tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43490885203556094922024-03-13T06:18:54.187-04:00Quartz Inversion"All is flux; nothing stays still." <br><i>~~Heraclitus</i>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-84076857006952408762012-07-20T19:32:00.001-04:002012-07-20T19:32:09.899-04:00Getting back on my feet....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After another one of my long hiatus', I did a few small studies today. I've been home all week recovering from foot surgery and not surprisingly the theme running through these images are 'feet'. Hmmm, perhaps this is something I should expand upon for my upcoming show at Ceres Gallery in December......JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-6319738879407548692012-04-04T21:27:00.003-04:002012-04-04T21:31:16.640-04:00"146"I recently spent several days in Greensboro, North Carolina where my dear friend Denise Murphy-Rohr presented her MFA thesis choreography to full houses and standing ovations. Her piece, entitled '146' is based on the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York. I was honored to design the costumes for her 11 powerful and enthusiastic dancers. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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The costumes were based on women's work clothes from the Edwardian Era, but abstracted and somewhat deconstructed, as Denise didn't want anything too literal or "dancey" looking. The result was spot on perfect and both Denise and I couldn't have been happier with the two performances. The dancers adapted to working in the cumbersome costumes with ease even having had only a week to work with them in rehearsal. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZZpMHwpTz4/T3zy20rFvEI/AAAAAAAAA0k/V3kXfrjyK2o/s1600/IMG_5096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZZpMHwpTz4/T3zy20rFvEI/AAAAAAAAA0k/V3kXfrjyK2o/s320/IMG_5096.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUUS2uXwhPs/T3zzymyDRnI/AAAAAAAAA0w/dpJFkYIAplg/s1600/IMG_8061_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUUS2uXwhPs/T3zzymyDRnI/AAAAAAAAA0w/dpJFkYIAplg/s320/IMG_8061_2.jpg" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-70189531563493613622012-01-01T00:25:00.002-05:002012-01-01T00:27:01.210-05:00Hello Dolly!....My show was a great success and although I did not sell anything, I did get a commission from someone who wanted to immortalize their grandmother Dolly as a Christmas gift to her parents. Here's the finished piece. Apparently, it made everyone in the family cry....<br />
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgMcR4QMfYM/Tv_uN6Di3dI/AAAAAAAAAx8/11w0-AisO2I/s1600/IMG_9558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="397" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgMcR4QMfYM/Tv_uN6Di3dI/AAAAAAAAAx8/11w0-AisO2I/s400/IMG_9558.JPG" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-60453730451268704102011-12-13T17:55:00.000-05:002011-12-13T17:55:31.660-05:00Show is up...!The show at the Ceres Gallery is up and looks great! Thanks to Nile for helping (ie: DOING) the installation, and to Virginia for hooking me up with this opportunity! More photos to come after the reception......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0G6HkV_m7g/TufXq5L7lpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/QAr_dXWK6f0/s1600/sneak%2Bpreview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0G6HkV_m7g/TufXq5L7lpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/QAr_dXWK6f0/s400/sneak%2Bpreview.JPG" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-83206754972722677832011-12-06T14:31:00.001-05:002011-12-06T14:39:46.738-05:00Exposure....I'm just about done preparing for the upcoming group show, 'EXPOSURE' at the Ceres Gallery. Not sure exactly which pieces will go in, but these are a few contenders. Having had to pull a show together in such a short amount of time was a great way to get me jump-started into my next body of work. Although I'm not 100% thrilled with every one of these pieces they did steer towards a new theme. One which I am excited about pursuing after the show comes down....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w_feBMe-8w/Tt5snjD0XyI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_tgYA6CH1ms/s1600/umbrella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w_feBMe-8w/Tt5snjD0XyI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_tgYA6CH1ms/s320/umbrella.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQSxzL6kmSU/Tt5stB02GDI/AAAAAAAAAvs/BUizp0IWsjE/s1600/four%2Bsquares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQSxzL6kmSU/Tt5stB02GDI/AAAAAAAAAvs/BUizp0IWsjE/s320/four%2Bsquares.JPG" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-85078770786207781902011-11-14T13:49:00.003-05:002011-11-14T13:51:46.062-05:00Sneak Preview....I don't usually like to reveal pieces that I am about to exhibit, but I'm really happy with this new series so I'm breaking my own rule. These are a few small ones that are part of a larger series to be shown at the Ceres Gallery, December 12 to 16.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OebJs75kfvA/TsFjHuC5jXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/CbO_BSllhVY/s1600/gramps%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OebJs75kfvA/TsFjHuC5jXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/CbO_BSllhVY/s400/gramps%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-25573365219321929292011-11-01T09:38:00.002-04:002011-11-01T18:30:34.718-04:00And then, out of nowhere.........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4wqh7ZKHaM/Tq_0HLaQQtI/AAAAAAAAApM/qY16DQcTJsE/s1600/IMG_8719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4wqh7ZKHaM/Tq_0HLaQQtI/AAAAAAAAApM/qY16DQcTJsE/s400/IMG_8719.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Sometimes, good news is literally flung at you from out of the blue and you have no choice but to embrace it. This happened to me a few nights ago as I was laying in bed and the phone rang. It was my very good friend Virginia inviting me to participate in a group show this December at the Ceres Gallery in Chelsea. Of course I said yes, and I immediately started to conceptualize what I would show. Within the next several days I started work on a few test pieces, and these two little guys are a sample of the direction I'm headed in. These may or may not end up in the show, but I'm kind of leaning towards including them......