Pieces of Art

My First...

2011-10-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest model friends came to visit and a quick location shoot this weekend.

Rebecca Lawrence was my very first Model Mayhem booking way back in the summer of 2007 and has been an annual tradition ever since, except in '10 due to her extensive international travel and east coast concentration. A North Carolina girl living and based out of Brooklyn, she has been on the art modeling scene full time since 2006 working with some of the most respected artist on our planet. I basically live her traveling experiences vicariously thru her blogs and images.

So after some italian food and a couple bottles of red and a whole lot of catching up on our lives of the past two years we finally managed to get some sleep and get a fresh start the next morning and hit a location on the ocean bluffs near my home and get some shots in the grey foggy environment.

Always a great time with Rebecca and a hell of a inspiring model and photographer. Every year is never complete until my good friend is in the picture, literally and figuratively.

photo displayed is from 2008, © Art Silva

The Brand New of the Old Work

2011-10-10T23:51:00.000-07:00

Last week I had a few days off from work and decided to explore my archive. Many many photoshoots I have done this year that has yet to be fully inspected.
I was also going back as far a four years back to other shoots that have been overlooked and found some gems. I don't know but I tend to think that some images change in my minds eye over time or I approach images differently each time I view them and see new things, some I like some I don't and then some I like again.
Well such the case with this image of Amanda that I shot in 2007, After I finally pulled the raw file out I studied the possibilities and worked with it by recomposing, cropping, and perfecting the tones then wham, I had a "new" image.
It's a daunting thought that I may have images to last me years, untouched film frames, raw files that are potential works of art (pun intended) from dozens and dozens of shoots I have done in the last decade.
Maybe time to generate some payoff for all those bookings I saved for... can I say gallery shows and books may be in my future?! ;)

RIP to our own modern DaVinci

2011-10-06T00:59:00.000-07:00

WTF!

2011-10-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I don't know what the fuck is going on with my images here. I't's not like they are linked and moved. Blogger's server must have lost them... crap!
I hate when this shit happens, don't know whether to spend the time to locate and edit in the images I had chosen or just forget about it... ugh!

2011-09-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

New work teaser with the very talented and lovely Zinn Star shot last weekend...

Genders in FineArt Nude Modeling

2011-09-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

A question and was raised in my mind from one of my blog sites about nude modeling between genders, a great blog if you get the chance to check out.

Here's the blog I'm referencing to:

http://www.universdartistes.com/2011/09/nude-modelling-womans-world.html

So why are females and not males the majority of all fine-art nude subjects, or nude modeling period? I guess the same question could be raised in mainstream modeling as well but lets stick to the artistry of nude studies on this one.

Personally I have been idolizing female nudes in classic art since I can remember.

I am 49 now and for 35+ tears I have studied works in museums, books and galleries of nudes and the female form has always been more dynamic to my eye.

When I started drawing, painting, sculpting and photographing from life studies it was always the female form that seemed more enjoyable and pleasing to what I was doing and wanted to accomplish.

Don't get me wrong, there are amazing and stunning male forms and art out there and they do present a different level of skill to capture successfully but 90% of the time my work always went towards the women I chose to work with.

I absolutely love sitting in an art studio with my large drawing boards and charcoal totally focused on the model in front of me and studying the form, contour and light fall on every part of the figure whether it's female or male... What ever the reason is I always found my creative flow working best with a woman on that stage.

When it comes to photography and most mediums I work in, it is very hard to find that perfect male subject to work with. Physically and traditionally my mind the male form has to show godly strength like in Michelangelo's works.

The female form to me has adaptive qualities in line and shape, more fluidity and rhythm in it's beauty where the male form has more hard lines and complexities.

What do you think?

If you are an artist, why do you work with who you do and what are the differences for you?

If you are a model, what are your experiences or thoughts on this?

Trying out a new (new to me) Photoshare site

2011-09-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

With my ever so growing disappointments with Flickr over the years I have maybe finally found a replacement to host and display my work as they happen.

