I am delighted to have some of my work in two new shows this month.
Opening Doors
First, I am making my “premiere” at the beautiful Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, California. The center just mounted Opening Doors, a juried exhibition celebrating the grand opening of the newly renovated Turlock Public Library.
I was delighted to have two of my pieces, “Zoe in Wonderland” and “Super Library” accepted into the exhibit. Opening Doors Artists were invited to submit work that is influenced or inspired by the many ways that libraries “open doors” and, as a result, enrich lives.
“Zoe in Wonderland”
“Zoe in Wonderland” was a creation from a few years ago when my granddaughter was eight. Her independent spirit reminded me of Alice (who was about the same age in Alice in Wonderland). Before I knew it, I was shooting a large mushroom in our yard and persuading Zoe to sit with a copy of Carroll’s famous tome. Add some photoshop magic, and voila! Probably my most whimsical piece yet, and I had even more fun decorating the mat with some of Carroll’s literary and iconic silliness.
“Super Library”
“Super Library” was my transposition of the November 2013 “super moon” that I shot, as it arose behind the Valley Hi Library in South Sacramento. While the moon was beautiful (and larger than it appears here), it was the neon sign of the library that caught my eye with the lights evening traffic. South Sacramento is an area where I taught for many years, and it continues to have many struggles in its neighborhoods. This library is one of its bright spots, however. It is light and airy, located next to a charming park, and acts as a safe, quiet bit of sanctuary in the community for students and scholars alike.
I made the image from the top of the Cosumnes River College parking lot during my photography certificate program there. My professor was open to the idea of an impromptu field trip for that evening’s class. I love shooting at night, and while the moon is smaller than I might have liked because of the 38mm focal distance (ISO800 and 6.3 f-stop). The image is a composite from three. I had to shoot three because of the vast difference in exposure between the moon and the foreground. And I wanted some detail on the moon!
The Carnegie Arts Center
As an aside, if you’ve never been to the Carnegie Arts Center, it’s well worth the trip! Located near the charming, leafy old town part of this central valley town, the historic Carnegie Library opened in 1916. According to the center’s website, it was one of more than 1,600 libraries built by Andrew Carnegie across the U.S. It was Turlock’s library until 1968, and then was used as an arts center since 1979. In 2005 a fire destroyed everything but its exterior walls. Turlock and the Carnegie Arts Center Foundation soon entered into a partnership to rebuild and expand the facility. Opening in September 2011, the renovated Carnegie Arts Center is now operated entirely by the Foundation, a private, nonprofit corporation.
The Lobby Gallery exhibition is open to the public. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission to the Lobby is free.
Lottery for the Arts
In the second of these two new shows is “Lemon Drop.” This image has become a bit of a crowd pleaser for me. It first won the 2016 Best of Division Award at the State Fair Photography Competition for Objects in Motion. It has then made appearances at shows and auctions, and since it helps raise money, I continue to submit it. The pun on the name of the drink, the thrift-store martini glass, and the beautiful blue fabric all came together in a very wet photo shoot in my garage.
When we moved up to Auburn in 2018, one of the first things I did was become a member of Blueline Arts. This amazing 5,000 square-foot facility allows for exhibition space for established and emerging artists, as well as an education space for children and adults. The leadership works hard to provide artistic opportunities to residents of Placer County, and helps funds its classes and activities with the annual “Lottery for the Arts” event. I have donated a “Lemon Drop” print, in hope that it will support this great cause.
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I hope you’ll check out these great two new shows and all their wonderful artistic offerings and consider supplementing your art collection with a new piece~
For more information about me and my photography, please check out my About Me or Bio page. Iʻve also just opened a new studioshop in downtown Auburn. For more information, please see my About page.