Tag Archives: munchphotos

Behind the Scenes: Mr. Lucky

We call him Mr. Lucky, and with good reason, for the odds are stacked astronomically against him. Each hatchling that bursts from the sand has less than a one percent chance of reaching maturity. A thousand eggs are laid so that one will survive. Yet each hatchling bursts forth as if it is the chosen one. There is always a chance.

The miracle doesn’t end at the water’s edge. Plunging into the surf, the hatchling, no bigger than a child’s hand, remains undaunted: having never seen the ocean before, the turtle swims an unerring course, first through crashing surf and then across the seas themselves, more blank and featureless than anything terra firma can conjure. They swim, for the most part, alone. Each is captain of its own fate.

Still they swim on, a dogged journey of survival and, no doubt, luck.

-Stephanie Hogue

Surround Yourself With Things That You Love

In the design world, often bigger is better.  Personally, I have always had a house that was full and my passion was organizing everything so that it stayed in it’s place.  So when the KonMari method kept popping up in conversation and online, I shuddered.  For some of us, minimalism is uncomfortable.  But after reading the book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”, and implementing her practice, I am indeed a convert.  It isn’t about minimalism after all.

27″x40″ “Blue Sky Palms” Wrapped Canvas Print

 

Marie Kondo believes that if we simply sort through our belongings and only hold on to items that “spark joy”, that we will be transformed,  inside and out.  She says there is no better feeling than “surrounding yourself only with things that you love.”  The mental and physical clutter fall away, and you are left more aware of your truth- who you are and what fills you with joy.

33″x50″ “Morning Light” Modern Wood Print

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the summer season comes to an end and we begin to prepare our homes for the cooler indoor months, consider this: when you look around at the spaces you live in, does your artwork spark the joy in you?  If not, it’s time to find art that does.

Latitudes Fine Art can create any of our images in any size and finish.  It’s time to surround yourself with things that you love.

Transform Your Space With Art- Seaside Photography

30″x60″ “Seaside Sunset” Wrapped Canvas, in a living room.

Seaside photography can quickly transform your space into a peaceful escape, no matter how far from the shore you are!

“Good Life” by Stephanie Hogue

Beaches, marine life, and wave photography are some of our very favorite subjects and we have many to choose from to suit any taste.

40″x60″ “Strie Seas” Wrapped Canvas, over a King size bed.

“Delicate Grasses” by Stephanie Hogue

Ranging from abstract waves, to shores that feel like you could stick your toes in the sand, to palm trees swaying in the sunset skies, we have what you need to make your getaway a reality.  Call us today and your personal art consultant will help you find the perfect piece.  805-642-5257

“Golden Hour” by Steve Munch

Latitudes Fine Art Gallery in Ventura, California, is the perfect place to find breathtaking art for your walls. Specializing in photographs of Ventura County, Southern California and Hawaii, the gallery goes above and beyond to make it easy to find and fit the perfect piece of art on your wall. All of the photographs can be printed on any media, including wood, canvas, metal and traditional fine art paper ready to be framed. With custom renderings of your wall, our team takes the guesswork out of choosing a perfect fit! Browse our website to find some of your favorite images, then call us or email today to get started. 805-642-5257

33″x50″ “Delicate Dunes” Modern Wood Print, over a Queen size bed.

Living a Blessed Life

Robert’s newly remodeled bathroom showcasing 4, 36″x24″ images: “Green Sea Turtle”, “Spinner Dolphins”, “Mr. Lucky”, and “Wave Jumping”.

We are blessed with some of the most wonderful customers in the world.  Art is about surrounding yourself with what you love, and we get to help make that happen every day!  One of our very favorite customers was Robert Tully.  He passed away earlier this year and we wanted to pay tribute to what he called “The Camarillo Latitudes”.

48″x72″ “Island Drifter” Wrapped Canvas Print

One of my favorite memories of Robert, was when we were sizing art.  I would tape out the size I thought was a good starting point.  He would stare at the wall with a contemplative look, which was my cue to go bigger.  So, I would tape out the next size up and watch his face light up.  He wanted to feel as though he was in the water– every moment of every day.

“Flying in Formation” 40″x120″ Wrapped Canvas

In February, we finally completed placing a maximum-sized image in every room of his house, including the laundry room, with his total Latitudes images totaling 14.  His walls were filled only with treasured family photos and our photography.  We planned a party to show off his “gallery” and celebrate.

“Inspiration Point” 30″x60″ and “Arch Rock” 48″x72″ Wrapped Canvas Triptychs.

When I checked in a couple weeks later and asked how he liked his pieces, this was his reply:

Late at night, if you are quiet, you can hear the sounds of dolphins surfacing for a breath of air, and sea waves colliding with surf, and sea birds squawk as they land at distant locations.  The sound of massive sea turtle flippers, as they swish through ever changing shades of blue-green waters… Gentle giants…

Then you awake, and think, “Oh my, I was dreaming…”

You walk the hallway, and discover the carpet is damp with sea salt, with the scent of ocean air….

Then you well know….You have been in the “The Twilight Zone”,  in the sea world of King Neptune…

You have been blessed….

Robert

We are blessed, Robert.  Thanks for showing us what it truly means to surround yourself with what you love, every day.