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhZ43emQc38/Tq_2MkGL0EI/AAAAAAAAApY/5yj3hib2SAI/s1600/IMG_8720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="397" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhZ43emQc38/Tq_2MkGL0EI/AAAAAAAAApY/5yj3hib2SAI/s400/IMG_8720.JPG" /></a></div>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-11457209713374239682011-10-23T12:39:00.007-04:002011-11-01T18:30:34.719-04:00Hell's Kitchen.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d2I4TprrKM/TqRDdoFcsrI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Erd1L8tRC4E/s1600/IMG_8630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d2I4TprrKM/TqRDdoFcsrI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Erd1L8tRC4E/s400/IMG_8630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666728407394464434" /></a><center><b><i>"Corradina Ruggeri Tandurella"</center></b></i><br />My Saturday morning did not start out well yesterday. I woke up on the wrong side of my fabulous, plush, Queen-size bed as seems to be my pattern lately, and then as usual the weekend train schedule was a mess. I was already running later than I had planned and the walk through the Theater District to my studio felt more tortuous than usual. Why are there so many tourists in New York and why do they walk so damn slow? URRGGHH. <br><br>A very cranky me finally made to the studio around 2:00pm. I ran a quick drop off of some costumes for Elena and by the time I was heading back to the studio it was already close to 3:00 in the afternoon. I figured it was more than late enough in the day to start drinking so I picked up a bottle of Pino Grigio and some Potato Leek soup for lunch and started to work. The combination of the soup, wine, and having the studio all to myself was the perfect antidote to the grueling morning and I actually got in a good 5 hours of productive work.<br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DtOeLK30kII/TqRFwdzYI3I/AAAAAAAAAmg/eKZQm1ZGySg/s1600/IMG_8634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DtOeLK30kII/TqRFwdzYI3I/AAAAAAAAAmg/eKZQm1ZGySg/s400/IMG_8634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666730930075083634" /></a><center><b><i>"Freaky Doll"</center></b></i><br>I got an evening visit from my friend Bradley which topped off the day nicely and it was the first time in weeks that I felt satisfied with my day. Being in a funk is no fun and lately I've been stuck in a low-grade malaise which I am finding it hard to get out of. The best thing to do when I'm feeling like that is to get to the studio and immerse myself in something productive. Not only does it keep my mind from pulling my emotions into a black hole, it's always a wake-up call that reminds me how lucky I am to have the life, friends, and resources that I have.<br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwuBDZjjvSQ/TqRH_0XCQzI/AAAAAAAAAms/NEr6BrEsVz4/s1600/IMG_8632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwuBDZjjvSQ/TqRH_0XCQzI/AAAAAAAAAms/NEr6BrEsVz4/s400/IMG_8632.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666733392851518258" /></a><center><b><i>Detail</i></center></b>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-28989809585191987362011-10-10T11:13:00.012-04:002011-10-10T11:56:44.786-04:00(It) Works on Paper.......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6YiK0W0fWE/TpMNbfsj3LI/AAAAAAAAAl8/tmVKl5chaxo/s1600/IMG_8422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6YiK0W0fWE/TpMNbfsj3LI/AAAAAAAAAl8/tmVKl5chaxo/s320/IMG_8422.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661883922550873266" /></a><br />I still haven't figured out the whole inner dynamic that occurs when I work in a classroom setting that allows me to be less attached to the outcome and thereby results in a more open, free-flowing and daring work. There is a mental block of sorts, a certain trepidation that creeps into my studio work and causes me to work almost too carefully....too "neatly" shall we say. Being in class where there are no boundaries and no expectations, I just dive in a get dirty. It's been a long time since I worked that way. Probably not since my days in clay when I'd leave the studio covered head to toe in creative crud and feeling totally spent (yet elated) after an 8 hour studio shift.<br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pGpWVgV_d_k/TpMNmcV8LvI/AAAAAAAAAmE/5Yn2Kduqyv0/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pGpWVgV_d_k/TpMNmcV8LvI/AAAAAAAAAmE/5Yn2Kduqyv0/s320/IMG_8479.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661884110629252850" /></a><br />Well, that is (almost) starting to happen again with these new collages on paper. Making a slight shift in materials always helps to boost my energy and sends a surge of new imagery through me and onto the paper/canvas/board. I find it's all about honoring your own individual process in the studio and not burdening oneself with expectations of what should or shouldn't happen. Expectation is the single worst enemy I can bring to the studio. It's just got to say goodbye at the door and let me play like a finger-painting 5 year old. And it's only then, when you lose track of time and space and you suddenly realize that hours have gone by without your even noticing it, that you have arrived back in kindergarten and you've created something so wonderful you just know that mom is going to hang it on the refrigerator door....... <br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZpPZ3OCbQY/TpMP0F_93PI/AAAAAAAAAmM/8Oz9kD5Bdv0/s1600/IMG_8524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZpPZ3OCbQY/TpMP0F_93PI/AAAAAAAAAmM/8Oz9kD5Bdv0/s320/IMG_8524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661886544172932338" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-84665648015151611062011-09-24T17:33:00.009-04:002011-11-01T18:31:22.268-04:00A long enough hiatus......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPP5TSKmKAs/Tn5PY0u3VeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/5DsBrJRB1co/s1600/IMG_8365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPP5TSKmKAs/Tn5PY0u3VeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/5DsBrJRB1co/s320/IMG_8365.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656045469914584546" /></a><br />It's not uncommon for me to go several months between periods of creativity, so the fact that I haven't posted anything since April is no great surprise. I've come to accept the fact that I am an intermittently prolific person, someone who goes through alternating periods of creativity/productivity and rest/observation. It's during these periods that I spend more time engaged in other productive pass-times like sewing, rearranging my furniture, reading, and sometimes even cooking (although I admit that my version of cooking is heating up some already cooked thing from Trader Joe's).