Duncan Miller Gallery Holiday Party (12/15)

Hey, even Mick needs to take a break and have some eggnogs so this Wednesday, Duncan Miller Gallery is throwing a little holiday bash at their Projects Gallery in Santa Monica.

Join us, art people and friends for our annual Holiday party this Wednesday, December 15th, 6-9 pm. This year, we'll hold it in our Santa Monica gallery space - 1716 Ocean Park, Santa Monica 90405. Wine, eggnog and mistletoe.

It's a rock and roll theme, featuring the images of Rolling Stone's original photographer Baron Wolman

Cheers!
Daniel

More info, check their Facebook event page

Duncan Miller Projects Gallery
1716 1/2 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

“I think the simpler the promo the better. I have a prejudice that the more elaborate the promo , the more it is to make up for talent. Great talent will stand out on a single postcard with two images. The goal is to drive me to your website to see your work. It is more important to to have great work. Invest your time and energy into test shots, collaborating with friends. Shoot a personal story, that tells me more about who you are than a vellum envelope.”

- Allyson Torrisis, director of photography, Popular Mechanics (via)

Smashbox Face/Off Photos Up !

Dang it, I got so busy talking to folks, I didn't get a chance to go over and get my photos taken. Go here to see them all !

Dan Busta "Forty Day Flood"

(Click to enlarge)

A few months back I set out to design, build and execute one of my most complex studio projects. I wanted to flood a set. For this I knew I would need some sort of tank to hold the water, and so I decided to build a whole set inside a custom shallow pool. The idea was to capture a flood of water entering this woman's domicile, swallowing her personal belongings, treasures, and essentially her whole agoraphobic life. There is no photoshop here, it's real water poured through a 12 inch gap in the doorway. I wanted the water to pour through the door and wrap half way around her left ankle and that's exactly what I managed to capture. - Dan Busta

Behind the scenes vid :

Kevin Knight's Creative Spaces

A normal day I’ve been trying to get up as early as i can where i still can function properly. I like to stay up late and work well things get peaceful and quiet i can concentrate on more and calm my thoughts and plan next day. I get up start the coffee machine, I like to go down stairs turn on some jazz or motown right away light the Nag Champa. Then go back upstairs take a shower and get the coffee, by the time I’m ready i go back down stairs the perfect song is playing it smells nice and I’m awake ready to get into it! Thats how i like to launch each day. I take care of a few emails then I’m doing work! - Sam Flores

I been hopping around lately so I haven’t been able to build a regular space to paint like I usually do, so minds kinda makeshift usually at my desk next to my computer, shits everywhere while I paint gets pretty messy and I get splatters all over the place. I like having music really loud and my books and random toys around to keep me going, sometimes a DVD or Netflix just playing even over music. Also I paint late like between 9 to 5 morning. I do have a ritual and thats cleaning before I start, my fuckin’ area has to be clean just so I can destroy it it haha. Clear space, clear mind.- Angry Woebots

I wake up around 7 and lay in bed for a while thinking of dreams i’ve just been pulled away from. I like to keep bits and pieces of the really great ones for embellishments within the paintings. Then i peel myself out to get in front of the computer and take care of emails and choose some music. I spend on average 10 hours a day painting, and usually walk away around 11pm. I’m very obsessive and tend to paint rather slow. But i enjoy my process and love that i am fortunate enough to meditate my days away. Thinking about it, i don’t spend much time in reality really. I live in a daydream.- Lola

One of the @PIXFeedLA follower, Kevin Knight (Is that an epic name or what ?) gave me a heads up on his project which he describes as "a look into the seldom seen studio spaces of the top artists, writers and creative individuals." He's got a blog as well as interviews with the artists over at site Creative Spaces. A fascinating look into the environment of artists.

Now THIS is a Facebook Page !

Dang, I wish I thought of this !

Top : TechCrunch France
Bottom : TechCrunch Europe

"I never try and pre-define an image too tightly. I’ve tried working this way in the past, and at least for me, the image can become sterile. There’s usually a lot of things floating around in my head, and my scouting is often an attempt to attach a visual to the thought. But I always keep my eyes open – I think inspiration can come from anywhere- and often things will present themselves when you least expect. Perhaps many photographer’s work differently. I’ve always enjoyed Robert Frank speaking about making ‘The Americans’ as a process of intuition, not intelligence. This seems to resonate with me." - Chad Ress (via)

PIXS : Julia Dean "Show Off" opening reception

(Brandon, Julia Dean & Chris Skeels)

Not only was this just the opening reception for their group photo exhibit "Show Off", it is also their holiday party and farewell to Venice party. Yup, as you probably know, the Julia Dean Photo Workshops are moving westward to Hollywood. Here's their announcement about it on their website.

