Wisconsin photographer - Window to Sue

Peaceful Winter Distrubed by Harsh Abstract Photo, Learning to See

2012-01-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

Amid the peaceful, snowy winter scenes that most of us see at this time of year, are other images if you look closely. Sharp teeth of ice bite the water while trees reflect in a mad distortion. Beautiful but harsh; you never know where you will find an emotional abstract. But that's the fun of photography. Learning to see and then faithfully recording it are the challenges we face.

The student photo contest still has only 2 entries. Of all my students, only 2 have images that they wish to share? I will be unavailable from Feb. 15-25 so get your entries in and tell your friends and relatives to vote. See entries below.

Camera Modes Explained

2012-01-27T07:54:00.001-08:00

For those who need a refresher from class, here is a link to a blog that explains it again. http://www.pcworld.com/article/248699/using_your_cameras_settings_program_mode_shutter_speed_and_more.html

Student Photo Contest Entries Look for Visitor's Votes

2012-01-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

Anyone can vote. If you just happen to be passing by, comments are appreciated. Contest runs until Feb. 29, after I get back from my trip in February.

Fox Couple Provide Excellent Photo Op

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

First sleeping in my back yard and later on top of my roof, a pair of foxes posed for an afternoon photo session recently. This is mating season, I read, so it could explain why two of them are together. This is the male, I think, who looks much older than the female. A May - December relationship. I've never seen fox this close except at the zoo. I used a 300 mm lens and a fast shutter speed. 400 ISO for the cloudy light and longer lens.

Student Photo Contest has Two Entries

2012-01-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

A

Please vote once for the image you like best. The winner will be determined by popular vote and announced on Feb. 29. You have to be a former student to submit, but not to vote.

New Year Challenge for Photo Students

2012-01-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope you are putting your photo skills to good use. Show off your new skills by entering a photo contest on my blog. I would like you to take photos around the theme of PEACE. Choose your best one and post on this blog.

The contest runs until Wednesday, Feb. 29. I will print the winning image up to13x19" and frame it for the winner. (20x24" mat and frame).

You retain all rights to your image
Keep your file size small for posting on the blog (72 dpi, 5x7")
Keep your original file size for later when you win the prize.
Winner will be determined by popular vote. Please ask your friends to visit and vote, but don't stuff the ballot box.
Landscapes, portraits and color and black and white will be considered.
Send your photo to sjlukas@hotmail.com. If it is the right size, I will post with your name.
Share the address so people can vote.
Good Luck!

How to Enter Photo Contests, Some Ideas to Consider

2012-01-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Should you or shouldn't you? Can you trust the person on the other side of the Web who is taking your images and money? Are they going to use your images for the show only? Do you retain copyright? Are your images protected if displayed on the Web?
First only apply to shows you know. Many photo groups, such as CoPA and the Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, have regular shows run by photographers. Also look for arts organizations that might have shows. Professional Artist magazine also lists shows, galleries and ways to display your work.
If you are considering joining an online contest, look for information about the group first, read their application information, and choose reputable sites such as Fine Art America and Upstreampeoplegallery.

How do you choose which images to enter? That can be difficult if you don't regularly display your work somewhere and get feedback. Try to review what's been selected for the contest before. This is only helpful if you know the same judge will be jurying the show. Look up the judge to see what kind of work is preferred. Are they nature lovers? photojournalists? portrait photographers? Black and white or color? Alternative process?

How does your work compare? Do you have friends or colleagues who can review your work for you? What do you think they are looking for at the show? Strong composition, emotion, message? I once entered a contest with the theme LOVE. I sent in this image.

It was chosen for the show, but didn't win a prize. The contest was juried by an arts group from Illinois.
Here are the winners.

If the contest is free to enter, what do you have to lose? Usually you pay to enter a contest. (Please submit 3 jpgs for $30.) You can go broke entering contests. Just choose carefully I've entered several contests over the years and had some success: CoPA members' juried show, Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, Fine Art America, and others. Good Luck!

Resolve to Learn Something New: Photography

2012-01-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

So are you one of those who make resolutions, then can't keep them? Get mad at yourself because you dropped the ball again? I do the same. Every year I'm going to lose that 10 lbs., except most of the time I'd rather be sitting in front of the computer working on my montages than working up a sweat. Since they haven't made a treadmill with Photoshop on it yet, I am doomed to carry the extra weight.

Here's an easy resolution to make. Take a photography or Photoshop class. I offer you a way to learn something new, start a new hobby and improve your photography. It's a great way to start the new year.

Classes are fun, you really learn a lot, and just think how you will impress your friends with your new accomplishment. Signing up for class is easy also. Just give me a call. I try to schedule photography classes during the day and Photoshop during the evening. Weekends are best for photo lessons as most students work first shift.

If this sounds like you, what are you waiting for?

Top Sellers Decided by Art Fair and Gallery Customers

2011-12-30T05:53:00.000-08:00

One of the least fun tasks for me-keeping the records of what sold. But it's the only way I know which images are the most popular at art shows and galleries. For the past several years, Forest has been the top seller. This year Tulip Garden took the top spot.

Comments from customers at art shows were: love the bright colors, and the way it flows.

Behind Tulip Garden was Misty Fall Morning, which was the image selected for the cover of a local magazine to advertise the Hidden River Art Show in September. It also won a top award at a Madison arboretum exhibit last winter.

Comments from customers were: love the colors and the way it pulls you in. The lighting is great.

The Word Art was also a big seller this year. Most popular was GOLF, followed by HOPE and DREAM. So were purchasers hoping and dreaming of a good golf game? I don't know. Custom orders also kept me busy this year. It was a unique gift for a wedding, anniversary or Christmas.

Thank you for choosing some of my artwork. I hope to see you again next year at shows.

Two Images Part of Winter Exhibit at DeLind Gallery

2011-12-27T10:21:00.000-08:00

I will have two digital photo collages at this show at the DeLind Gallery in downtown Milwaukee.

Winter may mean skiing, or skating, as in an antique poster or the fresh clean snow on a sunny winter morning, painted in plein air by Wisconsin artists who know the beauty and the chill of our Wisconsin winters. Winter may also mean enjoying activities indoors….a glass of wine, an abundant table. For this show we’ve asked a few dozen artists to ‘surprise us” with what winter in Wisconsin means to them. Come be surprised and delight in this show, through January 28.

DeLind Gallery

450 E. Mason St.
Milwaukee WI 53202

Enter a Holiday Photo Contest

2011-12-27T10:13:00.001-08:00

NNS invites Milwaukee residents to submit photos that show how they celebrate the holidays. Submissions are due by Monday, Jan. 2. The 10 best photos will be posted at www.milwaukeenns.org on Monday, Jan. 9.

First prize will be a $50 Visa gift card; two runners-up will each will receive a $25 Visa gift card. Send your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org. or post them at facebook.com/milwaukeenns.

Madison Photo Group Offers Classes

2011-12-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

The Center for Photography in Madison offers classes for photographers. If you've taken all 8 classes from me and are looking for more, here is the link. The office where they teach is located near Williamson St. on the east side near the square. Great pizza place is nearby called the Roman Candle. We never had a bad meal when we ate there.

Photo students, here's a link you might like

2011-12-19T04:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/
Photos from around the world with articles by professionals.

Ten Reasons to Buy Art

2011-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

If you really need to be convinced, here goes:

It looks great in your home or office and adds color.
It conveys an emotion that you wish to express.
It tells your visitors that you have great taste.
It stimulates the economy (buy locally).
It provides you with a sense of accomplishment. (We looked for a long time to find just the right piece.)
It matches the colors in your home or office.
It's just what my sister/brother/friend wanted as a gift.
I really appreciate the talent/technique of the artist.
It was priced right.
It is available everywhere: online, galleries and art shows. If you love it, buy it.

Gift Certificates Available Until this Weekend

2011-12-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dec. 18 is the last day to order gift certificates in time for Christmas.
Call me to place your order and I will mail it as soon as possible. Credit cards accepted.

Compose yourself and your photos with these tips

2011-12-13T05:20:00.000-08:00

I found this link on Facebook to another blog with composition tips.
http://www.timkainu.com/top-14-composition-techniques-enhance-your-photos/
My students have asked for links to other sites and help with continuing their education after classes are over.

