March 21^st, 2009, Paul Dahlquist will turn 80 years young, yes I mean young. If you have never met Paul or experienced his photography then you are missing the world through the spirited and at times irreverent eyes of an amazing artist.

Paul Dahlquist was my high school art teacher. He was the only teacher I had who actually taught the individual, not the class. He was interested in what people brought to the table, how they related to the world around them. Today, he makes photographs in the same way.  

Finding life to be a constant pallet for his camera, Paul always has it within reach. Shooting 50 rolls of b/w film a month for over 15 years one would think he would have exhausted all subject matter. Not Paul, he sees miracles in puddles, humanity in simple gestures and beauty in every human being.

Paul does not instruct or change what is in front of his camera; he has too much respect for what will naturally take place and derives too much pleasure from the observation of the moment. Developing his film every week, Paul can’t wait to see the little gifts of time he has captured nor can he wait to give back to his subjects the images he took. He has always considered himself a picture giver not taker.

Paul’s influence in my life has taught me to stop and look for the little miracles that are offered up every day and for that gift I am eternally grateful!  In return I’m giving Paul a surprise exhibition and birthday party on the 21st of March.

If you know Paul and would like to be in on the surprise, be at Benham Gallery before 4:30pm. He will be arriving around 5pm and we’ll film his reaction to having a solo exhibition without having to stress about it. It was the best present I could give a man who has given back to so many others through his photography.

If you would like to post a comment to Paul please do so and we will print them out and make sure he gets them.  Remember if you see him don’t let on about the exhibition, it will only be a surprise if he doesn’t find out.

You might wonder why I’m posting this on the web if it’s a surprise. Well. the closest Paul has ever gotten to the web is his cell phone which he demolished at an opera he was attending when he couldn’t figure how to get it to quite ringing. He’s solution, drop it on the floor and stomp on it with the full force of your heel until it is quiet.