Felix LA Art-Fair

So, Art-Fairs.  I didn’t go to this one but I kind of wish I did because it seemed different.  I did read about it in ArtNews though.  The article; “‘Everything Feels MoreIntimate’: Felix LA Brings New Life to Art-Fair Circuit” by Janelle Zara, posted on February 15, 2019.  You should read Ms. Zara’s article because it is interesting and I’m not going to redo what she did in my post.  This is what I learned for me though – you can buy t-shirts (art t-shirts or really t-shirts with art on them) at Art-Fairs.  Which means to me, I can sell art t-shirts.  Also, this Art-Fair was held in a hotel, not a convention center or the like.  Galleries set up in rooms in the hotel.  The hotel was the Roosevelt Hotel and, from what I read, the place has a lot of history.  The article had a lot of discussions on the feel of this Art-Fair compared to the big box type of Art-Fairs.  But what I gleamed that seemed most important to me was the price ranges some of the galleries were selling art at.  For me – because I’m trying to sell work – that is useful information.  Along with that part regarding t-shirts.

Train Depots

Back in 2011 when I was an early photography student at California State University, San Bernardino, (I love saying the whole name like that – go Coyotes!) one of the projects we had for our documentary #photography class was photographing some Inland Empire train stations.  We could capture others but some were on our “have to photograph” list.  I thought it was a good challenging #project that made you think how you would do it different since you knew others would be photographing the same structure.  I have since gone back to some of these train depots to use them as back drops or as the subject of the shoot themselves.  But these images are some of those from Prof. McGovern’s class (he is an incredible teacher and photographer in his own right).  I should make some full size prints of these images.

 Colton

 Pomona

 Redlands

 San Bernardino

 Union Station, Los Angeles

Union Station, Los Angeles

Chriskwanzakkah 2010, Part 6, The Conclusion

I’m sick – I have some kind of crud.  I have been sick all week but I couldn’t let that stop me – it was finals week.  It’s my spring break now so I need to pack my bag and head to Cabo.  Or should I stay closer and just run to Vegas?  Or maybe…  Maybe nothing, I have 2 little pirates to take care of and their spring break is a week away.  So I’ll blog.

This is the last installment on Chriskwanzakkah 2010. Here are five ladies (only three photographs) that I took some liberties with in Photoshop.  Primarily working with the shadows and highlights tool.  I like the effect.  On this, my photographic journey, I’m working towards being an artist.  That’s the end goal, having my photographic prints as art pieces.  Like an Alec Soth, Cindy Sherman, or Gordon Parks  (all of who’s work I admire tremendously).  I’m not there yet.  I’m getting closer, especially with what I’m doing now on my projects but I’m not there yet.  And I will bring this blog current.  But this is where we are right now. 

It’s funny how those plastic blue (or red) cups are always invited to the party.

Three photos shot in program mode like all of the Chriskwanzakkah photos.  I used my Speedlite 430EX flash on all of the shots too.  All photos were photographed with my kit lens, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, on my Canon EOS Rebel XS.  And this concludes my Chriskwanzakkah 2010 coverage.

Oh, before I forget, I just want to say thank you to Mr. Humberto Dib for following my blog and his kind words.  His blog is pretty cool too.

Chriskwanzakkah 2010, Part 5, Hanukkah Harry and Jesus

Ok, this is wrong in so many ways but it is funny too – if you have an off center sense of humor.  I guess you should keep in mind this is done by people who are a part of the alternative Los Angeles art scene.  If you are unfamiliar with what that implies, you should know that Los Angeles artist have been considered “alternative” to the majority of the art world for a long time anyway.  So these guys are a bit further away from “middle” than that.  And of course, this is all done in fun.  Well nevertheless, it’s up to you to decide for you.  I present to you Hanukkah Harry and Jesus of the December 2010 Chriskwanzakkah party.  You make the call.

35 photos (I know, that’s a lot) – shot in program mode like all of the Chriskwanzakkah photos.  I used my Speedlite 430EX flash on all of the shots.  All photos were photographed with my kit lens, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, on my Canon EOS RebelXS.  I will wrap up Chriskwanzakkah 2010 with the next post.  And it will have only three photos.

Chriskwanzakkah 2010, Part 4, The Dancers

Oh man, I was doing so well.  The end of the quarter has taken its toll though.  Finals and final papers – it all has come due.  Then the previous weekend the kids and I spent it in Lancaster at grandpa’s for a cousin’s birthday party and stuff also.  That was the worst weekend to go anywhere – the weekend before finals.  But we have made it past it all save for this final essay exam that is due tomorrow.  It just needs a rewrite so I’m stealing time to blog.  Let’s see, the annual Chriskwanzakkah party is still on the table.  This was the December 2010 event as I mentioned before.  There was a lot going on all night but this entry I will feature the dancers that provided a lot of the entertainment.  First up, Rachel – Kevin’s wife to be and longtime girlfriend.  She kicked off the dancers around midnight.

Obviously, videoing this would have been better but I’m not a big video guy.

The next dancer’s name eludes me.  She was nothing but energy though.

And this is Eighth Letter – yes, H is her name.  This is her first set.

She rides the stand up into the cosmos to perform for us.  This was a first for me.

Another dancer, “Marge Simpson”, entertained us with her curves – and feathers.

I love how that blue hair matches so well with her tattoos.

Then Eighth Letter gave us one more set around 2:00 am.

17 photos – shot in program mode like all of the Chriskwanzakkah photos.  I used my Speedlite 430EX flash on all of the shots except the last one.  All photos were photographed with my kit lens, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, on my Canon EOS Rebel XS.  The next post will feature Hanukkah Harry and Jesus.  I know but it was a sight.


Oh and a very big thank you to Mr. Stephen Baird who has just started following my blog.  And his daughter is a soldier!  That’s near and dear to my heart.  She was recently stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, as part of the 101^st Airborne Division.  I served there too in the Screaming Eagles.  I went to the first Gulf War as a Screaming Eagle.  A big Army hooah to Tara!!