Mother’s Day

Here in Chapel HIll, Mother’s Day often coincides with Commencement. I had occasion to be on campus twice this week First, giving an old girlfriend a tour of my old stomping grounds, and then, photographing friends of mine, a married couple 7 months pregnant. 

Thoughts of love and support crowded out my usual nostalgia for the day some 25 years ago when I was wearing my cap and gown and strolling these grounds. My sister and I graduated the same day and our parents and grandparents were all in attendance, witnessing the culmination of a lifetime of nurturing us to get to this point. And here I was with dear friends who were about to begin the same journey while all around us families gathered proudly around their own loved ones who were wearing the light blue mortar board.

As if the universe were in tune to my sentiments, It kept pointing out to me all these carvings in trees and tables and such (always a favorite subject of mine), that were scattered around places like the Forest Theatre and the Coker Arboretum. Enduring symbols that mark time and love and the passage of the same. All in all, it served me well, coming away with these images and a grateful attitude for the love and support and wonderful relationships and adventures I have had that fill that timeline.

The ArtsCenter: Opening Reception for the 2012 Annual Photo Contest →

The Opening Reception for the 2012 Annual Photo Contest will be held in at the Center Gallery on May 11, 6-9pm, in conjunction with the 2nd Friday ArtWalk.  Winners will be announced at the opening, and this year’s photo contest judge, Bryce Lankard, will be on hand to discuss the show. 

I hope we get a good turnout for this opening. I know I had a lot of fun judging this event. And I promise there is a ton of very remarkable work to be seen. 

In addition, Kate Tennison has posted an interview with me on the ArtsCenter blog. Poor girl, I know I talked her ear off, in a rambling disjointed manner. Too much information pouring out of me as usual. And that is how her post reads. For better or worse, if you want to check it out… it is here. 

http://artscenterlive.org/blog/interview-photographer-bryce-lankard

Two Opening in Two nights.

I was able to attend my first opening at Carrack Modern Art in Durham. A very engaging show of modern primitive paintings by Charlotte based Columbian artist MALO. I got to meet one of Carrack’s organizers, Laura, and found their format for artists quite unique and their space a pleasant reminder of a NYC loft. Also got to meet local photographer Jim Lee and had engrossing conversations with him and my running partner for the evening, Steven Silverleaf. 

http://thecarrack.org/home

And the next night I found myself back in Durham, this time with Lori Vrba, at Through this Lens gallery. Roylee Duvall was having a show by the very imaginative Doug Prince. Doug gave a small talk about the arc of his creative process, from the days of darkroom magic to his current use of photoshop in the digital realm. Also on loan where a couple of his 3D photo boxes that were mesmerizing. “Layers” seemed to be a key ingredient to his work throughout. Both Lori and I found ourselves shaking our heads at the realization that some of his work, which seemed quite fresh, was in fact created in the mid 60’s. Ran into Jim Lee again and have not yet decided if he is stalking me or I him.

http://www.throughthislens.com/

Lori Vrba's one night stand →

One of the many pleasures of having moved back to Carrboro is that I am now practically neighbors with the talented Lori Vrba. I have payed close attention to Lori’s projects since first seeing her work at the Labor of Love gallery in Durham. Since then I have seen her work at the Annuale at the Light Factory in Charlotte and followed her growing success with the Jennifer Schwartz Gallery in Atlanta. But perhaps the most remarkable of all these was her one night show of her Piano Farm work at a run down historic home in New Orleans during the 2010 PhotoNOLA festival. And now, a full year later, PDN has done a great article that highlights this project. The amount of work that went into this very brief exhibition was astounding and it has been attracting accolades using terms such as “the now legendary”, etc. I consider myself lucky that I was in attendance and equate this to being able to claim such things as… “I was at woodstock.”

I am looking forward to being in Vrba’s proximity and hope that some of her magic will rub off on me. In the meantime, if you are unaware of Lori’s work, this article is a good start.

Arts Center Photo Contest: Call for entries →

Click on the link above for the call for entries info. I am pleased to announce that I am the juror for this great event. I look forward to seeing all the entries and meeting all the artists at the opening event. Enter OFTEN!!!!

Here is the radio spot on “Arts Spot” that we recorded for WCHL radio promoting the Photo Contest. enjoy.

Classes at the Carrboro Arts Center. →

I have 3 different classes upcoming at the Carrboro Arts Center. a workshop in cyanotypes, in toy cameras, and my “defining your vision” portfolio class. Sign up now or tell a friend.

Fork Horse Trials.

Just getting back from shooting one of my favorite eventing venues. The Fork Stables in Norwood, NC. With my good friend Shannon Brinkman, the master of this realm. I find the grounds to be extremely beautiful. I will also try to post a few images of the action from the event.