Sunday, April 25, 2010

Delicious Chicago Fog

Everyone around me seemed to be pretty down about the weather this weekend, it was generally cloudy and foggy and sometimes rainy... but I absolutely reveled in the gorgeous fog that swept over the skyscrapers downtown. I felt like I was in a movie! Sadly, today is sunny and clear, but I will wait patiently for another glorious foggy occasion. Or I will buy a fog machine. Happy Monday!




Things I'm diggin' lately include square format photos, my newly created Backstreet Boys Pandora station (no, I'm not ashamed), everything about Glee, this recipe and this blog. More goodies to follow!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Call for Artists Roundup

Hello loves! Here is the weekly roundup of shows for this week. Hope you find something you like! I've been super busy this week but hope to post the album cover I've been working on among other things next week. This blog is coming along slowly but surely. In other news, I'm so happy it's spring, I'm feeling a little more productive and motivated these days. Anyway, happy Friday.

ASMP Image10 Photo Contest
DEADLINE - MAY 1

Daylight Magazine Photo Awards
DEADLINE - MAY 15

Art on Track
DEADLINE - JUNE 1

Photography Book Now
DEADLINE - JULY 15

Dream Town Photo Contest
DEADLINE - JUNE 15

Friday, April 16, 2010

Fab Friday

Here is this week's call for artists from all around town (and by town I mean internetz)! They're primarily photography and design-based calls. Enjoy, and have a fab Friday!

Smithtown Township Arts Council
DEADLINE - APRIL 16

LACDA 2010 Top 40 Call for Entries
DEADLINE - APRIL 19

Ambience Photo Contest
DEADLINE - APRIL 30

Projekt30
DEADLINE - MAY 1

Root Division - Borders Exhibition
DEADLINE - MAY 3

Beverly Arts Center - 3rd Annual Digital Photo Contest
DEADLINE - MAY 14

Chicago Public Library Design Contest
DEADLINE - MAY 15

Photographer's Forum 30th Annual Spring Photography Contest
EARLY DEADLINE - APRIL 19
FINAL DEADLINE - MAY 17

Milwaukee Ave Arts Festival
DEADLINE - MAY 17

Chicago Artists Month Intent to Participate Application
DEADLINE - MAY 21

The One World Photography Contest
DEADLINE - MAY 23

Call for Exhibit Proposals
DEADLINE - JUNE 1

PHOTOcentric
DEADLINE - JUNE 1

Ravenswood Art Walk
DEADLINE - JULY 1

Art at Cole's
ONGOING

Aritst Proposals - Margin Gallery
ONGOING

That should keep you busy for a while... I'm off to enjoy a weekend filled with: Susan Sontag, a $4 movie, applying to shows, designing some album art, shooting in this lovely weather and spring cleaning!

Monday, April 5, 2010

.getting my groove back

Here is a piece I just did for a German magazine... when I initially got the assignment, I felt totally lost on the concept, and the first few drafts were nothing like what my creative director had envisioned. I was pretty convinced I would hate it when I was finished, but I pushed through and it became something I really enjoyed in the end! Just goes to show ya.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Morpho Gallery Photo Show

My photo just got into a show at Morpho Gallery's 5th Photo Annual! I'm so excited, it's my second show of 2010. This just may have been the spark that motivates me to get back into shooting mode. Also, it is Spring, and I am delighted. At any rate, here is the invite, if any of you are interested:

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentine's Mush

Happy Valentine's Day, loves! I'm happy to announce the official opening of my new etsy shop, Mirror Box Studio. I think it's a fitting time to launch a new endeavor that involves something I'm passionate about. I hope you'll enjoy my prints (and tell your friends!) :) Photography reminds me to be thankful for all of the beautiful things I've been blessed to witness in my short lifetime. It has taken me on so many great adventures already, I can't wait to find out what is in store for me next!

Here are some prints currently in my shop, from the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic.



For those of you who are interested, the John Lennon Wall started back in the 1980s shortly after his death. It is tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Czech youths would come to this wall and write his lyrics to promote ideals of love and peace, and although the original paintings are now covered with hundreds of layers, the message remains the same. At one time it served as a way for the Czechs to express themselves under a Communist regime, and today remains a tangible relic of that sentiment. I love the idea that this is not just any wall filled with graffiti, but rather it is filled with a sense of purpose. It has unified people from all over the world to come to this tiny spot on Earth and contribute a little bit of themselves to the wall. I would love to go back there someday and see how different it is now...

Anyway, I'm off to enjoy a not-so-lazy Sunday, celebrating today with my camera, some chocolate, and maybe a bubble bath!


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

2010 Photography Resolutions

Here are my photographic resolutions for 2010:

1. Shoot more!
Seriously, now that I am out of school I really need to buckle down and give myself assignments. I have been really bad about this so far. I will attempt to carry some kind of camera on me every day, and dedicate at least two days to shooting a week. This may entail my waking up earlier before work. Oy!

2. Experiment with different films and cameras.
Over the years, I've accrued a number of cameras that I never use! Granted, some of them are antiques and probably no longer work. Specifically, I would like to produce more work with my Holga and Polaroid cameras. I'm excited about this resolution because it has been a long time since I've worked in film.

3. Experiment more in general.
Self explanatory.

4. Enhance my knowledge of Photoshop.
For a long time, I was very against "photoshopped" images... and although it forced me to think creatively in the past, I think it is really starting to hold me back from creating the kind of work and subject matter I'm really interested in. So every week, I plan on setting aside some time to learn a new skill in Photoshop!

5. Get out of my comfort zone.

6. Manage my time better.
I think this will significantly help in how I can achieve my other goals. So I best put my iCal to better use!

7. Sell my work!
This is going to take a lot of initial work, in terms of getting my name out there, maintaining a marketing plan, etc. But ideally, I think this will force me not only to shoot more, but also help my bank account!

8. Stop over thinking.
This is a big one. I over think almost everything in my life. And I need to stop. Particularly when it comes to creating art. I guess I don't really have an active plan for this one, I just need to be aware of it. Name it and claim it.

So, that's about it for now. I know my resolutions are coming a little late, but better than never, eh?