You Can Never Hold Back Spring

TOM WAITS 

"You can never hold back spring
You can be sure that I will never
Stop believing
The blushing rose will climb
Spring ahead or fall behind
Winter dreams the same dream
Every time
You can never hold back spring
Even though you've lost your way
The world keeps dreaming of spring
So close your eyes
Open you heart
To one who's dreaming of you
You can never hold back spring
Baby
Remember everything that spring
Can bring
You can never hold back spring "

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgeZEdbv_m8

Playa Messiah

George P. Post

P h o t o g r a p h e r 's that cover the event Burning Man, my heart goes out to you and your gear. 

 But the shooters that actually manifest a book are few and far between.

Today I received George Post new book.  A gracious future trade for one of mine still in waiting for a publisher other than myself.  
...So the book arrives...it's large and very inviting.  I open it and inscribed to me; a new dusty friend. 

 I am feeling Christmas inside.  Giddy and excited to have his book before me. 

 Each page delights me with new surprises and history of this event unfolding his 20 year attendance.

  I know some of the characters.  Seeing them nude in the early days made me smile.  

Seeing all the images by George is very inspiring for it holds passages of time and great memories for many.

This is a book to buy and cherish, especially if your a long time burner and/or a newbie.

Not only is has he completed a healthy volume of work over two decades, but he's a really nice guy.

Open and able to share his processes with ease. 
George Post A Lovely Man. 

photo credit lil' ol' moi.

 http://www.georgepostphotography.com
 I am looking forward to connecting in person one day.

 I am grateful and now his newst fan.  

Not only are there so many images to ponder but the words just feed you leaving you wanting more. 

 Terrific photography book to support the Burning Man event's.

I look at all the images and it makes me feel like I just did 20 years on the Playa.
You will laugh, wonder and go Wow! 

I'm sure he will sell out so get your books now.

 Buy it HERE
http://www.Playa-Messiah.com
 

Malcolm Tarlofsky

What Does Malcolm Think?

Art by Malcolm Tarlofsky

Malcolm is an old pal and amazing artist I met many years ago in NYC.  We have kept in touch over the years.

Check out his work for its so evolved and sensitive.

I saw works of his in magazines and one day I called to say hey that was a great piece of art.

We met for coffee and so it continues.

A few nights ago he reached out and I sent him links to the work I produced at Burning Man.

This is his take on it and I felt it was a good reminder that I am gifted so much there and that my way of seeing feels right a home.

I was hoping to go this year however I am not feeling I can.  He is nudging me to make the art I do and stay focused on the bigger picture.

I still have no clue if I will be there or not but if so like a ghost I will wisp my way around and love those who fall before me like angels.

http://malcolm-tarlofsky.com/gallerie.html  
    

OBSERVATION FROM A TRUE FRIEND

"You have a symbiotic relationship with Burning Man...your unique gifts are in perfect sync with the surreal theatre that is there to be captured...and you do it so beautifully in a way that mirrors the very essence of it. LOVE the rainbow spread...water truck...

Zonotopia shot and Walter the bus!
I LOVE the way you juxtaposed the monochrome portraits with the creations in Metropolove...

and your incredible ability to get people to reveal themselves in such an honest relaxed manner is breathtaking...what lovely portraits!
My Eyes Are Burning is just as impressive...with that deeply earthy cover shot and so many others inside...

I love the silhouette with the hoop...the lacy tush and elf statue in lap etc. etc.
The shots of you and Sara are also great

 
So...what do I think?

Well...I think you have documented a very ephemeral happening in an extraordinary way. 

They will never be able to be seen again...and you have captured it forever.
You have documented the haunting, raw, retro surreal theatre for all to see...

and that is pretty special...but to have it done with such perception and lyricism is very rare.
But you also reveal the life of the event along with the personalities of the participants...

and you bring the viewer into this quirky fantasyland with real sensitivity and love.

                                                                                     
2013?....You better go!.....by hook or crook you must do it while your still passionate about it...

no excuses! "

Thank You Malcolm always a LOVE.

Bryan Tedrick

"love is our victory over the meaninglessness of life"- Bryan Tedrick

 

Victory is everyone's when they choose well, at the tail end of my fourth Burning Man Project.

I was missing the presence of my artist pal Bryan Tedrick.  I did see him and had some good laughs, however I never made it to his piece on the Playa.  Too much to do and too little time. 

I decided to ask him to contribute a quote to my book on life meaning.

I feel his is one to ponder but more importantly to live.

Esp if your creating good stories.

You deserve to be loved.

 

Thank you Mr. Tedrick

One of my favorite artist out West.

http://bryantedrick.com/      

 

Look for his new piece this year at Burning Man.

Elegant & Clever

 

Howling at the moon...

  

The Artful Heart

The Creative Heart

Positive energy makes things flow.

It doesn't matter what the art is, but rather the making of it manifested.

To create and feel the joy and reflect inside and out is all that really counts.

