It's Art

Deception Pass

2010-06-23T15:11:00.001-07:00

Deception Pass
Originally uploaded by gabriellefine

I think I would like to get a camera like this. (It was borrowed from school circa 2002)

more details: Kodak TMAX, either a Seagull or Mamiya TLR medium format-I can't recall which. Spring '02)

Someday Our Cameras Will Die

2010-04-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die

Thought-provoking post from Digital Photography School. And no, I had not given this any previous thought. (Most of my film cameras still work, and those that don't have a mechanical issue that could probably still be fixed.) I wonder what the actuation is on my Canon EOS. Although I never really assumed I would shoot with it forever-I figured at some point I would get a new one for some reason or another. It's a great DSLR but it doesn't meet all my needs, and as technology improves I have more options to consider for lighter, more compact cameras that could possibly do most of what my EOS does now. I will be sad when the A620 finally hits the bucket, though, even though it is unnecessarily large and clunky (and takes 4 aa batteries!), because it has been such a handy little point & shoot and it has a rotating flip screen (which subsequent versions of this camera did not appear to have.) However, I've definitely run up against the limits of what it can shoot (jpeg only) and how (max ISO 400.)

This also brings up an interesting issue I have struggled with since converting to (mostly) digital. The freedom to shoot several frames of the same subject and vary the lighting, composition, etc. without having to worry about running out of film has been liberating. "Getting the shot" has a different meaning now that you can a. check your results immediately after shooting and b. shoot a multitude of frames for extra insurance. However, it's definitely changed how I shoot. I shoot way more than I used to, but does quantity necessarily equal more quality? I think being able to exercise that muscle more is always a good thing-I met an instructor in college, very demanding, who would not work with me independently unless I was willing to shoot something like 5 rolls a day, which there was no way I could afford-but I think his point was the more we shoot, the better we get at shooting. However, with digital I think it is easier to get complacent and stuck in a rut. Many of my shots with the DSLR have a "sameness" that frustrates me and it's hard to break out of that without challenging how and when I shoot. Just because it's there and it's interesting, do I have to document it? Is it something that really speaks to me, that falls within my current areas of study or bodies of work-or is it better left alone, really? (Or, if I must document it, do I need to shoot 5 or 6 frames of that stop sign?) This is timely to contemplate while, as I type, I am simultaneously converting the raw files from my trip to Seattle-454 shots in 3.5 days.

Towering ash

2010-04-18T18:37:00.001-07:00

Towering ash
Originally uploaded by fredrikholm.se

There are some amazing photos on Flickr of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. This one in particular, which I found in the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Pool.

A new portrait.

2009-07-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am particularly pleased with this one.

Sacred Feather hat seller, Madison street fair

I can so relate

2009-05-08T09:48:00.001-07:00

I can so relate
Originally uploaded by ellafine

Window display at Archie McPhee. They're moving out of Ballard at the end of this month-and so am I...

More stuff on Etsy

2009-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to buy great art!

Added a couple more prints to esty. For example:

Etsy!

2009-01-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

I have finally put some things up for sale on etsy! Take a look at my store here:

gabriellefine.etsy.com

There's not much up yet, but I will continue to add things!

mannequin kiss on State Street

2008-10-20T19:42:00.001-07:00

mannequin kiss
Originally uploaded by ellafine

Madison, WI

Tasha Tudor

2008-06-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

Tasha Tudor passed away 2 days ago. She was the illustrator and author of several celebrated children's books. The first impression she made on me was her delicate illustrations for The Secret Garden, which I treasured in childhood.

This is a really neat site that her family created as a memorial. It seems like she was a really interesting and lively woman. I would have liked to have met her. In fact I think I'd like to be like her when I am 92.

This will be me, in my kitchen:

Salon of Shame, again

2008-05-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

IMG_1404
Originally uploaded by Espressobuzz.

Espressobuzz takes the most awesome live/candid photos!

P.S.-"Love is just two neuroses finding they're a perfect match," I declare at the world-weary age of 18.

Noby

2008-05-03T10:04:00.001-07:00

Noby 4
Originally uploaded by ellafine

When I was down in Oakland I found a bag of old dolls and stuffed animals in my mom's storage unit. Sadly, they were too dirty and had to be thrown away. Before I did though, I had to take pictures. There was something very creepy about this-it was like they came out of a body bag. Her name was Noby, and I got her when I was probably 3 or 4.

