Painting as an extension of my photography... an ongoing investigation.

A little over a year ago, I offered to take my now 84 year old father to a painting class at the local adult center near where we live.  There have been numerous artists on his side of the family, notably my cousin Tim Dolby who has exhibited throughout England, and my great Uncle John who I remember started painting in his 70's, producing some beautiful works that my family still own today.  My 14 year old daughter has a natural drawing ability that is far beyond her years and I'm hoping that she continues to explore her gift.   Either way it has been a great opportunity to spend time with my Dad...get him out of the retirement community to socialize with a variety of people.  It's been good for me too.   My own work from the class has been described as primitive, but I can live with that.  I have really enjoyed a new hobby which in a lot of ways has influenced my photography, not to mention given me a less digital and more hands on pastime.   The paintings I have shown here are what I have produced so far.  Mostly exercises, but trying to cultivate the craft of putting paint to canvas in a way that is believable, but also trying to add my own touch.  It's not easy, but I now look at everything in a more discerning way.  How would I translate that scene as a photograph?  How would I translate that scene as a painting?  I ask both questions now, and it's been eye opening.

Raleigh in the rain!

Perhaps inspired by the paintings of San Francisco artist Po Pin Lin, I headed downtown to capture the wet streets of Raleigh.  It was really a downpour and I shot until my camera started becoming temperamental.  As much as we try to stay out of the rain, there is so much more to see when one braves the elements.  Anyone can photograph on a sunny day...most choose to stay home when it's not.

Neuse River Greenway Trail

Raleigh has some wonderful greenway trails that now connect the heart of the city with the Neuse River to the east.  One section of the trail extends all the way from Wake Forest, NC all the way down to Clayton following the Neuse River all the way.  I have bike the trail several times now and on this particular early morning excursion, I photographed this old barn surrounded by the Raleigh Waste Water farms.  Obviously my next investigation is to find out something more about this structure in terms of when it was built and original owners.

Village of Southport, North Carolina

The village of Southport sits just at the mouth of the great Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, North Carolina.  I enjoy visiting this part of the coast about twice a year.  Southport, with it's abundance of historic homes has been the location for many films and television shows.    One day, maybe I'll be able to keep my boat there...you know...when it comes in of course.

Stolen Wolfpack Photography from the Raleigh Sheraton

Last fall I was commissioned by the Sheraton Raleigh to provide wall art throughout their lobbies and restaurant, Jimmy V's.  Because I haven't shot NC State sports since 1997, I licensed these two images from the talented Ken Martin and Peyton Williams, two photographers that cover the Wolfpack today.
The Sports Wall in the downstairs lobby featured these two images along with two others as 36"x60" canvas photographs printed and mounted by my good friend Jim Casteen over at Filmgraphics.  A lot of work went into these making them look as good as they could be.
Obviously a fan...probably a state fan...thought they looked good enough to steal.  Last Saturday night, these two prints were removed from the wall...ripping the screws right along with them.
The Sheraton is currently trying to look at video from the back door, but as yet haven't found who did it.   It would not have been easy to carry one print, let alone two prints without being seen that night.  Hopefully the video cameras will provide some clues as to when and who took the prints.   I'm personally not being hurt by this.  The Sheraton wants to replace the photos obviously.  There is a large gap in the wall where they once hung.  I will have to recreate the images for the wall not being able to charge the full price again.  What I'd much rather do is rehang the original prints after they are returned.
Today NC State will be playing Miami at the ACC tournament in basketball.  I don't relish the fact that there is some NC State fan smiling at his stolen treasure while watching the game.  Hopefully it's not an NC State fan.  If they want to buy the prints at the original cost and then pay for replacements, then I'm sure the Sheraton won't press charges...but then I can't speak for the Sheraton.
I'm sure that they... like I do... just want them back.   If you see these prints anywhere, please let me know at simon@simong.com.

What I would like to do is charge the perps the full price for the prints they stole...pay also full price for replacements for the Sheraton.  We'll pay a licensing fee to the two photographers, but then the stolen prints will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club building in Raleigh.  Any profit after production will also go the the Boys and Girls Club.  That's just my two cents.

Dad in the workshop.

My 85 year old father moved with mom last year into a retirement living community not far from my house.  Their health was not such that they really were going to be able to take care of a large house anymore, so we finally convinced them to move into something that would offer extended care when the time came.  Unfortunately, Dad had a workshop full of tools that he cherished and had to give up.  I salvaged as much as I could from the estate sale and with the help of some friends moved it into my own unfinished garage.  Funnily enough, my garage is almost 85 years as well.  Right before Christmas, I went to work converting the unfinished space into a place that he can come over and tinker with his tools.  Last year we painted every monday.  This year, I think you'll find us in the workshop...maybe making frames.

Well...it's a little late posting this don't you think?

A collaboration with my 14 year old daughter whose artwork is pretty amazing to say the least.   The animal theme just came about when I asked Gillian for a drawing and she handed me all these.   I had already photographed the church in the snow a couple of years ago with the intent on doing something like this.   Three weeks before Christmas, we photographed our dog "Crash" staring up towards Jesus.  Crash is the perfect model.  Does everything I ask.  :)   If you want to be on our Christmas/Holiday card list, you'll have to send us work in 2014.  I'm also open to ideas for next year...I'm starting to run out.