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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.