12.18.'03 Sponsorship testimonial from collector
Stan Webb of Wichita, Kansas.
"Trying to choose just one image
from one of Michael’s trips can be quite challenging. On his last
Venice trip, I spent literally hours upon hours excruciating over my
options. I have a relatively trained eye for photography and what I
like, but when you have spent hours looking and eliminating and
still have 6-or 7 left that all would be excellent choices, it can
get wonderfully painful. First you get to see dozens of Masterfully
composed shots of some of the most beautiful places in the world
knowing that soon one of them will be yours, and secondly, since
they are all so beautiful, you want to buy them all.
Looking at
wonderful photographs that Michael has taken, makes you feel like
you are one with the artist, as they make you feel like you are
there with him when he took it. If you appreciate quality art, I
would challenge anyone to look at his art and see if they can only
have one favorite shot.
Photographers, for years, have not been
fully appreciated as true artists until NOW. Michael Seewald has
helped take photography to a new level by making great museum
quality art from beautiful places around the world and making it
available and affordable to everyday art lovers. "
Stan Webb,
Wichita, Kansas
Multi-collector/sponsor
Click to enlarge.
Stan Webb with one of his
sponsored images, which also made it into the Seewald 2004 Venice Art calendar,
and ON IT'S COVER. And as the sponsor, Stan's name appeared in the
title, since he was the sponsor, an added bonus effect of
sponsorship, you name accompanies the title in all books, magazines,
art cards and reproductions, name titles on museum exhibitions,
etc..
___________________________________________________
Restaurant owner of Mariah's in
Carlsbad poses with sponsor Kurt Annweiler, Valerie
Seewald and Kurt's wife, Betty. Their newly framed Michael Seewald
image is from the "Monterey County" series created in Point Lobos,
Carmel.
_____________________
"You wouldn't normally think
about deriving pleasure from a wall. But, that is exactly the sensation I receive. That is
to say, so many of the walls in my home contain visions of the world as seen through the
eyes of Michael Seewald.
There are two distinct feelings I receive as I move about my home. One
comes from those pictures of Michael's which remind me of my own travels. The other comes
from those pictures, and there are many, which send me off to places I have yet to
discover."
David J. Grell
El Cajon, California, USA
Eight time
sponsor
Sept.. 1998 E-mail/ phone number available on request.
"Pagoda, Hangzhou, China"
Sponsored by Dave Grell.
Click to enlarge.
_____________________
8.23.'03
Joan Nicholas with her new 11"x14" original
entitled 'Ghost
Shoppers' from the Tuscany series.
_____________________
The following letter, printed in it's entirety, was received Jan.
22nd, 2001 from Julie Schloot, a sponsor from Brentwood, Tennessee. We asked her to
'pen her thoughts' as she had just chosen her image from the Tuscany series created in
October and November of 1999. She was the seventh of twelve to pick.
"I first discovered Michael's work
several years ago when I was visiting the San Diego area. I
was doing some window shopping in Del Mar and came across the
gallery. Michael happened to be in the gallery that
evening so I was able to talk to him and find out about his work.
The idea of sponsoring one of his trips was very appealing but a
little daunting financially at the time. I did go ahead and
get a calendar and have gotten one every year since. I also
ordered one of Michael's larger posters (Venice, 1994) and had it
framed. It looked so wonderful on the wall and I realized that
it was time to go ahead and take the plunge and sponsor one of
Michael's trips. I chose Tuscany.
Once I made up my mind, I was ready
to get that picture! The wait was hard, at first, but I
realized how the process works and why it takes as long as it does
[a year usually between his going and the sponsor getting to chose
one- he being a perfectionist and wanting only top notch images to
be released].
I had sort of put it out of my mind but then one day Michael called
and said the proofs were on their way to my house! "
"Still Life, San't Angelo in Colle,
Tuscany, Italy"
Sponsored by Julie Schloot.
Click to enlarge.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had envisioned the sort of picture I wanted from the
Tuscany area. I knew what would look good in my house and I also knew the type of
shots Michael took. The proofs came in two packages. One was the group I was
to choose from, the other was the ones that had already been selected (only to be looked
at once I had made my choice). Opening the package was like opening a Christmas
present. I was actually nervous! I looked through all the proofs carefully
(from different angles, in different light, etc.) and liked so many of them.
