Greetings!

April and early May have proven to be a busy period. After returning from the Palm Springs Photo Festival (link), we made final decisions regarding publication of Sand Mirrors: a combination of Steve's images of the northern California and Oregon coasts and the poetry of Richard Clarke. Both the electronic and print versions of Sand Mirrors will be published by Polytropos Press. The e-version is scheduled to be released in early- to mid- July, while the print version should appear in mid-September. We also are planning to produce a limited edition of 25 hardbound copies which will include a signed print; a link for those interested in acquiring a copy of Sand Mirrors will be published in our July newsletter. In the interim, please visit the book's website both for a 'sneak preview' and for updates on progress as we head toward publication.

Over the weekend of 21 April, we attended a highly stimulating and provocative workshop held at Art Intersection Gallery in Gilbert, and organized by Mary Virginia Swanson which focused on book publication and how to reach potential audiences for books and prints. Swanee somehow manages to leave her audience breathless, even though it is she who is talking nearly non-stop in her (successful) effort to share her enormously insightful thoughts and tips. Attendees spanned the continent, and having time to spend with so many accomplished artists was both joyful and humbling.

Following the Swanee workshop, we hosted Lauret Savoy, Professor of Environmental Studies and Geology and Mount Holyoke College. Despite her extensive academic commitments, Lauret is making the time to put together an essay to complement my collection of Earth and Mars images which we hope to shape into an e- and print- book not too long after Sand Mirrors goes to press. The visit was both personally pleasurable, stimulating and productive.

One of Karen's images, Hawaii Gulch I, has been accepted into the Black & White show at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, CO. The show runs from April 6 - May 19, 2012.

Both Karen and Steve have images accepted in the Arizona Centennial exhibit at the gallery at Tohono Chul Park. Karen's image, Tumacacori Mission, and Steve's image, Nazlini mudhills, are in the show.The exhibit runs from January 26 through April 22.

Steve was asked to donate prints for two auctions: one at Silver Eye Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA and The Photo Review in Philadelphia, PA. The Silver Eye live auction is over but a few items remain available. Please check out their website and find a piece that you love; there is a great deal of really impressive work available, and the proceeds go to supporting a worthy institution. The Photo Review auction will be next September.

We will be headed to Spain for 3 weeks beginning on May 25. A focal point of our trip will be Photo Espana 2012 where Steve will be meeting with a selection of European and American gallerists and museum directors in Madrid (5-7 June). We also plan to spend time in Andalusia (9 days); Barcelona and Catalan country (6 days); and 4 days in Basque country; probably too much, too fast, but we hope this trip will serve as a sumptuous 'tasting menu'.

Both Steve and Karen have created Facebook pages devoted solely to photography. We have each populated a 'timeline' where you can trace the development of our very different visions. For Steve, we invite you to visit: http://www.Facebook.com/StephenStromPhoto/ and for Karen, http://www.Facebook.com/KarenStromPhoto/). The 'milestones' on each of our timelines is generally accompanied by selections from an associated portfolio; we invite you to 'have a look' and, if so motivated, send feedback. The pages also provide a quick reference for upcoming events. If you like what you see, please take a nanosecond to click the 'like' button. Doing so will not only provide an 'instant high' for us, but more importantly, help to build a community: one where we can easily see and marvel at what you are doing as well. You can also follow our progress and view larger portfolios of images by visiting our websites: http://www.karenstrom.com/ and http://www.stephenstrom.com/.

Steve has nearly completed a catalog for his retrospective to be held at Verve Gallery in Santa Fe from October 26 to December 21. The opening reception will be on 26 October with a gallery talk on 27 October. The catalog will be graced by an introduction written by Rebecca A. Senf, Norton Family Curator at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson. We expect to announce options for obtaining copies of the catalog in our July newsletter.

Please note that given the length of our trip to Spain, this (roughly) monthly newsletter will likely next appear sometime after June 20. We wish all of you a happy and fruitful beginning to summer and look forward to 'talking' with you in June.

The complete archive of our newsletters is now available on both of our websites.

To order Steve's books through Amazon, click on the book cover.