poorworm

Yesterday I received in the mail a large box of family photos. I didn’t know it was coming, so what a grand surprise to hear a thud on my porch and open this box filled with flat lives. Photographs are so interesting…as Barthes states, “In this glum desert, suddenly a specific photograph reaches me; it animates me, and I animate it. So that is how I must name the attraction which makes it exist: an animation. The photograph itself is in no way animated (I do not believe in “lifelike” photographs), but it animates me: this is what creates every adventure.” from Camera Lucida pg. 20

here’s some of the Pirate Booty:

Gold!!!

Pretty sure my grandmother wrote this on the back

Share the Fun (old negatives too!!!)

It was a rather lonely Sunday on Nov. 15th, 2009 that I ended up walking over to the Hiawatha Artists Lofts to pay a visit to Claire Johnson. Her loft/studio is warm and cozy. We had tea and talked about donuts, portraits and landscapes. She uses a wonderfully rich color palette and her extreme highlight and shadow combinations translate well in all her work. Even in the donuts there appear to be mini landscapes. She also showed me her book collection that includes a few bibles. Claire is a member of SOIL and helps to organize the Erotic Arts Festival in Seattle. Thanks Claire for your time and generosity in sharing your space with me. More images on the side links.

A while ago I was going to post things what I confiscated from students…I posted a few and then it waned. Until today. I have to admit though, it wasn’t a true confiscation. A splendid young lad named Nigel told me today about the MAGIC PEN CAP! He says to me, “I Have a magic pen cap.” I reply, “And what makes it magic?” “Well, when you drop it on the ground, it shows which direction you need to go.” “Really, well let’s see this Nigel.” he proceeds to drop the simple black pen cap on the ground and then states, “See, it’s pointing in that direction, so I am supposed to go that way.” He then walks a few steps and does the same thing until he goes out into the hall way. This is all during passing time just before 6th period. A minute or so passes and he comes back in the classroom, “Where did it lead you?”I ask,”Well it was leading me into Ms. Aliverti’s room, but I decided to come back.” “Can I have the cap Nigel?” “Why you can do it with any pen cap,” he lets me know with point blank seriousness. “But I want that one.” “Fine,” he says, “I can just use another one.” (btw, I didn’t ask for it because he was being disruptive, i just wanted it :0)

AND BEHOLD BELOW…THE MAGIC PEN CAP!

p.s. the cap has been loaned out to Flatchestedmama for some positive vibes in direction.

On saturday in late October 2009, Halloween to be exact, a few friends and I made a studio visit to Joey Veltkamp‘s space at Seattle University. He’s the artist in residence and is doing amazing work along with organizing an Artist’s Salon series. We had some interesting talks about the “Pre-Why” and the “Post-Why” concerning why artists do what they do. Much of the time we are in the process, inspired, creating, and perhaps completely unaware about the “Why” we are doing what we are doing. Or the “Why” might be because we saw something or heard something, and then something else went “click.” Then later, when we have to add context to it, the “Pre-Why” might end up different when we add fancy language to what we do. Does that makes sense? I love the bunny…

photos taken through windows with my cell phone at work. then e-mail them to myself, then post to blog. No hard copy, all digital, windows on a screen(window) delivered to a screen(window) and then put back on a screen(window) and seen through a screen(window)

From the Stairs at work 11.06.09

From the Ladies Bathroom at work 11.06.09