Some
were what I consider "classic Seewald" while others were a little more what you
would expect from the Tuscany region. There was one shot I kept coming back to (I
called it "Still Life" - Michael has another name for it, I think). I
really loved the picture but it wasn't really what I had envisioned for the picture I
would chose to put on my wall - at least not where I wanted it to go in my house. I
fretted about this for several days. I finally decided that I had come close enough
that I could open the package of the proofs that had already been selected and there they
were! Just the type of shots I had in mind. I felt a great disappointment
because they had already been selected and I thought I couldn't have one of those unless I
bought it separately (cha-ching!).
I finally talked to Michael and told
him of my dilemma. He told me about the option I had of
sponsoring one shot but swapping it for another! Problem
solved - so I thought! I then had to decide among three
favorites, which one I wanted (NOTE FROM THE SEEWALD'S- her name to go on
one as the sponsor of
that particular image). Actually, it
didn't take too long. I chose the "still life" to sponsor and
a beautiful shot of a multi-colored town next to a river (for the
home) for myself (see image above). As you can imagine, after
going through all of that, I was ready to get my picture. But,
of course, I have to wait for the whole process to be finished.
I just kept
telling myself - "good things come to those who wait". "
Julie Schloot,
LabCorp
E-mail/ phone number available on request.
Click photo to enlarge
Canevara Town, Tuscany, Italy,
sponsored by Michael Orlando
NOTE FROM THE SEEWALD'S- Funny, the one
Julie chose, Still Life, is one of the most commented on photos in
our gallery, to this day, although she actually owns Michael
Orlando's image, above.
_____________________
The following questionnaire was received from Lee Gaffrey, a five
time sponsor of Encinitas, California. We wrote to him,
"Lee, please fill out
the following questionnaire...
...Please be honest, and also realize that we will include your name
and city when we publish it on our website"
(Any fears/concerns about
collecting photographic art, or Seewald's art?)
"None! I was committed to enjoying photographic art
when I was exposed to several of Michael's images. While it certainly is a positive
factor, I did not become an owner of Michael's art with investment as a goal.
I know that Michael's images have increased in value over the years."
(What moved you about Seewald's art?)
"The subject images. I enjoy scenes that are dramatic
in concept and still bring a sense of peace and tranquility to me as the viewer.
Michael's images certainly fulfill my artistic needs in this regard."
(Are you still as happy with your collection as when you first hung it?)
"Frankly, I derive
more appreciation as time goes by because I seem to find new things in each of Michael's
images that I hadn't connected with before. I am very happy with each piece of art."
(Any comments from visitors to your home?)
"All five of the images I have
hanging in my home draw compliments and inquiries about the artist.
Many visitors had not considered collecting photographic art until
they digest some of Michael's work. Then they usually make positive
comments about considering this form of art. I, of course,
refer them to Seewald's studio."
(Why Seewald's art?)
"Aside from the positive investment potential, I believe
Michael's creative instincts and the worldwide locations for his work bring to the camera
lens images that are difficult to duplicate in other photographic art."
(What's it like having to choose an image from a sponsored series?)
"Picking a sponsored image was very difficult for me,
because all of the images from a particular shooting trip are so excellent. However,
since I love and enjoy the sea or any other body of water for that matter, if the image
embodied a water scene I quickly selected this image."
(What personal service stood out, if any?)
"The very friendly, almost family atmosphere at work in
Seewald's studios. I have come to think of Michael and Valerie as good personal
friends."
(Would you consider sponsoring another image?)
"I need to build in more wall space to provide for any more
images. All kidding aside, yes, I would consider sponsoring more of Michael's
work."
"Michael and Valerie have always provided friendly, personal service in
all of my dealings with them. It has been a pleasure to be associated with them over
these many years."
Lee Gaffrey
Encinitas, California
Five time sponsor
August '99
E-mail/ phone number available on request.
(Click to enlarge)
Country western singers Winona and Naomi Judd of
Nashville, TN., regulars to our gallery, stand next to Valerie. Willie Weeks, their
bass player, had just signed up to sponsor 'So. Europe' earlier that day.
