Portfolio November 1982/ 2015

Artography by Dlonzo - Portfolio

I like to say I began taking pictures in 1982, but the truth is I’ve been taking pictures since 5th grade. I remember getting my first camera when I graduated from 6th grade. It was a Kodak 126 film camera. It required one of those cartridges that you inserted.

I remember the first time I picked up the camera. My parents were away or out of the room and I snapped a picture of the light bulb in the bedroom. I put the camera down and hoped they wouldn’t find out, but of course when the pictures were processed…, but I don’t recall ever being asked if I had taken the picture, but I’m sure it probably happened.

Although, until I started taking pictures, the camera would just be there until someone was reminded to get the pictures processed.

Taking pictures just came natural to me, but I never saw it as an art form the way I do today. I would take pictures at the family gatherings and school plays. I can say now that I really had an eye for capturing things, but at the time I never thought anything of it. I just liked taking pictures.

The fun part was when the pictures came back from Fox photo or Katz and Bestoff which were two of the main photo places at the time. Film would be in the camera for long periods of time until there was a reason to take pictures. Once the entire roll was used up then it was brought to the store to be processed. It usually took about a week and sometimes they stayed longer until someone had a reason to go to the store to pick them up.

(Some of the models after their first audition)

When I got older and had my own money I could speed up the process. Back then picture taking was pretty easy. Everything was in focus, but sometimes a head or an arm might get cut off. It was all about learning. I often wonder why I didn’t take photography in high school? My focus then was on writing. I took journalism and was on the school newspaper. I was on the year book staff all four years. Still, I never tried to take any of the pictures except those of myself. Maybe it was because there were several photographers and they were usually taking pictures of me. It’s funny the things you can remember when you start writing about past experiences.

(A photoshoot in the studio)

Just the other day I was trying to remember how I got hooked on the Pentax K1000. Perhaps it was from an ad I had seen in a magazine. I’m not sure if I knew anyone that was using that camera. I think the first person to photograph me (Bruce Sondes) may have used this camera. However it happened, it became my camera of choice. When anyone would ask me what camera they should purchase, Pentax K1000 was my recommendation. It was big, but it was easy to use. It also did a lot of things that you didn’t have to create in the darkroom. I believe when I started working it was one of the first things I purchased.

I started taking pictures during my lunch hour of the buildings downtown. When I decided to show my work around people thought they looked like post cards. I would shoot a roll every two weeks, maybe less. Even then I still had to be inspired.

I was still learning because this new camera required me to take control. I had to teach myself about f stops, film speed, focusing, etc.

When I lost my first job, everything changed. A new world opened up to me. A world I never had any intention of being a part of. This is why I believe things happen for a reason. We meet people sometimes for them to help us and sometimes we help them or we help each other. By accident the world of modeling presented itself. Then I decided I’d start my own modeling troupe and began taking my own pictures. The rest as they say is history.

In November of 1982, I started something that I had never ever thought about. Most of us think about being famous and we chase after that dream until something else comes along. I always thought I would be an actor, but the plan changed when I was asked to return home to attend school at least for two years. I was 17 when I graduated from high school and my mother thought I was too young to be in California alone. It was one of those things that just wasn’t meant to be. I had some connections, but mother usually always wins. LOL.

I came up with a new plan as to what I wanted to do. College just wasn’t for me, but I did learn some stuff that came in handy. The entire time I was in college I just kept thinking I wanted a job where I could sit behind a desk. I really didn’t care what it was as long as there was a desk. There was no size of a desk, just the image of me behind a desk. I was majoring in Architecture which again was not my original plan. When I had applied to Berkley I wanted to major in commercial art. I followed the rules as they say on getting that first job, but it wasn’t working. Finally, I just made a call to the principal of the high school I attended. Which is the reason I felt I was ready to work. I had learned so much in high school. The principal had a contact and it lead to my first job and I was sitting behind a desk. I also got a chance to use some of that drafting I had learned.

(The last fashion show)

 When I got laid off from my first job I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. That was a blow to my new plan, but I found out I could get unemployment. I would get paid not to have to work. To a 21 year old that was like, so cool. Right before the lay off’s one of my supervisors had taken a picture of me at a company function and asked if I ever thought about modeling. I laughed.  Acting yes, modeling no.
I took a weekend gig working for Paramount Pictures’ insurance company and started to look into other things I liked to do. I had started taking pictures and I had sold a few. I didn’t really know what types of pictures I wanted to take specifically so I was doing some of everything. Buildings, people, anything that appealed to me.

One day I went to a modeling audition with a cousin and I decided to try out. I mean, it never crossed my mind especially since I was not 6 feet tall. The guy in charge of the agency said he could get me work. Now whether or not he was running a scam or not I wasn’t sure, but I was working and I was making good money and I still had a new plan.

