Freddie Good Time - Jane Lui

Here's a perfect song to float into the weekend with. I've got a packed weekend ahead; the most exciting part is preparing my final photography project. That, and trying to decide what to do about an ailing car I'm reluctant to replace (I hate spending money on cars!). How will you enjoy the weekend?

Epiphany

I vividly remember leaving my first oil painting class in Boston years ago. With my my box of paints and brushes in one hand and a big sketch book in the other, I walked with new eyes. The world seemed transformed to me, into a giant canvas. Everything waited patiently to be immortalized into a vision in oil paint; sharp here, soft and blurred there, colorful, dull, straight lines, alluring curves. It was a sort of visual epiphany.

Not so long ago, I started taking photography classes obediently enough, just taking another technical class because the ones I required were once again discontinued. I had a modest little point & shoot which was acceptable for the class. I wasn't interested in creating art, not with a camera at least. Painting was my expression of line and color.

Little did I realize I would soon be feverishly re-looking up photographers I had long been familiar with to study their styles anew. And researching new photographers that had a unique way of describing this strange, wonderful world we live in. Seeing the world for every nuance it had to offer, and yes, wanting to make art. With a camera.

A true artist is not restricted to a single medium. She uses all the tools available to her to convey thoughts, ideas and experiences to others. The need to communicate these experiences is essentially human.

What are your thoughts?

November is ...

So, I completely flunked 'October is Purple', didn't I? Ah well, perhaps it isn't so purple after all. That doesn't stop me from having a few ideas for November. I've decided to take my qeue from Brian and post more (but not strictly) black & white photos throughout the month of November. That should be easily achieved. This could inspire me to try out the analog SLR camera my brother-in-law so kindly gave me. It will be interesting to see how well I can work with one kind of film at a time, and since I don't have access to a dark room, how well I can let go of the post-processing manipulation I'm accustomed to. I also intend to do much more cooking in November. There's something about the cooler air, and exchanging my summer wardrobe for my winter wardrobe that compells me to want to put on an apron, turn on some Rosemary Clooney, and start cooking.

What will your November be like?

Toy

My photo assignment this week was to take a favorite childhood toy and photograph it in a displaced manner.

First of all, I didn't have a lot of childhood toys to begin with. I don't say this with any regret; I spent most of my childhood outside playing in the woods behind the house, which was my own big, private playground. I liked playing outside. And I don't recall the few toys I did have with any passionate fondness.

I certainly didn't save any toys from my childhood, so I had to figure something out. I went to the thrift store, certain I would find something that spoke to me and was somehow in keeping with the assignment. And that's when I found her. I've never owned a porcelain doll, and considering this is Halloween, she takes on a real spookiness. I photographed her outside in the dried leaves, I propped her up on the window sill, even situated her in a tree. No matter where I put her, she seemed to be witness to some horrid crime. I have to wonder ... whose doll was she? And what did she see?

I think she does conjure some childhood emotions. Like fear, to name one.

If you want to see the other shots of her, please go here.