Gallery

When I get a lonely day off it tends to be very dangerous, I try to get some work done, some tidying done, and then I go off on a contemplative mood.
   I have all sorts of thoughts of having my ideal gallery again, I would love to have a real peoples gallery, giving everyone the chance to exhibit their work no matter how weird and wacky, it's only weird and wacky to the people who don't understand it. How about a gallery that displays mobile photography images at least once a month. We are never without our mobile devices these days, and most have a camera on them. Clarity of image doesn't matter, it's all about content, and the best subject matter always pops up when we least expect it, therefore we've got to be prepared for it. The mobile phone is always in our pockets, so how about we use it for creativity instead of texting as we walk without taking in any of our environment whatsoever!
   I would also like the gallery to be a really inspiring place to be, how great would it be if people left thinking, I want to do that, I want my work in here, and I want to bring all my friends back to see it. I believe anyone can be creative, and we get a buzz from it, it's healthy and definitely has a kind of therapy element to it.

Food for thought.....

K

Meh

Hey,
Feels like I have a lot on these days, but really all I want to do is take time off and sleep!
Feeling very mentally & physically drained and really need to be in the opposite state of mind right now. Got a dissertation section deadline, and wondering when I'll feel motivated to get my finger out!
Haven't felt great this week, so perhaps that's why I'm just a bit down on myself.
Badly need to get in a better frame of mind...
Don't like negative posts, so think I'll stop now... Ill have better chat next time!

Kaz

Bucket List

Hi

Thought I'd write up a couple of the things I've struck off my Bucket List
1) Have a Photography Exhibit, well this is in the pipeline!
2) Stay in a 5 star Hotel, done, twice!
3) complete a counseling course
4) finish my photography HND
5) go back to Oz, also in the pipeline
6) eat lobster
7) paint
8) eat in a Michelin star restaurant
9) visit more art galleries

Not bad I reckon, and to be honest some of the others on there aren't so important anymore.
I think I need to revise it... Isn't it funny how things that seemed important once don't hold much value in time.

K

Exhibition

My dissertation and the subconscious

I bought the book yesterday and couldn't wait to get reading it for a few reasons, number one I have a dissertation deadline looming, and this could be a good reference point. I also never tend to remember my dreams and would love a guide to help in this area too.
    I only managed to read some of it, but by golly it's interesting, so far it's written from a very objective view point, sort of covering lots of opinions and leaving it up to the reader to make their own mind up. Opinions like, are dreams just gobbledegook, and a way for us to simply dump unwanted memories, or are they a way for us to solve the problems of our days gone by, is it a place where all of our creative juices are brought together after heavy suggestion from our conscious mind throughout the day.
  What has interested me is that it is important to try and remember our dreams, no matter what they mean. If we can perhaps use these images in the creative process, like many artist gone by have, or if we can use visions to spark off business ideas, to help us be different people, or just look at things differently I see it as all great progress.
   I am sure you are wondering, did I remember my dreams last night? Well I read the book before bed, and there were some techniques to try, and imagery on the pages to help promote dreaming. So I'm happy to say yes! Yes I did remember some dreams. I'm not sure if it was because I was off today and didn't get rudely awakened by an alarm and I woke up naturally. But I certainly had visions, and I made a point of scribbling what I saw down. According to the book, 8 minutes after we are awake we already drop down to 30% of what we can remember! I am not going to write about what I was dreaming, because that is just for me, but for now I'm going to continue to practice techniques on helping me to remember, I would also love to hear some of your dream stories...

Happy sleeping!

Kaz

Framing

So one of my frames arrived, above it looks like I got a load of them, but unfortunately so far I only have the one, I just put different pictures in the same frame! I'm really happy with it, it's clean and simple, and the mount works really well. Only ordered the one as of yet as I wanted to see if they were any good... (I will be ordering more)!

I have actually heard back from a gallery, they wouldn't do an exhibit, but have showed interest in a few images, so I'm going up there to show them some tomorrow.I think it's more of a cafe place with a gallery as well, but I'll find out soon enough.

The Black Box are taking their time getting back to me, so in the meantime I've emailed Blick Studios, I actually quite like their setup, and I can bring all my own drink to the opening night. So things are moving slowly, but at least they are moving!

Getting excited!

