Love your abstracts, Julian! I tend to think that people are "your thing" as you make such touching humane images of them, but you do this kind of work exceptionally well. This one's great. It could be the banner image for your exhibition, say with transparent text across it, as it's so eye-catching. Wish I could zip up there for the exhibition. As if...
I hope life in your world is OK. Your community could probably benefit by an art exhibition more than most.
Your kind words and unflagging support are so very welcome in these times we are all facing Chris.
The way I look at my work is that although I am powerfully, helplessly drawn to the face and the story it tries to hide or reveal, in fact all my work is portraiture. Yes I know that classically a "portrait" is supposed to be of a person but the story hidden in a tree, old building, a bowl of soup, or an old dog is also a story waiting to be discovered if we take the time to explore it.
Alas the next planned exhibit here looks like it will have to be put on hold as both the Junta and the Virus are taking an ever more aggressive hold on this place. But when it does happen it would be so cool to see you and see your reaction to how this place has changed since your last visit.
I've never visited Burma/Myanmar and am curious about the place and you, after looking through the window into the country you provide. Those beautiful smiles! Not that it's of any consequence, but I note your European-sounding name, so was surprised to see where you work. If I get to visit I'm definitely looking you up! :-)
I'm an amateur struggling to work out how to stage an exhibition. I've had four works from my FS portfolio in a group show, and am intending to stage something jointly with a friend of mine who has a very different style, so we stimulate and should complement each other. Choosing a theme is an interesting exercise. Now our framer seems to have gone to ground...! And we've just gone into our fifth lockdown after some idiots spread Delta here from interstate.
I'm not drawn to photographing people somehow, but make allusions to portraiture at least in some of my captions. I like your words about portraiture.
Love this latest triple portrait! The OOF people give it depth in many senses. Can dogs be as wise as this one looks? Maybe he's just waiting for you to look away so he can get into those eggs. ;-)
Chris, please forgive my gaffe. I confused your travels here with someone else’s.
They say that memory is the second most un-reliable organ in the male anatomy... I cannot remember what the first one is.
As to showing your work, a few suggestions.
Your work is strong and I would NOT judge it by what feedback you get from this, or most social entertainment sites.
First off, I would print 10 to 20 of what you consider to be your best work. Spend the time and money to print them in at least 8x12 or 12x16 size. No need to frame them but have them in some sort of portfolio case so you can quickly and easily show them. In most cases showing your work on a screen is an instant signal to people working in the art world to not waste their time with you. Always, always try to show your work in print!
Next, If you have art galleries where you live you might want ask the gallerist if you can speak with them for a few minutes. Ask them if you could show them some of your images and explain to them that you would love to show some of your work. They may say no, or they may be interested. Either way any feedback you get will be way more constructive than any 👍, ⭐️, or ❤️s. Most galleries specialize so your work may not fit their format but they may have some suggestions or recommendations. No mater what, it is a good way to start to build your network of artists in your area.
You may also want to approach any camera equipment stores and see if they ever hang customers’ work. Again showing them your prints is way more effective than an iPad or phone.
The same goes for approaching any restaurants, coffee shops, office building lobbies, hospitals, hotels, or art supply stores. Asking the owners or managers if you could hang a few of your images is a great way to gain exposure, for you as well as them, get valuable feedback on your work, and build your connections.
Also if you have a local newspaper or "what's happening" zine talk to the photo editor about your work. Most are looking for HQ local content.
You may not (probably will not) make any money from any of these at first but if you do hang some of your work you will definitely gain some valuable exposure and experience.
Your ideas about exhibiting are appreciated. I have always shared your views about the primacy of the print, and have made and framed quite a number for my office, home, friends & family. A folded A4 print makes a great "special" card for birthdays, etc. Still blown away at what my digital setup & printer can produce with each new print!
I intend to approach suitable local galleries - and Melbourne is well served here - with my friend and our prints.. There is also a very popular local cafe which has a running, rotating exhibition where I'm pretty sure I can get in, but it's a long queue. I do need to compile a coherent portfolio for a start.
Framing is costly, and is likely to leave a lot of bulky unsold items to store afterwards! But them's the breaks, I know. Worth it.
This is really cool very interesting subject.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Ian.
Glad you liked it.
Wonderful abstract Julian. The more I look at it the more I see a face...... intentional?
One of the great things about impressionistic photography is the semi-Rorschach like qualities of it. So.... tell me about that face, Alan. 😀
I still can never see the angel one person sees in one of my waterfall images.
