Michael West Photography

What's Below

2010-08-28T22:52:00.004-04:00

Hotel Basement

Atlanta, 08.10.2010

Art Party a Success!

2010-05-02T13:36:00.004-04:00

The weather was perfect for the May Day Art party at Composition Gallery last evening. Lots of great photography and other items were available for ridiculous prices. Many thanks to Ron Hughes for inviting me to participate. A special thanks to Edwin Robinson for purchasing my photo encaustic "Touching Earth".

It goes to a good home and I'm very happy the proceeds will help the Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization continue to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.

Nocturne

2010-05-02T13:16:00.004-04:00

Atlanta - 042110

Signs of the Times

2010-04-28T17:12:00.004-04:00

Atlanta, 04.14.2010

May Day Art Party for Haiti!!!

2010-04-26T16:13:00.005-04:00

Please join me this coming Saturday evening for the May Day Art Party for Haiti!!

From 7 to 11pm on May 1st 2010, Composition Gallery will host "May Day Art Party for Haiti", featuring a silent art auction, food and drink, and music. All proceeds will benefit the Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization.

Hope to see you there!!!

The Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization was born out of Sean Penn's efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and philanthopist Diana Jenkins' struggles in her native Bosnia. J/P HRO is based on the ground in Haiti. They have a large network of doctors and emergency management volunteers at their disposal, as well as a deep roster of influential contacts across government, non-governmental and international agencies, which has proved extremely beneficial in cutting through the bureaucracy that naturally comes with a relief effort. Their mission is to save lives and bring relief to the Haitian people quickly and effectively. J/P HRO harnesses the power of 21st century technology, a vast network of contacts and volunteers, fundamental emergency response techniques, and community organizing skills to bring about positive change in Haiti.

Artwork to be part of UNIFEM Benefit

2010-03-03T16:20:00.006-05:00

I am very happy to be a participating artist in the 3rd annual Mother, Sister, Daughter Fundraiser for UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women. Please join the Georgia Chapter to Celebrate International Women's Day and the People, Culture and Renewal of Haiti.

Proceeds from this year's event, promoting the work of local artists and featuring a silent auction, will benefit UNIFEM's Haiti Shelter Programme. In the wake of Haiti's devastating earthquake we are proud to embrace Haiti as the theme for this year's fundraiser.

My artwork will be auctioned off with all the proceeds to help the people of Haiti in their recovery efforts.

The event will be held at the Oglethorpe Museum of Art. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the museum's current exhibit, Henri Matisse, A Celebration of French Poets & Poetry, will be on display during the event.

Saturday, March 6, 2010
7:00 p.m. -- 11:00 p.m.

Click for additional info and tickets.

Charleston Gallery-New Website

2010-03-03T15:49:00.004-05:00

Check out the beautifully re-designed website of Rebekah Jacob Gallery in Charleston.
Guess who the featured artist is?

Next Event: Love Nests

2010-02-22T19:22:00.009-05:00

Click Image to Enlarge

This special project produced in conjunction with Museum of Design Atlanta, Georgia Tech and a team of photographers from The Portfolio Center opens this coming Friday evening.

I had the great pleasure of guiding 5 committed photographers as we searched for, interviewed and photographed fascinating Atlantans and the object they can't live without. Each of these individuals is transforming and making the world a better place in their own highly unique and personal way. It has been a real journey of transformation for all of us.

Please join us for the opening. Click HERE to RSVP!

Next Art Opening!

2009-11-18T11:39:00.004-05:00

November 19 - January 9, 2010, "Little Things Mean A Lot", Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. The Exhibition opening is on Thursday, November 19, 2008 from 6 to 8pm.

I'm happy to be participating in the "Little Things" exhibition. This is a holiday show and sale of over two hundred works of art in all mediums by a multitude of contemporary Georgia artists. Over 100 Artists will be showing work 8" or smaller. It's a great opportunity to buy that special gift of art at a reasonable price. Swan Coach House is a beautiful gallery and this is sure to be a fun party! So come, have a little wine, meet all the artists and take home some great art! See you there.

Giving is the Best Revenge!

2009-10-18T10:16:00.003-04:00

"Spontaneous Fan Club, L5P" Beth Lilly

Standing in the light drizzle and cold in the pre-Halloween Parade scene of Little 5 Points and giving Atlantans free art was an experience not to be forgotten. I didn't know what to expect. When Beth Lilly, the creator of "Gifted" approached me about this project I was a little baffled but intrigued by the idea. My mind said " Give away my work! That's crazy." but my heart said why not. Wasn't part of my "ART" (whatever that is) just to let others see what I see? A way to communicate something I have few words for? What better way to do this than to give the work to whomever would take it.

