My Annual Blog Post

Tags

art, creating, creativity, humour, inspiration, life, Photography

There you have it. The title speaks volumes.Where am I going? What am I doing and why have I come back? There lies in me an innate desire to create. Yea, just create, my procreation days are well behind me and the vas deferens has been long ago rendered inoperable. Too much information? You’d be surprised at what a great pick up line that used to be.

I digress

Yes, to create. Not the creativity required to earn a living. I do that every day through my paper; the Take 5 coffee house paper, my photography business; Positive Images, my design studio; Strange Trip Studios or my other creative ideas to generate revenue streams. Spoken like a true business man, eh? The thing is, I don’t like the business side of creativity. I am good at it because I need to be but mostly I’m a disorganized, head in the clouds Pisces (I say that as if it will explain everything). Yes, new age mumbo jumbo does come in handy from time to time.

I’m here, today, in this moment because that innate desire is overwhelming me today and I am seeking any outlet I can to be creative. I’ve done live periscope broadcasts, I recorded my Jazz Cafe radio show yesterday (you can listen to the show live on 93.1 CFIS FM or stream it at  www.cfisfm.com or even listen to it via podcast HERE) and today I write.

Then my ADHD like symptoms kick in and I am suddenly looking at a shiny thing on another tab or I get this sudden idea about a project or I realize I didn’t finish what I was doing a few minutes ago because I started writing this damn blog post!

Ah yes, the blog post.

Each year I say to myself (and sometimes others that won’t harangue me) that I should write more posts. That I should look after my social media streams better, that I should, should should. it really isn’t that good to should all over oneself.

This may or may not be the only post I do for the year. I may become a prolific writer and garner thousands upon thousands of followers be sought after by publishers fr book deals, speaking engagements and lead spiritual retreats to help everyone access their inner guru and….yea, you get the picture. It could happen. Actually, being a firm believer in the power of The Secret, I believe it could if I want it to and I do the work around it.

I think, right now, I am going to find a way to record my heartbeat when I see my lovely muse (it still skips), transpose it onto five or so small canvases and paint, trace or something…

More will be revealed.

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What Have I Been Up To?

Tags

Alter Ego, art, creativity, inspiration, life, new, Photography, studio, writing

I have been a relatively busy boy, aside from my sofa spud nights. I s’pose it would prove fruitless to update all that has transpired in the last month or so. Here are the highlights;

• Going to Greece – specifically; Mykanos, Thira and Athens. We will be there for a little over a week.
• I have been able to shoot 3 models in the Alter Ego series; a wiccan (witch), a clown and a cat. Rough images will be posted here.
• Busy with freelance stuff, catalogue, digitizing large artworks….etc etc. I want to spend more time on the SpeeDee social media stuff.
• I have let the other blog for the HQ Prince George lapse into obscurity. Well, pretty much into oblivion. There are no posts to be had.
• I have a piece in the Ekphrasis show at the Groop Gallery

It is my hope that I can hook up with fellow bloggers while I trek around the Aegean. I believe it would be fun to sit by the sea, drink coffee and share stories.

Here are a few items I am working on. Be warned that these are rough images with the green screen still not keyed out.

 

Collective Art Challenge

Tags

art, camera, creating, creativity, inspiration, layers, Photography, Photoshop, quick art, textues

I did it! I just finished the Red Bull Collective Art Challenge.   I am spent. It was a bit of a grueling exercise in patience. Not my strong suit, I assure you. If patience is a virtue, I am not very virtuous. My first time slot was to have been last night at 8:00pm PST but I think I forgot to change the time zone and it went to London time or UTC 0:00, I am -8:00. Believe me, I understand time zones now. I think, maybe, a little. Anyway, the good folks at Red Bull allowed me to reschedule my time slot and I did so for today at 12:00 noon. Time zone correct – check, waiting for the email reminder – check, green screen up and ready – check (my muse bore the brunt of my impatience on that one, I am amazed she still put up with me and my childishness) coffee – check, cigarettes – check. I AM READY! Then the internet goes down. REALLY!?! WTF! I was livid. I did manage to get tech support and get it going again, but, when I tried to download the template for my time slot, it was gone. I thought it had been missed. I took down the backdrop, moped around and then on a whim, I tried it. There it was, ready to download. I was excited, and then I saw what the other artist had left me. I got a tiny strip of a grey scale meadow situated on the left hand side of the template. Good gawd, I thought, what am I going to do with this? I looked at the time remaining; 223. Two hundred and twenty three, what? 2:23 minutes? 22.3 minutes? No, 223.0 minutes! I was ecstatic. Until I again looked at the small strip of the last work uploaded.

