Chubz

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Blog leads to friendship

I belong to a local photography organization that way back in the Spring of 2008, had a program on how to create a blog. This was a presentation to show and explain the benefits of creating a personal blog to help promote one's fine art photography. My blog began  on July 4th, 2008 as a mix of personal, fine art and portrait posts. I've since separated my fine art and portrait blogs. This site has become my portrait blog and http://williamzuback.blogspot.com has become my fine art blog.

New to blogging at the time, I created a post in August of 2008 titled, New by Mattel, Beach Barbie. Months later I had a comment on this post by someone named, Frieda Babbley. Not only did she comment, I believe she may have become my first "follower" on my BacktotheZu News blog. I saw this and knowing nothing about "followers" or "following" other peoples blogs I found this to be odd. Why would this person I don't know, "follow" me? Well, it didn't take me long to understand this aspect of blogging. Frieda and I quickly became internet friends that shared an interest in writing, family and art. She became a big fan and conduit for my original "Book Passages" photography series and I became a big fan of her poetry and short story writing. She helped spread the word of my Book Passages project to people in her internet and writing circles.

Then came Facebook. Frieda and I became friends and our friendship grew. I became friends with her husband on Facebook too and we continue to enjoy "liking" and commenting on each others posts. My most recent project, Madonna & Child: Interpreted brought Frieda and my creative skills together once more. I curated this art exhibit with 31 visual artists and 3 writers providing their interpretation of this iconic subject. Frieda contributed an essay for the show and the exhibition catalog. This weekend I get to meet her and her family as they make the 6-8 hour journey to Milwaukee to see the Madonna & Child: Interpreted exhibit. Sunday I get to meet in person this wonderful writer and her family. How cool is that? I think it's very, very cool.

Joyce Carol Oates

Mandy Patinkin

The NEW and IMPROVED BacktotheZu Studios website

BacktotheZu Studios is three years old and during that time has grown from a traditional portrait studio to more of a boutique style studio offering very unique, stylized and personal portraits. The pace is slowed down to provide quality not quantity images from each individualized session.

Tour the new BacktotheZu Studios website and schedule your next portrait at the Zu.

Four Outstanding Milwaukee Artists on the Internet

A big thank you to Mary over at CricketToes for including me in her "four outstanding artists on the internet". Check it out. CricketToes is a refreshing voice in Milwaukee for all things creative.

Check it out:
CricketToes

Rear View Mirror

Looking for individuals interested in participating in my next visual journey. This series will require a portrait session as well as an brief interview. To maintain the spontaneity and surprise during a future exhibition you must also sign a release of confidentiality of idea until the work is exhibited.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this most interesting visual journey please email me at:
wmzuback@williamzuback.com

For a bit more information on this series read my most recent fine art blog.

Book Passages: A Visual Journey at Steenbock Gallery

Photography exhibit, Book Passages: A Visual Journey is now on display at the Steenbock Gallery, 1922 University Ave., Madison WI.

Opening reception and dramatic book passage readings by Mariapia Lambert, Saturday December 11, 6-9pm.

Show closes January 14, 2011.

Explained very well by a reviewer at a portfolio review of my work, He said, "The idea behind this body of work is the collaborative connection between the artist and the person who selects the passage of writing and the original passage itself. A three way triangle. One person sees and writes, one person reads and relates and an artist brings to light an idea of what the vision is. What do these diverse connections tell the viewer about the nature of perception and life? The essence of this project is the complexity of human communication. The beauty of this project is deeper and richer than just the pictures. It's in the way that we each communicate our idea's and emotions to each other and try to understand how this world works. It is ever changing and ever reinterpreted."

As the artist, I became the interpreter and the director.

