Artist in Residence
March/April Journal
Thoughts as Artist-in-Residence:
Sky over eaa
gelatin silver print
2009
Bent oak by shore
gelatin silver print
2009
bridge over lake louise
gelatin silver print
2009
cattails in early spring
gelatin silver print
2009
morning light on the fox river
gelatin silver print
2009
oak still dressed in winter leaf
gelatin silver print
2009
two oaks by shore
gelatin silver print
2009
pier
gelatin silver print
2009
afternoon light on the his back
gelatin silver print
2009
open view of temple
gelatin silver print
2009
sky over eaa with plane
gelatin silver print
2009
As I take time to reflect upon my recent recorded photographic moments in these warming months of Spring, the lessons of an active life come clear. The bounty of hard work and creative submersion balanced with the joys and tasks of everyday life have begun to blend into one big beautiful experience.
My lessons have been simple but profound: passion feeds passion, engage in all possibilities and opportunity is everywhere and in everything. Photography is proving to be a process of never-ending discovery of place, subject and self.
As a photographer, the connection to my equipment is an essential element to the success of fulfilling my creative vision. The camera must become an extension of myself. This comes only with dedicated use and passionate practice – both of which this residency has afforded me.
I continue to keep my process as minimal as possible. I need no batteries or high-tech gadgets to guide me. I use a Hasselblad body, considered medium format, with two lovely lenses. A handheld light meter for my settings and a loupe - to achieve critical focus - placed directly on the ground glass of the camera. I use only one brand of film: Ilford Delta 100 -- that gives me twelve square exposures per roll and outstanding results in the darkroom.
The camera is my eye, the film is my canvas and the print is my final expression weaving all the elements of the experience into one.
When working I become very meditative. I allow everyday thoughts to fade back letting my subject matter be my only concern. The rest of the world melts away. In this solitude I glimpse moments of grace unparalleled.
Connecting with American Masters: Edward Steichen and Carl Sandburg
Edward Steichen
American (1879 – 1973)
Carl Sandburg – Montage
1936
Gelatin Silver Print
In honor of National Poetry Month this April, I’ve chosen to share a poem by Carl Sandburg that is dedicated to the American master photographer -- Edward Steichen.
Edward Steichen is heralded as one of the most famous photographers in the history of American art. However, by his accounts, his most rewarding passion was gardening. Steichen became an expert at growing and breeding the glorious delphinium.
Here is the ode Carl Sandburg wrote of his beloved friend and brother-in-law:
Out of the Rainbow End
(for Edward Steichen)
A delphinium flings a shadow
with a rooted stalk –
a personal shadow.
Each silhouette documents
designs and dooms woven
between shape and shadowshape.
You may add two delphiniums
with seeds lighted in soil
with stalks prepared in loam
toward the upheave into bloom
when stalk and leaves find a path
hold a rocketform of blue
hold it in a velvet stillstand.
In a summer daybreak rain
a huddle of delphiniums
across spikes of fogblue leaves
out of little mistblue cups
trade meditations on being
shapes and shadowshapes.
Cups and bells nod in the sun,
in the fine dust of the wind:
one newborn delphinium laughing
at the long scroll of marriages
whereby she is the latest child
bringing the bright air her shape,
to the dark earth her shadow.
Shaded out of seven prisms
in choices by living fingers
out of the rainbow end?
Yes and the winds
of many evenings came:
dawns drew in with dew and mist
and the bells of many rains rang.
Soft and lovely
These transients go yet stay
Even their violence goes in velvet.
The portrait to the right by Edward Steichen is included in the upcoming exhibition: Seeing Ourselves: Masterpieces of American Photography from George Eastman House Collections. An interesting note -- both men have a connection to Wisconsin – having lived in Milwaukee at the beginning of the 20th century.
For more on Carl Sandburg: www.nps.gov/carl
For more on Edward Steichen:
www.artnet.com/Galleries/Artists_detail.asp
Meditations on Well Being
Alfred Stieglitz
American (1864-1946)
Georgia O'Keeffe
1922
Platinum print
“Photography is my passion, the search for truth, my obsession.”
- Alfred Stieglitz
More then a century ago, Alfred Stieglitz gave himself to photography in a way no other had yet done. He was all consumed -- passionate, daring and incredibly prolific. In the upcoming exhibition Seeing Ourselves, the image shown here by Stieglitz of his wife, Georgia O’Keeffe, is one of three images by Stieglitz included in the show.
Through out his lifetime he made many thematic series – many portraits of O’Keeffe, scores of images of clouds and, some of my favorites, exquisite photographs of woman’s hands.
Alfred Stieglitz
American (1864-1946)
O'Keeffe Hands and Thimble
1919
When Aaron Sherer, the executive director of The Paine Art Center and Gardens, first contacted me, he shared the details of the residency and the partnership with the Mercy Medical Center. As the benefactor of the residency, the hospital has generously given me full access to photograph the facility. They’ve also encouraged me to contact any of caregivers or physicians at the facility to include in my photographs.
