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The 390 Photo students recently took a trip to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to visit the “Picturing the Artist” exhibit.  The gallery will be on display from now to July 2012; you’ve got plenty of time, but be sure to check it out!

Picturing the Artist brings together several photographic portraits of and by some of the twentieth century’s most important and celebrated artists. Ranging from Walker Evans’ sensitive portrait of writer James Agee to Bruce Davidson’s portrait of Andy Warhol in his studio, and Arnold Newman’s striking view of modern dancer Martha Graham to Josef Breitenbach’s engaging encounter with writer James Joyce, this permanent collection exhibition highlights a diverse group of artists, including painters, sculptors, writers, dancers and photographers.In addition, self-portraits by Lee Friedlander and Imogen Cunningham are included as are portraits of Kenneth Callahan, Jacob Lawrence and Mark Tobey photographed by Northwest photographer, Mary Randlett. This exhibit offers a wonderful look at a number of artists whose images have been captured on film. ~ Marisa C. Sánchez, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

While in Seattle, the class also got to tour the home/studio of fine art photographer Adrain Chesser.  Visit his homepage, http://adrainchesser.com/large/default.aspx, to view some of his work.

I have lied, cheated, and stolen so I could feel the erotic rush of watching an image magically appear on what was a blank piece of paper. I’m learning to cast “in” demons. I’ve always felt I would do almost anything to know the power of holding a split second in my hands, and look at it as long and as lovingly as I care to, to capture something as elusive as an emotion, and to feel the power of that emotion possess me each time I look at it. To feel the electric jolt of telling a lie convincingly and above all else, to experience the awe-inspiring, god-like power of creating and witnessing a truth. ~ Adrain Chesser, Professional Photographer