Squirrel Monkeys. They come through in a pack every day.

There are so many fantastic sunsets in Pavones. This is at La Ponderosa Beach.

Alex. Also known as "Surfshop Alex" because he is the owner of Pavones' surfshop and also to distinguish him from "Alex the painter." I'll have some photos of the Alex the painter as soon as I scan my 4x5 film.

Katie. She is a yoga instructor and massage therapist. I did some work for a Yoga DVD that she'll be selling soon. I also shot some 4x5 film of her, but haven't had a chance to scan those yet.

Loaiza Market in Ciudad Neilly

The Veggie Man and helpers. They deliver vegetables to everyone in town.

Surfers March to the point

Angela in Golden Light

Marshall with Sunset

These are some photos from my recent trip to Costa Rica. There are more to come - I'm just now beginning to sort through them all. It seems appropriate to begin with photos on our flight from San Jose to Golfito, and then I'll show more photos of Pavones.

A muddy river, viewed from the Sansa flight to Golfito.

View from the plane.

View from the plane.

Our bartender, who took care of us while we waited at the Golfito airport. Two of our bags didn't make it on the flight, so we had to wait for the next one to arrive.

View of the Golfito airport, as seen from the bar.

Bob.

Getting ready to surf.

Rueben watching the waves.

The waves are small in this picture, but Marshall can surf anything.

Dane and Rueben on horses.

Angela braiding Ileana's Hair

We went to see Willie Nelson at Ravinia Festival last Friday. It was cool at first, but we couldn't really see Willie that well because we didn't have seats in the Pavilion. Then, this couple was leaving and they were in the third row, so they gave us their seats. It was a completely different experience up close. Here's some photos I took with my little point and shoot digital.

Look at his guitar - it has a huge hole in it but he still plays it.

Willie likes to gesture a lot.

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions:

1) Current exhbition through June 7th: "Me Myself and I: Examining the Self-Portrait" curated by Anni Holm. Freeark Gallery, Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy Road, Riverside, IL.
http://www.riversideartscenter.com


2) Arc Gallery, "Feminist Interrogations" curated by Joanna Gardner-Huggett. June 4-28th. Opening Reception Friday June 6th, 6-9 pm. Arc Galley is located at 832 W. Superior St. #204 Chicago, IL. This should be an exciting show! This will be the first public exhibition of my "T and A" work. (see photo above)
http://www.arcgallery.org/upcoming-exhibitions.aspx


3) Parts and Labor Collective, "Summer Meat 2: Bodywork" Saturday June 14th (one night only), from 7 pm - 12 am. This will be a fun event with great art, BBQ, music, etc. Parts and labor Collective is located at 3144 W. Caroll - THIRD FLOOR, Chicago. Not to be missed!!!
http://partsandlaborcollective.com


Thanks for your support!

Lily

This is a photograph that I made last summer of Jesse jumping rope. This photo makes me look forward to those hot, sweet, free days of summer.

Another self-portrait - a reflection in the tile in our kitchen. I intend for my expression in this photograph to be contemplative, or reflective, rather than angry. I hope it doesn't come off that way!

This is my latest rug. I finished it about a week ago. This one is only 12" wide. It was nice to do a smaller project - one that I could complete in a couple of weeks. This could've been a halloween-themed rug, but I wanted to use colors that would allow it to be used year-round.

I thought I'd post some photos of my rug-hooking projects. So far I've made 3 rugs. This one was my second rug and it took me a loooong time to complete. It was a pretty big project - it is 25" x 32".

Here's another new image, Bedtime. I was laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, and I noticed the interesting light coming in from the window. I love the way the light breaks apart on the wall, forming different colors. You couldn't really see that with the naked eye - I just saw white light. I also love the curve of his back and the unexpected vertical composition.

Here's a new(ish) image. I have some others on the way. This one is about waiting - for someone, or something. I like how the gestures and the expression are framed into separate images by the metal part of the screendoor.

Check out my new book entitled, Grove. It is for sale at Blurb.com. It's a collection of photographs from my grandmother's house in Grove, Ok. She lived their for 32 years, and recently moved. In the book, I have included some thoughts by family members about her house on the lake. I think it is fascinating how a home can be so deeply embedded in the memories and the unfolding lives of family members. This book investigates the way a place becomes part of your psyche. Check out my new book by clicking the link below.

Grove

By Lily Mayfield, wi...

Presenting the Columbia Collge MFA Photography grads, class of 2007, from left to right: Josh Winegar, Lily Mayfield, Bethany Souza, Monika Pawlak, Krista Wortendyke, Jennifer Litterer, Sarah Baranski, Bill Guy, and Chris Schedel


Well... I made it through

Sometimes I wasn't sure if I would. But I'm done... 3 copies of my 35 page (with illustrations) thesis have been turned in, final grades for my 2 TA classes are in, the opening reception is over, and I've walked across the stage in a gray cap and gown with flowing wings hanging from my elbows and a hood practically choking me. The family members who traveled long distances to see my MFA show have come and gone...

