Research Blog: The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms

"The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms" is a comprehensive illustrated glossary comprising over 2400 terms commonly used to describe vascular plants. The book also provides definitions to botanical terminology.

I am head over heels with this book. I have always been attracted to anatomical drawings of skeletons, animals and plants. While I have seen much beautiful sketches with color, the best thing about this book is the lengthy definitions. I have never been exposed to this language outside of the absolute bare minimum given in high school biology.

Have you heard of any of this?

hose-in hose: The unusual arrangement of flowers in some forms of Primula vulgaris (Primrose and P.veris (cowslip), in which the flowers are in pairs, one growing from the center of the other. (page 97)

(They even provide a cross reference image!!!)

corymb: A racemose inflorescence with pedicels of different lengths, causing the flower cluster to be flat-topped. (page 122)

rhizophore: In the genus Selaginella, a leaf-less branch which arises from the fork in the stem and grows downwards, putting out roots when it reaches the ground
(page 208)

(This is pretty crazy looking)

The natural wonders, that even small plants provide. The only thing I wish about this book was that it would also list information where these plants are most commonly found. The glossary also had some great visual information on leaves.


It seems that I have used a variety of compound leaves, Paripinnate as well as Tripinnate. In some of my other compositions I have used Palmatifid leaves as well as Pinnnatisect leaves, both classified as "simple leaves." I found studying this book and learning the scientific terminology for my subject really interesting. I look forward to learning more about botany. I included some pages from the book that were pretty interesting.

Artist Lecture #4: Amy Hauft

Amy Hauft is the chair of the Sculpture Department here at Virginia Commonwealth University Last night she gave a very brief lecture at the Anderson Gallery where her piece, "Counter Re-formation" is installed.

Hauft generally works to create large architectural pieces, intending for the sculpture to resemble a landscape. Hauft explained that landscapes and "arcane" craft are very essential to her artistic process. I didn't know what arcane meant, but I looked it up:

arcane-adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matter.

This would make sense, as Hauft delved into the historical background behind her piece. The center of the work was a small sugar sculpture staircase inspired by a wooden model she had seen in at a Cooper Hewit show. She related the wooden staircase to a DNA strand and was so interested in the model that she convinced the curators at the museum to allow her to measure the piece. Hauft has replicated the staircase using melted sugar cane to twice the original size.
Speaking about her technique, I learned that the use of sugar is indeed an arcane craft, having been frequently used in the 16th and 17th century. Hauft sought out Ivan Day, a culinary artist who specializes in the ephemeral art in cooking. Ivan Day provided antique cookbooks and taught Hauft the craft of sugar molding.

Hauft provided insight into this obsolete art form. Apparently the artisans used these sugar sculptures as a way to imitate porcelain, due to the high price of porcelain craft. By the Baroque Era, the artisans had mastered the medium so well that they could create intricate small gardens. By exploring this time period, Hauft was also inspired to incorporate a dessert table modeled after a table Louis XIV has possessed.

The overall goal of the piece is for the viewer to experience a physical experience they would have in the outdoors. The table and it's contents are supposed to imply an icy landscape. Hauft mentioned that she was inspired by the heavy snowdrifts that would cover cars. Another important aspect of this piece was the inclusion of a staircase. "Couner Re-formation" had been previously shown at the University of Western Michigan. At this location, the audience had accessibility to viewing the art from above. Due to some of architecutal set backs, Hauft installed a staircase so that the viewers of the piece have the opportunity to view the piece in a similar matter. Hauft believes that the best way to understand how everything is in relation to each other is to have an above view. This sculpture functions to allow everyone a strong physical experience within the space.

