The art of photojournalism.

"A picture is worth 1,000 words."

I remember growing up and looking at both Life and Look magazines. The photos attached to the stories had as much, or more, impact than their partnered words. I don't believe I will ever be able to forget the picture of the piled high corpses (human bodies) from the concentration camps of World War II. Nor do I feel I ever should forget this image. Does anyone remember the inspirational photos of Dr. Tom Dooley in Africa?

What brought this all back to mind for me was ML's recent return from Haiti. As I poured through her photographic images, suddenly I realized it was as if I were looking through a Life magazine. Through, ML's artistic photography, the human situation in Haiti has been captured for me. If I had never read an article previously about Haiti, these pictures told me the story of Haiti from the human perspective.

One photo which particularly stirred me was one she took of a third grade class in Carissade, Haiti, a very rural area, west of Hinche. When I look at this photo, I'd swear I have seen this same photo when I was ten years old (that would be 1959) in a Life Magazine. But wait, this photo I'm going to share with you isn't from 1959. It was taken in March, 2011. Last week.

What's the story behind this picture? I ask you to study this picture. Look into each student's eyes, as they strain to look into Mary Lynn's. Yet why isn't the student in the front looking at Mary Lynn? Instead she seems to be staring off into the distance. What is she thinking about?

There is the bespectacled teacher. What's in his brief case? Where does he live and how long did it take him to ride his motorcycle to school? What is he going to teach the students today?

Then the bigger questions, what will become of these students? What does the future hold for them? Is what they will learn in class today, help them in their world of tomorrow?

I only ask in your very busy United States day, take at least a moment to study this photo closely. Ponder it. Allow yourself to ask the difficult questions. But whatever you do, don't turn away.

(Click on photo to enlarge it.)

...

Day 1.

Always seems the first brush stroke is the elusive one. I could stare at a blank white canvas for months. But like anything else, it takes a "just do it" attitude to begin. After watching Bella Luna hunt down a stink bug inside a lamp shade the other night, I had an idea to initiate a painting. Where the other ideas come from, you tell me.

It's fun to take a picture of the first day, then compare it to the final painting. I'm thinking it will be night and day, then again, maybe not. We'll see. That is the process involved. This is painting for me.

Anyone know how to paint a stink bug?

2011 Eggstravaganza Egg Art Exhibit

applegate Art has created/donated "Mother and Me" Art Jar to the Easter Seals UCP Eggstravaganza.








Program description:

"Richmond artists have been at work creating egg-art for the Easter Seals UCP Eggstravaganza. These eggs are an integral part of the annual fundraiser that benefits Camp Easter Seals UCP.

On March 25th, the traveling eggs make their opening appearance at ArtWorks where awards will be presented for “Best Egg” and more. The eggs will be on display at Art Works for one week until they are travel to William Jeffrey Jewelers for a preview party and auction on March 31st.

The eggs journey to their final destination on April 9th for auction at the Easter Seals UCP Eggstravaganza Gala at La Difference. This is the 7th year that ArtWorks and Easters Seals UCP have partnered in support of Camp Easter Seals UCP."

No Cash Value

It is a very satisfying feeling to complete an art piece. Especially one which is a continuation of my human being voice.

No Cash Value is representative of the life struggle of the delicate balance between materialism and spiritualism. How much is enough? How much do I give away to provide my family shelter? Or in everyday reality, when is a TV screen big enough?

If it is true "we can't take it with us", then why is so much time on Earth spent accumulating? Accumulating and consuming? Best said when my sister asked, "Have you ever seen a hearse towing a U-Haul on the way to the cemetery?"

But I am guilty of using the "hey, I got to eat" line when justifying spending the majority of my time on Earth making money. "Got to pay the rent," I echo.

All the while, I do so in a very measured effort, making sure I never forget to cross my Ts and dot my Is. Don't cross that line, especially don't even smudge it with that tempting toe. The evolution of a new politically correct world has tied a noose around my comedic mind.

Do I need to wait till death and then I will be able fly as a bird with complete abandonment? Or is this a possible earthly activity? I stand in line, pondering such a question, as an internal clock continues to tick with preciseness.

I do hear singing in the distance. A starting point? Hope.

For more about influences which drive myself and No Cash Value, click here.

Scan Me!

applegate Art has taken QR Codes to another level. We already have it on our business card and Art Jeep, but as of yesterday, we have it on a shirt!

When I'm wearing this shirt, you can literally walk up to me, pull out your smartphone and with its bar code reader, scan me and your phone will open our web site.


Is this "face to face" technology, or what? Apple has nothing on us.

Some people ask why? I say why not? It's fun, while at the same time, provides another way for us to share our art work, thoughts and ideas. Nothing more, nothing less.

Click here to read more about QR technology

Calico on Couch

ML's latest painting.

Art Jar

Created for Father Patrick's birthday.

Scan Us!

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

If you have a Smartphone, a code scanner app (AT&T has a nice free one), you can now scan our applegate Art Jeep!

The scan will take you directly to artjeep.com on your phone. artjeep.com will continually be changing with upcoming news, events, tid-bits and always a link to applegateArt.com.

Hey, you snooze, you lose!