Taras Kuscynskyj in my life

If I was top model of Czechoslovakia it was because Taras and his wife Alena. We met with Taras when I was kid (15). He photographed me by 16. It took him 3 years to undress me. He told me that clothes are only fashion and it would make our pictures to age and he was right. The photographs you see are 30 and 35 years old and still timeless. We have spend 25 years photographing together. In the communistic Czechoslovakia (when nude photography was not very excepted). We also photographed when I was already in USA. As Taras stated we have made 10.000 photographs. Taras created book by name "Chci" ( which means "I want"). Sadly it was published only once in its entirety under theater art club" Jonas" in Prague. Parts of the book have been published in book you still can buy on the web as "Taras Kuscynskyj" Publisher Foto Mida.







Schoulena

The photograph "Schoulena" was photographed in 1973. It won bronze metal in World Federation Internationale de L'Art Photographique in 1974 for B&W photography.








V trave (In the grass)

The photograph "In the grass" was photographed when I was already in USA. About 30 years ago. The story goes: We found nice long grass and started to photograph when I realized I was lying in the ant hill. Taras wanted to take the picture so I had to endure multiple ant bites. (What we do not do for art).


Unfortunately Taras died at 51 years young and left us with his dream.
Please enjoy.

Red pepper soup

Red pepper soup

So back to cooking for a while. This soup is scrumptious, light and healthy. You do not need creme.

3 red bell peppers
3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
1 large yellow onion
2 tsp unsalted butter
8 cups of chicken or vegetable stock (I use SWANSON'S)
1/2 tsp salt or to taste


Broil peppers, turn until all blackened. Let sit to cool. Peel, clean all insides, cut out the white membranes. Chop.
Cut onion, put on butter and saute, slowly add 2 cups of stock. Cook and let evaporate.
Cut potatoes in quarters, cook in 6 cups of broth, until soft.
Puree all in food processor. Thin with more stock if needed. Reheat.
Serve with piece of country bread and dollop of sour creme on top.

Some of my black and whites

I still do some black and white photography:




Running horse, Moscow Russia






Trojka, Moscow Russia






Tree in my garden, La Honda California







Christmas tree, Tahoe California







Two trees, Czech Republic

My landscapes

Night moon, Pomponio beach, California





Windy Hill state park, Portola, California






Hills in fog, Portola, California






Baniff and Jasper national park, Canada

My flowers

Red rose






Blue hydrangea







Orange lilly





These are some of my flowers. It took me 38 years to learn how to photograph them.