Christmas Car

I never figured myself as one of those to get a new car for Christmas. Realistically, I am not much of a new car person. I become too attached, keep them, become comfortable with the interiors, and not lured by shiny new bells and whistles.

December 10, I set out on another road trip in the trusty Volvo -- something I have done many, many times since it came home with me in 2005. With an exterior shielded by years of living in our garage and an interior in near pristine condition due to the dog cover for the back seat, the Volvo did not show her almost 11 years of service.

My daughter and I enjoyed a full, albeit short, visit to my hometown to celebrate my mother's birthday. I found time to venture out early to shoot at some of my favorite local spots -- just me and the Volvo. One morning I parked, ever so briefly, in a "No Parking  Tow-Away Zone". (an omen of things to come.....)

On the way back to Georgia, as we were making excellent time, and near the middle of South Carolina, the old Volvo coughed and shuddered. I thought the interstate had become quite rough -- but it had not. It was the Volvo. Just moments before it passed large trucks with ease but now labored on the slightest incline. The check engine light flashed at me once, then twice, begging for help. There was no defribrillator at hand. We pulled off the freeway and found sanctuary in, what else, a Waffle House parking lot. After catching our breath -- us and the car -- it started just fine and lapped the parking lot as if to say to me, "only fooling...".

I ventured back onto Interstate 85 to try to head home, only a couple hours away. But it wasn't fooling. Thinking back on that portion of events, it must have been similar to that bit of complete clarity a dying person has just before the end.

The shuddering returned more violently than before. The light flashed again. The Volvo barely made another hill. I had to get over onto the shoulder of the road since I could not hold a decent speed. With flashers warning others I had trouble, we limped and gasped to the next exit. 

While on the phone with my husband, now sitting in an Exxon lot, I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed another lot behind us filled with new Volvos. There was a dealer nearby -- this must be an overflow lot. A quick Google and I found them. The online chat person (there to facilitate shoppers) gave me the roadside assistance number and remained on chat with me while I used my daughter's phone to contact them and make arrangements for a tow. The dealer was less than a mile away.

The Volvo was toast -- at a youthful 140,000 miles.

I had not thought about a new car. The search was on. In place of the XC90, I wanted to go smaller, sportier.....I had been driving SUVs since, well, before they were cool.

After days of searching and driving different vehicles -- we settled on a new Mazda model; the CX-3. It is small, sporty, in what I like to think of as 'Rolling Stone Gray,' and fun to drive. It has bells and whistles -- and I have some learning to do...

RIP Volvo, you were loved. Long live the CX-3! Just please don't make me get a speeding ticket! Thanks to Greenville Volvo for all they did to help us out even though the XC90 was DOA. And thanks to Kyle Brooks, aka Black Cat Tips, for my new bear head sticker since my old sticker went away with the Volvo...

Merry Christmas to all!

A Frame, A Frame, My County For A Frame

After months of frustration and displeasure concerning the projects developed and completed by the Fayette County Public Arts Committee (FCPAC), I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of this committee last Monday evening. My attendance was to observe, see what projects are in the works, and witness their process. 

When I entered the public meeting space, I noticed a very large (6x8 foot??) black wooden frame leaning against the half wall. I soon learned that Commissioner Steve Brown had plans for this repurposed frame. He retrieved it from the trash at a local school and had stored it at his home -- where he said it was no longer welcomed by his wife. Strapped and tied to the bed of his truck, he carted it to the county meeting room -- to leave for someone else to store while a plan is hatched. The plan is to cut the frame in half and secure it with a strong hinge -- to enable an easier way to get it from one community function to another. 

"We have enough engineers around to figure it out," said Brown.

So I wonder, the county engineers are going to spend time figuring out how to properly collapse/fold the frame for transporting. Also, there were discussions of creating backdrops, attaching items around the frame to look like clouds and such, and affixing Velcro to it to secure a logo for FCPAC. The backgrounds, per the discussion, would be painted by students. This frame project is all about giving families a place at community events to make memories/photos. It is also, since the logo placement was discussed, to promote the FCPAC. 

