I just found this picture of me and Brittney at round up two years ago, and couldn't stop smiling. We're wearing the dresses the square dancers made for us, by the way.

Ready for the next big project, and waiting on graduate decisions!

Self Portrait Video

This was a self portrait video created for one graduate school's application

Still waiting to hear the results on all of them, fingers crossed!

January 2011

My solo show in November was a complete success. There was a great turn out and both films were received very well. A lot of the local square dancers were there and saw the film and framed photographs for the first time, as well as Victor's (Elvis) parents. Here are a few photos from the install and reception:

I submitted three portfolio packets for graduate admissions on new years Eve, out with the old and in with the new in 2011. The same day I received a fortune cookie that read 'You will soon be on top of the world.' I then took it a step further by researching 'New Years traditions (and meanings)' and made vegetarian black eyed peas and brown rice with cornbread (for luck), cabbage (for scholarships and monetary success), and a round vegan chocolate cake (for resolutions) all from scratch. I know that these traditions may or may not hold any relevance in the upcoming months but I didn't want to start the year off with any negativity.

As of now I have applied to 4 of my 7 possible graduate schools, and results should be sent March 1st. Next weekend the juried group documentary exhibition 'Storytelling' will be hung at the L. Nowlin Gallery, a show I am thrilled to be a part of. The reception is in Austin on January 15th from 6-8 pm, hope to see you all there!

Update 10/10/10

Lisslafleur.com is currently under re-construction with help from artist Summer Ortiz. The site will be up November 1, 2010 with new work and information.

I have been awarded a solo show for the first week in November, at the University of North Texas' North Gallery. The exhibition will include work from:

- Oaxaca, MX; documentary photographs from my travels with photographer Mary Ellen Mark

- Part of Me: and Elvis Impression; documentary photographs and video on the struggle for identity within a young Elvis impersonator

- Do Si Do; documentary photographs and video surrounding the North Texas Square Dance community

Invitations seen below:

I spent this summer traveling with 50's Elvis tribute artist, Victor Trevino Jr. This included a journey to Memphis for Elvis week with him and his wife. A short documentary and photographs are being edited now and will be completed by early November. The photograph below of myself and his wife was taken backstage at one of the shows and shown on Elvis.com.

Do Si Do has really come a long way, and the dancers are all becoming closer to me. I'm really looking forward to finishing the documentary and showing the work. Here they're seen critiquing my photographs of them, Summer 2010.

Here are two photographs from Honors day at the University of North Texas with photography professor Paho Mann. I was named the Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year [10-11] in the college of visual arts, as well as recipient of the Robert Egar Scholarship for an up coming photographer.

Two of my photographs have been chosen to be published within Mary Ellen Mark's book, Oaxaca MX. The book and traveling exhibition showcase the best work produced by her students, and should be out early 2011.

Oaxaca, Honors day, and CVAD Scholarships

Oaxaca with Mary Ellen was excellent. I spent half of my time photographing the very small rebel tattoo community, and the other half I spent photographing the transgendered February festival. Farmers, painters, and craftsmen wore dresses and paraded down the streets of Zachilla drinking and dancing. Hopefully pictures will be up on Lisslafleur.com soon!

I am being awarded the yearly Outstanding Undergraduate Award for studio art at the University of North Texas, and will be receiving a photographic scholarship through the School for Visual Arts for my final year. I'm hoping to have the full length documentary, Do Si Do, completed by next May and am hoping to land a solo show for the photographs, and to premier the film. Pretty soon I will be up and away to graduate school!

Rising Eyes of Texas

I was chosen to be a part of the Rising Eyes of Texas: an annual exhibition for undergraduate and graduate students emerging in the visual arts, an honor I'm very proud of. Can you find Marsha and Ed?

January 2, 2010

I will be returning to Mexico to work under photographer Mary Ellen Mark and Marcella Taboda again February 14-26th.

- My work was selected as part of the Joyce Elaine Grant Exhibition, and will be on display January 26th- February 17th at Texas Women's University. Two 30 x 20 in. pieces from my documentary on Texas Square Dancing were selected by judge and SFMOMA curator Corey Keller. The reception will be January 26th, 2010 from 4-6 pm.