Despite coming down with COVID, I managed to see a lot of the country. Click on any photo to open the gallery.
Travels in New Zealand
Japan: On a Rainy Day
Another lost post. Photos taken in March of 2023.
Water and Sky
Some of my posts disappeared during the migration from host to host so I’m revisiting last year’s collection of photos from my travels in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and France during the month of November 2023. Click on any photo scroll through the gallery.
And, some shots from my iPhone…
Colors of Japan
Travels of One M/Sergeant Roy Sper
It’s coincidental that I finished scanning my dad’s photos and papers from WWII a few days before the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the official surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces, but the timing was perfect. The originals will be going to the the Air Mobility Command Museum.
Licata, Sicily, Italy, October, 1943
(the day after the landings)
In case it doesn’t look like he had any fun, my dad managed to get leave on his 27th birthday to go to Egypt.
He also got in a few good meals…
And some culture…
And, last but not least, this what my dad did during WWII…
France: Life Along the Canals, Summer of 1973
Looking for a shot of Notre Dame from L’Adour, the barge on which I spent the summer of 1973, I went through contact prints from 13 rolls of film. Many photos I’d never printed. Even the boring shots capture life along the canals, from Toulouse to Paris.
Our barge—péniche—was a working boat, its cargo, grain. Pierre, the captain, and his family lived on the barge all year long. Bunk beds took the place of cargo, along with a makeshift bathroom and kitchen.
While the barge moved slowly towards our day’s destination, our group of American and French students cycled through the countryside and towns along the canals on one-speed bicycles.
Sometimes, we helped lockkeepers open and shut hand-powered locks.
In Carcassonne on Bastille Day, we had front row seats to the greased pole event.
Some days, we spent on board.
In the middle of the trip, we detoured to the Alps for a hike, catching up with the barge a few days later.
Somehow we got to Versailles!
After about five weeks, we arrived in Paris where we docked along the Left Bank of the Seine facing Notre Dame. As Bateaux Mouches passed by, tour guides pointed out the “French students,” meaning us.
As soon as I heard about the fire at Notre Dame, I started looking for a photo of the cathedral. Before adjusting the color, scans of black-and-white negatives have a sepia-toned look. This seemed perfect for my photo of Notre Dame taken 46 years ago.
New Photo Web Site and Other News
I finally revamped emilysperphoto and have linked it to this site. When I redesign one of my sites, I have to refresh my memory of Bootstrap and responsive web design. Then, I revise as much as I can before I forget again. That’s how I ended up with a new “About” page. The old one seemed rather boring.
I’m gearing up for Newton Open Studios on April 6 & 7. This will be my second year showing at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton. Last year was a lot of fun with so many visitors each day, and successful, too.
My photo “Icy Cambridge Bus Stop Shelter” was selected for a Newton FenceART banner and is now at the #newtonfreelibrary. The banners rotate every 10 or so weeks.
Earlier this month I photographed the Israel Folkdance Festival. I’ve been trying to remember how I managed to change rolls during the show back in the days I shot film. It’s been many years since I started doing the graphics (flyers, posters, t-shirts) and photography for the Festival!
I’m looking forward to the warmer weather when I can take photos without my fingers freezing!
2018: A Year of Art
I’ve been experimenting with assorted materials that have been sitting in my closet, some of which go back to my RISD days. The price for 25 sticks of Winsor Charcoal was $2.75 at Pearl Paint! Here’s a sampling of the resulting work. I’m wondering if my anxiety about the current state of the country and world is reflected in the drawings (most recent first).
“What On Earth Can We Do?” Making an Impact
Teachers in the Boston Public Schools are using What On Earth Can We Do? in grades K through 2.
Look what’s on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s information table! The Instagram post reads: Clearwater had a great time celebrating the beauty of our planet at Kingston’s #earthday celebration. #everydayisearthday
And thanks to a generous donation, elementary schools in Ashland, Ohio are giving out free copies of What On Earth Can We Do?.
I hope my book inspires kids and their parents to make a difference!
Winter Photographs 2018
I’m getting ready for Newton Open Studios where I’ll be showing photography and pastels (a few) at the New Art Center. You’re invited to a special opening reception on Friday, April 6 from 6-8 pm.
A series is emerging from recent work. Something to do with the weather?
