Broadsided and Broadened

Hey all:

Before I begin my all-important post for today (how's that for self-indulgent?), I owe a huge apology to Ara Lucia. I've mentioned her in a bunch of postings - she's been a crucial part of my artistic development. Well, somehow we got our signals crossed and she didn't know about the blog until she happened upon it during a web search. I told her how sorry I was, but Ara, if you're reading this, sorry again - you know you rock!

Speaking of Ara rocking - her new website is up, and y'all need to check it out. I sent a link to a video a few months back showing the "behind the scenes" scoop on the photo shoot she directed. But, the new website is great, the images from that shoot are super-cool, and she simply kicks ass. Check it out: http://www.aralucia.org/

Final piece of business - blogging music is Sugar. One of Bob Mould's wondrous creations from the 1990's - pure guitar-driven rock with great songwriting. Who could ask for more?

Ok, now that all of that's out of the way, I promised y'all something. I seem to recall saying that I would have some new images before the new year. So, I decided to shock and awe and give you 2 of them! How's that for over-achieving?

The funny thing is that they've been ready for a while, but I didn't really know it. Let me explain.

So, I'm all hot and heavy on this new watercolor-looking process I've been doing. And, I've been focusing on the water series pretty seriously. The problem is that when I get going on a style and theme, I tend to block out everything else. I find I get too distracted with other image- making prospects if I don't focus in one area at a time.

Well, that's all well and good, but sometimes when you do that, you miss some things. Sometimes, those things are pretty important.

See, one of the issues with the new style I'm doing is that only certain kinds of imagery actually work for it. Images that are mostly mid-tones without much contrast, tonal range, etc. don't work as well. So, I've eliminated a lot of images along the way. Many of them sucked to begin with, so no real loss - I had just hoped that maybe something magical would happen during the process. But, I had a few images that I really liked on their own that simply weren't working.

Last night, I spent some time working on the abstract image of the wave you see here. I was really excited about it, but after 10-15 attempts, it was clear it wasn't happening. Some prints looked ok, but it seemed like the power of the photo was completely sucked out by the process. My wife saw the image and didn't have much of a reaction. But, she saw the "original" photo on my screen and said, "Wow, I really like that!" And I said..."That's it!" Why should every image in a body of work have to be created exactly the same way? Using some images as is, without the full "process" being employed will work very nicely I think - these two new ones being prime examples. I think they still have some painterly qualities and they certainly fit into the theme. They make sense with the others - and I'm amazed about how this simple moment broadened the horizon for what this series can be. As an aside, the other shot posted here (which I'm calling "Beacon" for now) was actually another view of the "Buoy" photo on my website, but it didn't work as well during the process. On it's own, I'm pretty happy with it.

It's worth noting here that when I say "as is," that's a bit of a misnomer. All it really means is that the final step in the process is missing. The print-making process I'm using actually has 4-5 steps to it, so when you look at it that way, the image has still been through the ringer.

These two images are also now posted to my website: http://www.sirinsky.com/ I made a couple other changes to the site as well, and if you visit often, you'll probably notice. Not a major face lift or anything - just a little variety for the new year.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009. Until next year...

-Marc

Feeding Time

Hello everyone:

I'm guessing that if you're in New England, you're probably not reading this right now, due to the lovely ice storm you guys got as an early holiday present. How nice! Hope you guys are ok!

Blogging music today - Bad Religion Live at the Paladium. Right now, the song playing is "Fuck Armageddon, This is Hell." Damn, those guys still rock!!

Well, in my last post, I mentioned that I was in a new exhibition out here in PA. I went to the opening, not knowing what to expect - it was snowing/sleeting, the roads were icy, and some asshole was honking at me because I was going "too slow". Apologies that I didn't feel like slamming into something that night - but apparently he didn't care, since he tailed me for 2 miles and then when I parked, he made sure to slow down so I could see his middle finger. I've got a lot of ideas on what he can do with that finger, but I won't get into that now...

So, I didn't exactly walk into the opening in the greatest mood. But, actually, it was a very enjoyable evening. The gallery was packed with a very diverse crowd, drinks were flowing (perfect for driving on icy roads of course), and the show was actually quite good. I even liked how they hung my work - which I can't say very often. I made some great connections, got some good feedback, and topped off the evening with some sashimi and a glass of cold, unfiltered sake. Why can't all evenings end that way? Because I'd go broke, that's why!

Anyway, I'm having this problem that at first was surprising to me, but the more I think about it and analyze it, it makes sense. When I was "downsized" from my "job" recently, I had thought that while I was looking for a new gig, I be able to take the free time and create some great new art. Well, what I didn't realize is:

a. I have equal or less free time than I had before - because my childcare duties have increased, I'm in physical therapy for my knee and I'm looking for a new job almost every waking hour.

b. I don't feel creative right now - mainly because my fine art feeds off my success at "work."


The first point makes a lot of sense, and it was purely a miscalculation on my part. But the second part of this was very surprising to me. Obviously, one's state of mind is an important part of the creative process, but I didn't realize how much one career fed on the other. I learned early on to keep my commercial side and fine art side very separate (which is why I'm not a commercial photographer, etc.) - but I didn't fully understand the connection between the two until now.

I spoke with Ara (see earlier post) and I explained this to her, and she wasn't at all surprised. I usually know myself pretty well, but I guess on occasion, we all miss something.

I have one piece waiting to be made (about 1/2 way done) and then it will likely be time for me to start a new project. I have a very grandiose idea that I might share with you later, but it is going to take a long time to complete and planning for it could be pretty labor intensive. I have to snap myself out of this funk first - but writing about it is the first step I think.

Tomorrow is also the 1 year anniversary of my Mom's passing, and those of you who know me well understand that my relationship with her was...well...complicated. But, it's a rough time for me right now overall - which amplifies things. Also, I just found out a good friend of mine's mother is in the hospital, stricken with the same illness my Mom had. The coincidence in terms of timing, the illness itself, and the similarities in personalities between the two women is really uncanny. Best wishes for a speedy recovery...! (not calling her out by name, because the news is still very fresh).

Anyway, that's what I have for now. I'll post the new piece when it's done and I'll keep sharing news as it becomes available.

Winter is officially here - stay warm!


-Marc