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

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!

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.

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

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.

Grandchildren

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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