Friday, December 3, 2010

Osceola 32 Gallery

Last night was the opening reception at Osceola 32 Gallery for a number of local(Stuart, Martin County) artists. In the year that the gallery has been open, the crowds have increased greatly in size. Rachel Goldberg and Michael Penn, the owners of Osceola 32, have made each opening an event, inviting performing artists to participate as well. Unlike other galleries in Stuart, Osceola 32 doesn't wait for "First Thursday" art walks to have an event. The only disappointment of the evening was the lack of attendance and support by the Arts Council Board(see my last blog). When will they get it?

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Art Advocacy or Artist Advocacy

The more I look at the art situation, first in Palm Beach, and now in Martin County, I see a vast difference in advocating for the arts vs. advocating for the artists. The current Arts Council Board in Martin County consists primarily of local business leaders with no arts background. I feel more artists should be included on the Board to give the artists more input. The Board should be designed to artist's work by making it accessible to individuals, corporations, and designers. In other words, ther Council should be a valuable resource for artists. I wonder how many Board members support the local artists with their work in their home or office.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Web Design & SEO

Why can't web designers just be up front and honest in what they can and can't do. I have gone through a few thousand dollars this year and am still not happy with the results. I have contacted another firm, and it looks like this may be the right match. They give me a free demo site for 30 days to fool around with, and if not satisfied, can just let it expire. I hope this is the answer.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

No Magic Bullet

I had the privilege to go on a photo excursion with Bill Belleville yesterday. I was hoping for an easy answer as to how to have my photography more recognized, but as Bill put it, "there is no magic bullet". He was grateful enough to provide me with suggestions. I hope to do other excursions with him.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Road Trip

I'm headed to central Florida on Saturday to shoot
with photographer and videographer Bill Belleville. He has done several books and documentaries about Florida. He saw my work and invited me up. I'm thrilled to be able to shoot with someone of his stature. Check out his website at www.billbelleville.com

Thursday, September 16, 2010

E-Commerce

Well, the website is now running on all cylinders. I have gotten the watermarks in place on all images, and the e-commerce section is now working as well. All images will be sold as prints only, unless specifically requested. Pricing in the website is for print only.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Artist Interview

I am a self proclaimed publicity hound. I market myself to the fullest. I was fortunate enough to find another connection online through whopple.com. Whopple gives artists additional exposure in the art world through an online interview. To view my interview, please go to:
http://www.whopple.com/artist-interview-with-kevin-boldenow.html

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Mosquito Coast

I was back up in Brevard County Saturday visiting two of the counties preserves. The Enchanted Forest gave me the best photo opportunities, but being so lush and thick, was very difficult to get any good shots. Barrier Island Preserve was not that exciting. Both, however, provided so many mosquitoes, I found myself swatting more than photographing. Even with a repellant, they continued to swarm and attack. Next Saturday is a Photo Adventure at Butterfly World. I'm sure the conditions will be much better there. In the meantime, it's time to figure out where else I may visit.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Rain or Not

I'm heading out early tomorrow morning to the Enchanted Forest, a preserve near Titusville. If the weather holds up I may get a 2nd shoot at the Barrier Island Preserve. Only time will tell.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Supporting the Arts

I'm making a trip down to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow to check out an Arts District. It never ceases to amaze me how some communities embrace the arts while others don't have a clue. Arts districts, with restaurants and coffee shops mingled in, help create economic activity within a city or county. It's up to business and political leaders to work together to create such vibrance within a community. Martin County needs to look at these communities and create a buzz of their own.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Damn Pigs

I went out to Turkey Creek Preserve for a photo shoot on Saturday. It's a beautiful little preserve just outside Palm Bay, Florida. Unfortunately, the deeds of people who use the preserve have created a polluted eyesore. Down by the canoe launch I watched several turtles swimming in the creek, trying to avoid man's mess. Such a travesty.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Nudes vs. Prudes

Living in a small conservative town has its disadvantages. When I put together my book, I included three of my fine art nudes. It was recently suggested that I remove the nudes and replace them with more of my landscape work. It may cost me a few sales in town, but when I take it to a larger publisher who will market it internationally, what makes sense, A few sales or a few thousand? Maybe this town is just too small for me.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Website Revamp

After debating who should rebuild my website for a number of months, I chose Masterpiece Solutions out of Colorado to do the work. They specialize in gallery and artist websites, and it shows! I hope to get a following on my Blog and Twitter, to go along with my Facebook and Linkedin connections. For all of you here, my link is www.krbphotoimagery.com I'd love to hear your comments.

