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.

Angela with Heart in her Hands. Here's my second edition of Costa Rica photos. There's still more to come.

Blue: Golfo Dulce

Marshall.

Don Bio and Dona Lala. This couple lives temporarily on some property behind La Ponderosa. They are caretakers who watch the land as the house is being constructed.

This little dog would casually greet us every time we went to check our email. Angela and I would go here every few days. There isn't any internet access or phone lines across the river, but there are phone lines north of the river. Supposedly phone lines will be coming soon...

Horses wandering up Rio Claro.

Russi on Marshall's head.

Angela holding Russi. Russi is a kinkajou. She has a very strong tail and she is normally nocturnal, but her house was being cleaned. A gardener found Russi on the Ponderosa property when she was a tiny baby.

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.