Thoughts on the Interaction Between the Maker and Beholder

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Ok- disclaimer- I am no techy, but my husband (a techy) just got me a smart phone (thanks honey!) and I've found this fabulous photography app. It's called lo-mob and it's now my favorite thing to do when I have a few seconds to play. Of course, since I love it I had to share it with you all. :)

What it does is take any photo from my camera roll and it runs it through a selection of filters. There's about 25 to choose from ranging from a slide look, a medium format camera shot, a polaroid look or a couple of dozen others. What I've done is take one photo from my collection and process it different ways so that you can get a look at what I'm talking about. You can also check it out for yourself at lo-mob.com.

Pretty Cool, huh? Smart phone or not, this is a fun reminder that we, as artists, can control an image whether it's a photo, a painting, necklace, or sculpture. We can manipulate it, stretch it, darken it, crop it. Then, when we release it into the world we're giving that image as a gift to others who might not see as we see. There's an interaction between the creator and the viewer that I think we, the artist, sometimes overlook. We make something and put it out into the world, but we can't control how others view or interpret our work. That's beautiful to me because that means that what the viewer brings to our work is as important as what we bring. Once the viewer interprets through their personal lens then they are connecting to the work. Once they connect to the work then they have personalized it and THAT makes it theirs. From a marketing stand-point that's what we, the creators, want because that is what will turn that person from a viewer to a committed buyer. I believe that's one of the reason "inspirational" art does so well. It makes the connection quicker but it also limits the viewer somewhat to seeing what the artist sees in the piece. Adding the word "believe" or "fly" will surely help the viewer who wants to believe or has the longing to fly relate to the work and even see it as a personal talisman. How do you want others to connect to your work? Have you ever considered the viewers' role in the life of your art? Just some food for thought.

Weekend Beauty

My parents built a retirement home some time ago in hopes of retiring there some day. In the meantime they go up summers when they're not teaching and most weekends.

This weekend was the big putting in the dock weekend. While my dad and Jeremy were waist deep in freezing water I was out front with Jasper snapping some pics. Across the road from the house is a pond that feeds into the lake behind the house. My mom's iris were blooming and I just loved the combination of blues and greens and purples. Then there's that gravel road running right through that's a nice balance to the cool colors. I also love the juxtaposition of the wild and natural pond area to her more cultivated front garden. Just loveley!!!!

All the difference

Yesterday evening when the sun was going down, I walked into the kitchen and saw the light illuminating beautifully some flowers I had on the counter.

When I saw how they were glowing I ran and grabbed my camera and was able to snap a couple of photos. Now looking at the pics I'm really struck by the difference between the two that I took. In the first the light was streaming just right. Lovely! Then I thought I'd move some of the cluttery stuff in the background before I snapped the second pic. What a difference just a minute makes! In the first the flowers seem to glow, the light is streaming right through the petals as if they were made of stained glass. In the second the light is less warm, and the tulips seem more opaque. Duller.

I have a friend who has been trying to coach me to take better photos. Unfortunately we're doing it over the phone so I'm required to actually understand what she's trying to instruct me in. I learn much better through show and tell. This happened upon late afternoon lesson was a perfect demonstration of what a difference even a slight adjustment in light can do for a photo.