Art Shows and Snow

I love art shows.  Going to galleries, participating in shows, seeing other’s work, seeing what a panel of jurors choose as the best photo.  Also, most opening serve wine and who doesn’t appreciate some wine with their art?

Siskiyou County has seen its fair share of snow since “Spring” began.  Up to 4 feet in Mt. Shasta City and 3 feet right in our front yard.  This past Monday and Tuesday, I braved the storm to drop off art for various shows.  Dropping off art in snow storms may be my least favorite thing ever.  Keeping prints and glass dry, trying not to fall in slush while carrying a stack of 16x20 frames.  I was calling my mom periodically to express my frustration, and she kept talking me into not giving up when I clearly wanted to.  I’m from Santa Barbara, so I feel like I’ve had my fill of this snow stuff!

Well, I’m glad I didn’t give up. 

The first drop off spot was my own storefront gallery next to The Pizza Factory in downtown Dunsmuir, part of the Dunsmuir Storefront Gallery Project.  Nancy Newbauer and Joanne Steele from the Dunsmuir Revitalization Project set up the galleries, and they look amazing!  There are a number of locations around town, so please click the link above to see who and where the other artists are.

Second, I submitted 3 pieces in the Sisson Museum Annual Photography Show.  This year’s theme was “Water”.  I got a call yesterday letting me know I had won Best of Show!  Just amazing.  The show was put together by the staff and juried by James Gilmore, Kevin Lahey and Dennis Weathers – all local photography experts.  I’m really honored to have won!

A lot of wonderful local photographers submitted work to this show.  I went in today to be photographed for the paper and got a sneak peak, but I’m really waiting for the opening this Friday at 7pm.  There will also be a people’s choice award, so if you live in the area, please come and vote!

I have to say, it’s still snowing, but I feel surprisingly refreshed.  I’m ready for Spring, but I won’t be afraid of submitting art in a blizzard ever again!

Kelly

Types of Portraits

Portrait is a great term that describes a picture of a person, but if you’re looking to have portraits done, you should think about what TYPE of portraits you want done.  They have different photographic approaches and may require using different photographers (we all have our specialties and weaknesses as professionals, it’s true!).  Personally, I think I specialize in capturing natural beauty - branching away from un-authentic poses and working around a person’s actions instead of trying to have them work around the camera.  I like when people get comfortable enough to pretend I’m not there.  Works amazingly with children.  Here’s a beautiful example of Miss Evelyn Sky.

I also like applying this approach to professional headshots.  These are much more formal, as a rule, but that doesn’t mean they can’t look natural!  I had a lot of fun with the Weed Chamber Board for their portraits.  While I only had a couple minutes to work with each member, I thought it was really important to get them to relax and the pictures turned out great because of it.  Here are some of my favorites.

100% genuine smiles.  Above: he really is that nice every time I’ve met him, nothing but pure smiles all the time.  Below: I happened to say something silly and elicited a small giggle right as I snapped off the shot.  I love how authentic her smile is.

Below - Cabins staff Erika and Stephanie.  These are the most caring, wonderful girls!  I always feel welcome in the Chamber/Visitor’s Center.  They’re helpful and friendly, so I was especially committed to showing that in their shots.

I am so proud when I can show how beautiful and authentic people are.  Especially people who say they aren’t photogenic, because everybody is photogenic with a talented photographer!  If you’ve never had portraits done (or the last time was your senior portraits), consider hiring a professional to take some soon.

Kelly

Details, details…

Just wrapped up all the post processing for the professional headshots of the Weed Chamber Board of Directors. I had so much fun in the office with the Chamber and Visitor Center staff. As part of a link-up and because this photo is so lovely, I’m posting one of the “candid” shots I took of Event Coordinator, Stephanie Shaver. She really has an eye for detail - planning and executing fabulous events for Weed and the Weed Arts Council.

Kelly

Shooting Dunsmuir

I enjoy living in Dunsmuir, it’s beautiful.  I mean, really, really beautiful.  We have snow, sun, the Sacramento River and some of the cutest properties around.  Recently I had the opportunity to photograph different house with realtor, Jessica Murr, who also lives in Dunsmuir.  We will be working on more real estate listings in the future, so look for photos of cute homes, especially if you’re looking to buy!

Here’s what we got from the latest snow storm.

Upper Sacramento Avenue.

Sacramento River during snowfall.

California theatre in Downtown Dunsmuir at night.

Cave Springs Hotel.

Union Pacific and Amtrak both pass through and make stops in Dunsmuir.

Dunsmuir has historic routes in being a train town.  Being the stop before Cantera Loop and Mt. Shasta, extra engines were attached at our roundhouse before heading North.

How charming!

Kelly

Arts and KLS Photography in the news

In addition to teaching, my photography business, being Vice President of the Weed Arts Council, Photo Editor of the COS Dissapator Newspaper, Women in Business Network member and a member/current assistant manager of the almost open Siskiyou Arts Council Dunsmuir Co-op Gallery – I also write occasional press releases for WAC and write a monthly arts column in the Siskiyou Daily News.

Wow, now that I’ve written all of that out, I realize I must be insane.  I guess I like keeping busy.  There must be a self help group out there for this stuff!

Anyway, back to my original point… WAC and other art ventures have been receiving a lot of positive local press lately and I wanted to share a couple articles with my readers.

For the full gallery, visit www.facebook.com/weedarts

Hot Winter Night wrap-up in the Weed Press…

More of that article and a few of my pictures are featured here.

A great article about WAC in the Mt Shasta Herald

My first monthly arts column in the Siskiyou Daily News

That one is online here as well.

Please go take a look, then follow the links in the last article to your local art community resources!  We really do have a great thing going here, please take time to support local arts and artists.

Kelly