![]() When I first moved to Melbourne from Western Australia, I didn't know anyone, there was no family here and I had no friends here either. I took golf lessons and I also did a short course in photography. Back then, it was using an SLR camera. Digital cameras weren’t really around back in those days. Years ago. I drove up to Croydon as I had heard about a camera shop that sold excellent second hand cameras. Armed with my new acquisition I headed off to the photography course. At the course we learnt about composition, values and all the technical prowess around the SLR camera. The week before end of term we headed to Mordialloc and took shots around the creek, beach and Pompei’s boat yard. Finally, on our last week we developed our film in the dark room. Gosh, there was a lot to do to finally see the end result. So much has changed in the last 28 years. Nowadays, we have these amazing phones in our pockets that produce outstanding photos. You can quickly snap a moment in time with ease and see the results immediately. Phones these days have better crispness and clarity than the older digital cameras, along with outstanding photo editing capacity. Artist now have a major tool to create reference for their works and use the reference immediately. The sun hitting the trees, the bird in flight, the cheeky smile of a child, or the light hitting a vase at that exact moment. There is inspiration everywhere and capturing those moments in time is easier than ever before. When I am en plein painting, often, I will take a photo to reference the light and shade before it shifts from my subject. Do you take reference shots with your phone? Do you have any tips? Leave your comments below. Featured Artwork: Glass Waters will be featured at 15-16th November 2024 Open Studios
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![]() There are two phrases I love to use when creating. In the wise words of Bob Ross " making happy little accidents" and "Joy Fahey "now that's interesting". My artwork is quite loose and that is what I love to create. Loose works for me. Sometimes, what I see in my head is not necessarily what I create on the canvas. Instead of berating myself or going into the negative self talk I remember these two sayings. I may look at something I have just laid down and think now that's interesting. I can look at it, see if I can do something with it or paint over it. Or, I can look at it and think, now that is a happy little accident, I am so glad it happened. Often, art can bring up emotions which, in turn, become negative self talk. It can also take us back to a time when we weren't 'perfect' or we didn't do something the same as another person. It could even take you back to a time when you did art at school. It is different for everyone. What if we replaced negative self talk with these two phrases to look at our creative project or artwork with a different set of eyes? Now, that's interesting gives us so much scope to work with than, that's horrible. That's interesting opens up a world of possibilities to explore. Looking at a process faux par as a happy little accident changes it from a negative to a positive with an array of ideas and opportunities. It got me thinking what would it do to our outlook if expand these two fabulous phrases into our everyday life? Would it open up magical and exciting opportunities everywhere not just on the canvas? Do you like these phrases or do you have your own to change the dynamics of a situation? |
AuthorLee Cummins is a mixed media artist, workshop and art class facilitator. Archives
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