Thru My Eyes

Back on Track

2010-03-29T21:09:00.004-05:00

Into the light and out of the darkness. What seemed like it would last forever has now come to an end. I have finally broken through my creative block. You have no idea what a relief that is. It's a bit like the feeling that we get when the first signs of Spring appear or when the sun comes out after a long period of gray days.

Being out of practice for the way that I create my work has a good and bad side to it. The bad is that it takes longer to figure out what works best for my setups. The good is that these are the times when it's easier to experiment and when wonderful accidents happen.

During the period while I was having my creative block, I was not liking a lot of the work that I had created. It was an awful feeling. It's one thing to get bored with one's work but not to like it is another. Relief, relief! Because I haven't looked at a lot of my work for awhile, I can be so much more objective about them. This is definitely a good thing.

Nautilus Shell

2010-03-12T13:17:00.003-06:00

This shell has fascinated me for years. One of my professors, years ago, had given me a whole nautilus shell plus two halves. While in Florida, I purchased a pearlized nautilus and two paper nautilus shells. The paper nautilus shells are so thin and fragile that I'm almost afraid to pick them up. I've photographed them straight and am now including them in setups that give them a Daliesque appearance. The shell never bores me.

The odd thing about the work that I am doing now is that they are so much darker in appearance. My past work has been much more colorful with brighter colors. I don't' know if the difference is that my older work usually began with a flower or two and grew from there. I'm always fascinated with how one's inner being leads us along the creative path.

Creative Block

2010-02-17T21:31:00.003-06:00

This topic has become much too personal for me. In the past, having a creative block was frustrating. In fact, the first one was a bit terrifying as I was convinced, as are so many others, that I would never have another creative thought again. I wasn't even sure what to do about it. At some point, I found that if I went back into my studio, cleaned, reorganized and, finally, just began scribbling on paper, I would suddenly feel the creative ideas begin to sprout. Of course, that was when I did a lot of drawing and painting.

Photography, and particularly the type of photography that I do, presents a different problem. Just taking photos does not bring me back to the creative spot. There has to be a starting point for me and then, if I'm lucky, ideas begin to evolve. When it happens, it is so exciting and energizing. When it doesn't, it makes me want to scream or quit. Well, you say, what kind of a creative soul are you if you just give up? I am definitely not a quitter.

What can cause a creative block? For me, it could be that I've explored the series that I've worked on to the fullest and must now find a new idea for a series. It could be outside situations that cause such turmoil inside oneself that it makes concentrating very difficult. It could be that there are times when one has to make decisions about which direction one wants his or her life to go. No doubt that if you are an actively creative person, you have found something that creates a block for you. During this creative block, I find that all of the above has been part of my lack of imagination. This time, my block does feel permanent. It won't be because I won't let it but the struggle is a difficult one.

If anyone of you who may be reading this has experienced this situation, I would love to have you add your comments, problems, solutions that have worked for you, etc. A discussion is always much more interesting.

Happy Holidays to All!

2009-12-22T11:15:00.002-06:00

It's been quite a year, often confusing and upsetting dealing with various things in the art world. Sadly, it was one of the reasons that I have neglected my blog for almost a year. How scary is that!! (Well, I was also immersed in creating and keeping up a blog for my class reunion and that took a great deal of time. Many loved it so I guess it was worth the time and effort.) During this last year, I have wanted to write about many of the things that frustrated me but better sense told me that, perhaps, waiting until I had a less emotional state of mind would be wiser.

Soon, we will be in 2010 and I am looking at the coming year to be full of new beginnings and writing in my blog again. Wishing you all the very best.

Families

2009-01-27T20:35:00.002-06:00

As we get older, we come to realize how important families are to our lives. Families do not always consist of those sharing one's genes. Friends can become a family also.