Kevin

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Online magazine feature

Here is the link to an online magazine feature about yours truly.



http://www.thefineartmagazine.com/our-gallery/kevin-boldenow.html

The Book is finished and my first sales have been made

I know, it's been a long time since I've been here. I previously told you about my desire to create a book with the help of a creative writer. I found Joanna through a mutual friend and we began work on the book. I chose the images, and Joanna wrote lovely prose for most of them. We also had some images stand alone, and others had quotations from celebrities that worked well with the image. After purchasing one and tweaking it( the ever present typo's and words that came out of nowhere ), I then purchased ten and have sold eight to date. My next goal is to find a publisher to distribute and promote the book.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Road Trip

I'm finally getting out of the South Florida area and exploring another part of Florida that has been calling me for years. The Oklawaha River is just east of Ocala. I have reserved a pontoon boat to capture the beauty of the area. Immediately after that I'll travel to Kerr City, a ghosttown in central Florida. It should prove to be an interesting trip. More later!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Working on a Book

I have had this idea to self publish a book with some of my images for some time. I needed a creative writer to collaborate with, providing prose and/or thoughtful words to go along with my images. I found that writer in December, and we've started the process. We have five images done out of thirty. Another exciting journey has begun.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Interview

I was interviewed for the blog univers d'artistes, a blog for fine art nudes. I'm posting the entire interview:
1. How and when did your passion for photography begin?

My love and passion for photography began at a very young age. I was always picking up my parent’s brownie camera, or having it handed to me to take family pictures.

2. Who are your photographic role models and why?

I tend to enjoy the works of both historic photographers like Man Ray, Ansel Adams, and Henry Cartier-Bresson, but have also been drawn to fashion photographer’s like Richard Avedon and Marco Glaviano. All of the mentioned photographer’s created works of art, crafting their trade for many years.

3. What or who is your favorite photographic subject and why?

I love the beauty of the landscape, its many shapes and textures, the beauty of the female form blending within the landscape, and historic places/things of interest. I’m hoping to explore more areas of this country, and eventually visit Europe, with its historic architecture from centuries past.

4. What do you like to do in your “spare time” , when you don’t have a camera in tow?

With or without a camera in tow, I enjoy being out in nature, letting my mind breathe. So often, we allow little distractions to upset our balance. Nature helps me retain that balance. I feel exercise is an important function. Our body, like a machine, needs to be used in order for the parts to continue working properly.

5. When looking for models for creative artistic endeavors, which traits in the model are most important to you and why?

I enjoy working with models that feel comfortable working in the woods. Models have told me how comfortable they feel being naked out in nature. The photo shoot tends to flow positively from beginning to conclusion.

6. What do you consider your greatest photographic accomplishment to this point, and what is your biggest aspiration?

In 2004, I Received the South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship Grant for Visual and Media Artists. This is one of the most prestigious awards given to artists in the United States, having been judged by local and national artists. I hope to achieve both national and international recognition for my work.

7. Any future creative projects you would like to share with us?

I am collaborating with a Creative Writer to produce my first book. We’re just in the infancy stages of this project, but I’ll keep you posted.

8. You work mostly with film. What exactly drives that choice of medium? What is your take on the film vs. digital debate?

When going on a shoot, I carry my full arsenal of cameras, 35mm and medium format for film, and my digital. I don’t understand why after shooting in digital, the need to “sharpen” an image is part of the process. I like the feel of film, and its results. I shoot primarily black & white in film, for its amazing eye quality textures. By eye quality, I mean that film demonstrates more closely to what the naked eye sees.

9. How would you describe your photographic style?

My work can best be described as sensual and serene. As I mentioned before, nature helps me preserve my balance. That sense is in turn displayed in my work.

10. Where can we find your work?

Currently, I am represented by the Mark Gallery here in Stuart, Florida. It can be seen in a few fine homes in Martin and Palm Beach County, Florida. Please take the time to visit my website at www.krbphotoimagery.com

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Words of Wisdom

"As humans, we rely greatly on the environment; often times we forget just
how much it relies on us. That's why each of us plays a vital role in the
protection of this precious resource."

Henry David Thoreau - "Life Without Principle", 1863

Monday, January 4, 2010

Traditional vs. Digital Darkroom

I have to admit that at times the digital darkroom can outperform the traditional darkroom. Several of my images are quite busy, which makes it difficult to dodge and burn in all those nooks and crannies. The digital darkroom is better suited for that, and can produce a consistent print every time. Just save it to file and you're ready to print on demand.