I have a few shows coming up where my work may be seen. These are some of the pieces I will start off exhibiting at Art Miami + Context December 3-8, 2024 the last show of 2024 for me.
*(click to enlarge the image thumbnail, use keyboard arrows or screen to scroll)*
I will also have a few copies of Sunkissed 85, my book focused on over 20 years of Solarizing Polaroid Type 85 negatives.
I have several 2025 Shows upcoming starting in February. I’ll post about those as they head over the horizon.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I don’t believe there are ever mistakes, only lessons. This wasn’t a “first starting” moment, it was years into being a photographer. Two models and I were at this absolutely gorgeous location, and by the end of the shoot, I went to wind the film in my camera, and oops! no film was in the camera. Luckily for me, they were sympathetic. We went through each photograph I made in my head again, and things probably worked out better. That first run was just a practice session. We did have a few laughs about it, though.
10th Anniversary of the LA Nude exhibition and book.
I also made a new “Press” page to list with photo documentation some of the rewarding things I’ve been up to throughout the years. Listing the LeNU X here to pinch myself for being in a show with the likes of these masters. Don Weinstein really knew how to put a show together and I’ll always be thrilled I was part of it. William Claxton, Julius Shulman, Herman Leonard… come on! How did I rate? This was my 7th year as a photographer after transitioning from modeling. I remember someone asking me if I worked at the gallery and explaining to them that I had work on the wall and I was there for the exhibition and to sign books. Yes, girls make fine art too.
Sunkissed 85 by Zoe Wiseman
Forward by Glen Wexler
I am still waiting for my book to be launched. Hopefully the new publisher who bought out Vedere Press recently (yeah waiting on all that stuff) can make it all happen before the holidays so I can present my book to all of you by then. They are all signed, waiting on the go button. It will happen! If I need to have all the books shipped to me and do it myself, I will. I’m practicing patience. It takes a lot of practice.
St. Merrique and I went out into the wilds recently and here is the first image I looked at to apply post to. It was a long hike up to the location for 10 minutes of photo making, but worth it.
I also had this amazing shoot with my favorite LA Drag Queen, Mizz Tiffany Vogue. This shoot felt righteous due to the absurd political climate. I love drag queens!
I have so many images to add to the site soon too. So, this is just a little peek at what I’ve been up to.
In April 2022, I signed a book deal and the exciting process of editing, designing and prepping for a launch (that still hasn’t come yet), commenced.
During the designing process in August, after a yearly eye exam and a retinal scan, my eye doctor sent me to the emergency room for an MRI and I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had a craniotomy within a week after that appointment. This set me back quite a bit with the book, as anyone would expect, but the good news is as of my last MRI this August 2023, my doctor says that I AM CURED! Thank you to the Cedars Sinai Neurology Department, Dr. Jenny Parks (my eye doc), and my neurosurgeon, Dr. John Yu… and every single beautiful person I came in contact with at Cedars, especially Desiree, my nurse. Also, whoever shaved my head so that I could cover the incision and not scare the children. Bride of Frankenstein, maybe? I took this as I was recovering and had a very swollen face.
Not only did I have to have brain surgery, but my yearly fine art retreat was already scheduled. I made it there, 2 1/2 weeks after surgery (I must be mad). We laughed, and celebrated and it was such a joyous occasion. A bit after that I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebration for the 2020 Nine Inch Nails induction that my husband and I were unable to attend due to Covid, once things started opening up again the RRHF scheduled the Nine Inch Nails event, and he got back on stage with them and all the former bandmates in Cleveland. A week after that there was a wedding! So right after surgery it was just go go go go go and I didn’t stop. Normally people sit down and have some rest. It was good for me. September and October totally occupied with activity.
In December, I received notice that the publisher I signed my book deal with sold the company. So then I realized what all the hold up was with my book. More on this later…
Skip forward to February, no books in hand, but my work exhibited in the LA ART Show (I actually posted about it <<), which was an eye popping glory of color and pop art, and me with my photography wall. Strange and wonderful all at once. I loved being part of that with Photo Independent. The Virtual show is still online there if you would like to see my two features, scroll down that page, it’s alphabetical so I’m last. Then immediately after LA ART Show I started preparing for the MIA Photo Fair in Milan, Italy. Scroll through the slide show below.
Italy was one of the most amazing things I did all year. Milan was special. Meeting people who understood my work and knew what solarization was without the need to explain my process was so incredible. Exhibiting my work there was a dream come true. It is where I decided my life goals when I was 16 years old. To come full circle back to the place where the spark began, well, I’m just happy that brain tumor didn’t do me in. I left 5 of my pieces in Italy, so part of me is there now. I also got to spend a couple of days in Venice and hit the Lee Miller/Man Ray exhibition.
April to today has been a busy bundle of taking care of aging parents and trying to get this book launch happening, some brilliant shooting with models who stopped in to participate and a tragic death of my friend, Jillian Ann. So I am here trying to process the day (a year ago) I was told I wasn’t going to die with all of the non-stop that has been going on, and the never ending phone calls about our friend, Jillian who was supposed to be at my home right now staying with me. Plans sometimes cannot be kept.
