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I have battled with myself how to present my latest finished series. I wrote draft after draft of the explanation of this piece, and my words seemed to lack the necessary beauty and left little room for personal interpretation. My dear friend Cyrus and I collaborated to achieve what I would like to believe is a visceral yet abstract jump into my brain as this series evolved.

I decided to submit a portion of this series to the magazine this semester. This will be the first time they have a fine art photo spread in The Bull. In the past, their magazine has had largely a journalistic (photojournalistic) approach. I am honored that they were willing to take a chance with a piece that may not be on the level of your average community college student. But what fun would it be if I didn't push the boundaries, just a little bit.

In the same way that this piece is sad yet hopeful, finishing this series leaves me in the same state.

I am ever grateful to Cyrus for writing what morphed into that which encapsulates my vision. And am so thankful to my two beautiful participants that found themselves in less than desirable positions for the sake of art. I am honored that they believed in my vision.

I was just notified of 2 NATION WIDE wins for my photos. Needless to say, this makes me very happy and proud.

College Seen is a nation wide community college contest focusing on the life of a college student. They asked for submissions based on the life and transformation of college students. Click here for the slideshow of winners:

http://www.collegeseen.org/Winners/tabid/734/Default.aspx

The big win is the Journalism Association of Colleges. The banquet was this evening at UC Fullerton. My cover won 1st place amongst student run magazines in the nation.

The colors are a bit off from my scan, but this is the mag's cover.

After an otherwise uninspired and unproductive few months, this was a very pleasant surprise. Now, if only the fine art world saw my work the same way!

My freelance career has been somewhat surprising and mostly a slow road. I started off with a steady flow of clients and events, but it has slowed down in the last few weeks- leaving me with a bit of fear and a ton of curiosity. I rack my brain trying to figure out where to promote myself and how pick up the client base coming through the lines. But in the midst of stress and promotion, I find myself shooting some beautiful people.

This was a recent headshot session for a real estate agent. I had so much fun shooting her that we went in a different direction than just plain 'ol promo photos.

I am slowly learning to gain confidence in the photos I shoot, and being proud of what I am able to hand over to clients. Here's to hoping that my increase in confidence leads to an increase in business. 'Cause my bank account desperately needs it!

I have a new exhibition confirmed.

Chronos Gallery

Thursday, Aug 11- DTLA Art Walk

Friday, Aug 12- Opening Reception

Through Sept 1, 2011

177 W. Olympic Blvd

LOS ANGELES

After writing today's earlier blog I began to feel sad that I haven't posted any new creative photos lately. I had a few moments of scrounging through my belongings: Marionettes? No. Clown figurine? Masks? No. My cat? Give me a break.

Miranda is always game to be in photographs. She is beautiful and charismatic. But a challenge arises, she is covered in tattoos. I have photographed her in her 'natural state' and she is as beautiful as ever. Although, I have battled with myself about how I want my signature look to be. What types of photographs do I want to produce? When my job is to capture the person, as they really are- I would ever request to have tattoos covered. Shit, I don't want to cover my own. But when I visualize how I want my 'collection' to look, if someone were to look back through my work over the years, or when I am known for a certain style-I want some cohesion. I choose to shoot Miranda in almost every series of photographs I take, but the fact of the matter is, tattoos make you stand out. Shocking, I know.

That being said, Miranda and I have to come up with interesting ways and positions so her tattoos are covered. So, we sifted through the craft box and props from previous shoots, hurt our brains for a while, and came up with this:

A lot of wonderful and trying things have happened in the last few months. I have yet to continue on a fine art series- although the wheels are turning as we speak. Most of my energy has gone into jump starting a freelance business, which has proven to be extremely challenging, but at least it's happening.

11:11 has revealed itself to be an amazing accomplishment. We have partnered with the Canoga Park improvement Association in coordinating a summer art walk. The CPIA has been able to get us empty store fronts to transform into galleries for an enormous group show. This past month (July) proved the biggest and baddest event yet. We had over 75 artists and vendors and over 1000 attendants join us on Owensmouth in Canoga park with food trucks, live bands, and participating local businesses to cultivate and amazing SFV 'art revolution' here at home. We even got a page in the Daily News!

Visit http://www.facebook.com/1111IoftheArts for the complete album of event photos!

I Showed some of my favorite works at the art walk, unfortunately, it has proven to be difficult to host an event as well as hustle my work and try to sell. I have noticed two things being in the art show and exhibiting game:

1) People don't like to be told the value of art they are considering buying. This makes it difficult to sell. An artist prices their work based on the value, time, and skill placed on the piece. Buyers, at least low end buyers, don't know the difference. They see an image or piece they like and they want it. But not usually for a few hundred dollars. So, I have begun putting my work up for auction. I set a minimum price of value and time spent and the potential buyer feels as though they are in more control over placing their own monetary value on the work. This is not my first preference, but I feel as though I am catering to the human condition and it's need for power over their own actions... and in this case, purchases.

