Going to the pros

There's a saying the teenagers say, and it's "go pro or
go home."  So when I found out that I was going to be
in the Amsterdam Whitney gallery's 2011
 beautifully printed, glossy, full colour calendar, I decided
I'd better get a pro to shoot my painting.

Although I photograph my work every day, I'm not using
the highest resolution camera, and many images need to be
redone to be print-worthy.  I worked as a corporate magazine
editor, and writer for years, and was lucky to be able to hire
top photographers, graphic designers, and illustrators in that
role, but it's a whole different matter working on your own
budget on earnings from art and teaching.

 Christopher photographing my painting Water Image 1

 I'd been planning to write on my blog the other day that
I think I am one of the luckiest people alive, and
I certainly felt that way today.  My son Christopher works as a
first assistant for a top photographer in town, and agreed
to shoot my painting for me.  While he worked I snapped
a few shots of my own of the gorgeous studio, and the
process of getting exactly the right picture.  I was delighted
both with the work, and with the chance to see my son in
action, and to understand how incredibly skilled and
talented he is.  The studio is vast.  My friend Flora is always
asking for references that show scale.  For reference the
painting is 30 x 30 inches, and Christopher is six feet tall.
Cool space eh?  I loved it.

Christopher setting up.  As soon as I left he was going 

to paint the space white (again.) Keeping it perfectly white

is a recurring job.

Earlier in the day I'd had some great conversations about
his acting studies with Sam, and then was sad to see him go
to his bus back to school.  I feel extremely blessed that we've
raised two incredibly kind, bright, happy and talented people.

Have a seeing-your-children's-talents-and-enjoying-them day.