"...Naomi had purchased the one between
them, Tallinn, Estonia, '91, the previous year for her pastor, so I asked her how he
liked it? "Well",
she replied, "I kinda kept it!'"
MS
___________________________________________________
"A
number of years ago we happened on a photo art gallery in Del Mar, California. It
was a moment to remember!! Both of us love natural scenery and quality art.
What we saw with Seewald was another Ansel Adams at work. We signed on immediately
and have since purchased four of Michael Seewald's finest art pieces, including his highly
prized 'Canal Reflections, Venice, Italy', which took the grand prize at the '96 Southern
California Exposition and Fair.
In our opinion there is not
a better photo-artist than Michael Seewald and we are pleased to so state."
Bob and Trudy Shaw
La Mesa, California, USA
 Six time sponsors
Oct. 1998
E-mail/ phone number available on
request.
Click to enlarge.
___________________________________________________
The following questionnaire answers were received in August, 1999
from:
Jay and Heidi Short,
six time sponsors,
Rancho Santa Fe, California
(Did you consider photography to be an art before seeing
Michael's work?)
"Yes, we were already collecting fine photographic
art."
(What did you like about Seewald's art when you first saw it?)
"Sense of motion and
emotion in the photographs."
(What fears/concerns did you have at first about collecting photographic art,
or Seewald's art?)
"Permanence of the color
photographs compared to B&W photos." (Understandable, but now the colors last
over two centuries, verified by independent scientific research.
See: Fuji Crystal Archive photographic paper/ dye
stability).
(How difficult was it to pick a sponsored image from the collection?)
"Always tough between the last 3
or 4 images."
(Happy that you invested in Seewald's artwork?)
"Very. The work has appreciated significantly, but we
most appreciate the quality of the work."
(Are you as happy with the art now as when you first purchased it?)
"More so... Recognition of the sponsors has been
fantastic... we enjoy introducing new collectors to Michael's work"
Jay and Heidi Short,
six time sponsors,
Rancho Santa Fe, California
August, 1999
E-mail/ phone number available on request.
"Barn, Candas, Spain, '88"
Sponsored by Jay and Heidi Short,
Rancho Sante Fe, California.
Click to enlarge.
___________________________________________________
"Cortina window, Italy, '89"
The Piece owned by the Adams'.
"Just a note to tell you how
much we have enjoyed your photography over the years. We have a lovely piece in our
living room which is always commented upon by our guests.
We have enjoyed watching your success and thank
you for your prayers
(for
Gary's cancer) over the years."
"Gary and Samantha 'Sam' Adams
La Costa, California, USA
Sept.. 1998
(Gary was the designer/innovator of the titanium golf club drivers.
They were the founders of
Taylor Made
golf clubs and then later, the
"Founders
Club" golf club company.
Unfortunately, both of
these collectors are now deceased. We miss them both very
much. ms- 9/2000)
___________________________________________________
Adding a Seewald
to your collection will be a time to celebrate.
Dan Sbicca pulled Michael out
of 'wedding photography retirement' to shoot his wedding. This image
was one of their favorites, and Michael did a little artist
adjustments and framed up a big one for them. He teaches private
classes on 'How to make great portraits for fun and profit'.
Above: Dan and Susan Sbicca, of
Sbicca- An American Bistro,
located in Del Mar, California. They are now proud
owners of quite a few Seewald originals, including;
'Little Venice', Mykonos, Greece '90,
Canevara, Tuscany, '99, "Volterra Bar Interior, Tuscany, '99
and Man taking picture, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, 2004.
Click photo to enlarge. Photo copyright Michael Seewald, 2004
Dan Sbicca's Man taking picture,
Assisi, Umbria, Italy
See trip
availability
for sponsoring now.
See
why
sponsor
a Seewald original.
Back
Home
Michael and Valerie pose with collectors/sponsors
David and Carol Goodell of Del Mar, California. This is their newly
sponsored Japan image and the opening night celebration. This was back
in 2001, at the old Valerie E. Wong Gallery, which the Seewald's ran for 10
years in Del Mar. |
