The Photogenic DJ Choupin | A Roadkill Opera

I have a confession to make: I am a HUGE fan of the discerning eye of DJ Choupin. That is the reason her work appears on the covers of all 7 roadkill opera-related books published in 2013. Her work at Artomatic 2012 is stellar. See djchoupin.com for more.

DJ CHoupin's photograph "plain" shows bison at a distance in Yellowstone National Park — DJ Choupin’s “plain” is one of her most popular–and enduring–works. It serves as the spine and back cover of the piano/vocal score for **A Roadkill Opera**

Photo of the back cover to A Roadkill Opera: Piano/Vocal — The back cover to **A Roadkill Opera: Piano/Vocal**

Photo of DJ Choupin's Columbia River "gourds" — DJ Choupin’s Columbia River “gourds” capture the light and the season

Photo of bison on the road in Yellowstone in winter — DJ Choupin’s “boys” captures the mood of Yellowstone in winter

Photo of a zig-zag fence in front of a red barn-like building in a snowy landscape in Yellowstone National Park — DJ Choupin’s “zag” is her best-selling photo of a snowy landscape in Yellowstone National Park

I had fancied myself a photographer at one point, so I felt I knew a superior talent when I saw DJ’s work.

Self-portait photo of Stephan Alexander Parker in 1981 in Branson, Missouri — Stephan Alexander Parker photographed the cast of Good Times in the Country: Opryland USA on the Road in Branson, Missouri, in 1981. Self-portrait, above.

It was while working on mounting an exhibit of DJ’s photographs in Artomatic 2008 or Artomatic 2007 or Artomatic 2009 –no, it was 2008– that I found that Ferdinando Paer’s Leonora was being staged in London and (at last) I would have an opportunity to get a copy of the score. While the 200-year-old manuscript would eventually come into my hands in digital form, I was interested in a performance copy, updated for modern use.

Photo of the 1804 manuscript for Ferdinando Paer's Leonora — The 1804 manuscript for Ferdinando Paer’s Leonora

Fortunately, the Bampton Opera production led to the creation of a modern score. But I digress…

Photo of DJ Choupin hawking If You See Roadkill, Think Opera, at the 2014 Gaithersburg Book Festival. — DJ Choupin hawking **If You See Roadkill, Think Opera**, at the 2014 Gaithersburg Book Festival. 22,000 people were estimated to attend the May 17 event. Note the viola cases book-ending the table display.

cover of if you see roadkill, think opera — DJ Choupin’s “flecked” serves as the cover of **If You See Roadkill, Think Opera**

Photo of DJ Choupin in a red cape by a high mountain lake in 1980s Jackson Hole — DJ Choupin in 1980s Jackson Hole

Thanks for everything, DJ–the best is yet to come!