Ray Johnson and A Book About Death

Happy 2012 To All!

2012-01-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

As I sit by the fire, looking out on the bright landscape of the first snowfall, I feel so lucky to be a part of the wonderful ABAD Universe. I look forward to some exciting shows this year and I really treasure being a part the lives of my ABAD friends on FB.

Long live mail art and long live the internets!

List of All ABADs to Date

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After some research and consultation, it seems that this is the most complete listing of ABADs, their dates and curators. If anyone has any further info, please let me know!

2011
Quetzalcoatl Gallery, Seattle, WA / November 10 – December 10 / Curators: Kathleen McHugh, Herb Sundvall

Second Avenue Firehouse Gallery, Bay Shore, NY / ABAD: The Ties That Bind / July 31 – September 2 / Curator: LuAnn T. Palazzo

Willo North Gallery, Phoenix, AZ / ABAD: Memento / May 3 – 28 / Curator: Patricia Sahertian

Chiesa S. Antonio Piazza La Rotonda Badoere di Morgano, Treviso, Italy / Un libro sulla Morte omaggio a Ray Johnson / April 9 – 17 / Curator: Virginia Milici

Elizabeth Stone Harper Gallery, Presbyterian College, SC / ABAD: Life / January 20 – February 25 / Curator: Ann Stoddard

2010
SAL Gallery, CW Post Campus-LIU, Brookville, NY / Ray Johnson and A Book About Death / November 1 – 6 / Curators: Joan Harrison, LuAnn. T. Palazzo

Belknap Mill Gallery, Laconia, NH / October 29–November 1 / Curators: John Moriarty, Melissa McCarthy

The Fluxmuseum, Fort Worth, TX / October 8 – 30 / Curator: Cecil Touchon

Jaffe Center for Book Arts, Florida Atlantic University, FL / July 15 – October 18 / Curator: Ginny Lloyd

The RNG Gallery, Omaha, NE / Till Death Due Us Part / July 31 – August 28 / Curators: Louise Millmann, Rob Gilmer

Villa Torri and Biblioteca Comunale, Vimodrone, Italy / May 8-19 / Curator: Gianfranco Maletti (this show only presented a very small selection of the 2009 NY Exhibition)

Museum of Modern Art, Wales, UK / April 27 – May 8 / Curator: Sonja Benskin Mesher

Exit 11 Contmeporary Art, Grand-Leez, Belgium / April 11 – June 27 / Curator: Luc Fierens

ASA Art Gallery, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina / April 1 – 15 / Curators: Ivana Rezek, Nataša Stanišić

Prostor, Zagreb, Croatia / March 22–30 / Curator: Ivana Rezek

Steppling Art Gallery, San Diego State U, CA / ABAD Mexicali / March 10 – April 9 / Curators: Bibiana Padilla Maltos, Sheila Dollente

Vladimir Nazor Library, Zagreb, Croatia / February 26 – March 21 / Curator: Ivana Rezek

Museu Brasileiro da Escultura, Brazil / Um Livro Sobre A Morte / February 6 – 28 / Curator: Angela Ferrara

2009
La Sexta Literary Arts Festival, Tijuana, Mexico / November 21 / Curator: Bibiana Padilla Maltos

Queens Museum of Art, NY / November 1 –15 / Curator: Louise Weinberg

River Mill Art Gallery, East Westfield, NJ / October 17–31 / Curator: Michael Chan

Ripe Art Gallery, Greenlawn, NY / October 11–18 / Curator: Louise Millmann

Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA / October 11–31 / Curator: Mara Thompson

Mobius, Boston, MA / September 19 – 20 / Curator: Jane Wang

Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery, Soho, NY / September 10 – 20 / Curator: Matthew Rose

Newest ABAD in Seattle

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The call is out for the latest ABAD in Seattle, Washington. It is being curated by original ABADer Kathleen McHugh at the Quetzalcoatl Gallery. CLICK HERE for details and get your work in asap!

There WILL BE New Orleans Second Line Jazz at the Artists' Reception / August 13, 7pm

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Thanks to the efforts of all the ABAD Angels, this is going to be a truly historic ABAD! This will be the first show to expand the movement to include live musical performance at our reception with The Joe Saylor Brass Band. Now the ABAD vanguard can claim poets, visual artists, performance artists, multi-media artists and musical artists!

The Joe Saylor Brass Band is comprised of some of the most exiting and talented young musicians on the Jazz scene today. The band members come from all parts of the world and their influences range from the beats of Africa to the horns New Orleans.

The band came together at Harlem parades led by Jonathan Batiste, piano virtuoso from New Orleans. Leader Joe Saylor has played with many Jazz greats including Jonathan Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Roy Hargrove and Ben Wolfe. Joe recently appeared on an episode of HBO’s “Treme,” along with Jon Batiste.