As I said during class, if you remember only one type of composition from class, make it Rule of Thirds. May the path to well-composed photos lay before you.

Monochrome Photos Added to Web site

2011-12-11T06:48:00.000-08:00

Amid all the bright colors and textures are the black and white images I've always loved for their textures and high contrast.

www.window2wis.com/gallery.html

They have a different emotion attached to them than the Impressionistic and Night Light images. If I dare say it, they seem to be more negative emotions. The image above is agressive and abstract with its high contrast, in your face lines. Other images in winter fog offer a bleak view of a Wisconsin winter.
But these images do show visitors to my site that yes, I am a photographer first, then a teacher. A student asked to see samples of my work yesterday and I referred him to my Web site. Then I remembered that I removed the black and white portfolio. It didn't fit with the other images. But the portfolio does serve a purpose and I will add to it from time to time when I find images that fit best in this type of photo.

Students, if you want to shoot black and white, shoot RAW and post process in your image software, not in camera. Make adjustments using levels and curves, dodge and burn and your histogram.

Photo books for under your tree

2011-12-06T04:58:00.001-08:00

For all you photo students out there, here are some books you might find interesting. Some are available digitally and regularly. http://www.natureandphotography.com/?p=741

Never stop learning.

Gift Certificates Available for Prints & Classes

2011-12-05T06:49:00.001-08:00

Christmas is less than three weeks away today. No need to feel the crunch. Purchase a gift certificate for your loved one and it will be mailed right away. If you are really in a hurry, I can e-mail it to you.

Have you started thinking about your year in review yet? I have. It's been a great year filled with many good shows and events. To my students from this year, I wish to offer them 10% off of any future purchases as a thank you. I hope they are getting the most from their new skills.As always, I'm here to answer any questions about photography you might have.

Cyber Monday 10 % Off

2011-11-28T05:08:00.000-08:00

Everything is 10 percent off today only. Classes and prints.http://www.window2wis.com

Where Does Art Come From?

2011-11-28T04:38:00.000-08:00

Pretend you're a youngster and you just asked the question, why is the sky blue? Your parent gave you some answer or other, and then you asked where did that art come from? From artists you get a variety of answers such as: I studied for 10 years with (this great artist). But this doesn't explain their inspiration or motivation.

Another might say, I dream my work. I fall to sleep and an image comes to me. Another would say, I look at other's work and find inspiration there. This all leads to more philosophical questions such as, What is your process and why do you create the way you do? Why do you make art?

For some, there is no other way of living. If they couldn't make art, they would be unfulfilled and miserable. Whatever the challenges are due to their choices, they face them because this is who they are. The stereotypical Starving Artist is no myth.

For those in touch with their spiritual side, they might say their art is a gift from God. And to not express themselves, they are denying their gifts. (This is the point where many get uncomfortable.) But for all artists, whether they acknowledge it or not, I believe this to be true.

Ask artists about their work, and many will tell you that they go into a trance while they are working. Where do they go? They connect to a higher consciousness as if they are meditating. Painter, photographer, writer or musician, artists get a high from creating and it feels great.

So where does art come from? It comes from God. Whether you like the art or not is immaterial. Just think about that next time you walk through a gallery or art show. The training and accomplishments of the artist are only a part of the process. If that artist likes something well enough to expose it to the public, then it comes from the soul.

Thanksgiving is Over; Holiday Rush Begins

2011-11-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

Or not. Stay home and shop on the Web and avoid all of that stress. Custom word art, framed and unframed, makes a great gift. Go to my Web site, gallery and follow the links. It's not hard to find.

When I heard on the weather last night that there might be fog this morning, I was excited. We haven't had any in awhile and I usually find some new photos when I go out in that kind of weather. It's hard to meter though because fog is lighter than a medium tone. You'll find that if you meter on a gray card or grass (a medium tone) and set your camera to Manual you will have greater success.

Metering, the reading of the light available to your camera, can be difficult for the beginner. Why is my photo over or under exposed? I hear from students. And I ask where did you meter? Usually they don't remember. That tells me that they didn't think before they shot.

Like anything it's location, location, location. Where do you stand to shoot? What do you meter on? Stop and think about what you are trying to say with this image. Take notes of your lighting/metering conditions to reinforce what you are trying to learn and soon you will notice an improvement in your exposures.

Two hour extensions of class are also available if you still feel lost. We will meet somewhere to shoot and then talk about your images. Contact me if you are interested.

Word Art Company Name Make Bold Statement

2011-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Here is my Web site, window2wis.com, done in found architectural and natural letters, what I call Word Art. I didn't put the www. in front of it. At 3" tall letters, the URL measures almost 30" long. I thought of putting the URL on a t-shirt, but it would work better as a banner. It certainly would be distinctive. What do you think?

This is the time of year when it's hard not to think about what to give your loved one for Christmas. TV, radio all offer gift ideas. I have a suggestion. Give a gift certificate for photo lessons. It will be a gift they will use for years. Give a person a fish and they eat for a day. Teach them how to fish and that person feeds himself and others. Go to my Web site for details or e-mail me.

If you are in the Madison area, stop in at Absolutely Art on Atwood Ave. I am the featured artist there until Nov. 30. Then I will be exhibiting in Shorewood at the high school on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Madison Magazine Enjoys My Exhibit

2011-11-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

For unique impressions of places closer to home, check out Window to Wisconsin (November 1–30, absolutelyartllc.com) at Absolutely Art. Digital artist Susan Lukas showcases the state in an Impressionistic style, highlighting forests, ponds and other natural scenes with interesting textures, vivid colors and beautiful warmth.

Personalized LOVE Print Makes a Wonderful Gift

2011-11-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

Love is all that matters. When you review your life, the money and fame aren't as important as who you loved. Celebrate your love with this new print I'm offering on my Web site. It's an offshoot of the Word Art that was so popular at art shows this summer. Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, birthdays and other special occasions will be remembered with this museum-quality image that is offered as an 11x14 canvas or as a 16x20 print.

November Updates to the Web site

2011-11-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

I've finally added some new images that I have been exhibiting at art shows, but not on the Web. If you go to the gallery page of my Web site, you will notice a big change in how my images are displayed.
I'm using Simple Viewer, which is a Flash based Web image organizer and very easy to use. I hope you also find it easy to use. The titles are in the lower left hand corner.

So if you are on the site, please let me know how you like the changes.If you have any difficulties, I would like to hear about that also. Thanks for taking the time to look.

Friday I'll be in Madison at Absolutely Art on Atwood Ave. for the opening of my show called Window to Wisconsin. I am featuring my digital nature images that are shown at art shows. I've even received some press on my exhibit from Madison Magazine. If you go to my Facebook page, you will find the link.The show will be available the whole month of November.

End of Year Opportunities

2011-10-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Just a few months left in this year, and I'm still as busy as if I were doing art shows. I'm preparing some images for my show at Absolutely Art, Atwood Ave., Madison, opening Friday, Nov. 4. This show will go for one month. Then I'll be at Shorewood High School again for their booster show on Dec. 4.

The Digital Visuals show in Beaver Dam ends this weekend. 24 digital artists offer some fantastic work. I'm happy to be part of the crowd that fills the mansion. Seippel Homestead Center for the Arts Beaver Dam, WI.

I just finished creating 15 ads for the Winter Art Festival for the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Crafts People. Their Winter Art Festival will be Nov. 12-13 at Monona Terrace. I will not be part of this show as I will be at Absolutely Art. But I encourage you to attend after you visit Atwood Ave. I am the graphic designer for the group.

Life leads in different directions and I am happy to share one of those directions with you. When I was in Stillwater for their fall jazz festival, I was next to a charming man who designs mirrors. We became Facebook friends, and I discovered that one of his sons is a jazz musician. If you like Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz, you will enjoy this young man's music. Matt Slocum, from the Minneapolis area, has a new album out and you can listen to some of it here. Light the fire, get a good bottle of wine and put your feet up while you listen to his music.

Best Beginning Photography Classes in Milwaukee for Teens and Adults

2011-10-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

I was amazed to see that there were 154 hits to my Web site last week for people looking for beginning photography lessons. I was amazed because no one contacted me about taking lessons. What is stopping people from taking the class?

