I have a short article about my self-portraiture work in the April issue of Vein Magazine. Their current theme is “Portraits: both sides of the lens.” Please go check it out.
Self Portraits
Kaishin
I’ve been wanting to break out of my usual style of close-up portraiture and take photos of people that are three quarter length or full body shots. I don’t do this often enough because I tend to find it more interesting to work with a subject up close and personal. It’s more challenging for me to create an interesting portrait when the subject is farther away, but I feel I’ve succeeded with this shot of Kaishin.
Two for one
Lately I’ve had this thing for diptychs, most likely influenced by the Olympus Pen shots of both Jamie and Joanna. I seem to be unconsciously taking photos in a sequence that work well together and I combine them in photoshop. This particular pairing is odd but somehow it works. Hopefully Christopher’s expression won’t give you nightmares…
Metal Prints
As mentioned previously, I currently have two of my metal prints in the Divine Feminie show at Radha Yoga & Eatery (pictured here.) I thought I’d explain a bit about how I made them.
The prints are made from metal flashing, a material used in roof repairs and can be found at most hardware stores. The image is first printed upon a heat sensitive image transfer paper that is meant for photocopiers, and then transfered upon the metal using a heat press. Each piece of metal is pre-heated for ten seconds and then I had to carefully place and centre the images. The press is set to about 400 degrees, and each was left in for about thirty seconds. The image transfer paper has to be removed immediately, otherwise there is a risk of bits and pieces of the image peeling off as it cools. (Many fingers were burned in the process…)
This type of paper can be transfered onto many different surfaces as long as they’re flat. I’ve experimented with glass, wood and fabric, but I like the look of metal the best.
Portrait Throw Down
![[the user]](http://static.flickr.com/28/38127683_6f1097cf1c.jpg)
Definition of a “Portrait Throw Down”: If you want to take pictures of your fellow photographers, then be prepared to step in front of the camera yourself. And this is exactly what Vandigicam did on our last meet up this past Sunday. These four shots are from the first session of the “throw down” that took place in August of 2005 at Kits Beach. Both events yielded terrific photographic results for everyone involved, and it was darn fun too!
Hands
Hands can convey as much human emotion as the face. They express the very basic need for human interaction and connections through touch.
The Divine Feminine
A great way to build up an artistic resume and get a sense of what’s involved in showing your work, is to enter group shows. I’ve done this quite a bit in the past, and have only recently gotten back into the habit of keeping an eye out for artist calls or juried shows to submit my work to.
I was thrilled when I heard about the upcoming “Divine Feminine” artshow at Radha Yoga and Eatery because I felt it was a theme very suited to my work. I’ve always had an interest in the goddess (as is evidenced by my choice of flickr name goddess_spiral) that evolved from a love of mythology as a kid, and developed further through personal study of female divinities from around the world.
Upon deciding to submit to the show, I selected two of my more recent digital images and reproduced them as metal prints using image transfer paper and a heat press. It’s the same process I used to create the work for my show last year at Wicked Cafe, and I will describe it further another time. I’ll be curious to check out how each artist chose to interpret the theme, and to see how well my own work will fit with everything else.
Taken at Radha Yoga & Eatery, in June 2005.
The Divine Feminine exhibition
Radha Yoga & Eatery – 728 Main St.
March 31 – April 30
11:30 – 4:00 PM Monday to Friday
Featuring the art, photography, printmaking and fabric art of 31 artists! Curated by Eva Waldauf.
Morning Lion
I know. I know. It’s well past time for me to write something on this photo blog. I’ve always intended it to be more than just a place to showcase my photos outside of Flickr. Writing something good and informative will take more time than I seem be able to spend on an entry here these days…
This is one of the stone lions at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the photo was taken with a Holga CF 120.
Learning to use my wings
Are you searching for your soul?
Then come out of your prison.
Leave the stream and join the river
that flows into the ocean.
Absorbed in this world
you’ve made it your burden.
Rise above this world
There is another vision…
~ Rumi
Buddha
I decided to go with the buddha for today’s photo blog post, in honour of the meditation retreat I did this past weekend. I have a long way to go before I’m any good at it. I think my mind is just too chaotic.