The JSBB is perfect to be the first musical performance artists at a “A Book about Death” exhibition, and we are absolutely thrilled to have them! The band will perform New Orleans Second Line (Funeral) Jazz selections including:

Whoopin' Blues
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Bourbon Street Parade
When The Saints Go Marching In
The Second Line
Oh, Didn't He Ramble
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
In The Sweet Bye and Bye

ABAD Angels Come Through

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The incredible ABAD community pulled together and funded the next show at Kickstarter.com.

ABAD: The Ties That Bind, scheduled for this summer in Bay Shore, NY, will not only be the first show to bind all entries into a handmade book, but also be the first show to feature live New Orleans Second Line funeral jazz.

There will also be other performances scheduled for the Artists' Reception on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 7pm. Further information will be posted on the website. Don't miss it!

DONATE TO THE "ABAD: THE TIES THAT BIND" SHOW...

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...and get some cool ABAD art too!

Click on the logo above to go to Kickstarter – and donate to bring live New Orleans Funeral Jazz performers to this exhibition.

There are some pretty good rewards being offered for donations of $10 and $15.

BE AN ABAD ANGEL!

NEW CALL:From One of the Curators That Brought You the Awesome RJ+ABAD Show...

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LuAnn Palazzo (me!) sends out a NEW CALL:

Friday, March 13, 2009 | Sunday, March 13, 2011
Two years ago ON THIS EXACT DATE, Matthew Rose issued the original ABAD International Call.

Today, we send out the OPEN ARTISTS CALL for
A Book About Death: THE TIES THAT BIND

Reception: Saturday, 13 August 2011
Exhibition: 31 July–2 September 2011
At The Second Avenue Firehouse Gallery, Bay Shore, NY

Artists are invited to create their own book pages that illustrate their unique interpretations of THE TIES THAT BIND all living things universally through death. They may also choose to celebrate the ties that now bind all ABAD artists throughout the world (courtesy of Ray Johnson and Matthew Rose). Any interpretation is welcome.

All these pages will then be bound together in a handmade book (or books). A BOOK ABOUT DEATH will finally become a hand-bound book produced by global artists.

DETAILS at WWW.ABAD-23.BLOGSPOT.COM

NEW CALL: From Matthew Rose THE DEFENSE D'AFFICHER PROJECT

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Matthew Rose, creator of the international "A Book About Death" movement, has launched a new project. Make a poster on any subject (political, band, art, ecological, promotional) and submit it to the Defense D'Afficher Project for worldwide global distribution. Everything about the project is free. This project is about showcasing great poster design, distribution in the world's streets and commentary concerning all things "affiche (poster)."

See the blog here...

NEW CALL: ABAD Treviso, Italy Deadline March 20, 2011

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Here is another call for an ABAD in Italy. The twist is, this is the first show to request an actual book. I believe that now the number of global ABADs is 22! You can go here to see some books that have already been submitted: unlibrosullamorte.blogspot.com

Un Libro Sulla Morte : ABAD ITALIA Altered Book Artist Call
Artist’s Book or Altered Book, e.g. small Moleskine book, or any other suitable "book." Your book can be several postcards bound together. Please add the title somewhere on your work: “Homage to Ray Johnson: A Book About Death” (In your own language).

No returns

Technique/Medium: Free

Deadline: 20 March 2011

Documentation: Web

Mail your "altered" book to:

Virginia Milici

Via G. Verdi 18/A

31038 Paese (Treviso) ITALY

Please send photos of works submitted in jpg format : maximum 1800 pixels / 300kb / 72dpi
e-mail: arte@virginiamilici.org

NEW CALL: ABAD ArizonaDeadline April 25, 2011

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In an effort to keep all ABADers in the loop and help expand the ABAD Universe, I will begin posting calls for new shows here.

The latest one is being curated by artist Patricia Sahertian. The ABAD Memento exhibition is set for May 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona at the Willo North Gallery.

Please see the site for all information on the exhibition, including deadlines, guidelines, venue and how you can get involved: abad-phx.blogspot.com

Deadline for postcard and memento: April 25, 2011

Show dates: May 3 to 28, 2011
Reception: May 6, 2011

SEND ART TO
Patricia Sahertian
1517 W. Willetta Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007 USA

Please send jpgs (no larger than 600 x 400 px) of your work (for posting on the ABAD Momento blog), with your name and your website/blog or contact link to Patricia. Tell the story of your momento here.

Call for: one work on paper, post card size: approximately 6x4 inches (either vertical or horizontal) any medium, original art or reproduction is acceptable.