Sounds like an interesting idea. I think something like this would be a great project for a scout troop or a school art club. Is this public art? If the FCPAC is looking for something to give families a great picture perfect spot and also promote their committee, how about something like this Hense mural on Atlanta's Beltline...

I've seen a lot of photos on social media of people standing near this work of art. It promotes the artist, the Beltline project, and it is easily accessible (no need to cart around something that really is craft, not art). 

I remain concerned about the direction of the art committee when I observed a lot of precious volunteer time consumed with discussion of a project that is craft and really doesn't promote public art in any way (beyond a logo). Oh but wait -- there is also talk of a puzzle project. A sheet of plywood, cut and painted, to be made available for meetings and downtown festivals -- for children to play with. And what is on this puzzle...

"Importance of public art, everyone has a creative bend, whatever," said Commissioner Brown.

Discussion continued on more interior projects in the county administrative complex -- something about decorating around an elevator and putting up something to rival a FatHead in the Human Resources Department. Does decorating county office space seem like public art? Are these projects to elevate and encourage art in our county? One committee member mentioned the annual Old Courthouse Art Show was not on the schedule for 2016; reason given, not enough good art. It seems to be true -- there is not enough good art being promoted by a committee formed under the purpose of finding ways "to use art to enhance the County's reputation, to contribute to the civic environment, and to enrich the lives of citizens and visitors through the involvement of professional artists to integrate public artwork throughout Fayette County". 

....are visitors going to come to Fayette to view the newly redecorated Finance or Human Resources Departments? The elevator? Artwork in a private employee breakroom? Have their children's pictures taken in a frame that is so tall at least three or four (or more) feet of space is left above their heads? How does a children's floor puzzle promote the importance of public art when there is very little artwork to show them?

A better use of that giant frame is to mount it to the wall in a county government office and fill it with more art from the students. And I know that the committee has no interest in paying for a mural by Hense, but it could be something from another artist, in a very public place, and it could be a start. Fayette County is home to the parents of a great, and becoming more well known everyday, muralist/artist -- Black Cat Tips! (if you haven't, you need to go to that website and watch the videos about Kyle Brooks and his art)

Kyle Brooks, AKA Black Cat Tips, with his Beltline mural

The day I took this photo of Kyle in Atlanta, a woman pushing a stroller stopped by. She asked him if he painted another mural on the Beltline and he said yes. (His style is very identifiable.) She leaned down to speak to her child telling him that this is the artist who painted the pictures he loved so much. She went on to tell Kyle that her son loved his painting, that he pointed at it and talked about it when they passed by on their walk. It was wonderful to observe a connection made between such a young child and the artist he admired. Perhaps that child will carry forth his love of art and remember the day he met Kyle. 

Pink Ink

Today I cleaned some old fountain pens. The inks were basic Waterman blue, Bahama Blue and my favorite pink.

It reminds me of something from an old Dr. Seuss book, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

This one,

I think,

is called

a Yink.

He likes to wink,

he likes to drink.

He likes to drink, and drink, and drink.

The thing he likes to drink 

is ink.

The ink he likes to drink is pink.

He likes to wink and drink pink ink.

SO....

if you have a lot of ink,

then you should get a Yink,

I think.

Hey Little Brown Cow

Brown Cow, November

Driving home today I spotted this cow. Thank goodness it was a rural road -- no traffic. So had time to stop, put the passenger-side window down and take a shot of this guy (girl?). I seemed to grab his attention...or maybe it was Under My Thumb blasting from the car...

Fayette County Public Art Committee (Georgia)

I am frustrated by my home county's Public Arts Committee. 

It started with a call produced by the committee for photographers. I wrote about that on the blog in September. You can read it HERE.

Just this week -- on a community Facebook page -- I asked my county commissioner, Steve Brown, the head of the Public Arts Committee, when the next meeting would be held. 

"There she goes," was his answer.

I checked the recent meeting agenda items on the county website to see that the next meeting is scheduled for November 30. 

I've asked before if our county could learn from other local counties' successes in public art.

"Donna, go live in Fulton County if you want your big art budgets. We don't have it here," replied Commissioner Brown.

