I am definitely drawn to art in all facets. I photographed graffiti and store fronts in Asheville and Austin. In both cities, I was happy to find spaces where graffiti is treated with respect, blossoming as a more artistic form and painted on abandoned buildings, or with permission. I loved touring the River Arts District in Asheville, and I hope these photographs honor the artists that put their time and their love into their work.
I am seeing more and more that art covers our world. It thrills me when artists collaborate, and I enjoy stretching and bending combined aesthetic styles. I like to think of it as art, squared.
I photographed this lovely couple, Troy and Kristina, along with my friend and colleague, John Glose. We enjoyed a beautiful day at the NC Arboretum. I am excited to shoot Kristina’s bridal photographs (with the dress) and the couples’ wedding in September. It has been wonderful working creatively with them!
I am so privileged to be living in the mountains of North Carolina. I photographed OASES, a workshop for middle and high school kids at Eagles Nest near Brevard. Not only was it a gorgeous day and I was exposed to the different activities around the camp, but the workshop focuses on sustainability. The topic is very important to me. I love to be able to offer my photo services to help at something as important as keeping our planet pristine for generations to come, for kids and artists alike to play.
My friend quoted another photographer last night and said, “We don’t take pictures; we make pictures.” I agree. I find that I enjoy myself immensely when I simply play with photography.
The first photo in this series is taken still. Whenever I see a string of lights, I get inspired and play often with slow exposure and dragging the camera. So I thought I might see what happened with a movie showing in the background. The film was Across the Universe.
I think it’s fitting that many images remind me of instruments and music- especially the third, as I see guitar frets, and the last, which brings to mind a saxophone. These were taken during the musical numbers. And yet others are like sea anemones, and those appeared during the credits where someone else has created abstract, water-like forms. That’s my favorite part of abstraction, when something unintentional happens along and brings it all together.
I took these photos several months ago, but I happened upon them today after having a very creative afternoon. I thought about how as artists, we piggyback on each other all the time, drawing inspiration from all the various corners of our universe.
What can I say? I can’t stay away from New Orleans; it has seduced me, and so of course I visited for Mardi Gras. What I loved about it most was not the stereotypical boobies and beads, but the color and creativity. Walking down Bourbon on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, I saw more ingenuity in dress than I witnessed while I was there for Halloween. And every face was smiling. This is why I have fallen in love with the city.
And of course, I had wonderful friends to photograph, as well as strangers. Of over the thousands shots I snapped, I would guess 50 probably had cameras in them. I am happy to share a common passion, as we all delight in seeing good pictures.
Along with my friend and colleague, John Glose, I shot a product called High Octane Chess, a chess set created from engine parts. I am happy to report these photos are being published in a magazine, Chevy High Performance, and that Jeremy Twiggs, the creator of the chess set, has ideas for more of his original creations. You can find more information on the chess set here.
Energy: Illuminated was an incredible journey for me and my photography. Dance is one of my great passions, and to capture it with the abstracted form of light was a manifestation that existed previously only in my dreams. I enjoy the slow exposure process, and I learned a lot about the art of Photoshop.
Many of these photographs are available for purchase at http://kissblissphotography.imagekind.com, or by simply clicking on the image above. Five framed prints (Blue, Smear, Blossom, Passion, and Dip) are currently on display at Ophelia’s restaurant in downtown Asheville.
I would also be happy to do commissions for photographs of this nature, in the form of dance, movement, or any other creative endeavor they inspire.
This afternoon I was writing a letter to a dear friend, and my mom came into the room, snuggled up on my bed, and fell asleep. Anywhere she goes, her dog and cat do to (Sogi and Zena). They are her little stalker friends, and I watch it happen time after time. I couldn’t help myself, the scene was too precious, so I got out my camera and took a hundred or so photos. These are the best.
Sogi and Zena play a little game, “who can be the closest to Mom?” Zena won the first round, Sogi waited for his chance, and then yes! He scored. I love the last photo, it reminds me of Michaelangelo’s Creation of Adam fresco on the Sistine Chapel, Mom displaying her benevolent spirit to include all of her children.
I must say, I absolutely love my room. Sogi and Zena generally match with the decor, and today Mom fit in quite nicely as well. I love the play of the lines, both straight and swirly, and the textures and colors. I enjoy watching these little moments unfold; it reminds me that my love of photography does not just come from the grand scenic schemes, but from the smaller, every day vignettes that fill these spaces with life.
Sometimes a trip down memory lane is completely and utterly necessary. I took these photographs on a two month trip to Europe over four years ago. I look at them and think…”Wow, I lead a charmed life…”
No…I’m not done with New Orleans, and I fear she’s not done with me. I spent six weeks there, and I was certainly inspired by the architecture, the spirit, the art. I spent an afternoon on Royal St and wandered in and out of art galleries. I enjoyed several artists, and this photograph was inspired by them, as every artist interprets the beauty and mystery of the French Quarter differently.
Artist Portrait
One of the last galleries I stepped into was the Michelle Elmore Gallery. She’s a fantastic photographer, and I admire that she does everything through film, with no editing. She has a great self-portrait, and seeing it invoked an excitement within myself to shoot a self-portrait. I had written a list of artists I found and liked that day on my hand, so truly, this one goes out to you, New Orleans…
