I’ve donated this print to benefit Sendai, Japan. It will be available at The Kona Gallery in San Clemente, California this Saturday April 16, 2011. I have extended family just outside of Tokyo, so it’s also a personal uplifting thing for me to do.

412 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rebekah Colby, Corporate Communications

Office: +1.949.481.3747
Fax:     +1.949.481.3941

Email: Rebekah@TheKONAGallery.com

9.0 JAPAN QUAKE BENEFIT: IMC, ZUMA + SAN CLEMENTE MERCHANTS TEAM UP

Silent Auction and Raffle at Free Event
SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.–– The KONA Gallery invites you to a silent auction and raffle to raise money for the victims of the Sendai area earthquake and tsunami. Join us at The KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Center at 412 North El Camino Real, San Clemente, U.S., on Saturday April 16^th from 6p.m. until 9p.m. to participate in this cause and to be apart of a silent auction/raffle and general event to remember and benefit the victims.

It has been a month since the devastating 9.0 earthquake and ensuring deadly tsunami hit Japan. The fallout is still being felt worldwide. International Medical Corps, ZUMA Press, DOUBLEtruck Magazine, plus over two dozen merchants in San Clemente area have teamed up with the KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Workshop Center to throw a benefit for the victims. The benefit will auction and raffle off over $100,000 worth of goods and services.

Scott Mc Kiernan, owner of The KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Center, has generously donated all of the Limited Edition DOUBLEtruck Magazine prints in the current exhibition of 29 Seeing Double Exhibition, the 20×30 prints are framed in museum frames, valued at $1,500 each, to be auctioned off, totaling over $ 43,000 worth. A great way to support the cause and get a beautiful photograph that tells a story that people should know.

The night is one you are not going to want to miss. The following is a list of the San Clemente companies who have contributed to the silent auction: Del Mar Beauty Supply/ Salon Bamboo, Chin’s Acupuncture, 5 Elements Spa, Sonny’s Pizza, The Cellar, Peligroso, Pizza Port, Bliss Boutique, San Clemente Wine Co, Beachfire, Skullcandy, Rainbow, Casa Tropicana, Nick’s, Hobie, Asana Fit, First Team Real Estate, Runmore, OltreMare, OC Tykes, Beach City Florist and St. Roy at Vine.

If you cannot attend in person, feel free to send a check to the gallery, put in memo: Quake Benefit.

100% of the proceeds will go to Japan, through International Medical Corps and ZUMA Press’s Tokyo Bureau. For more information about the silent auction and The KONA Gallery, please contact Rebekah Colby at +1.949. 481.3747 or email Rebekah@TheKONAGallery.com.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS ––Established in 1984, International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

THE KONA GALLERYAND PHOTOJOURNALISM CENTER––Unveiled on October 7, 2009 by photojournalist and entrepreneur, Scott Mc Kiernan, The KONA Gallery is a space dedicated to the presentation and discourse of photojournalism. The vision of The KONA Gallery has been to expose a broad audience to moving historical moments through the lens of acclaimed photographers. The center will be holding exhibits in its’ two galleries and a monthly lecture series will be held in the BIG WEDNESDAY Gallery, along with workshops thru out the year and other educational presentations.

Japan Quake Tsunami Benefit - The Kona Gallery

I just found this. I used google translator for that link, the text is all in Swedish. Ralf Stelander of 1x.com mentioned me talking about his site. Thought that was nice. Thanks Ralf.

I’ll be in their soon to be released collective book this year with my image Solar Energy with the amazing model, Jazmine Dominique. I’ll announce it again once it’s been published.

Solar Energy - @2007 Zoe Wiseman - Model: Jazmine Dominique

The My Art series that I was selected for showed on Ovation TV today. Here is the YouTube video. Enjoy!

Scott Sheppard from Inside Analog Photography asked for an interview a couple months ago and I was happy to give it. Nervous because I don’t normally like to talk – I hate my voice – but thankfully I didn’t annoy myself as much as I thought I would. What a relief! Thanks Scott! I think he asked some great questions and enabled me to give a good interview because of it. Inside Analog Photography is a gem of a Podcast. So many great interviews with some of today’s most recognized photographers. I’m honored to be amongst them all. If you love photography, even if you shoot digital, you should subscribe. There’s a wealth of information inside this podcast. You can hear me directly here – CLICK! And you can visit Inside Analog Photography’s website and I’ll be there soon too.

Please enjoy a photo from my last shoot in the desert with Meghan Claire. I have to work with her again soon. She’s amazing.

