February, 2008

NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE

I'm so excited about all the changes going on here at Virtual Conceptions, not the least of which is this New and Improved Website! How do you like it? You can all do me a favor by using the form on the Contact Page to let me know… that way we can test out the form and I can hear from you at the same time! Your feedback is always appreciated…

Check this section regularly for news of shows and events, website updates, new image releases, new products in my online store, press coverage, and new services being offered.

SHOWS AND EVENTS

The “Grand Opening” of my new Virtual Conceptions Gallery Space inside the Red Dog Gallery, (812 N 3rd St., just south of Roosevelt, in Phoenix, 602.340.1838) was a success! The “Simple Subjects” show was lovely and everyone seemed to appreciate the “Artist’s Choice Specials” wherein I select more than a dozen images to be available, unframed, for only $50.00 each. This is a great deal.... Who knows? You may see the same image framed and hung on the wall at a subsequent show for up to 5 times as much! I plan to continue to have these specials at every show so come on out and find a bargain!

I am still working on the Show Schedule for the rest of the year, but here’s what’s planned so far:

• February (Valentine's Day) - "Love and Lust"
• March (Easter) - "Churches of the Southwest"
• April - The Rites of Spring
• May (Mother's Day) - "Images of Motherhood and Childhood"
• June (Father's Day) - "The Man Show" (Pop-Art-Style Power Tools and More!)
• July (Independence Day) - "Fireworks and Celebrations"
• August - "Summer Fun"
• September - To Be Announced
• October - "Fabulous Fall"
• November - To Be Announced
• December - "The Chrismakkah Show"

Shows open on the First Friday or each month as part of Phoenix’s famous Artlink’s First Friday event put on by Artlink, the non-profit organization for which I serve on the board as Treasurer. First Fridays at the Red Dog is a real event! You’ll see the work of several other exceptional artists and the yard outside is filled with craftspeople and their wares! You are invited to come out and see my new space and enjoy the First Fridays experience! Use the Contact Form to send me your email address and/or physical address to receive invitations to the shows.

ART DETOUR

This two day art event will take place March 8 and 9. Art Detour hours are 10am - 6pm on Saturday the 8th and 12 noon - 6pm on Sunday the 9th. Art Detour began in 1989 as a studio tour and many of the studios are open only for this event each year. The event has expanded to include Galleries and Art-Friendly businesses as well as a Kid's Detour program. It falls on a First Friday weekend which extends it to a three day event! It is reported to be the largest, most well attended art event of its kind in the country.

Shuttle service between participating venues is provided during Art Detour as a free service to the public. Shuttle service will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. Shuttles will run in continuous loops on four routes with “neighborhood” stops, similar to First Friday shuttle service. The Burton Barr Central Library will serve as the hub for all four shuttle routes.

Kids’ Detour is a special art experience for young children and their families with hands on art activities at the Burton Barr Central Library and a fun passport kids can get stamped at participating “family friendly” venues.

All venues are listed in a special brochure/map that will enhance the walking tour or shuttle riding experience. Pick one up at the Library or any participating venue and plan your weekend! Be sure to stop by the Red Dog Gallery and see my "Churches in a Different Reality" show. You can preview the images on the Virtual Churches page of this website.

COFFEE TABLE ART BOOKS FEATURING YOU!

For Lovers: I'm offering a new product/service that is proving very popular as a gift to a lover/spouse for holidays, Valentine's Day, Anniversaries, or any special occasion. I'm creating books for clients using a series of custom images… combinations of portraits and tasteful nudes and semi-nudes. For $350 I will do a two-hour photo shoot (taking hundreds of shots), create more than 20 "Virtual Conceptions" from the photos, and design and lay out the 20 page book using an online service. I will meet with you one more time to review the images and make any changes you want. Books are available in two sizes (8x8 and 12x12 inches) at two different prices… $95.00 for the large and $75 for the small. Both prices include tax and shipping charged by the online service.

For Others: Of course "tasteful nudes" doesn’t have to be part of the equation. I can do books of wedding pictures, parties, vacation pictures, anything. If I don't do the photo shoot (and you supply the photos), the price for customizing the images and laying out the book drops to $250 and the price of purchasing the books remains the same. Think about a "Memory Book" for your aging parent or grandparent, a book featuring your Child's First Year, or anything else that is meaningful to you.

I'm working on a way to link one of my books to this site. In the meantime, use the Contact Form to email me if you are interested and would like to discuss. Any image used in the book can be ordered as a "Custom Image" on either paper or canvas and will qualify for a $100 discount off the Custom Images prices with no photography fee. See the "Custom Images" page for more information.

HOME DECOR

Another area I've been working in lately is the creation of graphic abstract pieces that start from items in the home such as bedspreads, marble table tops, area rugs, or shower curtains. These photos are then transformed into wonderful geometrics or other designs that play on the exact colors and motifs of the room they are intended for. Use the Contact Form to request samples and photos.

Thanks for visiting! Come back soon!