Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse.
Winston Churchill
Family and close friends know that I am an ardent admirer of Winston Churchill. Aside from his magnificent careers in politics and literature and that little matter of holding the candle for the free world for a time, Mr. Churchill was a prolific and accomplished painter. He had the ability to stop whatever he was doing and totally focus on his painting when he felt the need to step back from his tremendous burdens. It was a comfort and a tonic to him his entire adult life. Photography and writing give me that gift….now I’m going to add some bubbles.
I’ve written about the impact that painting has on my photography and the way it opens my eyes and heart to see things new. The visual history and legacies that have been left to us by artists since time began can inform and help to shape new work. While reading a poem by Pablo Neruda, I saw an illustration today that I liked very much. It has triggered my desire expand my thinking when I am photographing to consider subjects for other uses; for example textures as overlays, or patterns to give structure…and images, like poetry, as allusions. This is not revolutionary, but it will help me to widen my field of view and express something that is new to me. With Uelsmann and Caponigro and other masters in the field as shepherds, I’ll breathe some more life into my own journey.
These are my first attempts to see with the idea of joining elements.
Keron. Ah Winston Churchill a painter. Well he’s very famous for his canvasses isn’t he. I’ve just registered for WordPress Blog.
Thanks for the history lesson and for giving me that outstanding poet.
Denny
Always a pleasure, my friend. I’ll look forward to checking in on your blog.
Keron
as always, you take me by surprise and delight me with your insights and aspirations. thank you for this thoughtful post and your layered images. you are quite the painter with words and image.
Emotive, evocative, and pleasing…as per your norm, Keron! RP
Keron,
Terrific images and a wonderful post. You might be interested in the work of Bruce Haley of Charleston, WV.
http://bkhaleyphotography.com/
He finds inspiration in all sorts of subjects to combine into some amazing art.
Wil
Hello Friends,
Thank you for your warm and encouraging comments. I feel like a balloon that just got fresh helium….A big purple balloon!
Thanks Wil, for reminding me of Bruce Haley. I’ll go there now. I’ve met him and he is a really wonderful fellow…great spirit and kindness about him.
K
Thanks for the stunning links. Your photographs encourage a closer look with the subtle overlay.
I live near Chartwell, and often call in to visit Churchill’s studio. Small world!
Thank you for taking the time to post a comment. I’m jealous!!! I have a friend in Devon that lived near
Chartwell during and after the war. As a child who was evacuated from London, he was housed and worked on the adjacent farm.
And I have yet to visit. Sad, but true. I hope you’ll check back with the blog from time to time.
Warmly,
Keron
Where ever there are sheep there are wolves. I am the wolf. Texture overlays can work, but mostly they fail because the base image was not very interesting to begin with. And if it was an interesting image why does it need an overlay? The best use of this technique that I have seen is as an illustration to go with a poem or story or product. I believe that Churchill had a notorious side as well.
Hi Larry,
I can always count on you for the contrarian point of view….and I LOVE it!
Yes, Winnie had a notorious side and I liked that about HIM too. K