Greetings!

Happy holidays to you all as this is about the time most things not related to family, presents, and travel are left until the new year. Family, friends, comfort food, and decorations abound. Take some time to reach out and get in touch with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. They are the essence of the holidays.

And yes, I use Happy Holidays instead of a specific holiday because there are so many. Certainly not just the ones I celebrate, or used to. And I respect everyone, and their beliefs, even if I don’t share their beliefs.

Last week I did my last photoshoot with my aging Einstien lights. They still work, but not like they used to. Then again, neither do I, so I can’t fault them for wearing out. New lights arrived to replace them all. I’ve used Flashpoint before but now I have a full complement of them and it will change the lighting you see on the art a little. I now have a center unit so I can light up faces a little better. They are all battery powered so all of the power cords will be a memory from the past. But after each shoot, I’ll have to round them up and charge them for the next session. New toys and learning how to use them is the dessert of life. Less fattening yet somewhat thinning of the old bank account.

One of the lights is fairly small and will have a place in my camera bag. I think the location lighting may change more than the studio, but we’ll see.

My last shoot involved Griffin and Todd and the American flag. I must say, the images we created are superb. Todd is writing an article for Playboy and these will be the images offered to accompany said submission. Who knew Playboy had articles? Kidding of course. I put Playboy right up there with apple pie and baseball as a large part of early Americana. I miss that. It was so heartwarming to have those while living in that time. My perspective of course. We all live in our own bubble. But bubbles are like nests in a way. We can build them the way we want. I miss my bubble from the 70’s and 80’s. Not everyone had a good bubble.

I’m typing this from the couch of a dear friend who went through some surgery. She really needed someone to be with her the two days after because those are the hardest days of pain. I’m happy to say she’s doing fine and I’m heading home in a few hours as her husband will be here to care for her. It is good to put your own needs aside and help others once in a while. It nurtures your need to care for your fellow humans. In this case, she’s a sweety that adorns my lens often so helping out was a no brainer. And she’s a wonderful friend.

Today Facebook is doing its ‘remove offensive’ phase yet again. About one image every 5 minutes! And these are pictures that have been up for days, weeks, and even months on my timeline. Their algorithm was a nun in a previous life. I’m getting tired of putting up with a program designed to be a prude. I’m posting more often on BlueSky and building a good following of other artists. And my feeling to stay relevant with so-so media accounts has been decreasing at a fairly consistent rate.

I’m done posting on FaceBook.

I suggest either getting an account on BlueSky and following me and/or making sure you are signed up for this Museletter every week. (that last part is pretty evident you are if you are reading this). My art will continue to be created. People will have to make an effort to find it I’m afraid.

Meanwhile, stay healthy, and happy, and build that comfortable bubble even if it is a little lop-sided.

“Be curious, not judgemental” - Walt Whittman

And if you’d like to give me feedback on these Museletters, feel free! I love to hear from you all! - Contact form