Day 6

30 Days of Creativity 

with Brooke Shaden

Day 6

Wow today is  mix of the easy and the hard, the hard being asking for someones option of my art the easy being the re working of an image, due to poor file management I don't have a lot of the 'first' Photoshop disasters backed up, at the time I was worried about disk space, I have since discovered external hard drives.
When I read today's special challenge I had to laugh, my first thought was Silence of the Lambs - perhaps because the book I am ready now had this conversation "So if your Hubby and I mistakenly fell in to bed and had wild passionate sex, you could forgive us both?" "Yes.............after I have boiled you both in a vat of hot oil and peeled the skin from your bones and made a suit for a droid then beat the crap out of it, then maybe I would forgive you!"

I went from humor to dark as I started to create today's image, Lucky I some what planned ahead and when I had a willing model on the weekend I took a few poses - my plan was a few scars for the perfect skin of a young adult, as I started to work I thought of the ugliness that is skin cancer, My mother  is currently undergoing (successful) treatment for Melanoma, I chose to show what could be hidden under the skin.

Questions

1. Find 3 objects around your home or work that you see on a daily basis. It could be a lamp, a coffee mug, a pillow,etc. Now ask yourself how you could repurpose that thing, in your art or otherwise, to turn it into something different or use it in a different way.
The things I find around work

The sink is a good vessel for water photography

Cable ties, many uses including hair accessories, 

Looking around work I saw this light globe I am sure it will feature in one way or another in a future image

2. Ask someone close to you about their opinion on you favorite piece of art. Ask probing question, like what life experience they had that makes them feel a certian way. Walk a mile in their shoes. Try and see something you love from their perspective. Being able to see the world through someone else's eyes is great for opening your mind personally, and also either adopting a new way of thinking or feeling more confident in the way you feel.
   I will have to come back to this one, I have asked my family and they are all giving me the same answer - I don't know why I like it, I just do

3. Think about something in your art that you repeat a lot. The example earlier was location or colour. It could be any element you see appearing again and again. Now try and use the same element in an entirely different way from how you have been using it.
    The only thing I really repeat in my work is the use of textures and blend modes, I do have a lot of go to textures, perhaps I will have to use a few more, I could create new ones

4. Go back to an early piece of art, maybe even the first one you ever created in the medium you are focusing on for these exercises. Try to redo it. Recreate the piece entirely now that you have gain perspective over time. How does it change? how can you reinvent that art work?

  












 I am not able to re take any of my early photos, today so I have re- worked one from a few years ago, this was a good exercise as I was not sure if there would be much difference 

 I went back to the raw image and without looking at my finished image I edited as if I had taken the photo today, obviously I am  making my work a lot darker. I really didn't think there would be this much change






5. We get so caught up in gear and having something new that we sometimes forget that creating can be done with any tool. For just one creation go back to the simplest tools you can and crate soemthing new. For photographers, it might be that you take a picture with a cell phone. Sometimes going back to basics is an amazing way to reframe how we see the world around us.
 The photos I took at work today were all taken with my phone, nothing creative, I use my phone when I have no other camera to use. the best camera is the camera you have with you.



Special Challenge: Create using skin in some way!

 

Day 5

30 Days of Creativity 

With Brooke Shaden

Day 5

Today's challenge photo was a bit of a cheat, I jokingly said to Hubby last night 'I hope the challenge is movement or action anything to use one of the photos from my photo shoot Friday night a Karate Club' So when the create from your most vivid memory was the prompt, I immediately thought about the fights in my life. I would say this was probably the most vivid, I moved just before starting high school so none of my friends were attending the same school most of my class mates had been friends for years. I upset the class bully one day and she demanded that I "meet her in the locker rooms after school" I had two options, go home or meet with her. I picked option number 2 and was prepared for a beating. The fight didn't get past the pushing and shoving stage before the teachers broke it up, we both got a slap on the wrist, Because I turned up and did not place the blame on the other girl I was praised by my class and not bullied again. I spent some time after learning self defense.

I brought my children up to face up to any bullies at school and gave them my full permission to punch back if ever in a fight. I would back them all the way if they got detention (unless they were the bully) I have 3 of the most amazing young ladies who not only stood up for themselves they also stood up for others.

Questions

1. Think back to a memory that is vivid in you mind. Why does it stand out against other memories? What can you draw from it that makes the situation unique, and why are you holding on to that?

Family gatherings at my Grandmother's house, my father was one of 9 children so I had a lot of cousins, at least once a year we would all get together at Grandma's, one of my most vivid memories was the first time I climbed the wall - being an old Queenslander, there were a lot if little rooms of one long hallway, this hallway was not very wide and when you were big enough you could reach out with you hands and feet to climb to the top. The first time I managed to go up I was not sure how I could get back down without hurting myself. so I was stuck - I could not call out for help because the Aunts and Uncles might go mad at me, (I had heard some of the cousins get in trouble for doing the same thing) one of my oldest cousins came in and say my problem, reached up and set me on my feet. He gave me a wink and walked out without saying a word. He was my favorite cousin for a long time. Why is this a unique memory for me, my dad used to hate these days, but I would always secretly look forward to them. Family helps family no matter how small

2. Think of a dream that is either recurring or very memorable to you and just like about, ask yourself why that dream stands out, or why your subconscious mind is going back to it.

