Instant Mood

I am most inspired by photographers who are able to balance the melodrama of black and white film with another aspect of interest, such as grace, femininity, or emotional sensitivity. Some of my favorite imagery comes from Francesca Woodman, Diane Arbus, and the more contemporary (and living) Joel-Peter Witkin, whose work imparts incredible depth of mood and atmosphere with a dark psychological edge. 

George and Betty Woodman

Francesca Woodman: House #3, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976

There is something really special about The Impossible Project's Silver Shade films. Film noir and Alfred Hitchcock come to mind. I love how I can go out on a bright sunshiny spring day and get shots like these with instant film. Good times.

I didn't think this image was going to turn out-it was totally underexposed-
but after a week the contrast and tone surprised me.
No Photoshop lightening at all here. (Shot in bright sunlight.)

SX-70, PX100 Silver Shade film.

When I draw, paint, or work in any other medium besides photography, I am more attracted to color application, so it is really satisfying to see my style expressed in monochrome without much effort. I did some printmaking last fall in black and white, though. When I'm forced into it, it seems to turn out okay. I still need to photograph those prints...I will one of these days.  

The last official Drawing class project.

This piece contains 250 of my (super-neurotic, I admit) motherly life lessons. I wanted to create something that could in essence be used to teach my daughter in my absence. I need to play with the presentation of the order of the drawings at the bottom, but this is pretty much how it will be until I create more of them.

The backing is 100% pale pink cotton, and the drawings were done on tracing paper with colored pencil.  I wanted to get it home and take some detailed shots of it, some close-ups, but don't see that happening for awhile, so here it is the way I presented it at school last Tuesday.

I haven't measured it, but I estimate it to be 40 x 55", including the drawings at the bottom.

The following photos are from my sketchbook.  They contain the plans for the above piece.  The kind-of 3-petaled upside-down raindrop mark is the one I ended up using throughout the piece.  This is the part that is very difficult to see in the above photo-I am sorry about that...

Later in the week I will be getting my Printmaking portfolio back, and will share my drypoint, etching, and aquatint works with you.  They are all learning pieces, but I kind-of like what ended up happening with them anyway.

I'm finally finished with my undergraduate studies!  Thank you to all of you who have supported me all these years.  Next Saturday morning, December 10th, I will be donning that weird flat pancake graduation hat, and the gown, too, the whole 9 yards.  I honestly feel like if I died tomorrow, at least I can say I achieved this ultimate dream.  Cheers!  I've done plenty of jumping up and down with Bella Bee since turning in my final Print portfolio yesterday.  We are happy.

My first solo show...it went well.

10/26/11, night before the opening, around 8:00pm

I had some trouble with the lighting. 

My 12x12" mixed media on wood panels.

You can see the details easier with natural light.

Monochrome instants, Polaroid film + Impossible film.

Impossible Project Integral film.

Polaroid 600 film

Polaroid 669 film + emulsion transfers/lifts

Drawings on paper.

Watercolor and thread on paper.

Mixed media on paper.

Watercolor, colored pencil on paper.

Colored pencil on glassine.

Bella at the reception.

Me and my friend Susan at the reception.

I'm so glad that I can move forward now.  It was hard work getting everything out, sorted, and up on the walls.  It's great to see everything all together.  Finally, graduation is right around the corner.  In 6 weeks I will be walking in my black cap and gown, with a tassel that says 2011.  Yay!

Getting ready for my BFA show.

Hello, just a quick post to keep in touch.  I'm still working very hard to get things ready.  It's so much to think about, and even more to do.  Putting on an exhibition by yourself is pretty challenging.  It's a good experience, though.  A must for a fine arts undergrad like me.  I wish I could see all your sweet faces at my opening reception!  I'll be thinking of you. 

Dress detail

Organizing Polaroids

Ordering refreshments...

Outlining my artist statement, breaking it down.