found objects

Last Minute Framing for this Open Studios Weekend

2011-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

I always plan on being ready early for Open Studios, my largest show of the year. Ready, kicked back, relaxed, strolling around, iced beverage in hand, browsing the awesome artwork of the other artists in my building.

But then, I sit down to review the work I've made in the past 6 months. I get giddy about seeing every piece I'm excited about on the wall. I imagine I have lots of time. I imagine building one more frame is not that big a deal.... or three more. Then I start to bargain away things like sleep and seated meals...

But that is who I am. I love a deadline, I love a challenge, and I love an opportunity to bring my passion and creativity to a project that seems slightly beyond reach. And when it all comes together (as it always does) I feel great!

Maybe next Open Studios, instead of planning to be early, I'll just plan to be me. See if that's not even more fun.

Thanks in advance to all who are going to come by my studio this weekend! xoxoxo

Open Studios info: artspan.org, missionartistsunited.org,

Open Studios @ 1890 Bryant - Sept 30, Oct 1 & 2

2011-09-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

Open Studios is coming at the end of this month. 1890 Bryant and the whole Mission District is participating in SF Open Studios this October 1 & 2nd, 11am - 6pm. 1890 Bryant will be having a preview party Friday September 30 from 6-10pm. If you've never attended an open studios before, it's really fun! dk and I make sure to go during the other weekends in October. All the artists in San Francisco open their studios to the public over 5 weekends in October. It's a great way to get inspired.

Tower Theater

2011-08-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Where has Trish been? Why doesn't she blog any more? Will she ever get tired of the old theaters on Mission street? Is this a new piece that she's hoping to get framed up before the San Francisco themed show that opens this Friday at the City Art Gallery?

So many questions...

Awesome Spring Open Studios

2011-05-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

This Spring Open Studios was awesome this year. The visitors really made it for me. The energy was so upbeat and positive. Everyone wanted to talk about art (or my art, or me ;-). I met a lot of people who had never been to an Open Studios before and thought it was the coolest thing ever. And it was Mission Artists United's first time putting on this event alone.

Thanks so much to all who stopped by and brought your excitement and questions and observations. And thank you to my collectors who support my work.

If you had been following my last minute push to get the second Haiku Mixed Media series up on the wall before the show, it didn't quite happen until Sunday. But, I will be hanging the new series at the City Art Gallery today. The opening reception will be Friday. The gallery is open Wed-Sun, noon-9pm.

Mark your calendars now, next open studios in the Mission is October 1-2, 2011.

If you're a San Francisco artist interested in holding your own Open Studios in Fall, Artspan is the organization that makes that one happen, and their early bird specials for signing up end May 31th.

Skateboard in Clarion Alley

2011-03-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

After a long stretch of rain, it is a happy occasion when the sun comes out. I rambled about yesterday with my camera and ran into some boys on wheels celebrating the sunshine in their own way.

Mission Spring Open Studios! April 15, 16 & 17

2011-03-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

Spring Open Studios in in the Mission is coming soon! I'll be showing at 1890 Bryant Street Studios with more than 40 other artists. I'm working on a new Haiku Project for the show. So far, it's just a bunch of cut wood and an handful of poems, but hopefully I'll pull it all together in the next 2 weeks.

location: 1890 Bryant @ Mariposa

Preview Party: Friday April 15, 2011 : 6pm-9pm

Open Studios: Saturday & Stunday : April 16-17, 2011, 11am - 6pm

Admission is Free

See all the other participating studios here: missionartistsunited.org/main/openstudios

Last Day of the GDC Today

2011-03-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

Spent this week photographing the Game Developers Conference. I do love a tech conference. The geeks, they are my people.

Planning a Show in the Wee Hours

2011-02-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

I've decided to print and frame up 6 brand new pieces tonight for my show this month at the City Art Gallery. The opening is Friday night 7-10pm @ 828 Valencia St. I've got until noon tomorrow to finish and hang. Wish me luck! :-)

Haiku #26

2011-01-31T07:07:00.000-08:00

there's a princess gene

that swirls sparkling glitter

we don't all have it

The show comes down today. Public reaction made me feel like a rock star. There are a few more from this series I'll post. Then someday, maybe Haiku Project V2.0. I've started writing again. Or maybe a book...

