'Awakening' Exhibit, Cornelius Art Center

I am so happy to be invited to show my work in the upcoming exhibit, entitled Awakening, to be held at the Cornelius Art Center, in Cornelius, North Carolina, opening September 19.  

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In addition to my own pinhole work, the exhibit includes the works of Christina Z. Anderson; Aspen Hochhalter; and S. Gayle Stevens.  I am thrilled to be exhibiting with these fine active artists whose work I've long admired.  Our images and print-making choices vary greatly, yet you might fine a certain commonality in our visions.  This exhibit was curated by Jen Crickenberger of the Cornelius Art Center.

Read more about it, below:

Awakening unites the art of four female photographers from across the United States for a visual exploration of the internal human experience.  Thoughts, memories and dreams that lie far beneath the surface are expressed as epiphanies captured one frame at a time.  Antique photographic processes illuminate latent images forming reflective moments of inquiry and resolution.  These soft and almost fluid pictures convey a sense of awakening as a personal revelation and as an activation of residual mental imagery.  Artists represented include Christina Z. Anderson; Diana H. Bloomfield; Aspen Hochhalter, and S. Gayle Stevens.

Awakening will be on exhibit at the Cornelius Art Center from September 17 to November 23, 2015.  Opening Reception on September 19, from 6-8 pm.  The High Ridge Pickers will be playing bluegrass in Studio C from 5:30-7 pm.  Artist talk at 7 pm.

I'll be attending Saturday night, so I hope to see you there!

Depth of Field 2015!

Join us for the opening weekend of Depth of Field 2015, organized by rfotofolio.org and Gilbert, Arizona's Art Intersection, September 10-14, which will take place at Art Intersection.  

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Depth of Field 2015

Check out all the amazing events, including the Exhibition itself, the Photographers' Roundtable, and the Workshop offerings.  I'll be teaching a two-day Gum Bichromate Workshop during the opening weekend, Saturday, September 12 and 13.   If you have any questions about my workshop specifically, feel free to contact me.  

So join us!  And you can read more about it all here.

2015-16 Regional Artist Project Grant Awarded!

I've received formal notification that my recent Regional Artist Project Grant (RAPG) application to the United Arts Council of Raleigh has been approved for full funding, for 2015-16!  All pending budget approval from the NC State Legislature, but I'm so excited!  Lots of plans . . .  so thanks, United Arts Council!

58th National Multi-Media Juried Art Exhibition at Maria V. Howard Arts Center

We just returned from the opening of the 58th National Multi-Media Juried Art Exhibit at the Maria V. Howard Arts Center, housed in the beautiful Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  

Rocky Mount ©Diana H. Bloomfield 2015

The exhibit was one of the strongest I've seen for this annual event.  This year the work was juried by Edie Carpenter, long-time Director of Curatorial Programs at the GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art.  Ms. Carpenter was at the opening tonight and offered an eloquent and articulate talk about the works she chose.

The artwork was arranged throughout the Gallery, weaving its way through various rooms, so that not only did we get to experience the juried exhibit, but we got to view other works also currently on exhibit at the Imperial.  A beautiful and smart way to showcase all the art.

I'm happy to say that my two tri-color gum bichromate prints, Wading and Ribboned Water were chosen for this show and received Merit Recognition.  

If you have never been to the Imperial Centre at Rocky Mount, do take time out to visit.  It's so beautiful, warm and welcoming.  And in addition to the 58th National Multi-Media Juried Exhibit, on through September 13-- they have a wonderful The Art of the Brick exhibit, featuring a collaborative venture between between LEGO brick artist, Nathan Sawaya, and renowned photographer, Dean West.  I was awestruck by this work.  Amazing.  Definitely time to visit Rocky Mount!

More Beautiful Gum Prints from the Light Factory Workshop!

I've just uploaded some additional prints here, made by students in the Gum Bichromate Workshop this past weekend at the Light Factory, in Charlotte.   Some are finished; some still in progress; all awesome!

Just below is a picture I took of the class taking a break; some seem a bit camera-shy and others not-- but all happy gum printers.  (Is there any other kind?)

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Please click on any of these images to see them larger.

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Image & tri-color gum print, by ©Michael Oski 2015

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Images & tri-color gum prints by ©Alina Bartlett (L) & ©Joann Galarza Vega (R) 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print  ©Kay Tuttle 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print,  ©Mel Skerpon 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print ©Jane Wiley 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print  ©Janet Boschker 2015

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Image & monochrome gum print by ©Jane Wiley 2015

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Image & monochrome gum print by ©Laurie Schorr 2015

Again-- long-time photographers--  first-time gum printers.  So inspiring!

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Image & tri-color gum print  ©Chris Edwards 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print  ©Mike Baker 2015

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Works-in-Progress.  Cyan layer & image ©Mel Skerpon 2015; Negative ©Laurie Schorr 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print ©Alina Bartlett 2015

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Image & tri-color gum print ©Janet Boschker (L) 2015; Image & tri-color gum print ©Laurie Schorr (R) 2015

Weekend Gum Bichromate Workshop at the Light Factory!

I just finished teaching a two-day gum bichromate workshop at Charlotte's Light Factory and had such a wonderful time!

The class was filled with ten of the most engaged, fun,  interesting, and accomplished photographers.  Really energizing.  I even learned the correct pronunciation of 'Quinacridone.'  Thanks, Mel. 

So check out these stellar gum prints from long-time photographers, but first-time gum printers: Chris Edwards, Mel Skerpon, Janet Boschker, and Mike Baker.

And watch this space, because I'll be adding more in the next few days.

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Image & tricolor gum print by ©Chris Edwards 2015

None had ever done any gum printing prior to the workshop, and I was awed by some of the truly beautiful prints they made.  By the second day, the confidence level was way up, and everyone understood the process a bit better-- both the variables and the creative possibilities that come with them.

They wow'd me with their prints.  Truly.

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Image & tri-color gum print by ©Mel Skerpon 2015

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Images and tri-color gum prints by ©Mel Skerpon (L) and ©Mike Baker (R) 2015

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Images & tri-color gum prints by ©Janet Boschker 2015 

I love the folks at the Light Factory.  Kay Tuttle, the Director, and Laurie Schorr, the Education Director, do an incredible job-- and what a fantastic community of supporters they have.  Such a fun weekend!  I hope to do it again.  

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Image & tri-color gum print by ©Janet Boschker 2015

Another great gum workshop!

Ken Jackson and Rochelle Moser, two wonderful photographers and good friends spent last weekend with me in my studio, learning the gum bichromate printing process.  We had such a fun time.  Check out a couple of the beautiful images they made.

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Lemons Tri-color gum ©Rochelle Moser 2015

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Ken & Rochelle, in the studio. May 2015

Gum Bichromate Workshop at Light Factory!

Get interpretive with your images!  Join me for a fun, creative weekend at Charlotte's Light Factory on June 6 and 7, where we'll explore the incredible gum bichromate printing process.  You can check out all the details here, and I hope to see you on June 6.  (June 6 and 7, from 9-5)

When good prints go bad . . .

My good friend and amazing photographer, Bill Vaccaro, drove all the way from Chicago last week to spend two days learning the gum bichromate process.  

In the Studio with Bill and his one-coat (good) gum print above.

Lots of fun, great prints (and some not so great prints), and much hilarity ensued. We had a such a fun time, and Bill drove away with some beautiful (and, yes, some seriously questionable) prints.  

Yay!  Yet another convert to the wonders of gum printing!