End of the Show
After 24 days, my Scooter in the Sticks exhibition has drawn to a close. Everything has been packed away and taken home. I don’t know if another opportunity to show them will present itself. All that’s left now is to deliver a half-dozen prints to buyers who were kind enough to leave them until the show closed.
And to all of you who visited the gallery, near and far, thank you so much for making the trip to State College. It was a joy to talk with so many people.
Looking Ahead
A door closes, many others present themselves. But which to open? Ideas for a new photography project is simmering. I’ve written a chapter for a book that’s been floating in my head for awhile. The dogs hope to share more time for walks and play, the garden is raging with growth from a wet summer, and myriad maintenance projects in the house await.
I’m looking in various directions.
Pondering Through Breakfast
The photo exhibit took a surprising amount of time and energy. Time sitting in the gallery. Energy in the form of a mental investment in thinking about images, photography and future projects. All triggered by the work that went into exploring the existing body of work I had that ultimately took shape on the walls of the gallery.
It will be good to find some time to just sit and watch the world go by for a few minutes at a local cafe. Like Saint’s.
Riding Sojourn
Throughout the month I’ve been riding. Mostly errands but the occasional sojourn through the countryside. Just to clear my head. And infuse some fun into things.
Blogging has suffered. It will take some time to wrap my head around the process again. I’ve noticed that ideas and pictures have not been coming as easily of late. Perhaps it’s the summer doldrums. Or maybe too much has been going on. Whatever it is, I feel now the ember of excitement to get back to things here.
Full flounder ahead.
As `previously noted the advertising material arrived for framing; I don’t expect to see the finished product until after Labour Day
.
“Any” exhibit of this type drains the creator.
Your lack of regular communication proves it
And the process was gratifying and enjoyable.
You did it with a little help from your friends!
You’re right, my lack of attention here is evidence of how distracted I’ve been by the show. That should begin to change.
I’m glad you’re taking a moment to just watch the world go by. I may be wrong but it seems you have more creative projects swirling around upstairs, than time and energy. Be at peace and take time to “feel” the next project that stirs your soul.
I’m sitting right now relaxed, looking out the window, and typing responses to comments I’ve let go unattended. It sounds like late summer with crickets churning in the heat. Dogs sleeping on the floor beside me awaiting the next walk, treat or ball throwing adventure. A cup of tea cools nearby with a plate of cookies to complete the mood. Life is receding to the place it should be for me in retirement. I’ll maintain that image by not mentioning the myriad chores and tasks that await. For now, they don’t exist.
The next project is simmering still. Soon, perhaps this week, I’ll stand and venture into the darkroom to process film…
I’m sorry I had to miss it! We were traveling in your area (from our home state of California) on July 4th, but couldn’t stay. We stopped in at Saints hoping you might be around, but no such luck, so we had a cup of coffee and some delicious treats and raised a toast to you!
I’m sorry I missed you on July 4th. Not sure what I was doing then. If you’re going to be in town again drop me a note so I can make a point to see you.
Hope all is well in California!
I am still contemplating your photos. The question is not only what do I buy, but how do I get you to sign them. I am off for a little visit to Europe and plan to put some of your art on my wall when I come home. Of course, that might not be until next year.
Signing prints. That’s not come up at the show. Normally I only sign prints that I make by hand. And then, on the back in pencil with information about the image, my name in block letters along with my incomprehensible signature. So maybe you don’t need them signed. Or I can devise a solution for you. I have ideas. We can talk when you return from Europe. Scooter riding involved I hope.
Congratulations on completing a successful showing, Steve!
From memories of my last exhibit (way back in 2009), it took a tremendous amount of energy, from planning, printing, framing, mounting, greeting/sitting, breaking the show down and hauling the work back home, save for the several prints I happily sold. I was quite wiped at the end.
And, paradoxically (or maybe not), my head was packed with ideas for future showings, new photo projects, old photo projects that got back-burnered, plus a bit of writing, most connected with these projects, some not. And this is where those solitary rides (pedal- and engine-powered), and sitting alone with pen, notebook and pot of tea become more than just pleasant respites: I pretty much need all the above to work all this stuff in my head through, to sort, hone, prioritize. And, most of the time, this works.
On multiple fronts, this likely has been the busiest summer since moving from Gotham to Asbury Park nearly four years ago. It’s also the summer I vowed to enjoy more miles astride Melody than the previous two that I’ve had her. So far, that’s mostly working out. I’m also planning an exhibit for sometime next spring, which seems somewhat far off for all but those who’ve ever put up an exhibit themselves. But as hard as this can be, it’s a good kind of hard, a good kind of busy…and the next-best kind of exertion/exhaustion I can think of.