Haiku #25

2010-12-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

but it says one way

but you could get in trouble

but i could get hurt

6"x6" mixed media

Sorry, I had to pull all my available-on-etsy links from my previous posts.

The 50-50- Haiku Project is hanging in the City Art Gallery for the

December 2010 Show and will be there through the end of January.

Haiku #24

2010-11-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

if i could catch you

i know you would be fuzzy

would you just sit still

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #23

2010-11-18T15:59:00.000-08:00

you be you, really

but that other one, you know

the you that i like

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #22

2010-11-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

secret deities

silent at the water's edge

beg you to notice

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #21

2010-11-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

you are an artist

what's a 4 letter word for trite

i am an artist

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #20

2010-11-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

arrogant proud dark

like a strong cup of coffee

deliver me please

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #19

2010-11-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

what's in my attic?

christ! i forgot i had one

let's pretend i don't

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #18

2010-11-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

can i have some food?

i'm puffy i'm cute c'mon

can i be some food?

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #17

2010-10-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

remarkable me

meet insignificant me

call it heads or tails

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #16

2010-10-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

she said wow that's deep

i think she meant what the fuck

but i can't be sure

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #15

2010-10-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

vibrating with life

rubbing beautiful shoulders

can i go now? please?

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #14

2010-10-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

i think all the time

probably because i can

the groove is worn deep

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #13

2010-10-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

everyone loves you

said the spider to the fly

you're the prom queen now

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #12

2010-10-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

home used to mean you

then for a while it meant me

now it's just this bag

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #11

2010-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

i don't want a dog

as if i club baby seals

i never say it

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #10

2010-10-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

crazy man arms spread

"TRUTH! i hate valentie's day!"

i have a truth too

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #9

2010-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

fickle girlie curves

drive me home drive me crazy

i want what i want

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #8

2010-10-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

c is for cookie

blue fanatic waggle eyes

elmo was a twit

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #7

2010-10-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

hey you over there

with your porn star lady parts

bring that over here

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #6

2010-10-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

i know your secret

and it is why i love you

but you don't know that

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #5

2010-10-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

it's too dark in there

window treatments don't fool me

i'm not going in

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #4

2010-10-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

draw me a picture

why did you do it that way

i want something else

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #3

2010-10-16T09:25:00.001-07:00

the pope is in town

when i turn on the t.v.

i am in His light

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #2

2010-10-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

stop your sniveling

it's time to make some magic

it's in there. now dig

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku #1

2010-10-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

you are my teapot

with unbearable kindness

i am your tempest

6"x6" mixed media

Haiku Project Hung! Open Studios Begins

2010-10-08T23:40:00.000-07:00

Whew! That was close! I started putting the hardware on these babies at 4:45p, show opened at 6pm. It was an awesome Preview reception. Hundreds of art lovers came by for a sneak peak at the show. Now starts the open studios weekend.. Have a great show all you Week One artists!

This was the typewriter my mom used when I was a child. She mailed it from NY so I could use it for this project.

50-50 Challenge, Help! I'm Stuck!

2010-09-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the rules around Haiku, I have built some rules around my mixed media 50-50 pieces.

RULES: (1) I cannot make new pictures for the 50 Haiku I am writing. (2) I must use an image from my existing catalog. (3) The image must be one I have never printed or shown before.

I'm having trouble deciding which of these two images to match with this poem:

Crazy man, arms spread:
“TRUTH! I hate Valentine’s day!”
I have a truth too.

6th street

2010-09-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

6th Street is fancy now, have you heard? Or at least, it's just a matter of time. But for now, I still like shooting there. :-)

Open Studios @ 1890 Bryant! Oct 8-10, 2010

2010-09-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Preview Reception Friday, October 8, 6pm-9pm.

Open Studios Saturday &; Sunday, Oct 9-10, 11am-6pm

see artspan.org for more info

50-50 Challenge, Now With Haiku!

2010-09-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

OK, I have to start talking about this if I'm actually going to make it happen.

A number of the artists at 1890 are committing to create 50 works of art in 50 days. The 50 days ends right around Open Studios (Oct 8-10). So it should be a fun show. The 50 works are each l 6" square. Some of the artists have already completed theirs. (see Catherine Mackey).

