Other Art and Goings On

You’ve probably noticed the lack of updates here over the past few months. After a busy 2012, I planned to be less active here this year for several reasons. I intended to be a bit more active than I have been. But life happens, other projects take hold, and as often as I think about it… posts here just haven’t been done.

I expect to be back here with more posts in the future and even have another half-edited video or two in the works. But since those things won’t be ready any time soon, I thought I’d at least give you an update on some of my work beyond (but still related to) Jordan’s Journey.

Back in March, I had a solo art exhibition–titled muse–in Raleigh, NC. The works were inspired by some of the Jordan’s Journey research (among other things)–and the Jordan’s Journey book was on display too. I gave a brief talk at the opening reception and included a reading of an ancestor-inspired work of fiction (which was a special sneak preview of a project in the works). Above is a photo of me with the presenter, Geraldine Bryan, which is from Walter magazine (May 2013). You can learn more about this show on the main blog.

Opening today in Portland, Oregon, one of my photos is included in the new exhibition Field Notes: Landscape and Architecture at Black Box Gallery. If you happen to be in the Portland area, the show is on view until June 20, 2013. Otherwise, check it out online.

My photo is displayed under the name I use for my non-Jordan’s Journey art, luke kurtis. Many readers here may not be familiar with my work beyond the genealogical realm. As an interdisciplinary artist, I’ve been producing art under the name luke kurtis for many years. Jordan’s Journey was a point of departure when I decided to create for the first time a body of work under my birth name.

The photo on view in the Field Notes exhibition was taken in Subligna, Georgia. I took this photo last year while doing Jordan’s Journey research. That day I photographed and inventoried Anderson’s Cemetery (you can see that inventory and some of the photos at Find A Grave). This shows how genealogy and art have coalesced to form Jordan’s Journey‘s unique take on exploring the past.

And that’s just a little peek into my world! But don’t worry. I may be a lot quieter here at Jordan’s Journey these days, but creative work takes lots of time and attention. If you’re interested in my work beyond the genealogical sphere, be sure to check bd-studios.com for whatever’s latest.

I hope to be back here with a more “traditional” blog post for you at some point in the coming weeks. But until then, if you’re new to the site, you can always explore the archives. There’s a whole backlog of content just waiting for you to explore!

The below photo is another image from Subligna I shot the same day as the photo on view at Black Box Gallery.