Application for Show #3: Smithsonian magazine 7th Annual Photo Contest

This is the image that I submitted:

Artist Research: Kate Bingaman-Burt

I was looking through some of my notebooks and came across my notes from Penelope Umbrico's visiting artist lecture at VCU. She had mentioned that she was represented by Jen Beckman, whose site 20x200.com hosts an array of work from different artists for sale. I went to research the site and began to review all the presented work. I was immediately drawn to Kate Bingaman-Burt. This would be seemingly obvious since her work is based on consumerism. Burt sketches simplistic yet detailed (view her work and you'll understand what I mean) of her daily purchases. This can all be seen on her blog, creatively titled, Obsessive Consumption:What Did you buy today?. Through her careful documentation, we are exposed to what seems like a quite normal purchasing habits. Movie tickets, small snacks, stamps, beer are just the beginning of her drawing subjects. Her work really puts into perspective how much we really do spend.

I found her work interesting because for awhile I thought about saving all my receipts and seeing how I could include them in my work. However, I was unable to figure out how to do it an aesthetically pleasing matter. Burt succeeds in creating whimsical images paired with short captions. From this, we are provided with even more information. In a sketch done on November 5th 2009, Burt sketches out three tall pint glasses of beer, each captioned with the names of her friends, Zach and Frank and herself. This inclusion of material broadens our vision of the artist. She has already exposed herself through the presentation and record of her newly obtain personal belongings and experiences. I found her work similar to a visual diary.

By reviewing her blog, I realized I had actually seen her work at a show in 1708 gallery in Richmond only a few months ago. She had great images on her blog of First Friday which totally bums me out because I was there. After doing these weekly blogs I always have the desire to meet the artist personally, or hear them speak in a lecture. Who knows? I could have walken right by her.

Kate Bingaman-Burt now works as an assistant professor at Portland State University. She has this pretty crazy online introduction to herself online. This, you gotta see. Once you see this page, you'll understand why this blog entry has included so many links.

Research Blog: Early Post for Thursday 11/26

I will not have access to internet for awhile due to the holidays and my stay with my grandparents. Ahh, technology... it has not been received by everyone yet.

My process has been cut short by the company, Blue Sun Prints. After ordering sun sensitized fabric from this company awhile ago, I just found out today that my order was mixed up and I will be receiving these materials on Dec 3rd. This is 11 days from our final critique in my class.

This is just a heads up to other photographers and enthusiasts who are interested in using this product. Allow yourself space and time for error, but then again...I guess that is how it is with everything in life.

I also did some further Artist Research this week on Mark Dion. I am particulary interested in his work, Neukom Vivarium. This is a large hemlock tree that he found outside of Seattle. He was able to rescue the tree from a protected watershed area before it rotted. Working with a team, Dion had a greenhouse built to encase the tree and created an exhibit for the Seattle Art Museum. Visitors are engaged into seeing the natural process of the decay of the tree as well as the other natural partners and company that the tree has inhereted (plants, bacteria, and insects). I am fascinated by this piece as it allows you to participate in the viewing of an life process. I plan on continuing to study Mark Dion's work especially this piece, as it addresses the life span of an organic being.

Artist Entry: Nellie Appleby

Nellie Appleby identifies herself as a "plant lisason." She is a former student of my current professor. Appleby began her studies in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Virginia and then moved on to receive her masters from Virginia Commonwealth University. I was fortunate to hear Nellie Appleby speak about her work almost a year ago when she stopped by to give a short visiting artist lecture.

Appleby creates photograms on light senstive fabric which she then pairs with other objects, creating a mixed media sculpture. Her pieces usually entail live plants and televisions sets, a series she has named, "Complicating Matters and Scenarios". I wish I could remember more about this particular piece, but my memory is foggy and I could not find an artist statment.

I do recall that she seemed deeply passionate about nature especially gardens. She grew and maintained several gardens around Richmond and New York, even succeeded in creating even her own minituare lawn. I believe she desired to do so in order to bring some greenery to the urban landscape.

One of my favorite photographs are those taken at night time in her garden. Titled, "nocturnal garden" has an air of mysticim and romanticism. The highlighted areas show the wildness of the garden and Appleby herself, reflective and examining her surroundings.