Optional twist: include a memento
Mementos play an important role in our remembering. A simple thing like a toothbrush, a letter, a toy, a paperclip, or a swatch of fabric, can be a fond reminder of a lost loved one. So please also send a tiny memento, if you like. See memento guidelines. Mementos will be displayed with your work.

ABAD Evolution

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HAPPY ABAD NEW YEAR, ALL!

I'm optimistic that this Year of the (dead?) Rabbit will be good to us all. Hopefully, you're enjoying good things already!

Amazingly, as of today there have been 20 ABADs with 2 more on the way. And we keep participating, creating and growing. The exploration continues to increase exponentially all the time. ABAD never sleeps.

Now, what I'd like to know is: how many have you been in? And how many new pieces have you done? What variation on the theme would you like to see in a future show? Please post your answers below... xxo

Video Highlights Of the Opening / Part 1 by Barry Rivadue

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Video Highlights Of the Opening / Part 2 by Barry Rivadue

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Seeking Kali Impromptu Performance at the Opening

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Ray Johnson and A Book About Death / The Art

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The Debut of "Seeking Kali" at the Opening

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Kali Yuga from William Evertson on Vimeo.

Kali Yuga, a Shadow Production by William Evertson for Seeking Kali premiered
at the opening of the Ray Johnson/A Book About Death exhibition on November
3rd, 2010. Music by Larry Cohen.

Opening Night Video From William Evertson

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Ray Johnson/A Book About Death Opening from William Evertson on Vimeo.

Opening Night Video From William Evertson: Finding Matthew

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Opening Night Video From Viv Maudlin

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The Opening / Night of the Living Fluxus / 11.03.10

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The Opening / Night of the Living Fluxus / 11.03.10

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Download the Show Program

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Click here to download printable files for the full program and insert

Installation Photos / 10.31.10

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Michael and Steve begin the process...

Michael, LuAnn, Steve, Joan and Constance

Joe and Steve

LuAnn and Joan try to look like they know what they're doing!

We all worked tirelessly for almost 8 hours straight and....

...TADA!!! It's showtime!

Many thanks to our talented team:
Steve Ceraso,
Michael Ach,
Joe Palazzo
and Constance Wolf!

CURATORS' STATEMENT

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In this 1983 photograph taken at Curator Joan Harrison’s wedding to Michael E. Ach, (SVPA
alumni, #205); Frank Olt (alumni, SVPA faculty #86) converses with Ray Johnson while Joan
Harrison (alumni, SVPA faculty #17) talks with SVPA Dean Emeritus, Lynn Croton (#157).
The photograph was taken by Lorraine Darconte (SVPA Alumni #1), former classmate and
best friend of Curator, LuAnn Pagano Palazzo (SVPA Alumni #9).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ray Johnson was all about creative connection. Today, fifteen years after his death, the bonds of his creative legacy and the bonds of friendship here at C. W. Post are still strong and defined by a sense of shared creative history and purpose. The evidence is plain to see through this exhibition.

Many of the artists taking part in this exhibition knew Ray Johnson personally or were correspon-
dents of his, while others are alumni, faculty and students of the university. Even more are part of a creative global network who have been inspired by Ray’s work and moved by the universal theme to answer the call to communicate.

We would like to thank Matthew Rose, the father of the original ABAD Project in 2009, and all those at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University who helped make this exhibition possible. Our special thanks go to Dean Benjamin Moore of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, who, when approached with the idea said simply, “Do it!”

Most of all, we feel deeply grateful to our international roster of contributing artists for sharing their vision, their thoughts, their humor and their remembrances of loved ones lost. The outpouring of love and dedication to this project, and to this show in particular, has been quite literally overwhelming.

Art is a celebration of life lived to its fullest and to quote poet W. H Auden, “Art is our chief means of breaking bread with the dead.”

Joan Harrison and LuAnn T. Palazzo
October 31, 2010

Donna Tuman [430]

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Contact Donna Here

Dr. Donna Tuman is chairperson of the Art Department
at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

Jessica Henn [429]

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www.jessicahenn.com

Chloe Harrison-Ach [428]

2010-10-25T11:25:00.001-07:00

Tracy Arnold Warzer [427]

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Geri Reichgut [426]

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Contact Geri Here

Kinney Littlefield [425]

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Louise Sharakan [424]

2010-10-25T11:20:00.001-07:00

John Pierce [423]

2010-10-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Contact John Here

Laurent Mareschal [422]

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l.mareschal.free.fr

Jerelyn Hanrahan [421]

2010-10-21T06:32:00.001-07:00

jerelynhanrahan.com

Tami Notsani [420]

2010-10-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

tamin.free.fr

Jillian Ajamy [419]

2010-10-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Contact Jillian Here

Kerriann Flanagan Brosky [418]

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The apparition of a young girl peers through a second-floor window at the Ketcham Inn,
Center Moriches, Long Island, NY. From the book "Ghosts of Long Island II, More Stories
of the Paranormal" (2008).

