The Light. The Lens. The Love.

Still Life: The Light. The Lens. The Love. July 2014

The Light. The Lens. The Love.
Truly a labor of love to create this still life portrait.

We all have our challenges to create our art work. Yes. I believe it.

These roses were a gift from Anne P., a friend and a client. I loved them when they were freshly presented to me. But since that time they had been moved around several times and were no longer fresh when I finally had the time and the natural light available to create the still life.

As always, I experimented around with 10 different variations of light at sunset aka "the golden hour" and finally fell in love with this one.

I hope it is obvious that the lens theme spanned a variety of technological eras.
All of which I've lived with and loved at various times. Even my iPhone had to get in the picture because that is my image capture device now more often than it should be.  And I wanted to bring in my oldest camera because the camera, like the roses, were past their prime, but both still loved, nonetheless.

All About The Light

All About The Light, July 2014

I was laying in bed thinking about making a still life picture, got up, dressed and saw the light coming in from the east window into the purple room aka the guest room.

I quickly grabbed a couple of things, like my camera and my tripod, and hid a couple of other things.

Here's my first photo of the day. It was ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT.

Technology: too little, too much, just right

Okay, I've downloaded the Blogger app to my iPad mini (again.)  I think I did this before but disabled it for some good reason, I'm sure.

So let's see. Technology? How much is too little, too much, just right? To manage a group art exhibit what do I really need / want.  Who else will be on board with it anyway? Just me?

I honestly don't know. Here's my inventory of technological resources  for the moment:

(1)My Desktop has all the standard Word, Microsoft Office, Excel, plus my trusty old Adobe Photoshop and Picasa.
(2) the iPhone I'm trying to minimize the app installations now that my old phone is pretty filled up.
(3) It's this nifty little iPad Mini that will need to be monitored a bit, I supposed, so I don't go overboard with apps and RSS feeds from too many "how to manage a group art exhibit" websites. LOL
(4) I also need to study up on Evernote.  I know a biz woman who uses this to the max for team projects, which might be comparable to this effort.
(5) I'd like to give some thought on how I will use Facebook and Twitter, of course, and possibly LinkedIn.
(6) We'll see. And of course, I'll be creating, editing and manipulating digital images that I'll be exhibiting for the show.

All technology demands.
All great learning experiences.
Coincidentally today, for the first time in a year, I put on the t-shirt that says,
"The journey is the destination."

I would say that managing a group show and participating as an artist myself will certainly be an amazing journey. 

I'm ready.

Art Exhibit:Worse Case Scenario - Why Nobody Came

WHOA: I found this site while researching  "art exhibit promotions."
She (Allyson Stanfield) has everything and more.

Nothing like posting the bad news, Wendy.

"WHY NOBODY CAME"
http://www.artbizblog.com/2014/04/why-nobody-came.html
by Allyson Stanfield, April 2, 2014

But it's perfect because I always like to think BIG PICTURE, best case/worse case scenario and then plan accordingly.

So make note of this and don't let it happen for the Art Salon For Fertile Minds group show.

Art Exhibit Tip: Know Your Audience

Thinking and researching all the fun details of putting together an art exhibit.

Here's 10 Ideas for How to Promote Your Local Art Show or Group Exhibition
http://emptyeasel.com/2013/09/17/10-ideas-for-how-to-promote-your-local-art-show-or-group-exhibition/
Thank you  www.EmptyEasel.com

Fortunately, I know my specific audience:
Artists who have been engaged aka visited the Art Salon For Fertile Minds between inception, February 2011 until the approximate exhibit time in 2015.

woot hoot!
I'm excited!

Curating an Art Exhibition

I've given this a lot of thought and I've decided that I want to commit to curating an art exhibition sometime in 2015 consisting of the artist members of the Art Salon For Fertile Minds.

My goal is to curate an art exhibit with members that encourages
*personal creativity and group collaboration between the members,
*community engagement among local residents and, for myself,
*a new goal to create 5 - 10 new fine art images that follow within the same theme
*a platform  to display and sell new images reproduced on canvas

I think the artist members are ready to take on the challenge and would welcome the opportunity to work toward a fine art show for many of the same reasons I do.

Yes, I can.
Yes, we all can.

See the Beauty As We Age

Since February 2011 my husband, Karl and I have hosted a monthly gathering called the Art Salon For Fertile Minds.  Essentially we have recreated the essence of art salons from the 1920s in Europe and later occurring in the US.  Until very recently, we were truly a discussion group.

At the suggestion of our member, Becky W. and the enthusiastic support of some of the other members we are now adding in a "show me" element.  We are adamant that we are not there to "critique and criticize" people's work.  We allow the show me element as another way to deepen relationships, get to know each other and have a greater appreciation for each artist's talents and artwork.

At the February 12, 2014 gathering we showed "art from the heart." Members brought poems, paintings, photography, collage and more.  I showed images that were true labors of love and important to me. 

Still Life: Valentine's Roses, February 2014  (available for purchase)

These roses were a delight to receive from my husband, Karl for Valentine's Day and later, to photograph.  For several days I moved them around the house to capture the sunrise light and sunset light and also to enjoy their aging process.  This still life on our library table was the final one and my favorite because the flowers had started to brown around the edges which give more texture and definition to their whiteness.

Isn't that a bit like real  life?  We change over time and hopefully develop a new beauty as we age and start to brown around the edges.

I hope you agree.

Valentine Variations 2014

It sounds like a musical performance but it's not.  Instead it is Valentine Variations of a lovely bouquet of white roses that I received for Valentine's Day.  It is a gift that I enjoy and photograph many different days in many different ways.

Love - Still LIfe

Thinking of LOVE

Thinking of a  LOVE and Valentine's Day theme still life.

Originated because our Art Salon For Fertile Minds friends put forth an art challenge.  Create something that represents who and what you love.

This says it all for me except that the cats are there symbolically.

Fruits and vegetables still life

Fruit and Vegetable Still Life

While husband Karl was cooking a delicious Egg Drop Soup in the kitchen,
I was working in the dining room.  I painted the backdrop canvas and then borrowed some food from
his kitchen so I could create ...

Still Life with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Makes me hungry looking at it.

Meraki

Red Roses for the Holidays (Light and Shadow series #5098)

                Red Roses for the Holidays, #5098

Feathers & Vessels

Feathers and Vessels, 2013

Chinese Lantern Still Life

A Collection of Ceramics

Black and White still life, 2013

Black &  White Still Life, 2013

The Muse

Muse, 2013

Figurine in Shadow and Light 2013

Cooking with Homegrown Carrots B&W

Cooking with Carrots - Color