SKANEATELES - Having spent two decades becoming a man known around town for his work behind the camera, one photographer is gaining fame for his book pairing his photos with Norman Rockwell paintings.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Local photographer Kevin Rivoli, talks about the path that led him to photojournalism and the creation of his book “In Search of Norman Rockwell's America,” during his talk at Creekside Books and Coffee in Skaneateles on Sunday.
Local photographer Kevin Rivoli, talks about the path that led him to photojournalism and the creation of his book “In Search of Norman Rockwell's America,” during his talk at Creekside Books and Coffee in Skaneateles on Sunday.
Kevin Rivoli presented his book “In Search of Norman Rockwell's America” to a standing-room-only crowd Sunday at Creekside Books & Coffee.
The hour-long talk and question-and-answer period drew many people, some who knew Rivoli from his photography through his former job at The Citizen or as a freelancer for The Associated Press.
The Owasco resident told the audience about his persistence in becoming a photojournalist, eliciting laughter at stories when people along his journey told him his work wasn't good.
Rivoli then spoke about the long project that turned into his recently released book, which sets his pictures next to Rockwell's paintings.
The book has already topped some Web site's lists of best photography books and Christmas gift ideas. Most of the audience agreed as several attendees bought multiple copies. In fact, Creekside sold out of the book Sunday and is ordering more.
Kathy Powell purchased three books and asked Rivoli to sign all of them. She plans to give one copy to her daughter, another to her sister and keep the last for herself. The Marcellus resident loved the idea of the book so much she bought them without first flipping through the pages.
“I think it's wonderful that someone is carrying on where (Rockwell) left off,” Powell said.
Rivoli and his wife, Michele, decided to create the book with Rockwell's work for two main reasons.
The first was to prove that people can find scenes similar to those created by the New England painter known for his depiction of small-town Americana. The second goal was to introduce Rockwell to younger generations who aren't familiar with his work.
This is something that had a particular importance to the Rivolis. The first trip they took as a couple was to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., where they learned many critics disregarded the painter because of his idealized work.
The couple still have a lithograph of “Christmas on Main Street” hanging in their home today.
While the book signing at Creekside is the first of many presentations on the horizon, Rivoli has appeared on radio programs across the country. He also has a book signing at the Cayuga Community College scheduled for Wednesday.
Usually on the other end of the camera, Rivoli says being the focus of attention is “a little surreal” but he is enjoying the whole experience.
“It's been a long detailed project for us,” Michele Rivoli said.
They are continuing that labor of love into a second book with that same theme of pairing Rockwell's paintings with his work.
Cayuga Community College professor Don Lawler sat in the fourth row during the presentation. During the question-and-answer period, Lawler told Rivoli how one of his former students had run up to him in the college's library to tell him she was on the book's cover.
Lawler commended Rivoli for the photograph, saying the photo of a dinner scene with his student pinning a flower on her date's jacket is a sweet picture.
“She was just tickled to be on the cover of a book,” he said.
Lawler himself is no stranger to Rivoli's work. As Santa Claus at the Fingerlakes Mall, Lawler was the subject of Rivoli's photographic eye. He lauded Rivoli for his patience in capturing a scene.
“I especially loved what he said about focusing on the positive,” Lawler said.
He was one of dozens of people who stayed after the presentation to catch a word with Rivoli. A line of people snaked throughout the bookshop waiting for their books to be signed by the photographer. Those personal moments are Rivoli's favorites because he can talk to people individually and hear comments and stories from them.
Overall, he hopes people embrace his idea that Rockwell's images weren't idealized. Those scenes continue to happen today, people just need to tune into these positive aspects of life, Rivoli said.
“Let's embrace these simple moments, cherish them,” he said. “And don't let them go by.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
The hour-long talk and question-and-answer period drew many people, some who knew Rivoli from his photography through his former job at The Citizen or as a freelancer for The Associated Press.
The Owasco resident told the audience about his persistence in becoming a photojournalist, eliciting laughter at stories when people along his journey told him his work wasn't good.
Rivoli then spoke about the long project that turned into his recently released book, which sets his pictures next to Rockwell's paintings.
The book has already topped some Web site's lists of best photography books and Christmas gift ideas. Most of the audience agreed as several attendees bought multiple copies. In fact, Creekside sold out of the book Sunday and is ordering more.
Kathy Powell purchased three books and asked Rivoli to sign all of them. She plans to give one copy to her daughter, another to her sister and keep the last for herself. The Marcellus resident loved the idea of the book so much she bought them without first flipping through the pages.
“I think it's wonderful that someone is carrying on where (Rockwell) left off,” Powell said.
Rivoli and his wife, Michele, decided to create the book with Rockwell's work for two main reasons.
The first was to prove that people can find scenes similar to those created by the New England painter known for his depiction of small-town Americana. The second goal was to introduce Rockwell to younger generations who aren't familiar with his work.
This is something that had a particular importance to the Rivolis. The first trip they took as a couple was to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., where they learned many critics disregarded the painter because of his idealized work.
The couple still have a lithograph of “Christmas on Main Street” hanging in their home today.
While the book signing at Creekside is the first of many presentations on the horizon, Rivoli has appeared on radio programs across the country. He also has a book signing at the Cayuga Community College scheduled for Wednesday.
Usually on the other end of the camera, Rivoli says being the focus of attention is “a little surreal” but he is enjoying the whole experience.
“It's been a long detailed project for us,” Michele Rivoli said.
They are continuing that labor of love into a second book with that same theme of pairing Rockwell's paintings with his work.
Cayuga Community College professor Don Lawler sat in the fourth row during the presentation. During the question-and-answer period, Lawler told Rivoli how one of his former students had run up to him in the college's library to tell him she was on the book's cover.
Lawler commended Rivoli for the photograph, saying the photo of a dinner scene with his student pinning a flower on her date's jacket is a sweet picture.
“She was just tickled to be on the cover of a book,” he said.
Lawler himself is no stranger to Rivoli's work. As Santa Claus at the Fingerlakes Mall, Lawler was the subject of Rivoli's photographic eye. He lauded Rivoli for his patience in capturing a scene.
“I especially loved what he said about focusing on the positive,” Lawler said.
He was one of dozens of people who stayed after the presentation to catch a word with Rivoli. A line of people snaked throughout the bookshop waiting for their books to be signed by the photographer. Those personal moments are Rivoli's favorites because he can talk to people individually and hear comments and stories from them.
Overall, he hopes people embrace his idea that Rockwell's images weren't idealized. Those scenes continue to happen today, people just need to tune into these positive aspects of life, Rivoli said.
“Let's embrace these simple moments, cherish them,” he said. “And don't let them go by.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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