I can’t explain how an artist’s mind works, hell, I can’t explain how my own mind works. Just grateful it does. So, I set to work, I put the backdrop up, with help from my ever so patient muse. I took some self portraits and a few shots of my best bud, Santana (dog), from there I let things stew. then it came to me….from meadow to what? City? Can the meadow form from my blowing hair? What shots do I have in my own stuff can I use? A castle!! Yes, a castle. And then it went.

What you see here is the finished image submitted. AND, I had 90 minutes left. Believe me, it is tough work. I could gear up all week but I had no clue what I was to build on, how do I prepare? I had thoughts of many other cool things like a sculpture I might wish to do one day. I mentioned that I had an idea for a metal sculpture to Miss Muse and although my back was turned, I think she must have rolled her eyes or at the very least rolled them in a covert inner way.

I digress.

Here, my friends, is the finished piece.

The Icicles Cometh

Tags

creating, creativity, icicle, inspiration, life, Photography, spring

Did I spell icicles correctly? I looked it up and promptly forgot it within the 3 seconds it took me to put down my phone and sit here. No matter. I will call it intentional unintentional mis-spellification.

It is spring. So you ask, why icicles? Well, in the far north, we still have much snow. The picnic table in the park is all but buried, still and there is little bare ground, if any, about. This is why I share these two images. The evening before I shot these, I was relaxing in the hot tub and noticed the light from the laundry room reflecting off something under the deck and was mesmerized by the way the icicles hanging from the underside of the decking seemed so much like stalactites found in old limestone caves. I made a note to myself to go play with images in the morning. This was last weekend and although it is still cool, they have gone the way of Frosty on that spring day.

Of course, I tweeked the images in Lightroom and Photoshop. But hey, why not. Mother Nature gives me the goods and I make it even better. If there is a possibility to do that.

I might add that the weather has warmed up considerably today and it appears that spring is finally arrived. I heard the first robin of the season and if anyone should see that furry rat bastard Wyarton Willie or his equally sketchy accomplice Puxatony Phil, nab them and bring them before a jury let them stand trial for fraud. Six weeks my ass. Little rats.

Shoot Hazy and Ethereal Photos Using a Sandwich Bag and Colored Markers

Tags

creating, creativity, diy, dogs, ethereal, filters, inspiration, Photography

Shoot Hazy and Ethereal Photos Using a Sandwich Bag and Colored Markers.

Stay tuned cats! I think I will be trying this on the weekend.  Now to find willing guinea piggies! (insert evil laugh here). Oh my poor doggies. What heinous photographic torture will I put them through during my 4 days off.

None.

They never listen anyway Getting them to sit still for photos is like trying to put an octopus to bed. Not that I have any practical experience in that but the idea does seem somehow apropos.

Peace

A Book?

Tags

Alter Ego, book, creating, creativity, inspiration, life, Photography, studio

I have decided it is time to do a photo essay book. The Alter Egos sessions have got me thinking. Why not?

No Reason.

Why now?

Why not now?

I am sure this will be a hell of a journey. I may as well get it going while I have the space.

A book?

Yea

Why the hell not.

I will be offering up some teaser images from the book from time to time. Thus far, I have shot Krista, whose other self was that psychotic killer that some many have inside us. Next week I will shoot Breanna and will offer a single tease image from that one. I have, so far, the psycho, the warrior woman, the happy girl, the bad girl, the addict/alky and I know there are many many more. So, if you are in PG and have a desire to explore your true other self, drop me a line.

Here is a glimpse of the first shoot

Michael Kast
Strange Trip Studios 2013

Creative Days

Tags

art, camera, creating, creativity, inspiration, life, paint, painting, Photography, studio, writing

I have decided that some time off from my “real job” was in order. I needed time to re-energize. Was I feeling stressed? No. Was I feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, over worked or any of the multitude of negative things associated with a guy needing to take some time off? No no no and no. What I did need was time at home during the winter, time when I can actually step out and see a little sun light. Time away from fluorescent lights and humming of machines, ringing of phones, business emails and client demands. I needed a mini sabbatical. At first, a week. Then, I realized I have enough vacay pay to make it worth my while. So, I added the second week as well. The hustle and bustle of holiday time is NOT a restful time. People visiting, we visit others, parties, shopping, celebrations, dinners dances and all that social nonsense is enough to drive me back to work.

I have decided to do something fun. Each day, I will strive to be creative. I will do something each day that draws on my creative nature. It can be painting, like this one here, based on the image I shot while in Toronto last August. Here is the progression of that particular piece.

