(All pics. snapped on 10/10/12)
I did it, yo! I went through with the shoot that I'd gotten myself all worked up over whether to actually do it or not!
"What on earth could possibly be threatening about shooting in such extraordinarily serene and lush settings?!", you might be puzzling...
Well friends? It's like this: I've been doing a good bit of driving lately, up and down a particular four lane highway nearby - as I continue to search for my future place of residence. And with each trip, I've become more and more transfixed by a tantalizing farm, replete with seductive silos (seen in this group of selfpics), and various other structures that keep tempting me, daring me to stop in and snap their pictures. Problem is, there's no place to park my car, or my motorcycle - where they wouldn't advertise the possibility to passersby on the well-travelled highway - that somebody (I) was poaching on the private property...and because of that - I've repeatedly talked myself out of messing with it...until this past Saturday, when I finally grew a set (so to speak).
My two oldest girls are both away at boarding school, and my youngest daughter had gone out of town with a friend - which left only my son and me at home all alone for the weekend...and by midday on Saturday, we were becoming antsy and bored. So I asked, "Ya' wanna go with me to take pictures of old buildings?" He said, "Sure", and off we went on our extemporaneous field trip.
As I had correctly assumed, there would be no getting around leaving the car anywhere other than in a very obvious spot - but because I'd noticed a "For Sale" sign on the property, I came up with a strategy that might keep my boy and me from getting into trouble for trespassing. I decided that if anyone should confront us about why we were there, I would just tell them that the farm had caught my eye from the road, and that I was interested in possibly buying it...but I wanted to have a better look before I contacted a real estate agent...no harm, no foul there - am I right? :D
After being on the farm for only a few minutes, I was already smitten with the place, and so absurdly snap-happy that I forgot about worrying altogether. And just when I thought that I couldn't be any more delighted with the wealth of wonderful subject matter that I was finding there to shoot - I followed my son as he climbed into the first silo (the one in these pics. with the pink and green stained walls), and what I saw inside literally made me gasp...it was beyond spectacular...it was breathtaking...divine! It honestly felt like we'd entered some sort of wonderland...*sigh* (The second silo wasn't quite as good - but it was still pretty damned spectacular!)
Naturally, my self-portraiture wheels started turning like mad...but came to a grinding halt when the thought of getting caught trespassing...nude...in a silo...by someone who might likely be angry, and who would definitely be addressing me via the only point of egress - threw the proverbial monkey wrench into the works. Oh, and did I mention the other negative variable in this equation? Those vines with the gorgeous leaves such lovely pastel shades of coral and green - carpeting the floor, and covering the walls of the first, my favorite of the two silos? Are poison ivy vines.........yeah. My mind reeled (practically exploded!) as I visualized the potentially devastating outbreak that I might suffer, should I allow my naked body to be caressed repeatedly by the evil stuff - over the course of a self-portrait shoot....
By Wednesday though, my reckless, impetuous side (ever the voice of reason) handily placed a chokehold on my tenuous, sensible side. Back me up here folks, I couldn't possibly thrive as an artist (or even a human, for that matter) if I let myself live life in fear - yes?
Ok so, after I got back home from taking my kids to school that morning, I went around my yard clipping vines and wild flowers, that I then fashioned into wood nymph-esque costume elements for the shoot, and once done - I packed up my car, and set out.
Still nervous as hell, on my way to the farm - I felt better after coming up with a plan to do that thing where you leave a rag or a t-shirt or something, dangling from one of your car windows...(you know...to indicate [to people in general, but law enforcement mostly] that your stupid ride has broken down, and that you've gone to get help, but you'll be back...so please officer, don't tow my car...or bother to come looking for me) But as I approached the farm, I realized right away that my *brilliant* plan had been foiled...there was a tractor moving around in the barnyard, right next to the first silo. "Ah crap!", I thought (or maybe said) "What the heck should I do now?!" My entire agenda suddenly upended, I drove on past the property in a stupor, but then quickly changed lanes, did an immediate U-turn, and aimed my car back in the direction of the farm...I was simply gonna havta ask the farmer for his permission to take pics. there, cuz there wasn't any way that I was gonna scrap the shoot, without first being firmly told, "No".