I had another cousin who was working for a hair stylist that was putting on a hair show and they needed some people to model hair and clothing. There was no pay involved, but it was a new experience. It suddenly hit me, why not start my own group of models. The woman in charge (Peggy Toregano) encouraged me to do it and that’s when Dlonzo Modeling Troupe was created. We started out small and then began to expand. I called everyone that I could think of who I thought would want to be apart of my venture. The majority of us had never thought about modeling, but I saw it as a stepping stone to other things. A chance to meet people, make new friends and connections. It also provided some extra money for camera equipment and other things for my studio. I passed along as many perks and information to my models as I could. Tickets to events, discounts on clothing, etc.

I remember the first big fashion show was for Milne Boys Home on Franklin Avenue in New Orleans. It was a fund raiser and some of the boys at the home either modeled or performed. I had 20 models for that show; it was a great experience.

When I started getting work for my models with other people I then became an agent when needed. Since there were other agencies involved in other shows, sometimes the models’ checks would go to them and I’d have to step in to make sure they got paid. I would then charge a standard 10% fee to get them their money. Then I saw a new opportunity and the name was changed to Dlonzo Models. In the beginning we were all around the same height so that it really didn’t seem odd on the runway. As opportunities presented themselves I went with the industry standards, but my original models always had a spot. One of the department stores took my idea and created petite models. The industry called for Female models to be 5’9” and male models at least 5’11”.

The head of Elite models once said, “you can’t teach modeling, you either have it or you don’t.” I always believed that. Some models have a face, some have a body and some have a walk. Finding all three is the challenge.

Things were really working out. I was working almost every weekend as I still had my regular job. I would produce a show for groups trying to raise money and then I worked for others. When I wasn’t working I was focusing on taking pictures. At the time I didn’t think of my photographs as art, but when people would look at my portfolio they would start telling me my work looked like other photographers whom I had never heard of. When I started doing research I saw the resemblance and I started to see myself and my work differently.

Artography by Dlonzo was the name I came up with before I started Dlonzo Modeling Troupe. I wanted to create a persona that would allow me to still have my privacy. (Today they call it branding.) (There were other services I was providing. Designing logos, tee shirts, business cards, letter heads, greeting cards and other printing needs along with photography.)

Although I had always dreamed of being famous, I never wanted my life to change.
Andy Warhol once said, “In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.”
I used to get recognized from a commercial I had done, but I could always play it off. Of course children can sometimes insist that they recognize you. People would always tell me I looked familiar. In the late 80’s  and 90’s I would get mistaken for Spike Lee.

I started wearing baseball caps and had circle rimmed glasses like he did. (Although I liked Spike Lee’s movies, I didn’t like people thinking I was him.)

In 1989 when an article was written about me in the Times Picayune my life changed for a brief moment and then everything seemed to change. (When I look at the article now there was some misinformation, but that’s journalism. They just didn‘t pay attention to what I was saying and added on to fill up space.) There were more doors opening, but there were other things happening as well. My models were going through personal things that made me rethink what I was doing.

Early on I had decided I would give anyone who wanted to model the chance. Who was I to tell someone they couldn’t do something. After all, I decided to take it on when I wasn’t part of industry standards. There were some that were really talented and if they had been taller could have probably made a career on the runways of New York. I did have a few models move into the film world and commercials.

(The outfit was one of my designs that came to fruition)

In the early 90’s there was a young girl that really wanted to be a model. Turns out her mother was a model when she was younger. She was featured in my last show at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana. That show was the biggest I had ever done. I was introducing many new faces. I got to model for Benetton and Oaktree. Stores such as Porter Stevens, 5-7-9, and The Limited participated in the show. I was trusted with thousands of dollars worth of clothing as some of the stores were not open on Sundays. I knew I was on my way.

 I had found someone that wanted to invest in the career of the young model. Things were starting to happen until she was found dead. Then there seemed to be some sort of snowball effect. Two models died tragically, and another from illness.

My parents had become concerned about me, but I was okay. I just couldn’t believe what was happening. Everything just came to a halt. I just stopped everything.
It was almost a year later, when I picked up my camera again to take pictures when I went to Seattle, Washington in 1994 for the first time to attend the Seattle International Film Festival. I was now focusing my attention on something else. My art was now becoming my therapy and the camera was bringing it all to light.

The photographs tell the story of a moment in time. Together they tell a story of my life. I’ve photographed so many people for so many different moments in their lives. School campaigns, graduations, weddings, celebrations, newspaper articles, portfolios and so much more.

My camera has allowed me to travel to many places I probably never would have seen.

