Here we go

Ok, it is time to dive in head first; no more testing the water. I have booked the place for my senior show, room 200 at Mandeville Mill during the week of April 11th. I have the ok for wine and for Mile Train. I also have 2 shoots tonight and I'm going after the idea of getting the personal space photos at home and also the connecting with people in public. To answer the question about performer doing their performance for themselves, Jamie explained that he uses his art as a way to allow himself to open up to others and to allow him to feel less nervous when talking. His juggling acts kind of like an ice breaker and it allows him to connect to other people. That connection is something I hope to maybe capture tonight, if I'm lucky. I can't even name all the times I would be talking to him and have someone come up and ask how he does it. Back to getting into this, I have also contacted Thimblerig Circus with the hopes that they will allow me to shoot some practices and maybe even put them in public for a bit. I was thinking about having a couple of performers coming out to UWG campus for a bit and just do their thing to get some reactions. I also have been thinking of incorporating some older traditions in side show performances and have each performer sit for me with the tools of their trade so that I could create some cartes de visites. These would be displayed either all together with a short bio of each performer or with near the image of each performer. This would also allow the performers something to take from my exhibition as a "Thank you" for helping me. ( I would give them their own copy.) I also thought about doing these with the large format camera to add vintage feel to them. As for POSE, while I am shooting my performers tonight, I think I'm gonna ask them to sit for POSE for me since we will be shooting. I also went to see the space at Apache Cafe, I was kinda disappointed with the area. I really thought my car was gonna get jacked. The cafe was closed but I mailed my paperwork in. I also just realized like 10 minutes ago, the show is in 1 WEEK! AHH!! Gotta print and frame! My week will be busy. Anyways, just an update on what I have been thinking and doing.
~*~Hayley~*~

A little motivation never hurt anyone

Just something I saw when I was walking into the studio. I felt a moment of inspiration to take the photo and actually made a point to go across the parking lot, get my camera, change my lens, and then take the photo. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but I like it. I would have taken more, but the bird flew off while I was checking my light meter. I really wanted some lens flare because that is what I saw, but I like the depth of field, the color, and the clouds. Today has been semi productive. I have gone on two out of three shoots so far. (Still have to shoot the basketball game tonight.) I have worked on paper work for the show in Atlanta. I wish I could figure out how to get motivated. I don't feel like it is senioritus, I feel more like I have hit a brick wall with what I want to do. I need another artist's point of view on my subject matter (Side shows) before I can find my stance. I did have a conversation with my brother about what it means to him to be a self-proclaimed carnie in contemporary times. I might post the conversation on here as a motivator. I feel like my project has moved away from the performers and has been pushed towards the audience, which is not my interest. Jamie said in the interview I did with him that he is a performer first and foremost for himself. I need to figure this out. Maybe have some photos of Jamie practicing his tricks in his room, then him in public connecting with people, then some of him with other performers, then some of him in a performance setting. Like a before, during, and after kind of progression. Work with with a few performers. Pick 2 weeks where I can dedicate per performer. First 2 with Jamie, 2 with Kelley, 2 with David, 2 with Thimblerig Circus, 2 with Chris Steele, and maybe in the end have a meeting of the minds. Complete this with some video work of the performers being their selves, the conversation that goes on between me and them while shooting... I need an assistant. As for POSE, I need some vict...I mean volunteers to come out with me for a few hours to do some photos. Any takers? Facebook me or comment me here and let me know so we can get something set up.
~*~Hayley~*~

Different look at a photo

Ok, so here is the desaturated version of the scar on the knee with the black and white version above it. I think the desaturated one looks better, but I still feel like it isn't as strong as some of my other work. I might just have to retry this one.Let me know opinions.
~*~Hayley~*~
P.S: The photo at the top I had over looked while editing. I find it works better in black and white than the other image. It's a better texture to me.

Can't help but share.

This is from "Life is a Dream: An Evening of Ten Minute Plays". The plays are written by students in the play writing class. This was the shot of the day, although it was a tough choice.
~*~Hayley~*~

More Scars

Well, here are some more photos that I worked on this weekend. These are for my art show at the Apache Cafe. There is a redo of an older one I shot that was out of focus (the second photo). I also got my dad (the bottom photo) and my brother (top photo) to sit for me and they were both very excited to show their scars. It's funny, my dad is anti body mutilation and I know he absolutely hated his scar, but he willing showed it for my art. That's love. :) This is just a sample of what I have, there are way too many to even think about posting here. So with that being said, if you are wanting more, come to the show. :)

Just a quick update

Hi, So this weekend was semi productive. I got more photos for the Scars series (will post some when I edit them), I worked on my artist statement for POSE and The Show Must Go On, and have a week worth of shoots coming up (work based). I really need to get on photos for POSE and the Sideshow Fun. Just a little peek into the Happening POSE. Enjoy and I will update with something with a little more meat to it. Happy Monday to all.
~*~Hayley~*~