The community looks to be more conducive to photographers and their art, unlike Flickr where anyone and their pervy uncle can lurk and share self pics of their junk just because they think a fine-art nude is something to remove your pants to.

If you belong to 500px.com come add me, as long as you have something to share back :)

http://500px.com/artsilvaphoto

So Much Beauty, So Little Time...

2011-09-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

model: Katja Gee
© Art Silva photo

I have lately lost energy in editing images. Maybe because of working everyday and the fact that playing on the internet is so damn easy and takes no effort, at least to me.
Sometimes I think that the more technology improves and the easier it gets, the more lazy we get as a society.
I have noticed this in me, where I sit down at my desk in front of my laptop or on my iPhone and I instantly start logging onto my emails, modeling/photography messages and blogs and before you know it I have blown a few hours with procrastination sickness, ugh!
I could really use my limited time more efficiently obviously.

Time for internet rehab :P

2011-08-16T18:03:00.001-07:00

Testing 1-2-3

trying out this new Ping account to consolidate social network posts.

~Art

Dead Tweet aka, social networks are killing me.

2011-08-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, NOW I have WAY too much going on online...

My Website

Twitter,

Tumblr,

Google+,

Wordpress,

ARTnudes network blog,

ModelMayhem, including iStudio and what ever else branches from MM,

Blogger,

Flickr,

DeviantART,

Photo.net,

Picasa,

Instagram,

Photivine,

Photobucket,

MobileMe,

StumbleUpon,

Vimeo,

YouTube,

PixelEx,

FineArtAmerica

…among other god knows what things I belong too that I cant think of right now.

Thank god I don't have FB!

Geez, NO WONDER I can't get any work done! [ugh]

Time to re-evaluate my place online, streamline my presents and simplify my web flow because I have a lot of back log photo work piling up and it's getting crazy.

I REALLY need to concentrate on my west and get some kind of revenue going through that.

Now that I have all the tools for building a photo income I just need to organize and weed out the weak links as far as whats efficient for the cause and what's not.

Spring cleaning is coming 8 months early this year, or am I just late from last spring, haha.

Wish me luck!

New Katlyn

2011-07-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the watermark but I'm not comfortable posting this photo on any blog without some sort of protection. I have had photos stolen before and it's a pain trying to get them back under control, besides I may one day sell prints and I would like to keep my work somewhat exclusive.

Katlyn Lacoste

2011-07-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

It was well worth the wait. Miss Katlyn on a road trip in her own car this time came to my house for a long over due and oh so amazing photo shoot.
In short I will say that the inspiration is even more amazing in real life... this girl know how to pose her ass off.
Thank you my friend for a very eventful weekend.

more photos to come somewhere in my many web places ;)

Test shot pre shoot

2011-07-14T14:31:00.001-07:00

Test shot pre shoot, a photo by ART  on Flickr.

Did a series of exposure test shots in this particular setting.
Even candid practice exposures Meghan just looks fantastic. A testament to her natural ability to model beautifully without even trying.

Blog Neglect

2011-07-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I really need to pay more attention to this blog account, I have missed so much in my absence due to the fact I also have a Tumblr and a Twitter that takes up my networking time as well as model mayhem and flickr.

I also have to update my ARTnudes network blog... ugh to much on my plate, so little time!

I guess I need to focus on what each blog should be about, maybe change up some content and why I need all these accounts and somehow integrate all of it to my website.

Anyways here's a recent image I did since I last blogged here in early April.

The lovely Katja Gee on my dining room floor :)

Neked is bad... According to...

2011-04-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, so Photobucket has locked me out oft folders for some inspirational fine art nudes I have up. On my iPhone I am able to see some but the ones that showed any hint of breast and pubic area are flagged over with the image/content violation thing. Oh well, I don't have pictures of bouquets and puppies so I guess that account is done, haha.

model: Zinn Star
photo by: (Me) Art Silva

Summer is here, I think...

2011-04-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Today felt like the first day of summer, woohooo happy days...

