Posts Tagged ‘photography’

About a year ago I messed around a little with making some appropriation art. There’s something about it that doesn’t totally sit well with me, which is weird because there is a lot of appropriation art that I do like. It just makes sense that if I like some of it then I should make some of my own. Why not put my own spin on appropriating popular images? Because, let’s face it, there is a lot of questionable appropriations out there. I certainly wouldn’t be able to single handedly ruin the art form. I don’t really have to dig too deep to realize why appropriating makes me a little queasy. Simply put, it’s just low hanging fruit. There are so many artists, especially on Instagram, who seem to have made an entire career out of painting other peoples images. Some of them do it in a clever way with their own unique twist and others are straight up knock offs. The outsiders perspective (mine, at least) is that all of them are laughing all the way to the bank.

Quick interruption, shouldn’t the phrase “laughing all the way to the bank” be phasing out by now? To get with the times we need to start saying, “laughing all the way to Venmo” or “laughing all the way to Square” or “laughing all the way to PayPal”. Ok, moving on…

And it makes sense that some artists have made appropriating a career. It’s the same reason there are so many remakes/reboots in the movie industry. The path has been paved. Why risk making something new that nobody knows about and attempt to make that new thing popular? It’s so much easier to take something that is already popular with a built in fanbase and just remake that. Like I said, it makes me a little queasy, it’s low hanging fruit, and in way it sort of lacks integrity. After I drew my first appropriation piece (my take on Jiminy Cricket) it took me about three months before I posted it on Instagram. Before that I only showed it to maybe three people. The people I showed it to were supportive of it, which was nice, but I still waited awhile before posting it online for the whole internet to see. I finally got over my apprehension because I realized I’m the only one thinking this much about it, meaning nobody cares. And at the end of the day, making art is fun and if I enjoy the process of making something that’s the important part for me. If the outcome is a success that’s just a bonus. Also, what I did wasn’t a straight up knock off. I added my own style to the original source, which, in the world of appropriation art, is taking something that exists and making it your own. That’s a big difference compared to the artists out there taking something that exists and copying it. I tried my best not to do that.

I could go on and on about this topic, but I’ll stop for now and file it away for another time. Anyway, I posted this Bugs Bunny piece on Instagram back in May and all I wrote for the caption was, “What’s up, Doc?” and now I’ll expand on that. I grew up watching Bugs Bunny. I know a lot of people my age did, but I was really into it. I even had that Looney Toons book with the real life animation cell in it. That totally fascinated me. I had no idea how cartoons were made and when I saw that animation cell in the book it was pretty mind blowing. What I’m trying to say is that I chose Bugs Bunny to appropriate because he really meant a lot to me and I’ve been a true Bugs fan for as long as I can remember. This wasn’t just a mindless decision based on the fact that Bugs Bunny is popular.

I have yet to make an actual painting appropriating a popular character from our culture and I’m not sure if or when I will. For now, since I’m sticking to the digital realm with my appropriation art, I thought it would be fun to throw the characters into my own photos. Here’s the original photo that I used for the Bugs Bunny piece.

I took this photo in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park earlier this year. It might seem random, but to me it makes perfect sense for Bugs Bunny.

I’m curious what your thoughts are about appropriation art. Not just mine, but the art form in general. Let me know.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend.

– Jeff

* * * * * * *

Want to see more?
Check out Jiminy Cricket. I chose him as my first one because he’s not only a cool looking character, but the shape of his head was perfect for the faces I paint.
And also Fred Flinstone. I chose him because I watched the Flinstones when I was a kid and I mistakenly thought Fred’s head was also the perfect shape for the faces I paint. It turned out super ugly, so I hope you get a good laugh at it.

I love that this place exists.

– Jeff

We took a little family outing to San Miguel today. I took A LOT of photos and videos of Elliott. I even got some more photos of Coral taking photos, but it’s all too overwhelming to edit them all tonight. I did like this one though, so I’m posting it as a preview to a future post. Keeping it short and sweet tonight.

Sweet dreams.
– Jeff

I can see this becoming an ongoing series of mine. I have already amassed A LOT of photos of Coral taking photos. Some might consider it an unhealthy amount. Others might consider me a stalker. She is much more the photographer in the family than I am, which means she gets to use the fancy camera. Although, since investing in the GoPro I’ll have to admit I’m feeling pretty fancy lately.