What's to explain? Seems obvious to my trained eye :-)
Love your abstracts, Julian! I tend to think that people are "your thing" as you make such touching humane images of them, but you do this kind of work exceptionally well. This one's great. It could be the banner image for your exhibition, say with transparent text across it, as it's so eye-catching. Wish I could zip up there for the exhibition. As if...
I hope life in your world is OK. Your community could probably benefit by an art exhibition more than most.
Your kind words and unflagging support are so very welcome in these times we are all facing Chris.
The way I look at my work is that although I am powerfully, helplessly drawn to the face and the story it tries to hide or reveal, in fact all my work is portraiture. Yes I know that classically a "portrait" is supposed to be of a person but the story hidden in a tree, old building, a bowl of soup, or an old dog is also a story waiting to be discovered if we take the time to explore it.
Alas the next planned exhibit here looks like it will have to be put on hold as both the Junta and the Virus are taking an ever more aggressive hold on this place. But when it does happen it would be so cool to see you and see your reaction to how this place has changed since your last visit.
PS -When are you going to show?
Thanks, Julian, for your kind words.
I've never visited Burma/Myanmar and am curious about the place and you, after looking through the window into the country you provide. Those beautiful smiles! Not that it's of any consequence, but I note your European-sounding name, so was surprised to see where you work. If I get to visit I'm definitely looking you up! :-)
I'm an amateur struggling to work out how to stage an exhibition. I've had four works from my FS portfolio in a group show, and am intending to stage something jointly with a friend of mine who has a very different style, so we stimulate and should complement each other. Choosing a theme is an interesting exercise. Now our framer seems to have gone to ground...! And we've just gone into our fifth lockdown after some idiots spread Delta here from interstate.
I'm not drawn to photographing people somehow, but make allusions to portraiture at least in some of my captions. I like your words about portraiture.
Love this latest triple portrait! The OOF people give it depth in many senses. Can dogs be as wise as this one looks? Maybe he's just waiting for you to look away so he can get into those eggs. ;-)
Chris, please forgive my gaffe. I confused your travels here with someone else’s.
They say that memory is the second most un-reliable organ in the male anatomy... I cannot remember what the first one is.
As to showing your work, a few suggestions.
Your work is strong and I would NOT judge it by what feedback you get from this, or most social entertainment sites.
First off, I would print 10 to 20 of what you consider to be your best work. Spend the time and money to print them in at least 8x12 or 12x16 size. No need to frame them but have them in some sort of portfolio case so you can quickly and easily show them. In most cases showing your work on a screen is an instant signal to people working in the art world to not waste their time with you. Always, always try to show your work in print!
Next, If you have art galleries where you live you might want ask the gallerist if you can speak with them for a few minutes. Ask them if you could show them some of your images and explain to them that you would love to show some of your work. They may say no, or they may be interested. Either way any feedback you get will be way more constructive than any 👍, ⭐️, or ❤️s. Most galleries specialize so your work may not fit their format but they may have some suggestions or recommendations. No mater what, it is a good way to start to build your network of artists in your area.
You may also want to approach any camera equipment stores and see if they ever hang customers’ work. Again showing them your prints is way more effective than an iPad or phone.
The same goes for approaching any restaurants, coffee shops, office building lobbies, hospitals, hotels, or art supply stores. Asking the owners or managers if you could hang a few of your images is a great way to gain exposure, for you as well as them, get valuable feedback on your work, and build your connections.
Also if you have a local newspaper or "what's happening" zine talk to the photo editor about your work. Most are looking for HQ local content.
You may not (probably will not) make any money from any of these at first but if you do hang some of your work you will definitely gain some valuable exposure and experience.
Good luck and keep me posted on how it goes.
Thanks, Julian. No gaffe, no worries. :-) 👍👍👍😊🤣😎👌
I'll have to check on the anatomy issue...
Your ideas about exhibiting are appreciated. I have always shared your views about the primacy of the print, and have made and framed quite a number for my office, home, friends & family. A folded A4 print makes a great "special" card for birthdays, etc. Still blown away at what my digital setup & printer can produce with each new print!
I intend to approach suitable local galleries - and Melbourne is well served here - with my friend and our prints.. There is also a very popular local cafe which has a running, rotating exhibition where I'm pretty sure I can get in, but it's a long queue. I do need to compile a coherent portfolio for a start.
Framing is costly, and is likely to leave a lot of bulky unsold items to store afterwards! But them's the breaks, I know. Worth it.