Nellie Appleby has taken several other natural projects underway. Having worked with Tricyle Gardens, a group dedicated to organic gardening in Richmond, Virginia, Appleby has launched Kitchen Garden Builders and Coaching. This program is designed to help people learn how to gorw their own food organically. Appleby is a strong advocate for enviromental justice, her work and strong involvement in gardening is very admirable, even more so during this "go green" era.

I am very inspired by her actions. I know that she is currently doing an artist residency in the keys to continue her work. From her blog, The Pleasures of Gardening, Appleby has a lot of exposure to the outdoors. I have recently asked my friend Griffin who has a farm if I could come help this summer. I am very curious about how things grow. Hopefully I will get some interesting farm adventures some day...

Research Blog

I just had a meeting with Tom today and he suggested that I begin to look at live nature. Things that are growing and developing, a.k.a not dead. I think that my work will envelop a progression. Therefore, I want to move away from the leaves, which are fallen and dead and make head way into thriving plants.

Tom also mentioned the Great Big Greenhouse. This is large greenhouse is located in Richmond. They host a variety of plants, ranging from your typical herbs to exotic tropical plants, such as banana trees. I plan to make a trip to this greenhouse very soon.

I think that by incorporating live plants will lead me in a positive direction and show my own personal growth away from my consumerism towards a natural environment. I think this will also inspire me to create work towards my original desire, an introduction to a natural environment and the beginning of removing myself from an overwhelmingly product filled area.

Artist Lecture #3: Shimon Attie

Due to my Jewish heritage, I felt a bond between myself and Shimon Attie's work. The first piece he presented, "The Writing on the Wall" was created in one of Berlin's former Jewish quarter. Attie projected old historical images of former Jewish buisnesses and homeowners on the remaining buildings. He would these moments at nightime using color slide film and a very slow shutter speed. The result of this were powerful ghostly images. I could not recognize any of the samples of historical images, but somehow I felt deeply connected. This may be due to my Jewish upbringing, and numerous trips to the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C and Yad Vashem, the memorial museum in Israel. Since I was a child, I have always have been exposed to these historial images. I felt that Attie's work was very symbolic. Attie spoke that he saw this piece as, "time burning through the facade of the present."

In 1995, Attie worked in Coppenhagen to produce "Portraits of Exile" which was shown infront of the Danish Parliament building. He built 9 large underwater light boxes which contained imagery of refugees. He explained that his presentation under water was due to the various implications of water as a means of transit, safety and immigration. He also saw water as a medium of memory and described the work as "almost like fish csoming up for air but not making it." Attie showed us this piece on a video recording but I feel like this artwork is somethig that must be seen in person. The physical image of the piece constantly changes due to the weather, the ripples of the canal and the fish that swim directly above the piece.

With each presenation of artwork, Attie described briefly the historical background of each piece. I was mystified by the stories and information, many of which was new to me. Attie's video installation, "The Attraction of Onlookers: Aberfan, an Anatomy of a Welsh Village" was created to commermorate the 40th Anniversary of the tragedy of this Welsh Village. In 1966, Aberfan, a small Welsh Village suffered from a tragedy which Attie compared to as a, "Welsh Pompei," 120 chidren were immediatly killed by an accidental man made avalance of coal runoff which consumed the only elemtary school. This event robbed the village of their privacy, and from then on they were plagued by the media which bombarded the town. The village commissioned Attie to do this piece to somehow commemorate the event in a new light. Attie worked directly with the villagers to create this artpiece. The villagers were filmed in their community role within the village, as the village dancer, mayor, hardcore singer or sometimes in groups on a rotating stage. The subjects were beautifully lit and held stagnant poses as they were rotated for the film. The imagery was paired with somber music, which made it seem like a disturbing music box. Attie's goal was to help the village universalize it's story and to work as a guide towards normality.