Been super busy lately with trips, photoshoots and neglecting home projects and photo processing.
Look for tons of new stuff coming soon!

model: Floofie
photo by: Me, ©Art Silva

Spring my Ass!!!

2011-03-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's raining cats and dogs here in Santa Barbara with huge storm winds, flash floods and beach erosion on top of that... Hell isn't today suppose to be the first day of spring? More like the dead of winter, again!

Anyways, looks like an indoor "project" kind of day.

© Art Silva

What a Fun-Ass Day that was!!!

2011-03-15T18:17:00.001-07:00

Going through my archives for my website content when I came across this forgotten gem of a fun as hell yet gorgeous model friend Kymberly… sort of a self portrait if you look closely, shot on my backyard deck.

Uninhibited, hilarious, goofy, crazy, hot, sexy, heart stealer, classic, erotic and naked all day are some of the words that come to mind when describing my experience with this young woman :)

model: Kymberly Jane

Wishing for a Muse...

2011-03-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while a new inspiration comes along. Model muses in figure art creations are not as common as one might think. It's one thing to shoot a naked woman but another to connect beyond the "camera to model" thing. Chemistry and Energy and an understanding of expectations of the art being created.

Along came Katja last week to my studio. 5 foot 10 of wonderful natural beauty and a willingness to learn and create. A natural beauty who bleeds raw artistry and ideas and just a pleasure to work with.
Two whole days of creative bliss and experimentation, our two heads literally collaborating on imagery.

Thank you Kat, I love what and who you are and the inspiration you give me. Look forward to many more sessions.

Returning to Past Inspirations

2011-03-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

Sitting down with my morning coffee going through some old digital files, things I posted on flickr almost six years ago.

I found a few digital scans of my other artwork, mainly figure studies in different mediums like acrylic on canvas, sketchings and quick studies, charcoal and/or pastels on paper, long study sculptured in clay….

This one I did back on ‘05, pretty much a ten minute warm-up study, a good practice in foreshortening.

I really need to get back into other forms of art studies, lately I feel all I do is with my camera.

Model: Heather

2011-03-03T23:07:00.000-08:00

Who here has a Tumblr account???

I just started one yesterday in my never ending desire to blog my photography, I am trying my damnedest to get on a regular schedule to do this.

For now I am comparing Blogger with my new Tumblr.

If any of you have some insights on the two, please feel free to shout out here :)

Photo is of the incredible Michelle A. and my way of shadow playing on her amazing and toned figure.

My Tumbler:
http://artsilvaphoto.tumblr.com/

© Art Silva

Back for a Quicky

2011-02-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

Again, a long time since my last post. I visit daily and enjoy blog posts from my contacts as the come but I end up bailing the desire to post.
The desire is always there but the mind is tired!

See y'all in another month :P

The image is a quick grey-scale scan from a color negative... a foggy morning at the park.
btw, thank you Zoe for the scanner, it works great!!!

Simplifying in 2011, Quantity to Quality

2011-01-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

So with the new year comes new approaches to things we do.

Lately I have been wondering about my approach to photography and what i want out of it. Why do I have all this stuff (gear, cameras) and what is the benefit of having collected decades of things I barely use?
I don't see high fashion in my future and SLRs and DSLRs are in my world, Overkill at this point and I no longer go out and do photojournalism like I used to justify me having the latest and greatest fast gear.

I am realizing that it's all about the image now. Slowing down and composing each shot rather than rapid fire and pick the best of the bunch to post edit.
2010 brought me back to basics by picking up the old Hasselblad and spot meters, selecting and loading the film and really think about how I want the final print to look before I look through the viewfinder.

Right now I am happy with my Hassy film body but at the same time I have my sights on a Leica M9 for digital capture, which means I would have to sell all my SLR and DSLRs to afford it.
M9 is a classic rangefinder with a digital sensor in place of the film back. No bells and whistles like the popular machines in the shops just plain photography that requires the user to use his/her brain instead of a computer setting, and in the Leica tradition it is a "photographer's camera" and less assuming to use anywhere.
I also have my sights on a 4x5 field camera for landscape based photography.