I wanted to make something different and new compared to what I've done before And I kept fretting about what that might be. Then one day I had a dream. In my dream I was pasting poems onto my images, but the images were layered somehow with transparent parts. When I woke up, I thought THAT'S IT!

So here are the rules so far (and you know i like rules) :
- the poem is in Haiku form
- Image must exist in my catalog - I cannot make a new image for a poem
- poem does not need to be written with image in mind

Here is one poem/image pairing I'm thinking I may make into a piece...

Things I'm not sure about yet :
- there will be some type of image transfer involved

- how will the words end up on the piece?

Signs

2010-08-21T10:31:00.001-07:00

I love rubbed off painted on signs from a long time ago.

-- Post From My iPhone

The neighbors

2010-07-30T17:06:00.001-07:00

I have a studio at 1890 Bryant. I love it when my neighbors leave their doors open.

-- Post From My iPhone

Mission art is everywhere

2010-07-22T19:45:00.001-07:00

-- Post From My iPhone

Up the coast

2010-07-15T07:30:00.001-07:00

Drove back yesterday. Stopped here and had some excellent chowder.

-- Post From My iPhone

200 Yards from Heart

2010-06-30T10:38:00.001-07:00

I've been asked to submit work to be included in the 200 yards show. A cool concept. Photos made within 200 yards of the show venue. (200yards.com)

I'm struggling a bit. If it could just be 400 yards it would include some of my favorite bits to capture in the city.

I've gone out 3 times so far, three different lighting conditions, 3 different cameras and I still haven't come home with an image that really make my heart sing.

Then I got this one yesterday with my phone. Just walking home. Not actually out "on a shoot".

Maybe I'll try leaving the big fancy cameras at home and having a little more fun. :-)

- Post From My iPhone

San Francisco Dyke March 2010

2010-06-29T16:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a shot of one of my hot "booth girls". I setup in Dolores Park during the Dyke March this weekend. It was a beautiful day for fun and photography.

You can see the photos from the day here: http://bit.ly/sfdykemarch2010

Urban laundry

2010-06-10T21:09:00.001-07:00

While I have a washer and dryer in my flat, I still have some romantic notions of a laundrymat.

-- Post From My iPhone

Clement street

2010-05-30T09:16:00.001-07:00

-- Post From My iPhone

Michio Kaku

2010-04-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I was down in San Jose covering the ESC Conference this week. Michio Kaku gave the keynote address. If you're a geek, you probably know who he is. He is an awesome speaker.

I secretly love covering these tech conferences for the content.

Spring Open Studios!

2010-04-23T11:06:00.001-07:00

The preview party is tonight!! I just finished hanging the show last night and I'm really excited about it. I'll be setting up my portrait studio for some fun party shots tonight.

dk and I are doing open studios together again after years apart. I hated that. Come tonight, come this weekend. See some art!

If you'd like to see an online catalog of all the artists participating in the 'hood this weekend, check out : missionartistsunited.org There is a downloadable guide with map and coupons for our favorite cafe's too.

double slalom

2010-04-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

They fly down the hill. I have to focus intently to capture them in the most dramatic part of the turn... over and over again. Before the race, sunburned and tired, I dragged my heavy gear up the hill. But upon descent, after 2 hours of shooting the double slalom in the sun, I was totally fueled.

Downhill Racing

2010-04-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

Back at the hotel sunburned and covered in dirt after covering the downhill at the Sea Otter Classic. I do not miss my desk job.

Righteous Aly

2010-04-02T18:20:00.001-07:00

Aly stopped by for a visit Tuesday. I had a light set up for some other project. She was gracious enough to mug and tumble for me.

Every Day 3pm

2010-03-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

I have secrets about my process because I think if I say them out loud, people will know I'm nutty.

One of those secrets that the birds that show up in my architecture photographs are not accidents. I actually frame the image with my camera, and hold my camera to my face and wait for them to come. Sometimes I wait a noticeably long time. Sometimes long enough the homeless man on Larkin Street to comment "boy you really like that sign", as he did this day.

But if you ask me about the bird at one of my shows, I will lie and say it was a happy accident.

A Fun and Successful Open Studios

2010-03-27T10:18:00.001-07:00

What is Open Studios?