Robert & Steve, in front of his favorite image, a 48″x72″ “Stormy Pier”, December 2016

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Image Integrity

“Heroin’s Icy Curl”, photographed by Steve Munch in Kauai’s rich waters.

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: Do you Photoshop or “filter” your images to get those bright colors?

A: No, we try to stay authentic to the original integrity of the image.  Any images you see with especially vivid colors were shot with special film that brings out those colors.  We time our photographs to maximize the lighting and natural play of colors. Mother nature is pretty amazing, we are lucky to share how we see this beautiful world.

“Ventura Sunrise” and “Two Trees” by Steve Munch, photographed with Fuji Velvia film:

“Harbor Cove” by Stephanie Hogue, photographed in late afternoon sun at low tide, causing exquisite clarity and color variation in the Ventura Harbor water:  “Harbor Sunset” by Stephanie Hogue, captures a gorgeous winter sunset as it is mirrored in the water:

 

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Printing On Wood

40″x60″ “Foamy Flute” Artisan Wood with Horizontal Slats

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: How do you get the images on wood?

A: We have a local wood artist carve and shape the foundation. The edges and surface are prepped and the image is printed with a specially formulated ink, directly onto the finished wood foundation.  Yes, it is a big printer!

30″x72″ “La Playa Pier” Artisan Wood with Vertical Slats

Latitudes owner and artist Stephanie Hogue hard at work preparing a wood foundation for a custom order.

40″x60″ “Pastel Dunes” Artisan Wood with Horizontal Slats

40″x40″ “Morning Light” Artisan Wood, Solid

Introducing Metal!

The Latitudes family is thrilled to announce the introduction of our newest medium, metal. It is visually comparable to acrylic, is long lasting under various conditions, durable, and looks great with water and wave shots.

Koloa Landing, a beautiful resort and spa located in Poipu, Kauai chose to enhance the walls of their high end resort with local photographic art from Steve and Stephanie. Steve Munch and Stephanie Hogue, owners of Latitudes Fine Art Gallery, have a secondary gallery located in the Kukui’ula Village.

www-keaniandrade-com-20www-keaniandrade-com-8www-keaniandrade-com-2

www-keaniandrade-com-4Let our images take you on a journey throughout time and space. Across the ocean and back.

https://koloalandingresort.com/

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Special Order Timeline

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: How long does it take to get a special order?

A: Since we do most of our printing in-house, our turnaround time is only about 2 weeks for prints, acrylic, and canvas. 3 weeks for metal, and  4-6 weeks for wood depending on what foundations we have in stock.  If you have a special occasion or a firm deadline, we can often get your item in time, even if it is less than the usual turnaround, just ask!

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Who is the Photographer

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: Who takes these photos? Do you accept other artists?

A: All of the photos are by just two people, Stephanie Hogue and Steve Munch, the gallery owners and photographers.

Both Stephanie and Steve were professional photographers before they met, Steve already owned a small photography studio as well as a golf shop, and Stephanie was a popular wedding and portrait photographer.

The photographic universe kept bringing the artists together. They knew of each other for some time, but their paths didn’t cross until 2010 when Steve ran across the street in front of Stephanie’s car.  They were both in the harbor to photograph the snow-capped mountains and the resulting images were “Mighty Chieftain” and “Snow-caps and Sunshine.”

“Mighty Chieftain” by Steve Munch

The next day fate worked it’s magic again as they were seated next to each other at dinner and Stephanie’s husband, Jim, who knew Steve from the golf shop and photo lab, made the introduction.

“Snowcaps and Sunshine” by Stephanie Hogue

It so happened that both of them needed what the other offered: inspiration and knowledge.  That was serendipitous beginning to this artistic duo joining forces and becoming the photography team known as Latitudes.  We are so happy they did!

Arts & Eats Event- “Explore Our Channel Islands” Collection

There is something about exploring the Channel Islands National Park that makes me feel like a kid on a wild adventure.

Islands that are so close to home yet so remote and removed from the grind of everyday life, Santa Cruz and Anacapa islands really are a place where you can let go and escape, even if for just a day.

Being on the islands inspires me to capture it’s unique beauty.  I love photographing the rugged golden cliffs and wildlife.  Recently I flew over four of the islands on a helicopter and got a birds eye view…their untouched beauty took my breath away. Truly majestic!

Join us at Latitudes for an exciting evening celebrating the wild and natural beauty of “Our Channel Islands”. Often referred to as “America’s Galapagos”, the Channel Islands National Park, located just off the Ventura coast. It encompasses 5 remarkable islands and their ocean environment, with unique animals, plants and archaeological resources found nowhere else on earth.

 The art collection highlights new aerial photographs of the islands by Stephanie Hogue and classic favorites by Steve Munch.

 In collaboration with Channel Islands Park Foundation, we welcome two island experts to share exciting info and stories.

-The President of the foundation, Marcella Klein-Williams, to share insights and information about the islands.

-Ken McAlpine, author of “Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization,” will be available to discuss his journey through California’s Channel Islands National Park.

 20% of all proceeds during the event will be donated to the Channel Islands Park Foundation and all purchases over $20 will receive an event-exclusive gift with purchase.