My 100th Post..and on Halloween!!

Rachel was kind enough to model for my photography project. I think I wore her out. I haven't developed the film yet, but I did take a few shots with my digital camera during the session. I didn't have it on the tri-pod so they are a bit blurry. I wanted to post them now because I realized that Rachel looks like my aunt Tammy.
This is a revvelation because forever people have said she looks like her fathers mother or her fathers sister..which would have been enough of a compliment if it were true, but I never saw it. I could never figure out who she looked like. Until I saw these pictures and I realized she looks like our Mom's sister Tammy! Rachels nose is turned up, but she still looks so much like her.
Check out the rest of the pictures in photobucket..you'll see. Keep in mind the picture I have posted of my aunt is the only one I have digitally. It's not the best and I hope she doesn't strangle me for posting it, but just look at the facial structure and compare it with Rachel's.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

There are more photos in photobucket. And.........there will be even more after Xander has gone trick-or-treating both later today and this coming tuesday. Which is the official day of Halloween. As of now there are a few pictures from our Halloween party. There will be more of those once Irena sends me the pics from her camera.
Fun was had by all...except for poor Irene-Marie. She was brave enough to come over despite her allergies to dogs. Consequently her visit was short lived, but she and Jimmy were able to come to the comedy show with us! Which was bloody hilarious. Pop and Politics with Jimmy Pardo at the Comedy Showcase.
Everyone looked awesome! It's great to hang out with people who don't take themselves to seriously!!

I will post Xander's Halloween adventures as they unfold.

Happy Halloween!!!

Normally putting foot in mouth is not a pleasant experience, but I must concede that in this case it tastes pretty good. My long standing views on post-modern art evolving into beautiful experiences that have given me the much needed confidence to work in a style I once thought was foolish. I am blissfully learning that a piece of art(be it painting, sculpture, photography, etc...) does not necessarily need to portray something that any viewer will grasp as a specific subject or concept. Rather, the works can take on a meaning wholly inherent to the individual viewers experiences. It can mean different things to different people.

It seems obvious that our world is ever exspanding. There are no general experiences that will create a multipurpose reaction from the general public because each individual has their own reality effected by their enviornment and upbringing. So, while and artist may create something that has specific meaning to them it is meant to translate to a broader audience based on the audiences reaction to it. Not in just knowing what exactly it is that your seeing, but relating it to your own experiences and thoughts.

I feel as if I've had this knowledge, this whole other world, hanging above my head my entire life and only now have I taken the time to look up and see that it is there for me to have.

The picture I've included is by Francesca Woodman. As of yet I have never seen images so raw. Raw with emotion and a beautiful mind. She commited suicide when she was 22.

Lastly I want to add that I am still having considerable trouble grasping (for lack of a better word) seriously abstract and minimalist works. I let you know when that epiphany hits.

Couldn't you just eat him!!?? This is one of my favorite pictures of Xander. His GrandDaddy took this while visiting us for Xander's first birthday. I love his expression, his giant brown eyes, and those chubby little cheeks!!Oooooh! He's so cute.

Happy Candy!

Thanks to Jill for the picture of this precious little doggie!! Love it!!
She's like happy candy:)

Sweet! An Invisibility Cloak!

I thought this little article discussing recent breakthroughs in Invisibility Cloaks ( yes, that's what I said) was pretty amazing. The pros of having a cloak of invisibility are fantastic; ranging from hiding objects to protecting entire cities from earthquakes! Can't wait to see where they take this new technology.
Of course my innate pessimism can't help but wonder how this possibly, eventually, will be used to do something nasty and destructive.
At any rate...I wish that I had one now. I would throw it over Tony's rental house in Ypsilanti and rid the world of a disgusting eye sore. You know the kind of house I'm talking about. The kind that needs to be painted. The kind that is in desperate need of some decent landscaping. You know...The kind that have tenants that throw their dead cats into a iron bathtub in the back yard and have weeks of garbage on the back porch and have 4 dogs instead of the agreed upon 1 and several cats, birds, lizards, fish and I swear I think I saw a monkey, but I may have been hallucinating from the miasma of animal excrement,body odor, beer, smoke and general funk that oozes through and out of that horrid place. You know...That kind of house.

Photography 101.

