ELIZABETH OPALENIK (American b.-)Photographer "In my 30 years circulating through the photographic community,I have met few individuals who have developed their creative inspiration as richlyas Elizabeth. The images that flow from her frequent bursts of inspirationalways surprise and delight me. She has the wonderful ability to turn any photographicprocess into her own unique vision and voice, from infrared to handcoloringto Mordançage. There are more unrestrained, creative impulses in herfingers and heart than seems fair in one person."—Reid Callanan DIRECTOR OF SANTA FE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS I left home in 1969 to the sound of peace marches and my mother saying, "I knew you were different from the time you were two." From the farm in Western Pennsylvania to the shores of Connecticut, I slowly started to evolve as an artist from former lives managing the accounting department for Continental Oil Company, managing jazz clubs and as "A Ms-Placed Lady" in my construction/design company. In 1979, after a two week photographic workshop in Maine, I sold everything, moved and never looked back.I am a photographic artist, educator and freelance photographer traveling the world with my camera ... and I love it. Philanthropic projects keep me grounded and connected universally. I believe that all good photographs are self portraits and know that my many former lives manifest themselves in my images. In 1983, Elizabeth traveled to Provence to meet Jean Pierre Sudre, the French photographer who created a darkroom process he coined "mordoncage." This is a process where the silver emulsion is lifted from the photographic paper in the shadow areas, then removed or rearranged. The floating veils of silver emulsion can be manipulated on the wet paper creating an illusion of floating, diaphanous fabric, willowy skies, or an abstracted background or figure. Each image is unique. Elizabeth explored and mastered this process with an expensive body of stunning work. The process of mordancage and the end result involves, and subsequently looks like, water. This led Elizabeth to begin photographing the human form in the water. She found there is a hidden beauty within a subject that she can capture this way. The models are submerged in crystal clear water and Elizabeth captures the everchanging color, light, and reflection from above. The boundaries between reality and reflection blur, sometimes creating images that resemble Botero's paintings. Other times, she allows the water to go still and the models to relax to the bottom of the pool. These images have an interesting opacity to them, and hair and clothing float in a way that looks otherworldly.Elizabeth's constant pull to the beauty in reflections has prompted her to seek other ways to achieve a similar result. She has now ventured into using mylar and mirrors to find new ways of seeing and appreciating the landscape, as well. These images perhaps show us a bird's eye view, or what the landscape would look like through water. They are wondrous and imaginative works where details often disappear and give way to sweeping fields of color and suggestions of horizon.Elizabeth Opalenik's book POETIC GRACE was widely acclaimed and available through the gallery.She has just completed her second book, WORKSHOP STORIES, Lives Changed through Photography Workshops. Signed copies of the book are available in the gallery, as well.This book is about world renowned photography workshops and the impact they had on students and faculty. It includes more than 100 stories with images by the teaching icons of early photography workshops, starting with Ansel Adams' Workshops in Yosemite. More than 60 percent of the 100 photographers featured in this book have passed through the doors of Union Hall here in Rockport, Maine. Many stayed, and still live here. “All spines on the bookcase will have to wait a long time until, if ever, for this one to join them given that Workshop Stories will take permanent residence on the living room table or old piano top. The balance between stories and facing images is truly inspiring and so unique. It’s two gorgeous books in one on every single spread. Honored as well to be there.” Arno Rafael MinkkinenUpcoming: Elizabeth will be included in theTwinka Exhibition at Crocker Art Museum in 2022, another book of alternative process by Christina Z Anderson, a Polaroid Exhibition November in Nanjing China and in Lishui where she will be an online keynote speaker. 