far studio gallery

Every year, the artists in the Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties have an open studio tour call the Sierra Art Trails. The Sierra Art Trails 2009 will take place on October 3 & 4. It’s a fun and fascinating chance to see great art and meet some of the many artists who live in our area. Saturday, September 12th was their reception for this year’s event.

I follow a website called Digital Photography School and this week’s “Weekend Challenge” was to “Photograph a Stranger”. Since I am shy but I do want to take photographs of people, I figured I really needed to do this assignment. The Sierra Art Trails Reception would be a good place to work on my people skills and take some nice portraits.

I was very glad I did.

Ron Hendershott

The first person I approached was Ron. We’re not exactly strangers – his stepson and my son have been buds since preschool. However, I love the strength of his face and knew exactly what I wanted his portrait to look like. So he was the perfect person to first approach and ask if I could take his portrait. Ron is a teacher and a photographer – his photographs of the twisted branches of manzinita are stunning.

Wayne Boring

The next person I asked permission to photograph was Wayne, a Master Woodcarver. He’s a ‘larger than life’ person who I have had the chance to photograph in the past as “Father Christmas” and “Dumbledore”. His face reminds me of the iconic “Coca Cola Santa Claus.”

Gloria Garland

I have known Gloria for years – we worked on Quest for Glory three together. She is the sort who glows with vivacity and friendliness. So I couldn’t resist tracking her down to take her photograph. She and Jon Boch have been driving forces behind supporting the Sierra Art Trails and the artists of our area. They run the Williams Gallery West and the Stellar Art Galleries in Oakhurst.

Judy DeRosa

I had not met Judy DeRosa before, but I fell in love with her timeless beauty and elegance. She is one of the artists who show at the Williams Gallery West.

Rah

The last person I approached was Rah. His face reminded me of the pioneer settlers of the wild west.