I Love Gifts in the Mail: Dalton Rooney and Rob Hornstra

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Swans Nest, Brooklyn © Dalton Rooney

Dalton Rooney is a landscape photographer from Brooklyn. Like any wise, young photographer in this turkey burger economy he has taken prints sales directly to the masses with his Print of the Month Club. If you join the club, Dalton will send you a limited edition print each month and cover the cost of shipping. He was kind enough to send me a print of Swans Nest, Brooklyn. The subtle colors and rich textures of this image are beautiful.

© Rob Hornstra

Much has been written about Rob Hornstra's book, 101 Billionaires. Rob just sent me a signed copy and now I know what all the commotion is about. It is a powerful book in conception and execution. It makes me happy when photography is this good.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Graham Miller and Kevin Miyazaki

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It's been a while since I wrote a Gifts in the Mail post. This ass-up economy has put a crimp in the gift sending that once made my mailbox an almost weekly pinata of arty treats. Today the negative gift trend was busted in a big way.

Rhonda + Chantelle © Graham Miller

Graham Miller sent me a gorgeous print from his Suburban Splendor series. As I unrolled the image of Rhonda + Chantelle my knees buckled and I let out a series of ooohs and ahhs. Just stunning. It will be on my wall very soon.

© Kevin Miyazaki

Also arriving today was a small print from Kevin Miyazaki's 100 Very Small Observations show at MIAD. It is such a delicate and beautiful image.

Another recent gift in the mail was Susana Raab's self-published book A Sense of Place. Beyond showcasing her great talent, Susana's photos of the homes of William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Eudora Welty challenge us to think about the role of place in the creative process. You should own this book.

Finally on the recent gift list is a copy of Sadkids #5. Sadkids is a self-published photo 'zine featuring the work of the true San Francisco treat, Geoffrey Ellis. You can order your own copy of Sadkids for only $10, but you better hurry because they tend to sell out quickly.

Thank you all for such wonderful gifts.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Patrick Romero

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© Patrick Romero

A couple of weeks back Patrick Romero sent me a copy of his self published book, 28 Famous Views of Los Angeles. I have been so busy of late that I haven't had an opportunity to write about it until now.

Patrick's book is a short but wonderful stroll through a Los Angeles that exists someplace between popular legend, personal myth and fading reality. The images perfectly capture the hazy beauty and vague temporality of the city and I would hope a smart L.A. gallerist out there would contact Patrick and show these little gems ASAP.

UPDATE: If you want your own copy of 28 Famous Views of Los Angeles send Patrick an email. The book is a steal at $20 and supplies are limited, so chop chop.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Colin Blakely and Rachael Dunville

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© Colin Blakely

Last week was a gift-in-the-mail bonanza. Colin Blakely sent me a signed print from his Somewhere in Middle America series. I first saw the image, The Seeming Impenetrability of the Space Between, at the Griffin Museum and promptly gushed about it on my blog. If you are in the Boston area you can still see the photo in person at the 13th Annual Griffin Juried Show. Also, be sure to check out Colin's blog. Probably the most interesting and honest take out there on the struggle to be a successful photographer.

Also in the mailbox was a signed copy of Rachael Dunville's Springtown catalogue. You can pick up your own copy at photo-eye. The Springtown show is still on display at Peer Gallery and just got a lovely write-up in the New Yorker. Not too shabby.

Big thanks to Colin and Rachael for the fabulous gifts!

© Carrie Marill

In addition to these wonderful gifts, I have also received my first two pieces from 20x200. Arriving were gorgeous prints by Amy Ross and Carrie Marill, respectively. Both prints are still available. For only $20! What are you people waiting for? Beyond the solid curating, Jen Bekman has done a wonderful job with all the identity work around 20x200. When your prints arrive it really is an impressive production.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Jerry Vezzuso

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© Jerry Vezzuso

A couple of days ago I received a package from good friend, Jerry Vezzuso, that contained a copy of his new self-published book, Looking Homeward. Jerry is a master printer who has worked with everyone from Gregory Crewdson to Philip Lorca-Di Corcia to Nan Goldin, but he is equally accomplished as a photographer. Jerry's first book of photography, New American Haircuts, was published in 1985 by Ballantine Books

Looking Homeward is "a compilation of photographs based on the dynamics of a New York working class family." The photographs in the book are heartfelt and beautiful and I recommend picking up a copy at Lulu.com.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Jeongmee Yoon and Jason Polan

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© Jeongmee Yoon

Yesterday I came home to find two packages at my front door. Inside the first package was a signed copy of Jeongmee Yoon's new Pink & Blue Project monograph. The book is published by the Geonhi Art Foundation and includes an essay by Art in America editor, Richard Vine. It's simply stunning. Jeongmee is a dear friend and a fellow SVA MFA grad and I couldn't be more proud of her continued success. If you would like to order a copy of her monograph, you can contact Jeongmee directly.

© Jason Polan

The second package contained another great gift from the talented, Jason Polan. Jason was very kind to send me a copy of his The Every Piece of Art in the Museum of Modern Art Book. The book is an amusingly exhaustive inventory of every piece of art in MOMA drawn in Jason's unique and lively style. If you want to order a copy of this, or any of Jason's fabulous work, just give him a shout.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Wendy Small

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© Wendy Small

I just received a wonderful package from Wendy Small. Inside was a very nice note and three of Wendy's beautiful photograms from her Gun Running series. What an amazing gift! Currently, Wendy has a solo show at Schroeder Romero Gallery in Chelsea. Be sure to see her work before the show closes on July 27.

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Justin Visnesky

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© Justin Visnesky

This is getting good. Another wonderful gift in the mail from a kind stranger. This time photographer, Justin Visnesky, sent me a book of his series Sometimes You Just Know. Thanks, Justin.

Keep 'em coming, people!

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Jason Polan

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The other day I received a lovely package of goodies in the mail from artist, Jason Polan. Among the contents were two books of Jason's great drawings and this found photo of some elderly folks stranded on the side of the road in the mid-eighties. (I like to imagine they have "You Give Love a Bad Name" rockin' out of the Ford speakers as they change the tire.)



Sending me gifts in the mail is a fabulous precedent and I encourage others to follow Jason's lead.