Please Touch The Art

(Tom discusses one of the pieces with one of the models)

(art lovers at the bar)

Most artists and galleries would cringe if someone touched the art, but Tom Suhler encourages it on several of his pieces at his Exposure Gallery located at 777 Shady Lane just off 7th Street in Austin, TX. It's all part of the East Austin Studio Tours that kicked off today and tomorrow and then again next weekend. 11 AM - 6 PM.

 If my schedule permits I will check out another loccation next week.

 The new pieces are part of an ongoing series of photographing his subjects who happen to be dancers, underwater. There is an array of colors that make you think of so many things. When I first look at art I just look at it for what it is. I'm not trying to find any deep meaning because sometimes there isn't one. Being an artist myself I understand the purpose of art is to make people think. If that doesn't happen then you haven't achieved the ultimate goal.

There is one piece in the gallery that looks as if it needs to be touch and several people including myself made that mistake and touched it. Perhaps the artist should consider changing it to move.

It was quite interesting when I was putting the piece back on its hook, someone walked up to me and said I did the same thing. So I made the next person I saw try to move it comfortable by letting them know they were not alone.

With each exhibition, Tom Suhler moves forward in making his work interactive. This show was linked in with an app in which you could engage in selective pieces in the gallery. Creating work that could also be construde as controversial is also the job of the artist. That's usually always the case when the human body is visible without anything to hide the nakedness. People still have an issue with the human form despite how beautiful it can be if captured in the right way.

The array of colors and the display of the art brought many internal thoughts that soon came out amongst the people in the gallery as well as the artist himself. Artists have this issue of always feeling the work is never complete. That something else could have been done.
I listened in on Tom talking to one of the models and asking questions of whether or not the conditions could have been better. How this project came about would be a great documentary or book. I do recall three years ago when I went to Exposure for the first time there was a video of the work that was on display which was shot in the studio.

(I'm always creating art within art)

It's always interesting the directions that conversations go in and yet you come back to the art. The colors reminded the artist of Mardi Gras from one image as there was purple and gold hues. There was one image that made me think of Dante's Inferno. There was a striking blue tint that just set one picture off that I found to be very intriguing.
Politics was discussed briefly with a few people that had come to the gallery on several occasions and I shared an idea for a project I've been working on with a few people.

(Part of the permanent display from the first show I had seen at the gallery)

This evening also made a few people recall how we met and what caused a friendship to form.
Get away from whatever is troubling you for a few hours and check out some art. It's the best free escape this weekend.

As I wrote this entry I was listening to Jean Luc Ponte which was one of the conversations that popped up last night. My favorite song is Individual Choice.

Preview: Red Hot & Soul (2016) New York, New York

(It begins when you walk up. You have to be in Awe and wonder what else will peek your interest. A great event has many jaw dropping moments.)

(The registration area for the patrons to get their information to place their bids for the many items available for the auction. The Red Hot & Soul event is ZACH's biggest fund raising event.)

(An event is like a performance and it takes a lot to get it (The lobby in ZACH's Topfer theatre.)

together. Outside before you walk inside it all begins. Red Hot & Soul 2016 was a tribute to New York, New York.)


I know I've been mentioning images from Red Hot & Soul were coming, but it takes time to go through all of the images.

(Another shot of the lobby)

(Costumer designers do a run through with the performers to make sure  the costumes allow the performer to move properly.)

 Then I have to copy the images so that I have images without tagging on them.

(Stage manager Cate Tucker over sees the rehearsal)

(Images of New York come to life with Shemiah as Lady Liberty.)

(Chanel Haynes-Schwartz rehearses in the lobby as costumer supervisor Christine Montgomery looks on)

(Jesse Douglas makes sure things go according to plan during rehearsal)

Next, I have to write about the event so that it makes those that weren't at the event feel as if they could be there and imagine what they missed. For those that were there they get to relive it. I'll be without access to my laptop for a few weeks so I just wanted to get some images out there.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back.

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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.

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.

The Story behind the photograph 2015 #1

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

The Story behind the Photographs continues -  Many many years ago, I had an idea for a photo shoot in a cemetery. I had begun thinking about doing on location shoots. I believe it started when I was asked to do a wedding of one of my models, who also happened to be a cousin. Although the wedding ceremony photos were good, it was what I did after that was exceptional. It made me realize what type of work I could do. I don’t believe I had considered myself an artist at that point, but I was trying to create photographs I hadn’t seen in anyone home.

So, cut to 2012, I was talking with another artist and I mentioned that I wanted to do this shoot in this cemetery I had discovered. Of course the cemeteries in New Orleans are unique. I found something of interest here in Austin and we set up a day a time. When it comes to location shoots I like to get out early to have the place to myself.

I had an idea of what the look was to be, but as I’ve learned, things can change. I wanted it to look artsy and fashionable. There was one spot that reminded me of the tombstones in NOLA, but the camera wasn’t working with me. At the time I was still learning how to use the camera. I thought perhaps I had accidentally hit a button, but I couldn’t figure it out and I was getting frustrated. It turns out when the batteries are getting low, the zoom doesn’t allow for close ups to focus properly. I’m learning to get around that when I can. I can shoot at the best quality and then later crop the images to get in closer.

There are still a few minuses in working with digital, but the pluses out number them.





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.

Volunteer Appreciation 2014

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

At the volunteer appreciation party in 2013, I found out that my supervisor had performed and that everyone was really impressed by his singing. I would later find out that most of the people at ZACH had aspirations of entertaining in some form.

 When I found out about the party for 2014 I decided I would see if I could attend the only way I knew how. I asked if I might get invited to photograph and video my supervisor performing.

(Colleen shows off her new born to some of the volunteers.)

(The evening started with drinks in the lobby and were greeting by Kathy and Vanessa)

That in turn lead to me photographing as much of the evening as possible.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I enjoy capturing an event. This allows the viewer to relive it or to imagine what it might have been like to be there. I don’t like when pictures are posed unless it adds to the telling of the story. I like to get those candid moments. The element of surprise. Sometimes the moment someone might like to forget. LOL.

It was an evening of getting to know people. When I arrived I had no idea what to expect.

 I didn’t know what the lighting would be like or the layout of the room. I would only have a certain amount of time to get things together. I thought I’d sit at the table with the staff that I knew, but I found out that each staff member would sit at a table with volunteers. It surprised me, but at the same time gave me a chance to get to know some of the volunteers. It was an interesting concept and it made the volunteers comfortable around me.

(Volunteers Hank and Nancy)

Which always makes for great pictures.

(Ryan, who was selected the favorite volunteer by the SXSW team and Vickie)

Now I’ve made several new acquaintances as a result.

(Kim and Leta at the check in table)

It was a night of food, drink, entertainment, speeches, awards and fun. Here are a few of the images taken that night.

(Elisbeth welcoming everyone to the volunteer appreciation party.)

(Kyle giving his greeting to the guests.)

(Keith, who has racked up many volunteer hours and enjoys special priveledges.)

(Leland preformed during dinner as did Colleen and Daryl)

(Daryl and Vanessa posing after the event was over.)

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

(Some of the volunteers that sat at the table with me.)

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.

(Dave giving an incredible speech in regards to the future of ZACH Scott Theatre.)