The purpose statement found on the county's webpage for the Public Arts Committee reads: "Founded in 2014, the purpose of The Fayette County Public Art Committee (FCPAC) is to find ways to use art to enhance the County's reputation, to contribute to the civic environment, and to enrich the lives of citizens and visitors through the involvement of professional artists to integrate public artwork throughout Fayette County. The Fayette County Public Art Committee aims to acquire, cultivate, and perform responsible stewardship of public art to enhance the dignity of the County through the commitment to artists and their disciplines as integral elements of economic vitality and development."

When I first read this statement over a year ago, I was excited. At that time a call was out for a mural on a public building. Again, I became excited. I contacted the committee to find out details since I knew some muralists. I asked who was selecting the design and offered my assistance to introduce the committee to curators at the High Museum or gallerists to help choose the winning mural. No thanks was what I heard -- the committee would select the design. I invited Commissioner Brown to come to Pike County and see the SlowExposures photography exhibit. He did come see it but told me right away that Fayette County could not do anything like it.

Back to the purpose statement -- does the following sound like it fits? -- from the October 19, 2015 action agenda: "Complete plans for Employee Break Room/Elevator area for BOC presentation The art canvases were completed by the art students using the Wayne Thiebaud theme. Anthony updated the committee regarding the flooring. He stated that the total for the project, including the flooring, grid work for the ceiling, the paint, the television with stand and the restroom is a projected cost of $3,299. This cost does not include the price for installing a Keurig coffee machine as discussed. Commissioner Brown suggested that a presentation including photos and demos to be made to the Board of Commissioners at the November 12 meeting. The committee agreed. The elevator area will be presented at a later time as phase two."

I was unable to attend that meeting.  I will attend the next one.  A friend did attend and filled in a bit more detail on this project:

"They are going to cut out a section of the wall to make an inset for the Keurig -- the reason was cited so it would not take up space in the room. The guy from Public Works asked if it was necessary to cut into the wall and suggested something like a platform for the Keurig. The guy who handles renovations said it was no problem and he also suggested artwork be done for the back of the cut out space that would resemble a window (behind the Keurig). Steve Brown said they would put together a presentation to present to the Board of Commissioners; he was not worried about the $3,299, he was reminded the Keurig is not in the budget. Steve Brown told them to 'bump it up to include the Keurig'. He suggested they do a layout of the room, show where they are moving things around, that it's cheap and inexpensive to use pallet board, present artwork sample, and introduce it to the Board of Commissioners on 11/12."

Commissioner Brown has expressed to me more than once about how limited the budget is for this committee. At those times, I asked if they explored options to create funds, raise funds, secure sponsors to allow the committee to be able to pay artists -- professional artists, artists with exhibit history -- for work to live up to the purpose statement. 

"You go out and get that for us, Donna, and we will appreciate it."

I would help secure funding -- I've done it before. I ran a photography exhibition/competition for five years that I worked to fund awards and a wonderfully catered reception. I sit on the advisory board for an organization that depends on grants to be able to present public, free, events in another county. This organization, SlowExposures, just received the Governor's Award for the Arts and Humanities. At this point I don't feel comfortable raising funds for a public arts committee to continue private space renovations and purchase televisions (with stands) or coffee pots.

Commissioner Brown has called me a Monday morning quarterback, a backseat driver, etc. This is my county commissioner saying these things to me on my very public Facebook page. 

Other counties strapped for funding get creative. Isn't that why we elect certain people; to lead? If you read Commissioner Brown's bio on the Fayette County website it says: "Mr. Brown was instrumental in securing Pinewoods Studios Atlanta film and television project for Fayette County and led an effort in conjunction with the City of Fayetteville to build the first phase in only 10-months (sic), opening the door to more than 3,000 jobs and a potential of economic impact of more than $370 million annually."  

Why didn't our leader -- our elected official -- work part of this very large deal, involving a creative business, to include a small fraction of a percentage to go toward funding the arts in Fayette County? Commissioner Brown seems to be deficient in his ability to secure funding for projects, yet he feels completely comfortable relying on high school students and other amateurs in the county for free art. He calls it "civic giving". I call it taking advantage and not living up to the spirit of the purpose statement.

In my opinion, when it comes to the arts, Commissioner Brown needs a back seat driver.

That Day I Was In A Dark Room With A Ghost...