Theatre Photoshoot

Man do I post a lot. I really wanted to share this image. I did a photoshoot at the Alumni House today for the Theatre Department and this is one of the many gems I got from it. I am very satisfied with the work I did and the people were amazing to work with. It was FREEZING out there (can't tell by looking at my model) but it was worth it! So right now I'm happily editing my newest work. :)
~*~Hayley~*~

Printing Web site

So I have been looking for some places to get prints done and I have found printroom.com. I am trying it out to see how it goes, I hope it works well. It has a free membership setting and it has a gallery area so that people can view their photos to purchase them. I'm also creating a Shutterfly account and see what I think about their stuff. I want to find an ok place right now that is free to use until I start making enough money to get a real website and be able to pay for a real printing service. I might start posting some other places that I find.
~*~Hayley~*~

Oops, I think I dropped something...

IT'S A LINK!! YAY! I was at work the other day and was searching Mary Ellen Mark's stuff and thought it was neat-o. Check, check..Check it out!<- I'm lame.
~*~Hayley~*~

In a Phrase to Cut These Lips

Ok, so I found out some awesome news! Thimblerig Circus will be performing with another sword swallower, Chris Steele. I. Am. Stoked. So in other news, I also had an idea for a photo shoot that I want to do. Nowadays it seems harder and harder to find cards that are semi-personal. My anniversary is around the corner and this year I want to make my card for my bf. So I was thinking waist down in blue jeans with my Chucks on holding a cut out paper heart. Inside, I would put the line "Let me be the one to call you baby all the time." A lyric from a song by the Used that when I listen to it, I think of Jacob. Another one I have been thinking of is a silhouette of me against a window either laying on my stomach or of half my face and in sepia tone. Inside, "In a phrase to cut these lips, I love you". A lyrics from another song (Coheed and Cambria)that me and Jacob kinda consider our song. I feel it more interesting to include a photo, so that is Jacob for those who don't know him. The photo was from my shoot POSE. I really like the image because it is simple, interesting, and I think it is very aesthetically appealing. I feel like it is kinda one of those "pretty" images, but it was a part of something bigger. Anyways, I have to get these projects done ASAP!!! Also, I plan on shooting some more scar photos this weekend for the show at the Apache Cafe. I'm also planning to get some juggling photos if possible. Anyways, that is all for now.
~*~Hayley~*~

This is EXCITING!!!!!!

I have been officially advertised for a solo exhibition on a website. YAY! I feel like a real artist. If you want to come to the show, opening night it February 7, 2011 at 7pm. Entry is FREE and there will be an artist talk and some other stuff going on. Come one, come all! Hope to see everyone there. Here is a link to the calendar which is advertising my show and a link to my artist statement. Sorry, that was my self-promotion for the day. You may resume your previous activities.
~*~Hayley~*~

Ok, So I totally learned how to do a sepia tone on my work that is way easier than what I had been doing. This link that Kristen had posted showed me how to do the Retro colors in photos. Well they were a bit too bright for what I was working on, so like it suggested, I played with the color intensity and moved it to none so that it would be more like a black and white image and I also changed from using the red and green layer to using a purple and yellow layer. I also played with some other intensity of the colors. These were two of the out comes. I recommend everyone try this out, it is simple and fairly quick and you can play with different things to get different end results. Over all, I'm satisfied. :)
~*~Hayley~*~

Artist Statement- After help from an Engligh T.A.

From accidental to intentional, scars tell a story about what a person has endured and hardships they have overcome. Scars are part of every person’s life and, more often than not, signify violence and are lasting physical deformities in a culture where sheer aesthetic perfection is the goal. There are some bearers of scars, those who display on command, make no efforts to conceal, and take pride in their presence, that can arguably be deemed as part of a subculture and their behavior, in regards to the display of their scars, unacceptable and taboo. Scars, therefore, naturally fold into the focus of my photographic work, which concentrates on the modern day freak, the performer, the re-invented carnie--those belonging to a subculture of individuals who possess physical and behavioral abnormalities and generally drives society to ignore, shun, avoid, fear and, marginalize. This particular visual study of scars is just one vein of an on going body of work that strives to push the taboo into the forefront artistic discussion. My goal is to allow people the opportunity to be intrigued, visually absorb, and engage in dialogue on those subjects that are typically prohibited in daily conversation.

*Special Thanks to Trista Edwards for helping me*
~*~Hayley~*~

Rough Artist Statement

This is a rough working artist statement for the Scars show at the Apache Cafe (see two posts back). Please feel free to give me feedback and help me to improve.

I focus much of my work on sub-cultural and taboo subjects. My art places parts of people that are often kept from public view into the limelight. I use fine art methods to bring less popularized subjects into a realm where, normally, they are not accepted. My goal is to allow people the opportunity to look and be intrigued by subjects that are usually “off limits” to discuss. With that being said, scars are a part of every person’s life. From accidental to intentional, scars tell a story about where the person has been and their hardships.

