Getting ready

I'm setting up for my first arts and crafts festival with my photography next week. I'm scared and excited and tired of all my neurotic planning! Not only did I have to print like a maniac, I still have matting and framing to do and a whole display to finish. But despite my panic, it will all get done-- as it always does.

I was reading an article on one of my favorite blogs today (Made in Slant) about a young Argentinean artist who makes gigantic sculptures, mainly with clay. Here's the article, with an alarming photo: http://www.madeinslant.com/2012/05/a-dead-whale-in-the-forests-of-argentina-by-adrian-villar-rojas/

I followed a link in the article to a NY Times article where the artist is describing his artwork and how artists relate to their medium. He says, “It’s the gift the material gives us.” 


I love that. It's how I feel about the Holga and 120 film. 


Many people experiment and use all sorts of equipment and vary their styles. I admire this adventurous nature and yet I don't share it. Not with my photography, at least. I stick with the materials that feel like the best extension of me... the best way to express what I see and experience. 


While printing for the Kerrville show, The Texas Arts and Crafts Festival, I was trying to stick to more, uh, conservative shots. Not that there won't be people there who like the creepy clown head in the middle of a park, but it is the Texas hill country and I'm betting most will be drawn to my more traditionally "pretty" pictures. 


On my last day of printing I had a mischievous spurt of energy come over me and printed my weird teddy bear in the window photo and an old image of a mannequin in Mexico. On a solo trip to the Yucatan one summer, I was in the beautiful city of Mérida walking the streets with my Holga. I shot a bunch of photos of a shop selling formal wear. Mexico style. The mannequin is chained to the outside of the building, the tuxedo is pinned open so you can see all the fancy embellishments, the mannequin has a slightly askew, 7o's style, shag wig on, a mustache (of course!), and one hand is put on the wrong way, making the whole thing just look... off. And awesome.


My friend, who was finishing up in the darkroom while I collected my dry prints, took one look at it and said, "People will stop and look, but no one is going to buy that picture". 


ha! 


Maybe not, but what I love about photography is that it makes people stop and look. If I can create images that make people stop for one second and not think about their lives, their facebook page, their cell phone, what's for dinner, what unpaid bill is due, that their jobs suck, or whatever, then I've done my job.