Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles

Things have gone so fast that I haven’t been able to put all of my ducks in a row.  I’m working on it.  And progress is being made.

Before the gallery show I’d started building a new website for my photography.  I’ve linked to it, and I’m sure you know about it.  Pretty cool setup.  It shows slide shows of shots I’ve taken.  But I hadn’t collected up the photos I wanted to sell on it.  And the slide show makes it a little hard to pick through prints.

So…..yesterday I started working on a static gallery page with Photoshop Lightroom.  The big issue wasn’t page design.  It was much simpler.  Naming the darned photos.  If you haven’t noticed, I never name my shots.  Good grief, naming photos.  Really, come on.  It’s a picture of the Dells, or a picture of a window…..call it what you like.

Well, I can’t do that now.  Ian had 3 different prints in the gallery called “Granite Dells.”  Hard to track what is what.  So I needed to sit down and name the prints.  I did that yesterday and started figuring out templates.  None of them match my current websites.  But that will change.  I’ll customize it in time….just not right now! 

So, the new “Select Prints” page is up.  In total 39 prints are currently available.  There’s an e-mail link on the page as well if you’d like to ask about getting a print.  All will be available for purchase through Ian’s Gallery.  Now you’ll know the name of the shot so you can actually get the right one. 

Hopefully tomorrow’s post will be less business and more fun.  I’ve got the day off, I’ve caught up on prints that Ian needed, and I think I’ll take a nap.  I’ll try to fill it all in tomorrow.  In the meantime check out the select prints.  You might not have seen all of them! 

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks here.  If you’ve been reading along you already know that.  Fortunately I think it will calm down shortly.

After work I went directly to Ian’s Gallery last night.  We had some custom prints that needed to be addressed, and I had questions for Ian.  Nailing prices down, framing costs, etc.  Glad to say we had the time to figure everything out and I’ve got a handle on what’s going on with my photos.  Ah, an easy moment. 

In total, 9 of my prints were sold.  Half were custom requests.  According to Ian that’s not a bad start for a first timer in a gallery.  I’m thinking it was a good start too.

We set out to only offer 1 limited edition print.  You might remember the Courthouse photo taken at night.  That was the initial limited edition.  1 of 100 was sold Saturday (glad you like it Dan).  2 of 100 should be up in the gallery today.

Due to several requests we ended up selling 3 limited edition prints.  The Courthouse, the Firehouse Plaza, and my favorite Tree.  All three are 1 of 100.  The Courthouse will remain an 8×10 print, the other two are 8×12’s.  8×12’s are the size I prefer due to the format I shoot in.

So, here’s the rundown on limited edition framed and signed prints that I’ll be selling (in case you’re interested). 

• 8×12 Limited Edition Framed & Signed:  100 of each of these will be sold.  $125 each.
• 12×18 Limited Edition Framed & Signed:  100 of each of these will be sold.  $250 each.
• 20×30 Limited Edition Framed & Signed:  50 of each of these will be sold.  $500 each.

I’ll continue doing 5×7’s as well.  They’ll be signed and framed, but not a numbered series.  Those run $50 each, and that works well.  Folks really liked them. 

In addition to framed stuff I’ll be selling just the prints as well.  If you want a poster print to do with as you like, you can get one!  :)  Frame it how you see fit…..  Here’s the breakdown on those, just as an FYI.

• 5×7 Print - $20
• 8×12 Print - $50
• 12×18 Print - $100
• 16×24 Print - $150
• 20×30 Print - $225

Well, there’s all the information of how we’ve nailed it down.  Prices can change down the road due to demand, inflation, change in commodity prices, or hyper-inflation.  :)  I think all the issues listed there are highly probable, don’t you??? 

So, now I’m done announcing the “business” stuff.  And now that it’s settled I’m feeling pretty good about it.  Want to know some of the fun stuff now???

I placed an order to MPix.com the other day for the custom prints.  I can’t print larger than 8.5×11 here as I’ve got a small portable printer (it totally rocks).  Since I was ordering a few 8×12’s I decided to try out some additional sizes.  I did a 12×18 and a 20×30 of my Tree print.  All the prints came in yesterday (overnighted), and I’m beyond thrilled with MPix.  So glad Scott Kelby mentioned them on his blog.  I’ll be using them for everything now.

Ian and I opened the giant box from MPix and I tried to figure out why the box was so big.  I forgot that I’d requested a 20×30.  Thought the 12×18 was it, along with the other smaller ones.  So it was a nice surprise to see the super large format shot.  I had it printed on their Kodak Metallic Paper just for giggles.  All I can say is WOW!