Leap Day

2008-02-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

Leap day reminds me now of the one in 1992 when my dad and I took a day trip to San Francisco. We went to a museum and Grace Cathedral and other touristy things. This morning I was trying to remember why this day had other significance and then I remembered, that was also the day that I shot my first roll of film on my first SLR. It was my dad's and he was bequeathing it to me. We went to the Palace of the Legion of Honor museum where they have the Rodin sculptures and that is where I took my very first SLR picture. Here it is:

The Kiss by Auguste Rodin

We also stopped by Grace Cathedral:

Here's a picture my dad took of me:

Check out my Culture Club hat!
The other thing I remember from that day is that on the way home on Live 105 we heard them play the new Tears For Fears single which was about to be released. This was a big deal because it was the first new song they had released in THREE YEARS. (Which was a long time for me to wait.)

chewed the bone down too low
got fed on tea and sympathy
blew the sail like the wind
i wish you were my enemy
i was humble for you
what a fool i've been to have
laid so low for so long
so low

into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

drew the blade way too slow
was shackled by your honesty
made a mess i guess i should have known
that life was lust and liberty
not a chance mutation
or the last temptation
laid so low for so long
so low

into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down

-Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down), Tears For Fears

amber bird of varnish

2008-01-07T22:12:00.001-08:00

varnish027
Originally uploaded by ellafine

Some good friends of mine are in a band called varnish. They played their first show at a house party this weekend, and I had the honor of taking pictures. They rocked. I am not just saying that because they are my friends.

2008 Photo Resolutions (no pun intended)

2007-12-31T10:46:00.000-08:00

Originally posted on the Photojojo forum:

1. Update and revamp website.
2. Find out which self-publishing service really is the best, then actually use it to self-publish my photo book.
3. Apply for the Center for Documentary Studies' First Book Prize in Photography.
4. Get to know my new Diana camera!
5. SHOOT MORE FILM.
6. Do some Polaroid transfers (I know, these are so 1995, but I only recently acquired the slide printer!)
7. Organize digital backup system and also organize negative storage system.
8. Scan more negatives and old family photos.
9. Try out the Super-8 camera I found.
10. HDR. Figure it out.

Winter show postcard

2007-12-08T12:34:00.001-08:00

Winter show postcard
Originally uploaded by ellafine

Winter's Sequel

A holiday art show

Saturday, December 8th
6-9 PM

Abraxus Books
5711 24th Ave NW
Seattle, Wa

(206)297-6777

(I'm only posting this now because I assume no one reads my blog who wouldn't have received the announcement already. But I realized I ought to post it before the show actually starts.)

behind the scenes

2007-11-26T19:42:00.001-08:00

behind the scenes
Originally uploaded by yelahneb

I get down and dirty for my art.

Photo by Ben Haley.

Fall graveyard photo shoot

2007-11-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here's what I did yesterday.

©GFine. Model: Joriel

Stumptown Comics Fest

2007-10-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sept. 29-30, Portland, OR. Tabling with Puddleville Graphic Novel Collective.

More pictures

Where to begin?

For starters, I have a confession: This was the first comic con of any kind that I have actually attended. How can this be, you may ask? Growing up in the Bay Area, with a healthy interest in comics from my teen years forward...well, it just seems "inconceivable!" But it's true. I have been to other types of conventions and festivals, of course. I did come close to attending APE in 1994 when my best friend at the time and I completed our first zine...but that is another story altogether.

In any case, it was fantastic. What a rush to be in a huge room surrounded by so much talent, motivation and dedication. It made me want to start drawing 100 comics at once. At the same time I was totally overwhelmed by ideas and also a little intimidated. However, the atmosphere at Stumptown was really friendly, supportive and DIY-focused. Some big names were there, such as Peter Bagge and Dark Horse Comics, but the main attraction for me was the individuals and groups who displayed their self-published work.

Here's a list of the people I bought stuff from, or picked up a postcard from, or otherwise admired:

B.T. Livermore/Robopocalypse Collective

Joshua Kemble

Sarah Oleksyk

Miriam Libicki

Matt Silady

Chris Yates/Playground Ghosts

Dylan Meconis

Girl Wonder

Shaenon K. Garrity

Dragon Green

That was just a sampling, really. It was just a feast for the eyes: Art, art everywhere!

As for Puddleville, I think we did well, just based on observation. A lot of people stopped at our table, we sold many copies of our Issue #1 (a compilation), and lots of buttons (buttons were a big hit. Oh, and I need a button making machine. Now.) It felt really good to be a part of that. APE next stop, I hope!

Salon of Shame

2007-07-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

For something a little different, before the Salon of Shame last night I took portraits of everyone with their assorted journals/diaries/random papers. Here I am with my journals from ages 17 and 19:

Live 105, yo!

Lots more here. Take a look. You know you want to. It's so totally awesome.

Total props to Ariel for starting this event. It's doubled in size since the last time I attended, and regularly sells out! It is so much fun. I highly recommend it-whether you're bold enough to read, or just want to laugh your ass off. I believe there are similar events in other cities-like Cringe in NY, which I think is the original?-so if you aren't a Seattleite, see if there's one in your area.

PDX wrap-up

2007-07-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Boy, regular life really takes over, especially when you get home from a trip. Well, I should probably conclude my postings on Portland with some kind of wrap-up or overview.

First, possibly my favorite picture (and it's getting a lot of hits on Flickr too):

taken with film!