I have 2 recurring dreams, 1 is being crushed by a giant ball/balloon that keeps pressing me into the bed, I have to keep 'fluffing' the sheets to stop it. (Hubby loves this dream - not) 2. Driving up a very very steep hill and having my car flip backwards. The first dream usually happens when I am sick, if I have the dream and remember it or wake up because of it I am either sick or going to be. I have no understanding of the second one, although I think it is the fear of falling presenting as a car accident (for the record the car never lands, I wake up just as it tips back) 

3. Create a dream (or daydream!) journal. Begin to write down, in the greatest detail possible, your dreams. This helps in understanding and recognizing themes that continuously pop up, and it is often indicative of ways you might want to create in your are as well

My most recurring dream themes: death and dying, letting people down, being chased (super uplifting, right)

I wont be creating this journal on line, I often remember my dreams, even just fleeting parts of them. Often my dreams are based on a book I am reading, a movie I have seen and people I miss

4.    What is your most common anecdote for creating? Do you have a certain location you like to go to, or colour palette? What do those things mean to you? Do you have a reason for using them often, and if so what significance does it hold.

I often will use the pine forests for a location for creating, they are local to me, there is different light and atmosphere every time I go back. No colour palette, I like the dark or the very light, two totally different styles. Often the image and the idea dictates the colour. 

5. Choose a medium you have never worked in, and either think about how you could create in that medium or actually try it. What elements of your current art work would cross over?

Those are usually the elements you feel most strongly about and that come to define who you are as an artist.

The obvious is painting, I can paint a house but that is it... and by house I mean building not a nice little house on a canvas. Using textures and filters I could create what Brooke calls a painterly effect on my images, Do I feel strongly about it no. 

Special Challenge: Create from your most vivid memory

Day 4

30 Days of Creativity 

with Brooke Shaden

I am starting to struggle with the answers to the questions Brooke is asking, I really wonder how I am going to last the 30 days, I think I am OK with the challenges as my ideas are there, I am not sure if my intent or how to define my "art". I will answer the best I can and keep on keeping on



1. Name one way you would like your art to evolve, and then search for art with that specific element to find inspiration on how to get started.
    I would like my art to evolve into a more singular style, I find admire so many Photoshop artists all with such different styles. I would like to take all the bits I love and be able to call them my own.

2. Choose an art form you are interested in that is different from what you do (ex: if you are a photographer, choose painting, music or anything different from creating with a camera. Now do research into that way of creating and draw inspiration from those elements. My personal example is that I painting and studying brush strokes.
    Print making and mix media art are other art forms that interest me, watching the printing process and mixed media artist work is like Photoshop. I have done a few life drawing classes that help with seeing the human body as a prop ***note I am a much better Photographer than drawer, is that a word?***

3. If someone where to view your portfolio of work, what do you think they would be most inspired by? What makes you stand out?
     If someone was to view my portfolio, I am sure there would be a lot of confusion.  I am a nature photographer who loves fine art and Photoshop,  there is a lot of both - often a combination of the two. I use all my own images when creating, therefore the background is important and must be a 'good' landscape/cityscape/seascape. 

4. Think about your favorite artist. Why do you love them so much? What visually/sonically/etc. draws you to them? Learn how to break down your love of an other artist into concrete forms of inspiration.
    The Red Hot Chili Peppers, I love their eclectic music, how they can go from rap, to soul, to jazz, their album covers and film clips are often out there or very simple. I also love Edgar Degas and his ballet paintings

5. Here are my top 3 things that I believe makes my art a little bit different: self-portraiture, painterly aesthetic and mixing darkness with whimsy. How could you take one of those 3 elements and incorporate it into your workflow? does it fit with what you do? And if not what can you learn from it?
   I would like to say self-portraiture.... It would make my work flow easier for this challenge as I could be my own model and I have done it twice so far (only one image became public) I need to get over the too old, too fat self image before I will add me to my long term work flow. So I will choose mixing darkness with whimsy.  This is easy for me to add to my workflow as it is often how I think - that dark sense of humor that laughs at inappropriate times and has a sarcastic remark ready always.

Special Challenge: Create with the theme of METAMORPHOSIS!

Day 3

30 Days of Creativity

with Brooke Shaden

What a day, I read the email and had a great plan, it was an amazing plan all I needed was a little bit of time.... well there was no spare time this morning, The traffic gods made me 2 hours late for work - not including the extra hour I had allowed for my amazing idea. While I may not be able to use the idea to day, I have it in my creative folder *** this is still in my head for now*** for another time. (reminder note for this idea is lift controls)


1. You have a piece of work in an art museum. A stranger walks up to your piece and stares at it. What are you hoping they are thinking?
    I hope the first thought is WOW, then I wonder how that was done? I would like people to be moved by my images, good or bad, happy or sad - any emotion is a good emotion (except hate)

2. If you could only create one more piece of art for the rest of your life, what would it look like?
     I would like it to be my life journey - I have not decided to create this and I am not going to think about it now as I don't want to create only one more piece, I will however keep this ideas floating around and so one day I can make this image happen.