2020. HLiiC Museum, Nanjing, China invited group exhibition alternative processes 2019 “Where Does the Future Get Made?” Lishui Photo Festival, China invited 2019 “Resonance” PhotoCentral, Hayward, CA invited group 2019 “The Barbara Morris Goodbody Collection” Maine Museum of Photographic Arts, Maine group 2019 “Annual Spring Exhibition”, PhotoCentral, Hayward, Ca invited group 2019 “Out of the Dark: Alternative Process Photograph” Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, CA invited group 2019 “Reflecting on Awagami” PhotoLA, Santa Monica, CA 2019 “The Print Exposed”, Gold Street Studios, Trentham East, Australia invited group 2019 “Magic of Mordançage” Gold Street Studios, Trentham East, Australia solo 2018 “Mordançage” Gold Street Studios, Trentham East, Australia solo 2018 “womenSEEwomen” Miami Photo Fest, Miami FL 2018 “A Time to Talk” The Yellow House, Wanganui, NZ group 2018 “womenSEEwomen” Centro Português de Fotografia, Porto, Portugal 2018 “Reflecting on the Edge” Carver Hill Gallery, Camden ME group 2018 “Mordançage” Nanjing China 2018 “Mordançage” SSZJ Gallery, Beijing, China solo 2018 “Reflections” Ridley Gallery, Rocklin CA solo 2017 “Made by Hand” PhotoCentral, Hayward, CA group 2017 “Art in Photography” Without Pier Gallery, Cheltenham Australia group 2017 “Mordançage: unveiling the beauty” Dali International Photography Festival, Dali, China group 2017 “Mordançage: unveiling the beauty” SSZJ Gallery, Beijing, China solo 2017 “Mordançage: the unveiling” The Colour Factory, Melbourne Australia solo 2017 “Moments in Time: reflecting on the human spirit” IPFW Gallery, Ft Wayne IN solo 2017 “Five Year Anniversary SFPW” Fototeca de Cuba, Havana 2016 “Mordançage” alternative work with Ellie Young, Tim Rudman, Mike Ware Beijing China 2016 “Reflecting on the Edge” and “Altered Egos” PhotoCenter, Troy, NY solo 2016 “Reflecting on the Edge” and “Altered Egos” Verve Gallery, Santa Fe with Sacabo and Moon 2016 “On the Edge of Chance” Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA with Jane Olin2015 “Reflecting on the Edge” and “Altered Egos”, Carver Hill Gallery, Rockland, ME solo2015 “Art Intersection”, RFoto Folio Tuscon, AZ2015 “Reflecting on the Edge” and Altered Egos”, Toronto Art Fair, Carver Hill Gallery2015 “Mordançage” AIPAD, NYC Verve Gallery of Photography2015 ”Off the Grid”, Works from “Reflecting on the Edge”, Umbrella Arts, NYC2014 “Mordançage: Images of Beauty and Poetic Grace” Blanco Negro, Sydney, Australia solo2014 “Mordançage: Images of Beauty and Poetic Grace”, Gold Street Studios, Australia solo2013 “Reflecting on the Edge” Art Miami2013 “Reflecting on the Edge” Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME2013 “Mordançage” Bolinas Museum, Bolinas, CA solo2013 “Kate Carter: A Woman Observed”, Maine Media Gallery, Rockport, ME2012 “Human + Nature”, Verve Gallery of Photography, Santa Fe, NM with Beth Moon2011 “The Collective” David Weinberg Gallery, Chicago, IL2010 “Four Visions in a Different Light”, Creative Center of Photography, Hollywood, CA2010 “Four Visions in a Different Light”, Fahey Bodell Umbrella Arts, NYC2010 “Four Visions in a Different Light”, Tilt Gallery, Tuscon, AZ2010 “Four Visions in a Different Light”, Carroll Arts Center, Westminster, MD2009 “Poetic Grace”, Paul Pauletti Gallery, Louisville, KY solo2009 “Tuscany: Timeless Beauty”, Photo Center, Troy, NY with Diana Grandi2009 “Les Trois Esprits”, Gallery 291, San Francisco, CA with Jean-Pierre Sudre, Denis Brihat2009 “Group Show”, Gallery 291, San Francisco, CA2008 “Poetic Grace”, WAVE Gallery, Brescia, Italy solo2008 “Poetic Grace”, David Weinberg Gallery, Chicago, IL solo2007 “Poetic Grace”, Verve Gallery of Photography, Santa Fe, NM solo2007 “Poetic Grace”, Gallery Deforest, Ashland, OR solo2007 “Dance with the Matador” San Miguel De Allende, Mexico solo2006 “Poetry in Motion”, “Everything I Know” Gallery Deforest, Ashland, OR solo2005 “Elizabeth Opalenik: A Self Portrait”, Creative Center of Photography, Hollywood, CA solo2005 “Sensual Water Image”, San Giovanni D’Asso, Italy solo2005 “A Journey Home” Gallery Deforest, Ashland, OR amish work solo2001 “The Book of Alternative Processes” Art Institute of Boston, MA2001 “Images Retrospective” Anniversary show, Shoreline Arts Alliance, Guilford, CT2001 “Changing the Image” Westport Arts Center, Westport, CT2000 “Metamorphisis: Mordançage Images” Soho Photo Gallery, New York, NY solo2000 “Polaroid SX-70’s” Auberge la Regalido Gallery, Fontvieille, France solo1997 “Invisible to the Eye”, Benham Gallery, Seattle, WA solo1992 “Hand-colored Photos”, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI1991 “From a Women’s Perspective” Imagery Gallery, Lancaster, OH with Connie Imboden1989 “Provence” Baker University Gallery, Baldwin City, KS1988 “Hand-Painted Images” Westport, CT solo1987 “Hand Painted Images”, Galerie Federic Bazille, Montpellier, France solo1982 “Elizabeth Opalenik Photographs” Stony Creek Gallery, Stony Creek, CT solo1980 “The Figured Studied” Maine Photographic Workshops Gallery, Rockport, ME 1981-1986 Collections Maggi Weston Collecton, Don Sanders Collection, La Bibliothèque Nationale de France, The Portland Museum of Art, The Rosalind Gorin and Matthew Budd Art Collection, Milwaukee Art Museum, Barbara Morris Goodbody Collection and many private collections internationally. 1979 Maine Photography Workshops 3 month resident program1980 Maine Photography Workshops 3 month resident program work scholarship2018 Artist in Residence, PhotoCentral, Hayward CA 2 month residency BIO Elizabeth Opalenik now lives and works in Oakland, California, but this peripatetic artist is often on the move. As a photographic artist, she believes that all good photographs are self portraits that lie somewhere between imagination and dreams. Her nearly 40 year career has found her teaching or making images on six continents, seeking the beauty and grace that exists within all things. Elizabeth conducts photographic portrait, figure and mordançage workshops internationally, creating a sense of wonder and possibility in her students. Elizabeth is committed to her black and white darkroom, but combines digital usage when appropriate. Her preference is working with water in any form or illusion and furthering her work in the French process Mordançage where she has added her signature style by creating veils of floating silver emulsion. Elizabeth’s work is collected, published and exhibited internationally. She has taught for Maine Media Workshops, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, Gold Street Studios and National Geographic Expeditions among others. In addition, Opalenik also travels with Medical Ministry International, documenting the projects of eye doctors in Colombia, Bolivia and the Amazon. Following a life-long dream, she published her first monograph, Poetic Grace-Elizabeth Opalenik Photographs 1979-2007. Her website is www.opalenik.com. 2019-1983 Maine Photographic Workshops and Maine Media WorkshopsRockport, Maine Mordançage, Beauty of Women, The Romantic Image, Water Magic, The Handmade Photograph, Polaroid Processes, The Sensual Image, The Beauty Within, Studio Lighting, Crash,2015-1988Fontvieille, France Maine Photographic Workshops in