Lucky for me, I was curated into the "Gifted" project and got to put this feeling into action. The wonder on the children's faces as Beth and I gave them something mysterious was magic. A homeless man, Jonathan, happened by. He was missing his left eye and many of his teeth. I had to coax him to come closer. When I offered him a photo he said he wanted to send it to his Mother. He told me people often made fun of him because he had trouble speaking clearly with all of his front teeth missing.

We got mobbed about that time and Jonathan drifted away without choosing a photograph. A few minutes later, he came back and selected a beautiful, and peaceful image by Diane Kirkland to give to his Mother.

Suddenly it was no longer wet or cold. It was a beautiful thing.

Get Ready Atlanta - Free Art - Gifted Begins!!!

2009-10-02T16:35:00.004-04:00

This week one of the largest ever giveaways of fine art photography begins. I'm very happy to be part of this unique project. Look for me and Beth Lilly at an unknown location on Oct 17th and for the other participants throughout the month. It's gonna be a blast!!!

(more info)

ACP 11 Public Art Presents "Gifted"

Beginning Oct 1 and continuing through the end of the month, be on the lookout for Atlanta Celebrates Photography's Public Art Project "Gifted". Organized by Atlanta-based photographer and artist Beth Lilly, "Gifted" will engage the public and transform Atlanta through the gift of 1,200 limited-edition, fine art photographs which will be randomly distributed during the month of October.

Lilly and her team will hand out the prints throughout the Atlanta metro region during ACP's 11th festival this October, in unexpected places, at unannounced times. The dates and locations for obtaining a free print will not be disclosed in advance, (but a little bird told us that you may want to follow ACP11 on twitter to find out when the "Gifted" team has been spotted).

Next Show-This Friday!

2009-05-06T23:24:00.004-04:00

Please drop by and say hi!

Opening, Friday, May 8th - 6-10pm
Sustainability Through Art: The Supportive Foundation for the Future
Pedini of Atlanta: 800 Peachtree Street, Suite C, Atlanta, 30308

This exhibition explores the concept of sustainability
and artwork.Meet artists, architects,
designers, engineers, and green builders.
www.ainthea.org/events/

Proceeds from the sale of artwork and donations helps to sustain the organization and support participating regional artists.

Web Site Updated

2009-03-18T15:48:00.003-04:00

New images and revisions of old favorites. New, larger
display and attitude.

Thoughts on the creative process and being an artist.

2009-02-24T19:59:00.001-05:00

Urban Equivalent #?

2009-02-02T21:18:00.003-05:00

High Museum Hosts Class

2009-02-02T20:36:00.005-05:00

I'm teaching a class at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta called Art+Commerce. Recently, we were hosted by the High Museum Works on Paper department. Curator of Photography, Julian Cox, curated a selection of vintage and contemporary works representing 19th and early 20th century photographic processes especially for my class. Examples included works by Atget, Chuck Close,William Henry Jackson, Alfred Steglitz and Edward Weston.

Our hosts for the session were Laura Feuillebois and Danielle Avram. Thanks to Leigh Anna Thompson for photographing the event.

Urban Equivalent #16

2009-01-20T20:40:00.002-05:00

Urban Equivalent #13

2009-01-19T19:12:00.005-05:00

In my neighborhood.

Amazing Moving Show

2009-01-19T18:05:00.003-05:00

The Atlanta Photography Group is hosting an amazing exhibit by photographer Kristen Ashburn.
If you haven't seen this yet, go. It's an overwhelming, yet very beautiful show documenting the aids epidemic in Africa. All of the images are large scale B&W transparencies on light boxes. It is a real experience to see the work this way.

Check out the website for more about this show and then go to Media Storm to view the video.

http://www.apgphoto.org/gallery/2008/08_bloodline.shtml

Urban Equivalent #12

2009-01-15T19:40:00.003-05:00

Urban Equivalent #11

2009-01-15T19:32:00.002-05:00

Urban Equivalents #2

2009-01-11T14:12:00.003-05:00

More industrial elegance.

Urban Equivalents #1

2009-01-11T14:05:00.004-05:00

I've been exploring the industrial neighborhood near where my
studio is located. It's all strangely beautiful in a bleak way.
I'll be posting more as the days go by.