I am in a constant debate with the direction photography is taking. Is the line between artist and snapshooter becoming blurred? I think so with the technology of the machines we use. I started to become lazy in my approach to photo creation and started thinking on how wonderful it was when I was a kid to learn and see my final print come to life in the darkroom.
I miss that raw feeling that comes from knowing I did everything right inside the camera.

Holiday Nude Honor

2010-12-25T17:44:00.000-08:00

screen shots - Dec. 24, 2010

I logged in last night to the ARTnudes Network to see what's new and to my surprise my image was chosen this week for the front page feature. Yeay!

Thanks Zoe and staff for the nice honor and making my xmas eve a nice one.

Old School Techniques in New Tech Devices

2010-12-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

In my quest to go back to basics in our new digital world, I have been resurrecting old photo gear and techniques.
Shooting film on manual cameras is a science. It's all about metering and getting the exposure just right at the point of the source.
Finding a reliable spot meter to use with my Hasselblad at a decent price is hard to find.

Well today I found a free app for my iPhone that spot meters reflective light, gives me readings and settings to apply to my camera. Not a 1 or even 5 degree spot but good for objects that are within local distance or wide areas to point and read.
Over all it is a decently accurate meter to do bracket readings with and will definitely come in handy. It will save me space in my camera bag, extra wieght as well as $500+ for now, plus it's on my phone so all I need is my hassy and my tripod.

Although not as great as the dedicated 1 degree spot meters by the major manufactures I actually would recommend this app for general use if you have a iPhone, search for Pocket Light Meter.

Re-Transitions

2010-12-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

digital capture from my last photoshoot with Michelle

Going back to film is a hard transition after being dedicated to the digital world for the last 5 or so years.

My photoshoots presently are a mix of DSLR captures and medium format film, with the emphasis on manual film work.

It's not the issue of going back to fundamentals of artistic composition and technical skills required to create a good negative, I actually invite it and is the whole reason I am dusting off the old Hassy, the whole creative and thought process or approach is to me very different and honest.

In my experiences I feel that modern captures rapes the mind of what is deep in our creative minds and skill set… but that is for another discussion.

It is more the gear. I have discovered that some processing equipment is either out of shape, missing or have simply been tossed away in the few spring cleanings over the years.

So after a couple successful shoots this past week I am looking to rebuild my darkroom experience… that is why I have also backed up my sessions with my DSLR just incase, but there lies another issue, unless I scan my negatives I am forced to present my digital captures online for the time being…

So that is where I realized that at this day and age, we can no longer go completely analog. We have to convert film grain into pixels at some point to share or work with the world.

The Zinn of Art

2010-11-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

It took three or four years but I finally had the chance and pleasure of working with the beautiful and talented Zinn Star yesterday.

So before she retires from artistic modeling, it was now or never. Fortunately she was making one last round down the California coast and the timing was perfect as I have a week off from work.

After arriving the night before and some "get acquainted" conversation and a good nights' rest, we were up before the sun and headed out to my favorite local mountain top location, fresh coffee and muffins in hand.
Did about two hours warming up our artistic mojo on digital format all around the natural rocky environment capturing Zinn's posing ability and amazing energy in nature.
Round two had us back at the house, running with that energy in a controlled environment with natural light as well as studio light, this time using digital and medium format film.
The intensity of the energy we had at the mountain was compressed into one room and in turn electrified the photos and photo session.
I swore that I was tiring her out with my direction but in all actuality it was the opposite. To be honest it was me that was trying to keep up with her intensity level... could of been the low blood sugar levels from just operating on a cup o coffee and a scone. It was then that I re-discovered that full time models are generally more fit than most photographers... and I'm an athlete, go figure!

Much respect for all the talented models like Zinn, especially artistic models who go to the lengths it takes to create art with their bodies for the camera.

Thank you my friend! like I told you, you are a rock star in my eyes and I was blessed by your presents and talent and beauty.

