Artspace

Kevin and I are gallery sitting for a few hours here at Artspace, which is featuring the MARK '08 show. I've been getting a lot of questions about what 'MARK' means. Some of you that follow this blog may remember last year at this time ; I was going nuts trying to get my presentation together (the MARK '09 group presentation is this Monday at Hallwalls, 7 pm). Check the archives last year- I was really happy to be involved in the program and wrote a lot about it.

This show has been good, too. All together, this year has been good for showing locally; the MARK show, joining the College Street co-op (show on the 1st Friday of each month, and Allentown), and the Film Photographers of Greater Buffalo (Night photography show at CEPA, May 2nd). Keeping me working...

Inspiration

Inspiration. I must say, I have been reading so much about the creative process, ways to "see" differently, to 'shake up' my photographic flow, but lately, I feel a bit of a funk. Lack of inspiration? I'm getting ready for a show and feeling pressure to have really good work, and figuring out how to afford to pay for it. It was really getting to me today; getting a little depressed about it all.
Tonight was a somewhat (I hope) annual party at some friends art studio- both painters who I really like (personally and their work). Kevin and I go; a great old industrial building, their work all over the place, great city view from huge windows. Lots of friends-conversations from the serious to the sentimental to the silly. Offered a project, chastened for not having a proper website. I know this sounds so simple, so elemental, but tonight was, well, inspiring. The mix of friends, the setting, perhaps even the infrequency. First thing I did when I got home was to write a 'to-do' list for tomorrow-things I need to get done to get ready for this upcoming show. Second, I wrote this. As you can see- it's been too long since I've been inspired to blog....

The Holidays, etc...

Haven't been on the blog recently, so I thought I'd play around for a bit...
The last week has sucked a lot out of me, mostly in a good way. It has seen Christmas Eve and Christmas itself. Good times. Marty and Susan's X-mas eve party was great, as usual.
The Christmas highlight (aside from the gifts, thank you all very much) was when my nephew Jack asked me a question. A bit of background. My mom decided near the last minute to un-invite my beloved dog, Walker, to the x-mas celebration at her house. He had a bath, gets along fine with her new dog, Nell, and is an all-around calm pup these days.. He was all ready. He was not allowed to come over. So, after all was done, and we were getting ready to go, Jack walks up to me and asks "Where is Walker?" Because I just had to, I told him to ask his G-ma (my mom), which he promptly did. I couldn't have planned it better...
The Fems played at the Town Ballroom. Bob Weider made a short, yet poignant (at a punk show?) comment about our late friend Mark Freeland. Aside from that, it was loud and obnoxious, just what we were waiting for! Until we all got kicked out for the Coolio show. I'm not kidding. Coolio.
I think that I overdid it though My body is telling me I need a vacation from the Holiday....

Buffalo Arts Studio Exhibit and Sale '08

It's that time of year! The time of year when all of the studio artists take the work that they are really happy with, then get them framed and presentable. They go up on the wall for every one to see! We have a party, have lots of fun while quietly hoping to sell some work, to build up the holiday shopping money that we spent on framing. Come have fun with us- next Saturday, November 15th from 7 to 11. David Kane is playing music, then K. Cornelius and Brian Milbrand will be doing performance art 10-11.

Rivendell and More

What a great day!
After eating breakfast at Amy's, I went out to S. Wales to Rivendell for my final ride of the season. It was great. Schopper (my horse) and I were getting along well, doing some balance work, feeling good. It is sad that it was the last ride, but I think I realized something today. When I was driving home, I was thinking about riding this summer, and it seems to me that it's finally less like 'therapeutic horse back riding for the disabled' , and more like 'riding lessons for a delicate person'. Makes me feel empowered. After my disability level was lowered by a half point last Thursday at the clinic, after a plateau that lasted 7+ years, empowerment may be the word of the week...
Kevin and I then went to Niagara Falls so that I could shoot an 'assignment' for the Film Photographers of Greater Buffalo. Of course, I can't post any yet, as I shot them with FILM. It was great- I never really investigated Goat (or the sister) Islands before. Hope I got some unique shots.
Next, we headed to the outlet mall. Now, those that know me understand that I'm NOT a fan of any mall, but we really did need a few things. I ended up with a sweater, a couple of B-day presents for Kevin, and the first new pair of winter boots I've gotten in a few years.
When we got home, we took Walker out for his night time jaunt, and we got to listen to the B-52s, who were playing in front of the Albright Knox. Sure, its about 2 miles from our house, but I could actually hear "Own Private Idaho" pretty clearly.
To end our day, we're now watching the Wisconsin/Michigan game that we DVR'd this afternoon. We just hit halftime, and , so far, it's been going just as well as the rest of the day.....

MARK: Buffalo, 2008

Over the past year, I've written a lot about the NYFA program, MARK, that I was selected to be a part of. From that, I learned a lot about promoting myself as an artist, talking about my work, the importance of networks, and have made a lot of friends. I encourage the artists among you to go to the informational meeting for MARK 2009. You'll learn what the program is about, meet some people that will be involved, and hear stories from some of us who have participated. The meeting is tomorrow night, September 22, at 6 PM. NYFA has done a lot for artists accross the state, but I think the MARK program is the most hands on thing that we WNYers have the chance to experence. Check it out for yourselves, tomorrow night!

Ryan Miller, Drew Stafford with Robby and Klear @ Music is Art '08

So, it was raining. People were having a ton of fun (as you can see in this video), and stuck around until the very end. Now, Robby told us last weekend in our Buffaloroots interview that he would be playing with Ryan Miller and Drew Stafford, along with the band Klear. Carla kept watch of my tent while we went to the mainstage to see it. I had my camera out in the pouring rain (I'll be posting some pictures soon), and Jim Grimaldi took a great video, which is posted here.
More on this fantastic day later. Enjoy!