Money - these are one-on one classes with a professional photographer. You get to ask as many questions as you like and then we can go over issues as often as you like. You get what you pay for.
Location - I teach at many areas around the metro Milwaukee area. The Purloin Studio in Menomonee Falls is only one location. I also teach at Alterra on Lake Drive, downtown along the Riverwalk, Panera's around the area. Most of these coffee shops are located near parks where we go to play and learn new skills.
Experience - I've been teaching this class for many years. My curriculum has developed from teaching and listening to my students.
You can always take this class with a friend if you feel shy. You will be learning something new and can go at your own pace. There are no tests; I tell students you get what you put into the class. If you do the assignments and try, you will learn.
Class scheduling is flexible. We don't have to meet at a certain time every week.In fact I've had several students with busy schedules who will meet with me once a month; others will meet weekly.We determine our class schedules together.
Gift certificates are available.

So if you looked at this class online, but weren't sure. Reconsider. What photography class in Milwaukee offers you so much? My students tell me that they learn a lot and it's fun.

First Minnesota Art Show Successful

2011-10-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Stillwater, MN welcomed me for the Fall Festival recently. I couldn't have ordered better weather for that weekend. Here are some photos I posted on my Facebook page and the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce page with a slide presentation of the event.

I hope you are using this beautiful stretch of weather to capture fall scenes. Close ups of leaves and whole trees look better when you remember how to use light and composition. Also play with your white balance.

Featured Artist at Absolutely Art, Madison

2011-10-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

I will be exhibiting this and other digital photo collages at Absolutely Art, Atwood Ave. Madison starting Friday, Nov. 4. The Opening Reception goes from 5-9 p.m. There will be food and drink plus great art. Start your Christmas shopping and take home locally-created pieces of art for yourself and others.
Here is the event postcard. I hope to see you there.

Halloween Word Art for an Original Holiday

2011-09-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

These images are available at the Purloin Gallery, Menomonee Falls, Sweet Lips, Lake Mills or from my Web site. Call or e-mail and I will send you a PayPal invoice.

Wicked is $30 unframed and $60 framed.
Boo is $15 unframed and $30 framed.
Haunted is $35 unframed or $70 framed.
Spooky is $30 unframed or $70 framed.
3 inch high letters mounted on 6 inch black matboard
Wrapped in plastic or framed
Price includes shipping within US.
Click here for other Word Art options
414 331-1644 or sjlukas@hotmail.com

Stillwater Fall Art Fair

2011-09-19T03:57:00.000-07:00

http://stillwaterfallartfair.com/
Beautiful time of year to visit the St. Croix River area. Lots of art and music.

Hidden River Art Show Starts Friday - See You There!

2011-09-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, Capitol Drive in Brookfield.
Great Wisconsin art under huge tents
I'll be exhibiting my fine art prints and word art
Show opens at noon on Friday and goes until Sunday
Cool nice weather expected for the weekend, perfect for strolling and enjoying art

Thank you everyone who took home a print or word art from the Mt. Mary Starving Artist show last weekend. It was the best one yet. Nancy and I love doing this show. It's easy set up; close to home; crowds of people show up to buy and are appreciative of my efforts. It's a great show.

September Offers Many Opportunities to See my Work

2011-09-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

This month I have the following shows:
Digital Visuals Group Show (10 images from the Light Series) Aug. 28 - Oct. 23
Seippel Homestead Center for the Arts
Beaver Dam, WI

Walk in the Woods Arts & Crafts Saturday, Sept. 3
Hawthorne Hollow, Kenosha, WI

Mt. Mary Starving Artists' Show Sunday, Sept. 11
Mt. Mary College, Milwaukee, WI

Hidden River Art Show Sept. 16-18
Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI

Cedar Waxwings Migrating Already

2011-08-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

While in Menomonee Falls on Friday with a student, I looked up and saw a tree full of Cedar Waxwings. They are distinctive yellowish birds with a head like a cardinal. They usually fly far north of southern Wisconsin for the summer. To see them migrating south again said to me that it's going to be an early fall. Doesn't it seem like summer just got here? Spring was so cold and damp.

Oh well, can't do much about it.

I was in Beaver Dam yesterday for the opening of my group show Digital Visuals. I like the title. It's catchy. The artists in the show are many and are from all over: Chicago, Rockford, Madison and the metro Milwaukee area.

Such a variety of work! My light series collages were different from any one else's work. There were lots of different types of fractal images, abstracts and collages. Most use Photoshop, but some use other software to achieve their abstractions and import into Photoshop later. A few, like me, start with photos and create and blend them in Photoshop. But they are all different.

If you enjoy digital art, I would recommend this show. It is up until Oct. 23 at the Seippel Homestead Art Center.

Word Art Updated

2011-08-22T05:04:00.000-07:00

Word Art has been very popular at art shows this summer. People are interested in purchasing online after the show too. I've just recently updated that section of the Web site and added Badgers and Brewers.
http://www.window2wis.com/wordart1.html
Click on the link to see these and other words. They all will arrive framed with glass to protect them.
Custom orders are also accepted. Place your order by calling or e-mailing me. Credit cards are accepted.

My Image Selected as Cover

2011-08-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

My image was selected for the cover of Key magazine for September. I will be exhibiting this photo, Misty Fall Morning, and others at Hidden River Art Show, Sept. 16-18 at Sharon Lynn Wilson Center.

Next weekend, I will be exhibiting at Lake Geneva's Art in the Park at Flat Iron Park. Hope to see you there.

Thunderheads on the Beach

2011-07-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

What a nice surprise when I got to the beach this evening. Thunderheads out over the lake caught the last rays of sun. I set my camera up on a tripod. Selected my lowest ISO, which was 80; switched to RAW because I knew this image would have a lot of noise in it. My Canon G11 has a neutral density filter built into it and I used that to cut down on the light even more. I shot with a very slow shutter speed to blur the waves.

August Art Shows are Indoors and Out

2011-07-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

Lakeshore Art Festival	August 6-7 Dawes Park, Evanston, IL

Art in the Park	August 13-14 Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva, WI

Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts	August 20-21 Fowler Park, Oconomowoc, WI

Digital Visuals Group Show (10 images from the Light Series)	Aug. 28 - Oct. 23 Seippel Homestead Center for the Arts Beaver Dam, WI

Milwaukee Lakefront Photos With Students

2011-07-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

I recently finished the four week class with 2 different students. On the last class I sometimes take out my camera and look for images with the students. We stop and compare our photos, look at the histograms and discuss the composition. Last night the clouds were beautiful over the harbor. I shot two images of the same thing, but metered on a different spot to demonstrate proper metering. In the first image, I metered on the building; in the second on the clouds.
Which one do you like?

We also saw many people out walking and I shot this quick portrait of the dog. I used a soft flash and got down to eye level with the little dog.

This morning we explored an old ship and rusty trailer in the boatyard near the marina. My favorite photo is below. I like the rustic nature of the image, with the colors, composition and the message: Bloom where you are planted.

I will be exhibiting my digital photo collages at Art Fair Off the Square, Madison, this weekend. I'll be in my usual spot near Monona Terrace. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend. My daughter is helping me at this show before she leaves for Philadelphia for a residency at the Clay Studio.

Use of Manual Mode Explained

2011-07-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

When I teach my photo classes, I show students examples of shutter and aperture priorities, but explain program and manual modes. I first learned about photography on a Pentax K1000, which is the most basic of film cameras. It only had manual mode on it. It's a good exercise to help you develop your metering skills. So I set off to find an example for students of when to use manual mode.

For this lesson, I set the camera to manual and metered on the grass because it is a medium tone and would give me the mountain histogram that we all want. I adjusted the shutter speed and aperture to give me the proper exposure when metering on this grass. The readings change with the light.
I then turned slightly to take photos of the cottonwood with dewdrops on it.

The white cottonwood is lighter and would have given me a poorly exposed image if I had taken my light reading off of this subject. So first I metered, then I focused and took the photo.
I also took this photo with the same settings. As long as you are shooting in the same kind of light when you take your meter readings, you should get a properly-exposed image. Remember your composition and your light source.