Open Studios is a unique event for artists to exhibit and sell their artwork directly to the public, inviting visitors into their studios and in many cases their homes. Unlike in a gallery, the artist can exhibit anything they want, as much as they want, the way they want, to create the atmosphere and truly showcase their vision to the outside world. Some Open Studios
events encompass an entire city, like Artspan’s original San Francisco Open Studios which takes place every Fall. While other events focus on neighborhoods dense with artists, like Spring Open Studios in the Mission, SoMa or out at Hunters Point. An open studio can also be a single building, or a handful of artists that get together to throw their own the event. Whatever the scope, Open Studios is an excellent opportunity for artists and collectors as well as art fans looking for an inspired weekend.
Here are a few tips for the artist who may be getting started from the tenured artists who have been participating in Open Studios for years.

Build Your Following – The Guestbook

Getting the word out about your art takes time as does building a following. Open Studios is one of the best opportunities to build your mailing list. Meeting potential patrons, sharing your thought process and creative methods has the tendency to build loyalty in your customer base. They have to know you are there year after year, they will send friends and family, be sure to ask them to keep an eye on you and your work until the next open studios. Your guestbook should have columns for email and postal address. You can include a column for “comments” or “where did you hear about this show”. If the page is brand new, get a friend to add an entry in the format you’d like to see. People often follow the format of the first entry on the page.
I find a dish of chocolate near my guestbook can sometimes help folks find the book.

Promotion and Invitations

Postcards - Mail them Out and Hand Them Out

We all love electronic marketing. It’s free, no trees are killed, and we can do it in our pajamas. However, nothing takes the place of a physical card and face to face contact. I was a drummer in a surf rock band and learned from my guitar player the power of an invitation at the ready. He was never without a stack of fliers for our next show in his back pocket. He would invite everyone he knew and anyone who looked like they’d enjoy a punk show. He went to rock shows and invited everyone there as well. We weren’t extraordinary musicians, but we always played to a crowd.
I hand out between 100-200 cards before open studios. The rest are mailed to my mailing list. I don’t do a mailing for every show, but I always mail Open Studios postcards. Your art fans are most likely receiving postcards from other open studios artists so the impact of the whole event is much larger. You want them to have your studio and artwork in mind when they decide to visit their favorite artists. A quick hand written note on each (“hope to see you” or “excited about my new work”) helps convey your gratitude that they took the time to sign up on your mailing list.
And even if they don’t come to your studios, your card may spend a year on the fridge of your admirer. This is an excellent $.50 investment in your future relationship.
What's On Your Postcard and Email Invitation

A good image that represents your current body of work
your name
event date and year
event times
location including city
your website
a map if it’s difficult to find, parking or public transport tips if helpful
info or branding about the larger event (e.g. springopenstudios.com, mau logo, etc)

Electronic Marketing
Having an active online presence is important for any visual artist. If you are not already blogging or active on twitter, facebook, flickr, or any of the other social media sites, it can be overwhelming to even think about starting. Try to pick just one avenue that sounds like fun and endeavor to share something interesting about yourself, your artwork or art in general at least once a week. Get one of your geek friends to set you up with a blog. It’s free and surprisingly easy to update. Fresh content goes a long way to adding legitimacy to your online image.

Tips From Mission Artists

The Mission boasts more working artists than any other neighborhood in San Francisco. You may view a catalog of their work at missionartistsunited.org, a site dedicated to showcasing this fabulously diverse Arts District. I asked a handful of seasoned Mission artists to offer tips to artists considering participating in Open Studios.
“Be careful not to over stock your exhibition space with salon style displays of everything you've ever done.” – Robert Reed of Workspace Ltd.
"Remember to set your intentions to have fun for the weekend. Be proud of what you’ve created and have a good time.” -- dk haas, encaustic artist
“I always start by asking the visitor if they've seen lots of great art today, or if they're just getting started... Is this their first Open Studios? Or are they a regular? From SF or just visiting? I usually get a laugh if I ask "So, you look very creative, are you an artist as well?" - -Sevilla Granger, of 1890 Bryant Street Studios
"I always re-invent my space...making it into a mini gallery... sometimes the floor is black sometimes white - one time it said 'trust' 7 feet wide across the floor and I let everyone sign the floor with a sharpi..." -- Lucky, 17th Street Art Explosion
"fabulous snacks and a fancy looking wine bottle...and a fabulous outfit..." -- Aximillion Helga Duson, a Mission artist
“Since I work in a medium that is mysterious to many visitors I leave one work table set up and give casual demos. It's a great icebreaker and sure beats trying to explain a visual process in words only.” -- Charli Ornett, Encaustic Painter
"I greatly enjoy all the interesting conversations that happen on those days. I have the best time meeting new people. I also collect feedback and test out new work. My most important accessory is probably my email sign up sheet and I encourage everyone to sign up. I've done it since my first show and got a strong mailing list together that way." -- Katja Leibenath, 1890 Bryant
“Talk about anything besides your artwork at first. Ask people how their day is going or find out how they heard about Open Studios. Once you've engaged them, THEY will probably bring up the subject of your art.” -- Paul Morin, portrait artist

