Portrait #6

Peter Balestrieri, Milwaukee 2008 © jwl

Petey and I went to see a movie last week, before we left the studio, I made him sit for a shot or two. Learning as I go, rushing a portrait is something I have not found to work very well.

Petey was a good sport though, he is a good dude and a great deal of fun to be around.

Masterpiece?

Abandoned Garage, Carter's Valley, Tennessee 2006 © jwl

I received notice that the above image was selected to be shown at the Baker Arts Center in Liberal, KS. The 11th National Juried Art Exhibition will take place January 10 - February 21, 2009. Back in 2006 I was in the 9th National event and won an Honorable Mention award. I am happy that they will have me back for another round.

In 2008, this image was in 2 national juried exhibitions. I don't want anyone to think that I have been pimping this picture, it is included with several images for entries. I am quite proud of it though. It seems to be a crowd favorite with the judges. I rememeber the day very well, making the photograph seemed to make sense, everything just fit into place that day.

Portrait(s) #5

Faythe Levine, Milwaukee 2008 © jwl

I pulled and prodded, texted my thumb off and finally got Faythe to come by for a visit. The Handmade Nation book tour has her all over the place and I am sure that the film will get her out of the house quite a bit as well. It was a real treat to have one of my favorite people and an inspiration to us all sitting for a portrait. She was uncomfortable and I was giddy like a schoolboy, but in the end we have made some fun images.

This new project has become very exciting for me. As simple as it is, it is very fulfilling and socially redeeming in its way.

Portrait #4

Brian & Caz, Milwaukee 2008 ©jwl

Even at a bar, at their peak of party, if you mention that you are making a book to your attorney they are gonna snap into business. That was precisely the case with Brian last week, which gave way to an opportunity for the boys of Creative Legal Collective to visit the WAR ROOM.

First thing this morning (first for me anyway), Brian and Caz came by to see the new space, talk about copyright law regarding the Southeastern View book and simply visit. I hope that more people feel free to visit me here, I truly want the WAR ROOM to be a place for creative types to gather and inspire ourselves.

Speaking of inspiration, Faythe Levine is stopping by today......

Portrait #3

Chad Pelton, Milwaukee 2008 ©jwl

My good buddy and book designer, Chad Pelton, came to Milwaukee for a visit this weekend. In some fit of misguided love of nature, he declared how nice it was to see snow. I took a minute to remind him that this was snow three for the year and he was lucky to go home. Last I heard, he was stuck in the Detroit airport, so maybe he realizes the faults of his love of precipitation.

Whatever the case, I was more than happy to see him. Beers, food, Alex Chilton, work on our book project, conversation and all the rest. Chad is a good dude to have around. I took some time to get a portrait of him yesterday before he left. Good to see you and thanks Chad.

OUTSCAPE

I don't know what kept me from mentioning this last week, but I have a photograph on the cover of a new book. The Knoxville Writer's Guild commissioned me to provide cover art for their latest collection of work. Outscape: Writing on Fences and Frontiers came out a couple of weeks ago and it is a real treat. I am quite honored to have been a part of it.

I lived in Knoxville, TN for 5 years prior to my Wisconsin sentence and still have a few dear friends there. Several of the writers are folks that I knew around town and the book designer Chad Pelton is one cut from the same cloth as myself. Even though Chad covered most of my image with a block of text, it all makes sense in the end. Building and working within a great network of creative people whom I love and trust is a life goal of mine and it is nice to see it in action.

Chad should be on a plane today to see me and have a good time here in Milwaukee. I only hope that the snow isn't an issue.

[Self] Portrait #2

Self Portrait, Milwaukee 2008 © jwl

While setting up for a portrait that I will take of Faythe Levine next week, I thought I would have some fun. Here is a self portrait that I took today. Winter Coat all over my face.

I spent a year taking a self portrait everyday a few years ago. I kinda wish I would have been as setup as I am now when I did those. Digital, lights, space...it all makes a difference creatively. Maybe I will do another set next year.