Jevgeniia at 8 months

Madonna and Child

WhiteOwl Will

Cigar Girl

Sweet Surrender

What was it you saw in my heart?
So many years ago
A young man's body, a child's mind
So much growing up to do

Your brown eyes were a haven
Offering a kindness that was real
Through your eyes I found
A heart that was true

What did I have to offer?
I may never know
You welcomed me into your life
Without a clue

With a heart hardened by life's disdain
You taught me to live life with no restrain
No longer intoxicated, you set my life free
Love is the drug, you are my need

Always there with a supportive ear
You're my hope, you take away my fears
You tore down the walls I had built so strong
You showed me true courage, no more could I hide

Life's purpose is a mystery, its part of some big master plan
We look to the stars, when life takes a turn
I only need to look for the twinkle in your eyes
To find comfort in a heart so true

Happy Anniversary Sue.

All the worlds a stage

All the world is a stage and this is the fourth image in a series entitled, "Beauty and the Performance". The terrific painting you see in the photograph is by artist William Schulman.

The Bride

Beauty and the Performance

The early images of this series are beginning to to take shape. They can be viewed HERE.

The Evolution of an Idea

I normally post portrait related idea's and themes on this blog but my new fine art series that I'm in the infant stages of loosely ties in with portraiture. You can read more at my fine art website blog.

Another fun shoot at the ZU!

CHUBZ ripped up the studio!

High School graduation brings new beginnings and charished memories

I haven't written a poem in a very long time. When my kids were younger I traveled an average of 7 days a month. This poem which is in honor of my daughter graduating from high school was written about eleven years ago. It's based on conversations I've had with my daughter, McKenzie, usually during breakfast or in the car. I wrote this poem with tears in my eyes from Rye, New York. I was there doing a photo shoot. That evening in my hotel room I called home, like I did every night I was on the road, to talk to the family. When Kenzie got on the phone she was so excited to tell me about a boy in her, class that she liked, and was able to sit next to on the bus that day. I was happy and excited for her and her special day but sad knowing how much better this story would have been if she was sharing it while we had dinner that evening. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes and the tone of her voice sharing it for all to hear. With the conversation over I took a walk around the hotel grounds, went back to my room and poured out this poem for my daughter.

DADDY, DO YOU CRY?

It was a weekday morning, music in the air

Son was in the bathroom, combing his hair

My head was in the paper, while eating cornflakes

Daughter sat beside me, picking her breakfast, while staring into space

Daddy, she says in her soft quiet voice

Daddy, she says as she looks up from her bowl

Daddy, do you ever cry?

Daddy, why don’t you cry?

Sweet child of mine with the curious mind

Try to understand, understand if you can

Sorrow is a feeling that you don’t usually see

I keep it hidden, deep within me

Happiness is present and seen most every day

But even my most joyful thoughts

Are rarely on display

Do I cry? Dear, yes I do

I cry the most, when I’m thinking of you

My first tear falls before you wake

Sunlight dancing, across your sweet face

I ask the golden glow that caresses your cheek

Become your suit of armor, as you sleep

With each new day I see you grow

Joy and sorrow the moisture hold

Each day I wake you from your sleep

Another tear for you I weep

Sorrow and Joy are not far apart

For tears don’t know the difference

When they fall or why they start

The heart knows the reason for each tear upon my cheek

I cherish the knowledge for which my heart speaks

You share with me excitement

About a boy in your class

A special friend, that makes your heart, beat “pitter-pat”

He sat beside you on the bus one spring day

A moment of your life, and mine I pray

I see you standing so proud upon the stage

Eyes scan the audience, you find strength to play

You firmly tuck your violin beneath your chin

Managing to smile, your fingers begin

Small fingers dance magic upon the strings

Bow massages the strings, the violin sings

The tears well up in my eyes each day

As I relive the moments from each passing day

You hold a special place in my heart

And that is where all the tears start

So when you asked me such a curious question

Daddy, do you cry?

My answer is now here on display

If you do not see a tear fall from my face

Rest assured, the right time, the right place

Your daddy does cry

Many tears fill your space.