Is it legal to photograph people on the beach?

"Most photographers don’t often consider the legal implications of their shoots because, as is human nature, we tend to make assumptions based on the actions of our peers.  We see people doing it all the time; we figure we can do the same thing.  Add to that, being a foreigner like Antoine, because he is not used to U.S. law at all.  Pile on the fact that most laws on the subject are different in every state to some degree and there is often no clear bright line to follow.  We hear stories constantly in the photography world about people being arrested for taking pictures in public spaces like subways.  (in general, it is OK, despite what police may say)."

Read this very cool and educational article in art law journal here.

Quammen says...

From David Quammen at MOCA:

A recent article in the Washington Post cites a study by the National Endowment for the Arts' "'National Statistics about Working Artists' taken from US Census Data for 2006 to 2010 show that the District has more working artists per capita than any state in the nation." Of course, it's not a fair comparison to make with our (DC) small population vs. all the 50 states. But comparison of city-by-city the region still ranks among the top 10 among U.S. cities.

So what, you say? D.C. is consistently lambasted as a lousy town for the arts, but here's something not many people know: There are 21 Arts Organizations, including Art League and other community based centers, in the region; 5 community colleges, 2 of which have 3 and 4 separate locations; 2-4 year colleges; 13 universities, several with multiple locations; 3 schools; and about 2 dozen or more groups that meet weekly in the name of art. That doesn't count the number of galleries, many of which host artsy-type events every week.

Speaking of art galleries, P & C Art on M Street is gone - no more art at the Georgetown location but they have another facility nearby. And a sad day for Parish Gallery, who's founder is suffering from cancer - the last exhibit is up now, and a For Lease sign is in the window. But property owner Richard Bernstein has told them they can keep the exhibit up - or put up another one - so long as there is no tenant in the offing. Based on the situation in Georgetown businesses, that may be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. In the meantime, our hearts go out to Norm, his wife, Gwen, and the passing of a legendary gallery he founded and she keeps it going for now. God bless.

Meanwhile, Moca's prognosis is good, other than being persistently late on rent. But that should change soon - we hope. Activities include an Open Drawing Session next Wednesday, July 10 - 7 to 10 pm - model is Ramsey, a new-to-the-scene female who also teaches art for Uncork'd Art, the mainstay for Moca at the moment.

And don't forget our July exhibit, A Celebration of the Figure - now in its 10th or 11th year - I do need to learn how to count. We are still accepting art up to next Thursday, July 11. Then plan to make it for the Opening Reception on Friday, July 12th - complete with some brand new events in the Out.Back section of the gallery. Or to paraphrase an old tune, There'll be a Hot Time in the Out.Back that night!!!

Questions - contact Dave at 202.342.6230

The boy checks in...

Two new watercolors by Anderson Lennox Campello

"Duck Eating Ice Cream"
Anderson Lennox Campello
Watercolor on Paper. 20x20 inches.

"Shark"
Anderson Lennox Campello
Watercolor on Paper. 10x20 inches.

Happy Independence Day!

"Radio Flyer Flag" by Ross Palmer Beecher

Studies for Frida Flying

It is always nice to see an old friend... below is a rather large pen and ink and watercolor drawing that I did when I was in Art School...

Recently the person who owns it - who happens to live in Virginia - sent me a nice note and an image of this 33 year-old drawing.

Silly Soviets...

I have this collector of my work who is very high up in the food chain over at Bacardi.

Most people don't know how HUGE this private company is, and how averse to publicity the Bacardi family is... but essentially Bacardi is a gargantuan octopus company - that is a company that owns a company, that owns a company, that owns a company and so on.

Anyway, when Stolichnaya (Russian: Столичная, also known as Stoli) was acquired by some group (Latvia or Russia) owned by someone, who is owned by someone, etc., one of the Western tricks that the new owners tried to teach the Stoli management was the trick of putting out the same product under a different label, but cheaper, and to do this whenever they needed a fast cash influx.

They were horrified when Stoli came out a little later with a few thousand cases of the iconic vodka with the same basic label, but with the name blacked out - sort of like what they used to do to porn pics in the 50s and 60s.

Cough, cough...

By the way, has anyone seen the latest Bacardi commercial?

Drawing Ta-tas and Facebook banning

Apparently this guy loves to draw big ta-tas and post them around... and also apparently Facebook banned him for doing it... cough, cough.

Read it here.