New Shtuff

These are all new things I have been working on. It seems Andy is exhibiting some semblance of influence due to the black and white images that I have been doing of late. But texture and feeling are still significant players in my pursuits. One more for the fun of it......................

What Isn't There

This is a wall at the Lorton Workhouse where, as you may recall, both my wife and I hang our respective art forms. What may be significant about this is the faded writing that you might just be able to make out. Maybe the bars on the window so that an alternative entrance or exit was made that much more difficult ( funny because it was in a prison)? Or perhaps that it wasn't sandblasted into memory? A prison barbershop. With painted on poles for those that needed a visual re-affirmation that this is where to get one's hair volume reduced. Where all the good dirt on what was happening was readily available for those that cared. Where lifetime bonds where made, perhaps. Where someone could feel a bit better about their lot in life after visiting.

It is rather basic. Easy to understand. No muss or fuss. No clutter. Painted-on poles and sign. Few things in life are so simple.

Wouldn't it be nice if everything was as such ?

Unfortunately, it isn't. But that is OK too. I can take photos and enjoy them for what they are and for what the subject was and for what may be. I can be as complex or as simple as I can possibly be, though I mostly prefer the simple approach.

Anger, frustration, lack of understanding, contempt, annoyance, change for the sake of change. None of these things are there unless we put them there. A Barber's Pole is a Barber's Pole. A wall is a wall. Paint is paint.

People are what they are.

Working It

At the entrance to the building where the Workhouse Photographic Society hangs is a sign that says,"No Photography." An interesting sign for a working photography studio. Granted, I am sure the fibre arts group we share the unit with would not like their work photographed without their consent. However, I find great humor in this simple request. We, as a group, were told that this is a working studio and we must work on our art whilst "gallery sitting." Makes the sign THAT MUCH funnier.

This is photo was taken in the back hall of the building (so much for my reading and following direction). I thought the light was fantastic and the composition simple. This re-affirmed my thought that beauty is right there, hiding in plain sight, waiting for a curious eye to catch it off guard. Granted it is just a broom handle. What if it was a beautiful lady ? Would THAT be better in the same environment ? Or would she be out of context to the point of not making sense ? I think this lonely, taken for granted broom handle deserved this recognition. It is home.

Can a collective/co-op work in the long term ? Not with all the original players intact. This dynamic is such that it takes a particular type of person to make it work for them. The balance of the group versus the individual has been a discussion since time began, I feel. The key may be the balance. Compromise for the betterment of all (most). Seeing people have to work together within parameters (some vague) is truly entertaining in that you can see the frustration and the argument welling inside the person(s) feeling slighted. The underlying tension will rarely dissipate and this can sometimes frame the dynamic of the group. Some choose to leave, some stay, there are always other options. I have never been much of a group person. I never thought the benefits would outweigh the drudgery of "have to." I have and always will be fiercely independent. But I must say that the ability to work with and ask questions of extremely talented people in your field makes it all worthwhile. The opportunity to raise your own game simply by being inspired by the abilities of others, to see other views, to hear other opinions coming from talented and successful people whose abilities you respect are just some of the real benefits from the group dynamic. I like it.

The broom handle is prettiest when it is bathed in light.

Selah