On Publication

A little while ago, just after the Newtown by Night exhibition closed, I was discussing what I'd like to do with my photos. One of the things I came up with at that time was that I'd like to see them in a print publication somewhere. I set myself a deadline to work to - I wanted to see something of mine in a magazine before the end of the year.


Opening Night, Newtown by Night

And, thanks to Kay, the co-ordinator of the Contemporary Division of the Australian Photography Society, it's happened. Selected highlights from Newtown by Night are printed in this month's Image magazine, the APS journal. It's only available to APS members, sadly, but that's still almost two and a half thousand people who've been sent my printed work - hooray! Thanks again Kay for suggesting I submit the work!

The next challenge, I think, will be to start entering some photographic competitions. I don't have any great hopes of winning anything - my style is somewhat understated, and I dislike most of the currently fashionable looks for images, but I want to enter some contests regardless. I'd also like another exhibition - I have a body of work called 'Tales from the Tropics' I'd like to see somewhere, and I'm considering putting a book together some time next year. And of course I have several ongoing photographic projects I'd like to do more with.


Tales from the Tropics - Trishaw time out, Penang

And I really, really need to re-design the website so it's better organised.

Of course, I'm also planning on starting a major non-photographic commitment next year as well, so I'm not sure where I'll find time for all of this, but I'll manage somehow. Wish me luck!

Cut up - Mat cutter glory, and a cry for help

Ok, so I promised pictures of my shiny, new, easy-to-use mat cutter.



Here it is in all its packaged glory. As you can see, it is indeed both shiny AND new. It was recommended by the person at my favourite art supplies place (Art on King) as the one the owner used to do her matting, which I thought was a pretty good testimonial.



Here it is naked on my cutting mat (saucy, yes?). Doesn't it look professional? I had an image to matt up shortly before the exhibition ended, so I pulled it out to give it a trial run.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to work out how it works! I tried multiple methods of putting in the blades; I even read the instructions multiple times, but no luck! I ended up using my old, dodgy cutter to frame the picture; at least I know how to use it.



So if anyone knows how to use a Dexter mat cutter, let me know!

And we're done

I've just been told that the exhibition is ending tonight - so anyone who wants to have a look, best to get in quickly! I'm sorry about the short notice; I was under the (admittedly rather vague) impression that we were going until the end of the month.

It's been a fascinating experience; and a very positive one. I've loved getting the feedback on the works, and am more grateful than I can say for the support everyone's given me.

An extra thanks to the people who've bought works - Berkelouw will be calling you to finalise payment, and you can pick up your images from tomorrow. Sales-wise, I did much better than I expected, and sold five works, which clears my costs, and pays for a new mat cutter - expect pictures tomorrow.

I didn't quite clear enough for the lighting course, sadly, so I'll be learning how to make pinhole cameras instead.

And now I plan what I want to do next! Suggestions?

Prints.. and free chocolate!

When I was originally working out how many pieces I need to sell at the Newtown by Night exhibition, my most important goal was covering my costs, so I don't end up several hundred dollars down. The next goal was to make enough profit from sales to:

a. buy a decent mat cutter, to make it less painful on my wrists for the next time I have a showing (and have less need to practice my Buddhist detachment when I screw up a mat again), and

b. Pay for membership & a course at the Australian Photographic Centre, to improve my lighting skills. At the moment I'm great at making ambient light do what I want, but stuffed if I have to create the light myself - and at least one of the projects I want to make next will need some lighting to turn out as I envision it.

At the moment, it looks like I'll cover my costs, which is a huge relief. And I'll probably have enough left over for a mat cutter (hooray!). I realised this morning, though, that I forgot to account for Berkelouw's commission on the works (they put the money back into covering the costs of the exhibitions - how cool is that!), which makes the last goal even tougher than I originally thought.

So, if you wanted to buy a print, or know someone you think would like one, please make the effort to get it happening; don't just let it fall by the wayside. And to those of you who've already put a deposit on prints, thank you!

Free chocolate!

And as a thank you, if you post a comment here on the photojournal after you put a deposit on a print (or multiple prints!), I'll send you a box of Aardvarque chocolate - yum!