I've seen those photos of 'orbs' and I don't believe they are anything other than dust specks or water vapor briefly highlighted by a flash or natural light creating a tiny bit of bokeh. Maybe they are even the product of a dirty sensor. No one can convince me otherwise about orbs. I've never believed the stories of 'something odd' caught by a camera until I stood, alone, in a dark room in a slowly deteriorating elementary school. I had visited this place before, a couple of times. The condition of the building showed more decline than my last trip there. Once while standing in the auditorium with another photographer, we heard what sounded like footsteps. 

"Did you hear that," I asked her.

"Yes."

And we both headed to the other side of the building, nearer the front door.

I've taken lots of photographs in this structure. Nothing unusual until my last time there -- almost three years ago. I haven't been back.

Two images taken a little over a minute apart. The only change from the first to the second, or so I thought, was to move my tripod back a little to show more of the ceiling and part of a second window.

1:36:15pm

My shutter speed on both images is 25 seconds, f5.6, ISO 160, and my zoom lens was at its widest at 17mm. As I normally do for a very long exposure, I had the timer on to count down 10 seconds to shoot. I pushed the button and stood back to wait for the shutter to open and then close -- 35 seconds later.

Then, reevaluating the composition, I moved the tripod back a little to reshoot. Same settings the second time, just a little further back in the room. No one else was in the room with me. There were others in the building but they were down the hall in another very dark room working on other images. I did not review my photos in camera until I returned home that evening. 

When I looked at the second image something strange was there -- a streak of light. And this streak was not in a complete straight line. I have no explanation for this anomaly. I wonder what was in that dark room with me that afternoon....

1:37:28pm

Happy Halloween

How Deer is Your Morning Walk?

These selections from my Morning Walk series feature the deer that share our space. There are many mornings I take my dogs out for a walk and they get very excited, thrust their noses high in the air and sniff vigorously. I have seen deer strut through my yard. My hosta plants are gone, thank you very much, deer! Telltale tracks line the dirt path through my back woods. 

Much of the cart path trail through Peachtree City is in heavily wooded areas. We may think we own property and live in a certain space where deer feel free to roam and eat our plants. The deer see it another way, this is their space and they feel fortunate that we provide them with such tasty alternatives to the native vegetation.

Cart paths are mainly for the golf carts in Peachtree City. As a walker of the paths, I find this photo particularly 'very PTC' with the deer in the backyard of a home, next to the cart. I was very close and the deer never looked up.

I love poison ivy -- how it trails up a tree with its hairy vines. In the fall, the leaves are such a pretty yellow. 

Such a shy buck -- he would not step out of the trees to show his antlers. The female with him stood very still as he stepped under cover.

This one is in a spot where we frequently see a doe with babies. They stay far back from the path in this open area. This is one of my favorites.

Where the Water Used To Be

One morning, instead of my usual morning walk along the cart paths of Peachtree City, I ventured into the grasses that took advantage of a drained Lake Peachtree. As I walked along the makeshift cart path, disappearing more and more into the overgrowth, spider webs clung to my camera as I held it in front of me, so many webs collected that mosquitoes became entangled. Waist deep in the blades, I heard a splash and for a moment wondered if the rumors of an alligator in Lake Peachtree could be true. 

There is one week left to visit the exhibition of my Morning Walk images at Columbus State University's Rankin Arts Photography Center in Columbus, Georgia. I will be onsite next Saturday morning, packing it up, and would be happy to talk to anyone wishing to drop by.

A sub-series of the exhibit is Where the Water Used To Be -- a look at Lake Peachtree, drained. It has been almost two years since the lake was drained to facilitate dock repairs only to find the dam had serious issues. The resulting quagmire of bureaucratic finger pointing created a slow resolution to any issues -- and the lake is still near the lowest, but filled with vegetation and wildlife. Just this week I arrived at what was once the boat ramp to watch as two young deer frolicked a few hundred feet away, almost hidden in the early morning mist. A blue heron stood by, ankle deep in a small rivulet, searching for any fish to be found. These animals were shielded and felt they had sufficient cover due to the tall grasses surrounding them.

