Teach Your Children Well

“Logic will get you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere.”

Albert Einstein

Create A Life You Love

49 Mercury 2 door

I see myself landing a chopped Mercury/lead sled or a classic 49-50. My idea is to follow a the path of true love. My love of life, a partner, car culture and photography to record the ultimate road trip. Where ever we go there we are...no plan no deadline just drive and enjoy life. Too many people are in the rat wheel of life. Same same same...that is fine for them but not me. I love adventure and this is my food for creating a life full of energy. Abundance in being present rather than controlling and planning every aspect of one's life. You miss out when you have to know all the details. I find it boring. "What goes on the road stays on the road". Stay tuned for the essay is bound to be called, "Mercury Excursion".

COLLECT COLLECT COLLECT

photo by Harry Benson - http://www.harrybenson.com

Purchased a copy from The Monroe Gallery in Santa Fe New Mexico

For years I've been trading and collecting photography. My love for the fine art print has only seasoned as the prints have increased in price! My collection ranges from Harry Benson, Ernst Hass, Judy Dater, Margret Burke White, Sally Mann, David M Kennedy, Norman Mauskopf, Ansel Adams, Toni Frissell, Edward Curtis, Elizabeth Opalenik, Raymond Meier, Carlan Tapp, and many more...all silver prints. Color by Jodi Cobb, Bruce Dale, Chip Simons, Nick Nichols, Art Brewer, hang on my walls. I love being surrounded by art and inspiration by other artists.

(copyright Judy Dater, 1974)
featured here with her gracious permission.
photo by Judy Dater of Imogen and Twinka
purchased in New Orleans at the Joshua Mann Pailet Gallery

An example of value in print collecting I can share with you was one print I owned for two decades by Helmet Newton. A personal favorite image that I sold to lighten my load. I purchased the print of the girl with the saddle on her back for 4 thousand dollars. I sold it as the market shifted downward four years ago. Prior to the market this print was selling for over 100,000.00. I sold it for approx. 88,000.00. Capital gains tax was about 12,000.00. Still a great investment.

photo by Helmet Newton purchased in New Orleans at the Joshua Mann Pailet Gallery

Collecting is tricky but I'm always collecting images, it never mattered who it was by but how it made me feel. All the images I have are personally inspiring regardless if it makes a frame and the wall or not! I like to live with art by other creatives. When I had a loft in NYC my bed faced a wall of rotating images....I would awaken and see them all and just allow that space to fill my heart with amazing iconic imagery. I would read at night before slumber and allow those images to let me ponder and inspire me to make more profound imagery not only for me but for my client base as well. Always thinking timeless and evokative as goal.

photo by Toni Frissell purchased from the Library of Congress

Supporting the artists is key to me. I have made a life of it. Trades and purchases always a story behind every piece. I have all kinds of art, sculpture, prints, 3d pieces. I often move them and gift them to other friends as my life seems ever changing. Nothing stays the same if your a creative thinker. Nothing ever gets stale in my world when inspired by the arts.

THE ARTIST OF NEW MEXICO

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1914974

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

MY EYES ARE BURNING

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1501658

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

CATCH of The DAY

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1501658

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

SNL BUMPERS

ttp://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1126762

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

EXPECTING The Caretaker and the Seed

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1668357

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

HELMET MAN

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1128520

Cut & paste link to view and purchase a copy

MUSICIANS Disciples of Decibels

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1194201

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

WRITERS

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1448936

Cut and Paste link to view and purchase a copy.

GOD IS WATCHING

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1190097#

Cut and paste link to view and purchase a copy.

WOMEN OVER 50 - thanks Mom

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 50
60 Minutes Correspondent Andy Rooney (CBS)

"As I grow in age, I value women over 50 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 50 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest.. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk or if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?' Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little bacon!"

Andy Rooney is a really smart guy!

One World Many Ways

Farm fresh egg!
Which one is store bought and which is free range?

left or right?

Left is rich in composting and freedom from my girls.

