June, 2024 Newsletter

Fine Art Photography

June, 2024

I am enamored with the beginning of summer; the days are long and the air is filled with energy. This week, the fireflies have emerged from the tall grasses to set the fields aglow in the dusky evenings.

Crab Apple Blossoms, May

8x9-inch Silver Gelatin Holga Print, 2019

The academic year has concluded and with it, my teaching stint at Champlain College. To read “Long Live the Darkroom, a Farewell,” my reflection of 19 years of film photography classes, published in Chivomengro, the student-run online newspaper, click HERE.

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I will be presenting at the next PechaKucha Night in Burlington on Thursday, June 13. “Artistic Inheritance, Father & Son” will plumb how my father’s legacy as an artist and the clearing of his house and studio has inspired me and my current art projects. There will be 9 other presenters, covering a range of topics. I hope to see you there!

My father, artist Stephen Douglas, is featured in the July, 2023 Newsletter.

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I am pleased to share that I have been selected by Black & White Magazine for an artist spotlight. A portfolio of my photography with an accompanying essay will be published in an upcoming issue. More details soon!

During the magnificent total solar eclipse on April 8, I turned my cameras away from the sky and used a kitchen colander to project images of the occluding sun over photographs of family members who have died. I shot on b+w film with a 35mm Nikkormat and a medium format Holga. The rolls are processed and I will soon produce darkroom prints.

Phone capture of the solar eclipse cast over an analog print of my father as a boy beneath his cremated ashes.

I had the pleasure of participating in this year’s Plex Arts Festival in the north end of Burlington, Vermont, as a “Press Photographer" documenting the evolving interactive project of Kevin Donegan with a cardboard camera that housed my iPhone. Kevin invited Plex goers to paint and draw on his his entire outfit–cowboy hat, face mask, purse, gloves, shoes and all–with whatever they felt inclined to express. By the end of the night, his character was covered in other people’s art. To see my photographs of the creative transformation, go the 2024 tab on Kevin’s website, where he will be adding Plex images.

With artist Kevin Donegan at Plex Arts Fest, May 25

Below are images of the 10 framed prints commissioned by Jeff and Kris Clarke, now hanging at the Edelweiss Mountain Deli in Stowe, Vt. I am honored to be included in their extensive display of original art. Make sure to take a look when you stop by to enjoy their fine food and beverage selection.

Selections from “My Father’s Things” and “Of Gavin”

8x10-inch Silver Gelatin Prints, 2024

In Memoriam: Gregg Blasdel

Gregg in Sloane Hall

Silver Gelatin 4x5-inch Contact Print. 2011

I had the great fortune of meeting Gregg Blasdel in December, 2003, when he attended an art opening of my recent work in Burlington, Vermont. Gregg was an associate professor of art at Saint Michael’s College, in charge of hiring a photography professor for the newly created darkroom, and kindly encouraged me to apply for the job. I had been teaching evening and summer darkroom courses at the University of Vermont, doing carpentry on the side, and looking for more steady teaching work. Although I didn’t have an M.F.A., Gregg saw me as the right fit. I’ve been teaching at St. Mike’s ever since, and will always feel grateful for his support.

Gregg’s printmaking classroom was just down the hall and through the drawing studio from my classroom in the old art building at historic Fort Ethan Allen. The walls were lined with beautiful printed portraits by an outstanding former student, and his classes were brimming with Gregg’s infectiously playful spirit. I cherish the time I shared in Sloane Hall with Gregg, before his retirement in 2012.

Visits with Gregg and his wife, artist and framer Jennifer Koch, typically centered around delightful home-cooked meals. Last year, Jennifer and I shared an exhibition, “(extra)ordinary”, at Burlington’s New New Art Studio. Jennifer showed a selection of “Constructions” and I showed “My Father’s Things, Contact Grids” for the first time.

Gregg was a man of many hats. Aside from being an accomplished artist and educator, Gregg was an art historian and writer who specialized in self-taught artists. To read a 2021 Kohler Foundation Spaces interview, Click Here.

Gregg Blasdel died on June 6. I think fondly of his soft Kansas lilt, his subtle and wry wit, and his warm and generous heart. My life is richer for having known him.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

“Images of Havana” at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport

Through June 17, 2024

Burlington International Airport

11x14-inch Silver Gelatin Lith Prints, 2015

The 14 lith prints from my “Images of Havana” series at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport will be coming down on Tuesday, June 18.

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“Wheels” at the Museum of Everyday Life

Glover, Vermont

Through July, 2024

My Father’s Things, Contact Quad #13

8x10-inch Archival Inkjet Print, 2023

My piece above, was created for the wonderfully varied MOEL exhibition, which navigates all things rolling and turning. When you visit this unique museum, be sure to explore the permanent collection–where you can see two analog photographs of my father’s house, from last year’s exhibition, “Coming Clean”.

THIS MONTH’S PRINTS FOR SALE

One of each of these specially priced, signed and wrapped prints is available, on a first-come basis, and can be window-matted for an additional cost. To purchase, click on the image. Visit the website Store Page to see additional prints for sale. Please email with questions, comments, or to inquire about any images: jordan@jordandouglasphotography.com

Vines on Vinyl

11x12-inch Silver Gelatin Lith Print, 2010

$225

My Father’s Pencils

8x10-inch Silver Gelatin Print, 2023

$125

IN THE VIEWFINDER

Summer brings space in my schedule to create, outside of carpentry projects and a couple weeks of teaching darkroom photo camps through Burlington City Arts. I will have time to make darkroom and inkjet prints of new work and I will pick up shooting rolls of my father’s things for new contact grids, as well as expand on shooting my mother’s things.

Whenever possible, I intend to take out storage boxes of my dad’s drawings, watercolors, and oil paintings to organize and make digital files of his most important work. I have a long way to go in preserving his art and moving toward creating exhibitions.

In the next newsletter, I’ll have more details on the Black & White Magazine spotlight, a link to the archived PechaKucha presentation, and news on upcoming projects and exhibitions.

Happy Solstice!

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Previous Newsletters:

September, 2023

Contact: jordan@jordandouglasphotography.com

jordandouglasphotography.com