Jillian and I in one of many taxis we shared. This one in Australia. I will miss her.
Before the strange ending of a non-stop year I did a soft launch of my book. I have 5 limited edition prints with a book left available. Until I hear from Vedere Press, that’s what we have. I bent over and bought all my books and 1/2 of them are at a distribution warehouse, waiting. I’m so very impatient about things now and I’m doing my best to breathe and let the process unfold. If it doesn’t, I’ll just do it all myself. At least I can count on me.
I am waiting to launch. Until then, Sunkissed85.com is where you can snag the last 5 limited edition prints with my book. This is the print, and this is the book.
I should probably use this blog more often instead of attempting to cram an entire year into one post.
One year, hair is growing back and no more swollen face. It all worked out.
The guys over at 1x.com put together their 4th book with some of the best photography I’ve seen in some time. The members there certainly rate. I’m happy to be amongst such great artistic expression with my image of Kat Love, “Architectural Nude.”
They have limited edition copies available at their website. Go over and get yours! It would make an awesome holiday gift.
My good friend and photography mentor, Bryce Lankard has a new book out filled with his iconic images of New Orleans and the amazing people before Katrina. BUY IT!
Hi y’all! I’ll be at the City of West Hollywood Book Fair signing copies of my limited edition book, Fiat Lux. If you bought one of my books but never had a chance to get it signed feel free to drop by and I’ll sign it for you. I’ll also have about 10 books there for sale, I’m running out so hurry! Hope to see some of you there.
A&I Books is proud to announce its sponsorship and first-time participation in the 9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair, Sunday, September 26, 2010. A division of A&I Photographic and Digital, A&I Books is a leading printer and publisher of photography books.
“We are dedicated to serving the West Hollywood community, where so many of our artists live and work, and look forward to being part of the West Hollywood Book Fair’s exciting celebration of books,” says A&I’s co-owners Baret Lepejian and Vic Lepejian.
The A&I booth at the one-day event in West Hollywood Park will feature a demonstration of BookCreator, A&I’s free online self-publishing software that allows anyone to design and print their own photo book. Artists whose books have been printed by A&I will also be on hand to talk about their work and sign copies of their limited edition books. Artists include Jeff Sheng (“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”), Zoe Wiseman (“Fiat Lux”), and Kevin Gray (“American Cars”).
The 9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair,
Sunday, September 26, 2010 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. 90069
The book my image “Solar Energy” was published in has now been released by 1x.com. 205 different photographers with one photo each are all included inside this collective. You can purchase a copy by going to http://1x.com/photobook
Jazmine Dominique is the beautiful model in the photo.
I just found this. I used google translator for that link, the text is all in Swedish. Ralf Stelander of 1x.com mentioned me talking about his site. Thought that was nice. Thanks Ralf.
I’ll be in their soon to be released collective book this year with my image Solar Energy with the amazing model, Jazmine Dominique. I’ll announce it again once it’s been published. 🙂
Partial list of participating artists in random order:
Joel Levinson
Jim Wright
Naoe
Ashley West Leonard
Ann Cutting Jeff Dunas Philip Condit
Josh Elliott
Greg Gorman Zoe Wiseman Richard Meade
Cat Jimenez
Dolores Lusitana
Sara Terry
Manuello Paganelli
Michael Tighe
Renee Jacobs
Bob Berg
Ina Sotirova Steve Diet Goedde
Nelson Blanton
Perry Gallagher
Josh Separzadeh
Rene Russo
Mark Tanner
Jaqueline Truong Efren Herrera
Michael Sanville
My work will be hanging again during Mopla @ 5th and Sunset Studios – Come out for a great time and to meet great people! Apr 16 2010 i Spy With My Plastic Eye 5th And Sunset Studios – 12322 Exposition Blvd West Los Angeles, CA 90064
Admission: FREE
i Spy With My Plastic Eye, is a group exhibition visualized by photographer, Astor Morgan. The exhibit, brought to life by A&I, is a testament to the unique qualities of toy cameras. Each artist approached their imagery with a singular voice, using a variety of film types, techniques, and cameras. The photographs in this exhibit speak of gesture, of time passing, of simplicity and complexity, allowing for a wide range of expression. And all of this magic has been captured through an inexpensive plastic lens, part of an inexpensive plastic camera that inspires discovery and serendipity.
The i Spy With My Plastic Eye exhibit will be on display at 5th and Sunset Studios. Available for viewing April 1st to April 30 by appointment only by calling 310.979.0212. Books will be available with a “foreword” by Aline Smithson. Proceeds of book and print sales benefit www.weSpark.org.
Artist’s reception and book signing April 16, 8pm to 11pm.
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I just returned from Palm Springs and made some Polaroids with my Holga. Enjoy this one of Meghan. I was having a fight with my film trying to figure out the correct lighting to capture the perfect Silver Polaroid look and finally got it on the last frame. A salute to her patience as I cursed my camera and this film. I’m quite happy with this photo.
