John Lusis | Kindred Spirits

A & W © John Lusis from his Obsolete series

Young photographer, John Lusis stopped by the WAR ROOM yesterday to talk about his recent work and hammer out some sequencing issues for his upcoming MIAD thesis exhibition. All said it was a nice visit. We had a good talk, not only about John's work but ideas about Grad school, Jeff Brouws, Alec Soth and all the things that make us work.

I had known little about John before yesterday, but now that I know him it reminds me of how like minds can gravitate toward each other. Even though we may approach the images differently, John and I seek inspiration from some of the same photographers, books, issues and choices. Thanks for the visit John, I am proud to have you on the team.

Chuck Close

"I am an orchestrator of experiences for the viewer."

Walking Pictures #18

(No) Phone, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

I grabbed this one on my walk to lunch last week. Totally a time and place moment. I have to say that the new camera is definitely helping me with these moments. I am happy to be 'seeing' what I have seen these last 2 weeks.

Antique Nude

Antique Nude, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

I have been asked to partake in an installation later this year in Memphis, TN. Dwayne Butcher (whose work is at my studio NOW) curates a space for the Art Museum @ The University of Memphis called CaseWorks and has asked me to fill the space from November 2009 - January 2010.

It has taken me a little while to figure out a way to utilize photography for the space, but I think I have come up with a fun project for the installation. I am going to visit Antique Stores, Flea Markets and Fireworks stands to photograph and purchase objects for the Case. The case will be filled with things I have photographed and I will print a book of the photographs to display outside the case.

This is a portfolio I have wanted to produce for some time, but thanks to Dwayne, I now have a focus for the work.

What Else?

The WAR ROOM is located in an old Catholic school annex in Bay View. From what I can tell, my studio is what was once 8th grade. Something it provides me with are full chalk boards along two of the walls. Little did I know that these are magnetic, so it becomes a great place for posting prints to think on or display.

I take notes on proof prints that are hanging in order to remind myself what I think of things from time to time. I was in a moment of introspection this week when I took special notice of a note that I had made. I feel that this little statement might be telling me more about my photography than this image alone.

Southeastern View @ MIAD

My Southeastern View work is now on view at the MIAD Perspectives Gallery. I delivered the work yesterday and from what I have seen, it is hanging very nicely. I would like to thank Sonja Thompsen and her assistant John Lusis for all their hard work.

The work will be on display into March for anyone who would like to stop by for a look.

On another note, Chad Pelton and I will be putting the final touches on the book of this material within the week. All of you with pre-orders expect a phone call soon. Anyone else interested feel free to email or call me.

Great Photography Comes To Everyone With Eyes

From Scott Anna'a recent tour photographs © Scott Anna

My good buddy Scott Anna is the stage manager for the band Alkaline Trio. He is currently on tour with them in one or another country. I was recently invited to view his PICASA gallery and am super stoked that I did. Where a great many of the images have been tour snapshots and the like, there are also a few gems that are nothing more than eye candy.

This is one of the sweet nuggets from his album. I have talked to Scotty about a possible show here at the WAR ROOM when he returns. I hope that he is willing and/or able to give us a good look at his work.

RESCHEDULE: Freetimer Social Hour @ WAR ROOM

This is an announcement to reschedule this event...We have canceled the Feb 20 event and moved it to March 6. Apologies to any inconvenience this causes. Troy and I hope to see you in a couple of weeks

Something I am very interested in is building a collective community of artists and creative professionals. Whether it means hosting art exhibitions, being involved with groups like MIGA or opening up my space for gatherings like lectures and networking events.

Mark your calendars for one such event. The FreeTimers Social Hour will take place on Friday, March 6 @6PM.

The FreeTimers are an online community of photographers brought together by Troy Freund in order for photographers to teach and learn from each other about our craft and profession. So far it has taken place in chatrooms and post on the blog, but now we are gonna go live. Whether or not you are a FreeTimer member or just interested in photography feel free to stop by for some snacks and good folks.

