Offroad Photography

Golden Falls, Oregon

The best photos are never right off the road. Sometimes you have to hike. And today, after two full days of carrying a loaded backpack, my tripod, and camera, I'm beat. I'm achey in weird places from the repetitive motive of pulling that camera up to my eye. But oh what things we've seen!

We explored estuaries, deep forest, and salt marshes. We climbed to elevations that made our hearts pound, to be rewarded by sparkling waterfalls and no signs of mankind. Yesterday we followed a suggestion by a local and arrived at a place not on any map, a hiking trail beside a small river crashing through round shiny rocks with eleven waterfalls. We were alone there, and didn't stay as along as we wanted, since the sun sank behind high cliffs and we didn't want to get trapped in the dark.

We've seen seal colonies (and heard them barking). Today we'll see more of them as we make our way to Seal Beach. We're in Yachats now, with an ocean view room, but soon we'll be packing up to make our way north.

Oregon Adventure

Crashing Waves on the Oregon Coast

When I first read the schedule for the four day photography workshop with the famed Moose Peterson, it sounded just like my thing. Get up early, take morning shots, have a midday break, go out in the evening for warm afternoon light, then start all over the next day.

What I got was all that and more. I didn't realize we had to be ready and out in the parking lot at 4:40 am every morning, and that midday breaks were in the conference room, not naptime. And that after the night shoots we were back in the conference room. So for four grueling days I've barely slept, and eaten only one meal. I've fallen asleep in the car, at my computer, and in the conference room. I've eaten apples, cheese and power bars just to keep going.

Shooting in the field meant long hikes to fabulous vistas, arriving at dark, awaiting the first morning light. We'd load up our backpacks with the equipment required for that particular shoot, always carrying towels to cover our camera when it rains, which it did every single day. I panicked in the rain, saltwater and sand, worried about the investment I'd made in my professional equipment, but in the end, we all survived.

Moose himself is bigger than life, and maybe his ego has grown with his renown as a wildlife photographer, but his staff more than makes up for that. Laurie Excell, a phenomenal photographer in her own right, was the best for sharing technical information both in the field and in the classroom. Wacom and Nikon had representatives available at all times. And for daily lighting demonstrations Joe McNally lit up our world.

We have had no internet, nor the time for it, so we've stayed an extra day in North Bend, and after I just slept for 10 hours, feel better, and we'll revisit some of the local areas at a more leisurely pace. And probably eat!

The scenery here is spectacular, and our student slide show last night showed that everyone came away with images to be proud of. Me, too. The one above was shot just last night.

No Delivery Today

I shipped my paintings home from Mendocino, and expected to receive them today - but no delivery. I guess Monday will be soon enough to take them down to the Design District and show them to my client. They've already seen the photos, and have sent them off for projects. All in all from my current perspective the Burridge workshop was good for me.

I've started an experimental project. I know this will undoubtedly sound "crafty", but I've just soaked a National Geographic in CitraSolve. It's something that came from the workshop. The orange oil cleaner reacts with the soy dyes and clay paper, creating some interesting patterns. I happened to have both things in the house at the same time, so I couldn't resist trying it. As always, I'll report back.

Sent off a shipment to my West Coast rep, Capstone Art. He had to wait longer than usual since I had the trip to Mendocino. I'm really happy with the photo paintings I sent out. Nice spa colors, and ocean photographs.

Back in the Real World

I've spent ten days away from TV, newspapers, clocks, internet (for the most part) and cell phones. Amazing!

Today I'm back in the saddle, firing up my computer, downloading and deleting a million emails, throwing away junk mail, and unpacking two heavy suitcases.

Traveling with both painting and photography supplies is very difficult, even with me shipping supplies to the workshop (and back home again).

I would recommend the Burridge workshop to anyone who has any fear of painting and failing. First of all, there is no such thing a failure in my belief system, but Bob is an advocate of getting some paint on the paper by any means. Really any means! He often paints with his fingers, or a paper towel (preferred brand: Viva). If he doesn't like the result, wipes it off, or paints over it. No fear! Very important lesson for a lot of painters, but not me.

Bob is a very positive guy, and proof that practice makes everyone a better painter. We painted all day every day and I have a lot of work to show for it. Of course it's all in the box I shipped home, and won't be here til late in the week.

I had a important revelation. Although I paint by commission, and admittedly produce more paintings that almost any artist (more than Bob even!), I didn't realize that I am painting with intention. I thought that I painted because I got the criteria from a client (which is true), but I also infuse each painting with a meaning that I acknowledge before the first brushstroke. That was an important lesson for me.

After each day of painting, Nancy and I would take our cameras out to explore the magnificent landscape of the area. Haven't even taken time to examine the shots yet, but based on past experience, out of 500 photos I'll have at least one really good shot. But it takes all 500. Again, I'll be setting up some time to delete delete delete.

Workshop Work

Haven't taken one picture of anything I've done here - so nothing to show right now. But I've been really productive. I've got a wall full of paintings that never would have happened at home. That's exciting to me because I am out of my comfort zone. Sometimes my own studio stops me from producing serious work because I'm too comfortable there.

Bob Burridge is a very lighthearted guy - who loves to paint. It shows in his work, and in his workshop.

