Well that didn't last long...

Yeah, I know. Just call me Brett Farve.

I've no image to put with today's post; sorry for that. However, the real purpose of this little note is to say that the break I mentioned in my prior post is now suspended. indefinitely. Inspiration, I'm pleased to say, has struck!

In short, I am seeing once again.

Stay tuned for details...

Until Further Notice...

Deaf Man

It’s sounding more and more like the refrain of a bad song; nonetheless, my time has not been my own of late.

To say the past few weeks have been stressful would be an understatement. I won’t bore you with the sordid details, but a minor medical scare, the loss of a long lived and much loved pet, and the strains of being a self employed person married to a self employed person are taking their toll, which amounts to much more than their due share.

Couple that with the simple fact I’m not very happy with recent work. I’m making decent images; even a few good ones here and there, but overall it could be better. I had been hopeful a shift in direction, a move out of studio to shoot with natural, available light would bring about a surge of inspiration. It hasn’t. The honest truth is I can sense the tingle fading.

I think any artist, regardless of the medium in which they work, will say art and all it involves is no different than life itself. For the artist, art is cyclical. It’s like riding a roller coaster, or a being a surfer catching a wave. Inspiration rises and falls, projects begin and end, and some things simply get stuck and go nowhere. The ideas and creativity spin in space, and it’s easy to feel as if all is aimless and without direction or purpose. And like the rider on a roller coaster or a surfer looking for a wave, it’s impossible to not question the structure of your support; what’s really holding this speeding car on the rails or waiting to swallow you in one watery, salty gulp. Thought processes like these make one, for lack of a better word, think.

I’ve decided I’m going to stop, at least for a while. I’ll get off the roller coaster and sit on the beach. For a change, I’m going to spend my summer watching others.

Of course, this decision directly affects what I do here, perhaps for the entire summer. Unless I’m struck with staggering inspiration, which is of course one hopeful outcome of this little vacation, there will be no new updates until the fall.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I’ll see you soon.

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And Since You Asked...

Nude With Flower, Cropped Version

Some of you suggested this crop for the image posted with the previous entry. You can see that entry here. The image is from a studio session with Megan.

I have to say I like it, as it shifts the focal point of the flowers away from center frame. However, I’m fond of the other too. I feel they both work well.

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And Since I Asked...

When I wrote the post prior to this one, I suggested an adjustment to my follower base as I was at 13 followers.

Well, someone responded. They left.

I’m now at 12 followers. Not exactly what I had in mind, but at least I’m off of 13. Of course, there can be a thousand reasons of why one follower dropped away. I'm not taking it personally.

I expect this blog will benefit from something of a rest as well. Still, even though the blog is going to be in hibernation for some time, please feel free to tell others about it.

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Deaf Man pose, from an '08 session with beautiful Anna.