Austin, TX, 2009

When I attended Joe K’s funeral a few months ago, we went through a few of his things that were still at the Photography Office at the Capitol. Someone pulled out the box of the paper scraps he used to write on, cut out, tape together and photocopy. There were a number of photos inside as well.

DCI Competition, Dallas, TX

I almost can’t remember what summer felt like, now that it’s finally starting to cool off. This time last year, we were already freezing on a daily basis, but Chicago is like a distant memory at this point. We’re loving being back, and the teaching gig has been fantastic.

Nieces, Orange, TX

Girls on the Stoop, Orange, TX

This weekend is full of great art and photo events here in Austin. I’m taking a moment to post my plans for the weekend so both my students and any of you out there that may be interested, can join me.

On Friday 11/20 at 7pm, The Austin Center for Photography is sponsoring a lecture by Lauren Greenfield at the Blanton. I’ll be there early with my friend Polly Chandler and several others. My student, Teresa, has one extra ticket, as does my other student Joe, so they go for free to the folks who contact me first for them. You must be a student to use Joe’s ticket.

On Saturday night 11/21, I’ll be attending Slideluck Potshow Austin. The food begins at 7pm at Shangri-La on East 6th St. and the slideshows begin at 9pm. I can’t wait.

However, earlier in the day I will be grabbing a quick bite to eat at Cafe Mundi (1704 E. 5th St.) in East Austin at noon and then driving around the area for a few hours to see the East Austin Studio Tour. Again, everyone is invited to join me for food and art. I already have several students who have expressed interest in joining me. The more the merrier.

See ya there.

My new job teaching photography at The Art Institute of Austin has kept me abundantly busy this past month and a half, so not only have I had an absence of new work on this site, but I’ve also shot very little. I’m hoping to remedy that soon.

Joe Kelly Obenhaus, 2004, Austin, TX

I just found out that my friend Joe K. passed away two days ago. It upset me more than I anticipated. He developed Alzheimer’s Disease a few years back, and was already having memory problems when I worked with him at the Texas House of Representatives, so I can’t say I was completely surprised to hear of his passing. Still, I immediately felt guilty I didn’t seek him out over the last couple of years. It’s probably been 3 or 4 years since I last saw him. He was such a great little buddy. I’ll miss him a lot.

I was driving out in the country and spotted something I thought might make a nice image, so I turned the car around. As I was approaching what caught my eye, I saw feathers flying off to my left. This bird had just been hit by a truck, and though I hadn’t seen it happen, its wings were still flapping in a final struggle for life.

By the time I made it over, perhaps 20 seconds later, it was completely dead. It’s strange how quickly a life can slip away entirely. It was just a wild bird in this case.

Arlington, TX

Austin, TX

Columbia, SC

Groundskeeper, Odessa, TX

Kitchen Light, Chicago, IL

We got to see this little guy today. He’s already 5 months old, as opposed to a day old, like in this photo.

My buddy Ryan Mo is shipping off to Iraq in a couple of months. This is from when he and my brother flew up to Chicago to help me move back to Texas. He’s a true friend.

Dairy Queen, Midland, TX

It’s the Texas Stop Sign. Worked on me.

I love black & white. I might go back to it… and by might, I mean I will.

Ok, I am.

Avers & Lake, Chicago, IL

This week at work I have a lot of down time. I mean a LOT of down time. So rather than just twiddle my thumbs or get mad at news headlines, I’ve been spotting scans that I made back in March at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on one of their Imacons. I’ve been meaning to work on these images for awhile, and since they take about 45 minutes, on average, to fit my needs, I should be getting a few done over the next two days. I’ll post ‘em as I complete ‘em, starting with these two.

My brother joined me in Chicago to help us move back to Texas. Taken in our backyard.

A nice little moment during our friends Bryan & Roann’s wedding shower a few months ago.

I drive by this on the way to work pretty much every day. Strange stuff.