Sublime Nude, Model: Meghan Claire @ 2010 Zoe Wiseman

The le Nu LA show took off without me, but this video shows my image I made of Rei on the wall – the Quadtych! I wrote the forward for the book and the show, curated by Astor Morgan, was a big success! Thank you to everyone at A&I again and to Astor. I missed the big opening night to be with my family for my grandfather’s funeral.

I was gone for a couple weeks down south, New Orleans to be exact. It was good to be home. It was sad knowing that they’re going through yet another tragedy. I went down to Venice, Louisiana so I could see the marshes and swamps one last time before they become a dead zone. I’m crying as I’m typing this. I can’t express how much I love Louisiana in words. I became who I am today there. I feel the hurt. Tragic beauty. That’s my city. Chicago doesn’t know the Blues like New Orleans does. Life is cheap there, and at the same time the most valuable commodity on earth. I don’t know why they always have the world punch them like it does, but as I’m trying to think on the positive side of things, their artistic expression wouldn’t be the way it is without all this tragedy. It doesn’t make it good, the people do. They are some of the strongest people in heart that I know. And their pain is my pain. And as the oil is starting to reach the shores of Pesacola, Florida tonight, I feel their pain too. I spent many days on those beaches. Knowing there’s no hope is absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t even begin to speak about the animals suffering or … I’ll end it there. Everyone please keep these people in your hearts. Let’s make them even stronger and more resilient.

Venice, Louisiana marsh land @2010 Zoe Wiseman

Egret @2010 Zoe Wiseman

So I did what I griped about a few months back and entered a contest. But, it was a FREE contest and all the submissions were all posted online so everyone could see them. So it felt a bit more INNOCENT and fun, instead of someone collecting money from artists, then turn around and use their images commercially to advertise collecting even more money from artists. yeah. I guess that’s my beef with most “contests.” But, when Ovation TV announced they were having a contest for their community members and we had to upload our work to a discussion board so all was on display, that really seemed more enthusiastic. And they aren’t making money off of me either. Bonus. And it all paid off when I won. HOW FUN! A real legitimate contest that doesn’t make money from artists. Kudos Ovation TV!

It was for their Framed Art Race 2010 and we had to upload cell phone images. Since all I’ve been doing lately is taking pictures with my iPhone it was a logical thing for me to do. So I won their contest and my iPhone image of Rei will be featured on TV in about 4 weeks. Coincidentally, Rei will also be the photograph in leNuLA @ A&I on May 27. In Rei’s words, “The universe has made it clear that it likes it when we hang out and you take pictures.” I have to agree. Thanks Rei!

Rei in a Bowl

I shared the same sentence with Bunny Yeager and Helena Christensen, under a line about Beautiful People.

I hope Marilyn Manson is laughing at me. I kid. I kid.

Even though I may not agree with the tone of the article, speaking poorly about “shooting someone who’s about to die will make you famous” and the accident thing, it is cool sharing a sentence with these awesome ladies.

I’m not where ever this guy thinks I am on accident. My path has been very intentional and deliberate. Or, the notion of just being beautiful and all… I’ve kind of worked really hard… and I still feel like I’m working really really hard and climbing uphill most of the time. There’s never been a plateau. Or a feeling of coasting.  So, hmm. Contemplating what was said and not sure I quite grasp it.

On Saturday April 24, 2010 from 11AM – 12:30PM I will be discussing print quality  during  MOPLA - Month of Photography Los Angeles. This is part of the Fresh Fairs Discussions. Click here for the Calendar!

Admission: $10.00 General Admission, $5.00 for Lucie Members and Students

Location: Pier 59 Studios – 2415 Michigan Avenue (off Cloverfield Boulevard), Santa Monica, CA 90404

You can find out a little more about the Fresh Fairs discussions here.

Thank you to some sites out there promoting my book and my show!

Thank you to Zlick!

Thanks to Pix Feed LA!

Thanks to Tongue in Cheek, So Chic!

Thanks to Photo Crew!

Thanks to the Examiner!

A&I has posted my exhibition online on their website. You can see all of my prints here.

The Weingart Center also posted a wonderful webpage about my show on their website. I’m really looking forward to helping the homeless on Skid Row.

Coma - @2008 Zoe Wiseman - model: Ivory Flame

2009 was rather good to me. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, and there are a lot of people out there I send my love to and thanks. You all know who you are… and there are so many of you I don’t think I could begin to name each one of you or I would be here till next year! Yes… I’m that thankful and that graciously overjoyed that you are all in my life.