<br>Having said that, last weekend was my first real productive time spent in my new studio space (which by the way, I absolutely love). I can't say I'm thrilled with the outcome but I'm accustomed to the awkward "re-entry" period after being out of practice for some time. <br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPBKcFZAxMI/Tn5PL2dwWNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/NH21b_d4D7I/s1600/IMG_8368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPBKcFZAxMI/Tn5PL2dwWNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/NH21b_d4D7I/s320/IMG_8368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656045247041394898" /></a><br>I also dragged myself to my brothers drawing class on Tuesday night and I'm so glad I did. It's like going to the gym after being completely inactive ~ it's a great place to get back into the swing of "seeing" and flexing those drawing muscles. And of course, there is no better teacher on earth than my brother. Even after all these years I am still in awe of his talents as a teacher and the miracles he brings out in people. I tend to take more risks in the classroom setting and because my brother knows me so well, he can really push me to move away from my habit of 'staying safe'.<br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr9M-laFtd4/Tn5QabRxvCI/AAAAAAAAAls/xo68zeoc01s/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr9M-laFtd4/Tn5QabRxvCI/AAAAAAAAAls/xo68zeoc01s/s320/IMG_8381.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656046596953062434" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbGxB8v3vSE/Tn5Qkp-cvTI/AAAAAAAAAl0/IBQ-3-vLpjA/s1600/IMG_8382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbGxB8v3vSE/Tn5Qkp-cvTI/AAAAAAAAAl0/IBQ-3-vLpjA/s320/IMG_8382.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656046772697218354" /></a><br>I did this drawing and then cropped it with my trusty iPhone camera. Because it's an exercise done in class, I'm not attached to the outcome, and because I'm not attached to the outcome, I usually walk away with a nice little surprise. I'm thinking this might end up in a new collage piece, which would be a new direction for me ~ less realistic imagery and more pure form. I think it will be a nice change.....JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-50691085579552904932011-04-09T08:34:00.021-04:002011-10-11T08:25:20.258-04:00A Walk Through Gowanus....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAxqaCzzCNY/TaBSnJ1AE1I/AAAAAAAAAkY/o6z0ckVatH4/s1600/IMG_5748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAxqaCzzCNY/TaBSnJ1AE1I/AAAAAAAAAkY/o6z0ckVatH4/s400/IMG_5748.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593561569800754002" /></a> <br>I took a walk through the Gowanus Canal yesterday, from Park Slope to Columbia Street. It was an overcast, dreary day, but I knew I'd find some interesting things to shoot regardless of the grey light. I donned myself with my Argus 75, Nikon Coolpix, and of course my iPhone ~ just to make sure I had all my bases covered and could easily shoot on the fly. <br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GWZ750XoZU/TaBT7myrp7I/AAAAAAAAAkg/HIUw2N9gt1Y/s1600/DSCN2860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GWZ750XoZU/TaBT7myrp7I/AAAAAAAAAkg/HIUw2N9gt1Y/s400/DSCN2860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593563020684666802" /></a> <br>Alternating between shooting Through the Viewfinder (TtV) and Hipstamatic I wandered down Union towards Columbia Street. There are good things about each way of shooting. TtV allows you to get candid shots of people who don't realize you are taking their picture. Since you are looking down at some weird contraption that bares no resemblance to a modern day camera people just assume you are weird. On the other hand, the nice thing about the iPhone is you can shoot quickly and candidly without taking time to focus or compose your image and you get to see the results immediately, not to mention that the variety of effects are endless.<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0dKqRBY1nM/TaBdaPDlUFI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/iiD4XmS_5rk/s1600/DSCN2887.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0dKqRBY1nM/TaBdaPDlUFI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/iiD4XmS_5rk/s200/DSCN2887.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593573442493698130" /></a> <br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85IBvTYYVfg/TaBZk4UdPMI/AAAAAAAAAkw/OAJoLAVlSxs/s1600/DSCN2885.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85IBvTYYVfg/TaBZk4UdPMI/AAAAAAAAAkw/OAJoLAVlSxs/s200/DSCN2885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593569227322506434" /></a>I took over 100 pics and couldn't wait to get home to compare the results. Is it even worth taking TtV pics when the iPhone has so many great applications that give you as good or better effects? Well, yes, and no. Although you get a variety of effects with the iPhone the pictures taken TtV are more subtle and have that "old film" look to them. You can't really get that with an iPhone. Also, there's something about shooting with an actual "camera" that makes you feel like you are really taking a picture. Those of you who are too young to remember what an actual camera is will have to take my word for this. There was something so magical about lugging around a clunky, large, heavy device, and then waiting to develop the shots, that we just don't experience anymore. Instant gratification is nice, but that element of surprise is totally gone. Although you don't have to wait very long to see your results with TtV photography, you do have to upload the shots to your computer, crop the images and sometimes do a bit of color editing to get the final image.<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv2R9sYwvrE/TaBbkYHXnbI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HURQg7BZ8bY/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv2R9sYwvrE/TaBbkYHXnbI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HURQg7BZ8bY/s200/IMG_5788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593571417700933042" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbx6NluXa-M/TaBb3bKUd_I/AAAAAAAAAlI/p_e9kbllQLI/s1600/IMG_5785.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbx6NluXa-M/TaBb3bKUd_I/AAAAAAAAAlI/p_e9kbllQLI/s200/IMG_5785.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593571744936130546" /></a>In either case, both ways of shooting are so damn easy it almost feels like cheating to take credit for a good shot. I don't think I'll ever graduate to using a DSLR with all it's complicated buttons and long user manuals. The only thing that matters to me is the final result and for now I'm totally happy with my uncomplicated cheater's photography.....