Laurette Kovary [417]

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417-1

417-2

www.laurettekovary.com

Alexandra Sarancza [416]

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Alethea Maguire Cruz [415]

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Victoria Ward [414]

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414-1

414-2

My good friend Marty Fishgold took his life on August 12, 2010. He knew Ray Johnson.

China Meier [413]

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Contact China Here

Julie O’Daly [412]

2010-10-18T11:23:00.003-07:00

www.julieodaly.com

Linda Marbach [411]

2010-10-18T11:23:00.001-07:00

Marlon Sporer [410]

2010-10-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Contact Marlon Here

Lisa Sabbeth [409]

2010-10-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Contact Lisa Here

Alisha McCurdy [408]

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www.alishamccurdy.com

Richard Del Rosso [407]

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www.richarddelrosso.com

OH Boy [406]

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Steve Jee [405]

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Christopher Delloiacono [404]

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www.CLDArtistry.com

Dan Harrison [403]

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Contact Dan Here

Avenue B. School of Art [402]

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402-1

402-2

Sarah Streck [401]

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Contact Sarah Here

G. Edgar Hillier [400]

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Ivanna Fortunato [399]

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Patricia Colombraro [398]

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Steve Simels [397]

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Alison Silva [396]

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www.alisonsilva.com

Loren Kidd [395]

2010-10-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Contact Loren Here

Reem Hussein [394]

2010-10-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

www.reemhussein.com

Kirsten Skorubski [393]

2010-10-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

Contact Kirsten Here

Sandra de Souza [392]

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392-1

392-2

Contact Sandra Here

Pat Hadley [391]

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www.Pathadley.com

Tulio Restrepo Echeverri [390]

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www.zonapostal.info

In memory of Ray Johnson who lives among us...

Tom Speight [389]

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Contact Tom Here

Tom Speight is a mathematician – and had a piece in the first ABAD based on a
mathematical formula for colors. This entry is based on that same formula.

Rita Eger [388]

2010-10-16T11:32:00.001-07:00

Contact Rita Here

Bill Jennings [387]

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Rebecca Newman [386]

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newman-rebecca.blogspot.com

Melissa Butler [385]

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385-1

385-2

385-3

385-4

385-5

MelissaButlerPhotography.com

Josh Earley [384]

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www.flickr.com/photos/34571918@N06/sets/

Tiffany Santilli [383]

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Contact Tiffany Here

Antonia Palazzo [382]

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Diana Del Giudice [381]

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Jason Borbay [380]

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www.borbay.com

"This painting was originally created on a small, stretched canvas, but was
later cut out to symbolically add a superficial layer of human control over the
great unknown. Painted on a train upon returning from a funeral, this
predominantly black-and-white picture starkly implies, and almost accepts
the inevitable — while simultaneously, a Woody Allen-esque grey area
alludes to some deeper, perhaps attainable level of understanding about
death. One thing is for certain, we all acquire first hand knowledge on the
subject at one point."

Kris Murphy [379]

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Yvonne Wang [378]

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Joann DelGuidice [377]

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Jasmine Masboob [376]

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Contact Jasmine Here

Heather Leonbruno [375]

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Vincent Carr [374]

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vincentcarr.com

Janet Wolfe [373]

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Deborah Goldman [372]

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www.deborahgoldman.com

Annemiek Mullenders [371]

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amuldo-project55.blogspot.com

Julie Navarro [370]

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Petra Dzierzon [369]

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Megan Durrant [368]

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368-1

368-2

Champe Smith [367]

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Contact Champe Here

Willie Marlowe [366]

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www.williemarlowe.com

Casidhe Streeff [365]

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web.mac.com/casidhestreeff

Winn Rea [364]

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www.winnrea.com

Francis Van Maele [363]

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www.redfoxpress.com
franticham.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/45993006@N08

Suana Verelst [362]

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www.suanaverelst.com

John Tostado [361]

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361-1

361-2

Antonia Gennimata [360]

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Contact Antonia Here

Stephanie Ognar [359]

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www.stephanieognar.com

Chris McGee [358]

2010-10-14T12:34:00.001-07:00

Contact Chris Here

John Robertson [357]

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357-1

357-2

www.johnrobertsonart.com

Wendy Foster [356]

2010-10-14T12:20:00.001-07:00

Antic-Ham [355]

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www.anticham.com
blog.naver.com/anticham
anticham.blogspot.com
franticham.blogspot.com