Kaz

Disappointed

Good morning,

I am pretty disappointed to find I'm getting nowhere regarding finding a gallery space for my work. Perhaps I haven't quite tried hard enough, but it's still rather disheartening to receive no responses.
What it does do however, is make me think again of having my own gallery. I would love to be the peoples gallery, the supportive place, the place that always welcomes new art no matter what the medium.
Last night I was at the Ormeau Baths, there was an event on that encouraged people to come in, photograph and video diary a piece of art they had made. My friend Jill and I both brought something.. Hope you can see our little extracts at the bottom there...



It was fun to do something a little different. It let's us see that there are a lot of passionate people out there that deserve to show their work off to like minded people.
So is this my calling, should I be trying hard to make a difference and make something happen...
Kaz


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Prints

Hi,

I got all my prints back ready for exhibition yesterday. Only had a brief flick, but I'm pretty happy with the results. Most of the prints have great clarity! I've never really seen an iPhone photo print before, and I have to say, they're pretty darn good.
For a while I trawled through eBay looking for frame and mount options, pretty difficult trying to make sure you get the right size. Hate all that as I'm pretty stupid when it comes to working out dimensions that are perfect!
Anyway I bought one frame just to see how it looks as a little test. Here's hoping it does the job!
I also emailed a few galleries asking about exhibition space, haven't heard anything back yet. How crap would it be if I get everything framed and then I have nowhere to display them!
So if anyone reading has any thoughts about exhibition space please let me know..

So I'm feeling pretty positive about being proactive about this. Also starting another project which could potentially be my final major assignment... Watch this space :)

Kaz


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Exhibit

Greetings,

It has been at the back of my mind for some time now to have a photography exhibit, and for whatever reason I've never really got around to putting it together.

Well after discussing it even further with my friend Mark yesterday, and basically coming to the conclusion that there really isn't anything to stop me, I have decided to get the ball rolling. Today I spent a little bit of time selecting my favourite iPhone images, (some from project 365 some not) I resized and uploaded, tried not to be my usual critical self and ordered a total of 28 images for printing.

So I obviously still have to think about mounting the images, and securing a place to display them, not entirely sure how I'll be going about that yet! However the point is I have made a start, it's something I am quite excited about, I am constantly talking iPhone photographs, and I just want to show people that there is an image to be captured everywhere, and it really doesn't matter what kind of camera you have. The point is to really open your eyes and find interest where you least expect it.

Social Networking (Oh how it really has taken over our lives!)

So my friend Neil has given me a suggestion for a blog post, a great one it was to, I hope I can put into words my thoughts...

I remember a time when we used to spend time on the phone actually having a genuine conversation, a time when my dad used to shout at me for being on too long, a time when he shouted because he wanted to use the internet at the same time, a time when I'd rather chat on the phone that study for exams, and my mum used to scream at me for not doing my coursework. I have fond memories of chatting back in my school days, about anything and everything, proper uncensored conversations.

I couldn't tell you exactly what all I talked about back then, but that's not what's important, it is where I cemented some of my most important friendships, friendships that have lasted over 20 years, yes 20 years! This is back when a friend actually meant a friend, not someone who you met once, or someone who know's someone who knows someone who knows your bother.

On Facebook it's likely that there is someone on your friends list that you went to school with that you weren't particular fond of, and in fact if they walked past you today you'd possibly avoid them! Oh how extremely superficial, why has it become so hard to hit the decline button. People clearly put status updates on for a reaction, and you wait for a response, you get a buzz from a comment, that little red alert makes you feel worthwhile. I could be talking out of turn here, perhaps it's easy for you to hit decline, and keep your friend list to actual friends, but I know I'm guilty of letting a few slip through the net! In fact I'm probably guilty of all of the above complaints. I'm not up on my high horse preaching that I do the opposite of what irritates me about Facebook. I am merely bringing to light just how sucked into something we can easily become whether we like it or not, just to become part of the modern world.

If I had to pick one Social Network creation to stick with it would probably be Twitter, even through at first I resisted and couldn't quite understand it's appeal. To me it feels much more spontaneous, honest and observant. By observant I mean, when I see something and hear conversations that are particular interesting I love to Tweet about it, it's fast and you can spark quick fire conversations with a whole host of different people. It's a place where people come together from all walks of life to share interests, hobbies and experiences. To me Twitter seems to be more of an honest place, and I don't particularly care who is following me. It is also a great marketing tool, I have been to a number of restaurants which were great due to their presence on Twitter. I have gained a lot of photography followers and people who were involved in Marathon Training.