The only thing that bothered me about Attie's presentation of his work was how he reffered to his subjects within the piece. "Every Welsh village has a dancer..." "Every Welsh village has a Southeast Asian Store Owner..." This seemed very stereotypical and made me question his claims to feeling a very strong trie to this village. Overall, Shimon Attie's work is a reminder of the progression and change we have made from our past. He requests us to rekindle and hold on to dear memories, something that will be successful for communal thoughts and dreams.

Mid Term Critique Video Response

After looking at my video recording, I was very surprised. I have a terrible fear of public speaking--no matter what size, environment, audience, I have always had problems. This was not very evident in the video. I have had some experience with video in the classroom from my Art Education classes. One of my biggest problems last time was that I played with my hair too much. I avoided this by putting my hair up, and this prevented me from touching my hair.

When I first moved to the classroom, I was clutching my notebook to my chest, which only a few seconds in, I put it down behind me. My voice did not seem to waver and appears to be friendly and inviting. This is all well and good, but I do have some critiques of my presentation.

Pitch and tonality DOES matter.

When I begin to explain my process, my voice raises:

"I started by scanning leaves in..." '
(DUH, obviously, the change in tone seems as if I question it. CONFIDENCE!)

After the whole explanation: "I think this is what I am trying to address?"
(TRYING?!!! Well, yeah, figure it out already, you better know what you are trying to address!)
I think this happened because I lack confidence in my topic, I had not done enough research for me clearly speak about my work. More research must be done!


When asked about the presentation:
My total appearance changed, I clasp my hands and begin to shift.
I was not happy about the presentation, two of the frames showed the work differently by not having clear backings. That is why I was not confident in explaining the presentation of work.

When the Q and A started:
-I was not very good at answering people's questions, which calls for more preparation.
-I admitted to Ashleigh when she noted that it seemed like I just clumped two things I like
together. I was also rude to Ashleigh when she tried to explain how to use the chlorophyll in leaves in printmaking. I interrupted her, not okay! (I'm sorry!)

I think overall, my presentation went better that I expected, I have a lot of work to do more so in the research department than the actual physical work. I also learned that I have to be absolutely confident in what I am putting up on the wall. If I am not ecstatic about, who will be?

Research Post 11/5/09

After my midterm critique and in preparation of my powerpoint presentation, I tried to write out an artist statement. I found myself doing more external research just to write this, so I ended up not including it in my powerpoint presentation. Here it is, an attempt for me to find new leads and more information:

I have always been very curious about people’s habits. Our mannerisms are heavily influenced by our environment, culture, and time. In comparison from the past, present day society has bypassed the tendencies of the old, and has surged forward welcoming new norms and advances in lifestyle.

Last year, I worked on a conceptual piece, which addressed childhood play. I was interested in investigating traditional staples of play. This project was brought on by my own insecurities of growing up. From this artwork, I was given the opportunity to remember and relearn these activities. I also gained valuable experience and a foot in the door with youth. While I was working on this project, I functioned not only as an artist, but also as a student and a keen observer.

Although this generation shared many of the traditional games and entertainment that I had experienced, there is now advanced play technology. I researched on the Toys “R” Us website and they advertise a basic laptop being appropriate for a 5-7 year old child. Among the top selling items for a 5-7 age group are Nintendo D-S and various Nintendo games. This change to technological entertainment is mainly due to our advanced technology. What I can’t seem to ignore is that this is very wrong. As long as the human race has been on this world, children have always been encouraged to go outside and play. Books and movies have shown cultures where children frolick outside and engage in nature. This simple activity of simpley setting foot outdoors has diminished greatly. There has been voiced concerns that children drown away infront of a television or in videogames. I have always thought that engaging in nature is the springboard for imagination. I am horrified to think that children will not experience the wonders of the world due to our own damage to this planet. What could only be worse is that they don’t even care to have that experience.