How NOT to Load a Grip Van

(via)

David Drebin "Temptation"

I have fully embraced digital. I love the possibilities. The quality is unbeatable from a tech perspective. Broader audience means deeper accessibility, endless inspiration. I am in awe daily with where digital is taking us, however I think that storytelling is sorely lacking from most high profile digital advertising. - David Drebin

Currently on exhibit @ Fahley/Klein Gallery in Miracle Mile until Jan. 22, 2011

Smashbox Face/Off

(Ricky Middlesworth won first place)

w00t ! It was epic to see some old friends over at Smashbox's Face/Off opening reception. I though this year's crops of images were much better than last years and kudos to Ricky Middlesworth for placing first - he's an amazing photographer so I'm pretty dang proud that he is on his way ! Face/Off is becoming one of my favorite events since I get a chance to catch up with so many people. See y'all next week over at the ASMP/LA + LADIG Holiday party :)

Photo : Top - Robert Sanchez, bottom - Stéphanie Filo

Weekend Events (Dec 10 - 12)

FRIDAY



+ 6:00 - 9:00 pm Tonight is the unveiling of the Jackson Secret Vault Lithographic Collection @ Celebrity Vault 345 N. Canon Drive 90210. Special guest appearance by Katherine Jackson. RSVP to info@thecelebrityvault.com




+ 6:00 - 11:00 pm Photographer Fernando Escovar is throwing a Christmas Bash at his new studio over in Toluca Lake. Escovar Studios 10112 Riverside Drive Toluca Lake, CA 91602



+ 7:00 - 11:00 pm Bea Lamar " Absolute Fantasie" opening reception "presenting the works of Fine Art Photographer Bea Lamar. An exhibition focusing on feminine beauty, and nude figures.". Studio St Remy De Provence 1835 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90015

SATURDAY



+ 4:00 - 11:00 pm - LACMA Muse presents LA Print: Edition 1 - the first-ever collaborative event focusing on current trends in Los Angeles printmaking and publishing. Guests are invited to connect with artists, curators, printers, and dealers to learn about the making and collecting of fine art prints, with prints and editions ranging in price from $20 to $1,000, available through Art Center Los Angeles, El Nopal Press, Hamilton Press, Los Angeles Printmaking Society, Lucky Bunny, Modern Multiples, Outpost for Contemporary Art, and Self-Help Graphics. After party across the street at Steve Turner Contemporary and Edward Cella Gallery. And of course food trucks will be parked outside ^^



+ 6:00 - 8:00 pm "Bedtime for Bonzo" group show opening reception @ M+B Fine Art in WeHo. Curated by Matthew Porter. Participating artists include Walead Beshty, Gil Blank, Matthew Brandt, Andrew Bush, Eduardo Consuegra, Moyra Davey, Arthur Ou, Matthew Spiegelman, James Welling, Hannah Whitaker and Mark Wyse.612 North Almont Drive, West Hollywood



+ 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Martin Parr "All Things Parr" opening reception @ Rose Gallery in Bergamot Station. Martin will also be signing on Sunday 2-4 pm too. 2525 Michigan Ave. G5 Santa Monica, CA 90404



+ 7:00 - 10:00 pm - Julia Dean Photo Workshops in Venice is throwing an opening reception for "Show Off", a group photo show as well as their farewell party as JDPW will be moving to Hollywood in Jan 2011. Julia Dean 801 Ocean Front Walk, Studio 8 Venice, CA 90291

SUNDAY



+ 1:00 - 5:00 pm Venice Art Open Studios with 13 artists.



+ 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Martin Parr @ Rose Gallery to sign copies of his books "Parr World" and "Luxury" Rose Gallery Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave. G5 Santa Monica, CA 90404

ASMP/LA + LADIG "Holiday Party + Print Swap" (12/14)

Next Tuesday is ASMP/LA and LADIG's Holiday Party and Print Swap. Here's your chance to have a drink with your fellow photographer and swap prints ! Yup, just bring as many as you want and if you see another print you like, just swap :) The event is open to anyone and is $5 which you can register here.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barcode Studio
8735 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

Freestyle Ad May 1972

(Click to enlarge)

Can you believe back then you can buy 100 ft bulk film of Kodak Tri-X 320 for just $3.95 ?!?

Looks like back in the 70s, Freestyle was located near Western & Sunset Blvd. Today, Freestyle is located over on 5124 Sunset Blvd. 90027 - Sunset and Normandie. Ad from Popular Photography Magazine May 1972, Volume 70, Number 5

(source)

"You know what makes a good book? Good pictures. Just good pictures. That sounds ludicrously simplistic, but that’s all I want when I look at a book: to see amazing images. And a well-edited, well-sequenced body of images - all of which are strong on their merits - is one of the most gratifying aspects of looking at photobooks." - Seth Boyd (via)

Thursday Events

+ 6:30 - 8:00 pm - IRIS Nights : Karen Kasmauski "Observations" at Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City. 2000 Avenue of the Stars 90067. All booked up but there's satnd-by.