In 2001, I decided to embrace the fact that I was an artist. I would just create art through my writing, drawing, photography, poetry and performing.

Today I consider myself an Xtreme artist that takes pictures among other things. (see above.) It’s now Artography by Dlonzo and it is coming along one picture at a time. I like to take things slow. I like to get to know the people I would like to photograph. I want the picture to speak to the viewer. And the client will remember that moment as if it were just taken.

I understand being an artist is not a bad thing. We have to embrace our creativity. Without creativity and curiosity the world would be a boring place.

 No one would ask questions and no one would give there interpretation through visuals. I just focus on doing the best I can and enjoying what I do.

Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

If you are in need of an artist/photographer drop me a line 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

(This entry is dedicated to the thousands of people I have photographed over the years. Some famous and some not so famous, but it was truly an honor.)


Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

I Am An Artist

(Playing around with back drops like in the old days.)

It starts with an idea... The a blank piece of paper or canvas. One of the first things we learn is how to be creative even without knowing. It's to keep us occupied, but learnign in the process. We are given colorful images to play with. Something to stimulate the brain, such as building blocks. We doodle before we can spell. What people call chicken scratch looks like masterpeices to the little brain. We are so proud of what we created and we want to show it to those that matter. It'a the idea of completing something and getting validation.

As a child, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, everything came to mind, but being an artist. I guess it just didn't register as a job. I guess I could say I've been dabbling in art all of my life. I didn't start getting paid until I was in high school. Part of that is because, outside of my family, very few people knew I could draw. I never took an art class until my senior year of high school and that was just to pick up extra credit. I also liked the teacher.

 Most of my family has always supported my endeavors. I was always coming up with ways to make money. I remember when I got my 8mm movie projector, I would charge the kids in the neighborhood twenty five cents to watch classic silent movies. As I got older I wanted to make movies, but other things would pop up that didn't require as much time to complete. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist; to make a good movie one has to have time.

In 2001 I declared myself an artist, when I found out my job as a buyer was co
ming to an end. I decided I would no longer be a part of corporate America. I would do my own thing and just enjoy life. I had put myself in a position where I could do just that.

(Creating effects without using a photo program)

There are always things we don't anticipate. We can deal with it or just throw in the towel. I've never been known as a quitter. If I start something I want to finish it. I had lots of time to work on my art. Photography, writing and poetry shared my creative side. My visual ability allowed me to write some personal poetry that is truly some of my best. The last time I had written poetry steadily was in 1999 when I was a part of the New Orleans Poetry Forum. I was asked to join the group and accepted so I could see if I was as good as people said I was. It put me on a path to begin performing again. I began reading poetry at various venues around town that catered to that scene. Dragon's Den, The Blue Nile and The Maple Leaf bar.

Being able to blog online has allowed me the opportunity to share my words, my art and photography with others. If I inspire one person then I'm doing what I set out to do. The creative process for each artist is different. I realize arrtists have a common thread and a responsibility to make people think. Some artist only focus on one specific area. They create music, design buildings, clothing, costumes or sets. Some write, sketch or paint. For those like myself who work in many art forms, you go back and forth. When I get tired of one or get blocked, I move on to something else until I can come back to a project.

There are times when you may get frustrated and just walk away from it, but a true artist always has those ideas circling around inside of their head. It doesn't matter how you create, or when you create. The important thing is that you do it and don't give up.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
If you haven't become a follower, become one now.

Red Hot & Soul 2015 Best Dressed

On my business card, the address for my art blog is what I use.

 I had intended to put some images from Red Hot & Soul 2015 here, but I will only include the story behind the photographs.

 But here are some random shots.

If you happened to have been checking here because you received a business card from me. The images can be seen on my main blog.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

The best dressed of the evening. Hedda Layne and  a friend.

They were working the attire.
Hope you enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind.

The Story Behind The Photograph C. Powell

Artography by Dlonzo
“It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

The Story behind the Photographs continues - C. Powell

I’m always thinking of names and personae’s to give to people I photograph who I think have that certain something. As an artist who takes pictures, it’s not always easy to persuade people to take on modeling as a career. They don’t mind allowing me to photograph them, but they don’t always see the beauty that I see.

It’s also not easy when people decide to be photographed to get them to do certain things. For me the art is the entire process. Getting someone interested enough to let me photograph them and then getting at least one picture that we’ll both like. If there are more that’s even better. Sometimes the person I photograph doesn’t like the way they look and that happens from time to time.

If you’ve ever taken pictures of your family, there is always one relative that doesn’t like the way they look in pictures. That’s the person I always go after. I want to show them what can be done when the right person photographs them. Those can always be the best pictures because they will have character.
Anyone can take a picture, but only an artist can capture the essence of the subject. An artist will capture a photograph that tells a story of that particular moment.
It’s true, a picture is worth a thousand words or more.

