Down-to-Earth Art Exhibit

Come experience Monterey Bay's local artists who depict Nature's greatest gifts through their art. The Down to Earth photography exhibit opening on November 19th will feature local photographers Tatiana Chacon, Melinda Jordan Klescewski, Kyle Queener and Janis Spencer's finest works inspired by the great outdoors.

Opening Night Down-to-Earth Shindig

Stop by Booniez at 865 Fir Ave. on November 19th starting at 8pm to meet the exhibit's photographers. Also enjoy classic down to earth foods, beer, and wine provided by Party Girl Catering. Live music by Santa Cruz locals Jessica Marks and Marty Foltz will be gracing the scene with their melodic melodies. Bring the kiddos, pups, friends, and family—all down to earth folk are encouraged to check out the exhibit, grub on the goods, and listen to tunes.

Exhibit Duration: November 19th – December 20th

Tatiana Chacon

Originally from Mexico City, Tatiana began taking pictures in 2006 when her now-husband, David, showed her how to shoot with his SLR on a road trip from Canada to California. Quickly, she became passionate about photography while traveling through South and Central America. In 2007, while living in NYC, the couple decided to travel for a year throughout Asia. Their extensive travel list included many countries in the South Pacific, South East Asia, China, and India.

During the first four months of the trip, David and Tatiana pursued their love for the ocean and dived almost everyday. Tatiana knew she would enjoy the world of underwater photography and so her true realization of the possibilities of her camera began. By the beginning of 2008, in addition to developing an obsession with underwater photography, she started writing articles for Latin America's largest SCUBA diving magazine, "Espacio Profundo" (Deep Space). After their year of travel came to a close in early 2009, they relocated to the Monterey Bay area where Tatiana fell in love with climbing which became a new fascination to her. Currently she lives in Santa Cruz, CA. The couple still travel frequently. Some of Tatiana's favorite photos came from a trip to Europe last year, which have become part of this exhibition.

Tatiana says, "What I try to show with my pictures is that moment when I look at something and I never want to let that feeling go - that feeling I have when I look back at the rocks after a day of climbing, when I discover a treasure spot after walking uphill for a while, or when I see the rarest creature while diving and know I can't take it with me."

Melinda Jordan Klescewski

I was born and raised in Piedmont, California. I have spent time on and off the Monterey Peninsula all of my life, this last time for the past 22 years. I only tapped into my artistic side about six years ago while on a trip to Hawaii. I did not even know it at the time. While I was on the Island of Maui I took some images of a beautiful surf board fence and Tropic Kai Images was born.

I love COLOR! I have been a very active adult and love the out doors. I have about 10 years of triathlons and half marathons under my belt. I spend a fair amount of time either swimming, hiking or riding my road bike. I have also practiced yoga for the last eight years. All of my work can be printed in any size on paper, matted and framed, or printed on canvas and finished in gallery wrap; I have even printed my work on canvas bags, t-shirts, and cards. I use only archival inks and paper, to insure a long life of my work.

Kyle Queener

Kyle Queener's sports photography concentrates on capturing the crux moment, the most difficult point. His works have been published in both the commercial sector and for non-profits. At heart Queener is and will always be a climber. Many of his photographs are of climbers and the environment in which they thrive. From photographing fellow climbers who pull on 5.14s to climbers who have to overcome physical disabilities, Queener captures it all.

Queener's weapon of choice is his coveted Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR. From crag to bike park, Queener totes around his trusty EOS and captures the moment at hand. Although, he'll shoot with any camera because the importance is in the action in front of the lens, not the technology packed behind it.

Janis Spencer

While my story doesn't go something like... "I grew up along side my (some relative) and had a camera in my hand since I was 3 years old..." my passion for photography is as strong as if they had. But my story is one that goes to show, it is never too late to follow your dreams and fulfill your passion.

When I would see a photograph that moved me, I would think, I could do that. And then, being in the technology arena, I became an unemployment statistic in 2001 as the dot.com's became dot.bombs. But, where one door closes, a another opens... I decided, while waiting for a job opportunity, I would go back to school...so, I signed up for Cisco Networking and Photography. While working, I never was able to make the time commitment for the photography classes and projects. But now, with some time on my hands...

One of the class assignments my first photography teacher gave was reflections. The following week I attended the Monterey Cherry Jubilee Hot Rod show, and the rest is history. Every year I go and marvel at the beautiful machines, the work put into restoring them, and the history and memories they have. Having owned both a 67 and 69 Camaro, and hope to again, I appreciate the nostalgia, the power and the beauty, the stories and memories. Until then, capturing the classics is a true joy. Along with classic cars, I have a passion for photographing the beauty that surrounds us.

My process is of the traditional method, all of my black and white photographs are made by hand, from the start of the process to the end. The process starts with the capture of the image on the negative, to do this I use a variety of cameras, primarily a Minolta 35mm as it is easy to carry around. My other favorite is a Mamiya M645 Super for landscapes and portraits. The shots, which I think will come out well, are then enlarged using an old Bessler 23C enlarger and a paper which is suitable. As each fine art print is made manually with a degree of dodging and burning, no two photographs ever come out exactly the same, which gives individuality for each picture. I like to print on fibre based papers which are the traditional papers but the handling, washing and processing is very time consuming, so only the best photographs ever get printed in this method. Every fine art photography purist has his or her own favorite papers and chemicals for producing what they regard as the best black and white fine art photograph possible. My own personal choice is Ilford black and white multi-grade paper and Ilford chemicals. My choice of film is Ilford Pan F - a fine grain slow film, or Delta 400. I only indulge in black and white photography as I find it very dramatic, soulful and emotional and am very dedicated to the craft and traditional darkroom printing. I could spend the rest of my life shooting and printing and still be learning. I sincerely thank all those before me that have shared what they have learned so openly.

The Down to Earth art exhibit is a rotating exhibit that welcomes all mediums of art so long as they are within the theme "Down to Earth". The theme can include, but is not limited to, outdoor sports, scenery, athletes, and just about anything related to the great outdoors. If you are interested in displaying your work at Booniez please download the following forms and submit them to [email protected] or at Booniez in Sand City anytime from 10am – 6pm M-F or Saturday 10am – 2pm. If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop us a line!