I have narrowed my list of reviewers down to those that might be interested in the Displaced book or just generally in my work. I’m deciding right now what to show, how many prints to present, and what marketing piece to leave behind. There is an art to presenting your work, how much to say, how much to keep away from the viewer. The more times you do this though, the easier it becomes to strike a balance.

I will write a full report on the portfolio reviews when I get back…

MARKETING YOUR WORK
Date: Saturday, April 3
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (includes 1 hour for lunch)
Limit: 10 Students
Cost: $110

Lauren Henkin will demonstrate how to best market yourself and your work. We’ll start with an evaluation of your work and your marketing successes and challenges to date. We’ll cover tools and specific marketing materials you can use to boost your career and sales of individual artworks. Some of the topics covered will include: defining a target audience, creating the optimal marketing piece, writing query letters, entering juried shows, participating in portfolio review events, attending trade shows, designing and creating self-promotion materials such as web sites and general best practices for presenting your work. This workshop is targeted toward photographers who already have bodies of work they wish to present and who are actively marketing their work.

This will be an opportunity to get feedback on materials you may already be using or preparing to create. You’re encouraged to bring in your current marketing and work samples.

Be on the lookout for future workshops/classes!

I’m sharing this with your for two reasons, first I didn’t want you to think that I only share my successes. I am disappointed by the loss of this opportunity and want everyone out there like me, who has gotten these notes that feel like rejections to know that it happens to everyone. Second, I thought you might be interested to read how I responded to the tough questions that were posed for the application. I have such a hard time writing answers to questions like “Please describe your artistic practice?” Or, “What is your interest in this residency?” Deceptively simple questions… I have to say how grateful I am to have such talented writers around me that I can turn to for guidance and feedback (especially after reading 5 drafts). So thank you to especially to Joel Preston Smith and Kirsten Rian… The odds were against me, but I’m know I put my best foot forward.

I think most of us photographic artists are such visual people that we can’t even stand reading the introductions to some of our favorite photography books (shame on us). I know I’m guilty of it. I hope we can all take some time to appreciate the artists out there capable of communicating clearly and eloquently with the written word. I know that as I continually struggle to become a better writer, the more in awe of them I become.

What is your current artistic practice?

The questions I attempt to answer when creating art, are: What, if anything is permanent? How are the things that we value or leave behind reflections of who we are? What around us is a model of humility and inspiration? What lasts? Using refined techniques, I provide a formal medium for valuing and studying informal subjects—in order to pay tribute to things we see everyday—discarded toys, dresses hanging in a closet, or trees growing beside dumpsters. The joy for me in taking pictures is when I am able to look closer, recognize the beauty that is present everywhere, and then successfully communicate that vision with others.

I take great pride in my print-making abilities, and have studied with both darkroom and digital printing masters to ensure that my skills are always at the highest possible level. All of my images are all generated from film negatives, which I scan and print digitally on an Epson Professional inkjet printer on acid-free, archival-rag paper designed for fine art printmaking. I was recently named a Moab Master photographer, an honor given to artists who are redefining artistic standards for digital printing.

Recently, I received a grant to publish my first book, Displaced, which will be released February. While working on the book, I realized that all the choices I have made in my artistic career–including whom to work for, whom to study with, which projects to pursue and when to invest in further education–have all led me toward creating books. I have thrown myself into the study of camera operations, composing images, film selection, negative development, scanning, printmaking, writing, graphic and web design, color theory, bookmaking, packaging, and marketing all in the hopes of arriving at a point where I felt qualified to produce them. I work extremely hard not just to be competent, but to excel at all of these disciplines, in the belief that I can make work that is exemplary, expressive and inspired. Designing these packaged stories is my life’s passion; it is what excites me most as an artist.

What is your interest in this residency?

In 2007, I traveled throughout Nova Scotia, Canada on a self-imposed exile resulting from a painful separation from my husband. Needing a place to escape, to find beauty in, and restore confidence in myself, Nova Scotia provided a safe haven for artistic exploration and healing. In my marriage, I’d become unwelcome, an interloper, but in Nova Scotia, I was an honored guest. I hadn’t traveled on my own for ten years and was scared of being on my own, alone. But, I felt welcomed by a hauntingly quiet land that somehow came to feel like my true home. Toward the end of the trip, I realized that I had changed there—safely returned from a state of anxiety-ridden sadness to one of faith that I would be able to go on—alone.

After returning to the U.S., I felt grateful for being allowed to find sanctuary in such a serene and beautiful place. I wondered how I might present a gift to a place? What could I possibly bestow on New Scotland?

