Night's Quiet Light: August 2015 /  by John Ritchie

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During the month of August I have a solo exhibit of night photography at the Oregon State University MU Concourse Gallery.  The exhibit features 24 color and black-and-white photographs of stillness, solitude and peaceful light found in the night world.  The show includes lots of new work as well as some old favorites.

The exhibit runs from August 1st to September 10th, 2015.  The gallery is located in the Memorial Union on the OSU campus and hours are 8-5 Monday through Friday.  http://mu.oregonstate.edu/art-gallery/

June 2015: Exhibit Month /  by John Ritchie

After not much action over the winter, suddenly I have three exhibits at once!

Moon Wash

Low Tide Landscapes

In collaboration with seven other members of the Willamette Valley PhotoArts Guild, we have a show called "Low Tide Landscapes" on display at the Unitarian Fellowship in Corvallis OR.  I have three photographs in the show, including "Moon Wash," a 30-second exposure under the full moon.

The show is on exhibit from May 20th to June 30th.  There is a reception on Friday, June 12th 2015 from 5:30 - 7 PM.

The Poet

A Life in Art

In another collaboration, eight writers from Linn Benton Community College teamed up with eight photographers to interview eight elders - people ranging in age from 82 to 102 - to produce a combined written and photographic portrait for each subject.

My subject was Dick Weinman, a local retired professor, radio personality, and fascinating individual.  Dick produces a blog entitled "The Thin Edge of Dignity" about life in an assisted living facility, viewable here: http://states.aarp.org/tag/dick-weinman/

Over the course of a month, "my" writer (Denzel Barrie) and I interviewed Dick a number of times, scheduled several photo shoots, and produced a framed piece.  This piece is on display with the other seven at the Linn Benton Benton Center in Corvallis.  The exhibit runs through the month of June.

This has been a fantastic project and I've really enjoyed working with both Denzel and Dick.

Couch Drunks

Street Couches

I've been juried into the Corrine Woodman Gallery in the Arts Center in Corvallis for a display of artistic couch photographs.  I've taken an interest in the photographic possibilities of the "Couch Season" - the end of the university year, when students flee town, leaving their old couches at the curbside for the city to take care of.  I will have nine couch photographs on display until June 27th.  Also on display will be Alexis Spakoski's ceramic tiles.  We will give a shared gallery talk at noon on Thursday, June 11th. 

Visit the Arts Center for more information: http://theartscenter.net/exhibit/story-behind-john-ritchie-alexis-spakoski/

UPDATE: The local newspaper, the Corvallis Gazette Times, interviewed me about this show and published a front-page article on it! The article can be read here: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/couch-patrol-finds-competition-at-the-arts-center/article_b52c3fa5-4693-5704-8514-cacd25505384.html

Ekphrasis III /  by John Ritchie

Matea

My photograph "Matea" inspired poet Timothy Black to write a poem as part of the Ekphrasis III exhibition.

The exhibit is an annual collaboration between the Willamette Valley PhotoArts Guild and the poetry club at Linn Benton Community College.  PAG members submit candidate photographs to the poetry club members, each of whom selects one photograph that inpires a poem.  The resulting collection of poetry and photographs is exhibited on the LBCC campus.  A catalog of the assembled works is published as a small booklet.

I'm happy to have "Matea" selected and exhibited because she's an extraordinary girl and a delight to work with.  My brief photo shoot with her was one of the most fun I've had and it makes me glad to share the outcome of it.  I'm pleased that Matea's photograph was selected for the back cover of the exhibit catalog as well.

The exhibit is on display at the South Santiam Hall on the Albany LBCC campus. It runs from February 2nd to 27th.

The exhibit catalog is available for preview and purchase from Blurb: http://www.blurb.com/b/5940053-ekphrasis-iii

Night/People - August 26th through September 30th 2014 /  by John Ritchie

Dance

The fascinating people I've met while out doing night photography have inspired me to learn to photograph them.  I often use night photography techniques when photographing people, which brings out unusual aspects of their personality.

I will be exhibiting a collection of photographs in a solo show at the Unitarian Church in Corvallis from August 26th through September 30th 2014.  The exhibit, entitled "Night/People," highlights my transition from peaceful night photographs to photos of people, mostly at night.

The exhibit can be seen at:

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis

2946 NW Circle Blvd., Corvallis

Hours are 9:30AM to 1 PM Tues - Thur (until mid-September, then Mon-Fri) and when open for special events.

Spring/Summer 2014: Three Juried Exhibits /  by John Ritchie

It looks like it's going to be a busy summer for exhibits.  I have works in three juried shows so far this year:

Farm to Table: Table at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR.

The third installment in the "Farm to Table" show at the David Joyce Gallery at Lane Community College. The spring show focuses on the "table" leg of the farm-to-table stool, with paintings, drawings and photographs of prepared foods, table settings, pantries and the like.  The gallery is located in the Center building on the LCC campus.  The exhibit runs from March 26th through June 6th.

12th Around Oregon Annual at the Arts Center in Corvallis, OR.

I'm happy to have been accepted into the 12th Around Oregon Annual exhibit at the Arts Center.  This is always a good show in a nice gallery.

The exhibit is from May 29th through July 5th at the Corvallis Arts Center, located at 700 SW Madison.

After Dark III in the Greg Moon Gallery, Taos NM.

I'm particularly excited to have had three works accepted for display in the Greg Moon Gallery in Taos, New Mexico.  The exhibit's theme is Night art in any media.  My photograph "Dispossessed" was selected for the invitation card.

The exhibit runs from June 7th through June 28th with an artist's reception on the 7th.

Welcome to my new website /  by John Ritchie

In order to make a cleaner, more professional look I've migrated my website to a new platform and given the site a stronger thematic focus.  To maintain continuity with my previous website I've migrated selected blog entries onto the new platform as well.  I hope you enjoy my website and the new cleaner look!