I found out that a certain member of the board of trustees for Columbia College (don't know if I should name names) wants to purchase one of my photographs from the thesis exhibition. Sweet! I could definately use the money to help pay for framing costs. This will be the first piece I have sold that wasn't to a friend or family member (though I usually give them to my fam for free).

Now on to new things... applying for jobs so I can teach classes at community colleges in the burbs, or wherever I can find them. Trying to freelance and teach part-time in order to pool together some sort of income.

And Jesse and I are making the largest purchase of our entire lives and moving into a condo... should be moving toward the end of June. Lots of changes, lots of good things going on in my life. I must admit I am blessed.

Done, done, done!!!

Something Like Despair
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

I made it!! What a semester. It was full of all kinds of emotional roller-coasters, but I made it!! And it went pretty well. My end of semester review was definately the best one I have ever had in my 4 semesters at Columbia. I can't believe how well it went. It was so UN-painful. Their criticism was actually helpful and constructive. And I actually got a lot of positive feedback and comments... crazy, huh?

And I'm so excited about experimenting this summer. I got a new Toyo 45A field camera, and I'm ready to start using it. One of the things my panel mentioned was to think about how I would present the work. I definately need to think about that. I've been so focused on trying to make good pictures, I just let that part go. But I'll figure it out.

And you know what else I'm excited about? I can read whatever the hell I want ALL SUMMER LONG! Yay! I've got a stack of books waiting for me.

Saturday Morning

Saturday Morning
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

Some new pictures to check out. More on the way.

Hanging On

Hanging On
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

This one...

Self Portrait in a Tea Kettle

Self Portrait in a Tea Kettle
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

... And this one are going to be shown in an upcoming juried exhibition, "SHE" at 33 Collective gallery located in the Zhou B. Center in Bridgeport.

The opening is next friday, March 17 from 7-10 pm. The exhibition will be up from Mar 17-31.

Go check it out!

Mom's Hands

Mom's Hands
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

And this one...

Do you see me?

What?
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

Here's another one

A little more than stressed

A little more than stressed
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

Here's a new picture. It's been awhile, I know. These next pictures reflect some of the emotional drama I've been going through lately.

Reduced/Defined #1

Reduced/Defined #1
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

How do I want to be seen? How do others see me? I present myself in a certain way in order to be taken seriously, but it seems I will always be reduced to the parts that define me strictly by gender. Is this all I am?

Art Opening Friday Jan 20, 7-11 pm

Home Bound
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

If you want to see this image in person, come check it out at the opening reception of "UNO" at the 33 Collective Gallery, located on the 3rd floor of the Zhou B. Center in Bridgeport.

For more info go to:
www.33collective.com

CAUGHT IN MY THROAT

CAUGHT IN MY THROAT
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

from the same series...

LOOK UP HERE

LOOK UP HERE
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

from the same series...

I KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK

I KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

yep, this is also from that series...

LISTEN TO ME

LISTEN TO ME
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

This series is untitled right now.

T & A

T & A
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

Just uploading some images from the past semester. This one is made up of 9 separate diptychs. Soon to be on my website, but you get a preview here!

Last semester was a crazy one. Some major events ocurred: I passed cadidacy, I moved mid-semester, I gave my first slide lecture as a teaching assistant, I won the Getz graduate award, and I just found out that I will continue as a teaching assistant for the coming semester. Whew!

I think I'm just about ready to begin the new semester.

The closing reception for the Chicago Art Open is tonight from 6-10 pm at 847 W Jackson.
I'll be there, I hope to see you!

Also, I passed my MFA candidacy on Wednesday! Yay! I'm so glad that I have that behind me. It was making me so nervous and really not much fun to be around. So thanks to those who were able to put up with me (especially Jesse) despite my nervousness and anxiety.

I got published again in this week's Chicago Reader. Yay! My fourth publication in a week and half!

Here's a link: http://www.chicagoreader.com/specevent/ARTMONTH2005.html

wife

wife
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

Another new silhouette...
I was thinking about all of the different words for woman, the words in our language that refer only to women. More is on the way.

Come see me at the Chicago Art Open Reception on Saturday ... 6-10 pm.

I got published!

Pick up a copy of this weeks' Time Out Chicago and turn to page 54. There's my photograph!

I was also in Friday's Chicago Tribune, if you happened to catch that.

This is all in connection with the Chicago Art Open, which is up from Oct. 10-24. The address is: 847 W Jackson, Third Floor Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public!

Here's the website for more info: Chicago Art Open

Fitting in

Fitting in
Originally uploaded by lilymayfield.

This is a new image. I was playing around with the silhouettes some more. Let me know what you think!