Peter J. Crowley

Fine Art Photographer

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The Willimantic Years 1999 Part One

09.23.2021 by Peter J. Crowley // Leave a Comment

Willi arriving in 1994 but I was active in the art scene from a few years prior.

Spare change? Chip in on my paypal link.  Posting these stories is very time consuming. Or by mail address is on the contact page.

All the moneys gone no where to go… I will still deliver that magic feeling.

Thank you peace

A letter from home years ago a defining stage of my live/work/art.

Mills turned into Art Apartments and a Textile Museum.

A small city of immigrants arriving when it was time for the last group to get a raise.

Children always seeking everything need a closer look. 

On the porch at my place on Bellevue a dancer relaxes. I don’t relax, “hold that pose.”

Where everyone knew my name. Late afternoon light in November shines on the ambiance of the Willimantic Brewing Company.

My refrigerator or Maybe Paradise Cafés  the image is on a roll surrounded by a folk performance at the Café. This was also a place for me to plan, eat and sit in the sun and see.

I met The Muse there at lunch and the next morning she came to my studio to begin two years of sessions. The wealth of images made and learning to see was a highlight in my work. So many unseen images remain. I also interviewed and hired Roxanne as my asst. in Paradise. Two important strong women changed me.

The previously mentioned folk concert at Paradise Café with Jim Mercik  and Hugh Blumenfeld. 

The porch on Bellevue a series of puddle reflections this from early March rain and snow melt. A loose series never show as a group. The dancer above is also a porch series as well. The are themes, portfolios that intersect from different times.

There were eyes always eyes. Many of the images here have not been printed or scanned. Looking at sessions from twenty two years ago, I see photos that I missed after first look and printing for my subjects. There are also many that in my strict seeing of the past didn’t fit the way I saw. I am not so ridged in todays approach.

From a test for my Woodnymph series. A good model but never a woodnymph. Image made on Wormwood Hill at the Thorkelson’s home. 

You could rent a movie to watch while your clothes dry. I think I waited for the cars to clear the spaces in front of the door. I saw what I wanted to compose and cars were not included.

There were doors in Willi old Victorian works of art. I had always seen doors I like imagined history. In Willimantic doors became a series of love. All these doors became a book in 2017 “Another Door Entered” my second book.  My first was a love letter to Willimantic “All the Usual Subjects” portraits of people from my home. There are a few left.

A tree out side a window was part of a D-11 developer test High contrast with grain. I didn’t like the results with people so it was a short test 72 images. But I like this tree.

Clam Fritters, fries was my go to order. Cute girls were always on my menu. Starring into the sun the girls in deep shadow. I gave them a business card and I said call me and I will give you a print. They never called. Flash forward 22 years, email me and I will send a scan few ever email. This is a horrible neg. and I gained very little in post process. It is however a moment in my world.

I will close the door on this story with a door. 

peace

Categories // B+W Silver Gelatin, Between Here and There, Eyes, Faces, Film, Film 35mm, Fine Art Photographs, Muse, Old Roads, Peter Tork, Street Photography, Uncategorized, Willimantic Tags // Ambiance, Black +White Fine Art Photography, Great Food, Portraits, Silver Gelatin, Simplicity, Street Photography

Places, homes from early in my work 1972-73, 1980’S

03.04.2020 by Peter J. Crowley // 2 Comments

A tidal pool crossing Cosey Beach  Ave  1972. A daily treat to walk the beach with a friend. For a six month or so period I would step out the back door and soon be greeted by a Golden Retriever she was there for a walk. I never found out who she belonged to and she never asked to come in the house. 

Squeeze  loading in for a 80’s summer concert on Madison Green.  Madison Ct. Summers, The Wharf at The Madison Beach Hotel. Arriving there to meet Jim in early May Dewey the bartender announces Peter is here the summer has begun. 

A Radio Flyer to transfer winter warmth to the house.

Cosey Beach wasn’t glitzy the waterfront cottages were nicer. The neighborhood was poor. Strife between the city and the neighborhood after the city sold the playground to a restaurant. I found this all out the 2nd night I lived there. The 4th of July Independence Day  and the streets were full of people expressing there anger in no uncertain terms. 

Stony Creek and Kodachrome a short ride made often for peace, wandering, seeing. I would return here through out my years in Ct. I rarely returned to Cosey Beach Ave. It became a destination as I rushed to get myself ready to move west.  So many places, people to see that Brattleboro and Cosey beach were left out. 

peace pjc 

Categories // B+W Fine Art, B+W Silver Gelatin, Cica 1972, Color Fine Art, East Haven Ct., Film 35mm, Humanity, Kodachrome, Old Roads, Summer, The Sea, Wooden Boat Tags // B+W Fine Art Photography, Color Fine Art, Humanity, Silver Gelatin, Simplicity

Film B+W recently shot or old discoveries.

10.20.2018 by Peter J. Crowley // Leave a Comment

Film recently scanned and shot. B+W TriX my go to voice. Old and pasted by technology the decisive moment becomes quantity  how many images can your camera make in an hour? What does the image say? 700 photos in 6 hours and my battery sill has power. TMax 400 30 exposures over 3 days last week six I like. Every image you make is a self portrait.

Brooklyn Fair Brooklyn Ct. 1979

Camden Maine Art Fair July mid 80’s an artist holds the attention as he explains his work and technique.

October 14, 2018 Raspberry treats and  a peaceful afternoon.

Cloud Burst Ellington Ct 1976

October 2018 after cataract surgery on my focus eye I return to my 51, 50 year old Nikon F’s. Home again seeing making all decisions my creations not the cameras.   

All images for sale contact me for a price that fits your budget.

peace pjc

Film 

Categories // Autumn, B+W Fine Art, Choice, Film, Film 35mm, Fine Art Photographs, Midsummer, Nature, Nikon, Olympia Wa., Outdoor Art Show, Rain, Storm Tags // Ambiance, B+W Fine Art Photography, Blending the past and the present, Flowers, Olympia, Portraits, Silver Gelatin, Street Photography

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