I felt that Scots arriving there for the first time, possibly in exile themselves, would have been relieved to find solace, safety and familiarity in that land. I wondered how often they’d thought back to their past—to what had been left behind and whether it would have made the separation easier knowing that Nova Scotia and Scotland were literally attached at one time and that in a sense, they were now residing in another part of the homeland they had left.

I knew then what I wanted to do—go back to Old Scotland and assemble a photographic record of the sibling land, as an homage to the people and landscape that I was now connected to.

I haven’t been to Europe in twenty years. A lack of money and scarcity of time have prevented me from exploring and documenting the landscapes that I find most compelling. Coming to Cove Park will open my eyes to a different part of the world again while simultaneously giving me the opportunity to visually reunite two places linked by history, people and landscape—to reconnect two lands, and in doing so, honor them both.

How will the opportunity impact your work?

In my artistic career, I have never had the chance to focus exclusively on making art. I am constantly distracted trying to make money, marketing my photographs, teaching and the other responsibilities of daily life. I find it harder and harder to carve out the time to simply create. As a resident at Cove Park, I would be able to dedicate myself to developing a comprehensive body of images of the Scottish landscape.

I would also be extremely enthusiastic to participate in the residency’s Public Programme component. In Portland, Oregon, and around the U.S., I now frequently present my work to art communities and eagerly participate in opportunities to learn from other artists. I founded and now lead a critique/discussion group at the Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, a monthly meeting dedicated to constructive critiques of photography, shaping careers and artistic practice. I am also a guest critic for Portland State University’s School of Architecture, advising students on how photography can improve their communication skills, and in 2010 will be starting an artist book press and gallery called Vela Noche. I firmly believe that artists have a responsibility to share their own work and perspectives, to teach and inspire when possible, and to listen and learn from others.

Because I have not been able to travel much over the last ten years, I have not been able to devote longer than a few weeks towards one endeavor. My other works to date are small, intimate portfolios. Participating in the Cove Park Residency will have a profound impact on my work—in attracting a wider international audience, in my exposure to how other artists approach their work, and most importantly, in helping me take the leap towards a higher plane of artistic and personal growth.

During this residency I will create a new book, Come Away In, about being welcomed home—back to a place I’ve never been.

_________________________________________________

Speaking of talented writers, I’m so proud of my nine-year-old niece, Gaby. I created a blog for her as a holiday gift this year and I’m blown away by how good of a writer she is at the age of nine. Her web site, in case you have a free moment is www.gabyvinick.com. Check out the Haiti posts in particular…

The Mississippi neighborhood is extremely vibrant and the space is beautiful. I will be planning an opening party shortly and I hope you will all come out to see the new studio. To see more of the building, you can go to www.numisspdx.com. Thanks, as always, for your support!

© Lauren Henkin

I am moving into a new studio on Monday. The new space is right on N. Mississippi Avenue and is in a beautiful new building. Details to come on an opening party!

More soon!

In other news, it looks like I will be moving into a new studio right on Mississippi Avenue in North Portland. The space will work beautifully for my studio, gallery and small press.

I will also be offering two workshops in the new space, one on marketing for photographers, the other will be a longer, intensive portfolio development class. I will post a description along with dates and cost in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you are interested in either class, there will be a limit on number of students.

Vela Noche Press’ first artist book publication will be of local artist, Joel Preston Smith’s, work from Liberty, West Virginia. I will be updating more information on that process soon. We are now editing his images and selecting a paper for the interior of the book.

Production for my book, Displaced, has begun. There are only a few copies left at the edition price of $350, so if you’re interested in buying a copy at that price, I suggest doing it shortly. You can pre-order at www.displacedproject.com. I am currently printing the book, and the text pages will be sent to Inge Bruggeman to be letterpress printed this week.

More to come!

Excellence is achieved. It is not stumbled onto in the course of amusing oneself. It is built upon discipline and tenacity of purpose.

It never really meant very much to me, these words. In fact, I used to hate reading it every night, imagining it looking down on me in judgment as I laid in bed. I didn’t really understand what it meant either. I never worked very hard in high school. I was an average student, good in math and science, but I struggled in English and history. I hated looking up at it, perceiving it’s meaning, and continually realizing I wasn’t living up to my potential.

I had coffee with a friend this morning, someone who is going through a pretty significant transition. He has been contemplating what to do with the rest of his life. He was just laid off from a job he held for twelve years and seems cautiously hopeful about spending the rest of his days photographing. I think he wanted to know from me how to make that happen, carefully asking questions, maybe a little afraid that I would say, “It’s not. It’s not possible.”

