Projects

Testify

photo 1 testifyspreads

I've started working on a book for my Testify photographs. I'll confess I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing, but I'm having fun. That counts for something, right?

Several months ago, I bought a BLACK PINE saddle-stitched journal (it measures 7.5" x 9.5"). I didn't really have a plan for it at the time, so I put it on my bookshelf and forgot about it. Over the last few weeks, I created a new edit of the Testify work and posted 60 images on my portfolio site. I didn't spend a great deal of time sequencing the images online, but I wanted to get them out there, to get some feedback, to see how they worked together, if at all.

I decided to make some cheap 4" x 6" prints (laid out on my dining room table below) to see the work as a whole and some place other than a screen. I remembered I had the BLACK PINE journal and, after checking, there were exactly 30 blank pages and 60 prints. After a couple of evenings and a roll of two-sided tape, I put together the first book of the work.

table

Over the next few months, I'll be working on a PDF layout of the work as well writing the text for the book. If there's any interest, perhaps I'll put out a zine. I really like what Michael Friberg's done here. (I can't wait to get mine in the mail.)

Thanks for looking.

Sketches from Appalachia

I had an assignment in West Virginia last weekend for a new client. From start to finish, it went remarkably well. I had a great time, met some great people, and got to spend a day in the field with Elaine McMillion, director of Hollow (you should check it out). I look forward to sharing the final piece of the assignment when it's published in a few weeks. Here are some outtakes from the trip.

1. Brandon Letner, Bluefield Retread & New Tire Sales. Bluefield, West Virginia. 2. Harrison Street. Princeton, West Virginia. 3. Joe & Anita Kerekes' kitchen window. Berwind, West Virginia. 4. The Kerekes' old home place. Berwind, West Virginia. 5. Manuel Collins, flatfoot dancer. War, West Virginia. 6. Clothesline. War, West Virginia. 7. Soaked with sweat, flatfoot dancer Manuel Collins takes a break in his kitchen. War, West Virginia. 8. Manuel continues dancing in his living room. War, West Virginia. 9. Route 16. McDowell County, West Virginia. 10. Morning light in a mason jar. Elgood, West Virginia.