CHEAP CAMERA/10 SECOND TIMER SELF-PORTRAITURE

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Friend or Foe...Happy NEW Year, Yo!


(Snapped on 12/28/10)

I don't know about you guys, but I kinda liked 2010. It was my favorite year in quite a long time, for a number of reasons - not the least of which - my discovery of and subsequent fascination with 10 second timer self-portraiture...

Since first launching the new Big Ugly this past September, many of you have been beyond supportive of my accidental obsession with perhaps the most narcissistic hobby conceivable, and I don't know if I'll ever find a way to properly express my deep and humble gratitude to you all! But also, for those of you out there who disapprove of my "unorthodox" behavior as an artist who also happens to be the mother of four thriving, well-adjusted, happy children - consider this a virtual "Thank You" note...

"That which does not kill you, can only make you stronger" - Truth. Although you haters comprise a miniscule contingent of folks (mostly people right here in my community) who visit (or don't - but still whisper amongst yourselves, or to my friends and my ex about) my blog - the impact of your underhanded detraction is surprisingly great. Great in that it has confirmed that what I'm doing is controversial, and after years of churning out lackluster, "safe" artwork, this is a most welcome feather in my cap. In your feeble attempts to derail my endeavor and to deride me and my actions behind my back, you have instead equipped me with fierce determination to hold my head that much higher, while delving ever deeper into my craft. 

Nothing that I'm doing with my self-portraits affects any of you directly, so why on earth do you take it so personally? And if you're so worried about the well-being of my children, why not man-up and talk directly to me about your utterly ludicrous concerns. While we're at it - we'll take a good look at your kids. I guarantee you that mine have far fewer "issues" than the majority of your children do...

It's really just a matter of "live and let live", you know? If you don't like me and what I'm doing with my art, then maybe you should just stop looking. Although I'm happy to do it, it's not actually my responsibility to provide the excitement in your otherwise painfully boring lives. If however, you insist on voyeuristically meddling in mine, just know this - I would appreciate it very much, if you would air whatever grievances you may have with me and my work - directly to my face - Thanks in advance!

Ok, enough with the ranting already...let's get this 2011 thing started, why don't we! GIDDY-UP!

7 comments:

  1. 2010 was a great year for me as well, because I had both the privilege and pleasure of meeting you, as well as viewing your beautiful, artistic, and soul enriching pictures. Witnessing your remarkable and rapid growth as an artist in this medium has been both fascinating and awe-inspiring to see. I have a great deal of love and respect for you as a Person, and an Artist. Your energy and dedication is an amazing thing to behold!
    You and your photographs have had such a positive impact on my life, and I have a constant desire to see more, that it is difficult for me to imagine why those who feel so negatively about them would subject themselves to continued viewings. Could it be that they do in fact see much more of the positive than they admit, but don't think that they are allowed or permitted to acknowledge it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. P.S. I love both the "Electric Light Lady" photos.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You go girl!!!!! I think your talent is unbelievable and your courage to be true to yourself is amazing! I admire how comfortable in your own skin you are. I am learning to be slowly. As far as your children are concerned, I believe that they will be that much more well adjusted, and less worried about the self image that society puts on them, and on the choices that they make. Keep doing what you're doing. It is truly inspiring. Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @G. - ...and I am delighted to have made YOUR acquaintance in 2010! I feel I owe you a huge debt of gratitude, for your unwavering support of what I'm doing with my self-portraiture, AND for allowing me to shoot on your land...too good to me, you are - Thanks for EVERything!

    @Lovemy4sons - Thank you so much for bestowing your wonderfully enlightened attitude on me! Yeah, you know what? It's my firm belief, that the human body is an amazing canvas, prop - what have you - and I cannot understand why certain people are seemingly so threatened by SEEing it...Anyway, I SHALL keep on doing what I'm doing, because I absolutely love to do it...that being said, as much as I love expressing myself this (weird?) way, I love my children even more. I would never intentionally do ANYthing that I thought might be a detriment to them, and so far I've seen no indication that taking pictures of myself, and publishing and writing about them on the internet - has done a single thing to negatively affect them...

    Hope 2011 proves to be the best year yet for both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I ran up on your site by sheer accident, looking up something for an art project. I have enjoyed the images immensely and your commentary just adds to the whole experience.

    I've spent considerable time taking in the imagery and being a photographer for almost half my life, I know what a pain it is to do the 10 seconds... it's either an eternity or a fraction to short..

    I have been on both scales being an art photographer and a portrait guy, I have since given up the portrait side for the most part and have enjoyed focusing on the art side of it. I only wish I could come up with imagery as creative as yours, especially on the whim that you have at times. I'm beginning to think that I am over thinking the whole process and am totally grateful to you for inspiring me to rethink everything. Since I have, my mind has opened up a flood of ideas...

    Once again, thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to following your adventures 10 seconds at a time. Happy New Year to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's fanTAStic, Michael! I can't think of too many things that could possibly be better than having my self-portraits - inspire another artist's work! Thank you so very much for letting me know, AND for perusin' my pics.. Good luck exploring all of your new ideas...feel free to share any images, websites - whatever you want, with me. I'd love to see what you've done in the past as well as what you come up with in the future...

    ReplyDelete
  7. @G: there's another "Electric Lady" pic?

    @BU: ignore the haters, your stuff is creative and fun. Or send them on to Sally Mann. She's used to dealing with concern trolls.

    And maybe it's just 'cuz I'm a part-time film gaffer (and lights are my business), but this one is exceptionally 'hot'. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete