Two weeks ago on a
Saturday afternoon after several snags, snafus and sidetracks I was
finally able to deliver six large prints to Once Upon A Paintbrush,
the gallery in Bryan Ohio that is featuring my work in a show that
officially starts October 5, 6-9 PM. That day I also made some
promotional images for the gallery and show.
Before the shoot, we were caught in one more snag, there was one print for the show that hangs vertically. When we unwrapped it, and turned it over it was set up to be hung horizontally. Ouch it needed to go back to the framer (who at this point I will not name) in Ft Wayne Indiana.
We did the
promo images some of which can be seen on my Facebook page (
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151830005252370&set=a.55218602369.62158.608802369&type=1&theater
)and also the page for Once Upon A Paintbrush. (
https://www.facebook.com/OUAPaintbrush
)By then we were tired and I decided to run the print over on Sunday.
On Sunday, the print took
a trip to the framer, and then back to the gallery, problem solved!
When I arrived Cassandra (the owner) was at her easel working on a
commissioned piece and talking Jennifer, one of the musicians that
will provide music at the show opening. Jennifer plays Classical
Guitar, and I noticed that she had a cool, jade green, form fitting
case for her instrument. We rechecked the print one more time, and
talked about the piece that Cassandra was working on. Then it was
time for me to get going, or so I thought. Well I did leave, at least
for a few minutes. As I drove away, I spotted a burgundy colored wall
about a block from the gallery...
It was Shoot Where You Are
Time!
My mind is always going,
making connections, imagining things. So I pulled into a little
parking lot by the wall and looked around for a couple of minutes.
Hmm, cool green case, burgundy wall, little green tree growing
against the wall ( it may have been a big weed ) and of course the
musician. Back to the gallery I went at a good clip. Cassandra and
Jennifer looked at me a little funny when I walked back inside. Then
I told then about the wall and asked to borrow Jennifer, her guitar
and case, oh and one of the chairs from the gallery. They thought it
was a great idea. Maybe Jennifer didn't feel comfortable driving
over with this nut that she had just met, so while I loaded the chair
into my vehicle she started walking the short block to the wall. I
was about a minute ahead of her so I set the chair along the wall and
had Jennifer sit down with her guitar while I set the green case in
position and let my imagination show me where I might go. It was fun,
and about 300 shots later Jennifer was walking back as I loaded my
gear and the chair for the 32 second ride back to the gallery. I
dropped the chair off, thanked them both and really left this time.
So now it's time to
explain the title of this post, Sailing to the Red Wall. Shooting
where you are is easier when you practice a few basic habits.
Stop where
you are at, be willing to change your plan.
Ask for a
picture, or to get permission to shoot somewhere.
Imagination use it all
the time it's better than texting or TV.
Look for
subjects all of the time and everywhere you are.
Now you know how to sail
to the red wall.
I am still (a kid)