<br><br>For those of you who are curious:<br><i>#1 - Hipstamatic<br>#2 - TtV<br>#3 - TtV<br>#4 - TtV<br>#5 - Hipstamatic <br>#6 - Hipstamatic</i>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-60617722027465065042011-03-23T22:15:00.010-04:002011-03-23T23:13:54.349-04:00The Simplest Thing.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2VUjsxVOjM/TYqvpEZJqDI/AAAAAAAAAj4/T-PgpEaDyVI/s1600/DSCN2826.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2VUjsxVOjM/TYqvpEZJqDI/AAAAAAAAAj4/T-PgpEaDyVI/s400/DSCN2826.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587471407795251250" /></a><br />Sometimes, the simplest thing catches my eye and I become transfixed by it's mundane beauty. I want to look at it over and over and over again, as if I could burn it's image into my minds eye and have it there to look at any time I wanted. There is a strange sense of contentment that comes over me, and I feel completely satiated, satisfied, and oddly awe-struck, as though I came to know the reason for my existence in a single glance. I call these my "American Beauty, paper bag in the wind" moments. Those of you who have seen the film and have had this experience will know exactly what I mean.<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsFNUGn8NTQ/TYqw10IWvYI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/IphBgQrTptc/s1600/DSCN2819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsFNUGn8NTQ/TYqw10IWvYI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/IphBgQrTptc/s400/DSCN2819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587472726279765378" /></a><br>This happened the other day on the Lower East Side of Manhattan when, assisting a friend with a costume fitting for a group of High School dance students, I looked up and saw the most amazing group of light fixtures hanging in the dark school auditorium around 60 feet above my head. I grabbed my camera and I took around 20 shots, just to make sure I captured the image at several subtly different angles. <br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBfyMKTq-jk/TYqwdpvG5MI/AAAAAAAAAkI/OKxJMQXkunE/s1600/DSCN2828.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBfyMKTq-jk/TYqwdpvG5MI/AAAAAAAAAkI/OKxJMQXkunE/s400/DSCN2828.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587472311172654274" /></a> Upon coming home, I quickly transferred the images to my computer and spent the next several hours playing with the exposures, rotating the images, and just basking in the pleasure of looking at them over and over and over.....but only until the next "paper bag in the wind" blows past me.....<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJz-6V_0SvY/TYqvP5jWZPI/AAAAAAAAAjw/yfZeOid7EeM/s1600/DSCN2825.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJz-6V_0SvY/TYqvP5jWZPI/AAAAAAAAAjw/yfZeOid7EeM/s400/DSCN2825.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587470975388509426" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-16816347989401826562011-03-20T19:25:00.014-04:002011-03-22T07:31:21.526-04:00Through the Viewfinder......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRsDiz8e0yw/TYaN4OcO8_I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/LnG_rUB8ycM/s1600/DSCN2665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRsDiz8e0yw/TYaN4OcO8_I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/LnG_rUB8ycM/s400/DSCN2665.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586308384888386546" /></a>I've been wanting to learn how to take pics "through the viewfinder" and today I figured it out. I knew it required an old box camera and this morning while looking on ebay for one I could afford, I suddenly remembered that I had my dad's old <i>Argus 75 Twin Lens Reflex</i> stored away somewhere. I dug it out and rigged up a very rudimentary contraption for keeping the light out of the viewfinder, grabbed my Nikon Coopix 'point & shoot', and headed for the park. It worked pretty well and these are some of the first successful shots. Next step is to build a better light blocker and rig up a way to keep the digital attached to the box camera in a secure position for more 'on the fly' shooting.<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BZFQT_kxy4/TYaOEtqEAFI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zFiWfYyUAIo/s1600/DSCN2608_2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BZFQT_kxy4/TYaOEtqEAFI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zFiWfYyUAIo/s320/DSCN2608_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586308599426318418" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>After taking some test shots indoors I ventured outside to give it a try. It was a bit challenging to figure out the correct distance from the bottom camera lens to hold my point and shoot Coolpix, but once I figured it out, I got some acceptable shots.<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Gsa0vVujI/TYaOng0qd1I/AAAAAAAAAjg/y9jnSONpxhE/s1600/DSCN2613.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Gsa0vVujI/TYaOng0qd1I/AAAAAAAAAjg/y9jnSONpxhE/s320/DSCN2613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586309197276542802" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>When I came home, I couldn't resist playing around with some of my iPhone apps and seeing how the effects would looked laid over the TTV pics. I think once I get the hang of working the two cameras together I won't need to rely on any apps to get some great effects.<br><br>.....Definitely taking the Argus 75 on the next road trip.<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6rn3KOh4Qs/TYaPPSi5j3I/AAAAAAAAAjo/JGFGiOF-kdA/s1600/IMG_5553.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6rn3KOh4Qs/TYaPPSi5j3I/AAAAAAAAAjo/JGFGiOF-kdA/s320/IMG_5553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586309880638705522" /></a><br>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-26150397608203325432011-03-15T17:02:00.045-04:002011-03-15T18:50:43.881-04:00A day in the country......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptejpmgj7oA/TX_W-QPWPnI/AAAAAAAAAhY/7GA9fEdFGS0/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptejpmgj7oA/TX_W-QPWPnI/AAAAAAAAAhY/7GA9fEdFGS0/s400/IMG_5389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584418427962277490" /></a>Yesterday, I spent a day wandering around Ulster County snapping away on my iPhone. The locations and weather gave the day a very "Twin Peaks" feeling to it and when we happened upon an abandoned string of train cars I thought I had died and went to David Lynch Heaven. Since I've been doing more photography than painting or collage-making lately, I seized the opportunity to shoot every square inch of the lonely cabooses. And I had two inspiring and very willing subjects with me, just itching to throw themselves in front of my lens and ham it up. <br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie4tKv9tAGQ/TX_WDdiSh_I/AAAAAAAAAhI/zVQkdGqJVhc/s1600/IMG_5393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie4tKv9tAGQ/TX_WDdiSh_I/AAAAAAAAAhI/zVQkdGqJVhc/s320/IMG_5393.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584417417919105010" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydwDsjNY4Sc/TX_XV7EdVWI/AAAAAAAAAhg/G0WhxpTXUU0/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydwDsjNY4Sc/TX_XV7EdVWI/AAAAAAAAAhg/G0WhxpTXUU0/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584418834596320610" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65WSwda-4d0/TX_X9fC7r7I/AAAAAAAAAho/rPOeQ2YyBFU/s1600/IMG_5405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65WSwda-4d0/TX_X9fC7r7I/AAAAAAAAAho/rPOeQ2YyBFU/s200/IMG_5405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584419514268495794" /></a>This abandoned train must have been a first class vehicle in it's day because it had a complete kitchen and was wider and longer than any modern day train I'd ever been on. With a little renovation, I could have easily lived on it <i>a la</i> Ruth Gordon in "Harold and Maude".<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrui_gJWvvI/TX_k3jytVCI/AAAAAAAAAio/fJwyjbRm9Lc/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrui_gJWvvI/TX_k3jytVCI/AAAAAAAAAio/fJwyjbRm9Lc/s200/IMG_5325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584433706114569250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB9C5baAg9w/TX_ZnTJ9OBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/XZ1SXoFtCl0/s1600/IMG_5385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB9C5baAg9w/TX_ZnTJ9OBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/XZ1SXoFtCl0/s200/IMG_5385.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584421332142864402" /></a>Baxter and James were only too willing to incorporate themselves into the surroundings at every turn. The fact that the floor had gaping holes in it and looked on the verge of collapsing, didn't stop James from dancing up and down the isles.<br>Earlier in the day an old stone house and a barn in a field caught my eye and the boys were more than happy to offer their likenesses to each shot. The only opportunity missed was getting a picture of the incredible wrinkley deaf proprietor of the antique shop that was housed in the stone building. Her face was a like a road map to every day she lived in her 80-something years....<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knlMFMeedlc/TX_hYU1KBPI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/IMuucFQ2Xwo/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;"src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knlMFMeedlc/TX_hYU1KBPI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/IMuucFQ2Xwo/s320/IMG_5345.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584429870987478258" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRW904C26HA/TX_iX9vT74I/AAAAAAAAAiY/LhSX3m9IUCs/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;"src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRW904C26HA/TX_iX9vT74I/AAAAAAAAAiY/LhSX3m9IUCs/s320/IMG_5312.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584430964300574594" /></a>The day started with a disappointing lunch in the town of New Paltz followed by a jaunt through the local antique markets where I picked up a few goodies to add to my burgeoning collection of trinkets from times gone by. My one regret was not buying the little tin type photo with the wonderful back side that was way more interesting than the image on the front.<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kpMxb8PL1g/TX_rIZQfZxI/AAAAAAAAAiw/N4zHmCSz1ag/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kpMxb8PL1g/TX_rIZQfZxI/AAAAAAAAAiw/N4zHmCSz1ag/s320/IMG_5272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584440592414238482" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpVRRhOFHjI/TX_rduhfnKI/AAAAAAAAAi4/yUKgxaYJ9yI/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpVRRhOFHjI/TX_rduhfnKI/AAAAAAAAAi4/yUKgxaYJ9yI/s320/IMG_5283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584440958899952802" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iDVIbHFOpY/TX_rvfVQG1I/AAAAAAAAAjA/4fJyb8WVX9c/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iDVIbHFOpY/TX_rvfVQG1I/AAAAAAAAAjA/4fJyb8WVX9c/s320/IMG_5290.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584441264059718482" /></a><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaTTgw9RPEg/TX_sL1oVagI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Oczh1JIGvP8/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaTTgw9RPEg/TX_sL1oVagI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Oczh1JIGvP8/s320/IMG_5305.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584441751081675266" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-61451178889880395962010-11-01T20:24:00.009-04:002011-03-23T22:51:52.565-04:00Remain Alert....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9gky2hBSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/hGkDEleF5VY/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9gky2hBSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/hGkDEleF5VY/s400/IMG_0687.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534748652303615266" /></a>As artists it's important to remember that what the eye sees, the mind remembers and becomes grist for the mill in the studio. That's why it's so crucial to remain alert to one's surroundings even when one is not in the midst of a creative moment. This was never more apparent to me than during the one year I spent in graduate school at Bennington College in Vermont. Living in such a bucolic setting might seem like a dream come true to a visual artist. And if graduate school gives us anything it gives us abundant, uninterrupted time to create. For me, a die-hard city dweller, I found the "eye candy" of country living looked more like "eye broccoli" which made it virtually impossible to find any visual stimulus on which my senses could feed. Surrounded by nothing but trees and mountains and more trees and mountains, whether they were lush with green or covered with snow or on fire with the colors of fall, it all looked the same and my eyes (and soul) starved. For some, those trees were a dream come true, but they left me hungry and yearning for something more.