It’s been more than a little crazy around here lately, with house renovations, weddings and engagement sessions.  In the middle of it all, my blog has virtually been down for a couple of weeks.  While setting up my new online proofing galleries (which I’m super excited about),  I’ve run into virtually every problem that a girl could encounter.  Thanks to Brian at Skooks Design, I’m up and running again (deep sigh of relief).  I’ve had enough technical aggravation to last me for a while and so I’m ready to get back to basics.  I mean like early 1900’s.  So this is a bit of a story, but I’ll try to get to the point.  Our house was built by Howard Logan Hildebrandt who was a prominent American impressionist painter.  He lived here with his wife Cornelia, who also painted,  and her sister Miss Ellis.  Mr. Hildebrandt has many works of art hanging in our town’s halls and who knows how many privately collected works of art scattered about.  I’ll never forget coming home from art school one vacation and seeing the painting of Miss Ellis against the wall in an unusual place.  “What’s Miss Ellis doing down, are you sending her out for restoration?”, I ask.   No,  says my Mother.   “I’m donating her to the town”.  “What?!  She’s a beautiful painting that came with the house and she lives here!-I mean she even lived here!”   I just wouldn’t have it.  “If your going to just give her away,  than she is mine” says I.  And so it comes that I not only ended up with Miss Ellis, but in later years we purchased the house that she and the Hildebrandts lived in.  I’m fairly nostalgic for the history of it all at this point.  So when I was contacted by The New Canaan Historical Society inquiring if I knew where any of his works might be located,  I cringed,  and then realized that I’d have to share my treasure.  Mr. Hildebrandt would have wanted it that way.  The New Canaan Historical Society will have a collection of his works on display from May 21 to October 1, 2010.  Miss Ellis has become a major fixture in my life and I’m so going to miss her.

The New Canaan Society for the Arts holds a juried photography exhibit each year. The show has become increasingly popular and draws entrants from all over the Northeast. It’s popularity alone makes it a tough show to be accepted into. This years juror is George Schaub and like the jurors who have come before him, he has one amazing list of credentials. He is the editorial director of Shutterbug magazine and a member of the faculty in the Visual and Preforming Arts Department of the New School in New York. He has also taught at the Santa Fe Photo Workshops, The Maine Photo Workshops and the Palm Beach Photo Centre. He has authored over 20 books on photography and has been widely published in the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Men’s Journal and numerous photographic magazines. I am thrilled to be a part of this show again this year. In past years I’ve won first prize in the Professional color catagory and an honorable mention the following year. The show runs from February 8th to March 15th, 2009. The opening reception is Sunday, February 8th from 4PM-6PM at the Carriage Barn. Come say hi if your in the neighborhood.

Here is my entry titled “Casey’s Hairdo”.

The honorable mention in 2008

And the First Prize in 2007

My friend Greg has another amazing show up in Brooklyn. His work has to been seen in person to be appreciated. The Art Installations are so intricate that they take weeks to set up. This particular show is oddly ironic with the news headlines lately. It’s all about oil, energy and the monetary crisis. Check it out if you’re in the hood.

I’m happy to participate again this year in the “Artists for the Outback” fundraising show and sale. The New Canaan Outback Teen Center provides a safe, well supervised place for teens to socialize in an alcohol and drug free environment. With the peer pressure of being a teen (and having a son who is headed there fast), I’m so happy that this is an issue that is addressed by our community. I love the fact that they support constructive outlets for teens to explore and grow, especially the arts. There is an opening reception on May 8th from 6:30-9:30, and the show is free and open to the public Friday and Saturday. Professionals and students alike have work on exhibit with portions of the proceeds to benefit the Teen Center. Stop in and support a good cause.