Custom Word Art Catalog Available Online

2011-06-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Place your order for custom work art by going to the page on my Web site.
A new online catalog of top letters has been added for your convenience.
To order, download the order form and print.
Go to the catalog and select your letters.
Mail the completed form with your check or e-mail it back to me. I will send you a PayPal invoice. It takes 2 weeks to receive your word from the date I receive your order.

Camden is pleased with his name done in Word Art.

Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Inviting

2011-06-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Supposed to be nice this weekend.No rain in the forecast. So I'm planning to visit the Strawberry Festival this weekend to enjoy the art, music and food. I'm also going to be stopping at All That Pizzazz where I have some 8x10 prints available. I haven't been to this historic city since last fall.

I have many new photography students. They are keeping me busy and are always full of questions. Not always the same ones either. As I prepare for my next show, Madison's Art Fair Off the Square, July 9-10, I'll be showing them how to use their cameras and get some better shots on their vacations or in their neighborhoods.

After that, I'll be in Lake Mills on Saturday, July 16r. This show has grown so much in just a few years. It's easy to set up; sales have been good, and the volunteers take good care of the artists. I've won three purchase awards at this show.

Hinsdale Art Show Loved Word Art

2011-06-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Word Art was very popular this weekend in this western suburb of Chicago. Top sellers of all time are DREAM and I (heart) U. But GOLF is catching up fast. Thanks Hinsdale for a nice show with quality art. It was a pleasure.

I handed out lots of custom word art forms for people to use at a later time. It is also available online if you click on the Word Art link.

New Student Avoids Rainy-Day Outdoor Lesson

2011-06-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

I have several new photography students starting this week and next; and a few students who waited until the weather warmed to complete their classes. Today's new student won't be going outdoors as the first class is all about the camera and going through the owner's manual. Good thing because it looks like rain for most of the day.

I enjoy teaching photography and Photoshop. The look on a student's face when they tackle a subject is inspiration to me. The one-on-one classes are designed to accommodate a student's irregular schedule and stimulate a student's desire to learn. Assignments and personal instruction provide students with ample opportunity to explore and improve.

Though I can't control the weather, I can offer flexible scheduling to avoid cold, rainy days when we can't get out with the camera.

Sue Lukas Wins Another Award for her Fine-Art Prints

2011-06-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

Kenosha's Good Old Summertime art show awarded me first in the art category yesterday. My fine art print sales were as I'd hoped they'd be too. Thanks to a woman and her daughter who purchased 5 11x14s, and one each of Beech Leaves and Grape Bunch. The daughter needed some art on the walls in her apartment and liked my work. The mother then decided she wanted some new art in her place too.

Then the wind off the lake cooled off my booth, and the sun moved over to the west. Most visitors said it was too cool and moved on. My husband who helped me with the show wished he'd brought a sweatshirt along.

Next weekend - Hinsdale Art Show in Illinois. My art show schedule is available at www.window2wis.com/2010.html.

I was invited to exhibit my work at Hidden River Art Show for the first time. But I was also invited to the Rockford Art Show the same weekend. It was hard to chose because I've heard good things about both shows, but I've decided to attend the Hidden River Art Show in Brookfield, Sept. 16-18.

More Gift Ideas for June

2011-05-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

I try to make it easy on you. I offer a variety of products from photography classes to fine art. If you aren't sure what to give, get a gift certificate for classes or images.

Here are some other gift ideas for June:

Father's Day: Word Art for Dad has sold well at art shows, and it's only $15 unframed or $30 framed, shipping included. Other options might be your family's name. Click here for custom orders.

Graduations: Grad.2011
or your grad's name

Wedding gifts: the couple's name in a double size frame has been popular at art shows; or just the family's last name or http://www.window2wis.com/Images/word/est.jpg. But Est.2011 would work for someone buying a new home or someone establishing a business, too. Also consider Welcome, Home as gift ideas for a shower or wedding.

I've also had realtors come to me and say they like my work and will be ordering from me as gifts for home buyers. Your customer's last name, welcome or home would make awesome gifts. What a great idea, I told them. This would also work for interior decorators and contractors as well.

I will be attending 2 art shows in June. One next weekend in Kenosha at Civic Center Park, and then an art show in Hinsdale, IL the following weekend. These art shows will be good places to see Word Art and to place an order. Allow 2 weeks for proof and delivery. I also exhibit Word Art at Purloin Studio, Menomonee Falls; Sweet Lips, Lake Mills; Rock River Gallery, Jefferson.

My fine art prints are available at art shows and at these galleries: Whimsical Charm, Appleton, All That Pizzazz, Cedarburg and the Milwaukee Domes Gift Shop, Milwaukee.

So as I said, it's one stop shop at Window to Wisconsin.

Custom Word Art Makes a Great Gift

2011-05-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Need a special gift for graduation, wedding, engagement or other special occasion? I've got an easy solution for you. Go to my Web site and order a unique, custom name. It can be done with architectural or nature inspired letters or a mixture of both. A proof is provided, and it takes about 2 weeks to receive your order. It can be ordered framed or unframed.

New on the Web site

2011-05-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

GIFT CERTIFICATES Not sure what to buy for a special gift? Order a gift certificate. Call to place your order in any denomination you wish. I will promptly send your certificate, which may be used for prints or classes. Please allow one week turn around.

My Images Hang in Award-Winning Historical Reading Room

2011-05-05T04:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Wisconsin Historical Society for an Honor Award from the AIA Wisconsin. The remodeling of their reading room on the second floor of their historic building was recognized for outstanding achievement. The architect was Isthmus Architecture, Inc. Madison..

I recently received a tour of the remodeled space when I dropped off my framed prints that were purchased for private meeting rooms by the Wisconsin Historical Society . They selected Wintry Walk and Misty Fall Morning for these rooms.The purchase came through the Wisconsin Arts Board, Percent of Purchase program, which has been discontinued by Gov. Walker's budget cuts.

The room was long overdue for a remodel, according to Joe Kapler, of the Wisconsin State Historical Society. Now the gold leaf on the ornate high ceilings is restored. Computer and electrical have been upgraded, and many other improvements were made to the old space.

I have had several sales over the years through the Wisconsin Arts Board. Thank you to all of the people who chose my work to hang in their offices. It was a pleasure to work with all of you.

CoPA Member Show Exhibits Variety

2011-05-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

If you love photography, try to see the Coalition of Photographic Arts Member Show in its new location at the Mayer building across from the Milwaukee Public Market. The exhibit is open until May 21. I have two pieces from my light series in the show, and they are unlike anyone else's work.

This year I have several photographers I wish to mention in this review. I look for originality and mood, plus texture. For originality, find and observe Bill Mueller's Urban Entomology. He distorts urban scenes into bug shapes. He offers four small prints. My only complaint would be to see them larger. I also enjoyed Cardi Toellner's abstracts shot through glass and distorted in camera. The soothing colors and composition make her images stand outs.

For texture, I immediately liked John O'Hara's industrial scenes. I spoke to John about his images yesterday when we were gallery sitting. He is a former MJS staff photographer who does freelance photography of weddings and events. But his fine art factory shots impressed me for their composition and use of color. I was attracted to them and was pleased to meet him to discuss his work. CM Spears, whose images are hanging at the front of the show, are of dancers shot with low shutter speeds and blurred into graceful compositions. The textures are soft and dreamy.

For mood, I would like to mention Bob Israel's soft landscapes in muted tones. Like many of the photographers in the show, he chose black and white for one image. Tim Holte's ice wave smashing into the Lake Michigan shore reminds us of the rough winter just past. Judith Panozzo's woman standing on the back of a bike in stiletto heels caught everyone's attention, and was a big success.

I also liked Paul Matzner's black and whites of people caught unaware. These images reminded me of Saul Leiter for use of angles and composition or Andre Kertecz. They both liked to capture people from odd angles and use people as part of the composition, not necessarily the focal point. I liked the way his images stopped time like a frame from a movie captured and enlarged for the show.

And last I wish to mention Theodore Hamm's black and white waterfall Manabezho Falls and Byron Becker's landscapes for their technical excellence and use of textures in their black and white landscapes. Very well done!

There are many other fine photographers exhibiting a wide variety of styles. The show is free, and the hours are available on the CoPA Web site. You will find a link on the sidebar of this blog.

