Bon Appetite!

This morning I had a fabulous time downloading and watching a movie online. Click, clack--it was that simple. Not only did I enjoy the movie, becoming inspired beyond my dreams, but I also learned how to fix my headphones (which decided not to reduce noise because the batteries died) by Googling the maker's name and clicking on the correct instruction manual. Hooray! I can no longer hear "noise."

Okay, back to the inspiration. JULIE AND JULIA is a most enjoyable movie and I was sent to remembering how and why this journal/blog was started in the first place...five years ago...on AOL...(back when AOL had journals). The purpose was to write every day about photography and/or art and to share photos, drawings, paintings and whatever as they were completed. But more than the sharing of images was the desire to encourage you out there to jump in and be creative. Perhaps by jumping in, an ember might begin to glow and you would want to become better at what you love to do.

Somehow I may have digressed from the original plan. I'm not sure about that, but I do know I still want to share and grow along with you. So here we are five years later beginning anew with ideas and instructions on how to be a better artist, photographer or ______.

Let's start with the basics shall we? Desire ranks right up there at the top of the list. Do you love writing, art, photography or ______? How much do you want to be good--really, really, really good at what you love doing? It isn't enough to want it, you have to earn that right. You have to pay your dues. And...how do you do that? Here's how:

1. Do something related to what you love every day. Practice, practice, practice.
2. Look at the work of the Masters (with a capital M).
3. Read everything you can get your hands on. Through reading you will hone your interest and get more specific about subject matter.
4. Determine what you like to shoot, draw, or write about and get busy exploring that genre.
5. Start a journal and keep track of your progress. (If interested in photography, find a chart for exposures and memorize settings, then experiment. Record your findings.)

Seeing is believing so, if at all possible, TAKE A CLASS from an instructor whose work you admire. The reason I stress learning from someone whose work you admire is because you as a student will absorb some of your instructor's techniques and lordy you don't want to be absorbing junk. Right?

Okay, I have given you a few things to think about. Now...go and get busy. Oh, by the way, it doesn't matter what camera you have...what matters is what you do with it. I must admit though having a Hasselblad years ago did propel me to be the best that I could be, then strive to be better. I, do suggest (no matter what camera you use) that you read your manual and reread it every year. Amazing how much is missed during the first sitting.

So, have fun on the journey. Bon Jour!!!

Abstract Update

This could also be titled ARTIFACT and I may type that on the left side of this image, as room has been left to include a header. This Chief's Staff was created from scratch using Photoshop and other plugins. It was basically painted in Photoshop and not created using any photographs of feathers. Instead, the feathers appeared and as I worked with them, they continued materializing (similar to finding a statue in a block of marble). As with painting and sculpture, this piece evolved from nothing (photo of bag) into something.

THE STAFF
Original Artwork by Elisabeth Bacon
All Rights Reserved

Goddess Images

I am enthralled with the Goddess Watercolors painted by Judith Heartsong. To me, they are reminiscent of archetypes (specifically The Muse) as part of the collective unconscious.

Printed with Permission from Judith Heartsong--©Judith Heartsong--All Rights Reserved

My Muse is an important invisible companion and inspirational partner. Every day I take a quiet time--a time out. Often I think in images during this quiet meditative time. It is my job to make these images real. After "seeing" an image, that image must come into being. It stays with me until I make the photograph. When nothing happens during a time out, I wait. Either now, or at another time, ideas will show up.

My Muse also visits when I am moving interesting objects around and playing with setups. After a few maneuvers, the composition looks "right." Then it is time to shoot. Over time, photographs find you. Your job is to recognize them when they show up.

Suggestion: Take a time out every once in a while and let ideas come to you.

To see more of Judith Heartsong's work click on the Goddess painting above or go to:

Collection: Art & Color.

To see her reference photographs go to Flickr: judith heartsong's Photostream.

Judith Heartsong's journal is at: Judith HeartSong

A draft of this article was written yesterday, edited (after receiving permission to use image) and posted Saturday, October 25, 2008.

Truth

In a crowd...
One

In a crowd...
Alone ~EB

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon

All Rights Reserved

Take Time To See

"Nobody sees a flower--really--it is so small it takes time--we haven't time--and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

'Let the beauty we love be what we do." ~ Rumi

Final

Elisabeth Bacon 2008

All Rights Reserved

Stage 3

Who would have thunk it? Working all day yesterday yielded this simple result. More is needed to complete the image. Often "more" means taking away--editing. Today the choices continue.

New Work [In Process}

STAGE 2

Elisabeth Bacon

All Rights Reserved

Yesterday began another art project. By the end of the day, I realized it was overworked. So...back to the drawing board. The key is always Keep It Simple. Today I start again...back at stage two.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Word for the day: raison d'être = reason of being

Photography and art give me raisons d'être.

Final

Added a couple of personal touches.

Altered Art Experiment [In Process]

This is such fun. I have wanted to create collage/altered art images for years. Tomorrow I will continue work on this card. Sometimes one has to stop before a project is completed. When you don't know what to do next. STOP. Take a time out...sleep on it. In the morning, when my mind is clear, the play can continue.