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!

Pain, In Progress

Yes, I'm still here. Been doing a few new things - learning to sew, so I can indulge my fondness for Victorian-era clothing, and starting to learn to do Chinese/Japanese brush painting (very, very badly - I can barely do a recognisable straight line). I've also discovered that making sourdough bread makes me feel calmer, happier, and more creative. Odd, yes?

But most of the reason I've been so quiet is a mix of stress and pain. Work has been remarkably stressful, and is only now starting to return to a live-able level of stress, and the cold has made the pain in my feet very difficult to deal with. It's hard to realise, even when you're living it, just how much pain drains you, and makes it next to impossible to be creative. When work is draining you past your endurance levels, and pain takes them even lower, life becomes a rather depressing trudge.

I had hoped that Spring warmth would improve things a bit - at least take the cold out of my joints, and let me walk a bit more. But as anyone in Sydney would know, the weather has perversely turned cold, damp, and rainy; just the weather that makes the arthritis worst. Ouch.

So I'm currently typing from bed; the warmest, flattest place available. Occasionally I venture out to do things that can't be accomplished from under a doona, then head back again when my feet start to complain too much.

Since I haven't any shiny new completed projects to share, I thought I might tell you about some of the things I have in progress, instead. I have several series' that are slowly accumulating images, some of them at least five years old. There's one in particular I'd like to talk about today, since I feel very much like a creaky tree myself - Wooden.


Forking trunk

A tree against the sky possesses the same interest, the same character, the same expression as the figure of a human. - Georges Rouault

I started this series back before I owned a digital camera, so all these images are film. I'd like to continue it with film; it seems to suit the images. There's a few ideas I'm slowly getting my head around with the series. Part of it is me coming to terms with my body - it seems odd to feel uncomfortable with my own physical being, after all. And part of it has to do with the way we see ourselves reflected in nature and the things around us; the way we'll look at the shape of a tree and see ourselveds. And when you get down to it, we are all interconnected, which I think may be an underlying idea in a lot of my work, but more explicitly part of this.


Entwining

I need to re-scan these images - my old scanner was pretty crappy, and a lot of the subtlety of the negatives is lost here. And I'd like some more images to round out the set; I want to see breasts and thighs, ankles and hands, as well as privates. It will have to wait for summer, though, until I can feel a little more anchored in my own body, without being overwhelmed.

So, what do you think? Click here to browse the rest of the series, as it currently is, and make sure to post or email an opinion. Would you like to see more of my in progress projects?


Openings

Art for art's sake?

I've been pondering recently - since the exhibition, at least -what to do with the images I create. Making art is one thing, but if no-one ever sees it, what then? If art falls in a forest, does anybody care?

I photograph because I want to, because I'm driven to, and because there are things I see that I want to comment on or share. I also believe very strongly that art (craft, imagery, call it what you will), is ideally a part of life, not something separate and sacred. There's definitely a place for complicated, self-referential, obscurely-idiomed art that needs a 4-year degree to understand it - but it's not my place. I'm really not into artsclusivity.

What, then, should I do with my work? It looks better in person than onscreen, I've noticed - there's a certain amount of presence and depth that doesn't seem to come out of a monitor as it does a print. I'd like another showing somewhere, although I'm still trying to work out where (and where is likely to take me). I'd also really like to have work published; if anyone knows a good photography/art publication that they think would like my stuff, let me know.

So, two questions that I'd love to hear comments on, please:


1. If you make things, what do you do with the finished product?

2. Is there anywhere you'd like to see my stuff? Or any suggestions for how to get it there?


(Yes, technically that's three questions. I know.)

Comment and post your answers, or email if you'd prefer, and I'll discuss the responses in a later post. Thanks!

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?

Still here, and so are the photos

Whew; it's been a busy few weeks. I have a new lens (see the images below), and a new monitor calibrator, so I can find out just how poorly my monitor has been showing my images.

The exhibition is going well; 5 framed photos have sold, which is a very nice feeling. Four more and I reach my goal - hooray! For anyone who hasn't seen them yet, Newtown by Night will be up for another three weeks; make sure you drop in and have a look. The coffee at Berkelouw is also worth trying!

Pain levels are acting up quite badly, though - I'm working through a daze of pain and medications today, and am currently mildy dreading the upset stomach I'm about to have from the ibuprofen. Cold, damp weather exacerbates both the arthritis and the nerve pain, and I'm tired enough that it's all a bit too hard.

Still, my bad days are better than my good ones used to be. So onwards, upwards, and always twirling towards freedom. Besides, who could be cranky with Harry the kitten around?

The new lens takes beautiful photos of other people's new kittens!

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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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!

Update - Exhibitions and Images

Well, life continues. The exhibition looks like it's going ahead; the current date for opening night is June 15th, after I get back from Japan, so keep it free! I'llbe sending images off to print tonight, and expect to be spending the next couple of weeks matting and framing frantically; wish me luck and no paper cuts.

I'll post details of venue, times and theme once everything is confirmed and all the details are finalised, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I've been keeping busy on a new series of images - "Serenity". Some of the sample wallpapers I posted a few weeks ago are part of it, so if you liked those, stay tuned for the complete set. And I recently documented my partner's black belt grading in Aikido; I'll be posting shots once his sensei has had a chance to take a look. I'm really happy with the way the images turned out - very dynamic!

Exhibitionist!

So I met a man about a dog this afternoon - or more accurately, I met two lovely people who said very nice things about my portfolio...

And agreed to put on a solo show of my work in the near future.

Woohoo! More details as soon as we confirm the date - it will most likely be at the end of this month or the beginning of May. It'll be in Newtown, Sydney; I'll let y'all know more details once I stop running around and waving my arms frantically in both glee and terror.

