A few months back–a few warmer, sunnier months back– toy photographer Brian McCarty came to town and introduced his neat-o, media activating work. He is the step son of local philanthropist and producer Mickey Babcock; McCarty’s opening took place at Babcock’s new home. The Jackson Hole Art Blog posted a story on his work, and McCarty keeps in touch.
Here’s one of his latest, “Moon Wanderers,” shot in the Tetons. McCarty says the little guys are resin figures. The toys are created by Russian Sergey Safonov, who, says McCarty, has “… hand-built a mysterious cast of characters that exist only at night. The Moon Wanders float along, sleeping and waiting.”
McCarty openly discusses his process, and in this case the process began with an imagined image of small figures afloat under a paper moon. The toys were mounted on metal rods placed in soft mud, at Two Oceans Lake, in Grand Teton National Park. ( Is this legal? Not sure. But I didn’t do it! ) A long exposure taken by a camera atop a semi-submerged tripod “…made the water seem glassy, except for the rippled reflection of strobe light off a paper moon suspended in the background.”
The Tetons can provide a lot of interference if they want to. McCarty was challenged by nature a few times.
“Things started getting a little edgy with the growing army of leeches seen attaching themselves to my waders. A too-close-for-comfort moose followed in close succession, at first looking confused at the humans walking around his lake at midnight, then a bit annoyed. I’d like to think that we scared him off with our flashlights and noisemaking, but it may have been what followed next. Through the 
mist, something that sounded much larger than the moose was splashing around. Unable to see, I’m going to wager it was a grizzly bear or perhaps a sasquatch. Hard to say,” says McCarty.
I saw McCarty’s show with my (dear) artist friend Ricki Arno--who I haven’t heard from in like, two months. Ricki, where are you? Please call. Have you gone back to Planet New York?
From Planet Laramie: Nationally known, Colorado-based artist James Surls will give a talk at the University of Wyoming’s Coe Library on Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 1:00 pm. The University’s Art Museum blog says a reception will follow; all will celebrate the installation of Surls’ new work, “Rolling Flowers.”
What a great title!
UW’s blog says Surls is noted for his work with emerging artists–he’s a mentor. He also works quite a bit with non-profits and he and his wife, Charmaine Locke, (Her website cover page shows a gorgeous shot of her large scale bronze, “Open Book.” Please look.) have large-scale pieces in that wonderful venue, “Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational.” Check the above U.W. Art Museum link for more information.
From the Wyoming Arts Council: Art Aid
Wyoming Entrepreneur, at the University of Wyoming, offers free web marketing 
counseling for small businesses, and the Wyoming Arts Council has an Individual Artists Professional Development (IAPD) grant program. Grants provide funds for artists to hire web designers ( wow!!!! artists lose lots of precious creativity time working on websites.), pay for hosting and other needs. A one-to-one match is required, and up to $500 can be awarded.
For info: Email [email protected]
Tammy Christel 
