa, in Pavones Costa Rica.

Amada was very patient with me. She later told Angela that she could feel a mosquito biting her on her leg, but she didn't want to move while I was setting things up for her portrait. Amada let the mosquito bite her.

2008-07-21T17:39:00.007-05:00

JIMMY

He is a caretaker on some land that is owned by my sister and brother -in -law up in the mountains above Pavones, Costa Rica. Jimmy keeps the land maintained. It used to be a farm.

I love Jimmy's pose - it reflects his strength and a bit of swagger. With his right arm bent, and his left leg extended like a kickstand, Jimmy leans into the curve of the land and rests for a minute to pose for his portrait.

2008-07-15T20:33:00.006-05:00

ANTONY, HAROLD, AGEL, Y HECTOR

Scanned some of my 4x5 film today. Here's one of my favorites. These boys are related to the people that run a great little Ceviche restaurant near Punta Banco. The restaurant is up on a slight little hill, across the road from the ocean, which allows for a soothing ocean breeze. Hence, the name of the restaurant is Brisas Del Mar. This photograph was taken behind the restaurant.