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.