Back From The Internet Black Hole...

2010-10-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, It has been 1 year and 4 days since I last logged in. Sorry to those few friends and contacts I have.

To tell you the truth I got overwhelmed last year with all the online "stuff" I belong to and Blogger just basically was forgotten and neglected. I'm not sure if and when my next post will be after this and If I decide to keep it. I have to take inventory of my accounts and blog sites.

Lots have happened since Oct 2009 but I can save most for future blog entries.
I have not been shooting as much as I like. This recession has limited my travel and photo shoot expenses.
I have also decided to move away from digital photography and back into medium format film.
All those techniques and manual formulas that took me a lifetime to learn started to slip away the more I shot with my DSLRs. Lazy habits that I vowed never to fall victim to started to appear.

Until I can get a decent film scanner or my darkroom set up, I will not be able to post any film shot images.
For now I will still do all my standard shoots with my Nikon digitals. My Hasselblad work is saved for my new project (more on that some other time)

Here is the latest from a shoot I did with my local muse and girlfriend of hers.

A lazy afternoon in my bedroom with two lovely young women with great chemistry makes for a great day, and my photo practice. ;)

Well hope I don't wait another year to post anything so till then to all my friends here, I miss you and hope to talk to you soon!!!

con-"artist"

2009-10-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

This is a story you have to read to believe. A flickr contact I have who does illustration portraits for the Wall Street Journal has a thief and a copyright violator in Spain who is making nice a living out of her hard work among others.
Please read, especially all you artist out there:

http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/jose-maria-cano-is-con-artist-he-uses.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noli/4009517833/

Gimme Back my Bullets (originally posted on my ArtNudes blog)

2009-09-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

It was easier when I shot film, the quantity was less to choose from when building portfolios. I feel I spent the whole weekend re inventing and selecting my artistic nude and glamour portfolios with no results yet. I still am partial to my old film work but want to keep my selection fresh and up to date. Ugggh what to do, what to do?!

Since I went digital 4 or so years ago the number of images shot through the roof because of ease and instant results... with film, the quantity and quality ratio is alot different, at least for me. The attention to detail and composition "in the camera" was more critical and time consuming and lets not forget the processing fun, ohhh the wonderful smell of developer... I envy anyone who still have their darkrooms and film tanks, I miss mine!

Lions who changes colors.

2009-09-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

Getting bored with my portfolios again but to damn lazy to spend time on them, ugggh!

On another note, I made a dicision to get a Macbook pro and a high end 24" iMac in the next two months... yes Rebecca and Vassanta and all my Mac friends, I'm coming over to the dark side since I am already on the so called dark side of the camera world (Nikons) haha...
I'm going to have to change my blog name now... ummm sooo, 15 month old and fast Dell XPS420 desktop and 24" monitor for sale!!!
;)

Happy long weekend everyone!

*the title is reference to the fact that I'm an impatient Leo right now, haha

"A bird in the hand is..."

2009-08-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

Found this little fella on the deck... poor thing, I think it flew into the window, soooo tiny and barely weighs anything :(
Our backyard host about a dozen of the amazing flying wonders, and they are always entertaining. So hard to get photos of them they are soooo lightning fast

Birthdays and Assholes

2009-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well my birthday yesterday has to go down as one of the most forgetable ever. I knew I should have requested it off from work.
It's never fun to have stressed out customers disrespect and verbally attack you for something beyond ones control. If it weren't for professionalism and me keeping my job, I... ehem, well I'll just say that I had to dig REAL deep to not let the true Leo in me come out.
Oh well, it's a new day now. ;)

Must be a left and right brain thing...

2009-08-08T19:27:00.001-07:00

Holy cow, what a busy month and I am wayyyyy behind in blogging. I don't know where to start so I'll save the adventures for some other time.
Photoshoot after photoshot after photoshoot... then there is the day job filling the rest of the time.

