Category: personal

Cora Duckman and Little Lorry

So, I finished mourning my Mother’s death, 30 years ago, almost to the day. She died right after I was charged and way before I was convicted (that was still 30 tortuous months off). Still not sure how it happened though she told me she heard Governor Pataki railing at me. The next I knew, she had a heart attack and died, leaving me motherless and family less.

I will always blame Pataki and his Court of selfish fools, along with all of you who ruined my life and my career. I read the words you wrote and saw your faces as you testified against me, made fun of me, humiliated me, denigrated me, banished me and convicted me. I never recovered.

We should never hate even those we don’t get along with or understand. And we should not jail or kill those who love freedom and justice, especially the ones without the power or money to defend themselves.

I light a candle for her.

Peter Hurley Shoots The Duck

So, I attended a Headshot Intensive Workshop orchestrated by Peter Hurley. Worked my ass off, as did all the others. Two days of lectures, shoots, looking, learning and reflecting.

I was the only attendee who shared prints. Most just showed on the back of their phones. I wish everyone printed. Photos are a truer version of the art of photography. They feel better in your hand. Don’t get lost on the phone. Become more special when framed and hung. And you can get nearer or farther away, feeling the warmth and meaning of

Ikebana at Morikami

Well, I started an Ikebana course at Morikami. This is my first creation. I didn’t do it all by myself. Instructor helped, showing me the form and beginning the message of the medium.

The 7 core principles of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) are Silence, Minimalism, Shape & Line, Form, Humanity, Aesthetics, and Structure, emphasizing conscious restraint, natural beauty, and a connection between the creator, materials, and space, often using a symbolic scalene triangle for Heaven, Earth, and Man. Perfect practice for my addled state of mind.

 

Best Date Ever Still

So, we went to the Norton Museum to see the Rembrandt show. One Vermeer, one Franz Hals and several Rembrandts, including one self-portrait by a young Rembrandt. Show was more about the Golden Age of Dutch Art than just Rembrandt. Had a great time, especially when we remembered a Hals show at the Getty Modern and the Vermeer show at the Rijksmuseum (including Night Watch, of course). Lots of memories.

One the way out, we stopped at several exhibits, including this one in the Photography gallery on tone, light, and form. Sharon posed in front of one piece, after questioning, “…, why is this art?” It’s a long story, not about what I said in response, but the general question, what is art and how it this art. We don’t have the same amount of Museum Speak in our vocabularies, but we know enough to have a conversation.

How great is that?

Never Again

So, you know I am a portrait photog who shoots people wherever I find them. The accent here sits on the “find”. Some people don’t want to be photographed. Some do it reluctantly only after I apply some people skills. Some readily cooperate and even pose. I will write the next few days about recent experiences and include portraits.

Yesterday during a photo walk with my photo friend Art, this woman with a rollator cruised by. I asked if I could take her picture, holding up camera. She asked the traditional question, “why do you want to take my picture?” I said, “…, because you are beautiful.” She said yes and I shot.

I gave her my card and told her if she emailed me I would send her a file. She  said she wouldn’t because she gets too many emails and besides, then I would have her address. Well, I pointed out, “if I were going to steal your identity, you have my card with my picture and address.”

We parted. All I am left with is the image.