<br> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9iHskL3_I/AAAAAAAAAgw/1czH7rFlAsM/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9iHskL3_I/AAAAAAAAAgw/1czH7rFlAsM/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534750351423168498" /></a><br />Today, while wandering around the west side of Manhattan, amidst industrial buildings, car lots, and sleeping homeless people, I happened upon a window lined with miniature vintage cars just waiting for me to feed upon them. If I had not been alert to my surroundings, I might have missed these gems. But since I am always "eating with my eyes" I stopped to feed on this beautiful urban image and capture it with my phone.<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9g9sC3cHI/AAAAAAAAAgY/HUbe13S1OPc/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9g9sC3cHI/AAAAAAAAAgY/HUbe13S1OPc/s200/IMG_0689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749079973097586" /></a><br>A crack in a wall, a brick wall stained with pigeon droppings, a discarded cup of coffee, the randomness of several strangers in a subway car all wearing the same color....All of these things are happening right before our eyes every day, but if we are not vigilant in our awareness we might miss them. Re-think your idea of beauty and you will see that it is all around you......<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9hoOYwn6I/AAAAAAAAAgo/HOoqaJQ_H5Y/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TM9hoOYwn6I/AAAAAAAAAgo/HOoqaJQ_H5Y/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749810746236834" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-917615922979214572010-10-27T19:59:00.010-04:002011-10-10T11:45:02.052-04:00Something old / something blue....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjBGtrpXoI/AAAAAAAAAfY/n6BVCq6_XfI/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjBGtrpXoI/AAAAAAAAAfY/n6BVCq6_XfI/s400/IMG_0612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532884463310691970" /></a>I came home feeling somewhat blue and alone tonight. That's kind of putting it in the simplest of terms because if I really examine how I feel, I'll get all existential and bleak. So let's just leave it at feeling "blue". Whenever I experience these moments of isolation, I either put on some Joy Division music and wallow (which is always a bad idea), or sit in my studio and look around (much better idea). Just being in the presence of all the stuff in there gives me back my sense of self and purpose. Tonight I focused on all the old books and thought about the people who wrote them so long ago. None of those people are alive today, but this object, this book, this....piece of pulp and cardboard they created still exists.<br> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjEZa-Vb5I/AAAAAAAAAf4/MtU_7GghJPI/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjEZa-Vb5I/AAAAAAAAAf4/MtU_7GghJPI/s200/IMG_0614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532888083241201554" /></a> <br>In this short life we've all been given, the only real meaningful gesture of permanence we can make is to leave something behind after we're gone. For some, that thing may be children, or a legacy of wealth, or an idea or invention. But for other's it's simply a piece of art. And for me, that as important as anything else....<br><br>So this night will end and tomorrow I'll feel better, because we all know feelings are fleeting and changeable. I'll wait anxiously for the weekend when I will make an effort at turning that "old stuff" into something lasting and more permanent than myself.....<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjEpj1uhHI/AAAAAAAAAgA/3iYOroCcZG0/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMjEpj1uhHI/AAAAAAAAAgA/3iYOroCcZG0/s320/IMG_0613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532888360498922610" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-4812692690714917762010-10-21T22:13:00.014-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.915-04:00"Threads of Memory"....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMDzq6W1A3I/AAAAAAAAAeo/vfb1HH-bq-k/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMDzq6W1A3I/AAAAAAAAAeo/vfb1HH-bq-k/s400/IMG_0486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530688260956029810" border="0" /></a>Just finished working on my first costume project for a piece entitled <i>Threads of Memory</i> choreographed by my friend, Nile Baker. After four weeks of sewing, un-sewing, and re-sewing at Elena Comendador's <a href="http://www.treehouseproductionsnyc.com/">Treehouse Productions Studio</a>, seeing the final project danced by 5 incredible young talents made it all worth it. My encaustic collage of the Grand Canal was also projected on a rear screen behind the dancers, pulling the whole piece together and creating a cohesive visual environment for Nile's vibrant and singularly individual choreography.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD2aOPrn3I/AAAAAAAAAew/BUsVorupSTY/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD2aOPrn3I/AAAAAAAAAew/BUsVorupSTY/s200/IMG_0428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530691272771870578" border="0" /></a><br />I documented the process of the sewing and choreography from start to finish. Except for the moments my nerves were torn to shreds and my one tearful breakdown when I thought my friendship with Nile was coming to a screeching halt, working with friends was a wonderful, learning experience. Elena patiently re-threaded the machine every time I missed a loop, and Nile calmed <i>my</i> nerves even though he was under the incredible stress of finishing the piece with one of the dancers missing an entire week of rehearsals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD65akHyXI/AAAAAAAAAe4/ea5ooA-x62Y/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD65akHyXI/AAAAAAAAAe4/ea5ooA-x62Y/s200/IMG_0296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530696206701283698" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD8Ga1naqI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/8QgcgqdlwPQ/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD8Ga1naqI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/8QgcgqdlwPQ/s200/IMG_0368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530697529624586914" border="0" /></a>The night before the performance, Nile and I nearly asphyxiated ourselves spraying shoe polish and enamel paint on the tulle skirts, but the final effect was absolutely perfect. Now I'm looking forward to getting back into my studio and painting again......