Picture of the Week #88 "Anticipating The Moment"

Picture of the Week #88 "Anticipating The Moment" Madrid, Spain 1987 Signed and Stamped

I read that Bullfighting is being outlawed in the Catalonia section of Spain. I couldn't help but think that when I photographed the spectacle as Hemingway so aptly titled it, "Death in the Afternoon", that the title I had used for this image, "Anticipating the Moment" would one day come true. When I titled this moment it was more descriptive of what was to come. Like an actor about to go on stage. Or a fighter into a ring. Little did I realize that it would also signify the dimming of the lights of a centuries old tradition. A rite, a ritual, a national pastime. Many arguments have been leveled at the sport, but I for one used to defend it. I remember documenting the confrontations from the Chapel where the Matador would pray, to the spectacle of the procession. To the moment of truth. And finally to the butcher shop where the fresh meat would be sold or given to charity. On the other hand there were times and moments that I did find barbaric. The Picadors always angered me. It was like having someone else punch the hell out of your opponent before you stood toe to toe with them. But the actual mano e mano of man against bull to me was as much a spiritual confrontation as a physical one. It was a dance where certain choreographed moves must be performed before the fatal plunge of the sword can be dealt. I don't know if the stoppage will spread across Spain or if it will be confined to Catalonia. I do know that I would go back to see it, perhaps with a different perspective.

Picture of the Week #87 "Sylvester Stallone & Richard Gere"

Picture of the Week #87 "Sylvester Stallone & Richard Gere" New York City, New York 1972 Signed and Stamped

I took this picture in my apartment during the early days of rehearsal when Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere were my original leads in my first feature film, "The Lords of Flatbush". We rehearsed on and off while I was always pausing to run out to find the money to go into production. One day, months later, the three of us went to Coney Island to rehearse at the proposed location, Nathan's Famous. Sly and Richard got into a fight. All I remember was that Sly said something about not getting mustard on him and the next thing I knew I was pulling them apart. From that day on, things went downhill fast and I eventually had to replace Richard with Perry King. I always felt that Sly was outgoing while Richard was internal. They have not spoken since that day, so this charming image is a rarity. It is now on exhibit for the next few weeks at Art & Artifact Gallery in Los Angeles, along with others from my film and video making days.

Picture of the Week #86 "Andrea Bocelli"

Picture of the Week #86 "Andrea Bocelli" Vatican City, Rome, Italy 2009 Signed and Stamped

When I was honored to be among the 220 artists from around the world invited to the Sistine Chapel to hear Pope Benedict's Address to Artists, I met Andrea Bocelli. I took this image of him and immediately his wife came over and at first I thought I would be scolded, but instead she smiled and asked sweetly if I would photograph them together with their two sons. I did and emailed it to them. But there was something much more haunting about this image, especially the reflection in his mirrored glasses. This photo and others of celebrities that I have taken will be shown this Thursday the 22nd at Art & Artifact Photographic Center here in Los Angeles. It should be a blast.

Picture of the Week #85 "Pretty"

Picture of the Week #85 "Pretty" Cheung Chow, Hong Kong, China 2006 Signed and Stamped

In 2006 I was in Hong Kong as two paintings of mine were being auctioned off by Auctions by the Bay of San Francisco. The two paintings were from my 1980 trip when I was negotiating and scouting locations for the first American Chinese motion picture that I was supposed to direct in China. I had hoped that Ingrid Bergman would star in it. While I was there she fell ill and the film was cancelled. I was then invited to stay by the Shanghai Art Council. I did, for a number of weeks. When I returned to L.A. I painted from the images that I had taken. Twenty six years later this auction was the first that I know of where an American Artist painted China and was now selling those images back in China. While I was there for the auction I found out that May 24th was the birth of Buddha and that they were having a "Bun Festival" on an island an hour and half from Hong Kong. Loaded with cameras I went. I don't remember seeing very many caucasians. The people were extremely friendly and helpful. The costumes were magnificent. It was a photographer's paradise. I got tons of wonderful color pictures from that short day in Cheung Chow. Happy Birthday Buddha.

Picture of the Week #84 "After The Parade"

Picture of the Week #84 "After The Parade" Sun Valley, Idaho USA 1977 Signed and Stamped

What more appropriate image to post after July 4th celebrations of our Nation's Independence than these Norman Rockwell looking American kids waving flags, while their parents smoke in the cab of the truck. I never indulge in Parades, as I prefer to stand on the sidelines and see the reactions from the spectators. These kids were no exception. Last year at this time I posted a typical American family in a red vintage flat bed truck as they drove in the parade and then sitting on the sidelines. This was taken at the same time, only not wanting to repeat myself, I opted for these patriots in the making for this year's posting.