Monday, September 27, 2010

busy

I've been working on the "Symbiosis" series for around nine months now.  I believe that I've been through seven sets of tests/studies.  I was very excited about the most recent, but after putting them on the wall and looking at them objectively I've decided that I can do even better.  So I'm starting over - a few more rolls of film this week, another couple of rounds in the color darkroom and more time hunched over prints with a paintbrush.

In other news, my photographs grace the new record by Ural Umbo.  This is going to be a great release.

Information on Hammer Smashed Sound. 
http://hammersmashedsound.blogspot.com/2010/09/ural-umbo-fog-tapes-lp.html

I've also been working on some other design projects.  Planning some things.  Coming up with new ideas but trying not to get ahead of myself.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Sunday, September 19, 2010

painting progress

Retouching color photographs the old fashioned way.

No, I'm not using an easel.  In fact, it's startling that I'm not doing this while laying on the ground.  Maybe I'm finally growing up.

The first few images in the Symbiosis series are coming along quite nicely.  I've also been attempting to design an album cover for an old friend's music project.

Autumn has begun to settle in here in Chicago.  It made me panic a bit, as I haven't been able to finish nearly as much of the Earth Magic series as I'd like, and since the wet plate process favors natural sunlight it seems that I should get to work immediately before the city is covered in snow.  I started to worry the other day, but it is supposedly my "witch" series.  Jane reminded me that Autumn is most definitely the "season of the witch."  Still, I'd better to to work right away.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

prints

Every once in a while I'm reminded how much computers destroy artwork.

I toned some prints from the "Earth Magic" series.  I always do this, as it makes them more archivally stable and enhances the blacks.  Looking back over the prints I was reminded how much is lost when artwork (even photographs) are viewed on a computer monitor. 

Sunday I was going to take more photographs for this series, but scheduling didn't work out.  I stayed at home and painted some things for the "Symbiosis" series.  Last night involved more painting.  There are currently three pieces I'm working on simultaneously.  I'm being secretive with these, but I'll post some images when I feel like the time is right.

An interesting thing happens when working on two projects at once.  When I make a lot of progress on one series, instead of being content I kick myself for not getting more done on the other.  It's a good thing though, keeping me motivated.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

tapes, painting, etc.

Three days ago I started painting on the final "Symbiosis" prints.  I've made a good amount of progress on two of them so far.  I don't know why, but I started using an egg carton as a palette.
It was so hot out that my paints were drying up almost immediately.  A bit of a struggle.  The second time this week that I've had to adjust things due to the heat.

Playing with cassette recorders.  Two tapes + a pedal or two, turning a bass guitar into a murky rumbling drone.  Was it what I wanted?  I haven't decided yet.

Also:  my new custom box for sensitizing wet plates.  Bad photo.  But it's opaque black acrylic.