Sunday at Umlauf with Ian

(The greatest form of flattery)

I first met Ian in a production of Mary Poppins at ZACH Theatre. I thought he had great facial features and then I saw him dance. I had taken a few pictures and I thought it would be interesting to photograph a dancer at various locations around Austin. I'm always thinking art and fashion when I decide to create art.

(Incredible height, the grace of a dancer)

(Inspiration from the sculpture)

There are many people I want to photograph, but the timing isn't always right. Sometimes I'm available and they aren't and vice versa. It has taken, months or years before I was able to photograph someone, but it was definitely worth the wait. I do my best to get to know the people I'm interested in photographing. I know what works as far as attire and I have an idea of how to set up the perfect shot.

(Ian in Mary Poppins, this is where we first met)

Ian told me when he would be available and we went from there. There was only one draw back, he was about to have shoulder surgery and I didn't want him to injure himself for the sake of my art.
I was quite impressed with what we had to work with. The first location was going to be The Hope Gallery, also known as Grafitti Park, but there were too many people. In the past when I was going to use tthis loccation I went right after church and there were a lot of people.

(The artist gets in on the act, using a secondary camera and a timer.)

My second location was at ZACH to photograph Ian against the blue wall and the glass along the ramp. I usually insert myself into some of the images using two cameras and a timer. They images looked good, but I wouldn't know for sure until I would look at them on the computer.
As most people know, I am not one for photoshopping images. I like capturing what my eye sees and if it doesn't come out right I work on it. I  like using natural light and making my subject as comfortable as possible. That's what makes the photographs beautiful works of art.

(When dealing with models you have to remind them to bring certain things. Ian was prepared with props, shoes and clothing choices. Doesn't get an easier than that.)

My next location was the Umlauf sculpture garden. This was going to be my first time going there as was Ian's. I really didn't know what the place would look like and I really had nothing in mind other than to have Ian strike dance poses among the sculptures.

(After looking at this image, it made me think of the film Footloose and the hat stays on)

I mentioned to Ian how I felt dancers, athletes and construction workers make for the best models. They don't really need much guidance and are used to flexing their muscles. I prefer using people who have never modeled before because the shots or so much more organic and I make it a point to do most of the work when I get a great pose.

Everything at Umlauf was impromptu. As I saw a sculpture or location I'd give Ian a few minutes to get set up and then I would start shooting. Sometimes as he was in a stretching pose or a little warm up before a leap or an extension. Striking the same pose as a sculpture...

I really enjoyed this photo shoot. Once he heals perhaps I'll have the opportunity to photograph him and his wife who is also a dancer.

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Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.

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.

Red Hot & Soul 2016 New York, New York

Red Hot & Soul 2016 New York, New York

(Before it all began, I had to work. This is me in my sometimes work spot at ZACH.)

 (The lobby taking shape for the evenings festivities.)

 (Talk about the Big Apple)

(There were apples everywhere.)

I wasn't sure how things would turn out for me this year. My supervisor was gone and a new person was taking over the reigns for putting the event together.

(Staff come together to put on some final tweeking to costumes and do a quick dress rehearsal.)

 (Chanel chats with one of her backup singers before rehearsing her song)

 I was also hoping to use my new camera, but I also brought the go to camera for back up. Since I was now working in the box office I wasn't sure what I would be required to do. In the past the box office staff worked registering in the Constituents and guests to the event. Handing out tickets, auction information and table assignments. I worked in the Box Office until about 4 PM and then I would return around 4:45 PM to get instructions for the remainder of the evening.

(Chanel working on her musical number)

(The registration tent. Guests signed in and got their packets for the auction and where they would be seated.)

(Staff prepare for their duties)

(Inside the tent on the Bobbi Topfer Pavillion)

(Monitors tower over guests to simulate images of New York like you would see in Times Square)

(Sound and tech guys wait for the show to begin)

 I had brought something to eat, but I made the mistake of sitting in my vehicle and it was extremely hot. Although it didn't take effect right away, I had become over heated and later in the evening I was feeling exhausted. I had something else to eat, drank some water and then I began to feel better. I could have also becomme over heated because I had gotten locked out on the small balcony over looking the entry way.

(A worker about to get dressed before the guests arrive.)

(The color of the evening was red.)

(Brittney Wooley making some final adjustments.)

(Chad Dike helping with final rehearsal preparations for the kids of the PPC program.)

(The Tent)

(The Big Apple)

(Scott Wooten preparing to take some pics.)

(Some of the items to be auctioned off.)

(Selfie time, Brittney Wooley, Cathleen Brendan and Abe Reybold)

(Taylor Novak and one of her workers cross the lobby after making some adjustments to items being auctioned off.)

(The Disco Ball)

(The DJ's section)

(Chad Dike, Cate Tucker and Blair Hurry take some time to chat in between set up.)

(More items that were being auctioned off.)

(Kim Stacy Lead Box Office Associate, actress and singer.)

(The Z Lounge)

 (The Topfer Lobby)

I did my usual set up shots. The decor being put together and the singers, actors and dancers going through a quick run through of their duties for the evening. It was going to be quite the night. I was excited and nervous at the same time. Of course I'm always nervous when I'm using new equipment. I was hoping the batteries would last on my go to camera. I had puchased new SD cards so that I could capture as much as the evening as possible. There are always people I would like to photograph, but I'm also looking to do something different. I am an artist after all and I hate looking at images where everyone is posed and in front of the same backdrop. I prefer variety. I also like the challenge to see what I can come up with.

Not only does ZACH amaze with it's performances, it also does the same when it throws a party. Each year has to be better than the last and this year was no exception. When I arrived, there was a giant apple at the entrance to signify the Big Apple. There were pedestals surrounded by real apples. Inside the tent was more welcoming the guests to the New York experience. The color of the night was red. Of course there were some stand out fashions in other colors as well.

The event was also to honor Mort Topfer who was celebrating his 80th birthday.

The event Co-Chairs were Bobbi Topfer, Will Coombes, Eric Copper, Richard Hartgrove, Gary Cooper, Dan Jackson, Jeremy Guiberteau, David Kurio, Lance Avery Morgan, Rob Giardinelli, Armando Zambrano and Bryan Gardner.

The images I am presenting here are to tell the story from start to finish. (Note: I am an artist that happens to take pictures) I believe in capturing an event in a way that those who were there can remember it and those who couldn't make it can see what it was like. Red Hot and Soul is the event of the year outside of the performances that ZACH puts on. It's purpose is to raise funds for the education programs. It also gives guests a chance to see what performances will be taking place for the remainder of the season and the new season. Martin Burke performed as his character from One Man Two Guvnors. This season will end with Mary Poppins on September 4, 2016.
Everything at ZACH is done by a team of talented individuals.


Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back as I will be posting more images from the event.

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