However, my piece is not meant for a children’s audience. We too, are guilty of dismissing nature. Most of American society has clamored towards constructing our identities through consumption. We not only clothe, stylize ourselves but also our environment to express ourselves. I believe that the reason for this behavior is due to the exposure of mass marketing material. On the television, we watch as advertisements flash their products every ten minuets. In a magazine, you have to flip through at least 50 adds prior to an article. In our own homes, coupons and paper advertisements visit us daily if not weekly almost like viruses hoping to push their products into your life.

My artwork is a reminder to pause and examine our own lifestyles. I want this piece to convince the viewer to explore simplicity and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Research Blog

Last week I presented a few of my images to classmates during my midterm critique. At the very end, I mentioned that I planned on doing sun prints on fabric. I did some research and found this company: Blue Sunprints

I was delighted to see that they have a community website for Blue Sunprints, however absolutely no one has joined the group. How sad! They have a link for projects, and a discussion board. The site has been in use since 2008...

I'm hoping to use the leaf scans that I have printed on transparency as my photographic negative. By creating these cyanotypes on fabric I am hoping to mimic the generic artwork they sell at the popular home improvement stores.

This fabric is super pricey, but they come in loads of fun colors and I have the option to print on silk OR cotton.

Here are some examples of fabric cyanotypes found on google images:



I am very very excited.

Research

Product!! Finally!!

Artist Lecture #2: Brian Ulrich

I was amused by Brian Ulrich's lecture. He continuously was poking fun and dropping jokes about his work. Ulrich is a dedicated artist; constantly traveling cross country to shoot and his allegiance to film is very admirable. He shoots with a medium format, using 4x5 and 8x10 view waist level viewfinder which is extremely difficult given the lighting situations he accouters. The advantage of using these cameras, Ulrich succeeded in capturing many close portraits of people in public settings. He explained that this is credited to not having to hold the camera up to his face. The downside of using these large cameras is shooting in variety of low light settings. I laughed when Ulrich claimed that for one of his shots, he had to grab a shopping cart and balance his camera.

Ulrich's work addresses consumerism, pertaining to something he called "Patriotic Shopping." This idea derived from his perception of the event, 9/11 and President Bush's request to fix the downsizing American economy by calling for Americans to shop. Ulrich began his quest to capture the emotions of a shopping war-zone. Starting at loading and unloading zones at the various mega stores of IKEA, Target and Costco, his images reflect a seemingly trance state of the buyers. Their physical actions; of holding products, reaching for items, pushing shopping carts all implicate these mega stores of intimidating shoppers to make a purchase. Ulrich explains that there is a sort of pilgrimage to these stores and after being exhausted of touring through a maze of aisles, one would feel that they HAD to buy something after all the time spent. Ulrich continued to research and dissect this topic by photographing not only the shoppers but also the architecture of these consumer spaces. He mentions that these stores don't want you to photograph their property because they don't want you to begin to hyper analyze. Thus, just by his decisive action to photography these spaces, his work becomes political.

Ulrich's work that is probably most well-known is his "Dark Stores," series. Using a variety of online resources including google maps, he sought out closed mega stores and malls. This obsession lead him all over the country and he found many of these treasure troves hidden away. There, he generally photographed them in the dead of the night and encountered everything from foxes to lonely security guards.

These photographs gave me a strange sense of hope. I've always felt strongly about small privately own businesses being overrun by corporations and mega stores. Seeing stores such as Circuit City and Toys-R-Us being abandoned seemed ironic to me. Perhaps Ulrich's images seem like a boding prediction, a case study being put together, to show the up rise and downfall of a consumer society.

*I'm having trouble posting pictures. They will be coming soon*

Show progress

I'm really excited to be having a show in the Commons Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University. I just received a notice from Annmarie Gardens, I was not accepted to participate in their "Glow" show. Pretty bummed. On the bright side, at least I can look forward to one show!