Some people say art does not have value until someone places a value upon it. That until someone deems it as valuable it is purely expression. Well, it's a theory, at least. And I have sold a number of pieces this way- so at least for the time being I am able to brand myself, get my images and name out there.

2) The types of people that go to lower end galleries and art shows like to touch, scavenge, and purchase smaller items. Jewelry, nic-nacs, sometimes clothing. Low priced items that they view as souvenir from where they spent their evening. I have begun making and marketing a functional art line using my images and series' of my strongest photographs.

Take a look:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.186033768122562.46495.121425484583391

I have also done a major update to my website found at www.erin-stone.com

I haven't gotten a ton of feedback from it, because I have no idea if anyone even views it, but I feel it is more user friendly, displays the different facets of my work more clearly, and has a more memorable layout.

I will be participating in a 2 day art show event this weekend. I have been hired to photograph the event, as well as display my work and functional art line.

The event will take place:

Friday July 28th and Saturday, July 29th @ The King's Warehouse

18242 Sherman Way, Reseda

I had to put a temporary end to my 'Returning' series. I am planning to pick it back up with a different subject soon, like I said- the wheels are turning. I have gotten the largest response from this series in comparison to all the other photos I have taken and displayed. And, once again, putting an end to it had been extremely painful and bittersweet.

That is all for now. Thank you all for reading and following. You are so appreciated.

I was offered a wall at a gallery in Downtown LA, a BIG gallery. I have emailed the curator a million times and finally got the hookup for a wall where I keep 100% of my sales. This is big. I will be up for one month.

Opening Reception:

Sat, June 4th @8pm

Art Walk:

Thurs, June 9th

720 South Spring St

Los Angeles, 90014

On our last day, the way home from Vegas, we stopped at an abandoned water park just outside of Baker. I have passed by this place each time I have made this drive in the last few years, but never stopped to check it out.

The park's name was Rock-a Hoola Water Park. It was opened opened in January of 1955 but lay abandoned since August of 2000.

Surprise, surprise... We spent a good couple of hours exploring the large grounds.

My wonderful boyfriend and I went on a few day trip up to Utah to explore Bryce Canyon and Zion Nat park. Every little vacation for us proves to be necessary. Not only for peace of mind and a touch of seclusion for the two of us, but my inspiration so much comes from seeing and experiencing new things, and there is no one I'd rather do that with than him.

I just purchased a new lens: 35mm fixed 1.8. Really great for portraits (amazing depth of field) and perfect for low light situations.

I also borrowed a wide angle 12-24mm from my teacher so I had something specifically for landscapes and wides.

Day one- The drive up to Utah. We Decided to pretty much drive straight except for our three hour detour in Vegas for lunch and a couple drinks (then walking and waiting off those couple of drinks).

The one photo I took:

Our first fill up in Utah.

Day 2- Exploring Bryce Canyon

We drove in very late the night before, so went straight to our hotel and crashed out.

The next morning we woke up on the early side and drove into the national park, went on a few short hikes, and followed the road through the park and out.

There was snow on the ground and covering some of the roads. Initially, as we were driving in, we looked at each other and thought, "fuck! We aren't prepared for the snow!" But the majority of the national park is much lower in elevation so we ended up being just fine. Except for Stephen when I nailed him with snowball when he wasn't expecting it.

View from our Hotel door step

The most important decision of the trip.

Day 3- We woke up in Bryce Canyon and began our drive down to Zion Nat. Park. It was about a 2-2 1/2 hour drive. A beautiful one.

Stephen's photo

We hiked around, then got back into our car, drove to the next spot that looked cool, and hiked around some more.

Out of Zion we had lunch in the little town just outside of the entrance. It reminded me of Joshua Tree. A bit of an art community, with a hippy vibe, fine art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. I specifically remember saying to Stephen, "Ade would love this place."

We then headed up to a ghost town in southern Utah called Grafton. It was settled in 1859 as a part of Utah's cotton growing project ordered by Brigham Young. It was largely destroyed and abandoned after a flood of the Virgin River which the town borders.

After Grafton we found a nice spot looking over the Virgin River to relax and take a nap.

We then drove into Vegas, for the 2nd time, met up with Sonja and Seth and hung out off of the strip for the night.

Day 4- Started as it should, with a bloody mary then craw fish. We went to a restaurant in Vegas called Hot and Juicy. Delicious cajun food. Gorged ourselves, needless to say.

I will post the last event of our trip in a new blog entry... when I finish going through the pictures. My trip in total used 5.68 Gb of space on my memory card. I'd say it was worth while.