I Love Vagina????

Today, I had my photography students meet me at a friend's piece of land here in East Texas for an in-class landscape assignment. Following the field trip I headed back to campus for my next class. I ended up following one of my students back.....and this was seriously written on his car. I realize he's in college, male and I could continue to list all the reasons why this might be excusable. I'm surprised in the ultra conservative town we live in he hasn't been pulled over. Lesser crimes haven't gone unpunished. At any rate, it was something even I was shocked to see.

Work in Progress

Since completing my MFA my art work production has slowed. I have the ideas however not the time nor the funds set aside for experimentation. One of my works in progress is a series on my little brother, David, who suffers from a chronic illness known as Neurofibromatosis. I don't think I want to do a documentary on him however the idea of how this illness has effected him as well as myself for the last 21 years is of interest. There are several symptoms associated with the illness that I am exploring through photography, video, sculpture and performance. The image was taken in August 2007 following my brother's most recent surgery to remove several cysts that appear just below the skin's surface. The image is a visual reminder for me of my feelings during this period of time and the physical representation of the illness seen in the scars of my brother's body.

Humble Arts Foundation

I was recently contacted by Humble Arts Foundation regarding my image titled Sale from my "Repository" series which ran in their online Group Show No 17 a few months ago. It seems there has been a growing interest in purchasing the piece. If all goes according to plan, come mid-November my vending machine image will be for sale through Humble.

Lisa Hunter, a writer, art critic and recent fan of my work hinted in her blog, The Intrepid Art Collector, her interest in the photograph as well. Rest easy, you too can now own it.

New Artists

During my recent trip to NYC, I discovered two new artist's work, Berni Searle and Rachael Dunville. Searle is featured in the MOMA's New Photography 2007 exhibition. How I had never known of her or learned of her I'm not sure. Searle works in photography, video, and performance among others. Her series "About To Forget" which was shown as a series of stills at the MOMA was quite beautiful and held my attention–enough for me to grab my little notebook and scribble her name down.

My friend Amy Stein, a follow artist and new professor, mentioned I should see the new show at Peer Gallery. As soon as I walked in I recognized one of the prints "The Brad" from a group show which had just opened in Austin, Texas called TPS 16 which I was also in. I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Rachael Dunville while I was in the gallery and discovered just how small this world is.

Austin Museum of Art: 20 to Watch

I was recently selected as one of the 20 new artists to watch by the Austin Museum of Art located in downtown Austin, Texas. The show opens February 15, 2008 and runs through May 11 before heading off to other cities. This will be my first museum showing. In July I submitted work online. Then in September, I was called in for an interview to meet with the four curators/judges at AMOA. Diane Barber Director/Curator, Diverse Works, Houston; Eva Buttacavoli, Director of Exhibitions and Education, Austin Museum of Art; Bill FitzGibbons, Director, Blue Star, San Antonio; Dennis Kois, Director, Grace Museum, Abilene.

During the week I teach at SFA in Nacogdoches and commute in. I spend three days a week in Austin, four if I'm lucky and teach 4 days. My interview was scheduled for a Thursday at noon. I had planned to drive back to Austin Wednesday night after class but was kept late so woke at 6am Thursday to make the four hour drive back to Austin. I arrived at 11:30am and went straight to present. I followed this with lunch with my friend Leslie, the photo editor at Texas Monthly, whom I had filled in for May-June of this year while she took her maternity leave. At 2pm I started the drive back, 'The Road to Nac' as I like to call it followed by my three hour class on video that evening at 6pm. Needless to say when I got the call this week I was ecstatic that I had done so well given the circumstances.

I head out tomorrow morning to catch a flight to NYC. I've been gone for over two months now and can't wait to be back. I have a show which opens Sunday at Silvermine Gallery in New Canaan Connecticut. Peter MacGill was the juror and will be giving a lecture at 1pm.

Images from my Repository series were selected for both shows. A 30x40 of Exam 2 will be on display at Silvermine and a 40x50 of Clean 2 will be on view at AMOA along with one other piece.

Finally a Blog

I've been meaning to start this blog since relocating back to Texas in August. Being a first time professor of art has kept me more than busy. I plan to post new and old work, a slice of life in Texas as well as the work of other fellow Texas artists and those who inspire me.