The Galesburg Portrait Project can't exist without the people of Galesburgundians sending in photos; I keep getting introduced to people. The lunch time center of Galesburg is Q Cafe. I met the owners, Walt and Annette. While waiting for an outstanding sandwich —shredded carrots, smokin' hot Korean spice and meatloaf, not what I expected in Galesburg— they introduced me to a local pastor, Pam Marolla and her husband, Vince, a chaplain at the local hospice. He offered to help me connect to retirement homes and perhaps Pam can connect me to the ministerial association. (That would be spreading the word.)
Two radio stations interviewed me yesterday. That's good for getting the word out but uncomfortable. I was in "I-wish-I-would-have-said-it-this-way" mode most of the afternoon. For example, News reporter, TJ Carson: Describe your process. ....hummada, hummada, hummada.... I don't know what I mumbled but it was hardly coherent. What I figured out since: " my working process combines digital photo transfer techniques typically used in printmaking combined with traditional oil paint and drawing. It results in a recognizable image that maintains a connection to the photos people submit." In the future, I'll have someone dummy interview me the real thing happens.
I was introduced to the Knox students Wednesday night. I now have work study help to log and process images. So today I spent a couple of hours creating a tutorial for logging and processing images. I ran into a railroad guy —Galesburg is a huge hub for the railroads. They are among the largest employers in town— at the local coffee shop.
Next week it's off to the City Council meeting. I also have to connect to African American pastors and the Hispanic communities. They make up a fifth of Galesburg and I've not gotten many pictures.
At the end of my first week I have 80 pictures 6 completed paintings and I feel like I'm on a first name basis with half the town.
beginnings