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InFocus 2017 Photographer Hedy Bach
I love sharing the work of other talented artists, writers, musicians and, of course, photographers. Today is a special guest post by one of the 2017 InFocus Photo photographers. I am pleased to introduce Hedy Bach! I first got to know Hedy and her photography two years ago when she submitted and showed her photography at our 2015 InFocus Photo Exhibit and Award. Hedy is a “sloppy Buddhist” and an inspirational woman in the arts. Below you will find a unique guest blog post, entirely in poem, writing about photography. On that note, I pass this post over to Hedy!
HEDY BACH
i photograph daily
i write daily
i upload images daily
i use adobe lightroom & photo apps
and i try to work mainly in camera
i play with my fujx100s & iphone 6
rarely do i go anywhere without a camera
i like small carry-around cameras
ones i can wear like a necklace
i like to feel obscure
i appreciate tripods but rarely use them
in 2011 i began to photograph with intention
before that i made snapshots
as a girl i was always looking
i learned about the surveyed and surveyors
i studied the place of the photograph
i became a visual researcher
i taught fine arts curriculum to education students
and as a researcher i worked with images and story
social justice issues, human rights, and visual ethics matter deeply to me
line up ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach
when i started my blog sloppybuddhist.com
i wanted to compose posts with my images
i wanted to be behind a camera
try another way of visual story telling
every day i began to photograph beauty with intention
beauty that can be consoling, disturbing, sacred, profane;
it can be exhilarating, appealing, inspiring, chilling.
couple ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach
i’m self-taught
i learn from
artists
photographers
photo-journalists
writers
musicians
botanists
bloggers
filmmakers
poets, etc.
mostly i learn along the way
i love
seeing
beauty
in ordinary everyday life
i am a member of two local photography clubs
i attend workshops, talks and competitions
i take free on line learning
i have one to one lessons with photography friends
i continue learning about the taking and making of photography.
resting ~ Lisbon, Portugal ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach
i enjoy street photography
i like people
i like walking and talking with people
it’s enlivening
and i love wandering urban environments
open ~ Dorothy, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach
i also love to be alone
walk my dogs
in early mornings just after dark
my magic hour
i love the land
being outside
in a room without a roof
Physalis peruviana ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach
i photograph in my home
i don’t need to be away to find beauty
of course i enjoy being in front of something different
being in various spaces and places
i am grateful for the opportunities that having a camera has given me.
17-01-10
by hedy
me elsewhere
sloppybuddhist
hedy bach;s alberta
Hedy Bach’s Street Photography: A verb…
Hedy Bach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hedybach
What makes you a Curious Artist?
Kids are curious – although my five-year-old just told me that she knows more than me. Apparently she has the answer to everything. I laugh to myself. It has begun already! She seems so young to think she knows it all…
Do you still find yourself curious? Or do you know everything? That’s a rhetorical question!
Let’s see what Leo Burnett, the famous American advertising executive, has to say about curiosity. Next in our series – quote #2:
“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” – Leo Burnett
Reflection:
Curiosity is important, not just for artists, photographers, musicians, designers, writers, and the creative-lot alike; everyone can benefit from curiosity.
Curiosity:
- Is a path to learning new things
- Keeps you growing as a person
- Develops meaningful interests
- Makes your artwork more intriguing
- Causes you to ask the right questions
- Helps you get to know people better
Over the summer I read a great (and curious!) novel by Jonathan Safran Foer called Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. The main character is a young boy named Oskar…
… I just realized: it’s fitting that I am reflecting on this book today, since it is September 11. This was not intentional, but my subconscious is tuned-in to the date I suppose. Who can even say September 11 without remembering where they were when it happened? Today, and every day, my heart goes out to all those affected by the events that took place back in 2001. Not long ago I visited the site of the Twin Towers and my heart broke – there were so many names lining the fountain memorials. Too many names…)
Back to the novel: the story is about Oskar’s search for a lock to match the key he found in his father’s belongings. Oskar’s father died in the 911 tragedy.
The author has done a remarkable job of writing from Oskar’s perspective. Oskar’s mind never stops and one idea leads to another. He is the embodiment of curiosity. He wonders about everything… sometimes it can be a little exhausting, but because of his curiosity, he is such an interesting character and comes up with truly novel ideas.
If you have time to read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, I’d recommend it. On a side note, it was a very gentle take on the 911 tragedy. It made me reflect on the heartache from a child’s perspective.