Since working at ZACH, there are many people that walk across the campus. Sometimes its just a friendly hello and other times a conversation begins and if it’s the right person I let them know that I’m a photographer.

That was the case with C. Powell. I had seen him walking across the lot a few times, but I was always beginning my shift and not in the location where I could talk to him. One day I happened to come in early and we ran into each other and to my surprise found out he worked at ZACH. I mentioned to him that I’d like to photograph him and he seemed interested in having his picture taken. Of course once a person agrees, it takes time to put it all together. Location, time, etc. it all has to be planned out.

With the holidays approaching and both of us having things to deal with it was probably not going to happen before the year was out.
 2015 began and we managed to find time when we were both available. I always do shots just in a setting where the subject can be natural before I try to photograph them on location or in studio. (Which at the moment, I don’t really have a spot to take pictures like I did in NOLA.) Of course that’s just an excuse because I can always put something together when its what I really want to do.
I am currently working on making space to put up everything in a moments notice.

Here are a few images of C. Powell that I took. I have a few ideas for a photo shoot, but there is no free time and that’s not an excuse.




Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.

Check out the links below for some of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

April is poetry month 2015

Leader (2009)

There is an art
To being a leader
We, the people, choose you
It’s a democracy
Sounds crazy, but true
Democratic, demo, a test
We, the people, choose you

Put the cards on the table
Shake things up
The highest esteem
The people have spoken

Your words so eloquent
Inflicting us all
Hanging on to every syllable
What charisma

A leader of a country,
           a people
The weight of the world
an honor, a burden
All rolled into one
Will bullets fly?
What about the bailout?
Will jobs be created?
Will you share the American Dream?
What is the dream?
King’s dream?
Who would have dreamt?
A dark in the light house
Who would have thought?
We cheer, we cry, we laugh, we die
Experiencing an historic moment
A long line of people
Made history happen
The weight of the world
Under a microscope
Your every move
What a life
What a world
Some things do work
We have to work together
The village came together

The people have spoken
You are the leader
For better or worse
Lead us not…
Lead us to the American Dream

There will be a party
in the White House
We’ll cheer, we’ll cry’
We’ll laugh, more will die

I have a dream
It’s time for a change
I am a leader

Check out another poem on my main blog http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind,blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again.

Memories of New Orleans 2015

(This is the castle.) When you are a kid everything looks big. I remembered this castle and I wondered if it was still around. Each trip I would make to New Orleans I'd think about it, but I never remembered to go and check it out.

Ash Wednesday was a day of reflection. I went to Corpus Christi Church which is where I attended church almost every Sunday as a young man and I went to school there for two years. Since the school is non-existent, they are renovating to turn it into some sort of senior facility.

I parked in the next block from the church which was near the home in which I was brought to after I was born. Then I passed by the elementary school that I attended, McDonogh #42 which is becoming a Charter school. From there I decided to see what had been done to the first home my parents bought.

 O f course it didn't look like this. It had a nice porch and a yard. Everyone gathered at my house or that of my best friend on the other side of the street.

From there I went and happened to spot the tower of the castle. It was not as big now as when we were children. You can get a pretty good view. We used to climb up the fence and get the cooking pears from a tree that hung over the fence. The top had cut glass so you had to be very careful.

Here are some other random shots taken at City Park. Some images are for sale if interested. Send an email to Photo1960@aol.com or 1960Photo@gmail.com, put ArtbyDlonzo in the subject.

(A rose by any other name... this is from the art project, Prospect 3. The sculpture is located in City Park.)

(The park swing has the City Park logo.)

(Inside of City Putt, the putting area features New Orleans Heritage. This one represents Mardi Gras.)

(This is morning call which has opened in City Park where the Casino used to be.)

   (The entrance to Storyland where many of the local kids rode their first roller coaster and enjoyed the Carousel.

(This is McDonogh #42 which is soon to be a Charter school.)

Happy Mardi Gras 2015

Here are some images from 2015 and past Mardi Gras' in New Orleans.

(The flamebeaux carrier goes back to the beginning of Mardi Gras as they used to light the path of the Krewe.)

(The lead float from the Krewe of Hermes.)

(From the Bourbon Street Awards when they were moved to St. Ann and Burgundy.)

(People come from all over to participate in Mardi Gras. Thaddeus had come in from Chicago.)

(One of the paper mache floats from the Krewe of Endymion from years past.)

(Often people will get together as a group and dress up.)

(One of my all time favorite images of a couple on Orleans. Who stopped to let me photograph them.)