As an artist, I come from a family with a long line of creative souls going back as far as great grandparents. At least, that's as far back as I can go. My mother was a painter, my brother was a kinetic sculptor, my father was a musician with artistic talents, my aunt (Mother's sister) painted and created water sculptures, two of my three cousins are in the arts (one makes jewelry and the other is a documentary film maker). My grandmother had to work so when she created, it was through knitting. My grandfather was an architect. My great aunt painted and her son was a photographer who also invented the portable strobe and collaborated with Harold Edgerton. Another great aunt dabbled in metals and her daughter has a wonderful ability to do illustrations with great detail but chooses to do other things. Great grandfather was a woodworker. There are others. We would make a good case for creativity being genetic.

I have a very dear, dear friend whom I have known since our early years in grade school. We attended high school and college together. We even began to wear identical clothes with no intent to do so. Bonny is also an artist. She creates beautiful necklaces which she has had great success with and she paints. Her family (husband, 3 daughters...Amy writes childrens' books and Sara is a pastry chef who can write and take beautiful photographs) means so much to me. In my mind, they are family.

My new family is still developing. It is my LUMA group....our collective. We are 10 in number (4 women, 6 men), all photographers but each with a totally different style and approach to how and what we shoot. Some of us in the group have grown closer to each other. It's great to have a wonderful group of people that share your love for taking photos, that support you and share info, give honest critiques, and just have fun. Most artists spend so much time alone that it becomes important to have friends who share your world. It's not the way the "normal" world operates and, in my opinion, the art world can be difficult for non-artists to understand.

My genetic family is not terribly close and, sadly, there aren't many of us left. Maybe this is why friends are more like family to me. I'm grateful to have them.

Protecting Your Website

2009-01-14T21:20:00.002-06:00

Since my last entry, I have temporarily removed images from my website and talked to a few people about how to protect those images, if one can, in fact, protect those images. I have my images electronically watermarked by Digimarc, a very reputable company. Having read some articles written by various people, it's apparent that even copyrighting one's images this way is not foolproof. Adding your copyright with Photoshop prior to electronically embedding a copyright can apparently create problems of its own. Haven't tried this to see if it's true.

Two suggestions were mentioned regarding my fear of having my images stolen. One was that perhaps whoever was visiting my site left the window open while checking out other sites. The other suggestion was that "bots" often go to sites to gather information for the web...at least, I believe that's what they do. Needless to say, neither of things had occurred to me.

Well, that leaves me with how I've decided to deal with my dilema (if in fact it is one). It seems that in the long run, it is better to have your work up on the web. I will continue to electronically copyright my work. Today, I have begun to put images back up on the web which is never as easy to do as one remembers. I've managed to make some mistake and am now having to wait until the gentleman who is the webmaster undoes my error. He is one terrific person and is very patient when dealing with my mistakes. I can only hope that Doug has very few like me.

For those who may have the same worries as I, I hope this helps a bit. Or, perhaps, someone out there has additional ideas or solutions. Time for positive thinking.

On another note, we are having bitter cold weather. With the windchill factored in, it will be between -30 to -40 degrees tonight and tomorrow. Schools will not be open tomorrow. Many people will be dealing with dead car batteries. Today, highways were filled with accidents, cars sliding off the road and road closures. Happily, this awful weather should be over by Saturday. Since Gallery Night is on Friday, it will be interesting to see who is brave enough to venture out. Think warm thoughts for us! Please!!!

Stealing Images?

2008-12-14T22:07:00.002-06:00

Having a website can be such a great way for others to see what you do. Having a website can be an invitation for others to steal your images.

My website is protected by Digimarc, a company that embeds a copyright mark in one's work and tracks your images should they appear on the web. It does give one a certain sense of security. Having said that, I also think that my images my be in danger of being stolen. If you haven't signed up for one of the services that show you the activity on your website, I suggest that you do that. You will find out what times of day the site is visited each day, which countries viewers are from, and other interesting tidbits, but the unnerving part is seeing how long people are on your site. Most are on sites for less than a minute and others are on for 10, 15+ minutes. The unnerving info is seeing that someone has been on for an hour or more. Personally, being on someone's site from a minute to 15 minutes seems reasonable. At this point, my site has been visited for more than an hour a couple of times. I can only assume that people are helping themselves to some of my images. None have been picked up by Digimarc at this time. Perhaps, the images are being used in other ways. I would be very interested to hear if anyone has experienced the same thing, has comments, or has suggestions as to how to deal with this.