3. What are 10 words that describe your style/mission/goal with your art?
     Whimsical, fantasy, passionate, dark, moody, creative, love. inspiring, meaningful, and thought provoking

4. Which pieces of art that you have already created speak best to you mission
    I don't really have a mission, I do this because I love it. This image was an photo of opportunity, I passed a photo shoot at work early one morning and admired the beautiful dress. The girls saw my camera and asked if I was able to help with the posing as they were having trouble getting to the look they wanted -  they were design students and had made the dress, in exchange I asked for a few shots (I got 3) with a few simple suggestions such as keep you head up and your back straight we were all happy.

5. Write one sentence that encapsulates why you create.
     I create because I can, it makes me happy and proud of what I can achieve.


Special Challenge: Create in the smallest space you can!

My plan for this image did not go to plan so I look through my archives for small spaces, I started about 4 images before I finished this one, it is a composite from a photo shoot I did a few years ago for a dance company. 

Day 2

30  Days of Creativity 

with Brooke Shaden 

Day 2

1. Is there a certain routine that you go through when you create your art?

      Yes and it usually starts with a lot of procrastinating, followed by worry once I have taken the images I have planned and finally start to do the editing it usually flows well. 

2 How often do you create different versions of the same thing?

   I do a lot of nature photography and will often go back to the same spot again and again. I recently started to work on series with my composites. The quick answer is occasionally   

3. What parts of your creative process are special to you, or make your work special?

4. How often do you try new techniques?

    As often as I can, sometimes I see a tutorial and want to try the trick and techniques other times I have an idea that I am not sure how to execute so I Google/YouTube,  I have learnt to type exactly what I want for example, "how to insert a zipper using Photoshop" - you would be amazed at the results 

5. What do you most want to learn?

     Posing and setting a scene 

Special Challenge - create with balloons or cake (it is Brooke's birthday)

I read today email when I got out of bed today and worried that I would not get an image created today after all I do have to work, luckily the traffic gods were on my side today and I had a dream run to work, what can often take 1.5 hours only took 1 during that hour I had time to mentally plan a photo for today, I searched through my memory for balloon photos I may have taken and a how I could re edit for today. (I am not a fan of balloons, in fact I hate them, I hate the feel, I hate the squeak when they are rubbed and most of all I hate the noise when they are popped) I don't have many balloon photos so I used a stock image for these balloons. 

Because I got to work early I set up a table next to a white wall and draped a black table cloth over myself and created a few poses at either end of the table with a bit of Photoshop magic I became a lot slimmer than I actually am. 

Happy Birthday Brooke, I hope you like it

Day 1

Today I embark on a new challenge

30 Days of Creativity with Brooke Shaden
http://www.brookeshaden.com/gallery/

' This is a month-long challenge designed to expand creativity and awareness through each part of our lives: art, business, and beyond'

There is daily questions and an exercise, I may not get to the blog every day, I will make an effort to keep it up to date and track my day by day journey 
Wish me luck and lots of creative ideas.

Day 1 

30 Days of Creativity

With Brooke Shaden

1. What do you want out of creating
       I am going to interpret this question as what do I want to get out of this challenge. I want to find my style, my niche. I want more focus and less distractions. I would like to be more prepared for my photo shoots and spend more time getting what I want, take more notes before I start. Often my vision for an image changes between the time I take the photos and the time I finish editing. Often for the best. 

2. Close your eyes and daydream. What do you see? Can you recreate that through your art, if so how, if not why?
     When I am daydreaming it is often to plan an image. I have started to write myself reminders of ideas I get. I drive a long way to work and back every day and often listen to audio books - everything -romance and smut, crime, thrillers, fantasy and some books with all of the above (they are my favorites)
      Today I had 2 ideas, to make them happen I need a willing model, often hard to find and time. One of these ideas is developing and will be doable with the right time and effort

3. Is there an emotion you would like to convey through your art? If so how might that emotion manifest itself?
     There is a lot of emotions I would like to convey through my images, I doubt there will ever be one emotion for all the images I create. I have a even nature, not prone to mood swings, however I do get tired and cranky and have bad days, this can be reflected in my work - or lack of creativity.

4. If you were in an empty room, what would you fill it with?
    Flowers

5. Choose a colour/prop/outfit/location, or any combination of these.
How would you make then fit together with your craft?
     This could be a whole new photo plan, however I will describe the story and the set up behind today's challenge.
Hubby had pruned a large tree and left the cuttings in a pile when I looked at them I saw a 'cave' like area. Daughter #3 was happy to grunge up for me and pose, I took this photo a while ago and had it in a file to edit one day, new projects came and went and I didn't go back to this series until today. 

Special Challenge - create using black and white