~*~Hayley~*~

Snow-pocolipse and Project Ideas.

Ok, So this week has been pretty freaking BORING! We are not "snowed in", we are ICED in. The main difference being snow is fun and ice is a week of being stuck in the house, and for those who are unaware, doing homework with a 4 year old running around is NEAR IMPOSSIBLE!!!
AHHHH!! Anywhoozle, I went out the first day after the pretty fluffy stuff came down and got some photos. (Posted at the top). There are also some mildly embarrassing photos of me sliding down the drive way in a box, in a rubbermaid bin, and on a lid. (those will not be posted). But off of the snow and ice, and on to some more serious news. I have hit dirty hippy stage yet again, except this time, it comes complete with crazy "artistic" clothing choices. (and apparently an ear infection...yay.. :-/) So for my studio class I have to have 5 ideas for an exhibition, two of which ideas will be explored in this class. Naturally I WILL be working on my senior show idea. (A photographic study of what it means to be a contemporary side show performer.) As for the other ideas I was thinking revisiting a few series that I had started and never quite finished. The first series would have to be the Scars. I feel like I can explore a juxtaposition of different textures to exaggerate the scars. I also feel like I can bring in more of a human element. Now for those who don't know this series, it is a portrait study of people's scars. The reasoning you ask, I want to take a different look at people and their lives through the scars they have received. Each scars tells a story of it's own, whether it be intentional or accidental. Next, I worked on a "happening" about a year ago called "POSE". The script basically reads "Take chair. Place chair. Sit down. Take photo. Leave photo." The idea is to promote art being in everyday life. The art of sitting, looking, and enjoying ones surroundings is explored. The original scripts calls for the sitter to leave their mark by leaving the photo. I took this into the new century by creating a facebook group. Another idea I had was to document people's obsessions. Everyone has their own personal "ticks". When I walk up stairs I have to touch the first step with my left foot and the last with my right; going down the stairs is the opposite. I have done this my entire life. I know people who have to touch their food twice when they set it in their buggy. These obsessions are things we do everyday whether we realize/acknowledge it or not. This would be displayed in a montage/juxtaposition style. Lastly, I was thinking of working with rundown buildings. There is beauty in damaged items in my opinion. I would love to use film to exaggerate the "forgotteness" of the areas and items. And for real lastly, I have been discussing an idea with my dad of displaying old items (such as door knobs, old skeleton keys, etc.) in the newest way (such as displayed on ipads, iphones, etc). I was also thinking of displaying newer items in older methods. I'm still working on exact reasoning, but I feel it shows how outdated items become and how quickly they can become that way. These are all just thoughts that I wanted to get out here before I wrote anything formal for class. (which I'm about to do). And as promised earlier...PHOTOS!!! (At the top)
~*~Hayley~*~

The New Year!

Hey everyone, it is finally 2011! Wow, doesn't seem like it should be. So I have been working on some stuff recently, not physically, more thinking about what I want to do. So, for those who don't know, my senior show is this semester (YAY!), and I am focusing on what it means to be a "self proclaimed carnie" in contemporary times. My artist statement and final committee meeting of last semester took me in a direction I don't think I want to go in. Instead of celebrating the performers and what they do, I got moved to focusing on the idea of voyeurism and the act of looking and is it ok. Ideas came up as to focusing on viewers and not performers, making the performers take a backseat to the audience. I'm not too keen on this idea because that was never my original intent. I understand projects change and what not, but I really want to focus on what being a contemporary side show performer is all about. One idea I want to try is the performers getting ready to do their thing, the last run through in the dressing room, done from a completely candid point of view. I feel like this pushes the voyeuristic point while still focusing on the performers. Or the performer at their "day job" practicing their traits and maybe teaching or talking about their trait. Writing about this is me trying to get myself ready to go out again. (after last semester. I am really burnt out on photography right now.) I feel like I need a new look at my project, maybe some new performers, new places, new artist statement (if that is allowed), new friends...? With that being said, I have also decided to take a new look at an old project.
Scars the series is being revisited for a SOLO EXHIBITION!!!!! Yay!! I'm excited. My portrait series will be exhibited at the Apache Cafe, Feb. 7, 2011- March 7,2011. I. AM. STOKED!!!! Since my original series is only 5 images long, I have decided that I am going to add some new work to it. I have other ideas, new models, and an AWESOME studio to shoot in. All this equals NEW WORK!!! I am revisiting an image that looked amazing on the screen of my camera but was a bit blurry when full sized. I am also gonna talk to different people to add something more to it. I have been working on an exhibition statement for this series and a flyer design to promote the show. (I am including the flyer at the top on the right.)
Anyways, I hope everyone had a great new year, and know that just writing this has motivated me to get started. :)
~*~Hayley~*~