Overwhelmed

How will I edit....? So many pics

Pools Edit Begins

Glorious working from home. Now if only someone would pay me to do photography (on my terms). I have 112 proof sheets with 416 photos from the pool project. 

Pulaski Park Pool

From the rooftop.

Air Show

Above, California Park, 3843 N. California Ave.

Below, Hamlin Park, 3035 N. Hoyne Ave.

Back to Ada Park

Ada Park, where it all began... Now that I have photographed every pool on my list, I went back to Ada to get a self portrait.

Went back to Ada where it all started and got some better shots of the signs (da Park). I made it there for open swim. The water was deliciously cold. I met a young man (brent, 16) I whipped him in a swim race across the short end of the pool and later whipped him and and his friend to the rope. hahaha. He helped me take the above shots.

Armour Square

more here.

Pilsen Crown Vic

Douglas Park

more here.

Thanks, Thursday!

Thank you, Thursday!

I had a sweet photoshoot today with my good friend's kids (below).
Drove up north to Gompers Park, where the old black woman working the door let me into "family swim" because, "It's hotter than Hell today..." Took pics of a nice Latin Family with a baby, swam.


Hit two more pools, swam some more.



Picked up my framed Jason Lazarus print at Yoko's.

And now, Sultan's Market! Delicious, well-deserved treat. It's a pain in the ass getting there and parking because it is like 4:30 at the 6 corners. I throw on my flashers  and as I'm running up the street to the store a huge SUV (with rims!) turns the wrong way down the street. Stops and an undercover detective leans out the window, points at me:

Him: Get over here!
Me: (walks over, might be worth mentioning here that I am in a wet bikini and towel)
Him: (angry) You can't just make a U-turn WHEREVER YOU WANT! You CANNOT drive your car in reverse down a one way street, and I'm pretty sure YOU CAN'T PARK THERE!
Me: So....move my car? (thinking, Gosh, when you put it like that...)
Him: YES! Move your car. (stares at me)
Me: and...don't drive like a jerk?
Him: Yeah, (almost to himself) don't drive like a jerk.
OK, no Sultan's for me...
Him: (overheard as he tries to get out of his bad spot facing the wrong way on a one way street with a packed North Avenue behind him) Get out of my fucking way!

Hahahahaha, where does he think I learned to drive like that? Hello, watching cops!! It was like my audacity personally offended him(...only people like HIM can drive like THAT, and only in the name of justice!) And/or he was sort of in awe of my sweet git-r-done driving skills.

hahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Feelin' lucky.

Went home and BBQ'd myself some ribs.

Now for something a little lighter...

Fresh portrait of my friend Terri's son John. I gave him a guitar to honor his (partial) namesake, Johnny Rotten. Nothing like cute kids and good assistant to make a shoot go well!
Thanks, Danielle.

Man with Fish, 2010

Jack Spencer's powerful image, Man with Fish, Como, MS, 1996 (at left), is the inspiration for this piece. His photograph of a young man with a large caught fish is about potential, bounty and hope. It's glowing light and deep shadows speak of life's miracles and mysteries, including man's complicated relationship to nature and the cycle of life.

Although Mr. Spencer uses the word “Man” in the title, to me it speaks about youth. The optimism of the large fish and the smooth hairless chest make me think “young man” of about 20 years old. A man, but not by much.

My treatment of the image is anti-optimism. By reshooting the image with an older fully grown man, holding a small diminutive fish, I am expressing disappointment. This, along with his softer physique, less symmetrical frame and somewhat slouchy appearance, convey my dissatisfaction in mediocrity, reality, mankind and men.

I was compelled to “re” create this piece after breaking up with my boyfriend as a way of expressing my frustration about what I perceived to be his inability to fulfill traditional gender roles. By using my ex-boyfriend as a model I am talking about my specific disappointment in him, as well as, a universal feelings of frustration. This man, 30 years old, holds a fish too small for him. As it is not enough to nourish him alone, it is certainly not enough to nourish another. He cannot contribute to his family, or his community at large. This is an image about coming up short.

*I'm still working on the statement...but you get the idea.

Hamilton Park

1215 E. 83rd St.




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