We have limited wireless access, and right now I'm sitting outside the art center office, in a cold plastic chair with a chill wind tossing the branches of tall cedars. Bright spring flowers sway and spread pollen, grasses dance. We are freezing. Thank goodness I was able to borrow some sweaters and a warm scarf! brrrrrr

And last night, creative fools that we are, Nancy and I took our cameras to Glass Beach. We are experimenting with long exposures, and didn't pack up til well after dark. That made for a very long day. Today it's much too windy (thank goodness) or we'd be back there this evening as the sun filters through the sea spray turning the waves to gold.

Being in California

I have a horrible habit of loving everywhere wonderful place I go and then wanting to move there. I'm happily settled in the house we've rented in Mendocino, decorated in over-the-top cowgirl, surprisingly enough. But the big wraparound leather couch and Pendleton blankets make me feel right at home. It's on seven wooded wild acres, with a view of waves crashing on black rocks, and deer wandering through the yard early morning. Couldn't be more perfect. Nancy and I each have our own big beds with silky sheets and comfy covers.

There's no TV and no internet, so I am using the computer at the art center. I have told my clients that I am out of touch (which I feel both good and guilty about) but my cell phone works if they are desperate. Otherwise, it's relief not to check email constantly. If I miss something -- oh well.

Our landlady is also an artist, and she generously showed us around her house, including her studio. What a great place.

The house is actually a little north of Ft Bragg, so we have a ten mile drive to the Art Center everyday. This was the first day with Robert Burridge, and we're both beat, since we had a late night getting ready, then painting all day today. He says lots of people go back in the evenings to paint more, but that's not my choice since the landscape around here is so seductive. Looking at it makes me want to move, but I have to settle for getting the best photos I can of the area. It's spectacular!

The workshop is proving to be exactly what I expected and more. Bob is an inspiring guy, and I could use a little of that, who couldn't?

Back from the Hill Country

I would feel better about the weekend workshop if I hadn't sat in a hard chair for two lo-o-ong days then spent four hours in the car driving home. It's normally a three hour drive, but construction on the interstate (badly planned), added the extra hour, and about did me in. Yes, I was yelling in the car during that point. My patience was sorely tested, and uh...didn't pass the test. I was low on gas and needed a bathroom, but refused to stop until I was in my own driveway.

Today I feel better, although I won't be sitting in this chair too many more minutes.

The workshop was hosted by Radiant Vista. I knew nothing about them prior to this, and was pleasantly surprised. The weekend was a perfect mix of technical information (camera and software) and creative inspiration. Several times in each day I felt like jumping up and running for the door to get outside and shoot. Yes, it was that inspiring. Since there was so much information crammed into those hours, they thoughtfully provided a very thick manual including step by step instructions on every topic. I think a hands on shooting workshop with these guys would rock.

So I'm back in the studio today, with a painting project. I'm doing mockups for a series of paintings. It's taking some time because I am trying to create a certain look that has so far escaped me. But with my new level of confidence ("say yes to yourself") bolstered by the weekend, I'm sure it'll come to me soon.

Taking Workshops

Unless I know the people who are giving a workshop I'm always taking a chance when I book one. I've taken a few that I walked out of because I already knew more than the instructors. This time I've been really lucky, and I'm in a weekend photography experience that's exactly at my level. The instructors are both knowledgeable and personable, making two full days of sitting in a straight chair tolerable, if not pleasant.

The first full day concentrated on Photoshop techniques. Today is more about camera techniques, with the focus on creativity and emotional content. I am both inspired to produce better photos and embarrassed by the bad ones I've already taken. I'll be heading home tonight, and back in the studio tomorrow.

Another White Day

"The Language of Loss, #2"

I am fascinated to distraction with my current white paintings. The newest one is above, but there are many more in my head. I have commissions to work on, so my fingers are busy doing that, but my mind is on white. I showed the one above to my gallery, but it wasn't well received. Her clients are mostly hotels which are looking to add a punch of color. There's nothing punchy about this series. It's subtle, and that's the point. When asked what this series was about, I answered instantly, although I hadn't articulated it even to myself. These paintings are about loss.

The latest Harrah's deal fell through, but to replace that is a new project for a hotel in Florida, one that I quoted last year at this time. There are nine paintings.

And I quoted another project yesterday, for a series of 21 paintings all hung together in a grid. I'm still in love with grids, so I hope that project gets the go ahead.

Next week I'm taking a last minute trip to Washington DC on a photo shoot. My friend and fellow photographer Nancy will be there for a conference. She invited me to stay with her in a cool hotel near the Capital building. While she is busy in meetings, I'll be out with my camera. Our plan is to get out in the evening and take some arty night shots of the memorials. Last year when I went to Washington the weather didn't cooperate - there was a blizzard. I know it will be cold, but I hope there's no snow. I've seen enough of that this winter.

I've participated in Artist Residency programs for the past five years. This year I'm taking workshops instead. I am scheduled to attend a painting workshop in Mendocino in April, and an intense photography workshop with Moose Peterson on the Oregon coast in June. Hopefully the June event will correspond nicely with another housesitting gig in San Francisco the same month.