Artist Lecture: 10/5: Penelope Umbrico

"Penelope Umbrico devises systems in which image, object, or information is excised and re-contextualized. Taking the parts of images that are used in consumer media as peripheral
devices to elicit desire, Umbrico points to the construct of desire by making these fragments into the desired object." This was how the artist lecture for Penelope Umbrico was advertised for on campus. Initially, I was very intrigued about her work. I am currently trying to devise a project based around consumerism.

I'd like to name her the "Bad Girl of Photography," due to her claims of purposely trying to do everything wrong. The reason for this is that all of her work is somehow appropriated. She samples hundreds of images from magazines, catalogs and the Internet. One of her works in particular, "Suns from Flickr," consists of a collection of 2,000 or so sun images she has found via Flickr. None of these images are her own. The final piece is truly stunning, a collage of vivid colors and bright orbs. However, knowing that she has appropriated these images, my feelings for her work have changed. I can't quite put a finger on it, I don't know if I am offended or upset, but something about it doesn't sit right with me. Umbrico acknowledges that her work is controversial, but doesn't seem to show any remorse for her process.

Another one of her pieces that I enjoyed was her work based on Home Improvement. Umbrico explained about how after 9/11 she had discovered that stock had decreased in every category except Home Improvement and Arts and Crafts. This somehow inspired her to meticulously search through Home Improvement catalogues such as Potterybarn and Crate and Barrel for various motifs. She had a particular interest towards mirrors, windows, casually flung clothing and books. I really enjoyed her language when she discussed this work. She described the mail catalogues as, "invasive, intervening into your home without your permission." Therefore she was determined to photograph or use the photographs in a way to display them as viruses. This part of lecture really stuck to me, because it was very similar to the discussion I had with Jeff only a few days ago.

My favorite piece is her "Mirror (from catalogs) 2002-2007. These were images that she took directly from the mail-order catalogues and brochures which displayed idealized room suits. She then scanned the mirrors, and then enlarged the images to the dimensions of the actual size of the mirror being sold in the catalogue. They were then printed on Plexiglass. Umbrico explained this series as her interest in the profound sense of disappearance when there is a lack of mirrors.

Umbrico states, "While the mirrors in the catalogs serve to locate the viewer within the space by reflecting what would be behind him/her, all the seductive trappings arranged in the mirror's reflection become surrogates for the missing reflection of the viewer-the viewer witnesses his/her own disappearance and replacement by sell able objects." While she was explaining this, I was completely fascinated in the small details found in the reflection of these mirrors. I mainly found glimpses of a garden or a flower stem. I found that this particular display of mirrors gave the viewer a sense of voyeurism. There was something enticing about the minimal information that could be obtained within these mirrors.

I don't agree with Umbrico's process for her artistic pieces but I was very impressed by her work. She has inspired me to look into different materials and sources to create artwork. Here are some images of her work:

To see more of Penelope Umbrico's work, click.

Application for Show #2: Glow

Yesterday I applied for another show. Glow, an annual show hosted by Annmarie Garden is located in Solomons, Maryland. Their sculpture park and arts center is a branch of the Smithsonian Institution.

The call for entry invites artists working with the medium or subject of light. From their adventirsement, it sounds very similar to the InLight show in Richmond. They are looking for a variety of works including "neon, fiber optics, LED, luminous substances, light graffiti, projects and other electrical or digital manifestations." Luckily for me, they are also accepting two dimensional works dedicated to experimenting with light.

A CD with my match images along with the paper application was sent of yesterday!
Wish me luck!

Artist Research: Tara Donovan

I bumped into Jeff this week at a visiting artist event. I briefly gave him an update on my work and was told to check out Tara Donovan. I was delighted to see that she is a Virginia Commonwealth Alumni.

Donovan has a long list of accomplishments, including several prestigious awards. Among these are the MacArthur "genius" award as well as the Calder Prize in 2005. Her work has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Donovan constructs natural forms from everyday items such as buttons, Styrofoam cups, paper plates, fishing wire and drinking straws. Transforming these materials into organic forms, Donovan convinces the viewer that these sculptures are natural gems plucked from the environment. Clouds and algae seem to be a few of the organic shapes that have been meticulously crafted. Donovan applies a consistent technique, layering and piling these common goods to assure a seamless piece--the viewer is unaware of the materials used until close examination. These sculptural landscapes invite us to be aware of our surroundings and our use of the everyday objects.

