Well, my first solo exhibit, heck, the first public showing of any of my work aanywhere, opened last night at Ketchikan, Alaska's Main Street Gallery.  I am amazed, pleased, and humbled to report that it was a resounding success.  Hundreds of people showed up for the event, and a quarter of my framed pieces, plus some unframed prints, sold during the opening.  Darn near every photographer of note in the area stopped in to wish me well and see my work, as well as others in the arts community, and a healthy dose of art appreciators and supporters from the general public.  My employers hosted the hors d'oeuvres (plus other some dishes brought in by friends), so there was a mountain of food.  I had two Triscuits and one of whatever those tasty things were that my coworker and friend Naomi brought in, before the attendees began arriving and I lost sight of the tables until they were empty.  It was a treat for me to see so much of my work actually off the computer, printed, framed and displayed, let alone to be able to share it with my hometown.  I really considered myself an "unkown", but apparently I miscalculated a little .  The success of the evening exceeded my wildest expectations, everything that could go right did go right and I am still floating on a cloud.  Somebody pinch me!

A wonderful capper, I must say, to what has been a couple of really busy weeks.  I had ordered my prints in through my website from MpixPro, and was amazed at the quality and the speed with which the order arrived.  I ordered them about 10 pm on a Wednesday night, and they arrived at my work Friday of the same week during my lunch hour.  Pretty impressive service all the way to Alaska, where an additional day or two is the norm.  My frames were ordered through Amazon to be sent to a barge lines in Seattle, and arrived right on time and undamaged.  The pieces that needed unique mats cut, plus one piece that needed mats and framing beyond my skills, were done locally by Starboard Frames and gifts, with plenty of time for hanging in the show.  In the midst of hanging the show, I fit in a short visit to the local public radio station (KRBD) for a couple of words during their weekly Arts Report (link here if you're interested--I enter the show at about 10 minutes into the report), and a little longer interview on our AM station KTKN's First City Forum talk show (sorry--no link!).  The Ketchikan Daily News staff photographer, Hall Anderson, stopped by during the show hanging to photograph me at work on the show, and I understand I'll be interviewed and featured in the next Ketchikan Daily News Weekend Edition's Art Scene insert.

On April 17th, I'll be setting up my home PC plus a large monitor or projector from work, and giving a free and open to the public demonstration at the gallery of my workflow.  There have been numerous questions as to what HDR is, how stitching works, and other technical stuff, that it only seemed appropriate that I go through my workflow and stick around for Q&A from the community that has done so well for me.

Many thanks to all those here on deviantArt who have been so kind with their comments and support while I've worked on my craft, and also many thanks to the well-wishers who've encouraged me during my preparations for this first exhibit of my work.   Though I doubt they'll see this journal on deviantArt, I like to take every opportunity to thank Kathleen, Anita and especially Fawn, of the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council for their support, encouragement, and hours of work making my humble little snapshots look their very best.

I will update this journal with a link to photos of the event when KAAHC posts them to their website.  I'd post them here, but I'm unfamiliar with proper protocol and contractual obligations while my show is hanging on their walls.  I've also turned off all my print sales, and put a note on my website that all print sales through April 27 will be made through the Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council's Main Street Gallery.

It's a gorgeous afternoon here in southeast Alaska, and if I don't get out now and go shoot some photos, I'll kick myself all next week.  Take care, All, and go create some art!