<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD7ryOssDI/AAAAAAAAAfI/ziWgJW5oGBQ/s1600/IMG_0378.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TMD7ryOssDI/AAAAAAAAAfI/ziWgJW5oGBQ/s200/IMG_0378.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530697072047337522" border="0" /></a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-45061209470721102752010-10-04T18:52:00.004-04:002011-03-23T23:00:30.482-04:00Beginner's Mind.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TKpa_7QbsnI/AAAAAAAAAeY/E-nLEPQDQ48/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TKpa_7QbsnI/AAAAAAAAAeY/E-nLEPQDQ48/s320/IMG_0152.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524327947208209010" /></a><br />I'm working with a beginner's mind these days. It seems I am also working with a beginner's hand. It always takes time for my hands and eyes to 're-learn' how to do what they do best between studio sessions, especially when they are a month apart from one another. As expected, frustration reigned supreme in the studio today. And now I am rewarding myself with a glass of wine, some Scott Walker on my iPod, low lights, and cozy PJ's while I gaze upon the fruits of today's labors.<br /><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TKpcgm3jmrI/AAAAAAAAAeg/yub8KH1uA_U/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TKpcgm3jmrI/AAAAAAAAAeg/yub8KH1uA_U/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524329608182471346" /></a><br>I'm collaborating with friends on several dance projects, which I am thoroughly excited about. But, it has been both exhilarating and exasperating at the same time, as collaborating tends to be. Regardless, it has been an incredible learning experience, and I'm hoping it leads to further collaborations with dancers, writers, and musicians.<br />Ahhh, what a journey.......JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-62642795162949056362010-09-06T18:09:00.007-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.916-04:00Arithmos 6......and beyond........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TIVpIoHROLI/AAAAAAAAAeI/m2w7AIWnRGE/s1600/DSCN2347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TIVpIoHROLI/AAAAAAAAAeI/m2w7AIWnRGE/s400/DSCN2347.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513928915712817330" /></a><br />I have finally come back to the studio, after several MONTHS of inactivity. The summer had a feeling of being on vacation, with my dear friend Dee staying with me for 8 glorious, but infernally hot weeks. I enjoyed playing around the city with her, doing lots of ashtanga yoga, eating, drinking, and laughing. All of that left very little time for working in the studio. But love and friendship feed the soul, and the soul is the seat of creativity. So now the fall is upon us and having been fed to the gills all summer long with pleasure, joy and friendship, I'm looking forward to getting back to work with a new series of works. <br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TIVr_uVVDnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/BQJLXtZ5UQE/s1600/arithmos.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TIVr_uVVDnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/BQJLXtZ5UQE/s400/arithmos.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513932061298462322" /></a><center><b><i>Arithmos 6</i></center></b><br />Several weeks ago, to top of the end of summer, I had a successful showing of my family history pieces. Myself and 5 other artists shared a one night event called "Arithmos 6". The turnout was spectacular and the response to my work was better than I could have ever asked for. It was all very reaffirming and exhilarating. So now I'm trying to hold on to the feeling of inspiration that comes after a positive response to ones work from both friends and total strangers. To get the ball rolling again, I revisited an unfinished piece that has been sitting around for ages and brought it to a simple conclusion. Best not to try too hard when you are teetering on the brink of productivity and inactivity.JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-89302271507296041912010-07-05T18:17:00.007-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.916-04:00110 degrees in the shade.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TDJccaeN8ZI/AAAAAAAAAdk/bTngAHAIPsg/s1600/IMG_2714.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TDJccaeN8ZI/AAAAAAAAAdk/bTngAHAIPsg/s400/IMG_2714.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552538930213266" /></a><center><i>work in progress</i></center><br />After many weeks of avoiding the studio because of the heat, I chose today, the hottest day of the year so far, to get back to work. It's been so hot in my apartment/studio that several of my pieces have started literally melting and peeling. But with the heat showing no signs of letting up I decided the time was either now or October to get some work done.<br><br>Strangely enough, I can tolerate the heat of the studio much better than I can the heat of the blazing New York streets, so once I got started I was on a roll with heat gun, hot plate, and sunshine baking my workspace. Unfortunately, I was stopped short by a self-inflicted gash on my left pointer finger. I narrowly avoided a trip to the emergency room with quick thinking and a brown paper bag to stop the gushing blood......I was able to at least get a start on a new piece, priming a hardboard and placing it in the freezer to avoid melting. Since this heat wave shows no signs of abating I guess I will working all summer long in the inferno that is my studio and home....JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-79426412901321141972010-05-31T22:39:00.004-04:002010-05-31T22:48:02.458-04:00Au revoir, Louise....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TAR03OtnP7I/AAAAAAAAAbM/DxYXjJARY1E/s1600/louise_bourgeois.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TAR03OtnP7I/AAAAAAAAAbM/DxYXjJARY1E/s400/louise_bourgeois.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477631538980405170" /></a><br /><a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/louise-bourgeois-artist-and-sculptor-is-dead/">She inspired me to the very core....<br> </a>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-67974383080095690292010-05-31T21:06:00.004-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.917-04:00Finalmente...!