Another thing I’ll have to admit is how cute she looks with a camera in her hand. I mean, Dang! She is one hot little cutie! One of the things about Coral that you might not know is that she transforms into a totally different person when she gets a camera in her hand. I’ve seen the transformation take place numerous times and it never gets boring to me. I love watching her work.

I’ve learned that once she’s in her element it is best to step back and let her do her thing. If you get in her way you get trampled, so be on the lookout.

These photos were all taken back in October after spending a day in Cambria. Highway 46 is a gorgeous drive from Paso Robles to Cambria. It can get pretty windy up there, but on a clear day you get a spectacular view of the Pacific and can even see Morro Rock off in the distance. If you find yourself on this drive I highly suggest stopping by Jack Creek Farm and trying one of their delicious Apple Cider Slushies. So good!

Coral doesn’t know I’m writing this and I might get in trouble for it, but oh well…I’m going to say it anyway. She is totally available for photography jobs. I know she won’t do a wedding, but she’s totally up for product shots, possibly some candid style portraits and of course, fashion photography. If you’re interested in hiring her contact her through one of her IG accounts or let me know and I’ll pass on the message.

Check her out on Instagram. She has two accounts at the moment.
instagram.com/slomygosh: Her personal account with lots of photos of our kids and some other random stuff.
instagram.com/coralcoloredglasses: Her professional account. Since May 2014 it is mostly photos of her deer series, which is totally worth checking out, but if you scroll down past May you will see some of her fashion photography.

Thanks for looking!
– Jeff

Evelyn is obsessed with dancing. Here she is leaping over the last sunset of 2014 in Cayucos. She’s our tiny dancer. But she keeps getting bigger. She turned 13 last month. THIRTEEN. Anyway…

It was a beautiful sunset and a great way to end 2014.

Hopefully, you are all familiar with Coral’s “You Don’t Belong Here Anyway” Series. If not, check it out on Instagram, @deeries.

I am the driver on these urban safari’s, but from time to time I bust out my iPhone and take photos too. Yesterday was the first time we’ve taken a guest with us other than our screaming 3 year old and our overly talkative 12 and 14 year old. And who was our guest deer hunter? None other than local badass, Richard Fusillo.

Coral and I discovered this field right off the road where the lighting is just crazy beautiful. This photo is totally unedited because shooting during “The Golden Hour” is almost cheating.

Sadly, this baby deer died in somebody’s front lawn. I guess Coral gets the lively shots of deer and this is what I get.

No photo adventure with Richard is complete until he gets to shoot an abandoned building in a state of total decay.

I’m not against hopping a fence either. Here’s a double exposure I got of Richard in his element.

Here’s a shot Coral got of me with all my fancy camera equipment.

And, of course, the long shadow selfie.

Enjoy!
– Jeff

If you are not yet following my lovely lady on Instagram I suggest you start.

Where we live happens to have a huge deer population and I don’t mean Goliath size dinosaur deer. I mean “huge” as in there are A LOT of them. A few of months ago Coral started deer hunting. With a camera, not a gun. And I’ve got to tell you, they are a bold and brazen bunch. So much so that we caught one on our porch late one night and I know you might be sarcastically thinking, “Big deal!” I’d think that to if the deer just strolled through our front lawn to get to our porch, but no no no. To get to our porch means you have to climb 21 steps and make your way past a baby gate. Now, if you’re thinking, “must be a pain in the ass when you have to carry groceries from the car or take the trash out,” you are exactly right. But I digress…

as I often do because…who knows? Anyway, as I was saying…

A few months ago we decided to take a leisurely drive through the neighborhood just to find some deer and on our first outing we caught a baby deer, no bigger than a foot tall, walking across the street about 60 seconds from our house. Don’t get me wrong, deer are total pests and have literally eaten enough of Coral’s plants that she’d need to apply for a loan to replace them. I’m talking a lot of plants here, people. However, seeing the baby deer walk across the street was incredibly adorable. And, in a way, so out of place. It sparked an idea for Coral and she started documenting the deer we find. Coral came up with the “You don’t belong here anyway” series based on the contrast/contradiction of seeing the deer (nature) mixing in with the neighborhood (civilization).