So far, so good. I have been able to write a blog post for work and a local media outlet, an interview with local artist Carol Whetter and her jump from part time to full time artist. I will be posting the link to that interview later on. Perhaps in my Weekly Photo Challenge post. I have also been more aware, I go through those phases that all artists do. The creative stagnation phase. It is a horrendous phase that seems to suck the life right out of me. I know in my spirit I want to create but I can’t seem to get my imagination going. I needed a kick start. This mini hiatus has done just that. When I walk into my studio, it is time to work. No messing about. I was inspired by Carol and the interview she gave. I also came across this bumper sticker from Northern Sun.  I am, therefore, willing to challenge myself. To work. I do not wish to be some sort of flighty, half artist, pro wannabee. I am happy to say that, so far, I have been able to keep the creative juices flowing.

Artwork IS Work

My eyes seem to have re-opened. I am “seeing” shit. Not in my old LSD laced visions of the past. I am able to see tings differently. I can look past the trees and see the forest. Speaking of trees, I shot this last night. I know I can do better. I have a few ideas on how I can make the moon a little less exposed and still not lose the detail in the tree or lose the stars altogether. I had posted it here and gotten some rave reviews. I am not so sure I would rave as much as some but it isn’t too bad a shot for an “on the fly in the bitter cold without a coat” kinda way.

I will keep creating. Whether I have a day job or not. I will create because it is fulfilling my primary purpose. Sometimes, I just need a reminder of why I am here.

Peace

 

 

I Have Been Inspired

Tags

art, community, creativity, inspiration, involvement, joining, life

Inspired to create more, get involved with local arts organizations and be less, I would say introverted but that won’t happen. How about more out going, congenial and social. This, this is gonna hurt.

I have my friend, Carol, to thank for the inspiration. I have known Carol for a few years now. We worked together. She was in sales and I do whatever it is I do. She always has a laugh, good vibe and her remarks often cause me to look at a situation in a more compassionate and understanding way. That pisses me off. The hmmm moment.

The reason I have Carol to thank, is she and fellow artist Greg Bradacs, who is a phenomenal carver and visual artist, had their opening of “The Shades of Life” exhibition last evening. I had to attend. I knew Carol was talented but I didn’t know how talented. She did ink drawings of whales and attached them to used metal printing plates. The theme of her work was communication. with little indentations to show not only waves of water but waves of sound. The whales communication on a medium we humans use for visual communication. It was stunning. Both artists are outstanding.

The Prince George Community Arts Council is, I have been told, a wonderful organization that supports local and regional artists. Check out the site and you may do what I am going to do this day, join. That is, if you are reading this and are a local artist.

There are times when I feel as if things are moving past or around me and I get frustrated at the lack of exposure. I then realize, like now, I need be proactive. I need to suit up and show up. I need to address some of my fears and apprehensions and become more vulnerable. Become vulnerable amongst my peers. They are my peers, they are my equals as I am theirs.

Thanks to Carol, I am off my ass and out the door to join! Yea!

I also have a honey do list that seems to go on forever. Damn, no lazy day for me.

Peace

Art…Gone To The Dogs

Tags

blog, creativity, dogs, humour, life, paint, pets, Santana, Saydee, studio

We have a very creative household, the Muse and I. I paint, she bakes, I do my photography and she suggests awesome poses and ideas for shots, I write, she sews, I make videos and she crochets. Our grandson Huxley will be exposed to all those and more creative outlets. Why then did I give this post that particular title? Because, I had not anticipated the dogs getting involved in any artistic endeavours. Sure they make little brown sculptures and yea they do awesome woodworking with their teeth and yes, they even try their paws (mouths) at high fashion design by using existing mitts, socks, pants, underwear, panties…etc etc. I must say, they, especially Santana, are quite good at it. I was, however slightly surprised that they wanted to paint. That is correct. Paint. Firstly, while they made noises like they were playing, they or more likely, Santana, noticed that dad had left the cupboard open.

An enticing temptation to any artistic dog, to be sure.

Kat (my Muse) and I were just about, after a lovely day of craft fair surfing, to head out for our date night, when the transgression was discovered. A bottle of Golden, Sap Green was laying, punctured, on the carpet of the studio. (YES, YES, I have carpet in my studio. For the time being.) That wasn’t so bad, no green doggie lips or sick pooches.

And then Kat saw Saydee. Saydee with the green paws.

 If you ask me, It looks like dogs really are colour blind.  Why do I base the assertion on this episode? Of all the colours available. They (probably Santana) had to have picked not only green, but, probably the most horrendous shade of green that Golden makes. Not only did we have to wash her paws but when we got back, Kat began scrubbing the carpet. YES, again. I am a bad bad artist with carpet in the studio!

Here are the two culprits looking guilty and wanting to be helpful after all the trouble caused. I believe they know what they are doing. They are way to smart not to. Now I have a beautiful and creative muse AND some scheming, crazy, artistic pets.

 

 

 

 

 

Peace