April Gallery Night

2011-04-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Little did I know when I posted a photo of rainy taillights that that would actually be the result last night. I stayed home due to the weather and the road construction, deciding to view the art offerings today. I hope you decide to do the same if you gave up on Gallery Night.

Some cold, windy weather yesterday. I was out in the morning with an advanced photo student at Lake Michigan. We practiced fast shutter speeds, composition and landscape techniques. We both had a good time and sometimes got a little wet from the mist of the waves crashing on the shore. The wind was heavy duty and made it difficult to use a long lens. A lightweight tripod would have been blown around and of little use.

I posted 5 photos of the waves on Facebook. This is my favorite. It captures a wave crashing on the shore, an angry curl and we are at eye level with the water. As I tell my students, try to tell a story with your images. I shot this with my Canon G11 that I carry with me. My shutter speed was 1/320 in TV. I adjusted the images slightly in Photoshop and resized for the Web.

Milwaukee Gallery Night is Opening Night for CoPA Member Show

2011-04-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Another Gallery Night is coming on Friday, April 15. Are you going to see the variety of work at venues scattered over the eastside?

I'll be at one of the locations with the CoPA member show. Since its beginning, the show was hosted at the PH Dye house, but it's moved. You will now find it in the vacant storefront in the Mayer building between Starbucks on Water St. and the Milwaukee Public Market.

I entered only 2 pieces this year of abstract landscapes created by combining several of my original photos. By playing with white balance on a rainy day and using a slow shutter speed, I was able to create the warm toned backgrounds for my images. It all started when I took this image above many years ago. Since then I've played around with my camera on rainy days.

My images hanging at the show are warmed-toned abstracts with the whimsical quality that I try to include in much of my work. I hope viewers enjoy the colors of my pieces, but also sense their calming qualities. For me they evoke peace and tranquility.

I'm hanging right at the front of the show between 2 black and white artists. I wonder if this was intentional. It will certainly offer a contrast for viewers. This member show is the largest ever, according to the organizer Geri Laehn who has taken on this project for many years. It's quite an undertaking, but she pulls it off every year. Any photographer or person interested in photography can join CoPA. The show is a mixture of pro and amateur photographers. The CoPA Web site has details. The link is on the sidebar.

This year for the first time, the show will stay up until May 21 and is open every day from noon - 9 p.m.

Brand Yourself In Five Words or Less

2011-04-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

I was just reading one of the many artist blogs out there on how to brand yourself. Define yourself or your brand will die, the site writer admonished. I went to another site that said in order to prosper as an artist, you must diversify. That seems to be two different messages, but if you think about it, it's really not.

Who am I at the core? I'm an photographer, graphic designer, teacher, writer and creative. From there I can combine and branch out from my skills and interests. I can do art shows, exhibit at galleries, teach classes in photography and Photoshop. I can combine those interests as I did with the Word Art, the black and white photo montages of shapes that resemble letters. I can go in other directions too and hope to add more to the story later.

One of my new directions: I am going to be the new graphic artist for the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Crafters, the group that hosts Art Fair Off the Square and the Winter Art Fair at Monona Terrace. I worked for many years as a graphic designer in print and Web for companies in the metro Milwaukee area. I continued with my graphic design work as a freelancer after I was laid off in 2009.

I also signed an agreement this week with Absolutely Art, an east-side gallery in Madison. I will be the featured artist in November. I will be exhibiting my fine-art digital photo collages framed and unframed. When I get the postcard, I will post it on here and on Facebook. Hope you can attend the Nov. 4 opening.

Thank You Stevens Point - Good bye Wisconsin Arts Board

2011-03-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

It's the end of March. It was cold in Stevens Point for the annual art show at the university. Snow on the ground from a recent storm made unloading for the show harder. But my resourceful friend Nancy brought a shovel and made a path to the sidewalk from the street.

We had a good spot: on the first floor, near the stairs. When people came down from looking at the art upstairs, they saw my work. And they bought! It was a great show. I told Deb Wolf, coordinator, that I hope to return again next year.

I had several ask me if I plan to return. I said it's up to the jurors.

If you are reading this blog, you must like my work. I can ask you for a little help then. Write to your state legislator and ask him to restore the Wisconsin Arts Board. It's vital to artists. They purchase art from Wisconsin artists to go into state facilities. They provide a yearly book in print and online of arts and craft shows. They do so much more to help artists in this state.

It's all going away under the new budget. If/when it gets out of court, the employees of that department have been reassigned to the department of tourism as soon as July. So send an e-mail or call and let them know you want the Wisconsin Arts Board to survive.

Thank You Green Bay

2011-03-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

My trip to Green Bay was great. The show was well attended, and people were excited about my word art and my new images. I was happy with my sales. We ate at Titletown Brewery both nights. The fish fry on Friday was excellent and the next night was good too. It was a very busy restaurant in downtown Green Bay, and we waited at the bar both nights for about a half hour before we were seated.. Our hotel was just across the bridge. I rode to the show and was next to Debbie Radke, who creates graceful copper garden sculptures. I now have one of her butterflies in my garden.

My next show will be on Sunday, Mar. 27 at UW-Stevens Point. I'm in booth 26, which is on the first floor. This was a good show last year with top artists from the region. I'm going to the show with Nancy, who has helped me at shows before and is a wonderful friend. Hope to see you there.

What is a juried art show?

2011-03-11T05:11:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, but the world of art shows is a very competitive place. There are many people vying for those spaces offered for sale to artists.Take for instance the Oconomowoc Art Show in August. The show offers 135 spaces for artists, but 500 artists may apply for the space because this art show is considered to be one of the best art shows in the state.

This little show in a park is considered to be one of the best shows in the state? Yes, it's highly competitive to get in. Many more artists are rejected from this show than are accepted.

How do they decide who is accepted or rejected? Artists submit images of their work through a Web site called Zapplication. On this Web site, artists also write something about themselves and pay the jury fee. Yes, artists pay to be reviewed for shows. This was once something that only top shows did, but now all shows using Zapplication charge a jury fees.

Artists apply to these shows by the deadline and then sometimes wait months before they know if they are in the show. You've heard the expression, you only have one chance to make a good impression? Well that idiom is driven home with art show applications.

How does an artist know which slides to submit? If you gather a group of artists who exhibit at art shows together and ask them for guidelines, you would find that they all have a different way of selecting their slides. Since those artists who jury the slides of applicants to art shows are human, they all have their ideas about the best images for this important presentation.

Many artists hire professional photographers to shoot their images for them. Others try to do it themselves to save money. But you really need to know what you're doing when you do this. How do you take an interesting photo that will catch the jury? If you are in the world of 3D art, this can be difficult. If you are exhibiting 2D art, you need even lighting or a digital file.

Then what? You need a master image from which you can take many smaller images to apply to a variety of art shows. But first, is the color correct? It looks OK on the monitor, but when you print it, it's not. Is it the right size for submitting to art shows? How do I resize? Can I adjust this image at all?

What software do you use to do this? Photoshop CS5 is one application that you can use. I teach a class for artists on how to prepare their files for Zapplication. If you would like more information about this class, you can go to my Web site. www.window2wis.com

Will this help you get into more art shows? It's hard to know. But more knowledge about how to prepare your Zapplication slides or slides for other shows is a good thing, right?

Unique Idea for Wedding and Graduation Gifts

2011-03-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

It's March and graduations are only two months away. Weddings happen any time of the year. Who do you know is graduating or getting married in 2011? Want to give them a gift that is truly unique? I've created word art that will remind the recipients for years of this happy milestone in their lives. It may be framed to hang on the wall or comes wrapped in plastic to protect it.
These word art are fun, distinctive and casual. Order them by clicking here.

Lake Boats Photo Exhibit, Grohmann Museum, Captures Life and Work on Ore Boats

2011-03-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

MSOE's Grohmann Museum, downtown Milwaukee's newest museum for working people, is hosting an exhibit called Lake Boats, a photo exhibit by Jim Brozek and Christopher Winters through April 3, 2011. Jim actually worked on the boats while they were docked during the winter and Christopher is the staff photographer at Discover World.