When will the two flip flop financially has always been the question. The day job affords me (barely) to do the passion. It's illogical at this time of economic dispare that I even THINK about trying to go professional in photography, heck I've been doing this intently off and on for 31 years or so since before puberty ;)
I came to the conclusion that marketing and business are not in my DNA, hopefully I can marry that with my art someday soon, it's just a matter of one not taking time from the other.

Toys and Beauty

2009-07-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

I am starting to like the apps for the iPhone. Granted it's not like the real thing but the old camera and toy camera filters on this software are simply too much fun. Best of all they are quick and just basically what they are, a toy!

This shot was a playful moment during our "artistic" nature session. The toy truck was sitting there when we arrived and thought ironically it would make for a great shot, so out came the iPhone with the toy camera app.

My visiting models; Rebecca and Vassanta.

btw, no photoshopping what so ever here, the sun glare is real and the filter is from the app. This is exactly how it came out of the camera (iPhone)... except for the watermark ;)

models in 3G media and big bottom lashes

2009-06-30T20:32:00.001-07:00

So this weekend was a doozie, it began with the arrival of one of my favorite people in the modeling world companioned with another amazing model.
Even with all the artistic photo work we did on saturday, it's the toys of the modern electronic world that had us acting like little geeks, haha... macbook photos for the "macbook models" blog and iPhone app downloading and picture taking can really feed the imagination of photo composition. New tools for the arts!!!
Ahhh what a weekend :)
Thank you Rebecca and Vassanta for a fun time.

You shoot WHAT?!!!

2009-06-10T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is a copy of a post I did tonight on Zoe's new Art Nudes Network blog.

Just as the expanse of the universe begs so many questions so does the subject of nude art and it's participants.
I often wonder if there is a level of perversion in those of us who photograph and pose for the arts.
Respecting the creative mind and the physical form I tend to ask myself if this beauty and appreciation for natures form is a mild form of some kind of raw sexual urge.
Maybe I over think these things for purposes of explaining my art to those who don't indulge in the arts, in fear of being labled something undesirable in society.

What are your thoughts on this and what we do.

Back to my roots

2009-05-31T15:08:00.000-07:00

More often than not I find myself getting lost in modern trends in photographing models meaning content and looks. Blame it on the digital age I guess...
Not that it's wrong but the fact that it tends to make me forget my roots in why I love art and film photography.
Even though I always inject my own artistic vision whether it be a lot or a trace into my fashion, glamour and erotic work, I sometime forget why I got into photography to begin with.
I grew up in a time and in a town where art is a way of life, art classes museums and art history was a big part of grade school curriculum and freedom of artistic expression was in the streets.

Thank goodness for a handful of models I have worked with in the last couple of years who have brought me back to my roots of artistic expression, you know who you are...
It is their artistry in their expression and poses that make me appreciate that art is still alive and well and something I can always ground myself to with their help.

This blogger intended to be my weekly thoughts and experiences but mostly feature my artistic work, hopefully I will keep one wheel on that track from here on out.

Today I am featuring one of my favorite inspiring artist models, Kat. I will feature another model in the next post.

Long live the artistic nude!!!

Naked Ambitions

2009-05-24T00:30:00.000-07:00

Well nothing to report today other than a loooooong week of work and a studio shoot I just booked with Taylor Chandler of Ventura for next saturday. Complete with a MUA we are going to attempt a special body make-up concept she's been wanting to try but was nervous about the nudity since it will be brand new to her, so she chose me to shoot it since I am apparently kinda good at it and have a sudo-studio, (actually I clear out my garage and set up all my studio gear). I actually feel honored to be her first and I will make sure it's a beautiful, professional and fun experience. It will be implied nude art of course.

My other piece of excitement tonight is the discovery of Jody Kovac's Blogger page... speaking of nude modeling, teehee. I wished we were not so far from each other (3hours) because she is one of my favorite people to shoot for her free spirit, adventurous spirit and drop dead gorgeous looks, and so godamn sexy I might add.
Hopefully Jody if you are reading this I still do wanna come back to the desert and spend a day shooting away :)

That's it, I'm gonna go download new apps to my new iPhone ;)
goodnight my bitches... I meant that in a loving way :)

Passing on the Torch

2009-05-17T01:24:00.000-07:00

There are many reminders I encounter of the fact that I am aging.
Today I went down to the beach to attend a race event I have done and competed in since 1992, I have many awards from this race but this year as well as the last three I have sat it out.
I don't race anymore for many reasons... all by choice, but today was more of a revelation.

