Creating art requires inspiration

Sometimes in order to create art we need some sort of inspiration. It can be anything depending on what type of art we are trying to create. The sound of birds chirping can be inspiration for a poem or a song. The rays of the sun can create a color scheme for a picture or pattern. Looking at other art can also inspire one to create something of their own. I look at my photographs often and get inspiration to take that photograph and create something new. Today I'm being inspired by new items that are available to create with and the images that I received through the mail today. A catalog from the Seattle film festival and my Versace Book, Rock and Roll Royalty. They are both great inspirations for me to create something colorful, artistic, fresh and personal. I hope you can find some inspiration. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Let's talk art

It takes time to think of new ways to create art. I always want to be innovative and give a different take on something that may or may not be new. Artists think alike and so they tend to do some of the same things. Of course I’m sure you see art and you ask yourself, how was it created? What was the technique or what was the artist thinking? These are all valid questions, but the answers sometimes take time. There are many people who feel they are not creative. They feel if they can’t draw a line or make a sketch then they can’t create art. Art comes in many forms. From decorating a home, to decorating a room or lawn. Decorating a box or creating a wall hanging. These are all forms of creative expression. That’s what art is. It’s expression. A way of communicating who you are without using words. So lets start with something simple. Decorating a photo box. You can buy these plain show box like boxes. They are acid free and will keep your photos looking just like they did when you first took them. If you should notice that your photographs are turning brown, it means they are not in acid free sheets. Now that most people are going digital, take and scan those old photographs that may or may not be in albums. Create discs and give them to family and friends. It’s a good way to relax and go down memory lane at the same time. You’ll feel so good about sharing these moments again with someone that may need a laugh or smile. Take the empty box, and take your photos that you won’t put into books. Cut them into different shapes and glue them to the box. If you don’t want to cut the photos, then copy them or scan and print and you can cut the copies creating various designs. Take your favorite photo and copy it several times and create a collage of the same image in 3 D or using part of the photo on one side and another on the other and the full photo in the center. It’s your creation so you can do whatever you like. That’s the beauty of art. You can also do the same thing buy purchasing a picture frame, new or used it doesn’t matter. Cut your pictures and lay them out and then put the frame together and you have a great collage of memories. How big or small depends on you and the photos that you wish to use. Being a photographer I have thousands of photographs. I use them in varying degrees to create art on many levels. There isn’t anything I don’t use to display my photos. When a wall clock goes out I use it as a frame. I believe in recycling. It’s unusual and it keeps people guessing. So get in that closet and pull out all those family photos and create something new. You can also make cards using photos of family members. People get a kick of things you create yourself. It’s all about presentation. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. I’ll try not to stay away so long. LOL.

Take a peek

Images, images, images.

Creating art

You ever wonder what to do with those photos that don't make your photo albums? You know which ones I'm talking about. You have a finger tip or the back of someone's head. Perhaps the picture holds a memory, but you don't want to put it in the big album for everyone to see. Since I keep all of my photos, I started buying minature photo albums. They are a work of art in themselves. I start by creating a cover if one isn't to my liking. Next I get the photos that I want to put inside of the album. Usually they will hold about 24 photos. The difficult task is cutting the photo procisely to fit inside of the pages. This is also known as cropping. When you crop a photo you want to make sure you do it to capture what you are trying to say. Of course it's your art so you can do it to what makes you feel good. You can do a book of abstract images, people, flowers, you name it. Art is whatever you make it. You display it and people will talk about it. Art is meant to create something within a person when they look at it. Sometimes it brings a smile to a person's face and other times it makes them angry. As long as the artist can get the person viewing the art to show emotion, the work of art is complete. That's my philosophy. I usually buy matching books so they can be displayed on opposite sides of the room, mantel or table. Each book stands on it's on as far as the contents. Give it a try and see what you can come up. You can even cut your photos in different designs, creating a theme within a theme. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

More visuals

Let's do some visuals.  1) It's a mosquito, they are in NOLA now. Huge creatures. I found out that they eat the small mosquitos, so they don't suck on human flesh. That's good to know. Otherwise, I'd really want to stay inside. 2) This is a painting that I managed to save from the mold from someone's home. I can do some touch ups and reprint it on canvas and then reframe it. 3) After seeing this picture, I thought of the scene from Halloween when Lori Strode looks out of her bedroom window and thinks she see Michael Myers in the neighbors yard. I was actually doing laundry and had the camera set. LOL. 4) Laundry  5) Beast of vines 6) Check out the new haircut. It's actually more Xtreme now. I'm actually sporting a mohawk. I keep it tame in the hood. Don't want to scare the neighbors. LOL. 7) Nature is really beautiful 8) X  9) Speaks for itself  10) Numbers  11) Skyline  12) Memories 13) Clean up  14) Houses were beginning to burn in NOLA 15) A picture speaks thousands of words and it raises questions  16) This is where it all began. When I was taken from my house in the boat by the coast guard, I was brought to the entrance ramp of I -610 heading east. Thanks for stopping by; open your mind.

Images tell a story

Photo images not only capture a moment in time, they tell a story. With digital photography we can add, enhance and create art on top of art. The images you are about to see were taken with the Casio EX S500 Exilim digital camera. I’m still learning things about the camera. I’m a on hands kinda guy. Everything I do is self taught. I’m always trying something new and taking risks. It’s the beauty of being an artist. Enjoy, thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

1) Snap my picture  2) The Crowd  3) And the parade passes by  4) It's hard for a pimp 5) Float from Zulu  6) Chillin' along the route  7) Minature superhero  8) This is Mardi Gras  9) Mini Wonder Woman  10) A sense of humor  11) Only in Nu Awlins  12) It speaks for itself

Taking pictures, capturing moments

When we take pictures, no matter what level we are on, we capture a moment in time. Even if it is considered art, it is there to be cherished, admired. Upon my return to NOLA I gave one of my cousins some photos because they had lost those memories in Katrina. I'll soon begin putting together CDs of photos of various trips and family events we all shared together. The thing about being a photographer is that you tend to be the resident photographer for your family. Even when they don't come to you for business. LOL. Here are a few images I took on my recent visit back to the city.

1) The interior of the living room 2) One wall when we first started moving in  3) The toilet  4) Shower stall 5) Reflection of the artist  6) The cold shoulder 7) Walk this way  8) Happy Mardi Gras 9) Horse and pig 10) I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.