Adding to My Art Collection

I love fine art photography though I rarely find a piece I'd actually like to display in my home.  But late last year, I found two pieces I just had to own.

I purchased the first piece in Alpine, Texas, over Thanksgiving weekend during my trip to the Big Bend. Alpine has lots of art galleries, but I was searching for photos specifically.  Not finding any appealing photography (over-manipulated, over-saturated, just plain kitshky) at the general-offering galleries, one shop owner recommended the Red Door Gallery on Main Street.

David Kachel's Red Door Gallery

Owned and run by David Kachel, this charming, well-stocked gallery offers Kachel's photography almost exclusively.  I spent nearly an hour talking with the artist and browsing his striking images, which range from grand landscapes to detail studies, many taken in West Texas. Kachel presents true fine art photography the way it's supposed to be.

After much deliberation, I finally chose this dramatic piece captured in the Southern Province of Arequipa, Peru, in the late 1980's. The fact that I had spent some time in Arequipa in 1997 tipped the scales in its favor over one from his beautifully contemplative West Texas Porches series.

High Plains Gathering Storm, Arequipa, Peru
Copyright David Kachel.  All rights reserved.

Check out Kachel's website here to see more of his work and read about his philosophy of and approach to modern fine art photography.  It's definitely worth a read.

Then in December, I had the privilege of jurying the Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show.  Held in the Fine Arts building at ExpoNM, this juried exhibit features works exclusively by New Mexico photographers.

During the jury process, I looked at hundreds of images from several genres.  Of the many photos I studied, I was particularly drawn to the image entitled Diner by Dave Sova.

Diner, Albuquerque NM
Copyright Dave Sova.  All rights reserved.

It depicts a diner and a window reflection.  Simple, right? Hmmm, not so much.  The juxtaposition of reality and reflection leads the viewer to question, "What part of this is reality and what part is reflection?"  It creates a visual tension that leads me back again and again to study it just one more time.  This is precisely what good art should do.

Diner is a beautifully rendered piece, with rich blacks, clean grays and precise contrasts that lend an impression of spatial extension one can almost reach into.  The image now hangs in my living room, and it truly lends a sense of richness and depth to its surroundings.

You can see more of Sova's stunning black-and-white images here.

So that's how and why I added two special pieces to my photography collection, and I'm always on the look out  for that next "special piece."

Cheers....Gail.
www.gailyovanphotos.com
All images and text ©2014 Gail Diane Yovanovich

Snapshots from Old Town

On Sunday, I hopped in the Blazer and drove into Old Town Albuquerque.  Just a short 40-minute drive away, I hadn't been there in quite a while, and I sure needed a break from work.  I had no lofty photographic goals, just strolling with camera to snap what appealed to me.

Old Town is the original Albuquerque, founded in 1706 by Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, the Spanish governor of New Mexico.  Spanish law at the time required setting a plaza at the center of all towns, and that plaza still exists today.

On the north side of the plaza sits the San Felipe de Neri Church constructed in 1793.  Here is a photo of one of the church's two beautiful spires and a few of its many gleaming white crosses.

San Felipe de Neri Church

Albuquerque's original settlers built their homes, shops and offices around the church and the plaza, and most have since been converted into art galleries, restaurants and gift shops.  Old Town Albuquerque is a popular tourist destination, and today the galleries and shops feature Southwestern jewelry, paintings, sculpture, textiles and pottery.

I just love the brightly colored blankets and ristras (strings of dried red chili peppers) displayed outside this shop.

Mexican Blankets and Chili Ristras

As I walked around the plaza peeking into galleries and courtyards, I found this charming scene behind a locked gate.  Chili ristras - a New Mexico staple - and turquoise-green benches brightened the scene, highlighted by a large Mexican pottery urn.

Colorful Courtyard

The architecture in Old Town today looks much as it did centuries ago, with Pueblo and Spanish style flat-roofed buildings, soft adobe contours, and brightly painted window and door frames.  Just look at this gorgeous doorway!

Turquoise Doorway

Porches line the fronts of most buildings, offering shade from the New Mexico sun, and plenty of benches provide resting places to sit and people watch.  I snapped this elderly gentleman, decked out in copious turquoise-and-silver jewelry, taking a break.

Turquoise Guy

In Old Town, you'll also find the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (lots of dinosaurs and a planetarium), the Rattlesnake Museum, the Albuquerque Little Theatre and much more.  For more info on Old Town cultural activities, see www.albuquerqueoldtown.com/cultural-activities.html.

It's a fun day, and I won't be waiting so long to get back out there again.

Cheers 'til next time....Gail.
www.gailyovanphotos.com
All images and text ©2014 Gail Diane Yovanovich