Art and Photography Blog

Photos of New Orleans 2006 - Two

Here are pictures from my first post Katrina visit to New Orleans, April 2006. The image on the far right is the cemetery that we used to play in during the 50s in my Uptown neighborhood.
     

Photos of New Orleans April 2006 - One

Here are pictures from my first post Katrina visit to New Orleans, April 2006. Here are my New Orleans 2006 restaurant picks from that trip.

     

Photos of Rainy Day in Onset MA - 2006

These were taken within the Point Independence Inn in Onset during the Onset Blues festival August 2006. Weather for the outdoor performances was fine as it was in the center picture.

     

Il Lee: Ballpoint Drawings

Here is someone who is pushing a common medium to its limits. Il Lee: Ballpoint Drawings is on exhibitt at the Queens Museum of Art until September 30. The museum site writes, "Il Lee (b. 1952), a Korean-born artist living and working in Brooklyn since 1977. Using disposable ballpoint pens, Lee creates dramatic ink fields on surfaces of canvas and paper. For this exhibition, he will present a selection of large format blue and black ink drawings, including early experimental studies and an impressive fifty-foot installation—his largest work to date. Among other recent and historical artistic influences, Lee is largely inspired by Minimalism and the Asian practice of Sumukhwa (ink and wash painting). By combining an inclination toward austerely controlled forms with the distinctive fluidity of ink, he melds Eastern and Western cultural aesthetics into abstractions that are contemporary, yet firmly rooted in tradition."

There is a nice review in the New Yorik Times, To See the World in Ballpoint Pen. I hope to get down to see it. I have been experimenting in ink drainwgs but focusing on realism so far.

Art Nouveau in Nancy France

Art Nouveau is one of my favorite movements. I have enjoyed it in Prague and Barcelona. The New York Times had an interesting article, A Fast Train Leads Back to the Time of Art Nouveau. Apparently there was an art nouveau school at Nancy. As the article states, “The school's stated goals: “art in everything” and “art for everyone.” Like Gustav Klimt in Austria, Antonio Gaudí in Barcelona and Hector Guimard in Paris, Nancy artists were experimenting with natural shapes — flowers, vines, birds, insects — and the idea of using industrial techniques and materials to create beauty.” A noble goal.

It continues, “The founder of the School of Nancy was Emile Gallé, such a master of glassmaking innovation that his New York counterpart, Louis Comfort Tiffany, traveled to Nancy to visit his factory. The fascinating Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy is dedicated to his work and that of his associates (36-38, rue du Sergent Blandan, 33-3-8340-1486; www.nancy.fr). In this appropriately Art Nouveau mansion, each room — parlor, music room, dining room, bedrooms, office — is fitted out in period furniture, stained glass and objets d'art. One highlight: Gallé's “Dawn and Dusk” bed, with an amazingly rendered, if rather bizarre, moth theme.”

You can still buy art nouveau glass in Nancy but it has become pricey. I think I will just look. There are reproductions for less. Nancy is also known for quiche Lorraine. I had some there in 1990.

Send Your Photos to National Geographic

National Geographic is aligned with the trend toward more user-generated content. They have a space on their site called Your Shot that features many of the thousands of photos they receive. There are several online galleries to view selected photos and many are very good. They certainly have a global perspective. You can also see which user-submitted photos were published in National Geographic in the Top Shots section. It has an audio commentary for the photos that is very helpful for thinking about your own photos, as well as giving more context to the pictures. I really liked the lemons in jars on the site when I looked, as well as the commentary.

Here is the form to submit your photos.

Aerial Photos of the Grand Tetons - 2007

These were taken on the approach to the Jackson WY airport.
 

Aerials Photos of US West

Unlike the earlier ones that evoked abstract designs, these appear to be more representational of some good scenery. It also shows the variety found in the US West. Taken May 2007.
         

Aerial Photos of Clouds

These were taken over the US West on May 2007.
         

Photos of Abstract Designs from the Air - Two

Here is part two of photos taken over the US west in May 2007 that appear to have an abstract design quality.