In these troubled times of economic crisis and the loss of work of so many people around the world, 2010 really should be a time to come together and stand by one another in order to better all of our lives. I’ve been trying to do my part within the art community by building bridges and creating opportunities for not only myself, but for all the friends who share my love of photography. I was able to do this several times in 2009. I feel honored to have contributed to connecting people and hopefully leaving them with a bright spot when they look back upon the year in reflection.

January 2009 started out working with the Palm Springs Photo Festival producing all the workshops and organizing all of those days. Finding talent and assistants and working with some quite amazing photographers helping them get their classes off without a hitch. I got to meet some of my favorite photographers, Greg Gorman, Steve McCurry and Duane Michals and help them produce an outstanding workshop program for their students. It wasn’t all fun and games at times because it was a lot of work, but it was a great experience that I’ll always look back on and smile at. A bright spot.

I launched ARTnudes Network in June – A Networking/blogging website for models, photographers, painters, sculptures and sketchers – Mostly fine art nude photography, but all artists are welcome to jump in as long as it’s art related. I’ve had this concept on hold for so many years and it is amazing to finally get it going and see so many people connecting with each other. There are still many things to do with it and it will be done! It’s intended for serious artists, and artists who want to be serious.

In August my best friend, brides maid, and always epic photographically model (that was a mouth full) – Ida Mae, gave birth to a baby boy. I am so happy for her!!! We were planning on another maternity shoot before she gave birth two days before she went into labor a month early. What a beautiful moment of 2009. I got to see her in November when I was staying in Hanover, New Hampshire over Thanksgiving. Brief but special. It was great seeing her in her element.

In October I had a most excellent vacation to Australia with several of my friends from Community Zoe. I’ve written quite a bit about it on this site, but I can’t begin to describe the amazing time that was had. It was perfect. The best one yet. Might have to do it again! This is definitely a bright spot – but more like an entire sun ray – or if you would look at a pie chart this would take over about 40% of the pie. At least. So, super sunny spot. Maybe I should create a pie chart with the amount of bright spots and relative percentage of impact they had on me over the year. hmm.

In September my modeling work was hanging in two galleries at the same time. In Melbourne, Australia in the work of Michael Marlborough and in Charlotte, North Carolina in the work of Bryce Lankard. Two of my best friends and they both had gallery shows at the same time. Kind of cool. And my photography work was published in the book 210 Photographers – 1×2. That three thing. Sunny.

October was Australia, but more of my work was also published in the book NUDES Indexx II . Then the newspaper clip about all of us in the Cairns’ Post.

Once returning from Australia I helped Jeff Dunas get his Palm Springs Photo Festival community site up and running, then it was a gallery show at A&I called I Spy With My Plastic Eye, and another book publishing that was produced for the show. The print that I made for the show has sold too, so bonus! It all benefitted WeSpark – a non-profit organization that provides free support for cancer patients. It makes me feel good that my art was benefitting such an important cause and thank you to A&I, Astor Morgan and Baret Lepejian for having me be a part of such a cool event!

I attended the BMI Awards to watch my husband receive his 8th BMI Crystal Statue @ the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the one from Pretty Woman. You never know who will be at these award ceremonies. One year we were sitting at a table next to Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys and another time Paul Anka and Mark Mothersbaugh from DEVO and another time the family members from the late Howling Wolf. It’s great people watching, good food, and a great celebration for all the recording artists that BMI represents. And concerning copyright, I don’t know of another organization that fights for the rights of artists in the way they do. If only photographers, painters and other artists had something similar. I learn a lot each time I go. And it’s always a proud moment watching my husband get an award.

In December I got a wonderful opportunity to have a solo showing of my nudes @ A&I in Hollywood. I’ll be producing a book and showing about 40 – 50 of my prints. The opening reception will be on February 18, 2010. (my fingers still want to type 2009, eeek, have to get used to that!) So, I’ve been in editing mode from the day I found out until now. Excluding the lovely time I spent in Kauai, Hawaii during the Holidays. I think I’ll be making Hawaii a December ritual.

Speaking of Kauai – I also was able to make beautiful pictures with a model there named Whitne Drake who, as luck would have it, lives about 15 miles from where we were staying. So, I’ll end this with a few pictures we made together in Kauai at the end of the road and at the end of 2009.

Thank you to all who have come into my life, I’ve learned many things from all of you. If you stand in the light, the shadows look prettier. And if we can all come together for good in 2010 maybe the shadows won’t feel so forgotten or “insert random thought of wisdom here.” I think all of us can make it brighter. I’ll do my best.

Enjoy some pictures. Film images coming later… these are iPhone nudes if you can believe it. My secret’s out!

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne

© 2009 Zoe Wiseman ~ Model: Whitne