Boonville TEXAS

Artist and photographer Timothy Briner has been on the road since July 2007 documenting small town America through a series of photographs taken at six different towns named Boonville. With "Boonville," I am exploring ideas that reflect my opinions and memories of growing up in a small town. This journey is about my connection to these towns, theirs to each other and to the rest of the country. The final product will juxtapose images from all six towns and together, create a fictional town named "Boonville."

This month Tim is in Texas and headed my way. I have asked Tim to be a guest lecturer on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas where I am currently teaching photography and digital media.

I'm excited to see the work as well as hear about his adventures. Anyone in the area please join us Thursday from 5-6pm in the Art building.

In the meantime follow along by visiting Tim's site dedicated to this project.

Boonvilleusa.com

New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch Opening

Despite the cold weather....yes it gets cold here in Texas, rain and tornado warnings nearly 1500 people attended this years New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch opening. I think the show was a huge success and thanks to everyone who came out that night. It was great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.

The work is extremely diverse showcasing performance, video, site specific installation, painting, sculpture and photography. I was especially interested in the work of Jen Hirt and Scott Webel, a collaborative group known as the Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata. If you haven't been out to see the show yet it runs through May 11 before heading on a two year tour through Texas.

In conjunction with the show there are two more fantastic events to attend. On Thursday March 6, the video shorts will be screened at the museum. It will provide an inside look at each artists' working process as well as their studio spaces. Throughout the month of April, all 20 artists will be giving artist talks on Thursday evenings. I am part of the first round on April 3. Hope to see you there.

Home Stretch

Three days to go till my first museum opening. Yes I'm excited. This past weekend I traveled from Houston to pick up my three prints for the show and hand delivered them to Austin and then returned the next day to Houston. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of time, energy and especially cash that goes in to getting your work seen. This year as in 2008 I've already spent hundreds on competitions, portfolio reviews etc in addition to printing, shipping and return shipping works to three separate shows happening simultaneously. Its the price of being an artist you could say and of course its a catch 22. You are poor because you are an artist however you can't get your work out there, seen by the right people unless you spend money which you know you don't have. On top of that you want to make new work because once your art is out there and people start paying attention they want to know what you are working on now. Again more money spent that you don't already have. Debt is a common word out of my moth. Credit card and student loan debt–it never seems like it will go away. I'm hoping that from these recent shows others will come and hopefully lead to sales or a solo show. As an artist as many of my artist friends know you have to stay positive keep pushing your work even when you get back hundreds of rejection letters. Eventually your work will be in front of the right person at the right time and things will snowball from there. At least thats what I have been told.

Domesticated

My good friend Amy Stein has her first solo show opening February 16 in Los Angeles at Paul Kopeikin Gallery. Her series Domesticated will be on view through April 26, 2008. If you are anywhere in the vicinity please check out the show. It will be well worth the trip.

The images are constructed based off human encounters with wild animals taken from newspapers and oral histories. The images are shot in Northwest Pennsylvania.

31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography

Humble Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Ladies Lotto, present

"31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography"

Curated by Lumi Tan and Jon Feinstein

On view
Saturday, March 1 – Friday, March 28, 2008

Opening reception
Saturday, March 1, 2008

After receiving more than 1000 submissions we are delighted to announce the exhibiting photographers for "31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography."

Exhibiting photographers:

Alana Celii
Amy Elkins
Ahndraya Parlato
Allison Grant
Ashley Lefrak
Alejandra Laviada
Alex Van Clief
Catherine Maloney
Dina Kantor
Dru Donovan
Elaine Stocki
Hannah Whitaker
Helen Maurene Cooper
Jaimie Warren
Jessica Bruah
Jessica Roberts
Ka-Man Tse
Kate and Camilla
Kelly Kleinschrodt
Manya Fox
Marta Labad
Mary Mattingly
Molly Landreth
Nadine Rovner
Rachael Dunville
Reka Reisinger
Sara Padgett Heathcott
Sarah Small
Sarah Sudhoff
Tealia Ellis Ritter
Talia Chetrit