Rayko's 3rd Annual International Juried Plastic Camera Show

I am honored to be a part of the RayKo 3rd International Juried Plastic Camera Show in San Francisco, California. The opening reception is February 26 and the show will be up until April 17.

Click here for more information about the RayKo Photo Center and the exhibition.

2009 - Year in Review Slideshow

You can also click here to view the 2009 Year in Review Slideshow.

I Spy with my Plastic Eye Exhibit at A&I Hollywood

Last night I attended the gallery reception for an exhibit I am a part of -- I Spy With My Plastic Eye.

The exhibit pays homage to the plastic camera and my print "Childhood Memories", shot with my Holgaroid, is one of many amazing images in the exhibit. I feel so honored that I was asked to participate in this show.

The exhibit is at A&I Hollywood and benefits WeSpark, which provides free cancer support services.

A fine art book sponsored by HP is available for sale, featuring all images from the show with shot details and artists commentaries. The book is $40 and you can purchase it by clicking here.





Here is Aline Smithson's foreword to the book:


I Spy With My Plastic Eye is an exhibition visualized by photographer Astor Morgan. The exhibit, brought to life by A&I, is a testament to the unique qualities of toy cameras. Each artist approached their imagery with a singular voice, using a variety of film types, techniques and cameras. The photographs in this book speak of gesture, of time passing, of simplicity and complexity, allowing for a wide range of expression. And all of this magic has been captured through an inexpensive plastic lens, part of an inexpensive plastic camera that inspires discovery and serendipity. And that is the best part.

-Aline Smithson

Vintage Santa Monica 2010 Desktop Calendar Now On Sale

The Vintage Santa Monica 2010 Desktop Calendar is finally on sale. I'm so happy at how this calendar turned out.

Images included in the calendar:

Sears
Zucky's
Bay Shore Bowl
Carousel Building
Station 26
John Adams
Foster's Freeze
Surf Liquor
Fairview Library

This version of the calendar is south side specific, fyi. Geez I wonder why?

The calendar is $13.95 and I accept credit cards, checks and money orders.

There is also FREE SHIPPING through December 5.

Click here to purchase.

Polaroid Team on Etsy

I was invited to join the Polaroid Team on Etsy and they recently showcased one of my Polaroid images on their blog. Click here to view the blog entry.

Etsy teams are groups of organized Etsy members who network, share skills, and promote their shops and Etsy together. The Polaroid Team has shooting with Polaroids as their common interest and passion.

Local Collection Store at the Glendale Galleria

I was very honored when Local Collection at the Glendale Galleria invited me to be a part of their first store. This is the first test of this concept and they have a phenomenal track record on first to launch retail concepts (i.e. first Apple store in the world, first Disney store in the world).

Local Collection is a mix of apparel, accessories, jewelry, home decor, wall art, furniture and pottery/sculpture all done by local designers and artists.

They will be selling my calendars, fine art prints (framed and unframed), paper items I've created and greeting cards.

The private opening of the store is next Thursday, November 12 from 5-9pm.

I am very excited about this new venture.

Santa Monica Mudd Studio/Maiden America

Fellow Samohi alumni Coco Costigan-Daniels has reopened her Santa Monica Mudd Studio (in it's old location no less!). Santa Monica Mudd is a pottery studio which teaches lessons and hosts birthday parties and other types of social gatherings.

I was honored when Coco asked me to have some of my fine art photographs in the studio space along with painters Gus Harper and Anne Ward Sures. I thought it only appropriate that some of my Santa Monica photographs be showcased in the studio. The gallery portion of the studio has been named "Maiden America."

There is an opening reception on Sunday, November 8 between 2-6 for refreshments, to view the amazing artwork and to see the new and improved studio space.

Santa Monica Mudd is located at:
2918 Santa Monica Boulevard #2 (Just east of Yale)
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Pico Art Walk and Car Show

The Pico Improvement Organization presents their 4th Annual Pico Art Walk and Car Show today from 10-5pm.

The walk takes place along Pico Boulevard from Centinela to the Pacific and the Classic Car Show takes place at Virginia Park.

One of my prints, "Circle Vision" will be at the La Foto Gallery until October 28. There is a reception tonight at 7pm at the gallery.

Winner of the Kolo "What's in your Kolo Window?" Contest

I was informed on Friday that I was one of the five winners of Kolo's "What's in your Kolo Window?" contest. Click here to view the Koloist blog entry about the winners and their submitted artwork.

I submitted my A Little Piece of Home journal and they liked it enough to choose it as one of their winners. Thank you Kolo!!

I can't wait to get my prize in the mail - Kolo albums, photo boxes and accessories.

An Artists' Reception with Pictage and Shoot Q During PartnerCon 2009

Pictage is holding its annual Partner Conference in New Orleans on November 3-5.

A smaller version of the Contrast Show will be in exhibition during the conference.

Sponsored by Shoot Q, there will be a reception on November 3 from 7:30-9:30 pm at the A Gallery for Fine Photography in the French Quarter.

I was honored that Rachel LaCour Niesen of ShootQ chose my Santa Monica Pier image for the show invite.

Happy 100th Birthday Santa Monica Pier

Happy 100th Birthday Santa Monica Pier.

My hope is that the images I have shot and will continue to shoot will pay tribute to a place that I love and hold close to my heart.

Santa Monica Pier images for sale on my Etsy site - click here.

See the images on Flick here.

A Little Piece of Home Journal

Don't you wish you could always have with you a little piece of home?

With Kolo's Essex Album customized by me you can.

Santa Monica, my hometown, has many iconic landmarks and I've included some of them in this lovely journal.

The Santa Monica Carousel and Ferris Wheel
Station 26 Lifeguard station
Vintage postcards of Santa Monica
A vintage map of Santa Monica from 1940
A glassine envelope where you can add a Santa Monica bus token or some other trinket

The rest of it is for YOU to fill out yourself with what you consider to be your personal little pieces of home.

The journal can also be additionally customized by adding a 2010 calendar (standard or accordion-style) or an address book.

Click here to purchase this beautiful little book.

Size of book - 5x5" x 3.6"
Each book has two inserts - photo sleeves (one already filled with an image) and
a blank journal insert which includes a glassine envelope. The address book or calendar can also be added for an additional fee.

There is also a pocket in the back of the book

My Latest Photography Project

Which of course involves Santa Monica.

I would not have it any other way.

Contrast Show at the Warehouse in Cleveland, Mississippi

The amazingly talented photographer Will Jacks has a gallery show opening on August 20 in Cleveland, Missisippi and I am happy to say that the gallery chose five of my images to be included in the show.


Unfortunately I won't be able to personally attend the opening but am so happy to Will and for this wonderful event. You can learn more about the show here and view the press release here.

You can see my images below.

Framed Prints for Sale

I sold two of the four prints (the Santa Monica Pier prints) from the Whole Foods showcase. Daisies and Cherry Blossoms are still available.

Print size - 10x10 image on 20x20 photographic paper
Framed in a 20x20 black frame

If interested in purchasing, please email me.