The outrigger paddling world is one big family and I have made life lasting relationships in the years of this obsession. The lives, events, birthdays, weddings, traveling, new birth, deaths... everything that effected friends families effected all of us. Paddling is what glued us together but it was everything else that made us family, a support system that stretched all around California and Hawaii.
On arriving at the beach looking for familiar faces from the past but I only recognized just a hand full. It wasn't till I walked to a certain area that I saw a few close friends now with families and priorities. Not as many people I would have seen on a weekly bases in the hight of our paddling endeavors but just a few who stuck it out this long.

I then realized that we all grew up. Winning and getting trashed afterwards was a thing of the past.
I no longer desire to be the best paddler or even bust my ass trying. That is left for the new generation of athletes I see on the beach perpetuating this ancient sport and culture... new blood, new energy, new us as we (I) used to be.
Now I know what the older paddlers were all about when I was young looking at them; the masters and senior masters calmly doing there own thing outside of us crazy loud and nutty young punks.

Life is what it is and sometimes reality sets in in the strangest ways.

I'll never stop my desire to be on the ocean in a competitive level or even in a non-competitive level but I have passed on the torch to the new ones. At least I still have box crates of awards, and memories and old friends and ohana (family) to still talk stories with at these events.

Aloha!

Fire and Brimstone...

2009-05-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

A photo assignment from 1984 from film, digitally superimposed figures in 2004 - Santa Barbara Mission

Well the Jury issue I talked about last time is over. On a last minute call I received on Friday I was told my services weren't needed. I guess the a-hole will get the chair without me and minus a likely book deal on my part.
LOL, I guess the attorneys thought my questioner was psychotic and hell damning.

Speaking of Burning In HELL, our little piece of paradise suffered it's third, yes third wildfire in nine months.
Wind driven by 3 days of 40+ mph offshore winds.
Started at one of our most popular mountain hiking trails this fire I actually saw as a puff of smoke and within hours it covered a section of hillside. By the next evening it took over our mountainside and threatened to burn the city itself.
The Jesusita fire was the biggest I've seen in years by sheer numbers of how almost HALF of the city of Santa Barbara had to evacuate. Thank god I live at the ocean 3 miles from the nearest spot blaze.
It was cool seeing the Governator in town with fire crews from all over the state and the grand appearance from the much heralded DC-10 super tanker.
The fire is still going but now 60% contained and out of harms way.

Other private issues had made this week a crazy one but all is looking up now.

I will post something on art and photography on my next blog. just gathering my thoughts now :)

Sweet dreams my lovelies!!!

Permission given to play god... not as fun as you think.!

2009-04-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

The time finally came, the dreaded Jury Summons.
Yesterday I had to leave work at noon to go pay my civic duty to society.
The room was 80 people deep and apparently there are more groups of this size this week at the county courthouse.
After the preliminaries we were whisked upstairs to the courtroom to face the judge and the participating attorneys and defendant in the case we were being interview for.
Well my biggest fears were proving true... all I can say is that it is a case that is very high profile and one of the biggest felony cases in recent local history. A movie was recently made about this person and the events.
My biggest concern is that at $18.00 allowance per day for 2 maybe 3 months of mental agrivation, I will pretty much be homeless, jobless and hungry. How is this fair when I am pulled away from my life as I know it to decide the fate of someone I do not know? Who is the punished here??? While the lawyers are making a fortune in this case, us in the jury box who are the ones most important to the outcome are going broke. Tell me where is the justice in THAT?!!! This is where the system sucks. We would rather spend our tax money on the murderers goodwill than the innocent who are innocently plucked from their pay check to pay check lives to participate in the court room. At least reimburse our daily net wage, geez.