I will also have some art on the walls from Memphis artist, Dwayne Butcher.

Walking (Home) Pictures #17

Val's Star 2009 © jwl

On the walk home from my studio, the new snow began to fall. Yet another snowfall for this WI winter. I am quite bored of it, I won't lie. I want my backyard back. Val and I usually spend a day during the week on yard work.

I bought this star on one of my trips home for the backyard. It fell during a windstorm and I have yet to put it back up. For now it rests on the table that Val pots her plants on. I am ready for Spring to come back.

Walking Pictures #16

Patio, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

This is another image from my walks last week. There's something comfortable and obtuse about this space. Depends on your eyes, I suppose.

Variable Light

Untitled, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

This caught my attention for a while yesterday. Something about the reflection of little lights creating more light.

Walkng Pictures #15

Tags on Pole, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

I am obsessed with numbers as identifiers. I keep parking lot stubs and raffle tickets and claim checks. I have been thinking of trying to make art out of them somehow. For now I will just go with what I saw on my way to the car this morning.

New Ideas | Old ways

Starwreath 2009 © jwl

So the new camera is living up to its expectations. I feel very free when I am using it. Despite it's size and limits, it is a very powerful machine.

This way of looking and thinking about my everyday life in visual terms isn't anything new, it is generally how photographers begin their craft. For the last few years, however, I have been surrounding myself with strict ideals about form and process and so the freedom gets a bit washed away. I am happy to be able to harness the 'old way' of working again. I don't think I would have come back around without the digital processes and the immediacy of the blog.

Walking Pictures #14

Mailbox, Milwaukee WI 2009 © jwl

I took a good long walk today. Two hours, got some lunch, saw some people. The light began to fail me toward the end, but I think I got some nice things here in the neighborhood.

Arnold Newman

"Photography is 1% talent and 99% moving furniture."

I got this from the new Annie Leibovitz book, At Work. I think it is funny because it is true. It is especially humorous considering the balance of time I spend shooting vs. the time I spend processing and editing.

Walking Pictures #11 - 13

Untitled, Milwaukee WI 2009 © jwl

Truck, Milwaukee WI 2009 © jwl

Goose, Milwaukee WI 2009 © jwl

So, yesterday I got a package in the mail that contained a new camera. I've been looking for something to free me up a bit. I found a good tool for the job, a pocket sized 13MP RAW file machine. The new camera and the mind-boggling 50 degree WI day allowed me to go outside and play.

I spent a ouple of hours walking and a couple of more hours dealing with the images, but today has been a fun day.

The small camera and the detail of the files is giving me reason to feel a bit nervous. It seems that my way of working as well as my way of thinking about photography is beginning to fold with the digital revolution. Traditionally I am a film advocate, but with the 3 extra steps in processing as well as the loss of my Milwaukee lab, I am beginning to change my tone. I may never get rid of my camera, but I am feeling like a bad daddy due to neglect.

Whatever the case, having the ability to see and think about art from my pocket feels really good.

SOUTHEASTERN VIEW the book

I am happy to say that I have sent out all the images, edited text and good vibes to my designer, Chad Pelton. After a great deal of postponement and a few snags, I believe that we will have a book finished soon. Southeastern View will be published in the coming months.

For all of you interested in a copy, feel free to send me an email or call and I will put you on the list. For those who have done so, I believe I have a list around here somewhere.

Abandoned Storefront, Highway 81, Tennessee 2006 ©jwl

Coming up on February 23rd, I will be showing this work @ the Perspectives Gallery on the MIAD campus in Milwaukee. That show will be up though March. Thanks to Sonja and John for all the help with that.

CMP and the Tennessee Underground

Sweet Ride For Sale | Green Acres Flea Market | Louisville, TN 2009 © Chad Pelton

I was doing a bit of late night blog viewing and found some new work from my man Chad. Looks like the new gun is firing pretty straight. This kid makes me homesick every time we talk, seeing images makes it worse. Keep up the good work Chad.