Ouch...

"Ouch" (c) 2012 Simone Hester

Switching up the format just a little.  In my previous blog, I had mentioned getting back to my focus and doing what is most important to me.  My love for my art and my photography is that thing.  So very important.  So each time I blog, I will discuss a piece that I have created.  Yes you have seen my work on my blog before, but I discussed a lot of the process showing before and after photos.  What I want to convey now, is how I feel.  I want to discuss the mood behind the image that you see and what made me decide to create what I create.  So yes, you will see a little of the old, but hopefully you'll see something new too.

With "Ouch," I was drawn to a section of cacti in a garden store (I was there taking numerous photographs for potential work for some of my watercolor projects), there I captured a few snapshots of the spiky grouping.  I loved this shot because you are looking down inside the center of a particular plant.  When I edited the image, I really wanted the needles to have some emphasis, so that it was something that you'd noticed immediately.  Looking at this image, you know if you touch it the next thing you'd say is "Ouch." I want you to really feel how unpleasant it would be if you came across this cactus in a garden.  I want the image to give you a scratchy, itchy feeling.  I think it came across pretty good, what do you think?

Back To Business...

So, it has been a few months since my last post (around five) and I can only say that I my initial passion for what I do had taken a hit, a major blow or whatever way I can describe what happened... happened.  I suffered a personal setback last year and it troubled me deep to my soul and created what I like to refer to as my "artistic funk." It has took long enough to root and bloom out, but the promise that I made to myself at the close of 2012, was that I had to regain my focus and continue to do what I love.  Simply, because I love it.  I have held a passion for art since I was a little girl and because of that I can not let bad things change my direction, I may have been sidetracked temporarily but I am definitely back on my path. It is simply my destiny.

On New Years Day, I wrote my self a note...

"Dear Simone,

You are FEARLESS... you create your own DESTINY... You CONTROL the outcome of your life and dreams, the outcome does not control you! If you do not have or feel the support of others, you have to use your STRENGTH and always SUPPORT YOURSELF... Remember to BELIEVE in yourself... Remember to stay FOCUSED, stay STRONG and everything that your work for will unfold itself to you! You are COURAGEOUS, PATIENT, FOCUSED, DEDICATED, CONFIDENT and DETERMINED."

A few days later, I received an email inviting me to an event/party open to all creatives (Yippee!).  It was the first of its kind and (hopefully it will continue and build up) I was appreciative of the thought to include me.  While I was there, I met a gentleman who I hesitantly gave my business card to (but did so under the suggestion of a friend), it wasn't that I did not want to share my card, it is that I suffer from my own version of "stage fright." I am horrible at networking, I stink at it.  I have never been the aggressive type and always hid behind my shy personality when it comes to meeting new people.  I even told the gentleman this fact.  He smiled and politely told me that I would have to get over that and learn how to put my card in someones hand and introduce myself. The worst thing anyone could say is "no." I had to agree because he was right, of course, but what really struck me was that he said that he was this way at one point himself.  I found hard to believe because I watched as he worked the crowd that was in attendance and he had no difficulty interacting with people, so I would have never guessed.  Nothing that he said was overtly profound but it had enough of an impact that I have been brewing it over in my head for the past few days.  I have got to get myself out there and basically "get over it." So my sincerest thanks goes out to him, the light clicked on for me.

Remembering the note that I wrote to myself, I rededicating myself to my work, including my blog and getting back out to take more pictures and create new pieces.  So in keeping with the fresh start and the beginning of a new year, below is my new profile picture that you'll find on my Facebook, Twitter and Website. I like it, I look happy, with a renewed focus and a little sparkle in my eyes. Ready, set, go.

Make It Interesting...

I recently participated in a photography show where the focus was the non-traditional art of photography.  There were artists represented that either combined photography with other mediums (for example, mix media) or they had a unique perspective to their photographs.  I fell in with the latter of the two.  It was an honor to be included with such a grouping of talented people.  I have often seen how photography has been overlooked as an art medium, because it is not something that the artist creates.  I disagree, wholeheartedly.  The group that I had the privilege to show with are a group of photographers who have transformed the medium to another level.  It is the type of photography that I love, I love to transform an image, to draw the audience and to have them wonder "how you came up with that idea" or "what does it all mean" or more simply "wow."  One of the pieces that I submitted (I was honored to have three in the show) created that drew more attention than my other works.  It is an image of the Reid & Murdoch Building located on the Chicago River, the building is iconic because of the red brick which is such a contrast to the rest of the scenery along the river.  It is also the current home of the Encyclopedia Britannica headquarters.  Most people asked why it looked so familiar and what was the meaning to the other elements in the photograph.  I explained that it was the angle of the shot and I wanted to create a piece with this shot because of the different characteristics, from the red brickwork and the iron bridge that both appear in the shot.

Here is the original image:

And the piece entitled "River Walk:"

"River Walk" (c) 2012