The Best Small Art Museum

2008-11-29T16:09:00.003-06:00

A few days ago, I was in Sheboygan, WI, about an hour north of Milwaukee, to visit the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. In my estimation, it is one of the best small museums around. The work shown is innovative and of high quality, and includes everything from outsider art to tech-based work.

The first time I saw Daniel Rozin's work, one of the artists from the Act/React show at MAM, was at JMKAC a couple of year's ago. We were so fascinated as we walked past the various pieces and watched as our images emerged in them and followed our movements. Either the wood tiles would shift or brightly colored paint dripping down the screen would change to the colors that we were wearing and in the shapes of our bodies. What fun! Sure made me wish I knew just how one manages to create these terrific installations.

Currently, the JMKAC has a show entitled "Renee Lotenero: Shape and Shatter". Her pieces consist of mixed media collaged with intricate drawings. Lots of empty, white space surrounds her pieces. The more time that I spent looking at this lovely work, the more I found and the more that I liked them. (Closes Jan. 18, 2009).

In another room, being shown is "Kathryn E. Martin: Flotant". Kathryn uses the rims of "50,000 styrofoam cups" constructed and suspended on plastic rods in such a way that you feel like you are floating in the space. It feels wonderful to stand in the middle of the space and let yourself become a part of it. My suggestion is that you go to the JMKAC website (http://www.jmkac.com) to see a photo of her exhibit. I really can't do justice in describing it. (Closes Jan. 11,2009).

One other show that we loved was: "Messages & Magic: 100 Years of Collage and Assemblage in American Art". (Closes Jan. 25, 2009).

I wanted to mention these shows as I am hoping that if you haven't been up to see this gem of a museum, you should, and if you haven't been for awhile, don't wait any longer.

Act/React

2008-11-22T21:25:00.004-06:00

The Milwaukee Art Museum currently has a show titled "Act/React" that is "interactive installation art" with work by Janet Cardiff, Brian Knep, Liz Phillips, Daniel Rozin, Scott Snibbe and Camille Utterback.. What a great show! Not only is it fun to interact with the pieces oneself but it is wonderful to watch others do the same. The day we were there (it's best seen with at least one other person) we watched a young boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, interact with Camille Utterback's pieces. While mother sat on a bench and watched, he spent at least 20 minutes moving in front of the pieces fascinated with how they changed colors, lines, etc. Other than just being fun, this type of art challenges one's brain to to figure out how the installation pieces were created. Or maybe the fun is not knowing just appreciating the experience.

This show was curated by George Fifield, director of Boston Cyberarts, Inc., in conjunction with Joseph D. Ketner II, who was, at the time, Chief Curator at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Having had the good fortune to meet and spend some time with George, I can tell you that he is absolutely delightful. He's bright, charming, funny and talented. Joe is a good friend as is his wife, Patty, so I can tell you that he is the best!! He's a special person with so much to offer and we miss him. (Sadly, our museum lost Joe when he decided to move back to Boston. The saddest part is that Joe was bringing life and a new energy to MAM and, in my estimation....and others, the board will greatly regret having let him get away!)

I hope that you will go to the site (www.mam.org) to see the video on the Act/React show.

After Gallery Night

2008-10-28T21:11:00.002-05:00

Gallery Night/Day had a large turnout both Friday night and Saturday during the day. I think that people know that soon the weather will change and we all want to get out and about before hand. The CoPA Juried Show came to an end this weekend. It was well received. I was quite pleased to be in it as the juror, George Slade, didn't seem like his interests included the type of work that I do. And from all of the other work that was picked, I am still surprised.