To be in the moment blooming your internal feeling.

It feels good to make things.

You don't have to be labeled artist to be loving and creative.

I garden all the time and this cultivation of helping things bloom becomes equally important in the processes of artful endeavors.

Simply styling oneself can be a creative.

A dinner magnified with a simple theme to please!

Making a home shrine for heath, healing and love.

All things considered we can amplify love by creating and sharing it.

Be the love you want.

Give yourself amble time to make things shine in your life.

Photography is my main creative medium.

Being artistic has been first nature for decades.

The gift is the presence of those many beautiful people who forever rein in a captured moment. 
 I realized many years ago that I am a messenger of some sort and in the last few years I got a message from the Universe for my purpose.

It shouted loud and clear to stick with my Artistic Path.

Don't get side tracked with other peoples needs and whims.
The path is very real, honor it.
I continue to library life with a passion for it.

I breath it with my soul.

I see the light and the humor in life.

Grants rarely come for the Joyful capture.

But it seems fitting to continue this journey of lightness.

If all artist do the dark than we feed it and the fire is all about that less illuminated edge.

I am okay with the lighter side. 

 Plenty of dedicated souls to expose humanity's realm of hellish things.

My life is my art, I say it all the time.

My mantra for the moment that brings my world into a peaceful place.

Cease the moment every awake minute you can.

So temporary this life of ours.

So fragile.
The very two emotions we humans can choose to live by: 
Fear and/or Love.
We get to feel both at times no doubt!
I say be smart and watch your back, when your successful their will be those whom support it.
And those who will latch onto your light for a ride.
It is those very people whom can suck the life out of you that need the love most.
However I think you have to find your way to render love in a healthy way as to not loose yourself for those souls.
That is why therapy is so good and sober thinking.
Its not the artist job to give up all their love for those whom are searching and seeking.   
Choose love with a healthy respect for any red flags that will stop you from making art with your joyful heart.
Feed the love in you by creating and it will reflect to all including you.
One art day at a time.
Being accountable is being in an awaken state of love. 

Namaste to the Art in All of YOU    

LOVE.

Gabrielle Rosenberg NYC Stylist

photographed by karenkuehn - Susan Levinson NFL for Vanity Fair - Styled by Gabrielle Rosenberg

 "Karen Kuehn is not just an amazing photographer, she is an incredible artist. Karen is a genius talent, she is fun, energetic, creative, and has a definite unique vision. She is not only one of the very best female photographers I have ever had the pleasure to work with, Karen is one of the very best photographers I have ever worked with. I rarely ask for photos from my photographers, I have 2 of Karen's photos hanging in my home, I hold her in high regard as a person, and I highly refer her as a photographer" 

 Gabrielle Rosenberg

photographed by karen kuehn -  Styled by Gabrielle Rosenberg

Mucho Gracias Chica

 One of the most difficult jobs on a team producing images for clients is styling.

Gabby and I have worked together for many years.

Many dedicated hours of hunting down the perfect fashion for each task at hand.

She asked me for a recommendation on LINKEDIN and naturally I responded instantly.

I didn't expect her to recommend me; however I just found her posting.

Very sweet and appreciated.  
I don't get my jobs from this venue however if I did wouldn't that be a plus.  
The hustling for work always continues in on many avenues. 

Couldn't hurt to have kind words with a sincere heart.

Thank you Miss Rosenberg

 

Laird Hovland ARTIST

photographs by karen kuehn

LAIRD HOVLAND

http://www.lairdhovland.com/

"Not only was the photo session with Karen a uniquely superb laugh-riot, the resulting photographs were overwhelmingly gorgeous, capturing both emotional whimsy and also great depth. Her enchanting manner put me at ease, and that reads in the resulting portraits."
 Laird Hovland

"Karen is an editor's dream – a photographer with the passionate eye of an artist and a rock-solid work ethic. She approached us almost decade ago with her idea to shoot naturally-lit, black & white portraits of New Mexico artists.
The pitch turned into brainstorming, then a double-page ongoing feature that we titled Portrait of an Artist. How Karen convinces her subjects to open up enough for her to capture such piercing and personal images is still a mystery after all these years.
But what I never need to wonder about is whether she'll run out of artists to shoot. Not Karen.
 Not in this decade."
Scott Blackwell
Publisher Around 505

Master of Your Soul

The grapes of my body can only become wine

By Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi
(1207 - 1273)
English version by Andrew Harvey

The grapes of my body can only become wine
After the winemaker tramples me.
I surrender my spirit like grapes to his trampling
So my inmost heart can blaze and dance with joy.
Although the grapes go on weeping blood and sobbing
"I cannot bear any more anguish, any more cruelty"
The trampler stuffs cotton in his ears: "I am not working in ignorance
You can deny me if you want, you have every excuse,
But it is I who am the Master of this Work.
And when through my Passion you reach Perfection,
You will never be done praising my name."