Artists – creative people in general – are and should be curious. I believe it is curiosity that prompts art in the first place. Art is curious because:
- It asks us questions of ourselves, the one who made it
- It asks questions about the world
- It asks questions about culture, society, race, religion
Change comes because of questions and questions come because of curiosity.
Have you gotten bored? If so, it’s time to get inspired! Visit an art gallery or museum, read something new, travel to a foreign destination, meet new people, take a class. Curiosity is within your control.
What are you curious about?
How do you feed your curiosity?
Best wishes to you as you pursue your creative passions!
– Alexis Marie
Inspiration at the MIT MUSEUM
Inspiration is inevitable at the MIT Museum!
The MIT Museum is one of the coolest places on earth. There are robots, inventions and exhibitions that had me shaking my head in awe. Their impressive collections include science and technology, architecture and design, and holography – just to name a few!
If you want to visit the MIT Museum, here are the details:
Open Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. except major holidays
Adults: $10.00; youth under 18, students, seniors: $5:00; children under age 5: free
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Building N51
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-253-5927
Fax: 617-253-8994
E-mail: museuminfo@mit.edu
Some of my favorite exhibits at the MIT Museum:
Robots and Beyond: Exploring Artificial Intelligence at MIT
An exhibit that reminded me of Terminator – just kidding (sort of)! There you will see tele-operated surgical robots, robotic legs, socially intelligent humanoid robots and other prototypes.
Gestural Engineering: The Sculpture of Arthur Ganson
Featuring Arthur Ganson’s kinetic sculptures, this exhibit was both staggeringly inventive and aesthetically beautiful. The artist’s invitation: “The objects are part of a cycle. I take an idea from my heart, but it is not complete until you have seen it, and found your own meaning in it.”
Photography
Their photography exhibits were also pretty amazing!
I am still reeling from my visit to the MIT Museum. Have you ever been there? If I hadn’t visited with my three-year-old and five-year-old who wanted to race through and see it all (as fast as they could), I imagined myself hanging around there all day, sketching the robotics and sculptures, reading every informational panel and soaking up the creativity and inventiveness of the students and expert thinkers and their ideas shared within the space. What a gift! Maybe on my next trip to Cambridge, MA.
What museums get your mind buzzing?
What places do you find yourself lingering and soaking everything up?
Continue Painting to Silence your Inner Doubt
At the beginning of July, I shared “Inspiring Quotes for Artists” with helpful words by famous artists, writers and designers. For the next few months I will be writing a creative reflection based on each of the eleven quotes.
I hope you find the reflections helpful – and please comment below with your own ideas, inspirations and revelations from the quotes.
Today, we begin with quote #1:
Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”
– Vincent Van Gogh
Reflection:
The hardest part of any endeavor is just getting started.
When I was facing artistic block (the visual artist’s version of writer’s block) when I was in art school, I received one of the best pieces of advice:
PAINT SOMETHING UGLY.
That was it. Paint an ugly painting!
Painting an ugly painting has many benefits:
- It gets you started
- It removes expectations that the artwork should be aesthetically pleasing
- It allows you to have fun
- It opens your mind to be free and wander as you create
- You can explore techniques outside your comfort zone
- And, it sets the bar so low so that when you do set out to make your next painting, you feel proud of the progress from that first messy experiment
It is easy to let self-doubt, insecurities, and fear get in the way of making the artwork you were born to create. An important part of the artist’s job is calming the inner-self, nurturing the creative spirit inside of you, and being uninhibited as you work.
What do you do to break free from artist’s block?
Have you ever tried making an ugly painting?
How do you nurture and protect your creative-self?
Best wishes to you as you make your art!
– Alexis Marie
Merry Christmas Creative Ones!
Christmas reminds me of the magic of my childhood back when I believed in impossible dreams. As a kid my imagination was wild and uninhibited. Now, as 30+ year-old, I do my best to capture those qualities in my life and artistic practice because I know the amazing power they hold for the creative spirit.
This Christmas, I wish you the unlimited belief that your BIG dreams will come true and all the potential of your imagination to make them happen.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
To learn more about Alexis Marie Chute, read her BIO and check out her artwork:
The Quiet Rebuild – Sculptures
Read Alexis Marie Chute’s Artist Statement and her CV.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas from Alexis Marie Writes!
Wishing you a holiday season full of love and joy!
May all your creative efforts be blessed!
A Pep Talk for the 3 Day Novel Contest 2014
The 3 Day Novel Contest is not a marathon; it’s a sprint. It requires stamina, determination and vision.