During this initial conversation, Aaron provided a general theme of “well-being” for the body of work to be exhibited at the hospital’s main lobby. Immediately, images of the hand portraits by Alfred Stieglitz came to mind.
As the residency has progressed, I’ve contemplated the concept of well-being and how best to translate it into a visual presentation. Keeping in mind that the audience I will be connecting with will be of a unique and sensitive of nature.
I first needed to define the meaning of well-being on my own terms -- definition that could give insight to an ideal. In keeping with my concept of connecting the community of Oshkosh, I wanted to find an all-embracing definition. What is a key factor? One that that makes a community harmonious, respectful and strong… Balance!
Once I veneered BALANCE to possible imagery, the project began to take shape. Balance in a community, to me, is the sum of all the extraordinary individuals that enrich and share knowledge and guidance in the schools, health care, places of worship and beyond. The balance is found in weaving of all these community services together – creating the opportunity for a well balanced life.
spiritual leader holding torah
gelatin silver print
2009
spiritual leader holding torah-2
gelatin silver print
2009
torah
gelatin silver print
2009
In homage to Stieglitz, I have begun a series of “hand portraits” for exhibition at Mercy Medical Center. Portraits of individuals that are the teachers, spiritual leaders and caregivers within the community. Individuals that contribute to the nurturing of the mind, body and spirit of the citizen’s of Oshkosh. These will be paired with a series of images titled “Peaceful Places.”
My hope is the exhibit of photographs on display in this health care setting will resonate a positive message that the community of Oshkosh is well equipped to see to their every aspect of their well-being. A cross-pollination of services that allow a community to feel their needs can be met with privacy and respect on many complex levels.
With this theme and intention, I have been so fortunate in meeting many amazing and giving individuals. As the project progresses and many more sittings are planned - I feel, privileged to have this opportunity to connect with so many interesting and diverse individuals.
In Remembrance:
Portrait of Helen Levitt
circa 1963
gelatin silver print
Helen Levitt
Kids Dancing, New York
Circa 1940
gelatin silver print
Helen Levitt
Aug. 31, 1913 - March 29, 2009
A major photographer of the 20th century who caught fleeting moments of urban beauty and quiet drama on the streets of her native New York. She lived a quiet, modest life, and died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Manhattan on Sunday March 29, 2009. She was 95.
Her legacy and photographs live on. An image by Ms. Levitt is included in the exhibition Seeing Ourselves: Masterpieces of American Photography from George Eastman House Collections.
Recommended Books:
Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography
Photographs by Edward Steichen with text by Todd Brandow
W. W. & Norton Company, Inc.Georgia O'Keeffe: A Portrait
By Alfred Stieglitz
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.Crosstown
By Helen Levitt with introduction by Francine Prose
Powerhouse BooksHelen Levitt
By Helen Levitt with introduction by Walker Evans
In Association with the Sprengel Museum Hanover
This beautiful children’s book tells the story of a girl born in Wisconsin that grows up to be a painter – this story never fails to inspire my daughter:
My Name Is Georgia: A Portrait
by Jeanette Winter
Harcourt Children's Books
Whimsical and humorous stories that introduce such characters as the Potato Face Blind Man, Henry Hagglyhoagly, The Green Rat, The Blue Wind Boy, and many other Midwestern characters straight off the farm – all by Carl Sandburg created for his own daughters. Sandburg desired to tell "American fairy tales" to match the American childhood experience to replace European style tales filled with royalty and unfamiliar symbolism.
We’ve just started to read aloud a story at night. We’re absolutely hooked!
Rootabaga Stories
By Carl Sandburg with Illustrations by Maud Fuller Petersham, Miska Petersham
Published by Harcourt, Brace and Company,1922
End Notes:
balance
gelatin silver print
2009
As I was ending a day of shooting in Oshkosh, I headed over to Menominee Park in hopes to make a photograph of afternoon light on the back of the Chief Oshkosh sculpture. To my delight, as I arrived in the park on this first warm afternoon in March, two guys had strung a sophisticated-looking strap between my beloved oaks along the shore. This balancing act is called “freestyle slacklining.” Basically it is to cultivate balance on a piece of webbing draped slacked between two anchor points, in this case, the ancient oaks. The webbing is about 30 feet long and just a couple feet off the ground.
Once I felt confident I had captured the sculpture on film, I bravely approached. After meeting the boys, they happily agreed to be photographed. Once I finished my roll of film I removed my penny loafers and with the assistance of both I walked on the line. To say the least - my new friends made it look easy.
Up on the line – looking to the still frozen horizon – I found it so perfectly poetic that I found myself literally finding my BALANCE in my newly adopted city.