Holiday Wish for All

2008-12-22T19:30:00.003-05:00

December Photo Show

2008-12-08T16:24:00.010-05:00

A selection of my photo encaustic work can be seen in
"The Imagist" Photography+Video show at

Rebekah Jacob Gallery in Charleston.

The show opens Thurs, December 11th!

Photo Inspires DIFFA Table Design

2008-11-28T13:20:00.014-05:00

I was recently honored that my photograph “Dancer” was the inspiration for a table design at DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN 2008. Barbara English, CEO of To The Trade Only designed a table and setting inspired by the twisting, flowing tree featured in “Dancer”.

Barbara had this to say about my work, "Michael’s fine art photography reflects the essence of today's growing focus on nature and our connection with the earth. I was inspired by his work to create our table at Dining By Design as the perfect showcase for our sustainable theme. Michael’s work has an amazing spiritual quality."

I’m grateful to Barbara for citing my contribution and for
inviting me to participate in the incredible Dining by Design event in the service of the fight against aids.

Press: The Atlantan

Worthwhile

2008-11-18T13:47:00.006-05:00

Today I saw an interview with Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of the One Laptop per Child non-profit association. Mr. Negroponte mentioned that they wanted to load 100 different digital books onto each laptop they gave to a child. If they gave a village with 100 children a laptop computer each that village would have 10,000 books. Imagine the potiential value of this resource. What a great use of technology.

Fulton County Purchases "Touching Earth"

2008-11-06T22:50:00.009-05:00

My photo encaustic " Touching Earth" was purchased by the Fulton County Arts Council for inclusion in their permanent collection this evening at the Hambidge Center Art Auction.

This piece will be part of the county's collection of art that is on permanent public display on a rotating basis throughout the county.

As a native Atlantan I'm very excited to be part of this collection.

Long Time Coming

2008-11-04T23:47:00.005-05:00

Witness to History

2008-11-04T12:06:00.004-05:00

I've just seen the most amazing sight, but before I tell you about that I need to give you a little background. My home and studio is in an old industrial part of Atlanta that is rapidly changing. New lofts, new coffee shops, new boutiques.....you get the picture. It's happening all over this town. Where I vote though, is a neighborhood that has been forgotten for a very long time and where the word HOPE is probably seldom spoken.

In the seven years I've gone to my polling place to vote, there has never been a line, almost never anyone under 40 and certainly no sense of anticipation. All that changed today. I happily waited in line for an hour mid morning under a perfect blue sky. People laughed, talked and smiled. An astonishing 50% or more of the people in line appeared to be under 30, and that's a conservative guess. It looked more like 70%.

With all the hype around this election it would have been easy to be cynical, especially before today. Standing in that line and looking around all I could think was "It's a great day America."

Current Show - Charleston

2008-11-03T19:09:00.000-05:00

A selection of my photo encaustic

work is available for viewing in

Something New the inaugural

show of Rebekah Jacob Gallery

in Charleston.

Press:

Pool, Olivia. The Post and Courier,

"Something New Opens on King Street",

October 16, 2008.

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/oct/16/opens_on_king_street57961/

New Gallery in Charleston

2008-10-31T23:19:00.018-04:00

I am really excited about the latest addition to my gallery representation. My work will soon be available at Rebekah Jacob Gallery in Charleston. Rebekah just recently opened her gallery there and is representing Southern and Cuban artists. She has a great eye and she's a delightful person to do business with. Several of my most popular works are images from the Charleston area. I'm very happy to be with Rebekah and the many fine artists she represents.

Check out the website at
http://www.rebekahjacobgallery.com

Rebekah Jacob Gallery focuses on Southern artists and photographers who have powerful visions of the land of their birth supported by an advanced mastery of their media. The gallery maintains an accelerated exhibition schedule, non-media specific, which features one-person and group shows throughout the year. The gallery is located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

Upcoming Events and Shows

2008-10-31T23:17:00.017-04:00

November 6, 2008, Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences Art Auction at Puritan Mills, Atlanta, Georgia.

I have donated "Touching Earth" to the Auction to benefit the Hambidge Center.

November 19- January 10, 2008, "Little Things Mean A Lot", Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. The Exhibition opening is on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 from 6 to 8pm.

This is a holiday show and sale of over two hundred works of art in all mediums by a multitude of contemporary Georgia artists. Over 100 Artists will be showing work 8" or smaller. It's a great opportunity to buy that special gift of art at a reasonable price. Swan Coach House is a beautiful gallery and this is sure to be a fun party! So come, have a little wine, meet all the artists and look at great art!