Provence 1995-1983Assisted Craig Stevens and Kate Carter 1983, co-taught with Craig Stevens 1984-1990,taught 1991-1995. Workshops were two weeks to one month. Artists in residence were Eliot Porter, Cole Weston, Paul Caponigro, John Goodman, Lilo Raymond and Larry Fink. Annually we visited with Jean Pierre Sudre, Lucien Clergue and Denis Brihat. Students were exposed to exhibitions and visiting artists at the Rencontres d’Arles. Life as a photographer could not have been better.Buonconvento, Italy Toscana Photography Workshops co-founded with Carlo Roberti and Maine Photographic Workshops 1993, 19942018-1990 Sante Fe Photographic WorkshopsSanta Fe, New Mexico Imagination and Dreams, Sensual Image in Infrared, Intimate Portrait, Art of Seeing , Vision 2015-1990San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Imagination and Dreams, In Search of the Romantic, Figure Study , The Evocative Portrait 2017, 2014, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002Havana and Camaguéy Cuba Seeing Cuba, Dance in Cuba, Women of Cuba: Exploring Changing Roles, Dance and Music in Cuba 2013-2018National Geographic Expeditions with Santa Fe Photographic WorkshopsProvence, Tuscany, Venice, Mexico 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003Produced and co taught with National Geographic Photographers Jim Stanfield, Connie Phelps, David Alan Harvey, Tomasz Tomaszewski, Annie Griffith Belt, Joe McNally, Sisse Brimberg, Cotton Coulson, Jim Richardson, Bob Krist, Dan Westergren and Catherine Karnow.2019-1992 Opalenik Photographic AteliersFrance...Bonnieux, St Remy, Arles, Mirabel aux Baronnies, Vaison-la-Romaine L’Isle sur laSorgue, Provence, Kissed by the Light , The Magic of Provence, The Figure in Provence 2017-1992 with guest artists Jean-Pierre and Claudine Sudre, Denis Brihat and Lucien Clergue.Burgundy, Barging in Style 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2014Italy...Montalcino, Buonconvento, Monteciano, San Quirico d’Orcia Under the Tuscan Sun1995-2018 Spoleto Umbria 2009, Corigliano d’Otranto Apulia-An ExtraordinaryHeritage 2010, Siracusa Ciao Bella! Sicily Workshop 2007, Venice 2002, 2003, 2015Senegal and Casablanca…Within the Frame 2019Arnhem, Netherlands…Mordançage 2019Argentina and Uruguay...Buenas Aires, Carmelo, Punta Del Este Buenas Dias, Argentina andUruguay 2008 and 2009Bali and Java…Within the Frame 2015Guatemala...Antigua Dias de los Muertos 2012Greece...Santorini 2006 co taught with Tomasz TomaszewskiIceland,…Baer Art Institute “Visual Voice for Stories Left Behind” 2015Mexico… Rancho la Puerta Finding the Beauty Within 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2006Maine...F Holland Day Center for Creativity and Healing co taught with Dr Matthew Budd A Healing workshop for Women Living with Cancer 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 The Figure in the Landscape 2017,2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011California, Napa Valley, Creative Women Sharing 2009, 2008, 2006, The SensualImage 2008, 2007, 2003, 2002 , Oakland, Toning, Polaroid SX-70, Handmade Books2002, 2004, Dance and Movement 2012-2019, Private Mordançage 2018, 2019 Hand Painted Photographs 2019, Carmel The Intimate Portrait 2004Connecticut, Westport Dance and Movement 2013, 2012, 2011 Figure 1991,1990,1989, 1988Maryland, Bethesda Sensual Image and Polaroid Options 2003Colorado, Boulder Sensual Image 2003Georgia, Cumberland Island Figure, Dance, Life 2016 Figure in the Landscape 1996Wyoming, Jackson Hole What is Invisible to the Eye 1994Michigan, Kalamazoo Figure Workshop 1992 2019 Norway, Inderoy…NordPhotography, Beauty of Women2019 Petaluma, Ca…The Image Flow, Fine Art Nude Photography2018 Australia, Trentham East...Gold Street Studios, Mordançage2018 China, Beijing,…Gold Street Studios for SSZJ Workshops, Mordançage2017 Australia, Trentham East...Gold Street Studios, Mordançage2017 China, Beijing,…Gold Street