The first time I participated in the 3 Day Novel writing competition, which is held every labour day weekend, I had a newborn on my lap and an outline in my hand. My husband was supportive and kept my three year old busy and delivered plates of yummy food to my desk at semi-regular intervals. I knew roughly where my story would take me, what characters would be major players, and my approximate plot arc. The rest of the details were filled in as I wrote. I didn’t sleep much that weekend – but having a newborn to care for and nurse prepared me well.
The weekend was an adventure of speed and imagination – and I enjoyed every moment of it.
To coach writers in preparation for the 3 Day Novel Contest, in the final days leading up to the challenge, my advice is straightforward:
Perfectionism is your enemy.
First drafts are not meant to be flawless. The most important concern at this stage is getting your ideas out on the page. Perfectionism, while unattainable, is a characteristic better saved for the editing stage.
You can edit later.
Turn off the left brain urge to edit while you write; it will slow you down and bog you in details that should not matter in the initial time of creative expression. While writing, let the ideas flow. You can critique your sentence structure, grammar and pacing later.
Drink lots of liquids.
If your body gets run down, your writing will suffer. Creativity is a mental and physical engagement. Be present, mindful and aware of your body, taking care of it as if you were running a race. Water is essential.
Get some exercise.
This can be achieved by literally running to the bathroom after all the liquids, but, seriously, getting up, stretching and flexing your muscles is tremendously important. You will be challenging the muscle of your brain but getting the blood flow throughout your whole body will make all the difference.
Trust your imagination to fill in the gaps.
At this stage of the writing, don’t worry if you accidentally changed the eye colour of your main character part way through your manuscript. Don’t worry if you are unsure how to end your story or how to get your protagonist from point A to point B. As you write, your imagination will give you solutions to the problems perturbing you and any errors can be fixed later. Free write to see what will come out of you but don’t worry. Worry inhibits your best writing.
Believe in yourself.
Write a novel in three days? Yes, it is possible. You can do it. I have done it, lots of people have done it, and so can you. Challenges are fun and push us to the limit. It’s worth the effort. (Even if you don’t “finish” your novel, if you survive the weekend and gave it your all, that’s something to be proud of.)
Have fun.
The 3 Day Novel Contest is not meant to be work. It is a fun weekend getaway (in your office or at the coffee shop); a chance for writers to do something silly and goofy like write a novel in three days! Go with the flow. Make it a game. Also, join in the conversation about the writing process by tweeting using #3DayNovel. I connected with a few individuals during the weekend and we ended up continuing the conversation and starting an online writing group.
Well, do you accept the challenge? Tomorrow, Friday August 29, is the last day to register.
I believe in you! The 3 Day Novel Contest is upon us. Good luck!
Get Out of the Creative Desert
How do we replenish ourselves as artists? As writers? As creative human beings?
When our reserve of energy and inventiveness are depleted, when our desire for innovation and experimentation runs low and our passion for creative expression is a barren desert and we have nothing left to give: what then?
How do we revive these qualities in our lives so that ideas flow, inspiration rains and our creative selves flourish?
For myself, I have discovered that creativity breeds creativity. Art breeds art. Just as in life, kindness begets kindness and love multiplies itself in an environment of love.
I know all too well the desert of the artistic soul. It is the last place I want to be. Fortunately, by understanding that creativity begets creativity, I have enjoyed staying in the place of creative flow.
I find myself presently in a ramped up artistic season of my life. I am Artist in Residence at Harcourt House, have many exhibitions of my artwork (photography, sculpture, mixed media) upcoming and have recently completed a memoir, novella and am currently in the midst of writing a full length novel.
Arizona Desert Flowers
Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute
It is a good time. My mind is ripe with ideas. My writing inspires my artwork, my art incites poetry, my poetry evolves into my photographic practice. The love I feel from my clients (and their joy at receiving their portraits) creates a warm fuzzy feeling that keeps me chipper as I work in the isolation of my art studio or pound the keyboard writing during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).
Creativity begetting even more creativity seems to be a magical state that I find myself within and it brings an artful mindset into every area of my life. It is as if I am not only an artist, period. Or a mother, period. Or a wife, period. I am an artist of all these things and they all play an important role.
I have come to believe that if you want to increase your creativity in an area where you are stuck (a.k.a. writer’s block or the equivalent for other artist types), try shifting gears and let the artist in you come out in some other fashion. I bet you will experience a breakthrough in not only the first area but both.
CREATIVITY BREEDS CREATIVITY
This is my goal and I am finding it wonderfully exciting. In every area of my life I am choosing to include my passions and challenging myself to be creative as an artist / writer / photographer / designer / mother / human being without boundaries.
The result: My life is now richer and riper with meaning.
Arizona Desert Flower
Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute
