New Photo of Jesse

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago when Jesse and I were making dinner. The light coming in through the lacy curtains made it impossible for me to let this moment slip away.

I ended up using two separate images to build a composite here, although you can't really tell. In one image Jesse had a great expression on his face, but I didn't like the body language nor the way I had cropped his hands. So I found another frame that had a simpler posture and combined the two. I'm pretty happy with the results. I love the way Photoshop allows photographers to layer and build images, working in a way that is much more like a painter, rather than the traditional "straight" photographer.

I think this image of Jesse would look great juxtaposed with the one of me in the same location and in similar light:

This would look amazing installed in a corner, so that the two photographs are facing each other, creating a dialog between them.

Even though both of these images were created out of "happy" moments in our marriage and daily life, I can't seem to stay away from creating dramatic tension in the photographs. Perhaps it is a way to introduce intrigue and drama into an otherwise copacetic life.

More from the Westside

I went out yesterday and photographed some more for the Westside series. I started looking closer at the neighborhoods, found this quaint little lamp store:

An altar outside of a local church

Side view of backyards

Found this while walking through an an area where they were setting up for a neighborhood carnival.

"Creaciones Susy's" - advertisement for handmade crafts

More New Photos

Haven't started photographing people yet - still working up the nerve. Here's more photos from my new Westside series.

This building's exterior was constructed out of styrofoam. Bizarre building.

Love the golden light and blue sky in this one.

I don't know what the heck these metal structures are - are they silos? If you know, leave me a comment!

This wild prairie flower is called quinine - I learned that at the Nature Museum! :)

Nikki taking some photos. This was before we got chased away by a security guard.

While In Class

I will be jurying an upcoming exhibition at Woman Made Gallery, While in Class.

Here's the info:

Entry deadline is October 14, 2009, Exhibition dates: January 22 - February 25, 2009

Accepting submissions of up to three works in any medium by women artists from the international community, who are currently undergraduate or graduate students. Art schools are a major site of exploration and discovery for new artists. However, much of the work students produce is graded and stored away under the bed. This exhibition seeks to get these works out of storage and into the light, and thereby examine the process of becoming an artist. What kinds of innovations are being made “while in class?”

Click here to access online entry form: http://womanmade.org/entryform.html

Lots of new Photos!

I went out and photographed a couple times this week with a friend. Began working on a project loosely titled West-side - something I've been thinking about for awhile now. I started by just looking at some of the more industrial areas and sites of construction. I do hope to include people in my photographs, but for now the images are just places of visual interest.

Living on the west-side of Chicago is really a completely different experience than living on the north-side, as many young people of my ethnicity and class seem to do. Recently a friend mentioned that we are living in "the real chicago"... an interesting idea to explore.

I've been pretty productive on my first week of summer vacation, I only wish I had more time off!

On a side note, I also spent a lot of time learning Adobe Lightroom this week. I'm pretty impressed with all of the non-destructive editing that can be done, before you even open a file in Photoshop. It has really sped up my process for posting images on the web. Highly recommended!

New Photo: Summer Self Portrait


A new(ish) photo - made this one in late June, on the one day we've had all summer when the temperature was in the 90's. I was taking a break from painting some boards on our back porch, waiting in between coats of white paint.

I think it will be interesting to examine the changes in the physical self, after years of doing these self portraits - like Rembrandt or even Nick Nixon's Brown Sisters.

I am now done with the summer class I was teaching, and I have 3 weeks off!!! My plan was to photograph in Florida and Costa Rica, but those plans fell through once Jesse lost his job. So I'm going to utilize these 3 weeks to photograph regularly, as I was planning to do when I went on my trips. So more photos will be posted soon!

New Photo: Jesse with Dandelions


I shot this photo back in May, but finally got around to removing all the dust from the scan. I took this photo with my Toyo 4x5 camera, using my new Schneider 210 mm lens. This photo was taken in Douglas Park, when the Dandelions were in abundance. I knew I wanted to use the space as a backdrop. I really like the warm yellows and greens.

I also love Jesse's expression. His eyes and his wrinkled forehead convey a sense of earnestness. This is the Jesse I know, but I'm not sure everyone sees.

Photos from our trip to Michigan

Dune Flora

Criss Cross Trees

Joni in the Dunes


Beaches like Florida, but prettier

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Women Imaging Women: A Study of Female Portraiture
Opening Reception Thursday July 9, 5-8 pm


A multi-media exhibition curated by Beate Minkovski and Amy Galpin of Woman Made Gallery. Featuring new work by Lily Mayfield, from her Costa Rican portrait series "de Pavones"

Exhibition runs from July 9 - September 13 2009
State Street Gallery at Robert Morris University
401 S. State Street, Chicago IL
Opening Reception Thurs. July 9, 5-8 pm.

Hope to see you there!

Disc Golf

I'm thinking this could lead to an interesting new project. The hard part is deciding whether to photograph or play, since it is hard to do both and keep up with the group. I recently had a minor surgery that prevented me from playing, so I brought my camera and tagged along. These are some of the images I liked.






In an article I read recently about disc golf, the author described the sport as a "long walk in circles." I hadn't really thought of it that way - but what an accurate and poetic way of thinking about the the sport. The courses are often in fairly small parks, and through a highly creative and meandering use of space, the players are able to play 9, 18, or 27 holes. I often find myself slightly disoriented, because of the twists and turns of the course. You come around some corner, and realize you are right next to an earlier hole. Walking in Circles might be an interesting working title for this project.

Meet Foto-op:
BBQ & Art Party, Sunday June 28th 2-7 pm

What: inaugural exhibition and potluck for foto-op, a lens-based artists’ collective, where works by its newest members will be on display. This event will be held on Sunday June 28th, between 2pm and 7pm.

Why: While at the party, we will discuss our purpose and future plans for the group, and take suggestions as to ways to improve the collective.

Why not? Any drink or food donations for the BBQ & potluck would be greatly appreciated! What better way to start the summer?

Please RSVP if you wish to attend. We hope to see you there!

- Lily Mayfield, Mark Marano, Nicole Wingate, & Gwynne Johnson

Note: Location is near all CTA lines, Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, and I-90/I-94.

Light snacks and grilled food will be served, but feel free to bring your own as this is a potluck. Due to the very limited space of the room, we kindly ask that you RSVP.

For more information, click the button below:

Some photos of my solo show at Woman Made Gallery

Last Call - Show Ends June 11

My solo exhibition at Woman Made Gallery ends next week on June 11. This is the final weekend to view the show. The gallery is open Wed - Sun. Please stop by if you haven't already!

Time to pack up the artwork...

womanmade.org

Another Shadow Image


Not sure where these images are going, (or if this is going anywhere) but it was just something I wanted to photograph. The quality of light and shapes of the shadows are so transitory, and so pleasing to the eye. Here you can see the newly sprung leaves through the inclusion of them in the frame, and also through the shadowed patterns on the wall. The bare braches of the Catalpa tree serve as a reminder of the past season. A study of early May.

Opening Reception a Success! ...Now What?

The opening for my solo exhibition at Woman Made was an absolute success! A ton of friends, colleagues, and yes even my students came to see the show. I arrived early around 5:45, and the next thing I new it was 8:45 and the opening was nearly over. What a whirlwind! I also sold a piece - Lily at the Table.


At the opening, someone asked me, "So what's next?" What a great question! I have several ideas for photographs and new bodies of work. So a pursuit of these new ideas will be something I'm focusing on now. Also, where else to exhibit the work? For a long time, I imagined my work at Woman Made Gallery, so now that I've checked that off my list, it's time to find new venues. And that is the trickiest part of this profession if you ask me!

New Photos
Summer is nearly here. One more week of classes and then I can really focus on my own work. Now that things are slowing down a bit, I actually have time to look back at some of the photos I've shot recently. I've got 2 images that I really like of the windows in my living room. I think I have a visual obsession with these windows. Their appearance changes so much throughout the day, and also with the seasons. These two were taken in winter & early spring.

Late Winter
The blinds are down. It's February and I just woke up. I'm headed into the kitchen to make coffee. My feet are cold. The sun shines bright through the bare trees, casting shadows on the blinds. It almost looks like it could be warm outside, but I know better than to think so.

Early Spring
On a mid-April afternoon, I am fascinated by the layering of limbs, shadows, and brick wall as seen through one of my 3 living room windows. I can feel spring coming. Any day now.

Intimate Distance - Opens this Friday, May 1


Wow - can't believe it is just around the corner! I'm going to the gallery this afternoon to help hang the show. Hopefully there will be a good turnout for the opening. I know there are lots of other Chicago art events going on. But you should definitely check out this event!

Where:
Woman Made Gallery
685 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL
(between Chicago and Grand on Milwaukee Ave)

When:
Friday May 1, 2009
6-9 pm

See you there!

Solo Show opens in 2 weeks

If you want to preview the exhibition, you can check Woman Made Gallery's website: click here

I'll be dropping off my work this Sunday. Getting excited and... okay slightly nervous, about the big day.


Portrait Photography Showcase - TOMORROW!

This is also the last week of my After School Matters program at Wells High School. We will have our final showcase tomorrow. Yesterday we mounted prints, combined the text from student journaling with the photographs, and assembled portfolios. I think we are ready to go!



I just love all of these kids... so glad to have the experience of working with them. But I'm also looking forward to a little more "me" time after this week!

Hooked Purse - Finally Done!

The hooking part was so much fun, but I kept putting off the assembling and sewing part. I realized I don't really like to sew much... it is too tedious, and you don't get to think about color the way you do when you are hooking. But the purse is done now, and I think it looks pretty good.