Stay tuned!

Ooops

A couple of people have pointed out that the wallpapers weren't properly going through to the larger versions; this should now be fixed. Now I just have to fix the little versions to be less pixelated!

If you're having problems with an image, or would like a higher-res version for your desktop, please comment or drop me an email. To the people who've emailed and let me know how much they're enjoying their new desktop, thank you! I really appreciate the feedback.

I'll be posting a couple more papers tonight, too, so stay tuned.

We are experiencing technical difficulties...

I'm temporarily internet-less at home, hence the radio silence. (Well, it's been nearly a fortnight now; does that still count as temporary?)

While we're waiting for our phone company to get off their bums, Xole has posted a response to my Photochallenge: you can see it here.

Hopefully I'll be back soon!

NaNoPhoMo Wrapped Up

Whew. Made it, if only just.

I need to thank my partner, the gracious M, who kindly pressed the button on my camera from the tripod, when I needed to sit too far away for the cable release to work. He also reluctantly consented to take pictures when I was rolling around on the floor with a giant stuffed squidhat. Thank you, M!

So what have I learned? Mainly that I'm terrible with narrative. I've never liked telling a straightforward, linear story; apparently that's because I'm crap at it. Next year, I sit down and storyboard the whole thing out early. Which in itself will be a big challenge, but hey.

I'd also like to thank my coterie of stuffed cephalopods, without whom none of the brain hijacking would be possible.

Tree in Forest on show!

Yep, you read it right. I'm exhibiting as part of this year's Under the Blue Moon festival; in conjunction with 2042:Art on the Street.

I'll be exhibiting four pieces from my All that Glitters series- the chocolate bunny series, for those who've seen it before. It was shown last year at Shadow Galleries, a goth club with accompanying art run by the lovely and talented Catterwaul. For a while afterwards I was apparently known as the 'Chocolate bunny woman' - I can think of worse titles.

This year we'll be on show at Repressed Records; 356 King St (next to Corelli's Cafe, for locals). 90 x 30cm matted prints from the limited series are available to buy, if anyone is feeling rich.

I'll be hanging the pictures tonight - or I will be, if the sheer screaming terror doesn't get me first!

What made me think this was a good idea??

I'm not dead!

No, honest, I'm not dead, just inSingapore. And, as always, with no way of processing my imagesuntil I get back home to my computer. It'sbeen an interestingtime; the usual swings and roundabouts; fortunately,things are looking up.

I've been thinking a lot about this blog, and what I want from it, as well as what I'm learning from it. I came to the conclusion a while ago that with mainly images as content, it was unlikely to ever become one of the huge monolithsof the blogosphere, however witty my occasional commentary may or may not be.

This is probably a good thing- it means that I only need to please myself; and you, o humble readers. So while I'm wandering the tropics, and thinking about what would please me in Tree in Forest, I'd really like it if you could tell me what you'd like as well.

I'd also really like another gin and tonic, so it's probably time to leave this seedy internet cafe and head back to the hotel. See y'all soon!

Theme starting July 21st...

... is Curves.

Still deciding what I think of the monthly themes, and the reduced post frequency, me. On the one hand I'm very grateful to have less pressure on me to post, but on the other, it's so very easy to lose momentum. Are you finding that as well?

Mind you, I'm also having yet another attack of crankiness about my work; I keep looking at it and seeing the technical faults, and no underlying message or story to redeem it. I suspect one good concept for a project will redeem that, but for the moment, I struggle on. At least I have a nice, sexy theme to keep us all interested!

Photos coming, honest!

There are a billion photos on my memory cards from a Wynyard wander I did this morning, so y'all can expect a new picture sometime this evening. Admittedly, I only looked at two churches, so it wasn't much of a 'wander'. There was another two I wanted to get to, both close by, but 'walking' and standing are still so hard; and very, very tiring. Still, I made plenty of pictures of the two I did see, so hopefully there'll be something I like.

While you're all waiting with bated breath, and since we're on the topic of religion, I've ended up acting as a moderator for the Buddhist forums I mentioned some time ago. I realise that most of you guys wouldn't describe yourselves as Buddhist, but if you have any questions or curiosities, or if you just want to hang out with a bunch of learned Buddhist types, be sure to pop over and have a read.

New theme!

Now if I'd thought ahead, I'd have made sure the new theme started with the beginning of the month. Still, I suppose there's only one month that has only four weeks in it, so we would have been back out of synch very quickly. Maybe sometime I'll match the themes in time with the lunar calendar.

All that aside, the theme for the next four weeks...

... is CHURCH.

Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again to everyone who voted. We've ended up with the three shots per week option in front. This is very handy, since it's also the decision I've come to. You're all obviously psychic!

What I'm planning on doing from here is three shots per week, with the themes running for one month each, instead of one week. This'll let me explore each theme in a little more depth, which I'm looking forward to.

As usual, let me know if there's a theme you'd like to see done. I'll be announcing the latest one tomorrow. And onwards and upwards from here!

Are we there yet?

A big thank you to everyone who's voted on the survey. We've had a bigger turnout than normal - it's lovely to see people voicing an opinion about where we go from here. If you haven't yet voted, tomorrow is the last day, so get in quick!

A number of people have emailed me or talked to me in person about what they'd like to see in Tree in Forest. As I've said, all feedback is helpful, so make sure you comment or drop me an email.. or pin me down in person, for the locals.

I'm pretty close to reaching a final decision about what to do next. I'm still tossing a few ideas in my head, but I expect to make a post tomorrow with my decisions, and to get started with the new plan from next week.

I'm also tentatively talking to a potential new gallery about an exhibition, so wish me luck!