Open Studios Preparations Timeline

Holding an Open Studios event may seem like a daunting amount of work. Having a plan can really take some of the stress away from the preparation. With the stress gone, we can focus on what we do best as artists. Create something spectacular. Here’s a timeline that may help with your planning.

8 Months Before

Will you be advertising in a printed magazine or event catalog? Find early-bird specials.

6 Months Before

Are there registration deadlines for the event?
Any PR opportunities? Write an article or a press release.

3 Months Before

Consider any major changes you’d like to make to your studio. Open Studios is a great excuse to dream and manifest magic in your workspace.

2 Months Before

Gather Marketing Information
Has your artwork been imaged?

Are you showing with other artists?
Will you be marketing as a group or individually?
Will you be having a preview party Friday? What time?

Artwork Preparation
- Do you know what you’re going to show?
- Have you finished any work that may need to dry?
- Do you need to order any finishing or framing materials?

6 Weeks Before

Get postcard designed and printed early to avoid rush charges.
Go to art openings, talk to people. See if they know about Open Studios. Give them a postcard.

One Month Before

What’s left to get the artwork ready?
What’s left to get your studio ready?
Go to art openings, talk to people. Bring your postcards.
Email your list - Save the Date!
Go to First Thursdays downtown. Talk to people; see if they know about Open Studios. Give them a postcard.
Exchange postcards with your other artist friends. It’s nice to have a stack of other artist’s postcards in your studio to give to your visitors.
Mail your postcards to your mailing list.
Facebook, twitter, blog about it, etc.

Monday Before

Email your list - Invitation to Open Studios - include small jpg of your postcard

The Week Before

Finish, frame, paint walls, hang, clean and de-clutter.
Food, beverages, and flowers.
Invite your neighbors. If they’re not home, leave a postcard in their mailbox.
Don’t have a sandwich board? Make one!
Print bios, artist statements, pricelists, and labels.

Friday – Preview Party [optional]

Email your list - a reminder: “It’s this weekend!”
Twitter, blog or facebook pictures of your studio all set up and fancy-looking.
If you’re not holding a preview party, go visit the other studios in your neighborhood.

Saturday – Day One!

Go out for coffee in the morning and bring your postcards.
Sandwich board out front.
Arrange for a friend to relieve you during the day for a quick break. Don’t forget to eat!
Downtime? Twitter or facebook post about the day so far. If you’re too busy, awesome!

Sunday - Day Two!

Last day! Go out for coffee again and bring your postcards.
Arrange for a friend to relieve you during the day for a quick break.
Enjoy your guests. Breathe. Be brilliant.

The Week After

Email a thank you to the people who signed up on your mailing list.
Add new contacts to your main mailing list.
Make notes of what worked and what didn’t for your next Open Studios event.
Compile any data you may have gathered about how people heard about your Open Studios to use in planning your next marketing effort.
Start making more art!

Trish Tunney is a San Francisco photographer who has been showing her photography work in Open Studios since 2004

joshua tree. wtf?

2010-03-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

is it a tree? is it a cactus? what strange creature is this?

Vegas Blue

2010-03-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

I just hung a show of my photos from Vegas at the City Art Gallery yesterday. The opening is tomorrow. There were so many amazing things to see there. And the skies were awesome.

If you know me or my work you know I don't get out much. Most of my photographs are from my own neighborhood: The Mission, San Francisco.

What you may not know is that I have this idea (of unknown origin) that prevents me from hanging photographs from different places next to each other. Which means that if it's from somewhere else and it doesn't make a cohesive compelling "whole show" then you're probably not going to ever see it hanging on a wall.

