Picture of the Week #48 "The Psychic of Beverly Hills"

Picture of the Week #48 "The Psychic of Beverly Hills" Beverly Hills, California 2009 Signed and Stamped.

While walking through the Beverly Hills Affaire in the Garden bi-annual event I was blocked by a very drunk Irishman adorned in signs declaring that he will meet Madonna today or tonight. His equally drunk friend try to pump me for money claiming the sign carrier was a performance artist. A third beer smelling cohort then dragged the more aggressive character away allowing me to grab this shot. And now I share it with you.

You're invited "Fatigue of Compassion" at Melissa Morgan Gallery

You're Invited to my photographic show "Fatigue of Compassion" at the Melissa Morgan Gallery on Friday October 30th located at 73-040 El Paseo, Palm Desert California from 6 to 10 PM. Check out the front of the gallery where I have installed 2 monumental 8 foot high by 32 foot wide images printed on vinyl that were posted here on October 1st.

Picture of the Week #47 "Dalai Lama Special"

Picture of the Week #47 "Dalai Lama Special" Sun Valley, Utah 2005 Signed and Stamped

When staying with friends in Sun Valley over the long Labor Day weekend in 2005 we had heard that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was coming to speak at a conference. What was so funny to me were these ads placed in the local papers advertising "The Dalai Lama Special" for rates on renting rooms or houses during his stay. And what made it even more peculiar was that the Dalai Lama was staying at my old theatrical agent's home. I knew this agent very well as I attended his bachelor party and his wedding and we hung out together a lot before I moved on to another agency. He never expressed any religious or spiritual leanings. But hey, he was an agent and they know how to go with the flow. I often thought that these ads might be a good segment on the Jay Leno show when he holds up newspaper clippings and wedding announcements.

You're Invited

You're invited to the Closing night event of my photographic show "TRIPPING" on Wednesday October 28th from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the DAP Studio Gallery at 5660 Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles. Also exhibited are photos of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Jazz legend Charlie Mingus along with the travel images from around the world. Should be a cool event.

Meeting Pope Benedict XVI at the Sistine Chapel

In my January 26th, 2009 "Picture of the Week" blog I posted this image of Cardinal Spellman and the entire Archdiocese of the City of New York in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral. I took this photo way back in March of 1965 . Who knew 11 months after that post that I would be meeting Pope Bendicte XVI at the Sistine Chapel on November 21st 2009. I have been selected to meet His Holiness along with some other artists from throughout the world through the Pontifical Council for Culture in the Vatican. This is really cool.

Picture of the Week #46 "Bartenders of Century City"

Picture of the Week #46 "Bartenders of Century City" Los Angeles, California 2009 Signed and Stamped

When I was leaving the Annenberg Space for Photography after viewing the "Pictures of the Year" exhibit, I looked up towards the Creative Artists Agency building across the courtyard. There I saw these seven people all in red shirts with their backs to me. I quickly realized that they were bartenders awaiting the start of a function. I grabbed my point and shoot digital and fired away. The graphic reflection of the building is what caught my eye at first. Then when I zoomed in I saw the Bartenders. I posted this and another shot before, but it hadn't made the "Picture of the Week" till now.

Picture of the Week #45 "Lucy In The Sky With Pearls"

Picture of the Week #45 "Lucy In The Sky With Pearls" Beverly Hills, California 2009 Signed and Stamped

While attending David Streets Gallery exhibit of vintage Hollywood photographs at the Paley Center for Media last Saturday, I encountered "Lucy" Impersonator Suzanne LaRusch, who was kind enough to pose for me. It was here that I decided on the title of my next photo book - Classic and Silly". This way I can showcase my images that illustrate both. I am sure this one will make the cut.

Melissa Morgan Photography Exhibit

A show of my photographs opens today at the Melissa Morgan Gallery in Palm Desert California. These two large images each 8 feet high by 32 feet wide, will grace the front of the Gallery for the season, while smaller works will be on view inside. The titles are "Fatigue of Compassion" and "Selling Buddha".