We both stared at the large print for a while.  Ian asked what I intended to do with it.  I really didn’t have a plan, I’d just wanted to see the result.  Seeing the result he insisted we frame both the 12×18 and 20×30.  He also told me I need more wall space, and a gallery eventually.  That’s way down the road and not on my radar screen, but it was a nice compliment!

Ian also said one more interesting thing that I thought was a joke last week.  Looking at the large format Tree he said, “This is why you can’t photograph any of the spots I’ve painted.  You’ll outsell me.”  Now, Ian has amazing paintings.  Really they’re just too cool.  I don’t think I’d outsell him.  But looking at the large format print on the metallic paper…….guess I won’t get to shoot the same canyons he’s painted! 

I wish I could share the final results of the prints, but I really can’t.  You’ve got to see the print on the metallic paper.  If you think the shots are neat on the web site you’ll be floored by the actual prints!

Oh, and I kept an 8×12 for myself on the metallic paper.  It’s way to cool.  Guess I’ll stick it up on a wall in the Airstream soon!

Last night I read the latest report on the Crown King fire.  It had expanded to 2400 acres.  That’s a pretty big fire!

This morning I woke up around 4:30.  The trailer was shaking in the wind.  And there was something more.  The loud clatter of rain on my roof.  It wasn’t a light rain, it was a hard rain!  Hard enough to wake me.

With the rains and the wind the sky is looking gorgeous once more!  Wow, talk about a fast change.

Concerning moments in the wee hours…..

When I woke up there was another issue.  My air conditioner was not functioning well.  It’s happened once before, and I don’t think it’s the AC.  Instead I think it’s the fluctuating power supply here.  Most parks seem to have the same issue.

I’ll tell you, issues in your RV become super concerning when you’re a full timer.  I had quite the time falling back to sleep as I pondered the future of the AC.  It is summer here, and it gets hot.  Can’t live comfortably without it.

Fortunately after leaving it off for an hour, then turning it back on, the AC is now running at full capacity.  Actually, it seems to be blowing colder air……..weird.

At some point I’ll need a service person to take a look at it.  Gotta find some time for that one!

Yesterday was another busy day. Tom wanted to see Sedona, so Sedona was where we spent the day! Hey, give the guests what they want.

We headed up early, and before 9:30 we had arrived at Cathedral. The skies were pretty hazy, and my thought was a nice hike out of the sun and close to water. Sure enough, it was a great pick!

The hike near Cathedral is a short one. There weren’t many people parked at the lot yet, so we had a somewhat private hike along the water. Tom enjoyed the walk and the scene, and Sadira also enjoyed the trail. Glad everyone was happy with the hike.

We reached a wonderful opening where rock stacks met up with the water, and where people come to sit and take in nature. A few folks were swimming nearby, so I moved a short distance up the river, broke the camera out, and crossed the river. At the time, the skies were less hazy, and cool clouds began forming.

It was a great morning. Way too hot though! That’s the other reason I picked a hike near water.

By the way, I waded out into the water several times for photos. Really the photos were an excuse…..I should have gone swimming, the water was perfect!!!

By mid-afternoon we made our way to Jerome. I wasn’t feeling too well. Busy for the past few weeks, over excited over the show, and finally winding down & crashing…..that’s what I figured at first.

After food at the Haunted Hamburger we made our way over Mingus Mountain, and that’s where I discovered what was really bothering me.

FIRE!

There’s an uncontrolled fire near Crown King, AZ. A lost hiker started a signal fire. Signal fires in a dry desert are not a great idea. Last night slurry bomber after slurry bomber flew over head, confirming signal fires are a very bad idea.

This morning there is no open sky. No blue anywhere. No puffy clouds. Just a dark haze everywhere and a heavy smell of wood smoke. The HEPA is running, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. My head is pounding, and I hope they get this one under control soon. It’s a bad one for sure!

So, with the smoke haze I thought I’d give you a few blue sky photos from yesterday. Might be a while before we see more blue skies……..

Ah yes, yesterday is finished.  Maybe I’ll stop feeling so dang tired! 

In the category of long day, yesterday rates very high.  The morning was spent roaming the Promised Land with Tom & Josh.  Good company, a good walk, and some major changes in the canyon.

We made our way in and the sun was already at work heating things up for us.  Pretty warm early on.  And it got warmer the longer we stayed.  That’s one of those fun features of the sun folks sometimes forget!

I wanted to reshoot part of the canyon with my new wide angle lens.  I was very excited as we entered the canyon, but the excitement faded fast.  Most of the areas with water in the canyon were bone dry.  I’m sure the tadpoles were even less excited than I was.