Their photos tell stories about a hard, dirty life on the giant ore boats that go from port to port on the Great Lakes. Yet in this hard, dirty working man's environment, they found beauty. They viewed these boats from the inside, which few have seen, and added to Milwaukee's story by documenting this aspect of harbor life. Jim's images are in black and white, shot with Tri-X, and are from many years ago. In difficult lighting conditions, he captured the gritty life of the boat worker. Christopher's images are in color and are more recent. Both express their feelings for these big ships while recording the work environment.

This was a great place to host this exhibit. I can't think of another venue in Milwaukee besides a union hall where this exhibit should be hung. I enjoyed the exhibit and recommend others pay the $5 to tour the exhibit and the museum, which is spread over several floors.

You're Invited!

2011-03-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

I've added some new images that I really like. Let me show them to you at one of the shows I have scheduled for this month: Arti Gras, March 12-13 in Green Bay and this show in Stevens Point.

Changes to Classes

2011-02-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

As I've gotten busier with galleries and classes, I've noticed an alarming trend among my students. They book a class then cancel a few days before the class is supposed to start. I've been going with the policy that when you agree to take the class verbally, you will show up and pay for it at the first class. I wished to keep things informal between teacher and student. This policy had worked well until recently.
I have to change that though so that I can better manage my time. Going forward, new students will be asked to fill out a contract and make a $50 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied to the cost of the class they wish to take. This doesn't apply to gift certificate students.
Wedding photographers already get a non-refundable deposit when booking events. This agreement is a great idea for both parties. Students will know exactly what to expect: dates, places, times and equipment needed. I will be fairly sure that I have a student at a certain time and will not book anything else.

Valentine's Day Offers Good News and Bad News

2011-02-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

Bad news first, I was sick and we didn't celebrate much.
Good news, the Wisconsin Arts Board will be purchasing five images from me for various locations around the state. This is an interesting program to work with. First you are juried in. Then you post eight images on their site and state agencies review your work and make purchases through them to hang in their offices. After the images are purchased, you add new artwork to your page on their Web site. So you may start the program only offering a few images, but as you sell your work over a two year period, you can refresh what's available.

With all that's going on in state government right now. I sure hope it's not one of the programs cut by Gov. Walker's ax. I understand the necessity to balance the budget and watch spending. But bring back jobs first, fill up the coffers of state government with income tax money and then decide what needs to be cut.

It's so simple. I guess I should have run for governor. (Just kidding) I must be delusional from my illness.

Order Gift Certificates for Classes and Prints for Valentine's Day

2011-02-07T15:58:00.000-08:00

They make great gifts for your special sweetheart. He/she loves photography, but needs some help going to the next level. Give a gift certificate. Your sweetheart has Photoshop on the computer, but finds it very difficult to use. I will demonstrate the basics in this 5-week class. Or order all three classes and save $70.

The gift certificate will be mailed to you within a day of when you place your order.
Classes are scheduled around the recipient's and my schedules.
Call to place your order by Friday and receive the gift certificate in time for Feb. 14.
Classes may be customized to fit the needs of the student and are one-on-one

Go to www.window2wis.com for more details and call to order your gift certificates for classes or prints.

Photography elitists debate the issues

2011-02-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile I will drop in on Eddee Daniels' insightful blog to see what's going on, not just in Milwaukee but around the country. His latest blog post is well-written and insightful, but doesn't answer many questions. To read his blog post on contemporary photography, go to this link.

It's confusing for collectors out there. They are afraid of digital, thinking that the print won't last as long as a traditional photo. They are now able to last longer than the traditional print. And I have to agree with Eddee's comments in his blog post. It's not the quality of the equipment, but the photographer that determines whether an image turns out or not. I've had a few students who come to me with the best equipment, but don't know how to use it. Or they are disappointed with the results.

An example? A student went on a trip to Alaska with his high-end DSLR camera and a whale breached right next to his boat. He got the shot, but had his shutter speed set too slow to stop the action. A disappointing blurred image resulted. So he decided to take a class so that next time he would know how to capture that special shot.

As I also tell my students, you seldom get the shot the first time. Take many images, walk around your subject, if possible, and remember your composition, lighting and what you are trying to say with your photo. If you want to be a point and shoot photographer, then taking my class is not for you.

Self Portraits Challenge Most; Offered on Site

2011-02-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Former students who took the second class mostly said that the second session, Self Portraits, was the most difficult. They get nervous about it. I explain that taking a self portrait is the same as taking regular portraits except you are using the timer. Most of the same rules apply. Try to tell us something about yourself; remember lighting and composition, two areas that you learned about in the first class. No nudity is allowed or expected.

Here is a Web site that I've followed off and on for years. The photographers this week were assigned self portraits.

http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/001055.php

How did they do? Could you do better? Send me your photos and I'll post them, if you dare.

A few loose ends

2011-01-30T08:59:00.000-08:00

Winter Festival turn out was great; it was well organized and publicized, but sales were much lower than expected for most artists. West Bend art lovers were appreciative, but mostly unwillingly to support the arts financially.

Here's a link I thought I posted last summer when I was in the Nicholet College, Northern National Art Competition this past summer, but I guess I forgot. Here is the link on Facebook to the images accepted into the show.

Think spring, groundhog. Can they find your hole under the snow?

February Sale on Classes

2011-01-26T05:04:00.000-08:00

During the month of February sign up for all three classes and Save!
That's eight sessions of photography and 5 sessions of beginning Photoshop CS5 class. That's 13 sessions for $600. You save $70, the price of a new battery and a basic tripod.
When you are finished with classes, you will know how to take a good photo, what is a good photo and how to adjust your photos in Photoshop. If you are a student looking to save money, I don't know how you could pass up this deal.
It's easy to sign up. Go to my Web site for all the details then give me a call or send me an e-mail to schedule your sessions.

Winter Arts Festival Saturday, Jan. 29

2011-01-23T07:52:00.001-08:00

It's a sure cure for the winter blahs and cabin fever. Come to the festival next weekend.http://www.washington.uwc.edu/events/arts-festival-artists.html

Just a few updates

2011-01-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

The redesign of my Web site is complete. I may have a few tweaks, but I like the brighter new look. I reorganized things a little bit. The blog link on the Web site is now on the artist and links pages.

Gallery night and day starts tomorrow. The CoPA exhibit at the Walker's Point Center for the Arts closes on Saturday. If you haven't gotten to the exhibit, it will soon be gone.

Next Saturday, I will be at UW-Washington County for the first art show there. It will be held in the gym. It's only a few weeks before Valentine's Day and this may be the place to pick up a special gift. I will be displaying my fine-art prints in various sizes and my new word art. (Examples of this are on my Web site.

Branch Leaf Blossom Photo Show Reviewed

2011-01-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Madison magazine editor Katie Vaughn stopped by the Arboretum this week to review the show. She described my image Misty Fall Morning as Impressionistic. Thank you. I would agree that the Impressionists are a definite influence. You can read the whole article at: http://www.madisonmagazine.com/Blogs/Liberal-Arts/January-2011/Cold-Comfort/

Absolutely Art, Madison, to Host my Photo Montages

2011-01-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

It was a busy week for me, and I loved it! First I went to Madison for the opening of Branch, Leaf, Blossom and received one of the top awards, then later in the week I moved my work to the new Purloin Studio. It's going to be a B I G change for this little space. Susan Corkum and her family have worked non-stop to take the space from a dilapidated TV repair shop into a gallery.

Yesterday I went back to Madison to delivery my image Daydreaming to the UW-Vet School, Tomography addition. Then met with Meghan from Absolutely Art who offered me a show in November, a great time of year to have a show. It's only the second week of 2011, and it's going great.

I'm excited about all the possibilities. Here is a new image I created at the end of last year called Tree Line. It's a combination of many photos blended to create a surreal nature image.

Top Honors Received at Branch, Leaf, Blossom

2011-01-10T04:54:00.000-08:00

My image, Misty Fall Morning, was select by juror William Guion for a top award at Branch, Leaf, Blossom. This is the first time I've enter a Center for Photography show in Madison. I was surprised to see how many people attended the exhibit. It was also a big show with many entries.