"To the thin line beyond which you really can't fake"
Lyric from Fire on the Mountain by Jerry Garcia

"people like ritual"
Ken Kesey

"When words sell an idea that makes you a good salesmen
When the idea is manifested that makes you a visionary."
Karen Kuehn 2/18/11

SAMURAI (means to serve)

Warner Brothers Image I'm Inspired.

"Man does what he can till his destiny is revealed."

Are you Flexible?

One Day an Advertising Assignment & The Next an Editorial Magazine.

photo by Jorge Salas

People Writer Johnny Dodd with Jay and Bonsai the pony

Bonsai a pony I met today. He is an abused animal that was getting punched in the face by his drunk owner till he was brought to this farm where abused kids and animals help heal one another just by being together. The location I will post after the story runs. but can you imagine being punched in the face by someone with erratic behavior. I'd like to punch that person to say the least. She wasn't charged for anything but being drunk.
What is wrong with the world?

I love that one day I am working with full on production crews for a client and the next I'm on an assignment for a magazine story that is completely opposite from the shoot prior. This week is such a week. Actually I'm thankful that this new year is starting out great. I had to turn down two jobs for this week. One with a magazine I love to work for People and the other for an advertising client; BofA. The good news is that I'm booked on two ad gigs and one magazine job with People in California. One was for allergies and products that care for those needs. The magazine job is a humanitarian job about abused kids and animals combined for healing. One job comes with a huge group of people to produce it and the other is run and gun with me alone or with an assistant to tell a story, much like the ones from the days of shooting for NGS and LIFE.
Usually these stories are very down to earth with one writer who pitches it and me and my assistant making images to go with the story. This week Johnny Dodd was our writer from Time Life / People magazine.

In the morning a producer ARPEN Productions (I highly recommend Rebecca to produce)
She will collect me to look at AM scouts and in the PM I will scoot up the coast to shoot a teenager with a horse that has won her heart and helped heal her soul for some family scaring.
Wed were up at dawn for a long day of advertising shoots and Thur back to New Mexico.

I love my life especially when I'm working. I love solving problems and being hired to do what I do best. Tell a story to evoke emotions. I adore my editors, art buyers and clients.

Everyday is like a surprise package. I just roll into new locations and meet new people and sometimes familiar faces and make it happen.When work is kicked up a notch for creating my life feels more charged with positive energy. We all need more work and the economy is rough but hang in there....manifest and by the way don't miss your life for chasing the mad dollars that won't be able to love you once the day is done.

Peace Out.

All THE PLAYERS

photo by Jorge Salas
on location in Santa Monica for Allegra & Saatchi Wellness

Advertising is an interesting platform for a photographers career.
Due to the clients needs to sell and have a product become an asset not only for the company for for the buyer, it takes large team of people really to make that product sell off the shelve. Marketing, budgets, focus groups often study for months to figure out how to target and make something successful.
My job is for me quite simple. Make the object desirable.
I just want to commend those folks that make us a team.
First off you can't get the job without the art buyer.
We love the Art Buyer.
The Client creates the product.
Agency who has the clients best interest at heart.
Account Executives get you paid.
The Art Directors concepts the ads.
My Artist Representative who takes care of my clients budgetary needs.
My Associates, often call my assistants 1,2 and 3 if need be baby sit me so I can be creative
Digital Techs and Jr Techs to capture files
Labs to run film almost an extinction now!
Producer normally the set momma or daddy whom puts all the players into production
Productions Assistants to keep the ball rolling
Casting agent to pull unique talent for client selection
Location Scout who hunts prime spots to do the job
Wardrobe Stylist
Wardrobe assistant for gathering and returning
Prop Stylist
Prop Stylist assistant for buying and returning
Wranglers for Kids and Animals
Hair & Makeup for the look
H&M assistants for the extra set of hands
Motor home drivers
Caterer to keep our tummy's sustained
Insurance agent for certificates of insurance for locations
Rental houses for gear
This seems like a good overall view of a crew for an advertising job.
Teams like this are really to polish and produce a vision with tremendous support.
We just rapped our job this week in Santa Monica.
A great week with a great crew.
I think we will meet again.
Flawless due to all the players.

Thank You