Your reflections on your own expenditures of energy for your last show mirror my experience. Just a lot of work goes into it that is invisible in the final display.
Glad to hear your summer is going well and that you’re planning an exhibit next spring. The time passes quickly.
I like your idea of “a good kind of hard, a good kind of busy…” Wise words. The are spot on.
Beautiful show Steve, done vary well.
Thanks Mike. It was good seeing you at the reception. It’s time for breakfast.
I am sorry I missed the show too. Simply too hard to get your way over the period that they were shown.
The photos that I could see here all looked exceptional as usual. Seeing them all on display must have been rewarding for you. I may also be interested in purchasing one.
They do inspire me to try harder on the ride photos I take. Maybe even to the point of actually stopping to get a good still shot.
I understand the difficulties of traveling to shows. I’ve missed a couple I badly wanted to see in the past couple years but I just couldn’t pry the time out of my schedule. No worries though. There will always be other shows.
The show was good for me. It’s not often that I think of the pictures beyond a single image in a blog post. Stepping back and considering the past 10 years of work provided insight and inspiration. If you want to purchase something you can do that through the ZenFolio site.
Hope you’re recovering from the loss of your scooter Vanessa and you’re finding time for a little riding.
The excitement of the opening was probably matched by the relief at the closing. It sounds like it may be time for some well-deserved relaxation and quiet. Managing any event is exciting but stressful.
So, when is the next show?
I was talking to Kim about the show coming to an end yesterday. There was a mix of sadness as the closing marked the end of another chapter in my life. But also relief as you predict at not having to manage things in that arena any longer.
As far as the next show — no idea. I have projects in mind but am not making any predictions regarding completion.
Really planned to make it out for the last MotoHang and to visit your show. After calls to my favorite mom and pop motels and searching the web for a room in State College, all I could find was a $200 room (that was $100 two weeks earlier). Not feeling so well heeled right now I just couldn’t make it there.
Will still try to get out in September and hope to visit with everyone, but once again a day late and a dollar short. Glad that your show was a success and hopefully this will lead to more such opportunities for you.
Motels in this area are pricey. And if you pick a weekend with football, graduation, students returning to Penn State, then the prices double, triple or worse. No worries about not making it up here for the show or Moto Hang. There will be other Moto Hangs and other shows.
Until you decide to ride this way — safe travels!
I hope you consider the exhibition the success you hoped for and more!
I do consider it a success on many levels. I got more out of it than expected.
I didn’t miss the show. It was very thought provoking and I want to buy the picture of the scooter under the blue sky. The wife said okay. I have been thinking hard about what you said about scooter placement in pictures and composition is shifting in my head. It was good.
That photograph of the scooter under the blue sky has grown on me over time. It helped to see a print.
Composition is a critical element of the success or failure of a photograph of any kind. It’s not the only thing but it is a relatively simple technical step that really strengthens a picture. For me, it’s usually the landscape first and then where does it make sense to place the scooter. I try to achieve it in my head a bit before I park the scooter but a lot of times I have to move things around.
During our ride I didn’t really do much of that. Just shot what was presented. Haven’t posted YOUR story yet. My iMac hard drive is full. No space to download any pictures. I ordered a new external drive to serve as the primary drive. Studying how to migrate the Lightroom catalogs so I don’t have to reimport everything. Thought I would have had it complete by now and post your visit tomorrow. No such luck.
Soon I’ll mythologize you though…
Enjoy the well-deserved relaxation after your excellent show!
I have been!
Your friends here support whatever you decide to do.
Thanks Bill. I’m just wandering on…
Hey Steve, for us far away souls like here in South Africa, could not see your show .how about a few pictures on your blog. Sounds like the show was a great success well done .
You can see everything in the show here: Scooter in the Sticks exhibition.
Congratulations on your successful exhibition. Sorry we couldn’t get to State College to see it in person, but we enjoyed the virtual tour.
Hope you have some fine fall riding.
Rusty Yeiser
Hello Rusty. Good to hear from you. Hope this message finds you and your family well.
I’m looking forward to the lower temperatures and the autumn scenery. Both fine aspects of a good ride.
Nicely done Steve!
My two cents: 1) set a photography goal (theme, etc.); 2) make the show a yearly event to show the results; 3) rinse and repeat.
Thanks David.
Not sure I can handle an annual show — mentally or financially. But I am going to attempt to make finished projects instead of just shooting more and more pictures. I learn a lot from finishing work.
Steve, was on vacation and missed your post and show. Congrats on doing this!
Thanks Brent!