Many moons ago, I met Patricia Lay-Dorsey. We actually met online. (No, not a dating service.) We met at David Alan Harvey’s original web-place called Road Trips. It was a tight, groovy little community. We chatted and shared imagery and critiques and David dispensed serious photographic wisdom.
One day Patricia shared 12 photos. Twelve deeply personal and moving images. Portraits of the day-to-day life of a woman with MS. Self portraits.
It was clear there was something happening here. A deeply personal story. An evolving story that would one day end up in a book. It had to.
Fast forward a few years…. This past weekend I took a trip to Beacon, NY with my wife to meet Patricia — finally in person!– as she launched her book, Falling Into Place. It is a well constructed and nicely laid out work of art. The images are compelling, intense, passionate and simply beautiful. Like the woman who made them.
The event was quite a hit. The hosts, Fovea Exhibitions, really know how to put on a launch party! DJ Illich Mujica kept the place pumping and jumping. The wife and I danced as if we were 20 years younger than reality says we are… and the next morning I felt it. It was as if I’d run a marathon, quads aburnin’. Felt great.
Patricia signed books and danced and gave a great presentation and signed more books and danced some more and made sure everyone there knew she knew they were there. Hugs and kisses, well wishes. Much laughter, congrats, well dones. Met some new friends and made a few photographs.
Congratulations, Patricia. It is well deserved.
Falling Into Place. Self Portraits by Patricia Lay-Dorsey.
Michael, your words and pictures take me back to the joyful celebration that you, Rachel and all the others shared with me as we launched my book. This moment was long in coming – 5 1/2 years – but well worth the wait. I can’t remember ever feeling more grateful in my life. All I wanted was for my book launch to be fun for everyone. And I think we succeeded! Thank you so much for making the extra effort to drive all the way up to New York from Washington DC. You and Rachel added a very special touch to the evening.