Some may say "in with the new, out with the old!" - But no, not I. Sometimes old is good, if not great, as in this case.
This image was part of a set of images taken over two years ago in one of my favourite places across the border, which I should add, is almost non-existent as it's on the verge of being torn down. Non-the-less, it was the beginning of a an amazing project that's still in the works (In Search of Venus).
A lot has changed over the years. For one, I have been visually studying and learning new ways to post process my work with HDR and texture overlays. Giving images new life and drama. New software integration also makes it easy to jump between applications like Photomatix, Lightroom and Photoshop seamlessly.
So why keep those old images buried?? Go back and revisit them. Play and experiment with some of the new knowledge that you have picked up along the way and you just might be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Venus Slumber
Whenever I travel to Europe, I love meandering through the art museums and private collections of great Renaissance art. Somehow it speaks to me deeply. Maybe I was a true renaissance woman reborn to this modern world I now know.
I often purchase books that capture and stimulate the creative senesce. Visually studying the lines, colour hues and brush strokes of some of the masters like Donatello, Diego Velazquez and Renoir.
This of course subconsciously transfers its self to my work - a photo based, painterly tribute to the masters.
"Venus was commonly associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite - principally associated with love, beauty and fertility. We all have an inner Venus, however, we're not always in tune with this goddess that drives us naturally and subconsciously. Seemingly always questioning the why and how behind our lustful thoughts and actions. Is this not our inner Venue screaming to come out? or at least be acknowledged so she can rest contently in a space of confidence."
I often purchase books that capture and stimulate the creative senesce. Visually studying the lines, colour hues and brush strokes of some of the masters like Donatello, Diego Velazquez and Renoir.
This of course subconsciously transfers its self to my work - a photo based, painterly tribute to the masters.
"Venus was commonly associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite - principally associated with love, beauty and fertility. We all have an inner Venus, however, we're not always in tune with this goddess that drives us naturally and subconsciously. Seemingly always questioning the why and how behind our lustful thoughts and actions. Is this not our inner Venue screaming to come out? or at least be acknowledged so she can rest contently in a space of confidence."
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Cool Accidents
A rare day it was today. - to be able to sit all day with no distractions and work solidly on a new collection.
The inspiration came from a burst of spring cleaning energy last weekend. I had purchased some fresh new floral fragrances and silk flowers to brighten up the studio. My new arrangements left a spot on my walls begging for a matching piece of photo based art.
So today I hankered down to play with some still life shots, which carried into my digital darkroom for a little of this and a little of that post production. It was during the beginning stages of this creative recipe mix that I accidently took different images into Photomatrix (HRD software) and quickly discovered the daisy ghosting.
With a few additional tweaks in Lightroom - I had been able to produce this pleasant Floral abstract - all born from an accident.
The inspiration came from a burst of spring cleaning energy last weekend. I had purchased some fresh new floral fragrances and silk flowers to brighten up the studio. My new arrangements left a spot on my walls begging for a matching piece of photo based art.
So today I hankered down to play with some still life shots, which carried into my digital darkroom for a little of this and a little of that post production. It was during the beginning stages of this creative recipe mix that I accidently took different images into Photomatrix (HRD software) and quickly discovered the daisy ghosting.
With a few additional tweaks in Lightroom - I had been able to produce this pleasant Floral abstract - all born from an accident.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Your Inner Voice
Creativity can sprout just about anywhere. Even from some of our deepest dark places that we don't even want to acknowledge.
So I had a particularly hard week which had a whole lot of people testing my patience. Although I didn't let them get the best of me, there still was a small voice inside that was speaking back and pointing a finger at them.
Now I usually don't acknowledge my sub-conscious self too often, so was quite amused after this piece emerge when I was working on a few creative entries for an upcoming competition. Of course, upon reflection - I soon came to realize where it stemmed from:
"My surrounding environment was creating a negative vibe at the time. And although I still had to present a pleasant outwardly composure, what I really wanted to do was turn them all to stone and shut them up". Nice - talk about turning a negative into a positive.
So I had a particularly hard week which had a whole lot of people testing my patience. Although I didn't let them get the best of me, there still was a small voice inside that was speaking back and pointing a finger at them.
Now I usually don't acknowledge my sub-conscious self too often, so was quite amused after this piece emerge when I was working on a few creative entries for an upcoming competition. Of course, upon reflection - I soon came to realize where it stemmed from:
"My surrounding environment was creating a negative vibe at the time. And although I still had to present a pleasant outwardly composure, what I really wanted to do was turn them all to stone and shut them up". Nice - talk about turning a negative into a positive.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sping Awakening
Oh how I love spring time. The buds start to come out and dull grey colours come alive with subtle hues of green and blues emerge.
This was taken on a walk in my neighborhood over looking the Don River, Toronto.
This was taken on a walk in my neighborhood over looking the Don River, Toronto.
Friday, March 5, 2010
A Big Thank You to D-Build
A big Thank You to D-Build for their write on our Building Storeys show.
http://d-build.org/wordpress/?p=775
D-Build is creating an information rich interactive history of building deconstruction, where the reclaimed materials, buildings, people, and businesses are all equally important players in the story.
Building Storyes
http://www.buildingstoreys.com
Founded in 2009, the project seeks to document Toronto’s architectural history that often goes unseen. The resulting exhibition is a visual documentation and anecdotal exhibit of the city’s cherished – and in some cases, somewhat unknown – heritage buildings and sites. The exhibit highlights both past and present, and ponders their place in Toronto’s future.
http://d-build.org/wordpress/?p=775
D-Build is creating an information rich interactive history of building deconstruction, where the reclaimed materials, buildings, people, and businesses are all equally important players in the story.
Building Storyes
http://www.buildingstoreys.com
Founded in 2009, the project seeks to document Toronto’s architectural history that often goes unseen. The resulting exhibition is a visual documentation and anecdotal exhibit of the city’s cherished – and in some cases, somewhat unknown – heritage buildings and sites. The exhibit highlights both past and present, and ponders their place in Toronto’s future.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Venus Reclining - Paper Dreams
I've been having a lot of fun with my "Venus" project. One of the latest pieces, I placed a sepia toned, paper textured overlay.
The piece has been well accepted with a 3rd place finish in our local Beach Photo Club competition, and also, an accept for this year's prestige's SNAP! 2010 Elevator Digital Photo Competition.
I feel this series will continue to evolve over time. This alone excites me as i have no idea where it will go - where I will go.
The "In Search of Venus" series is a self reflection of who i am and how I feel at any given moment in time. A liquid state of mind and being that continuely changes by the day and hour. A visual documentation or journal entry per say.
The piece has been well accepted with a 3rd place finish in our local Beach Photo Club competition, and also, an accept for this year's prestige's SNAP! 2010 Elevator Digital Photo Competition.
I feel this series will continue to evolve over time. This alone excites me as i have no idea where it will go - where I will go.
The "In Search of Venus" series is a self reflection of who i am and how I feel at any given moment in time. A liquid state of mind and being that continuely changes by the day and hour. A visual documentation or journal entry per say.
Photo Exhibit Focuses on Toronto’s Industrial Past
A big thank you to Daily Commercial Post for their great write up on our Building Storeys Show. You can read it here.
Better yet, come on down to check out the show at the Gladstone - Now Running Until April 25th, 2010
http://dcnonl.com/article/id37814/gtcontracting
Better yet, come on down to check out the show at the Gladstone - Now Running Until April 25th, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