 

Photos on the blog today are from the selection on exhibit. They show things that used to be underwater. All of these images were taken by me standing where the water used to be.

Work is ongoing to prepare the lake for refilling. In the distance backhoes and excavators can be seen dredging a channel. 

A few of these images were previewed at Peachtree City Library earlier this summer. 

Mid October

I sat on the deck enjoying cooler evening weather. It became apparent that fall is as busy a time as spring. Sounds from the woods of squirrels dashing among the leaves mixed with the clucking sound of a turkey deep in the trees. I heard another softer cluck nearby and slowly looking around to not startle anything. There on the retaining wall near the deck was a chipmunk. I watched it carefully to see any movement and decide if the sound was coming from it. Just as I heard the noise again, the throat of the chipmunk moved. For a chipmunk to cluck, it is a warning, usually meant that a hawk or other aerial predator is around. I looked up and saw nothing. Looked back and the chipmunk was gone.

My eye wandered to the spider web out past the edge of our yard, near a group of trees in the yard next door. The low sunlight highlighted the 45-degree angle silk strand. It glittered as it wavered in the slight breeze. I wondered how the spider made the transition from one tree to the other, at least a 10-foot span. Then I noticed a completely level strand straight across from the sweet gums to the Leland cypress. Such work for something so small. In the fall, in the mornings, there are many circular webs hanging between power lines as I drive along the roads. Nickel-sized orb spiders sit in the middle as if they are proud of their creation.

Something moved in the pot on the deck. The pot with the dead cherry tomato plant that I could not bring myself to pull out when the heat of the summer was taking its toll. Those handful of tomatoes left on the vine were enjoyed by the chipmunk. Occasionally I found a half-eaten one lying on the deck. It moved again and I could see it this time, a green anole wearing the tarnish of early fall. It walked gingerly along the rim of the pot and then leapt to the deck floor. I watched as it skittered along the boards to the railing near where the chipmunk was earlier. My phone was sitting on the table, so I picked it up and walked toward the anole. I got one or two photos before it disappeared and I decided to retreat to my seat and give it some space to continue on with whatever task it was up to.

Rankin Arts Photography Center Artist Talk

March 11, 2015, 7:14

Those attending an artist’s talk come to hear the artist tell them how the work happened and perhaps to glean something to spark their own work. I hope this satisfies you all.

I want to start by saying calling myself an artist sounds a bit pompous to my ears. I take pictures. I don’t put on my Ansel Adams shades and stalk around “making images”. I look, see, and shoot a picture – something that catches my eye. I take pictures for me – things I like. If someone else likes it – that is an extra, but I always say shoot for yourself, don’t worry if everyone else will like it. Because guess what – not everyone will like it. I like to throw ‘art’ in front of photographer if someone asks me what I do so they won’t start telling me about someone they know has a new baby and want to get photos done. I don’t shoot babies or kids, weddings, etc. unless I know you well and like you.

All of these images are titled by date and time shot. It gives the viewer a reference point. As I went back through the photos, I was amazed to see that I had two images from December 26, a year apart.

Everyone wants a formula for a great photo. They ask things like; what camera do you use? What lens? What was your fstop, shutter speed, ISO? Did you use a filter? Did you Photoshop it?

Here are my usual answers:

• ·      I use whatever camera I have on hand; iPhone, point and shoot, DSLR
• ·       If I am using the DSLR, I usually use my Canon 50mm 1.4 – I love it. If I need to be closer, I use a Tamron 70-300.
• ·       I have no idea on shutter speed – I am a depth of field shooter. I go for wide open or close to it on my aperture. For ISO I keep it low to keep colors rich.  As you can tell I don’t like a lot in focus. Sometimes there is nothing in focus. I keep white balance on auto, unless I am looking to throw a little blue in the shot – then I switch it to Tungsten.
• ·       I always have a UV filter on the camera – even my point and shoots if they have the capability. I hate lens caps – I hate keeping up with them, so I take it off – stuff it in some pocket of some camera bag, never to be seen again and slap a UV filter on the lens to protect it from scratches. I like a polarizing filter. I like sunglasses – I think my camera does too. Every now and then if I really want to slow down the shutter and it is bright – I use a neutral density filter, maybe even stacking it with my circular polarizer.
• ·       I love my camera, I tolerate my computer. I Photoshop (with Elements) the contrast and levels a little. Most of my editing is conversion to black and white using the Nik Software, Silver Efex. I love that and their Analog Efex. The Where the Water Used To Be shots are all done with my Fuji X20 in color and converted in Analog Efex. Every now and then I get a little crazy, or bored, and will Photoshop the heck out of something – layers, textures, weird colors, you name it. And I usually like it when I am finished. But a steady diet of that makes me cranky. Just like HDR makes me cranky – a very light touch on that is all someone needs, if they need it at all. When I look at a photo and see unnatural lights and darks – I just don’t like it. Now, if you like it – go for it. You are pleasing yourself, not me. Many of these Morning Walk images are processed, some with layers. The photos were processed all on my phone and usually within an hour of taking the shot. It was very responsive to my mood of the morning; shot, processed, saved – done.

