Well it’s been a couple of months since I last wrote here, busy yes, distracted definatly. The good distractions are the ones to speak of tonight. Since finding home in Norwich late July, I have been more focused on creating new work. It wasn’t really Norwich I found more it was a return of the muse within. Seeing the highlight. In August a trip to Brattleboro reintroduced me to a city that sparked my muse, that is abundent with creativity and smiling people. The mountains, the clean air, the forty something stops on the First Friday Gallery Walk. There has been a second trip, would have been a third except for a small fire upstairs [that was a bad distraction little damage lots of water and chaos for seven days] A show in Sept. at ArtSpace with Sculptor Joey Sage Jablonski of our two mediums and views of the figure as an artistic statement.
But tomorrow it is off to Brattleboro again for the opening of The In-Sight Photography Project annual Silent Auction and Exhibit. In-Sight is a great program for teaching kids about photography [film wet darkroom]and more. Check out their website I have a piece in the auction and a page on my site of the newest project of mine. The Brattleboro Portfolio. First there was “All the Usual Subjects” a limited editon book of my work in Willimantic Ct. Now there is Faces and Facades a Five year look at the rebirth of Norwich Ct. and its downtown. A small sample can be seen on my site. Now there is Brattleboro where I plan to visit shoot and be at least a part time resident. Heck it’s only 120 miles and gas is cheap. So I’ll be there for the opening and all day Sat. the 7th wandering and shooting, if you see me say hi or can I be in your book, or I know something you should see.
Well enough rambling for now please feel free to post here on my blog or email me. Looking forward to meeting, and visually communicating with you. enjoy pjc
Distractions. What inhibits creativity?
I feel compelled to write an intro, yet if the words need an intro isn’t that like a joke that needs an explanation? Thoughts over coffee 7/2/06
Or is it “Ground Hog Day?” Sleep and wake repeat telling yourself tomorrow you”ll be creative. Tomorrow the bureaucratic, political, hollow tasks, distractions along the yellow brick road to the magic kingdom will be swept away by that gentle breeze and you will arrive.
© Peter J. Crowley
Photographic Art
What propels creativity?
Creativity; once in a while or a driving force? Living in the moment focused and in tune to every nuance. To see what is before you and be compelled to comment, visually or verbally. Since March of 2003 I have been creating verbal images after 30 plus years of creating photographic art/commentary with some occasional journal and poetry writing an injury temporarily silenced my visual voice. Still compelled to comment I found writing to be as creative an outlet for me as photographic art. Thirty years of seeking the highlight, celebrating beauty, youth was replaced [not totally] with a more documentary look at the world as it is now. No longer am I a romantic realist, more a cynical optimist. The pen is mightier than the sword so the old axiom goes, but today’s history is being written with disappearing ink to be spun and re-spun to suit the needs of those with the biggest swords.
In my next book I will loosely marry images and words to create emotional avenues for thought. You remember thinking, focusing on one thing and doing it well! Pre multi tasking forced goodnuff tasks to be completed so you can continue down the road of distraction missing everything of beauty that may cloud your vision of the profit just around the bend. More creative tangents later.
Below is a sample page from the next book. The image is bigger on my website. I invite you to vist and listen to the images. Of course you can buy one or a copy of my first book. Art is my only career, not a second job or a retirement hobby. Art is a profession. enjoy pjc
comments encouraged. Photographic Art
The body and the mind – separate entities not working together. The body hurts the mind depressed shuts down. The why becomes why bother? Its not a question of what the equipment can’t do it is a question of making the equipment {body} do what you want it to. How long though? The work I am doing [not doing want to do] all are large, long projects. Is there time? Preparing to die. A life of organized chaos. ART. Singing to an empty auditorium. Young with something to say believing that someone will listen. That someone can hear, will care? I, I, I, ME, ME, ME, The over educated masses can do algebra, calculate interest but do they care? De humanized by speed and greed educated to worship profit. How long can I believe? Do I still? Anyone listening…….. The step between spring and summer, fall and winter. The body has made it to late Autumn, the mind never found its way out of Spring The distance from spring to late fall is a leap. A leap of faith or fear? A leap I may not make.
The pigeons fly from one roof around the bank and back a group without a leader or purpose just doing it over and over without feeling.
© Peter J. Crowley 1/27/04