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.

Artography by Dlonzo, Weddings

I shot my first wedding in late 70’s or early 80’s. I don’t know for sure, but I know it was before 1982.
In November of 1982 Dlonzo Modeling Troupe was born and I had begun photographing my models.

Weddings are not easy to shoot. The ceremony itself can cause a problem depending on the religion and the church, etc. Lighting can also be a problem. And having a flash go off during the ceremony just doesn’t seem right at all. That’s probably the reason I prefer natural lighting. The subject doesn’t always know the picture is being taken and they can be more relaxed.

Since I’ve been taking pictures, I think I may have shot nine, maybe ten weddings total. I learned a lot by doing this. One, if a bride doesn’t have a wedding planner, the photographer steps into that role. Making sure the pictures are taken in a timely fashion and that the couple get to enjoy their special day. There is nothing worse than spending the reception taking pictures and not being able to enjoy the reception.
So you structure a time table of what happens when and as long as the pictures come out, then everyone is happy.

There was one wedding that I did that I didn’t get the best shots because of lighting, so I shifted gears to taking the pictures for the newspaper. Either the engagement shots or the wedding shot.
At that point I realized I could create something unique. Taking pictures after the ceremony in unique locations.

I’ve always been very selective about who I photographed and how I put together the books, it put me in demand strictly by word of mouth. I didn’t want to do every wedding that came along, so I could pick and choose.
I wouldn’t mind doing a wedding or two that are not typical, but I prefer just capturing the couple so that they can have that one picture to display.

The wedding pictures to a couple are only important to them just as all of my photographs are important to me. People might look at them, but that’s just it, they are only looking. They don’t see the story, what is in the subjects eyes. How the sky looked, the expression on the faces. There is more to it.
I came up with a few unique things to put in the thank you cards as well. It was all about doing something no other photographer was doing.


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

If you are in need of an artist/photographer to capture your event from concept to completion contact me, 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

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

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Taking it one day at a time. Keep the faith.

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).

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.

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.

54 of my favorite images from 2014

(The front line employees of ZACH enjoyed a get together and a few games of bowling at Dart Bowl in North Austin.)

Why 54 you may be asking.

Well, two weeks ago I turned 54 so I decided that was a nice number to go with.

(Adam Pasqual on the guitar at ZACH Scott)

That's how the artist in me thinks from time to time and it seems to work.

(This is definitely one of my favorite pics from that night.)

 So I'll use that same strategy as I work on getting myself out of debt.

(Whenever no one is available I get in front of the camera.)

(The skyline from Mueller)

It's going to be an interesting start to the new year.

Enjoy the images and let me know what is your favorite is you see one that you like.

(Jason Bateman makes an appearance at ZACH during SXSW for the film Bad Behavior)

(Part of my Poarty series)

(Boys being boys at the Amercican Diabetes Association Step Out and Walk.)

(I found the culprit of my bending cactus leaves)

(A Mural of James Dean is South Austin.)

(This image of Molly Ringwald speaks volumes to me.)

(Tim Curry's band played ZACH's Z lounge.)

(Laura Benedict Scott was first to play the Z lounge and allowed me to photograph her.)

(Laura and Kenny Williams after the Christmas night performance of A Christmas Carol)

(A family pic with the Petlin's)

(This was opening night of A Christmas Carol)