Most photographers can learn and practice to shoot technically sound images – getting something tack sharp. Most people can hone the skill of seeing. Moving beyond just shooting something because it is pretty or would make a good photo is another skill worthy of development. Anyone interested in photography should move in this direction. The why? Why shoot it – and the answer isn’t because someone else did and you want the shot or because you saw something similar and liked it.

My photographs come from memory. I spent my childhood walking in the woods with one grandfather and listening to the other talk to me about the sky and the weather. They both worked extensive gardens. I am drawn to water. I love water. The first house I lived in as a baby is now sitting at the bottom of a man-made lake. Perhaps that is why I like the drained lake in Peachtree City so much. Your photographs should come from inside. Look back over your collection of images and think about why you were pulled to take that shot. Develop your why.

Moving from single images to a series can be a difficult leap and some photographers never care to make it. They are content with singles that may have a link or not (truly, they have a link – that ‘why’ again) – certainly developing a series of 20 images or more is not on their radar. It is a good exercise to develop a project, especially a long term project.

A couple of years ago, when I started walking with a group of women getting ready, for of all things, a half marathon; the early morning walks became a type of therapy. We talked and walked enjoying the surroundings and each other. I had my iPhone along to log my miles and times – and bingo, I had a camera. So I started shooting. And they did not wait for me either! If I stopped, I had to run to catch up with them. We walked in the heat, rain, sub-freezing temps. We witnessed the quagmire of Lake Peachtree. I like using quagmire for this for two reasons – one definition is of a boggy place, another definition is of a difficult situation – Lake Peachtree is both! Drained to facilitate dock and edge maintenance, the cracks in the dam elevated it to a bureaucratic mess of finger pointing and who would pay for what. I began to see the beauty of nature – and maybe a little of that old homeplace underwater pushing me to enjoy a drained lake with a damaged damn. Nature reclaimed what was once there, seeds sprouted – native plants and seeds washed from gardens in backyards – flowers and even squash thrived.

March 11, 2015, 6:55

I could not have an exhibition of morning walk photographs without including a few from my favorite place – the beach. These are black and white images framed in German Silver Nielsen metal frames. I like the way they look. Again, water. The images I have here from St. Simons Island’s East Beach were taken on a foggy March morning. At the edge of the ocean the foggy sky, clouds, merged with the ocean. It was magical.

Photography is magical. It allows us to look around and bring home with us scenes that we loved so much we want to keep them forever. We want to show them to others and say, look where I stood. My morning walks with friends are a special time for me. I enjoy it. I have these photos to always remember it and to share with everyone else.

March 11, 2015, 6:26

The Rolling Stones in Words and a Picture

So I have this photo -- from the Atlanta stop on the Zip Code Tour, June, 2015. Last week I learned it will be part of an exhibit in Colorado late this year. I love the picture -- I love the Rolling Stones. When I heard about Word.Camera -- a website generating words to go with an image -- I thought about this photo and was curious what would come of it.  Umm, I dunno....

Specifically, a furniture, a war, and a festival. Similarly, the furniture derives from a furnishings that making a room or other area ready for occupancy. The war is made from a someone engaging in or experienced in warfare, and the festival constitutes an organized series of acts and performances. Nonetheless, the furniture is a furnishings that making a room or other area ready for occupancy. It is true, it constitutes a furnishings that making a room or other area ready for occupancy. Once, it amounts to a furnishings that making a room or other area ready for occupancy. Frequently, it comprises a furnishings that making a room or other area ready for occupancy.

