Paul Ruby, Photographer, Rider, eBay Entrepreneur
While it may be a shock to my friend Paul Ruby, I’m not surprised he’s managed to pull together a photography exhibition of photographs he’s made of his significant other, Mary Margaret. The show opens tomorrow, Friday, March 2, with an opening reception from 5-8pm at the Art Alliance Gallery Downtown in State College, Pennsylvania.
Official Invitation
Here’s the information necessary to plan your trip to the show as provided by the Art Alliance:
Please join us this Friday, March 2, from 5-8pm at the Art Alliance Gallery Downtown for the opening reception of …
My Life with Mary Margaret
photographs by Paul Ruby
opening reception
Friday, March 2, from 5-8pm
show runs
March 2–25
123 S. Fraser Street, State College, PA 16803
artalliancegallerydowntown.org
Photography is Like Riding
Whether using a camera or riding, to be successful you have to pay attention. And that’s what I feel is at the core of work Paul is showing — deliberate observation and reflection on the time spent with a loved one. To move past the snap shot and to something more closely connected to the special thoughts and feelings that surface in a relationship, you need to be focused on what’s in front of you. Much like a rider does on the road. Neglecting to do so is to miss the important elements that will affect a life.
I’ve had the chance to observe Paul’s process of choosing images and preparation for his show. Watching a photographer evaluate their own work is telling — it says a lot about how they feel about their subjects and themselves and what moments have power both quiet and loud. I suspect each person walking through the show will find their own unique insights into the photographs and their own relationships.
It’s About Mary Margaret; It’s About Paul Ruby
I’m never sure whether photographs like these say more about the subject or the photographer. Knowing how my own process works, I sometimes wonder if the subject is incidental to the image. Or perhaps a reflection of who the photographer thinks they are rather than who they are. It’s an interesting question which requires conversation with Paul and Mary to decipher an answer.
The Show Runs through March
If you can make it to the opening reception you’ll have the opportunity to see the pictures, talk to others and partake in some free food — the currency of any good art show opening. And if you can’t, there will be plenty of opportunities to see the work throughout the month.
If you’re within easy riding distance from State College, plan to stop in.
Such a positive, uplifting and comprehensive post Steve. I like the way you see me, Mary and photography and they way we interact/overlap. Over the last ten years or so I bet I’ve shown you hundreds of photographs of us in our environments. We’ve talked about every one of them and you’ve seen the full spectrum process in a deep and personal way.
Getting to see work from beginning to end is a privilege and instructive. Always great to see how you think with the camera and the printing process. And seeing all the work hanging is an entirely new experience.
Dang! Why does everything have to happen on the day I’m flying out to ride the Baja?!
Funeral for a lifetime family friend, Paul’s reception, and weather that could ruin my flight to LA – all happening tomorrow. Dang! At least I’ll get to see the show after I get back.
RE: I got your email about the flight delay, maybe I’ll see you tonight. I wish I was riding in the Baja adventure too. I like your go for it attitude. – Paul
Life has a way of interrupting the best laid plans. Glad you were able to get to the gallery eventually.
(Please forward:)
Dear Paul,
We’ve known one another for years, we have done business together, corresponded and we have met in person. I feel I know you and love you as a brother and hold you in high regard as a person and as a photographer.
On the other hand I do not know Margaret Mary but have admired her camping and gallivanting via your photography and poetry. I feel that Margaret Mary is a bona fide candidate for Sainthood in consideration of all the good she had done you.
I am writing from Siberian London to say that you should not expect me to the Opening or even to the Show since on return from London, I’m booked direct to Kalamazoo.
BUT, I’ll be there in spirit and will be watching over you and Margaret Mary.
I do want you to know that if you are ever anything but a Prince to her, I will bother you until the day you die !
Break a Leg !
John
Gio: You are such a kind man. I like your ‘reaching out’ kind of attitude. I have to tell you I’ve day dreamed about exploring Napoli with you to see your old haunts and places of adventure. Let makes a plan to do some photo shooting in Cape Cod or Italy. Yes, Mary Margaret is something else. She’s as they say my muse. Although I’m not totally sure what that means. ; – ) So as you are jet setting across the planet and you find yourself over the state of Pennsylvania have the pilot land and I’ll take you on your own guided tour of the Mary Margaret photo show. Plus we have spare scooters and the three of us will scooter about the central PA landscapes. – Paolo
Paul hasn’t broken anything yet but he has sold some prints!
Oh, alas and alack…it’s teeming rain outside, I just dragged myself back to Asbury Park from Gotham (sans Vespa, of course…I’ve done enough rainy riding for the past two weeks), and I postponed tomorrow’s gigs in the Big City on account of both weather and feeling a little under the weather at the moment. And I so seriously wish I could take this show in, but I’m so damned far away.
Anyway: Here’s to a successful opening!
It is a long way to go for a show. I’m hoping to make a trip to Washington DC to see the Sally Mann retrospective at the National Gallery. She’s come a long way from Senator Jesse Helms referring to her work as pornography to a show at the National Gallery. Won’t travel by Vespa. Would like to make the trip by train. Have never been on a passenger train in the United States.
Your comment to me, captured in the video I shot and frozen for all time on YouTube about Paul and the way he would express pre-visualizing his photographic art from the sale through mounting in the museum, speaks not only to the intimacy of your friendship with Paul, but also to Paul’s commitment to his art.
A return visit would be well worth the 10 hour ride, but for my all-consuming study foolishness, just to see his work in the gallery.
Mary Margaret is a saint for allowing herself and her life to be recorded and exhibited. I am sure she has no regrets.
David: Yes, Mary Margaret has had to dig deep in letting me shoot and show these photos. Although the photos are tasteful and generally flattering in a deep way, she is allowing people to see our personal lives . Not every one could do that. I get if it were spring, you’d drive your scooter down for more scooter fun and to see the exhibit. That’s why people move to Arizona, so that they can scooter in December. Thank you for your good words, Paul
Paul’s passion and commitment to making photographs was inspiring to me when I first met him over 25 years ago and continues today.
Hope your study for the bar exam is going well. Quite a task you’ve bitten off.
Allowing someone to photograph you, obsessively at times, seems unsettling to viewers. Hard to imagine being under the microscope like that. I’ve not spoken to Mary about it so I won’t put words in her mouth regarding the experience. Perhaps she’ll stop by sometime and share her reflections on it.
Wow, Steve, you have some cool friends! 🙂
Both Paul and Mary seem like people I would like to know. I wish I were in your area to attend the opening tonight!
Cheers to the artist, subject, and kind friend for introducing us.
It was a fine gathering of people at the opening. I feel grateful to know Paul and Mary along with many others I’ve met along the way.
If only I was closer….
You’re always headed farther away from here!
Not the most flattering photograph of Paul, I must admit. As to the showing have “hung” any number of exhibitions for others so know a bit about what should and should not
be permitted.
Having written that, suspect such an exhibition would be very personal and very revealing.
Trust the opening went well in spite of the weather variations; sadly am miles way, in another country. I would have viewed the exhibition all being equal.
Both Paul and I are beyond the concerns regarding flattering photos. I’m always pleasantly amused by the odd and strange presentation I make for the camera. I have many unflattering images that I could share.
You’re right about his show being personal. I’ve always warmed more toward bodies of work that reveals as much about the artist as it does the subject. Probably why beautiful landscapes don’t do it for me anymore. Nan Goldin, Sally Mann, Stephen Shore and others resonate more loudly for me.
All went well!