Which also means it's unlikely you'll see this Vegas Show again.

But there you go. Fortunately, being an artist allows for some quirkiness.

Valentine's Day - Ice Skating GoGo Dancers

2010-02-24T23:49:00.001-08:00

Set up a studio in this awesome dance club where they had silver couches and matching padded walls. Totally fun night. In honor of the Winter Olympics, these two broke in to couples skating stance for me.

You can see more from the shoot here.

Gambling

2010-02-06T18:56:00.001-08:00

Things make sense in Vegas that I would question anywhere else. The amount of light bulbs needed, for example. TOTALLY makes sense while you're there.

And those bikini cowgirl black jack dealers too.

xxx movies

2010-02-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

Had a chance to look through my Vegas pictures. I wandered off looking for seedy bits while the kids were at the tables. Vegas has great signs.

My Studio

2010-02-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images from my studio just in case you can't get down to the Mission to visit me.

I love visitors, by the way. Always open for a coffee break. I get a little obsessed when I'm in my studio and don't take breaks without being nudged.

Car portrait

2010-01-29T17:08:00.001-08:00

-- Post From My iPhone

El Cortez

2010-01-01T16:31:00.001-08:00

Another from the Vegas trip

lights and shadows

2009-12-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

One from the Vegas trip. I'm sure I'll be sharing more when I get a chance to look at them after the holidays.

Happy New Year!

Poolside in Vegas

2009-12-21T18:04:00.001-08:00

A quick trip to celebrate Dee's graduation.

Sidewalk Studio on Valencia Street

2009-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

OMG that was so much fun! Set up my greenscreen right on Valencia Street outside the City Art Gallery. Everyone was awesome. Folks just stopped in the middle of their bustling holiday Saturday afternoon to get their portraits done. Here are a few from the day. You can see more here. I love this city.

I'm setting up the greenscreen studio again Sunday, Dec 13, 2-7p at the 1890 Bryant Street Studios for our Holiday Art Show. Come by, bring friends and family, I'll make your picture!

We all need a little silly during the holiday season.

Is Greenscreen Corny? Of course it is!

2009-12-03T21:25:00.001-08:00

What good is Christmas without a few fun corny holiday portraits?!

I'm setting up a greenscreen holiday studio outside the City Art Gallery this Saturday from noon-5pm for their Holiday Art Show. Come down and get your portrait done. Pick your own background!

City Art Gallery is at 828 Valencia Street in San Francisco.

2010 Calendar - Roadtrip Across The Middle

2009-11-21T20:25:00.000-08:00

Every year in October my mother asks me if I'm going to make her another calendar. She has that one calendar I published 6 years ago still hanging on her wall. But I keep letting the holiday season get in the way of calendar publishing. When the calendar-less January rolls around she'll tells me it's OK, she still enjoys turning the pages of the old calendar every month. And she knows some day I'll make her a new one.

Ugh! I am a terrible daughter.

This year I finally published another calendar. And not JUST out of guilt. I was pretty excited to put together a selection of photographs from our cross country road trip.

You can view the whole calendar online: www.lulu.com/trishtunney

If you're interested, there's a 25% off coupon code: HOLIDAYS (ends Nov 30)

Hope you enjoy! (But more importantly, Mom will be happy ;)

Bridge Clock

2009-11-02T16:38:00.001-08:00

I never hear anyone talking about how cool the clock is. Yeah, it's a pretty bridge and all, but that toll clock rocks!

Rock Star Photography

2009-10-29T15:58:00.001-07:00

Composer, Musician, Robin Taylor out at Pier 70 in San Francisco. One of my favorite places to make portraits.

Angelique & Duke

2009-10-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Totally fun wedding yesterday! Congratulations Angelique and Duke!

Artspan Private Preview Gala

2009-10-07T01:23:00.001-07:00

I set up my party studio at the Artspan Private Preview Party. It was such a fun crowd. And there were costumes!

If you haven't gone down to SOMArts to see the Open Studios exhibit, definitely check it out. So much art is getting made here in San Francisco. It's totally inspiring.

And don't forget the Mission Open Studios weekend is in 2 days! I'll be setting up my Party Studio for the 1890 Bryant Street Studios Preview Party this Friday Oct 9, 6-9pm. Come let me make some art out of you!

