Faceless Portraits I - The Artist's Hands

In just one week, I've had a discussion about "faceless portraits" with my Visual Poetry class, with portrait artist Dawn Whitelaw at Portraits, Inc. and then my friend Janet Ort sent me a link to Inside National Geographic's site that invites photographers to post their photos on particular themes.  This week, Faceless Portraits, was one of the topics. I entered this photograph taken a few years ago at the Pepper Place. These are the hands of Alabama outsider artist Lonnie Holly. I believe this qualifies as a portrait of this man. I plan to let this be the first in a series on this theme.

I've always been a firm believer that a portrait does not require a face. I've had fellow photographers take issue with this but I'm holding fast. I welcome your thoughts.

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

I am pleased to announce that I am now partnering with Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts, and will teach my basic photography course beginning Thursday, February 5th, from 6-8 p.m. The course fee is $165 and all classes are taught at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

This fun, five week course is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve the quality of their photos.  All that is needed is working knowledge of your digital camera. For more information regarding the class, click HERE.

Alabama Art Folk Gallery

The Birmingham Museum of Art has opened a new gallery dedicated to Alabama Folk Artists. Located in the former Young and Vann Building on First Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, it is currently featuring Charlie Lucas's work as well as Lonnie Holley and the Gee's Bend Quiltemakers. I've previously posted Charlie's work here. It's the perfect place to showcase our talented Alabama folk artists. I hope my Birmingham/Alabama readers will pay a visit here soon.

Lonnie Holley - The Sandman

You've already met Birmingham folk artist Lonnie Holley here and here . Lonnie has a story to tell. Raised 7th of 27 children Lonnie, known as The Sandman, began his artistic life when he carved headstones for his sister's two children who died in a house fire. He used the soft sandstone like material that is a by-product of metal castings he found at a nearby foundary. The rest is history. These days Lonnie continues to carve, but he also paints, and makes some mighty interesting sculpture from found objects like the one above. And when I say he has a story to tell, indeed he does. He held an audience spellbound this day at the Lite Box Gallery at the Pepper Place Market. But in case you think he's just a local artist, think again. Lonnie's work has been exhibited at Atlanta's High Museum, the Smithsonian, New York's American Folk Art Museum and.......the White House! For more about Lonnie's remarkable life go here.

I am pleased to announce that two of my Paris street portraits are being featured on Parisien Salon.com. This is a terrific site and I hope you will give it a look!

The Hands of the Artist - Lonnie Holley

Recently I was fortunate to meet Birmingham artist Lonnie Holley. I was thrilled that he allowed me to capture his interesting hands while he was doing a demonstration at Lite Box Gallery at the Pepper Place.

NOTE: Our friend Amir at Tehran Daily Photo is posting photos again!

Lonnie Holley

Portrait of Lonnie Holley, Birmingham outsider artist.  His work is currently being shown at Lite Box Gallery at the Pepper Place.