I finally finished my very first photography project, so no more will you be seeing an overabundance of my self portraits. The images seemed to be a hit during critique, but for their content only. My technical skills are still lacking. After tearing my first roll of film and then subsequently exposing the entire roll to daylight I was sure nothing else could go wrong. Right. I love how delusional I can be sometimes.
The second roll of film made its way to the dark room and even went so far as to be developed......with an unsufficient amount of chemicals.
Still, I managed to use several of the images to print. Albeit with some serious filter use and much trial, error, burning and dodging. Of course during the printing process the chemicals expired and I was not aware of this considering it was the very first time I ever printed and secondly because it wasn't my responsibility to keep up with the chemicals. There is a lab assistant to do that and answer all of our novice questions.
At any rate...despite the technical problems I am rather happy with the content of my photographs. I recieved the highest of compliments during critique when my instructor and other class mates compared this image of me in the tub to Gustav Klimpt's painting style. Wow! was I ever flattered.
If you are unfamiliar with Gustav Klimpt please check this out. He is my favorite painter ever.

:( it's snowing.

Xander slept the entire nite in the bed with Tony. In case this seems irrelevent to you remember that we sleep in the same room, but in different beds. Xander usually sleeps in the bed with me. I am sad.

I'm Too Sexy For My Blog....

....Just when I was trying so hard not to take a cheesy picture of myself for my project..... Let us all have a laugh at my expense so I can feel like a valid photographer again.

I got nothin.......

I have nothing intelligent to say today. Days past and upcoming are debatable as well. Still, here are some brief thoughts that I have had this week. Brief in explanation and brief in their existence in my head.

The 2/3 of the Parthenon frieze taken by Lord Elgin in 1806 should stay in England. They were bought, however shady the deal may seem by today's standards, and since most people realize there is no legal precedent for returning the marbles it is only a bit whiny to claim that Britain is under "moral" obligation to return said works. But, hey if one insists on pursuing that argument I would suggest that the entire United States of America gear up for some serious changes because that would mean we should give the American Indians their land back.

Brava to Ms. Magazine and their campaign to promote the right to choose. Next week the magazine will publish and issue that contains the names of thousands of women who have had an abortion and were willing to put their names out there to support the right to choose. Brave women.

I love dogs in clothes. I don't care how stupid it may seem to others I think it's down right adorable. So there.

Happy Birthday Grandmother and Daddy!!!(Please don't dis-own me.)

Yesterday was my Grandmother and Daddy's birthday. I am a horrible terrible granddaughter/daughter because I kind of forgot to call them. In my defense I knew it was their birthday, but I was at school all day...literally. I would have used my cell, but don't own one. I was going to buy a calling card...didn't bring enough cash with me. Tony said I should have used $.50 and called him to call them, but I didn't think of that. I did however call them both first thing this morning. Hopefully I won't be dis-owned.

I love you both very, very much! Happy Happy Birthday to You. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

@ Grannies

Did I ever mention that I love my digital camera? My Canon Rebel 30D.....it's a beautiful thing.
As you may or may not know I am taking my first photography class this semester. It is a B&W film class.....they will all be B&W film classes for my undergraduate. It's not so much the B&W part that is bothersome, in fact I rather enjoy the simplicity of B&W images. It is the film part that is driving me bloody crazy!!
I thought I was going to need therapy before I shot my first roll of film. There is a grand amount of comfort and security in using the digital camera as opposed to this spiteful little piece of machinery that uses film. It takes a great deal of patience and finesse and as my instructor keeps telling me, lots and lots of practice so take lots and lots of pictures.
That is what I've been doing. I think I've gotten...maybe..two decent shots.
You must be thinking.." Is this seriously all you have to worry about?"
Yes. Yes it is. It has consumed me. I dream of photography. It constantly preoccupies my thoughts for most of the day. If I can't figure out how to get the images in my head onto film I am going to go nuts.
You may be saying to yourself..."So what. You get good images with your digital camera, so go with that."
Yes. Good images. Not GREAT images. Besides....it's just about the challenge at this point, and knowing that using film can create awesome things. Not that the film does all the work!!



p.s
These pics are from the other day @ Grannies. Xander had the best time playing in the leaves and getting tractor rides from Poppy. (these are digital of course..there are more in photobucket if you feel the need.)