Now that April is finally over and done with, I can start to look forward to sunny weather, and with it, create more cyanotypes.

As for deadlines, I missed a huge one. Somewhere in my mind I had the great idea that I would trick myself into believing the deadline for something was earlier than it really was. So, I thought, April 30th was the real deadline, but my idea was to say it was March 30th.

The end of March came and went, and I thought that was OK, I had another few weeks to get it together. Then, after a few days I went to see what notes I had put together on the project and saw the deadline was really April 1. I had missed the deadline.

So, lesson learned, to not only use the calendar and use actual dates, but to look at the calendar more often.

I saw another deadline coming up for something due May 24, but I knew I really didn't have anything I wanted to submit. If anything, the work is ongoing, but the way I think about it has changed.

So this circles back to the angst of the artist statement. Statement of intent. Objective-- whatever you want to call it, I was thinking it was about time I re-thought my statement and try writing with some new perspective. But I haven't.

I keep thinking I need to read more. But the thing is, I also need to write more. I was doing my "morning pages" (see The Artist's Way) and then around the time of the blizzard in February I slacked and then stopped. 

There's always a lot to do. 

On the east coast of the USA, the new year will start in less than nine hours. Every year, for the past dozen or so, I sit down and write out my goals for the upcoming year. I usually do this between Christmas and New Year's Eve. This year, I started my list, without consulting last year's, and stopped about ten or so in. Instead of writing my goals, first I thought, I'll write out what I am grateful for now. 

Here are a few:

1. Ability to swim (both literally and metaphorically)
2. Seeing beauty
   
3. Creative
   
4. Making things an adventure and/or fun
5. Grateful I have things to be grateful for.

Here are some changes I've made in the last year that have helped:

1. I stopped watching TV.  (also: I stopped watching/reading/listening to news.)                         
2. I try to have a good night's sleep.                                                                  
3. I'm more aware of "humor." AND I take things less seriously.
4. I say "no" to naysayers.
5. I find more reasons to celebrate. And to have some bubbly!

Happy New Year!

First, I should mention that both of the CAW workshops were cancelled due to low enrollment. I realize October is a busy month for everyone, myself included. If you thought about taking a photography workshop and then got too busy to remember to register, take heart, as next spring they'll likely be offered again. I hope they will, anyway, but you never know. The good people at Creative Arts Workshop might just believe not enough people are interested.

So, if you're thinking about learning about pinhole photography or making cyanotypes, contact me, [email protected] and I'll let you know how things are looking for CAW for the Spring. If they decide to pass, I might hold the workshops at my Erector Square studio.

Now that it's officially Fall, though the five plus inches of snow that fell yesterday is still around, I'm moving from making UV based photography to planning and researching for my next projects.

I'll also be a visiting artist at Southern Connecticut State University this month. I'm sitting in on a photography class for pinhole photography next week. At the end of the month, leading a workshop with the Artism* class--something I did last Spring. This time, we'll be painting. I'm very excited to get back into the classroom and work with these students. And we get to paint on big canvases. 


* I taught cyanotype photograms earlier this year. It was a lot of fun on a nice sunny day.


More about Artism:
The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University sponsors a research program called Artism. The program consists of weekly art making sessions. The research aims to determine if participation in the Artism lessons increases social competencies in participants and if there are differences between inclusive and non-inclusive settings. 

New This Fall!
When you register for one of my workshops at Creative Arts Workshop New Haven this Fall* I’ll give you a personal FREE three-hour workshop for you and a friend at my Erector Square studio.

Register for both classes, and you and two friends can join you for a three-hour workshop.

Space is limited, so register early to guarantee your
spot!

*
Alternative Photography: Cyanotype Workshop
PH20FA12W
Saturdays, 9:30am - 2:30pm, Sep 22 & 29

Exploring Pinhole Photography
PH22FA12W
Saturdays, 9:30am - 2:30pm, Oct 20 & 27

http://www.creativeartsworkshop.org/html/classes/workshops.html

please feel free to share

I'm adding more things to my pinterest page. Most of the time it's stuff I think is cool but I'm hesitant to put it up on facebook, too much clutter, but also don't want to take too much time to put it up on the web site. It's interesting how click of one button can take care of all of that.

found this blog had images of "bunny Island" and that made it up to Pinterest today.

Now that's it's less than 100 degrees out, I'm going back into production mode.

The studio has been sweltering and I've not been there for more than an hour at a time in over a month. And so, the project I thought I'd have ready to go exactly a month ago is only 25% complete.

So, a few more gulps of coffee, so toast w/honey n butter and I"m out the door to get some work done.

here's hoping the trend continues!

The Cyanotype Workshop at Creative Arts Workshop scheduled for this Saturday, July 14, has been cancelled by CAW. Only three students signed up. The minimum is six, I think. 

So, if you think you want to learn how to make cyanotypes this summer, let me know. 

[email protected]


Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the Fall semester. Details to follow.

I'm gallery sitting at Artspace New Haven on a beautiful, sunny, and hot Saturday afternoon. 

The A/C is cranking. It's nice. Very nice.

Next week is the first day of summer and my 49th birthday,

I've got a big project I'm working on...

My plan is to build 50 pinhole cameras for outdoor installation. They'll be set up in locations with good views and in out-of-the-way sites to help cut down on the possibility they'll be discovered and messed with. 

Part of the concept... hiding in plain site. Trusting others. 

The construction of the cameras is in full production right now. I've got an assembly line going. AS I did last year, I'll be painting the cans in camouflage colors. 

This year I'll be up before sunrise, probably around 4:30 am.