Coral is much more eloquent with words, so I’m giving her the floor here:

We discovered that the entire west side of town abutted a vast hill country. The result of which is wildlife intersecting with civilization. Deer, rabbits, mountain lions, wild boars, skunks… For better or worse, the line between nature and neighborhood is indistinct and very blurry here. And though the deer particularly have been a nightmare for me as a gardener, I can’t help but be in awe of them- impressed with their bold resilience, and a bit confused by it too. I’ll be forgoing fashion for a bit to post a series of photos documenting the deer throughout my neighborhood; it’s called You Don’t Belong Here Anyway. I hope these photos and their title encourage you to consider whether it’s the deer, or the suburban sprawl that remains out of place, and I hope you enjoy!

– Coral

I couldn’t have said it better.

If you can please picture us in Safari outfits cruising around Paso Robles in a 1976 Scout, it would be much appreciated.

It’s not Coral’s first color choice, but as the driver on these urban hunts I get to choose the color of our vehicle.

Be sure to follow Coral on Instagram: @slomygosh

Enjoy!
– Jeff

I forgot to post these, but a couple of weeks ago we went on a little adventure in San Miguel. Not much going on there, but we did find an awesome gas station that’s been converted into a coffee shop. This first photo is the only one I took in downtown San Miguel. All of the other photos were taken at the Mission. For some reason I was really obsessed with doors while we were there. Enjoy!

For those interested, Coral took control of our fancy Canon for the day, so all of my photos were taken and edited on my iPhone.

Thanks for looking!
– Jeff

I made the mistake of taking advantage of the “2 Western Bacon Burgers for $5” deal going on at Carl’s Jr. Seriously, who in their right mind eats two of those things in one sitting? Oh, me! Duh. Keep in mind I ate these delicious disasters between 2:30-3:15pm. It was a late lunch. When I got home at 5:30pm Coral was making dinner and by serving time, thirty minutes later, I was still feeling quite hamburgered and had to skip dinner, but I did sit at the table because I’m a family man. An empty plate sat sad and lonely in front of me waiting to serve its purpose and do its job, but that time never came. Despite not eating I somehow was the last person to leave the table. On the verge of passing out from lack of sleep and overabundance of Western Bacon Burger in my belly I found myself staring blankly into the cooper pot that sits on our dining table. I somehow convinced myself that what I witnessed in the reflection of the pot needed to be documented. Obviously, it didn’t need to be, but food intoxication got the best of me.

Enjoy!

It’s 9:38pm now and I’m still not hungry. You know, although Carl’s Jr. is the opposite of healthy, $5.40 to stay full for this many consecutive hours is impressive on some level.

See ya!
– Jeff

I love me a praying mantis. This one was on the handrail waiting to greet me when I came home tonight.

He’s just so cute. Hopefully, I didn’t hurt him too much with the flash. After this photo I cuddled him for awhile, so there should be no hard feelings.

Here are some fun facts you might like to know about the Praying Mantis:
– They are the only insect that can turn their heads 180 degrees.
– They will eat their own kind.
– The female will sometimes eat a male during or after mating.
– They have a one year life span.
– Loved by farmers because they eat crop destroying insects.
– Of about 2000 species there are only 18 known species in the entire North American continent.
– Have a single ear located on the underside of its belly.

Until next time…

Equipment used:
iphone 4, Hipstamatic, Snapseed

As you know, I love Hipstamatic. Almost every photo I take with my iPhone is taken with Hipstamatic. Last weekend they had a promo for their “Retro” Paks. I totally splurged. In the world of apps and “in app” purchases the term “splurge” means I spent about $3. Not bad. The Dali Pak was included in one of the offers, so I snatched it up. If I had to sum it up I’d say it turns your photo into some sort of surrealist photo. Duh, right? The outcome is totally random. The results make for pretty interesting imagery. Some of them work, some of them don’t. You can take four photos of the same exact thing and end up with four totally different images. I like it because it’s like making an abstract painting, but you know, without all the mess. Here are some of the photos I’ve taken with it over the last few days. Enjoy!

Also, I don’t get any money or free product to constantly promote Hipstamatic. Not yet. Of course, I totally should. Hint hint, big wigs at Hipstamatic, I’d totally rock the Hipsta Kid shirt in a Dude’s size Large. Please send it to:
The Claassen Gallery
774 Marsh St
Suite D
San Luis Obispo CA 93401

Thanks much!