The juror said of my image, "Really good use of color and light. Everything is over emphasized for effect. You never know how far you can take an effect until you take it too far. I even like how the trees are floating toward the top of the image, adding an even more ethereal quality to the light. Really lovely."

The image has been called spiritual by others. The trees resemble figures walking towards the light. I shot this image many years ago in a park near Lake Michigan. Mist and fog are often seen here. I've always loved the dramatic light and the fall colors. The long shadows emphasize the vertical composition.

The show is open at the Madison Arboretum until mid Feb. Contact the Arboretum for times.

CoPA's New Web site is Available

2011-01-07T18:26:00.000-08:00

Milwaukee's Coalition of Photographic Arts has a new Web site at http://copamilwaukee.com.

You can read the article about the winners of CoPA's juried show.
http://copamilwaukee.com/article/1300-prizes-awarded-copa%E2%80%99s-midwest-juried-exhibition

Purloin Studio Owner Interviewed for Online Newsletter

2011-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Recently I sat in on an interview between Susan Corkum and a Patch newsletter correspondent. Here is the article the resulted. http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/purloin-studio-set-for-main-street-move

The Purloin will reopen Jan. 18. I will be adding new inventory and will be available at the gallery during that first week. I will be spending time gallery sitting and I have photography students on Saturday. Stop in and say hi.

Branch Leaf and Blosson Photo Show opens this Sunday in Madison

2011-01-03T05:42:00.000-08:00

New Years Photo Op on Milwaukee's Lakeshore

2010-12-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

Polar bears on New Year's Day at Milwaukee's Bradford Beach

This image is from 2 years ago when I was there.

Get there early to see the before people, find a spot near the edge of the water so that you can see them going under and their expressions.
They go in at noon, but some stay around afterwards.
Take a variety of lens for close and far away.
Meter on a medium tone and then set to manual mode so you can forget about your exposure and concentrate on catching the action.
Move around for a variety of shots.
Remember back up batteries for the cold weather and a hip flask to keep you warm
Shoot RAW if you know how to process your images so you can adjust for exposure issues later.

Have fun!

Kodachrome Processing Ends

2010-12-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you remember shooting film and slides. Kodachrome was the slide film most shooters used. Since digital came along, it had gone the way of the dinosaur. Here is an article from the New York Times about the last place to process Kodachrome in the U.S.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/us/30film.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=general

New Years Resolutions Time Again

2010-12-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

So are you one of those who make resolutions, then can't keep them? Get mad at yourself because you dropped the ball again?

I do the same. Every year I'm going to lose that 10 lbs., except most of the time I'd rather be sitting in front of the computer working on my montages than working up a sweat. Since they haven't made a treadmill with Photoshop on it yet, I am doomed to carry the extra weight.

Maybe you've stopped by an art show and seen me setting up my booth. That's a vigorous workout a few times a month. Maybe you've wondered how I do it. Many people have asked me that question. Well, I won't give away the mystery by telling you what I do. But I will offer you a way to learn something new, start a new hobby and improve your photography. Taking a class in photography or Photoshop, depending on your level, is a great way to start the new year.

It's an easy resolution to keep because classes are fun, you really learn a lot, and just think how you will impress your friends with your new accomplishment. Signing up for class is easy also. Just give me a call. I try to schedule photography classes during the day and Photoshop during the evening. Weekends are best for photo lessons as most students work first shift.

If this sounds like you, what are you waiting for?

MARN Artible Closes Tomorrow

2010-12-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

Unique, one-of-a kind gifts for your special someone can still be found at Artibles, the first-ever art and craft bazaar sponsored by MARN. Their new office at 54 & Vliet will be open one more day. Stop in before the holiday event closes. Some creative and colorful gifts will be found, especially prints and word art.

Read the fine print before entering a print into a photo contest

2010-12-18T13:45:00.000-08:00

http://naturography.com/photo-contests-to-avoid/
A friend on Facebook posted this link to a blog where the hosts of the photo contests decide to keep your image and all rights to it. Nasty! You lose your rights to your own work? Be warned. Those photo contests are out there.

Holiday Gift for You

2010-12-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

Feel free to use this image to send to your friends as an e-card. Just add that it belongs to Susan Lukas.
I hope you have a great holiday and happy new year.
Thanks for reading this blog and I hope you come back in 2011.

Holiday Spirit Moves Photographers to Donate

2010-12-09T06:07:00.000-08:00

I was just on Kevin J. Miyazaki's blog and saw his link to collect.give, a Web site where professional photographers are selling limited-edition prints. The money collected will be donated to charities selected by the artists. I hope you stop by to see the donated art of these photographers and also to bid on a print. Some of the editions are already sold out, but some, like Kevin's print, are still available.

Just a reminder that I am giving away a print on Dec. 15. Go to my Facebook page for details or scroll through this blog. Send me an e-mail after you have completed one small task and you will be entered into the drawing for a limited-edition print of one of my best selling images. Some day I may donate a print to an organization such as collect.give. I've always been involved with a few charities. First I would like more people to know about me and my images.

Cold Weather Drains Your Battery Faster

2010-12-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

Bring a second battery if you go out to take photos of our first snowfall. Cold weather will drain the juice out of your battery fast. Going from warm car to cold air will make your lens fog over, and use a tripod, but take the time to level it in the snow. Dawn at Lake Michigan with the sun shining through the fog rising from the warmer water is a beautiful sight. Might even be worth leaving your warm bed for the trip to the beach in December. Or you could go to the Domes and take photos for your Christmas card. Stay warm!

Honorable Mention Awarded

2010-12-03T18:41:00.000-08:00

My piece, Planet Light, received honorable mention in the 4th juried CoPA show tonight. It really stood out from the mostly black and white show with its bright colors. The room was packed with visitors who wished to hear Natasha Egan discuss her choices for the exhibit. The show is hanging at the Walkers Point Center for the Arts, 839 S 5th St., Milwaukee until the end of January. I'm thrilled to have won this award considering the talent that I saw in the show.

Photoshop and Photography Gift Certificates Available

2010-11-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Gift Certificates are available for classes or for prints.
Did a phriend see one of my prints at a show this summer, but didn't have the cash? Give them a gift certificate to help with the purchase.

Know a budding photographer who wants to take lessons in photography or PhotoShop? Give them a gift they will never phorget. Help them to become better photographers. They will learn about light, composition and depth of phield. Their portraits will improve. (You'll like that, especially if you are the subject.) No more washed out faces, cropped heads or blurry captures.

Has this budding photographer already taken the beginning class and wants to learn more about PhotoShop? This class will show them how to touch up and play with their photos. It's the next step to becoming a great photographer.

Call 414 331-1644
They come in any denomination you choose
I'll require credit card info and
Then I'll mail you the gift certificate
Good for one year from the date of purchase
Questions? Give me a call

You're Invited!

2010-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

MARN Artibles Officially Opens on Black Friday

2010-11-20T05:31:00.000-08:00

I dropped off a box at MARN last night for ARTibles and picked up my large work from the photo salon. I took in Christmas cards, which I have posted on my Facebook site with a link to Fine Art America so that they can be ordered and printed easily. I have 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 unframed prints, all at a discount from summer shows. And I've also included words from a project that I've been working on this past fall.

Here is an example. These affirmations are also at Purloin Studio, Menomonee Falls, and I made some cards for there also. Some have already sold. If you would like many cards to send out, I would order them soon from Fine Art America. It takes about a week to receive your order. Price for one card is the same at all venues.

I will also have cards, prints and affirmations at the Domes next Saturday. So nice to see my Sunflower on the flier. Here is the info for that show.

One Dollar Off Admission With Coupon

2010-11-17T08:25:00.001-08:00

31ST ANNUAL

Shorewood

Arts &Crafts Fair

Sunday, December 5, 2010

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SHOREWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

1701 East Capitol Drive Shorewood

120+ Juried Midwest Artists

Silent Auction & Raffle BasketsPoinsettia Sale

Bake Sale & Beverages Greyhound Café Luncheon Faire

Greyhound Logo Sportswear Sale

$4 Admission

Proceeds benefit ALL Shorewood Athletic Programs!