Studios for SSZJ Workshops, Mordançage2017 New Zealand, Christ Church…keynote speaker2016 Montana, Missoula…Photographers Formulary Mordançage2015 Australia, Trentham East...Gold Street Studios, Mordançage2013 Australia, Trentham East...Gold Street Studios, Mordançage2013 Australia, Ballarat, Ballarat International Foto Biennale Finding the Beauty Within2013 Australia, Ballarat Mordancage, Creative Voice keynote speaker BIFB2011 New York, Woodstock The Sensual Image 2006, 2003, 2001, 1994, 1992, 19912010 California, Palo Alto Stanford University Continuing Education The Creative Portrait2009 Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh F295 Symposium Mordançage workshop keynote speaker2009 Wyoming, Jackson Hole Art Center of Jackson Hole Figure in Motion2009 California, Carmel Ideas Exploding2009 Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky Woman Photographers workshop keynote speaker2008 Verona Italy MIMA Bodies and Souls2008 Indiana, Purdue University Photo Midwest workshop keynote speaker2008 California, Santa Monica Julia Dean Workshops The Poetic Figure2005 Minnesota, MInneapolis MCAD ASMP workshop keynote speaker2002 Florida, Boca Raton Palm Beach Photographic Workshops Magic of Water, PolaroidExpressions2001 Texas, Austin UTA School of Journalism, Visual Communications Lecture Series1998 Italy, Monteciano British Guild of Portrait Photographers Portrait Workshop1997 New York, New York Photo Plus Expo Alternative Processes, Commercially Applied1996 Florida, Boca Raton Palm Beach Photographic Workshop, The Romantic Photo1990 France, Arles The Figure Workshop1988 Florida. Boca Raton Boca Raton Photographic Workshops The Figure Workshop assistant to Lucien Clergue 19871987 Missouri, Kansas City Hallmark Creativity Workshop, feature film for Welcome Center Publications…links at elizabethopalenik.com info/press2020 Workshop Stories: changed through photography edit/design collection of 100 photographers2019 China and Literature Art Foundation. Magazine feature on Mordançage2019 #NoFilter, get creative with photography carbon printing2019 Mastering Film Photography, Mordançage1997 Monograph Poetic Grace: Elizabeth Opalenik Photographs 2007-1997 OPA Editions2000 copies published in Singapore with Limited Edition in Clamshell2010 Why Photographs Work edited by George Barr, Elizabeth Opalenik Waiting p 160-1632010 The View Project, edited by Joyce Tenneson p 94-952001 The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes by Christopher James every edition1997 Our Grandmothers, loving portraits by 74 Granddaughters1996 Our Mothers, Portraits of 72 Women Photographers Magazine Articles, Interviews, Catalogues2021. Analogue Forever Magazine Mordançage Feature and Cover Edition 5 Winter 20212019 Fine Art Photo No. 25, fine art in various processes2017 L’oeil de la Photographie, Mordançage2017 L’oeil de la Photographie, Reflecting on the Edge2017 Shadow and Light magazine, featured artist2017 Silvershotz magazine Mordançage2014 Lenscratch Alternative Process Week: Elizabeth Opalenik: Mordançage2013 F11 Magazine Reflecting on the Edge p 14-392013 Rfoto folio A Way of Seeing, Photography of Elizabeth Opalenik2012 Color magazine spotlight Opalenik2011 The Picture Professional ASPP Coming Home to the Heart issue 4, cover p 32-362010 Underexposed: Susan Burnstein blog In Focus: Elizabeth Opalenik2009 Silvershotz Mordançage, Alternative Printing Process vol 5 ed 6, p 10-212008 B&W Magazine spotlight Opalenik2008 B&W Magazine spotlight Sudre/Opalenik2006 Silvershotz Elizabeth Opalenik Profile of a Master in Photographic Art Vol 3 Ed 7 cover p 36-44 2006 Camera Arts A Photographers Journal Nov/Dec cover p 10-25 2003 El Petit Journal Conta La Pared1999 Camera Arts conversation with J P Caponigro1993 ZOOM Magazine Elizabeth Opalenik p 42-411995 Photo District News Opalenik Gets Below the Surface Vol 15 Issue 1, p 491992 Photo Design Portfolio p 54-55