I made a VERY exciting Black Friday purchase. . .

Those of you that have been to my house or know me well know that I love, love, love Larry Kanfer’s work.  He’s a photographer back home who is well known for his farm/prairie photos. . . as well as his University of Illinois photos. . . but for my Minnesota readers. . . he also does U of Minnesota pictures. . . and has also done some work in Europe, China, etc.

CHECK OUT HIS SITE!!!

http://www.kanfer.com/

He has a gallery in Savoy near Neil & Windsor if you’re in town and would like to check it out.

My living room is my ”home” room, if you will.  I like my living room to remind me of home.  Despite all the interior design people on TV and message boards telling me that I shouldn’t have family pictures in my living room, I have my favorite pictures of my parents, grandparents, and bigger family shots from both sides of the families of aunts, uncles, etc. . . I don’t have a crazy amount of family pictures. . . but some.

Then for the walls. . . I have my Larry Kanfer pieces. . . One of sun shining through corn (”Full Circle”), one of a bean field in a beautiful pink sky (”Circle Squared”), and one of five silos (”Five Points”)

Yes, not good with the flash, but it’s too dark without one. . . you’ll have to check them out on the website under the “Prairiescapes”. . .

Then. . . I have a picture of the Union on the Quad called “Looking at the Union”. . . I love it.  It so reminds me of one of those days you’re walking home from class and just wanna stop and have a seat on the quad and hang out for a bit.  Also, I didn’t get this framed there. . . I did it at one of the craft chain stores when I was in TX. . . but I am astounded at what a good job I did picking the matte and frame.  I LOVE IT.  I splurged on a more expensive frame, but it was so worth it.

(taken w/out a flash because otherwise, it was just a picture of glare!. . . again, check out his “University” portfolios online to see the real deal.)

I have been eyeing several different photographs for my next purchase.  When I was back in Illinois in the Spring, I went to the gallery and saw several photographs I really, really liked. . . and I got to meet Larry Kanfer!  He was great and took the time to tell me where he had taken some of the photographs I loved.

So. . . I had these two photos in mind when I went in on Friday . . . and surprisingly, after passing by this several times in the gallery initially, I fell in love with it. . . something completely different and not on my list!

Meet my new addition. . . “Fourth Season”

copyright Larry Kanfer

I got a 16″ by 20″, and they are framing it at the gallery. . . and it should arrive in a few weeks.  This small picture doesn’t do it justice.  It’s so beautiful, and the colors are so warm and deep.  It’s going to look awesome with the colors in my living room.

I have to do a plug for the Larry Kanfer gallery. . . because as much as I love his work, I also have had such a good experience as a customer.  I receive emails and phone calls about sales. . . they kept track of the pictures I liked.  I believe the person that I worked with is Anne. . . and she was so amazing that she didn’t even have to ask me my name and remembered what pictures I liked as soon as I walked in. . . even though I haven’t been in since June!

If you don’t have the cash in this lovely economy to spend on large prints. . . you could consider calendars or photo books for Christmas gifts.  I know some of you went to the U of I, or are from rural areas and might enjoy these photographs or know people that would enjoy them.  You can go on his site and see images from the calendars. . . and the books are great, too.  I have “Postcards from the Prairie” on my coffee table right now.  If you went to the U of I, you would love it. 

So wow. . . what was meant to be a post telling you how excited I was about my purchase. . . turned out to be one giant plug. . . but seriously, check it out. 

When my picture arrives in the mail, I might die of excitement.