+ 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Steve Schapiro @ TASCHEN Beverly Hills signing copies of his photography book "Taxi Driver". Steve was doing special photography on-set of Taxi Driver. 354 N. Beverly Drive Beverly Hills, CA. Info



+ 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Opening reception to group photo show "New York, NY" with such photographers as Bernice Abbott, Henri Daumann, Elliott Erwitt, Andreas Feininger, Ken Heyman, Larry Levenstein, Benn Mitchell, Norman Parkinson, Frank Paulin, Irving Penn, Aaron Siskind, Louis Stettner, George Tice, Brett Weston, Garry Winogrand and others. Duncan Miller Gallery in West LA. 10959 Venice Blvd 90034



+ 8:00 - midnight (?) - Smashbox Face/Off opening reception at Smashbox Weho 1011 North Fuller Avenue, 90046. Garth Trindad on deck, should be tons of fun. RSVP : faceoff@smashboxstudios.com.

APA/LA "Holiday Party"

(APA chair Astor Morgan, Fernando Escovar and Samy's Niki Mustain)

Checked out the APA/LA Holiday Bash last night and definitely had an awesome time ! For those of y'all in the photo biz here in Los Angeles, you've seen Joe Frank Carollo if you've ever walked to Samy's rental counter. I met Joe close to a decade ago when I was assisting. He and Kerry were over at the Samy's Venice location. When Venice closed, Joe and Kerry moved to Samy's Hollywood. Never in the past decade did I know that he was a musician, sings the blues and had a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit "Falling in Love" back in 1975 with his group Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds ! Mad respect to Papa Joe ! Props to his band, the World Famous Assistants - I counted three OTMFC and one Gitzo t-shirt in the band.

Just for kicks, I found their song on YouTube...




Anyways, saw David Zentz , John Gibbel , Dennis Dunbar, Daniel Bergeron, Michael Kirchoff among the crowd and had a chance to catch up with a few folks at the bar. Thanks to APA/LA for throwing this !

Okay folks, this week, I'll be out over at Smashbox Face/Off party on Thursday, then be swapping prints over at the ASMP/LA + LADIG Holiday Party and Print Swap next Tuesday in Culver City.

^^

IRIS Nights - George Steinmetz "Aerial Photos of the World's Extreme Deserts" (12/16)

I encountered some strong winds after rising up above the desert takeoff, and spent too much time taking pictures. By the time I was ready to land the winds had picked up to the point where I couldn’t maintain my position, and was flying backward while heading into the wind. When I landed I got dragged face-down across the playa, like a guy strapped into a spinnaker in a gale, except that I had a big leaf-blower on my back. I ended up wrapping the brake lines around my hand to pull the wing it. I was pretty badly banged up and scraped, but was able to fly again the next day.

George Steinmetz will be at IRIS Nights next Thursday (12/16) to speak of his aerial photography done by using motorized paragliding. The lecture series is free to the public and tickets become available today at noon and tomorrow at 9:30 am over here. IRIS Nights is held over at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City, CA.

Link
Adventure Journal "The Aerial Art of George Steinmetz"

Martin Parr "All Things Parr" (12/11)

RoseGallery is pleased to present All Things Parr, an exhibition of work by and about British photographer, Martin Parr. Large-scale photographic prints from the series, Luxury, unique photo sculptures, and newly produced limited edition photo-objects will be on display.

Opening reception is this Satuday the 11th from 7-9 pm. Martin Parr will also be signing copies of his book Parr World and Luxury on Sunday the 12th from 2-4 pm over at Rose Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.

Dec 11, 2010 - Jan 29, 2011

Opening reception Dec 11, 2010 7-9 pm

Rose Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave. G5
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Tuesday Events

+ Kim Gottlieb-Walker (she's got a great website name : lenswoman.com will be at Booksoup tonight over in WeHo signing copies of her first book "Bob Marley & The Golden Age of Reggae" . 8818 Sunset Blvd. W. Hollywood, Ca. 90069 7 pm



+ Tonight over at Molly Malones on Fairfax is the APA/LA "Holiday Party" w/ live music (Joe Frank Carollo (aka Papa Jpe_ & the World Famous Assistants), comedians (John Vargas), dinner (while it lasts) plus each paid admission gets you 2 drink tickets (while they last). APA members free, rest $25 and you can register here. 7 - 11 pm.


+ Over in Venice is Open Show Los Angeles #2, a free monthly event providing photographers, filmmakers and multimedia producers the chance to present their work. This time, it is held over at Venice Arts 610 California Ave
90291. RSVP over on their Facebook page.