Reflecting on Reflections - Two shows in December

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December is always a busy, joyous time in the city for photographers and photo enthusiasts – PhotoNOLA , the New Orleans Photo Alliances’ photography festival kicks off December 10-13th.  The four day festival hosts a Gala at NOMA, an education day, portfolio reviews, gallery talks and month long exhibitions throughout the city. 

I’m super excited to participate in two exhibitions in conjunction with this festival.  Opening December 2nd,  I have photos on display in a Group Art show at Crescent City Brewhouse (527 Decatur) that includes photography, paintings and drawings. The show runs through January 3rd.   December - February,  I have photos on display in a shared show at Buffas (1001 Esplanade) with Eliot Kamenitz that we titled  “Works in Progress”.  The show opens December 9^th. 

While pondering what to display for these two shows,  I discovered an old “to-do list” on my computer from December, 2014.  You know its been a busy year when my December 2015 to-do list date has the exact same items on it. Looking back on the year I thought some nice, slow paced nostalgic prints would be best.  Then I realized that’s all I really shoot anyway. 

At Crescent City Brewhouse I have five of my small town pieces reflecting not time in the past, but in the present.  I’ve always been drawn to the timelessness of our very real, very modern world.  I love how photography captures our past in the present and influences our future.

General Store, Hwy 1

At Buffas, located just outside the Quarter, I thought it a good opportunity to showcase some photos from Photo Workshops that I lead in the French Quarter (and Garden District) for American Photo Safari.  In trying to decide how I wanted to portray the FQ, I realized I have a whole lotta reflection photos. It makes sense, I’ve had more than one workshop participant ask me “are we on the puddle tour of new Orleans?” (why yes, yes we are…) 

Heart of the City

 So there I go, combing through photos of what I know will be great reflections and then I realized – I was in most of them.  Oops.  

  Apparently I am drawn to reflective selfies  - which opens up an entirely new topic altogether...  Ha.Ha.  

 Not quite ready to branch out in the solo selfie circuit just yet, I put together a group of photos reflecting  an old quarter in what is becoming an increasingly modern city, as well as some lumen prints reflecting various symbols of the city.  (So natch, the termites made the cut).   

Passing Time               2015

NOLA Termites Under the Stars

Also in the show are landscapes from Eliot Kamenitz  and pieces from his Urban Archeology series. Come check out our Works in Progress on Wednesday, December 9th during the Worlds Most Open Mic. 

 For a full list of PhotoNOLA exhibitions, click HERE

Group Art Show - Photography, Paintings, Drawings & More

Crescent City Brewhouse

527 Decatur

December 1 - January 3rd

Opening:  December 2nd  5-7pm

Works in Progress - Photos by Eliot Kamenitz & Natasha Sanchez

Buffas Bar & Restaurant  

1001 Esplanade (Back Room)

December 1 - February 29th

Opening:  December 9th 6-10pm

 **For info on Photo Workshops Visit American Photo Safari.  I lead Garden District photo workshops Wed and Saturday and French Quarter workshops throughout the week. We teach photo/camera basics and composition - and how to shoot lizards (thats just me)**

Lizard Rest

Nattie in Nouvelle Orleans; Nueva Orleans; New Orleans, Louisiana

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Two months into my World Tour and already it has taken an unexpected shape of its own. Primarily a photographic road trip, I also want to incorporate the music side of my artwork - my one woman band called Nattie.  (For the newbies, the band  "Nattie" consists of myself (Natasha), my guitar (Miss Delta Blue) and the witties ditties we create - I simply use "Nattie" as a stage or band name )  I figured I would play an occasional open mic in cities near my tour route, as neither Transylvania nor Liverpool, Louisiana has an open mic to my knowledge....(Though I might have had some luck in  (the) Vatican...who knows...)

Tilben's Lounge  

That plan hasn't happened,  as I've been more into being contemplative with a camera than witty with a guitar during my road trips.
However, I did appropriately kick off the music portion of the World Tour in July at the Old Point Bar in Algiers, Louisiana after completing the first of my many World Tour photographic treks.

Musically, I've toured the world - without ever leaving the city of Nouvelle Orleans.  The plethora of open mics this city offers had me playing music almost every night.  I've since settled into three open mics, when tour and time allow,  that I really enjoy and seem best suited for my style.  These evenings are a great way to sharpen skills, share with others, and connect with new faces.    Since this blog is dedicated to the ditties, I thought I'd dust off the ol' Holga for some  imperfect and  old-timey NOLA shots...

Buffas, on the edge of the French Quarter, okay -  on the Marigny side of Esplanade, I just wanted to use the word "French".  I was pleased to be the Inaugural Performer for their first open mic night! It has since become one of my favorites.  Wednesdays at 8pm

Parasols in the Irish Channel

Mondays at 8

and the Fair Grinds Coffeehouse in Faubourg St. John

2nd Thursdays @ 7

 I am currently in the process of putting together a show of  the International Louisiana towns I've traveled to, featuring my songs, stories, and photographs.    In December, Buffas will host, as part of PhotoNOLA,  the first of what I hope is many World Tour performance pieces.  More info to come, but  see details on the Buffas show here.

So yes, the World Tour has taken its own form.  I've had several people ask me, since I haven't had a blog post in recent weeks, if the tour is over.  My response?  No, the World Tour is not over - far from it.    It's only just beginning...

See ya around the world!  

- Natasha

On Tour in the French Quarter -
 Royal Street Aug 2011
photo M. Byrne

all content (c) Natasha Sanchez

www.nattie-concepts.com

** A shout out to all the awesome people I have met along my open mic journey including (but not limited to...) - DR, Owen aka Big Daddy O, Michael H, Stefan, Mike D, Maria aka Lady K, Vincent, Gina, Robert @  Fair Grinds, Dan, Toby, the ladies who support me but whose names I don't know...and all the people I've  chatted and shared with...I'm loving this trip!