Like I said, there are hundreds being pooled for this case and 12 are selected, i think. I have no desire to give up my day job's income and go through the stress but on the other hand the ones selected will have celebrity status AFTER the verdict is made.
What would you do???

On another note, I did buy a new iPhone this past weekend, yeyyy :)

Damn Crossroads!!!

2009-04-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Okay wow, well this is my first blog of 2009 and I have changed my title. Lets see if this motivates me to be on top of this blogging thing. So much has happened since my last entry and I feel I have been selfish in not sharing.
With new photographic work and new shooting experiences I feel I am building onto an already huge database of knowledge and experiences that it's a sin not to share with aspiring colliques.

I am still after 30 years of shooting trying to find my place in the photographic arts world. It's a fustrating feeling that I have no real direction of where to take it. I feel a I have all the fundimental skills to do anything I want but my artistic vision and desires changes with the weather. Some say I have a style but I still don't see what they mean since I tend to shoot everything in whatever, whenever.
My problem I guess is that shoot for the passion, the spontinaety and simply the joy of capturing what comes across my lens.

I need help... my name is Art and I am a photography addict, I have a desise of being a photography whore! haha.

Wow that was deep, oh well ;)

I have a dream!...♦

2008-12-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

So I had this dream last night where I was just hanging out in front of Borders book store with a friend or someone I know, and sitting at the table right next to me reading a book in inconspicuous street clothes was Barack Obama.
Well we just started chatting with normal conversation, no politics just some story telling and luaghs. It was awesome. After talking about photography and things he mentioned that he was in search of someone to do some official portraits of him, I had mentioned a pro photographer here in town that specializes in portraiture and environmental portraits...god what was I thinking??? duhhh, helloooo!!!
Anyways, when I awoke I thought about the dream wondering why I had that dream, then it dawned on me that it was the anniversary almost to the day where I had a very real encounter with the last democratic president elect back in 1992...a story for another time.

yes that's my hungover ass next to Bill but we both are sportin white B-ball caps :)

hmmm, I wonder if my sub-conscious spirit is also a democrat, cool!!!

who's your daddy...

2008-12-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

Very often I ponder my place in life. Why are things the way they are and how is it that I am this particular crappy peice of the universeral puzzle.

More specifically why do I have to be at someone elses disposal instead of my own?

Time, money, [oh god yeah money, more and more I believe that money, not love definitely makes the world go around...think about it].

As I was planning out my upcomming LA trip, I am discovering that I no longer control my life, my time. Things of passion are limited rather than gradually nurtured.

I guess if one is lucky enough to have their own "career", things like this would not be an issue. I could be wrong but MY career is at the front door and I am tied up naked to the bed posts like some cheap hooker.

In theme of being whipped and controlled, today's photo is of Jeska Vardinski who I will be working with on the 13th at the Hot Wheels Super Shoot. Also picured is the late and great Celeste Coleman who we lost back in march, R.I.P. my friend, I miss you sweety.

This was shot at our Naked RockStar photoshoot a year ago.

My first blog....Ever!!!

2008-11-29T22:26:00.000-08:00

Since it seams that this is the direction of mass communication among friends and contacts are headed, I figured I'd join in the dance.

Hello, my name is Art and this is my attempt to document my activities and adventures in my life as a photographer. A journal to look back on for many reasons and to share any stories worth telling in the pursuit of the continued exploration of my life long passion. Hopefully I can force myself to sit down often enough to keep it fresh and flowing. Time has always been an issue with me when it comes to things like this.

There may not be many or rather real interesting entries compared to that of some friends I have here, nor will they be cleverly written as if I have a B.S. in linguistics from Berkeley. However they will be my honest views and visions expressed in the best way I know.

So here we go, lets see if I can commit to this. Keeping a personal Journal has always been a fleeting thought but like they say; better late than never! This will also be a good chance to reminisce and maybe bring old thoughts, hopefully wise thoughts and events to present time.