Photo shoot & motion graphics

I got word that Ceci Vasconcellos of the Doña Ana Arts Council was looking for photographers to shoot the "Color Las Cruces" events this weekend. I volunteered. I thought the experience would do me good. I spent 5 hours Saturday shooting the Mesquite Gallery Walk on Mesquite Street and the creation of a coffee-mug sculpture on the Downtown Mall.

Besides Ceci, I met many artists including Norma Hartell (above), Penny Duncklee, Linda Hagen, Mildred Grossman, Mel Stone (photography), James Gamble (ceramics), Antoinette Hague (glass and mosaics) and Karen Dahmer and Judi Miller (fiber arts); gallery owners, Mel Stone of Mesquite Art Gallery and Victor Gallegos of Nopalito's Galeria; Preston Thayer, director of NMSU art galleries; and Chris Bardley, organizer of SumArt, "Southern New Mexico's Alternative Arts Organization."

Also, I spotted some festivities going on at Klein Park, so I stopped and took some pictures there too. It was some church function with lots of kids' activities and live music – good photo subjects. Then hours later, on the Downtown Mall, some guy asked if I had been shooting pictures in the park. I said yes. He introduced himself as "Pastor Bob" and asked if I would e-mail him some pictures. I said I would.

They're not paying gigs, but it's good practice and fun and makes people happy.

This evening, I received an e-mail from the motion group saying I've been accepted as a volunteer for the motion graphics conference in Albuquerque. I didn't think I would because I don't know a lot about that field. I guess I'll soon learn a lot about it. The bad news is I will miss a couple days of school, which could be a pain if I have to play catch-up.