© kjm
Two of my best friends had new daughters this month. But I've yet to meet either Stacia or Elana yet, as I can't get past being slightly sick for the past few weeks. This Winnie The Pooh was made for me by my Auntie Jan on the occasion of my birth, some (cough) years ago. It's on indefinite loan to my nephew Kale, and I had a chance to see it again recently. With the exception of a little missing stitching around the face and nose, it's held up remarkably well.
© Tim Gruber
I love this photo by the photographer Tim Gruber. It comes from Tim's series, Life in Appalachia, which, he explains,
"... started out as an essay about coal and what coal means to the people of Appalachia. Most of the pictures are a result of my essay class in grad school where my classmates and I were all sent out to shoot the same topic (coal) in our own ways. It quickly became the most competitive and grueling endeavor I have ever experienced as a photographer. I tell people it was like watching a class of overachieving second graders all vying to be the kid who got the star on their paper or in our cases photos. It also made me realize just how much one can grow when you surround yourself with talented and passionate people. With time the essay drifted into a much broader project about life, the people, and the gritty charm of the region.
This particular photo was from an abandoned school in rural Virginia. I'm not sure what the old letters were from, but I thought it served as a fitting metaphor to not only the decay of the school but the slow erosion of Appalachia that has taken place over the years because of mountaintop removal."
© kjm
All the prints from 100 Very Small Observations have now been spoken for. If you sent me an email already, don't forget to send me your self-addressed, stamped envelope. As of today, I'll have mailed out about half of the prints. Thanks to all who participated!
teabag © kjm
[within reach is a series of photographs examining the environment of home in detail]
© kjm
I'll be sending out a first batch of prints from 100 Very Small Observations this week. The picture above is heading across town to jw lawson, who wins bonus points for including a cardboard mailer, and also for his artistic use of 2¢ stamps. Thanks to everyone who's participated so far (and thanks for the tiny gifts sent!). If you'd like one, please see this post and send me an email.
** All the prints have now been spoken for.
negative seven degrees © kjm
I've shot my front window before during the winter, once with snow and once through the front shade. But this picture, made this morning, might be my favorite. Man, it's cold.
[within reach is a series of photographs examining the environment of home in detail]
In preparation for a gallery talk I'll be giving on the Camp Home series, I asked my Mom if she knew of any old photos of my Dad with his family. We've always had lots of beautiful vintage photographs of my Mom's family in Hawaii, but scant few from the Miyazaki side. She found a box of photos containing pictures I'd never seen before. To my surprise, there were pictures of my Dad, aunt and grandparents at Heart Mountain (in Wyoming), the internment camp they were moved to from Tule Lake. Internees weren't allowed to have cameras in camp, but possibly the rules were relaxed in later years - I'm not sure. He would have been 14 or 15 years old at the time these were taken.
After thinking so much about my Dad during that time period, and seeing so many camp buildings in person and in historic photographs, I'm thrilled to see these - both as a photographer and a son.
Here's the information for the gallery talk, though the high temperature on Thursday is supposed to be a bone-chilling -3 degrees (which would even keep hardy Wisconsinites at home). If you make it, I promise to do my best to inform and entertain!
Thursday, January 15, 6:00 pm
Mary L. Nohl Fund Fellowship exhibit
Inova/Kenilworth gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2155 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202
clementine peel on blue plate © kjm
Maybe it's because I'm sick and my body's craving the Vitamin C, but I think it's accurate to say that I'm currently obsessed with clementines.
six year-old (solid) honey © kjm
[within reach is a series of photographs examining the environment of home in detail]
Let's call it 42¢ x 100.
Here's Part Two to my recent show at MIAD, 100 Very Small Observations. To recap: The show was installed in a gallery in the school's photography department, and my goal was to impart on the students the role that this blog has played in my work and process. To that end, the show consisted of (100) 4x6" digital c-prints, the images having been created for, and initially seen on the blog. You can read earlier posts about the show (and see the pictures) here.
To bring the whole thing full circle, I'll now be giving the prints away to readers of the blog. If you'd like one of the pictures, email me with "100" in the subject line of your email (not just a comment below, please), and I'll email you back with instructions (you'll need to send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope). The first 100 people to email me will receive a randomly selected print, mailed back to you in the envelope you provide (in about 2 weeks).
** All the prints have now been spoken for.
flute on the t.v. table © kjm
A very quiet New Year's Eve last night, at home in Phoenix with Marilu. We cooked, watched a wonderful movie, and toasted with champagne. Lots to think about from the year past and the one upon us - but for now, the simple enjoyment of closeness, and the sound of tinkling glasses.
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