But I remembered this quote. And it came up because I was explaining all of the things that I do to try and “make things happen” for my career. I’m really a pretty shy person, but I force myself to speak publicly, to mentor, to do things for the community. He wanted to know how I had integrated into the Portland photographic community so easily. I explained that when I moved here, my #1 priority was to meet people. I felt like it was going to be thing that decided whether or not I could make it in a city so far from my friends and family, that I would have to force myself out to make as many connections as I could–and fast. I approached Newspace Center for Photography about starting a critique group, something that I had enjoyed in the Washington, DC area and boom! instant connections. The fact that I was doing it for free helped gain people’s trust and it turned out to be a perfect way to assimilate.

The reason I’m bringing all of this up is to illustrate that when you see others’ successes (and I am guilty of this too), it is not about luck. It is about a lot of hard work, optimism and perseverance. There are many bad photographers who are very successful. There is no reason for that, in my mind, except that they work and work and work to get their name and images out there. Maybe what they excel at the most is exposure and not quitting or allowing the negative things/reviews/comments that happen deter them from reaching their goals.

If you read back a few posts, you’ll learn about the new office space that I rented. I had hoped to be able to use the space as a studio and small gallery. Unfortunately, I had a conflict with my landlord and I have to question whether I will be able to still use it in that way. It was a huge disappointment. I have spent the last 5 months in “move phase,” moving my apartment, moving my studio… the thought of potentially having to move again is not pleasant. BUT! Where there is disappointment, there is also opportunity. I could use this chance to find a much better space, one that will more easily accommodate the gallery, where the foot traffic and lighting are better. It is a choice. How to react to this situation. And I choose to see it as an opportunity. I hope you will be able to see these daily challenges as opportunities also, and persevere, persevere, persevere…

I looked up the author of that quote. It said, “unknown.” I thought that was appropriate. It helps me believe there is a God.

The prints are beautifully made, and the selection, layout, pacing and narrative all impeccable. Technically, there is little here to criticize. The binding, by John DeMerritt, reinforces his already formidable reputation for sensitive treatment of photographic material.

Jack Kerouac, in the midst of his chatter, was occasionally given to aphorism, and this is one: “Accept loss forever.” Displaced is the illustration of an attempt to come to terms with the meaning of that profound exhortation. Two short essays by the artist place this work in its specific personal context. The writing is heartfelt, sad, courageous and informative, but not necessary. The pictures say it all.

Steve Woodall

In addition, I’m happy to announce that my new studio is big enough to accommodate a small gallery and will also house my new publications company, all under the name of Vela Noche, which means “watching over the night.” Vela Noche Press will be publishing small editions of artist books and limited edition portfolios. I have wanted to start publishing for a long, long time and I feel like now might be the best time to start. I will be posting a new web site (www.velanoche.com) that will have information on the new gallery and publishing projects. It should launch in the next few months. I really never expected to be running a gallery, but, now that I have the space for a small one, I will try to add something different to the Portland art scene. For example, one show I have been dreaming about is architect’s sketches. My degree is in architecture and I still have many ties to that world. Architectural sketches are an art form in themselves and deserve a forum to be appreciated. I have a few shows in mind already, but am having trouble thinking of what the opening show should be, so if you have any suggestions, fire away. I’m throwing myself into all of this, it’s uncharted territory, but exciting.

I thought, for those of you who might be interested, that it would be a good idea to show you how this space is evolving and what my other plans are for the coming year.

For the last six months, I have been trying to think of how I could find a space that would hold my studio, a space to start publishing books as well as a small gallery–a tall order. I went searching and finally found something I thought could work at 3939 NE Martin Luther King in Portland. It is a nice open space with hardwood floors and good light. It’s flaws were a muted green paint color, bad lighting and a slightly awkward layout. I hired Bradley to reorganize the space and come up with a storage and shelving system that would enable me to do my own photographic projects, start publishing other people’s work AND accommodate a small gallery.

Here are some pictures of the space while being renovated:

© Lauren Henkin

© Lauren Henkin

© Lauren Henkin

© Lauren Henkin

Bradley took into account all of my framed pieces, boxes with prints, boxes with unused paper, general office supplies, book cloth, a mini-fridge, and other various tools and equipment and came up with a layout that is just perfect for me. We are now completing the process, but here are some of the design images created using SketchUp:

So… there are many things to look forward to in the coming year. I will be spending the first two months completing my Displaced artist book. I will also be applying for a three month artist in residency program in Scotland. If I get it, I will be getting on a plane for the first time in ten years. I’m trying not to think about that.

I will keep you posted on these and any other upcoming events. I will hopefully be having some kind of opening for the gallery either in early February or March, depending on what kind of show I can put together. Thank you all for your help and support, I feel like this will be a very productive year…

Best to you all,

Lauren