Artist Research: Helen Nodding

Free People, a clothing line hosts a blog which explores and celebrates art culture. I check their blog quite frequently, and I went back through their postings to find Helen Nodding.

Helen Nodding, also known as Lady Bird, is based in London England. She creates miniature utopian worlds in urban settings. Nodding's work incorporates many natural elements. From her bug bridges to her moss graffiti, Nodding explores how nature can overcome the urban landscape.

In her series, "Nature Reserve," Nodding builds majestic residences for insects. This project was inspired by her childhood activities of building small gardens in tupperware housing collected ladybirds. She refers to these as "Insect architecture," which includes a house on stilts for ants and other humble dwellings for the small creatures. All of these are temporary pieces,

made completely by natural materials which last only a few days.

The work that I am most attracted to is "Secret Worlds." Nodding constructs minuscule villages in unnoticed spaces. I enjoy this concept because it's amazing to think how much we overlook our environment. Exploring seems to be a foreign concept, or a rarity for those who work. This not only applies to the working class, but even children are hard to engage in the fantastical aspects of the great outdoors. Nodding's work is a sound reminder to maintain imagination and wonder.

To see more of Helen Nodding's work. clicky.

Artist Research: Todd Weaver

Through various recommendation links on the blog of one of my favorite photographers, Amanda Friedman, I found Todd Weaver. His website only displays his photography portfolio and a comment area, so I did some research through Google to find out more. I found an interview at Quphoto which is a web domain building website. At one point, Weaver was the featured photographer of the month.

Todd Weaver tried his hand at photography after working in LA as a lighting tech and electrician on music video/commercial sets. He has succeed in creating a beautifully crafted portfolio which shows beautifully lit scenes of single frame narratives. Weaver discusses his work in the interview saying, "I think my style is a mixture of that photo journalistic or captured moments angle, along with with a loosely directed narrative that often evokes a sense of voyeurism." He works to ensure a sense of mystery in his photographs.

I was delighted to find an entire section of his portfolio titled, " At Play." This showed adults having fun and kicking back. Many of these were taken at the beach while a few seem to be documented from a park kick ball game. In every photo, the subjects seem to be at ease and completely comfortable around the camera. I enjoy the documentary style in this series, the models' actions read as genuine and real.

Here are some examples of his work. Weaver clearly states at the top of his website that all of his images have been copyrighted. I had to use the Grab tool on my computer to take some on screen shots. I'm emailing Weaver to make sure he won't mind me doing this for our online class room purpose. If they disappear, well, then, you know why.






If you want to check out more of Todd Weaver's work...

Application for Show #1: Student Art Space

This past Friday I applied for the Student Art Space in the Commons building at VCU. This space is sponsored by the Anderson Gallery giving students an outlet display their work. I entered in my "Food Fight vs. Food Love" series. Hope it gets in!

By this point you should have three entries posted on your personal blog. Make sure to review the guidelines I sent out over Bb/email this afternoon.

Artist Work: Sharon Montrose

Sharon Montrose is a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles. Her main subjects? Dogs! The animal lover has also managed to photograph a variety of creatures ranging from ducks to alligators. Montrose must have obtained the Dr. Dolittle charm to create such fine work. Her animal portraits capture personality and spunk from each character.

Montrose also photographs children and families. Yet her photographs read differently than most portraits. I was enchanted by the wonders and ease of child play. Here are some examples of work:







Photographs by Shanon Montrose at http://sharonmontrose.blogspot.com

These photographs struck a chord. Perhaps it's the stress with school, but I long for those days again. The days when a bed sheet floating above my head would cause shrieks of laughter and snuggling--promises of a carefree day.