Life moves along so so quickly and it is very easy to get sucked into the latest sensation, but isn't it about time we thought about what we were actually doing a little more, why we are doing it, and why do we need to constantly seek approval for our actions.

Bit of a dramatic end there, take from it what you will...

Karen

Ps If all your Facebook status updates are negative, I may delete you, they depress me!

...inspiration continued

Hello again,

If I don't keep this up I'll never keep updating, so here I am again ready for a ramble.
I was asked the other day to think of someone that was an inspiration to me, and either phone them or write them a letter. What a wonderful idea you might think. Yeah wonderful if you can think of someone. I would love to have had someone that inspired me, someone to act as a mentor and someone that spurred me on to do great things with my life.
The truth of the matter is I don't have that person in my life, and never have done.
Saying all that perhaps I am completely wrong, and just haven't acknowledged the fact that there have been people, but I have rejected their positivity towards me. Isn't it true that if you don't accept compliments and positivity towards you it's seen as an insult. Therefore you are gradually going to receive less and less of these kinds of things from people...
An interesting concept don't you think. Tonight I am going to try and spend some time thinking about people who have tried to be a positive influence in my life and perhaps re connect with them again..
I hope that all made sense, I'm writing all this very fast on my lunch break...
I shall return later....

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Inspiration

I haven't blogged in a long long time, as you can see from my previous post! Every now and again I think I want to get back into it again, and then worry that I've nothing interesting to say....
However, I have been subscribing to and reading a lot of new blogs lately, and have found myself wishing I was witty, interesting, and able to write like that..
The only way I can find out if I can write or if I can improve is if I just get stuck in again. So here I am sitting in my hotel room in Glasgow hoping to write something vaguely interesting.
I've been here since Sunday night with work, it's been great for finding time for myself to really think, (believe it or not) even though I live alone at home, its easy to float through life refusing to pay attention to your thoughts and surroundings.
So for now I just want to dip my toe back into the blogspot virtual space, I'll come back soon, if you've read this please let me know what you'd like me to write about, or even just if you are aware of my blog

Kaz

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So what really happened in 2010

These past few days I've really wanted to reflect on what all happened in my life last year. It's so damn hard to sit down and do something like this, in fact I've spent the last 40 minutes pissing about looking at trash on the internet!

Anywhere here goes, lets see what waffle I can come up with!

Isn't is crazy that a year can go by without you reflecting on it one bit, what is the point of life if you can't slow down and and enjoy the good times, or even find the time to do something different and new.

I honestly cannot believe that I took one photo every single day on my iPhone, and that it is now all over. It feels so strange not looking around for that little bit of something not everyone sees. I miss it, yet love the fact that I'm free of it. The moment however is now gone, it just wouldn't be the same if I was to do it all over again. That project is over, so watch this space for the 365 book!

I find it extremely difficult to think of my achievements over the months, but that's just typical me, moving from one project to the next, not thinking, just doing and not even perhaps knowing why I'm doing it.

I have actually just found a list of New Years Resolutions from 2005! (did i just skip on to the next topic rather quick?) I'll not post them as they are a tad lame, but I pretty much achieved them all. From fitness, to job progression, and also more photography. I have also taken another look at my bucket list of which I can score a few more things off. So things seem to progress without seemingly actively doing something about it, perhaps my subconscious is better than I think. Talking of subconscious, remember when I used to do these things ? Damn I need to badly get back into all that, more painting and generally being much more arty. Perhaps it's time to be a bit more selfish and do exactly what I want. The degree I am doing along with full time work is taking up every hour pretty much, but it's not forever and we can all learn how to time manage a bit better. God I sound like a machine or something, actually sometimes I think that I am!

All in all 2010 certainly wasn't a bad year, I've seen a lot of Facebook updates saying they are glad to see the back of 2010. I definitely don't think that. I have done a lot this year, let me see if I can come up with some highlights, come on Karen do it!

ok so I've completed my HND in photography, and started my degree in Creative Imaging, sold some artwork, I've progressed in work the way I've wanted to, I have been to London, seen shows, gone to gigs, taken a photo every single day, painted, played golf, eaten in michelin star restaurants, had a thai massage (never again) studied and learnt new things, taught other people new things, been told I'm an inspiration, completed a counselling course, drank a lot of wine and had a blast with a lot of friends along the way!

Right that was hard for me so I'm done.

There's plenty of things i want to change for 2o11, but you know what, I'm just going to keep those to myself...

Happy 2011, lets make this one count

"The Artist must train not only her eye, but also her soul"

Kaz