The spot where I wanted to shoot turned out to be as dry as the rest of the canyon.  A small pocket of water remained, and a lot of aquatic life was crammed in.  The photo I was looking for didn’t exist at the moment.

Monsoons are on their way.  Hopefully the little fish in the Promised Land can hang in a few more days.

We cut out of the canyon early and headed out to Perkinsville.  Another visit to the “Cabin.”  I think Josh and Tom both enjoyed the spot and the ride out!  Good day, good day!

And now on to what you wanted to read about…..I know why you’re here for this post……but I had to do the whole suspense thing you know! 

Last night the show at the gallery went off wonderfully!  Seriously, I couldn’t have hope for better!  I think Ian enjoyed the evening too, and enjoyed showing his latest works!

Tom and I arrived at 4:45.  I brought my laptop hoping to access a higher speed network.  No luck on my part.  Ian couldn’t remember his wireless router’s password.  Ah well, I’ll have to borrow somebody’s network to load more than a Gig of photography to my large format printer’s site……  I’ll figure that out later.

Right at 5 people really started showing up.  My former neighbors Bill & Shari were the first to pop in.  From that point forward it was a constant stream of folks.  I spent the better part of the evening chatting with people who came, and occasionally I got to sneak away to take 5 away from the gallery.

The evening went well, and Ian was happy with the count of signatures on the guest book.  His one year anniversary went pretty well!  And I noticed from time to time that he was wrapping up a print of two, and they weren’t always mine.  :)  So it went well for both of us.

It’s at this point I’d like to note that Ian stored his roll of bubble wrap in the gallery’s rest room for the evening.  Running out of room and all.  But when visiting the facilities I felt extremely safe with all that bubble wrap near by…….  Just saying. 

Several of my prints went off the wall pretty early in the show.  The center piece was already spoken for, and it got picked up by the end of the night.  A few holes dotted throughout my framed works.  Pretty cool.

The coolest part was the number of custom orders.  Folks liked the prints, but they wanted them larger….much larger.  We’ve got several request for custom sizes of my favorite tree (you know the one).  In addition, we’ve got a request for a very large gallery wrapped print of another shot from the tree series.  By large I mean bigger than 4 foot wide.  Ah, large.

Well, there’s the wrap.  A lot more went on, but I’m getting ready for a ride up to Sedona for the day.  Gotta finish packing the Versa.  The show was great, I did better than I expected, and tomorrow I’ve got to get cracking on what I believe is 4 or 5 custom orders that need to be filled this week.

Oh, and I’ll be letting you know about print availability online at the end of the week.  Just find me a super high speed connection for a night and I’ll be set!

Tom made it in this afternoon.  He popped by my office right before 3, and we headed to the Dells shortly after.

This is Tom’s first visit to Arizona ever.  I think he’s still soaking it all in.  I’ll give you the report next week on his take on Prescott.

After a quick stop at the Airstream for some food we headed into town.  I had a few other prints to show Ian quickly.  Not stuff for the show, but I thought he’d like a look.  In fact, he did and put the two “stand out” prints on display.  Not framed or matted, but put on a stand out board.  Pretty cool.  I’d had them made by MPix.com just to give the service a whirl.  Basically they’re two “one of a kind” prints.

After our gallery visit I started showing Tom around town.  Sadira joined us as we walked Whiskey Row and looked into other galleries and bars.  Busy night on the Row!  Lots of people out enjoying a nice evening.

While walking my phone went off a few times and I ignored it.  Finally it rang again and I decided to pick it up.  Ian was on the other end.  Even though the “show” starts tomorrow he was hanging prints tonight.  A few folks wandered through the gallery, saw one of my stand outs that I’d just brought in, and wanted to know how much it would cost for a larger version framed.

Glad I brought those two in to show Ian…… 

So, we’ve already pre-sold some shots, had a special order for another, and we had a great number of interested folks walking through the gallery tonight.  WOW!

I mean that WOW!  Really, it’s a huge WOW, a huge compliment, and it’s kind of fun.  The buyers wanted to meet me and ask about a larger print, so we returned to the gallery.  They were very excited!  I’m excited now too.  Complete strangers getting a kick out of some of my new stuff!  I can’t wait to share some of the things that I’m holding in reserve!  :)  Like I said, HUGE compliment.

So, pre-show we’ve got several prints sold, and a special order.  I’ve got to get cracking on some large format orders from MPIX tonight.

Tomorrow I’ll be heading out to the Promised Land with Tom & Josh.  A few more pics with the wide angle lens….just for giggles.  No rest for the weary!