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TARdQPEiEoI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kMiUDkIfwYI/s1600/traffic+light001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TARdQPEiEoI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kMiUDkIfwYI/s400/traffic+light001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477605580294197890" /></a><center><b><i>Traffic Light</center></b></i><br>After several weeks (!) of not working, I finally got some stuff done today in the blazing heat of my studio. Dealing with a broken heat gun and resorting to using my hair dryer (which works, by the way), I labored over three small panels. I tried scanning these with my new scanner, but not sure they look any better than when I shoot them with my Coolpix. Anyway, I'm glad I got some work done....<br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TAReQeyDfJI/AAAAAAAAAZs/AETMsRJ8Apw/s1600/Carissimo+Fratell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/TAReQeyDfJI/AAAAAAAAAZs/AETMsRJ8Apw/s400/Carissimo+Fratell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606684023291026" /></a><center><b><i>Carissimo Fratello</center></b></i>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-10157795246555031902010-05-13T21:02:00.007-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.918-04:00Tiny Treasures....I just love these tiny little canvases I found at Dick Blick Art Supplies. They allow me to plow through little thumbnail sketches in wax and work out ideas for color, composition, and content. These are 4 'studies' for my Family History series and are only 2.5" X 4" in size. <br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yigakpn2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/guxM0GMu1fc/s1600/tre+Siciliani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yigakpn2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/guxM0GMu1fc/s320/tre+Siciliani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470926325120868194" border="0" /></a><center><b><i>"3 Siciliani"</i></b></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yiON6HF0I/AAAAAAAAAZI/mljNT4dmlrE/s1600/mom-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yiON6HF0I/AAAAAAAAAZI/mljNT4dmlrE/s320/mom-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470926012483573570" border="0" /></a><center><b><i>"Sylvia ~ Diddie ~ Sunny"</i></b></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yh6zyRYsI/AAAAAAAAAZA/85R5-5DEhEA/s1600/dad-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yh6zyRYsI/AAAAAAAAAZA/85R5-5DEhEA/s320/dad-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470925679053857474" border="0" /></a><center><b><i>"Felice ~ Felix ~ Phil"</i></b></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yhnXdcJjI/AAAAAAAAAY4/ya1Te-eZLWc/s1600/Destination+Pozzallo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-yhnXdcJjI/AAAAAAAAAY4/ya1Te-eZLWc/s320/Destination+Pozzallo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470925345032775218" border="0" /></a><center><b><i>"Destination Pozzallo"</i></b></center>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-9804613938508942522010-05-09T20:40:00.005-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.918-04:00Mother's Day 2010...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-dW3CSdiMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/NiiRaUt5ndI/s1600/mothers+day.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S-dW3CSdiMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/NiiRaUt5ndI/s400/mothers+day.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469435775971854530" /></a><center><b><i>"Mother's Day"<br><br></center></b></i>Today is the second Mother's Day since my mom's passing in January 2009. There was a lot of activity on facebook with everyone wishing their moms, aunts, wives, friends, and sisters and Happy Mother's Day, and feeling a little envious of those who still have their mom, I decided to spend some time in the studio creating a tribute to my mother. Oddly enough, the piece did not just flow out of me ~ on the contrary, it was a day of struggle where nothing seemed to go right. I worked on this simple and very grey piece for around 3 hours until reaching point where I knew it was time to stop.<br><br>I never start out with the idea for a composition in my mind before starting a piece. I usually just place the objects on the page and juggle them around until the composition feels right. After contemplating this composition for some time, I noticed how I had placed the photo of my mother beside the empty frame, rather than inside it....<br>Happy Mother's Day mom. I miss you and I love you.<br>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349088520355609492.post-5633120677429603912010-05-02T19:11:00.005-04:002011-11-01T18:31:51.919-04:00Pyromaniac at work....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S94JrVQQ-cI/AAAAAAAAAX8/9I9emBk_6A8/s1600/privincia+di+ragusa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S94JrVQQ-cI/AAAAAAAAAX8/9I9emBk_6A8/s400/privincia+di+ragusa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466817637718751682" /></a><center><b><i>Provincia di Ragusa</center></b><br />Note to self~ Next time you choose a new medium to work in, make sure it has nothing to do with HEAT.</i><br><br />It was almost 90 degrees today outside and around 190 degrees in my top floor, sun-drenched, low-ceilings, skylit, heat trap of a studio. On top of that, add the heat from my two hotplates and heat gun and you have one heck of a hot situation. Determined to make the best of it and get some work done I drew all the curtains, covered the skylights with paper, put the exhaust fan in the window, and propped the Vornado on the floor blowing in my direction. With a liter of ice cold seltzer within reach, finally, I am ready to begin.....<br><br>So without planning anything too ambitious, I finished a small "quartet" of 2" X 2" panels and started a new horizontal piece. Ironically, although I have little tolerance for the heat, I seem to always work in a medium that has to do with 'heating things up'. After spending years in boiling hot kiln rooms making ceramics, I am now hunched over a 250 degree hot plate with a heat gun in my hand. Now that summer is upon us, I'd better put my thinking cap on and come up with a good plan to keep my work space cool and well ventilated....or I might just be working on mono-prints all summer.....<br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S94J7Z7kQnI/AAAAAAAAAYE/g8SINwWl7XM/s1600/family+four.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hEU2mhbkF9I/S94J7Z7kQnI/AAAAAAAAAYE/g8SINwWl7XM/s400/family+four.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466817913852019314" /></a><center><i><b>Family Four</center></b></i>JoAnne Ruggerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971202557831405047noreply@blogger.com0