the difference

I've been asked many times which I prefer between art and photography.  

I have to say that in my opinion, that's a trick question.  i feel as though each is a different creature entirely.

Having essentially no training in either of these fields, I'm merely giving an opinion from my extremely limited experience . . . but this is what the difference is to me.

photography consists of narrowing down what already exists in any given setting.  that narrowing down can be of space (for example, zooming in to take a macro shot, or focusing on a specific plane) or (necessarily) of time... for example, catching an instant that was part of a trajectory... like the picture below.

It consists of narrowing the field of vision... which is probably more technically classified as framing. 

an infinite number of completely different photographs are possible in any single field of vision.  this is amazing to me, and i get excited just typing about it.

it also consists of scientific knowledge.  for example, photons bounce in certain ways, producing various colors, and varying amounts of light call for compensatory measures that the photographer must take into account.

photography is limited to expressing things that physically exist.  this is not necessarily a negative aspect.  this point can also be argued, particularly by those who process film or edit digitally.

After having reached this point, i realize that it is overambitious of me to attempt to define the aspects of visual arts excluding photography... especially the abstract.
i have to learn more first.  or at the very least, get better at thinking in words.

It's Your Call

At least half is in how it's taken.

Who touches it, and where

One must remember that motives matter,

[hunger for meaning or unused time]

and so does the life that preceded the glance

[broken from labor or lost at home]

whether clutching shredded bits into gut like tentacles of anemone

or reassembling the whole under microscope

or shredding with aimless scalpel

I have no part in any

and all happens as it will.

"Her Head"
12" x 12"

Non-Verbal

Not that there was much in the way of norms in my life to begin with ... but I'm a little thrown off my groove this week.  I'm temporarily maintaining my family's business while they're out of town,  which means a) i have few art supplies with me, and b) i have less time devoted to art.

However, it keeps me going, so i keep it going, regardless... though perhaps to a lesser degree.

I'm realizing that as convenient as small artworks are,  i greatly prefer working on a large scale.

She Can't Remember

"She Can't Remember"
18" x 24"
Chalk on Paper

I'm really happy with how the expression in this one came out.



Get to know Laura Converse.

"Cold Inside"

"Cold Inside"
18" x 24"
Colored Chalk on Paper

I lost a big chunk of my thumbnail while working on this one.
It was worth it.




See other chalk drawings.
Learn more about Laura Converse.

Come and See

"Into the Deep"
18" x 24"
Charcoal and chalk

I've underestimated the simple medium of charcoal.  It's likely it will find its way into much of my current work.

Practice Makes Possibility

"Second Thoughts"
Approximately 6" x 7"
Acrylic on wood

Inexhaustible Source

"Infinite"
15" x 20"
Soft pastel on illustration board

Africa

Tonight a group of us held a fundraiser for Yezelalem Minch, a community building organization in Ethiopia that helps women and children escape the cycle of poverty.  A group of 5 local artists, myself included, displayed works, ranging from cyanotype photos to wire sculpture.  It was a fun event to be part of, and it will end up doing some good for people who need it.
If this strikes you as something you're interested in supporting, you can find a child to sponsor or donate here.

In lieu of the event, here are some photos from my not-so-recent trip to Africa.

Bugger.

9" x 12" colored chalk on greenish-blackish paper.

I drew this while I was supposed to be paying attention to something else.

"The Easy Way"

I made this on a recycled canvas, about 9" x 12".  This is my second ever oil painting.

Beautiful Things

There are too many.
It blows my mind.

"summer light"
unedited photo; macro lens manual focus in the forest

Whence

"from somewhere"
9" x 12"
watercolor and pen

Breaking out of Skin

molting

Water damage created this texture in the paint inside a boiler room
I took this photo at an abandoned military base.


leave things behind, and forget them.
don't stop
we don't want to look at what we left,
rippling
in our festering wake.
it's too ugly
but if I stop to think,

I'm too scared not to look.

Icicle Creek

This photo was taken up Icicle Creek in the woods.

From an Ancient Celtic Blessing

I'm working on a commissioned piece based on this Celtic blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors. Amen.

I started it yesterday.  Here's what it looks like so far.

Pi(e)

Learn more about Laura Converse here.

Remembering

Some things should not be forgotten.