Reception

The opening for my photo exhibition was a huge sucess with estimates of 300+ people attending. Indian dress and food with beer was flowing as was the local wines. I know you will enjoy it and the closing date is Dec. 31st.

One Week from today in my opening at the Cedarhurst Museum in Mt. Vernon IL of my trip to India. It will be on exhibit for 2 months untill the end of the year.
Rajasthan: Ancient Traditions and Modern Colors.

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage Played an afternoon concert at the jSheldon Concert Hall last Sunday the 4th of October. She gave an outstanding performance and the crowd was very involved and 'in to it'. This is the first concert since recording her DVD special at this venue a couple of years ago.

OK Folks, less that 5 weeks for my big solo exhibition at the Cedarhurst Museum in Mt. Vernon IL. the title is ; Rajasthan, Ancient traditions and modern colors. Stay tuned for more info.

These billboards located all around St. Louis are the latest creation of my photography and my colleague Carol Carter who did the commission and watercolor portrait. This is for a national competition for finding the best church choir in America. the competieion begins in a few weeks, so stay tuned for the results.

R I P Ted Kennedy, It was 10 years ago that I had the privaledge of spending a few hours with the Senator. It was at a fund raiser here in St Louis at an Irish restaurant. I was amazed of how his presence was felt in the room. He will be missed by the whole world. The photo is the holiday card that i used for the year 2000.

20 years ago today i was .......

standing in the police station in Riga, Latvia observing the 400 mile long human chain of people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania who wanted to break away from the Soviet Union. I talked my way down to street level to photograph history being made before my eyes. This event launched my career from Fine art photographer to 'Photojournalist'.

Whithin the next few years about 10 countries became independant from Communism.
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17 years later i finally got to meet and shake the hand of Mikail Gorbachov in Samara Russia.

Yes, 20 years has made a lot of changes in the world. I am thankful I witnessed this great event.

Kodachrome is no more

Good Bye to Kodachrome film after 74 years. Although i have shot hundreds of rolls of this film but not lately as i amall digital now. It was always a thrilling moment to wait for the postman with my small yellow box (from Chicago)containing my vacation photos. It was a memorable and wonderful time for me.

These are from a small town rodeo that we noticed from a bus window one Sunday afternoon a few months ago in Ecuador. Hitched a ride in the back of a pick up truck to get back to this site. No bulls were harmed as this was for entertainment only and the crowd loved it. If i had 1 more beer I would of ran across the ring on my way out. Next time!!!!!!

My 83 year young mother asked me to photograph her Quilting group yesterday for the 75th anniversary book for her Church.She is seated in the middle. These ladiescan really pump out some quilts to help her church and the poor people. They even make 'baby quilts' to send overseas to the missionaries. A great group of ladies who get together twice a week for a good cause. My father says it keeps her young.

This shot is part of a CD Cover shoot I did yesterday at Busch Stadium before the game of the St Louis Cardinals baseball team. It is for a Jazz CD with musicians from the Sheldon concert hall for 'Cardinal Care' program. It was a lot of fun seeing the lighter side of the baseball players.

Last night I was photographing a bluegrass music legend. Doc Watson gave a concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall and during intermission went backstage in the green room and never stopped playing his guitar. This is the photo i made during this time. At age 86 even!!! This was almost like my own personal concert backstage. It was a 'killer' of a concert along with his friend and fellow musician David Holt.

Last weekend my neighbor Fred and i finished a cedar Arbor that in connected to the fence between out back yords. This was a fun project and i planted some climbing roses to grow over the top of it. Looking and smelling real good.

10 years ago this week TIBET

This week is exactly 10 years ago that i spent 6 weeks tracelling in China, Thailand and Tibet. A wonderful experience that i have relived a thousand times.

This is an image from my latest trip to Ecuador. Saturday morning before dawn is when all the activity starts for the 'animal market'.By about 9 am the event is over and all the animals go home or to their new owners. Chickens, Guinea pigs, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and birds are all represented. This shot is from the hill overlooking the chaos, and the special gaze of the young child toward a stranger.

Bela Fleck and the Africa Project

April 1st was the night of Amazing African musicians with traditional instruments.
The Sheldon concert hall was the venue for this performance which included differant sets of music alone then Bela joined in for another number.

Made my Day Today

O m'God, i can't believe it.
woke up this morning to an e mail from a friend Ihave not heard from in 9 plus years, inviting me to come visit her in.....wait a minute....Kuwait City, Kuwait. I used to work for her and her husband on the island of Guanaja, Honduras many years ago. No snow or freezing Temps there like my back yard pictured in the photo. What the heck, i am pscyhed up, outta control, i finally have a destination with some substance. Does Delta fly there? No wait, i can get to Dubai then catch a plane to Kuwait City. This is Great!!!!. Maybe i can stop over to their neighbor Iran. Hopefully i can set this up for January/February 2010. Stand by for more info as i have to go to Borders book store to get my Lonely Planet books on these 2 countries. Travelling man

Back home and ready to ROLL for the YEAR

What's ahead for me is probably more of what's behind me, but I continue, as I always have, to move forward. To a certain extent, I look at the future in much the same way as did Jean-Paul Sartre, who, when asked what his best book was, said that it was the book he was going to do. I feel there is much more ahead. I have this new solo exhibition later this year at the Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon, IL at the end of this year. I am as excited as I've ever been. I love my life!

From the Ecuator part one

Since arriving in Ecuador, i have experianced a lot of things. Great food, changing weather, wonderful people and a sence of relaxing.
I am in Riobamba now and in a few days will be in Quito and then decide where to go after that. Probabally Columbia for 10 days. no photos to post now but will add one whem i return to the states.

Ahhhhh, during the bleakness of the dreary winter weather in which there is little color in my backyard garden, i turn my eyes to the 'Christmas Cactus' on top of my refridgerator.

just like clockwork the cactus blooms radiantly over the holidays and never lets me down. She spends 3/4's of the time outside but manages to bloom and make me notice her every year.

Another note is that i have decided to go to Columbia, Ecuador and El Salvador for a few weeks to get some new images for my big exhibition at the Cedarhurst Museum in Mt Vernon this fall. Stay tuned for some preview images comming soon.

Adios Amigas y Amigos

Reymundo

Udaipur, India reflection

So here i am this January morning looking at this photo that i took in Udaipur, India trying to decide which country to visit next week. It will be either central or south america and i am looking at maps, guide books trying to decide where to go. wherever i go it will be a fabulous adventure as they all are. Remember its the journey and not the destination that the excitement happens. Thus is the bonus of having a 'stand-by' ticket on a major airline which alows one to change destinations at will.
stand by and see where I end up for another edition of 'Andariego- Walking with Ray'

start now

Started my blog today Jan 4th 09. Looking forward to sharing my images and personal travel tales with you all.

This image is from Dec 21st, 08 the shortest day of the year to show the very long angle of the shadow as seen through the front window of my house. i will post another image on June 21st 09 and the shadow will be at the bushes you see on this side of the sidewalk.