I had some of my new work at the VP Gallery. Some of our LUMA Collective members showed work across the hall from VP. The new work that William Mueller showed was terrific. He's come up with a technique that makes the images look more like illustrations in a bronze tone. Can't wait to see more! Jana McLaughlin also devised a new way to show her pieces...I love the way they turned out...textured paper but it was they framing that I liked the best. Sylke Vonk's triptych of her son and windmill is definitely a winner. Mark Stall had his photos from Panama, Jeff Weber had his river reflections, and Eddee Daniels brought his ecology images. To add to that, Eddee had his new book and John Ruebartsch brought his books, as he is currently working on a documentary as well as a new book. What I love about our group is that everyone does such diverse work.

Our new project, LUMA Gallery, seems to have hit a few snags and may take a new direction. We meet in a week to discuss which direction we will go. Personally, I hope that we take the less structured, more fun way of using our new space. Will keep you posted.

Work on View

2008-10-09T22:04:00.003-05:00

Currently, my work can be seen in the "2nd Annual CoPA Juried Show" at the Walker's Point Center for the Arts at 911 W.National Ave., Milwaukee, (through Oct. 18) and at the VP Gallery (320 E. Buffalo) in the Third Ward, also Milwaukee. Next weekend is Gallery Night and Day. In addition to WPCA and VP, LUMA Collective, hoping to open their new gallery (LUMA Gallery) at 320 E. Buffalo on the 3rd floor that weekend, will temporarily be using the space directly across from the VP Gallery. I will have a few photos there. Notice of LUMA Gallery's opening will be posted at a later date.

Hope you will come out to view the great art during Gallery Night and Day.

Creativity

2008-09-22T18:17:00.004-05:00

A simple definition of CREATIVITY is the use of one's imagination to come up with new/original ideas, especially in the creation of an artistic work.

Everyone has their own way of reaching into themselves to find their creative soul. We all see things differently, so what seems creative to one person may not to another.

I was fortunate to learn, a number of years ago, how to increase one's ability to think outside the box. My friend, JoAnn, had gone back to school to get another degree, this time in Product Design. One of her professor's projects was to have the class pick an object and then see how many uses they could get from it. (For example: a brick...could be used to build a building, used as a paperweight, a hammer, a doorstop, a base for something, used to prop up a table or it could be ground up for other uses. How many uses can you add to this?) Practice this and it will become easier and easier to come up with new ideas.

When doing my own work, I have found that the amount of difficulty involved with what I am working on makes the process more interesting to me and gives me great satisfaction when it is finished.

The charcoal drawing that you see was done by taking a number of images of flamingos and super-imposing over over the other and then adding and subtracting charcoal. The test is to be able to keep each image in mind while adding the others to the drawing.

My photography is also complicated. The technique came about by accident and I continue to develop it, but I do not share how I do it. What I will say is that I create the image before it's photographed and then put it into the computer to be cleaned up and tweaked. Many, many shots are taken before I find one that I like. Lots of surprises!!

Welcome!

2008-09-21T13:32:00.004-05:00

I am an artist who uses a camera, or am I a photographer who uses my art experience to create images. Which came first...the chicken or the egg? Who knows!

Although, I have used brushes, pastels, etc. to create, nothing has produced the passion more than that of the camera. Cameras have been a constant in my life, from the Brownie that I used as a child at the zoo (took weird photos of a camel's weird hooves...sign of things to come?), to the Konica that traveled with me around the world, to the new digital cameras that I use today.

One of the most important things that I learned in art school was to see. There is seeing and there is "seeing". It's important in drawing as where you put that line can determine whether your object will be flat or 3-dimensional. The use of paint teaches you the nuances of color. Is the red that you are using a cool red or a warm red? Which colors when put next to each other create what feeling? One of my professors (Peter Mendez) told me that his favorite color was gray and that he loved all of the colors that he saw in the grays. He would look at the clouds and describe the colors that he saw. I still look at gray skies and try to see the colors that he saw. Not so easy to do!

Why am I talking about drawing and painting? Well, it has had a huge influence on the type of art that I create which is photography but often looks more like a watercolor or pastel (so I've been told). My next post will include one of my photographs (which should help give you an idea about these influences) and some thoughts on creating.