Smiling Faces

Photography by Photo444

Guess what’s a-comin… ;)

Party Time

I took a few shots early on as people started arriving for our opening…and then had to put my camera down to eliminate bodily harm in the mayhem. A few people picked it up towards the end and took some of me and my fat cheeks. I wish I had more to show you just how many beautiful people came to see and enjoy the Studio. We had such a great time. Everyone…

Anuvue Reception

Crazy Cameras

I saw a cool camera collection at the Eastman House where Charlie the Tuna was displayed. While hunting for a good photo to show you, I found one man’s amazing collection of plastic cameras. Moshe Ber-el…that’s one great collection buddy!

CHARLIE TUNA camera, USA by WhiteHouse
This camera is shaped like the STARKIST TUNA figure. It uses 126 cartridge film and a flash cube can be attached to Carlie’s head.

MICK-A-MATIC, USA, 1970s
A 110 camera in a Mickey Mouse head. Flash cube on top of head and the lens is in the nose.

KOOKIE KAMERA, IDEAL Toy Corp. USA, 1968
A great novelty, toy with a real camera! (Propably the best collectible novelty-camera). Takes 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ photos on direct positive paper, includes an in-camera processing (see the photo bellow).
Comes with disguises for the kids and has a special effect extra lens (The tomato soup…)

Back view: notice the view finder and at the bottom the black developing tank (plastic). A inner cutter is moved from side to side in order to cut the photo-paper thus the already photographed paper falls into the tank.

Can cameras: A promotion camera made in the actual size of the can

The film is advanced by turning the silver cap of the can

Box cameras: Promotion camera made in the actual size of a Cigarette pack

And the same design & size to resemble a fruit juice drink box

AERIAL KITE CAMERA (TOY), USA 1999
Assemble kit: built a camera housing for a single use camera (included). You’ll have 2 strings one attached to your kite and the second attached to your camera’s shutter release so you can take a photo from up in the sky. If to want to take another photo you’ll have to bring down your kite.

VOLTRON – STAR SHOOTER, MACAU, 1985
The Voltron figure closes (transforms) into a 35mm SLR camera, while it has a real 110 camera at the top.

Hanna Barberra
1978 – Fred Finstone & Yoggi Bear, 126-film

Bugs Bunny Made by Helm, 126-film

POTENZA tire camera, JAPAN 1950s
This camera is shaped like a Bridgestone tire. Uses 110 cartridge film. Single speed shutter.

Building Anuvue’s Patio

I’m one of those people that picks things up along the way…in my travels…and then throws them together for the fun of it. I worked on the patio for Anuvue getting it ready for the grand opening. It’s missing the flat screen that will hang on the stucco above the storage/ seating container for all the people hanging out. This thing has come a long way from the termite infested, paint peeling, sun beating down, light baby blue rod iron mess it was prior. It has a covered roof, the rod iron is now black and has black backing, the cement floor has been painted and well…here’s where I am at this moment…Please watch your step around those Damn Blind Monkeys 😉

Kweli

This past Sunday, I spent traveling to Long Beach to visit with two of the Studio Artists. My second stop was about 8 miles from the first, at the home of Kweli, a very talented jewelry Artisan. I met Kweli at a show a few months back in Santa Ana. The city of Santa Ana has an emerging group of Artists that either live or frequent the downtown Grand Central Art Gallery, subsidized by a local State College. A few times a year the folks that live there open their studios allowing regular folks and potential art buyers to walk through and see their work. I love to go and talk with the local Artists and see what’s new.

I was there with my camera one night when I happened upon Kweli. She was there selling the most eye catching, intricate, one-of-a-kind jewelry…something I can never pass up. I spoke to her briefly about her work and found her to be such a gentle spoken, sincere lovely woman, that I took a chance about letting her in on my little secret about a future gallery. I think it was then that we argued back and forth about her insisting I take a pair of earring with her card attached so that I would remember her. We went back and forth until I finally I caved in…well…you have to see those earrings to understand my weakness 😉

Kweli lives in Long Beach and works as an Electrician by day and finds time for her Art and show events in between. When I arrived at Kweli’s house I was greeted at the porch with a hug and a big smile… and when I entered her house, I realized quite quickly that not only was Kweli a jewelry master, she’s a painter and potter too. She had paintings displayed around the room showcasing magnificent colors and graphics, intricate African motif pottery and oh yes…a fabulous collection of necklaces and matching earring sets…and absolutely all of them could be hanging off my neck and ears! I totally gawked at everything!

She showed me all around her lovely home and I got to see the studio she has set up, complete with some of the most amazing beads I’ve ever come across. A friend back from a recent trip to Africa, had brought her some large, glossy pieces of deep red coral to work with and I can’t wait to see what she creates with it… Some large, golden, oval shaped beads also caught my attention and if I remember right, they were from Afghanistan. I know she’ll make something wonderful with them.

Kweli has a sparkle about her…a certain grace that drew me in. She and I are close in age and she totally understands where I am at at this part of my life. I believe she and I will be great friends. Meet Kweli, one inspiring woman.

Lighting and art

Been a little under the weather but finally was able to meet with the lighting designer for the studio. I figure a gallery is 50% about the actual art and the other 50% is about how well the lighting works to the art’s advantage. I took lighting design in college (which was more years ago than I care to divulge) and some of it stayed stuck in my brain…That and the fact that I studied the internet until I felt I wouldn’t embarrass myself. 😉

The designer left with a clear vision (of my vision) so I’m feeling good about what he will come up with. Now of course comes the dear old check book…

I was lucky enough to obtain a small office caddie corner to the studio (though I’ll wait until the previous tennant actually vacates this time). It’s small (and cheap) and will make a wonderful classroom for digital photography, painting…heck whatever we decide needs teaching. It will probably hold 10 students…just the right number to feel good about teacher / student time. I’m now working on folding desks (with a flair) so that the room can pack up nicely and dual as a photography studio…and part-time storage. I’m all about getting multi purpose uses out of whatever it is I’m working with. Hey, depression era parents…what more can I say!