And we're off!

Opening night went fabulously - thank you so much everyone who made it out on a cold, wet Thursday night to see the works and celebrate.


Obligatory photo of the artist; I'm the one leaning on the distinguished guy at the right.

We had surprisingly few (read: none) hitches - my nightmares of frames falling off the wall overnight, or images sneaking out of their mats didn't eventuate, and everyone seemed to have a good time. Next time I'll take the day of an opening off, and probably the day after as well - I was pretty tired and sore the next day; but I'm so very happy. Thank you, everyone.



The exhibition will run for the next four weeks, so if you couldn't make opening night, make sure you drop in and take a look.

There are more photos from the opening in the main gallery; click through any of the images, or click here to see them. Most of them weren't actually taken by me; we handed the camera around quite a bit.

Just a little further

One day to go. We managed to get all the works signed and re-framed, and only broke two frames; not bad going, all things considered. Next time I'll know better.

I’m having a small hanging party tonight; four of us are going to hang the images, and then go have dinner somewhere. It should be good! I’m looking forward to seeing how the works look on the wall.

Tomorrow night at 6pm we open, and I try to talk intelligently about my work; hopefully without babbling too much. See you there!




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Equanimity in Action

I've mentioned being Buddhist before, I'm sure. It has its advantages; for one thing, I no longer swear or have a stompy moment when I accidentally shatter the glass on an image I'm trying to re-frame. Hooray for equanimity!

Now to learn how to not get annoyed at people on public transport.

5 Days and Counting

So, five days until opening night. Oddly enough, I'm no longer very nervous; just excited. All the images are framed, which is a huge weight off my mind. I realised this morning, though, that I'd forgotten to sign them, so one of tomorrow's jobs will be opening the frames back up and signing the mats. Assuming I can find my pencil sharpener, that is - if anyone sees a pencil sharpener roaming truant-like around the wilds of Stanmore, could they send it back to me, please?

And naturally, now they're done I can see all the tiny bits of dust that somehow managed to creep in unseen while I was framing; it'll be good to clean then up again while I sign them.

Dust motes aside, I'm very much enjoying looking at the collection, now they're all matted, mounted and framed. There's a presence to a properly-framed picture that a loose print just doesn't have, and seeing all of them together gives an impact that I'm proud of, and a little surprised; they seem like seperate pieces of art now, not just my pictures. It's a very good thing.

Next I take a break, then start writing the dreaded Artist's Statement. Fortunately, with this body of work I'm very aware of the concepts I'm working with, so the difficulty is going to be in phrasing myself clearly and concisely, not in fumbling to explain a half-felt idea.

I'll see some of you on Thursday night!

Updating

Well, exhibition prep is going along. I'm discovering yet again that I really dislike mat cutting and framing - but it's getting steadily easier. My current plan is to use some of the (I hope) proceedings of sales from Newtown by Night and buy a decent mat cutter; I suspect there will be far less swearing that way!

I've been really happy with the way the images have turned out in print, though. I've changed printers, and am now using Pixel Perfect, and I can't say enough good things about them. The depth and subtlety of colour in the series amazes me - I find I keep stopping to stare at the images while I'm framing them. Hooray!

Finally, many thanks to the lovely Michelle who came over last night to patiently keep me company while I waved my cutter around and swore - I really appreciate it. Two weeks to go!

Finally, the exhibition announcement!

Newtown by Night

An Art Exhibition featuring new photographic works by Arwen O'Connor.

Date: 18 June 2009

Time: 18:00 - 20:00

Location: Berkelouw Books, 6-8 O'Connell Street Newtown, 2042


Berkelouw Books invites you to attend the opening night of the exhibition Newtown by Night. The exhibition will showcase dramatic photographs of the backstreets of Newtown taken by local artist Arwen O'Connor. Come along and support local artists!

It's been a while coming, and I'm nervous (and excited) as all hells. If you're in the area, and available on Thursday the 18th, come along to the opening, and see the new works. All images will be for sale, too, so if you're looking for the perfect subtle, loving, urban commentary, make sure you come and have a browse.