That is, a nightclub and a dancing: the nightclub is loud, and the dancing precipitates a having fun. This time, the dancing associates with music. To be sure, it exhibits fun. Probably, it elicits music. To put it another way, it dreams of iing be happy. Surely, the nightclub is for socialise. Beyond, it is for party. To this end, it remains needed for socialise. At length, it exhibits loud.

So far, a government, which remains an ultimate authority. Therefore, it is among the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit. However, it appertains to the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit. Whenever, it encompasses the act of governing. Of course, it constitutes a social institution. So far, it comprises the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit.

By all means a singer, a men, and a band. Accordingly, the singer is capable of sing. The men is the opposite of a female, and the band is also known as a connect. In similar fashion, the singer comes from a person who singing. Perhaps, it is a person. This time, it constitutes a person who singing. Of course, it is a person who singing.

To explain, an audience and an adult: the audience comprises a group of person, and the adult may sign contract. Subsequently, the adult amounts to a fully developed person from maturity onward. Notwithstanding, it constitutes a fully developed person from maturity onward. Surely, it is a fully developed person from maturity onward. Now, it is a fully developed person from maturity onward. To rephrase, the audience might laugh at comedian. Beyond, it can laugh at comedian. In contrast, it pertains to a people in general considering as a whole. Notwithstanding, it comprises the part of the general public interested in a source of information or entertainment.

Without doubt, a performance, which is for business. Indeed, it amounts to a dramatic or musical entertainment. Or it amounts to a dramatic or musical entertainment. However, it is a dramatic or musical entertainment. To sum up, it amounts to the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment. In similar fashion, it encompasses the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment.

Too, a stage, a crowd, and a musician. Moreover, the stage relates to play. The crowd is the opposite of a having or allowing sufficient room, and the musician comes from a someone who playing a musical instrument. No, the stage amounts to a plan organizing and carry out. Certainly, it constitutes a plan organizing and carry out. Nearly, it echoes actor. To rephrase, it is used for making presentation.

Probably, a many and a group: the many is never a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and being often preceded by a, and the group might include individual. Undoubtedly, the group results from a system for classifying things into groups. For this purpose, it constitutes a two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule. Furthermore, it encompasses an any number of entities considering as a unit. In similar fashion, it is an any number of entities considering as a unit. Specifically, the many can weather storm. Whenever, it elicits lot. Whenever, it echoes number. That is, it is never a few.

To put it another way, a concert, which is known to some as cuirm chiùil. That is, it relates to voice. Subsequently, it derives from a performance of music by players or singers notting involving theatrical staging. In other words, it is known to some as hangverseny. Furthermore, it comprises a make or working out a plan for. Doubtedly, it constitutes a performance of music by players or singers notting involving theatrical staging.

That is to say, a people and a music: the people includes a feel, and the music has pretty. Further, the music amounts to a language. Further, it has pretty. To this end, it remains needed for pleasure. Frequently, it encompasses a sound. Yes, the people desires clothing. To summarize, it is capable of fear death. Beyond, it can wind clock. To illustrate: it is capable of catch cold.

Taking Advantage

My county Public Arts Committee recently released a call for local photographers. Since 2006, I have taught photography and managed a photography club in Fayette County, Georgia. My interest was piqued. But when I read through the call, I became concerned.

This is a civic art project and there is no compensation for those who participate. The project is open to both professional and amateur photographers. All photographers whose work is included on the mural will receive photo credits on the mural. All photographs submitted for this project become the property of the Fayette County government.

Hard to believe a group called Fayette County Public Arts Committee would not be more friendly to the artist. Claiming all submissions as government property is quite a rights grab. The first thing that comes to mind is the county would like images to use for webpages, printed materials and future press releases but were not interested in hiring a professional to shoot them.

I contacted the county commissioner responsible for this committee and never have I met with such lack of awareness or understanding. He stated there was nothing wrong with the call wording.

