It holds a special place in my heart because my dad used to take my brother and me to University of Tennessee football games every year up until the sixth grade when we moved to Alabama. I fondly cherish those memories.

My dad never took me to Ciderville Music, so I absolutely had to stop there.

It’s where I found the most amazing portrait bust of Johnny Cash ever drawn.

Absolutely had to stop at Yee-Haw Industries, too. . .

I miss Tennessee, but remembered very quickly part of the reason why I left. . . like 90 degree weather in about 100% humidity.

Ah, the allure of the South. . .

More always,

Clinard

I got an email a couple hours back saying that the editorial team selected my project from the several hundred that folks post everyday. Pretty neat being that a couple days ago I decided to pull some images together that I’ve shot over the last year or so in anticipation for the new site that’s being developed. Figured I’d give folks a preview of some of the visuals to expect, and here it goes getting some neat attention!

I suspect that project will drop from the front pages after a week or so, but in the meantime, feel free to visit the gallery and let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy looking at them as I had a great time creating them. Big shout of thanks to all the nice folks that sat for me!

More soon,

Mike

It’s been a busy month for me: the website look is finally being hashed out and collateral material printing for the Office of Michael Clinard, General Photography is gearing up.

Outside of the recent happenings, I found some time to steal away and edit through the 1600 or so photos from the recent trip to Ecuador. I’ve gone ahead and put them up on Picasa here.

When you arrive, I encourage you to click the slideshow option to see them larger; from there, you can pause it to click through at your own pace or turn off the captions if you’d prefer.

Above is an image shot inside the monument La Virgin del Panecillo which overlooks Quito–Ecuador’s capital. It’s a large monument of the Virgin Mary constructed of large steel plates, each one welded and screwed together as seen above.

When I finally stopped to appreciate it’s inner construction, I found myself standing in front of plate 79. Specifically important to me given that it was the year of my birth: 1979.

More soon,

Mike

Met him a few months back after finding myself in a conversation about The South and Jimi Hendrix. We hit it off immediately: he telling me about Arkansas, his time serving in the military and his 40-year-old parrot, Sailor; myself talking about Bama and my quirky, conceptual portrait style.

Since then we’ve been chatting every other week or so about getting together to do a little colab in the studio, and a few days back we finally had an opportunity.

What a treat to hear Ron move with ease from Hendrix to Skynard to ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow.’ I found myself smiling and kind of zoning out, rapt in his guitar wizardry. This man has got endless amounts of talent, and a damn fine bird to boot!

On this great Memorial Day, I wanted to get this post up to honor Ron and all the service men and women who serve or have served our country to give us the freedom we enjoy today.

More always,

Mike

Getting things square in the studio today for a shoot tomorrow.

In sum, part of the gig involves a bird of flight, so–during pre-light–we busted out our best parrot impersonations.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really digging these images. Hope the parrot brings it as hard as we did this afternoon.

Enjoy,

Mike

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a perpetual note taker. Interestingly enough, I also tend to save them well after their ‘to a T’ execution. Reason being, they’re kind of pretty when it’s all said and done.

Enjoy,
Mike

Shot while home in Athens.

I’ve had a few people egging me on to put this last one up.

As well as this one test, which was shot on the eve of my 30th birthday.

More always,

Mike

My buddies and I recently got together to celebrate mankind’s neverending search for the nastiest dunk on a nerf setup in history.

This is Joshua Collins’ contribution. It’s apparently pending review down at the patent and copyright office. If I remember correctly, it’s called the Reverse Jackhammer Undertow Revelation: Major.

Collins’ execution of the previous dunk was so stunningly well orchestrated, that it caused the basketball to implode, and we were forced to play with a shrunken soccer ball for the remainder of our nerf study. A little Permacel grip tape, and we were back in business.

Here Collins plays a little ‘D’ on Lakin “the Smiling Shark” Garth.

Also in attendance was the renowned historian, Luke “Cottonmouth” McGuire, Ph.D–an expert in the history of Sickeningly-ill Gravity-defying Nerfdunkdom. We were very honored to have him observe our contribution to this very momentous and important moment in human history.

As time continued its march into 2009, I took some time to photograph family and friends.

Above is the one and only Mr. James Fain. Perhaps one of the most knowledgeable guys in my hometown, it was great seeing him and having him sit for these portraits. All the while listening to his remarkable collection of experimental/noise discs and LP’s.

So here’s to a great start to 2009. I’m excited to see how things continue to shake out.

More always,

Mike

I kind of feel excited as if it’s turning into this huge journey.