$1 OFF this admission with this coupon

SPONSORED BY SHOREWOOD BOOSTER CLUB

Accepted into Branch, Leaf, Blossom Photo Show, opening Jan. 9, 2011

2010-11-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

I was accepted into Branch, Leaf, Blossom, a juried photographic exhibition by the Center for Photography, Madison. The exhibit at Steinhauer Trust Gallery at the UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway in Madison, WI, will have its opening reception on Jan 9, 1:30-3:30 pm. The show is up until Feb. 25. Three of my pieces were accepted: Misty Fall Morning, Wintry Walk and one of my new photos from the Panning Series, see above.

Another Show Added This Holiday Season

2010-11-12T14:14:00.001-08:00

Going to be a busy holiday this year! Just added the ARTibles show at MARN, which opens on Friday after Thanksgiving at the new MARN headquarters at 54th & Vliet. Here's a link to all that's going on.

New Venue Added

2010-11-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

I now have 8x10 prints at All That Pizzazz in Cedarburg. It's near the mill in downtown.
http://www.facebook.com/susanlukas.digitalartist

I will be up at the Purloin Studio, Menomonee Falls on Saturday from 3-5 lowering my prices on my prints. My 8x10 prints will all be $21; 11x14 prints $36; framed 11x14 $76. This special price will run through December. 16x20 prints unframed will be $72 and framed will be lowered too. I also have a surprise that I'm bringing to the gallery that day. Stop in and say hello.

MARN Peer Review Scheduled for Today

2010-11-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

MARN Salon for Photographers will be available until Friday, Nov. 19, but this morning the artists will discuss their work and listen to critiques of their work at the MARN facility, 5407 Vliet St., Milwaukee. This peer review will go from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

I will also be participating in a variety of events this month and next:

Milwaukee Domes Gift Show, Saturday, Nov. 27

CoPA Juried Photography Show Opening, Friday, Dec. 3 at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts. The show is up until Jan. 15, 2011. Planet Light was selected by juror Natasha Egan, Associate Director and Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College, Chicago.

Shorewood High School Arts and Crafts Holiday Show, Sunday, Dec. 5

Beginning Photoshop classes are now offered. Go to my Web site and click on the link for details.

Deer Entertaining With Frisky Dance

2010-10-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

Last week while walking in a Milwaukee County park, I saw the most unusual young deer. He appeared tame and walked behind some people as they walked through the park. I walked towards them, and the deer ran down into a shallow ditch while I stood on a bridge. I tried taking photos of his antics, but he was moving too fast in the shade to capture anything but blurs. So I switched to video on my Canon G11.Here is what I captured.

After he was done with his performance, he needed a drink of water and walked to the far end of a pond. I walked the other way to look at the fall leaves and then walked back towards him. He was calm and in the sun/shade so I was able to capture some nice images of him. I used one of these photos to create this montage. He was a young buck with only nubs for horns. No mother present that I could see.

Sometimes you get a gift, and this was one of those times.

Enter to win an 11x14 print of Forest

2010-10-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Go to
http://www.window2wis.com/susanportfolio.html
I put this portfolio together and hope that you will send it on to10 or more people for me.
Ask them to go to this link. After you've done this, let me know. I will enter you into the drawing for the 11x14 print of Forest, the print you see above. You can also do this through my Facebook page. Go to www.facebook.com/susanlukas.digitalartist
Thanks for you help, Sue

Upcoming Art Shows Scheduled

2010-09-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mt. Mary Starving Artist Show
Sunday, Sept. 12
10 am - 6 pm

I hope to see you there. I will be offering some deep discounts on framed and unframed prints.

I canceled the Rockford Art Museum on Sept. 18-19. The economy is influencing my choice of shows.

I was also juried into the St. James Court Art Festival in Louisville, Oct. 1-3, and I canceled that show too.

I added one Christmas show, maybe 2. Sunday, Dec. 5, Shorewood High School Arts & Crafts Fair.

Milwaukee Domes First Art Festival Successful

2010-08-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

I was so glad to be included in the first Milwaukee Domes Art Festival. It was a wonderful location, and several people mentioned that to me. My shady spot on the end of a row of artists was cooler than other booths. I hope to have the same spot next year.

If you didn't make it out to the Domes this weekend, you missed some wonderful, high-quality art. Nancy is modeling the necklace we found in Kate Qualley Peterson's booth, not far from my booth. Nancy and I both took home some of her jewelry.

Next to me was Shelley Rosenquist, a pastel artist. I had one of her small tulip drawings already, and I love the colors and lines of her work. Directly across from me was Bill Lemke with his black and white/color photos shot with a large format camera. He won an award. His photography is very different from mine so it was a good placement.

Next year promises to be another great show with award winners returning and new artists applying for booths in this juried fine-art show.

If you can't make it to Mount Mary's yearly art show on Sunday, Sept. 12, my small unframed prints are available in the Domes Gift Shop. Several of my small prints of Wisconsin scenes were purchased. They are matted to fit an 8x10 frame.

In another note, you might have noticed that I haven't posted to this blog much lately. I post mostly on Facebook these days. And will be adding photos and commentary there.

Computer Repair Accomplished

2010-07-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

New hard drive required to get back up. Still trying to replace all the software lost. Calls to Dell, Adobe and Microsoft were placed, and CDs or other problems fixed. It's been stressful to lose the use of this computer. For someone who grew up without a computer or cell phone, these things have become very important to me.

No new photos at this time. I'll be updating some blogs soon and working to finish other projects delayed by this bump (not sinkhole) in the road.

Link to Facebook Page

Computer Down and out for Repairs

2010-07-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

AAAhhh! I miss my computer! It's been down since last Monday and I want it back. It's pretty heavy duty, I found out,. But when I ordered it two years ago, I wanted the best to handle my heavy-duty graphics. I think Windows failed on the computer for some reason.

And it was hard to find someone to repair it. I took it to a friend's son and he didn't have the cable to hook up the monitor. I took the computer to someone named William Henrickson my husband found on Craigs List and he said he fixed it. But after we brought it home and hooked it up, it was much worse than before. We had been going to chk disk/f repairs for awhile, but after he looked at it, it went to config/sys corrupted or missing. I sure can't recommend his services. He refused to look at it again and hung up on me. Charged us $50 for his services. Cash only. He didn't want to give me a receipt.

So I took it to another place in Shorewood that wasn't washed away by the floods. They will look at the computer and charge me $75 for a diagnostic. They called this morning to say they didn't have the cable to hook up the monitor either. Could I bring them the cable? I said no. It's an hour round trip from my house to the business. Well we don't have the cable and will have to charge you extra for that.

Hmmm, you don't have the tools you need to do the job and I get charged extra for that? Is this a professional repair place? I thought it was. I recommended that they buy the cable and keep it on hand. When the bill comes, something may hit the fan.

This whole process has been frustrating. I went to Milwaukee PC with a computer once. Their remedy was to hold the computer for 2 weeks because they were so busy, and all they did was wipe the hard drive. I had to reinstall everything. I'm trying to avoid this, but I may end up going back to them.

Appleton Art in the Park was this weekend. Due to the heavy rains, they joked that it should be Art Around the Park. Artists set up on the streets around the park and were not allowed to set up in the park.. It was a beautiful day for an art show. People showed up, but sales were much less than expected. I have started calling this the pulling teeth art show as I've run into many this year like this. People have a print in their hands that they want to buy. They change their minds and walk away. It's like pulling teeth to get people to part with their cash.

I usually don't have the opportunity to ask them their reasons. I'm talking to someone else and I've left them to look through my prints. I turn around, and they are gone.

OK enough venting and complaining. If anyone has read this far, I thank you.

New Photo Posted

2010-07-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a new image that was created in Photoshop with several photos and Photoshop filters. I call it Planet Lite.

Thank you Madison!

2010-07-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

Off the Square, Madison, was a great show for me this past weekend! The weather cooperated (mostly). Customers were excited about my work and showed their appreciation by purchasing.

I look forward to participating next year way down at the end of the show on Olin Terrace.

My next show is on Sunday, July 25, Appleton. It's my first time at this show, but I've heard from other artists that Appleton people really support this event. It's the weekend before the EAA, Oshkosh so there are a few out-of-towners.

In the past few years, I've exhibited at the Lake Mills Art show. That is this upcoming weekend. I decided not to attend this year, but may return next year.