I asked when the public art committee formed, where did they turn for guidance.

I asked if the business providing the printed mural for this project would receive compensation.

I asked who wrote the call.

I asked these questions several times. I only received a reply to the last one. The commissioner wrote the call. I asked if he ever read other calls and, again, no answer.

Since I began in art photography, I have submitted to and read many, many calls. It is common knowledge among those of us who do submit to avoid calls where we lose ownership of our work. I volunteer my time for a photography event, SlowExposures. I conceived of and directed a photography exhibition/competition for 5 years in my home county of Fayette. When starting this event, I turned to experienced people for guidance. Oh, and I never saw anyone from this new public arts committee at one of my events. 

The county commissioner claims no one was doing anything for the arts until he came along. I know this is not true -- others work to promote the arts in my community.

The commissioner claims he has no budget. I suggested soliciting donations sponsorships. I had zero budget when I started the photo event. I solicited donations from companies for awards - at a time the economy was taking a nose dive.

"You go out and get those for us, Donna, and we will appreciate it."

I asked what does the committee do -- I received no answer.

I pointed out that this call takes advantage of the inexperienced photographer. I expressed my feelings that a county arts committee should work to help the artists, educate the inexperienced, not use their naivete. This committee is leaning heavily on high school students for art. This committee is doing nothing to help educate the students about their rights. The commissioner states he is helping them by giving them the opportunity to be creative, gain exposure, and have something to put on a resume in the future.

I offered, last year, to help bring in professionals to select art for projects from the submissions they receive, I was told that the committee will make selections. If they are truly interested in giving young and inexperienced artists exposure -- why not bring in professionals from the High Museum or Atlanta art consultants to view the work?

A rising tide lifts all boats. Other municipalities embrace public art and work hard to create impact in their communities. They promote the amateurs and help educate them through programs and with professionals giving informational talks. Yes, we have a mural on a water plant and most people haven't a clue that it exists. But when I read through the meeting minutes for this committee, I see a lot of interior decoration discussion for county offices with wall art provided by high school students.

Two days ago, I posted my displeasure for the wording of this recent call on my Facebook page. I did not call out the commissioner -- but he showed up. 

Yesterday I posted a link to a post on the Photo Attorney blog and directed him to it -- it was about the wording of calls that are rights grabs. He dug his heels in harder.

I am at a point where I don't know what else to do -- except put together a handout on artists' rights and seek to speak with local groups and high school art classes. 

Director's Cut at APG

I have two photos in the Director's Cut exhibition at the Atlanta Photography Group Gallery. It is nice to be in the company of such wonderful photographers.

A New Series

I didn’t need a Stanford study to tell me that walking boosts creativity. Morning walks part the clouds of my mind. Ideas come easily. Alone is best, no conversation to maintain and steer my thoughts to any specific target. A recent photo series came from morning walks with friends.

“We’re going for a run! The Diva Half Marathon is coming to Peachtree City. Who’s in?” popped up on my Facebook feed.

I was in. I was always in. I love a challenge.

The publisher of a local magazine, a friend, gathered other friends to begin training for the event. Early morning walks around a lake and along wooded cart paths became a habit. To track our progress, a few of us brought along our phones. Since I just completed an exhibit of iPhone only images it was a natural next step to shoot an image from the walk. What began as simple documentation of scenes along the path grew as I completed two half marathons within five months and compiled a large collection of images for a new exhibit.

During this training period our local lake dam revealed structural issues when the lake water level was lowered to allow repairs and to give waterfront homeowners the opportunity to complete any dock work on their personal properties. Typical local government red tape and finger pointing left the lake low and dry around the edges for months. A sub-series presented from the usual Morning Walk images; Where The Water Used To Be. Drawn to the power of nature reclaiming what it once owned, I walked the dry places looking for what was there. I became fascinated watching a field of tall grass grow. Flowers sprouted from seeds washed by earlier rains to the lake. Deer run through the grass flipping their tails. It was hard to leave this and not be in a good mood. It was also hard to not shoot images.

Photos from these collections will be on exhibition in Columbus, Georgia at the Rankin Arts Photography Center October 2-31, 2015. Please join me at the reception on October 9 from 6-8pm