Open Studios in the Mission - October 10-11

2009-09-27T00:05:00.001-07:00

Come visit us at 1890 Bryant Street Studios this October. We have more the 60 artists in one location opening their doors to the public. Parking is easy, and there's an excellent cafe just downstairs.

Preview party is Friday October 9th 6-9pm.

Angelique and Duke

2009-09-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ones from a recent engagement shoot. We had a brief opportunity to take over one of the old streetcars on the F-line in the Castro. The light was perfect.

I love my job.

Catherine Mackey's Studio

2009-09-18T20:23:00.001-07:00

Cathrine Mackey paints on wood panels. She later lays them on the floor & moves them around to see which ones want to be put together to make a painting. After she fastens them together she'll paint on them as a whole piece.

She is being featured in a book about acrylic painters. I made some pictures of her working today so there would be a visual for her process.

And you're getting to see one here because she nagged me about not keeping up with my blog.
You should check out hers: catherine-mackey.blogspot.com
She's much more punctual with her posting. :-)

Day 19 - Time to go home

2009-08-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

We thought we'd stay in Jackpot, Nevada. It was on the way and had a cool sounding name. But when we stopped there for gas, we couldn't leave fast enough. Yikes.

We gave up trying to get to somewhere interesting in Wells Nevada and slept in a Motel 6.

The code word "uncle" was spoken that morning. It meant "it's time to go home, please get me to an interstate".

We never quite made it to HWY 50. I guess that means there's another roadtrip in our future.

We woke happy and rested in our very own bed this morning. :-)

Thanks everyone for all your comments, words of encouragements and joining us on our adventures.

Day 18 - Hwy 93 through Idaho

2009-08-17T11:51:00.001-07:00

We spent 2 days in North Fork, Idaho resting. Driving every day had worn us out a bit. Found a fantastic campsite on the river. I especially loved it because it had a cafe nearby that was warm and dry when it rained. They had wifi, coffee and served their pie hot.

I never much thought of Idaho before. I couldn't find it out on a map (my geography is sorely lacking). But Idaho was stunning. We unanimously decided that HWY 93 was our favorite road on the trip. It followed the Salmon river through the Rockies.

We had a plan to get to HWY 50 in Southern Nevada by end of the day, so there wasn't much time for stopping. These are shots of the flying by scenes from the passenger seat.

Day 15 - Glacier National Park

2009-08-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

We considered skipping Glacier because of the rain, but drove through anyway. The fog was amazing! These photos don't really do it justice. Take these images and add some magic dust and you'll get close to what we saw.

Day 13 - My favorite parts of Montana

2009-08-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Montana was a tricky state. Lots of flat brown grassy areas that went on forever for hours for miles. Never a cell phone signal which feeds my disaster fantasy of being stranded and lost for good. And the residents were definitely LESS PLEASED to have visitors than those lovely Midwestern folks.

And yet, in all that nothing-anywhere-and-we'd-like-you-to-leave-now, we found mythical abandoned mid-century towns that left mysteries and pocket stone stories behind for me to collect.

Definitely don't regret Montana.

Cowboy Poetry

2009-08-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

More friendly travelers we met around the same time we learned that cowboys commonly wrote verse about their work. It made me wonder when poetry writing became known more as a "sissy pastime".

Day 11 - Montana

2009-08-12T22:05:00.001-07:00

We took Highway 12 through Montana to Roundup. It really felt like time had forgotten some of these little towns.

The chicken was following me while I was out of the car to make a photograph of some abandoned cars. She worried me a bit. I wasn't sure what she wanted. She was quite persistent.

Day 10 - Custer

2009-08-12T21:58:00.001-07:00

OK, wait. I think I got my days mixed up. Here's a selection from when we were leaving Custer, SD.

Day 9 - Back through the Dakotas again

2009-08-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

We were on our way to Wyoming, but decided at the last minute to go through Montana instead.

We actually flipped a coin: Heads = Glacier National Park, Tails = Yellowstone.

It was heads. We loved the Dakotas. I had a hard time getting dk to leave the Black Hills.

So on this day we drove north through South and North Dakota to get to hwy 12 in Montana.

Bikers at the Rocket Motel

2009-08-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

We opted to live indoors for a night. We LOVE the Rocket Motel. If you're ever in Custer South Dakota, stay there.