I was absolutely floored and positively elated when the farmer gave me thumbs-up to take my selfies inside the silos!!! Dude was totally cool...he kept busy with his own tasks, and left me alone to do my thing. Although he did check in briefly, a couple of different times - once to make sure I hadn't hurt myself, and the other time to ask how much longer I would be. I honestly couldn't believe how completely chill the guy was...
Thank You SO MUCH for your kindness and generosity!!!
This story, I'm afraid - doesn't have a full-on happy ending, though...the poison ivy rash that I was dreading (but realistic enough to anticipate) - has already started to appear on various parts of my body…yikes.
These remind me of jurassic park. Just wild and crazy. Much more Life in these than decay. I am sure you can find help with calamine lotion application ;)
ReplyDelete@Ted - Ya' know? You're exactly right! I guess I'd been thinking that because the silos haven't been used in so long, which has led to all of their mechanical parts becoming rusted, and seized-up, and broken - this would be perceived as yet another shoot staged against a backdrop of dilapidation. But the foliage that has flourished because of their neglect - really does bring a more prominent element of LIFE to these pics.. I'm so glad that you helped me appreciate the brighter side of this series, THANK You!
DeleteOh no, poison ivy!
ReplyDeleteI love the photos, I love the pink walls,
-sin
@sin - I KNOW! Poison ivy absolutely BITES! Luckily though, I don't think I'm gonna get it as badly as I'd thought I would - PHEW!
DeleteI was stunned when I got all the way inside of the pink silo - and began to process the magnitude of its startling beauty...it seemed almost impossible that it could be that fantastic...I love it when that kind of thing happens!
Oh, and hey - I read your most recent blog post, and I just wanted you to know that I hope you're doin' ok...I've been through my share of painful relationship shit, over the last couple of years - and so I know that what you're going through must be agonizingly emotionally debilitating...Try to keep your sunny side up though, Chica. Lean on your friends and your family - they really will help you get past all the misery...promise :)
These new photos are Awesome! the ones of you standing and sitting on that belt looking thing are so lovely. You really have a remarkable body! What I mean is its full of expression and breathe's femininity. Remarkable indeed.Having done a bit of 'this' type of photography myself, I know how exciting, and exhilirating it can be. I await your next project and stories.Patrick
ReplyDelete@Patrick - I've actually been thinking that I'm starting to look a little more full-figured(?) or chubby(?) in my pics., lately...which might account for the "femininity" that it breathes, haha! See what happens when I finally feel happy? I start eating again, and get fat!!!
DeleteAnd yes...it really is a complete and total rush, self-portraiture. I think it's safe to say that I have a pretty serious addiction to the thrill it brings...
Don't be silly ! You look great with clothes on and naked, you look fantastic ! Women are so critical of their bodies, almost as bad as gay men ! size means everything to them ! But you look lovely and i see no change in your lovely shape at all. This comming from a devout voyeur. :) Patrick
DeleteGreat job as always!! Love all the photos in particular the one when you climbed the metal cable ( no gloves, ouch! ), awesome!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, my grandmother used to pour apple cider vinegar all over me when she saw any signs of poison ivy on my skin when I was little. It felt good and it kept the itching down, however I smelled like a salad the rest of the day.
AMC 10/15/2012
@AMC - You ain't LYin'! That splintery, rusted cable tore my poor hands UP!!! Worse than that though, was what the vine did to other more DELicate parts of my body...OW.
DeleteI've never heard the vinegar cider thing before...I scratch it (even though I know you're not supposed to) and put the affected areas under the hottest water that I can stand, for as long as I can take it. Takes away the itch for awhile...has something to do with histamines...or something...
You never cease to amaze and inspire me, hon! Love these incredible pics - the second one down is going into my photo favourites for the month!
ReplyDeletexx Dee
@Dee - THANK You, Dee - JEEZ! Talk about being amazed...I just can't get over how SWEET and GOOD you are to me, it's inCREDible - Thanks again! :D
Deletethe silo shots are some of your most .. breath-taking an' - dare-i-say? - POETIC recent work !
ReplyDelete@S. Barrios - OOOH! "POETIC" - me LIKEY! Thanks so much!!!
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