Tom isn’t here.  He was supposed to be though.  He’s somewhere at the moment, but not in Arizona.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Tom.  He was writing from Orlando International Airport.  He was writing after the departure time of his flight.

See, Tom got on his plane, and then he sat there forever.  Apparently electrical problems occurred.  Hmmm…..that’s what I like to hear when I get on a plane, don’t you?

After being stuck on the tarmac for a while the plane was moved back to the terminal.  Everyone got off the plane, and that’s where the fun begins.  No alternate flights.  Flights to Texas with no promise of connecting flights.  The travel equivalent of the word “maybe.”

So, in the end Tom and I talked at about 9 a.m. PST.  I was running into my insurance company to add the Versa to my policy and Tom was calling from Orlando International.  He would not be arriving, and he described all of the fun!

This morning I received another e-mail from Tom.  He was writing from Atlanta’s airport, and he’s on the way!  So, we’ll get the special “guest appearance” of Tom on the Airstream Chronicles once more! 

Ah, the random post.  Actually I think all my posts are pretty random.  Photo stuff some days, Airstream stuff other days, thoughts on interviews, talking about climbing (yeah, that’s happened recently), etc.

You never know what you’re going to get here, do you?

This morning I’ve been pretty busy.  I’m so tired, I didn’t sleep well last night.  It happens occasionally, and it seems to have a pattern involved.  But I think with the upcoming show, thoughts about a new job, friends flying in, and all the rest I’m not surprised.  My mind is racing!

Today my great friend Tom will be flying in!  After sending out the invites to the show last week Tom got in touch and asked if there was some space in the Airstream for him.  There’s always space for a friend like Tom, so I said sure.  He’ll combine some work related stuff with his visit, but we’ll get to spend a little time touring around.  Unfortunately with the late notice I couldn’t round up additional days off…..ah well, work life.

So this morning I’ve been cleaning again.  Not unusual, but I’ve been so busy lately I hadn’t done a thorough cleaning in a while.  The Dyson came out this morning, and I’m wiping out dust everywhere.  Living in AZ wiping out dust is not a simple task!

Tonight after work I’ll meet up with Tom, grab something fast to eat, then head into town.  I have to go sign mats tonight.  Ian has been busily working on the frames for the show this weekend.  Gosh, hope my signature isn’t too messy!

Well, busy day ahead, and a few more.  I’ll make sure to keep some time available to post updates!  And maybe a few photos! 

Talking to Ian yesterday the issue of an “Artist Statement & Bio” came up.  Ian asked if I had one.

Not really.  An artist statement?  Uh, nope.  Wireless Engineering resume?  Yup.

After the request I pondered the whole issue.  Actually, I pondered the concept, “Artist.”  Never thought of myself that way, and honestly I still don’t.  The words economist and wireless engineer come to mind when I think about myself.  Even the word author pops to mind occasionally.

When I think about my photos I think about a hobby.  That’s about it.  I’ve been having fun showing people the place I love.  And recently I’ve been thrilled to toy with HDR photography.  It’s honestly the first time I’ve felt that people can really see what the Dells look like, what the Promised Land looks like, and more…..

In the end, who knows where the photos will go.  Whatever the result of this weekend’s show, I’ll keep shooting.  I’ve got a blog to decorate you know.  And I want to keep showing people the places I get to see.

Thanks for all the well wishes!  I’ll share this weekend’s story with you for sure.  In the meantime, I guess I need to write a bio……. 

Today was a busy day! I knew it up front. Too much to do, but it all got wrapped up!

• 8:30 interview in Flagstaff. Done! I’ll find out about a call back for #2 on Friday. State funded jobs….the process takes forever.
• Extra stop over in Flagstaff completed. Ah yes, can’t tell you every stop made. Gotta have some secrets here.
• 1:00 p.m. dental appointment. Look Ma, no cavities! By the way, Glide Floss absolutely rocks! Just saying.
• 2:00 p.m. stop into Ian’s Gallery to follow up on some shots I did for a brochure. You don’t get to see the final product gang! Sorry, if you want to see it stop by Saturday’s show!
• 3:30 stop over down at Snap Snap!
• Home after 4. Dinner, e-mail, and a call to insure the new car.
• Laundry started by 4:30.
• Laundry done after 6:00.
• Sitting and blogging now after folding and putting stuff away.

Hmmmm…..wonder what a real day off is really like? I’ve forgotten!

Only a few more days until the show. The number of photos has expanded. Ian liked a few more, so framed them all up…..zowie. He also had some other thoughts on future work. I’ll save that whole conversation for another time. I’m going to stretch out on the couch and watch a cartoon. Phew! Tuckered!