We made friends with these three "ruffians". They were really quite dear.

Richie (center) : "If I had the chance to live his life over again I'd do it in a second!"

Day 8 - The Dakotas

2009-08-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

We wake up every morning and decide where to go next. Often we'll be swayed by the suggestion of someone we meet at a truck stop.

So many extraordinary places. So many miles without a cell phone signal.

Road Closed - (or rather under water)

2009-08-09T07:43:00.001-07:00

If you’re driving through a state that seems mostly under water, and you’ve seen parts of houses float by the marsh that flanks the highway, and the locals talk easily about flash floods, and your iphone says there is a thunder storm ahead, but that little patch of blue sky makes you feel safe enough to pitch your tent... you are in for an adventure.

day 6: Farms to the Mississippi

2009-08-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

We drove through the farms of Wisconsin to the Mississippi River then north. We stopped at a sandy beach in the middle of nowhere to put our feet in the river and watch a giant barge slowly float some cargo south. The train tracks run right next to the river and the freight trains seem to go on forever.

I felt like we needed to build a raft and find a straw hat and jump in a Twain novel

On Wisconsin

2009-08-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

I decided it would be fun to get out a ladder, wrangle all the guests together, and make a group photo for dk's family at their reunion. When I ran it by folks at the party they pretty much all offered the same advice: "Yah, good luck with that".

:-)

Windmills in Wyoming

2009-07-31T23:57:00.001-07:00

Didn't quite make it to Wisconsin today. Still have a couple of hours to drive, but we're not due until 3pm tomorrow, so we'll make it in time.

day 1: get as far as we can

2009-07-31T08:10:00.001-07:00

dk and I are driving across the country to Wisconsin for an event with her family on Saturday. The earliest I could leave was Wednesday evening. So the trip out is all driving all interstate all day all night.

I grabbed these shots from the passenger seat through a dirty window going 85 mph.

On the way back we'll get to meander, and wander and explore.

Stay tuned for updates!

Tedda Hughes Gallery Boutique

2009-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be presenting some extremely limited edition greeting card packs made from my Faux-laroid series this Saturday night at the Tedda Hughes Gallery.

I have art on the walls in the show as well, and there will be live performances, drag shows and fire twirling, at the gallery during the opening night reception entitled "Flaming Queens".

Should be fun! : Tedda Hughes Gallery, 1623 polk, Saturday 7-10p, July 25,2009

Vacancy

2009-07-16T00:33:00.001-07:00

Picked up this one on the way home from my gig up north today.

The Wig Shop

2009-07-03T10:13:00.001-07:00

San Francisco Dyke March 2009

2009-07-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

A few shots from the Party Studio in Dolores Park last weekend.

Curve Magazine Article on Trish

2009-06-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

As if this month wasn't queer enough, check out nerdy me next to all those hot lesbians! :-)

There's an article on my photography in the July/August 2009 issue of Curve Magazine (page 18). Link to the article here: tr.im/ttincurve

The writer came to my studio one afternoon. She tailed me while I walked around and made some pictures. She got me to talk about my process and my work.

For the record, my studio and my artwork is all Mission District. The Potrero Hill neighborhood (mentioned in the article) just doesn't have the same color and grit as my favorite 'hood.

The whole experience was really fun. Thanks for the article Curve!

Dyke March Studio 2009

2009-06-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

My crew and I will be setting up a big studio in Dolores Park this Saturday from 3-8pm to offer photo shoots to the folks who show up to party before the San Francisco Dyke March 2009.

Come by and get a photo shoot!

We'll be accepting donations to benefit the San Francisco Dyke March.

Quiz: Which Bart Station?

2009-06-13T19:45:00.001-07:00

And the winner is...

One of the Sisters

2009-06-10T21:20:00.001-07:00

I set up my studio at a Fashion Show event called San Francisco is Burning put on by QCC this Sunday. Some really extraordinary outfits. I'll be posting more soon...

The way home from Catherine's

2009-06-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

It takes a lot to get me to cross a bridge if it's not for work. And yet it's always such a lovely drive home.

Jane Lynch at the NCLR Gala

2009-06-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun covering the NCLR Anniversary Party this weekend. They do such important work and they really know how to throw a party.

You can see more images from the party here. Look for "NCLR 2009".

California Supreme Court Decision

2009-05-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day.