Open for Adventure

I attended Photo LA this past weekend.  Sadly, it was smaller than last year but still a great place to see fabulous images, network with gallery owners, meet with featured photographers, attend enlightening seminars, and get fresh ideas. 

Friday's open portfolio presentation is always inspiring.  I saw new concepts and techniques I'd never considered, like J. T. Burke's collages made from costume jewelry (www.JTBurke.com).  At the show: Robert Stivers huge "astigmatic dramaturgy" images (www.robertstivers.com), Rolfe Horn's tonal and structural inventiveness (www.f45.com), and Nicola Costantino's three piece panel, The Dinner (www.nicolacostantino.com.ar), of a table with an empty platter opening to one full of a lovely nude woman - all fresh ways of presenting. 

Living large means putting one's self out there, embracing life and opportunity.  At Photo LA, I put negative and fearful thoughts aside and raved to one of my favorite photographers, David LaChapelle about a show of his I saw in Berlin and learned a few things about his upcoming presentation in China; met Marthe Smith, founder of Photosight and former photo editor of Time Inc. Picture Collection who told me things I'd never read about their archives; and shook hands with Susan Burnstein whose images I find mezmorizing.  In two days, I had met with everyone I needed to and came home with a reaffirmation of and boost to my passion for the art of photography. 

Clearing The Decks!

I've spent the last few days clearing my extra bedroom for my first guest of the year.  It had become a cluttered storage room, as many do.  Through this action, I've opened my life up to friend and family visits!  That in turn opens me up to more adventures.  My soul takes a deep sigh and breaths into the open space that has been created.