I'm quite fond of the few film shots I took. Here's one of me in my fab guesthouse room:

So, Scott McCloud. The class was great, of course. It was really useful, I took a lot of notes...right now it's kind of a big blur. The things he says about comics are just awesome. He really does validate it as an art form in its own right. I've defended it as such in the past, but standing in a class listening to Scott critiquing our work, it makes perfect sense and doesn't even seem to be worth arguing about. Of course its art. It's pictures used to communicate a story and/or an idea.
One quote that stands out that I did write down: Gesture (in a drawing) ideals with "the calligraphy of human interaction."
I love the way he phrases things and I really wish I just had a recording or transcript of everything he said. His lectures are so great, informative and entertaining, and I highly recommend going if he pops up in your area (Californians take note-he's hitting your state in August!)

I think I may have mentioned already how cool it is that Scott is touring with his wife and two girls. I am insanely envious of his daughters of the experiences they are having at such a young age. I'm sure it is much more educational than being stuck in a regular school for another year. (Although I imagine that in a few ways they are looking forward to returning to real school and regular life, as exciting as it is to be on the road.) Sky, his eldest, is especially poised and confident for a girl her age. (Forgive me, I have limited interactions with teenagers, and most of the time it seems like they don't want to talk to me at all.) I ran into her at a gelato shop by Powell's and she was really friendly and outgoing. (I was just amazed that she talked to me.) Her mom was there too, and her cousin, and they were all super friendly and ended up making me feel like I was the celebrity, even though I had started the conversation by saying, "Uh, you're the McClouds, I saw you on Livejournal!" yeah. They're the type of folks you feel at ease with right away and end up wanting to talk to them and hang out with them for hours. (Unfortunately, that isn't possible. If we all got to hang out with the McClouds as much as we wanted to, they would never get to sleep.)

Here's Sky doing her highly entertaining and visually impressive Keynote presentation at the lecture (I won't tell you what it's about, in case you get to see it.)

(it really helps with this one if you click on it and go to the bigger version.)

Here's Scott in class, looking at my work (and smiling! He likes it! eeeeeeeeg!)

He really is a nice, friendly, down to earth kinda guy, with a lot of good things to say and an infectious enthusiasm for comics. It was so much fun learning from him.

Ok. Anything else? Things really shifted into high gear as soon as he got to town. Before I knew it the whole thing was over and I was back on the train. (Literally-I had to rush right from class, which was technically over but of course everyone was staying longer, to the train station.) I did go to stay with Jessa, an old friend, in North Portland for the last 2 nights of my visit. She and I spent a lot of quality time catching up and doing some more sightseeing (I gladly accepted her driving me around, after spending most of the week on foot. Walking builds character and all, but I was ready for a break. Plus, it enabled me to go see some things that I had ruled out previously because they were too out of the way to get to on foot/by bus.)
Speaking of busses, did I mention that I was able to purchase a one-week bus pass to use on the bus, streetcar, and MAX line? That was super-cool, convenient, and saved me a lot of money. I am pretty impressed with the transit system. It may not be the best ever, but it's better by far than Seattle's. I bitch about Seattle's transit a lot, but the thing is, after spending a week in Portland, I've concluded that it's partly just the way Seattle is laid out and there's not much that can be done about that. So I've stopped blaming as much the "powers that be" or the voting public (although I still think we take way too long to actually implement ideas. Jessa said that she thought the difference was that while Seattle takes forever to figure out whether or not something is the right solution, in Portland they just go ahead and build it even if it is the wrong one. She's lived in both cities, by the way.)

Here are some things I saw while driving around with Jessa:

A sea of roses in Ladd's Addition (a uniquely constructed neighborhood-the streets run out from a central point, instead of a grid-look at a map to see what I'm talking about. It's in the SE quadrant just north of SE Division, starting at 12th.)

A lightbulb shop

The Beverly Cleary tribute fountain in Grant Park

Some nice evening light on NE Alberta.

As usual, click on any of the photos to be taken to much more...

Day 4

2007-06-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

It. Is. Hot. I'm sitting in my room in front of the (wonderful wonderful) air conditioner (one of those little window units.) I had to skip out of the afternoon lectures because I (stupidly) wore myself out walking around downtown (with a backpack full of books from Powell's...heh) When I got back here at 5 it was 88 degrees. Yikes. No wonder I felt like I was dying.
I have no heat tolerance anymore. Not that I had much to begin with...

Anyway. Now that I am feeling well-rested, there are so many things I want to do, but of course most of them I can't do because of the heat. At some point I'm going to have to venture out to procure food. *whine* I think I'll hit up that sushi place again.

Here are some more highlights from yesterday, pics from today will be posted later (and more on this actual educational thing I'm supposed to be attending...)

Day 3

2007-06-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ugggggh. Sleep did not work out. Again. After waking up every 2 hours again, I woke up at 5:30 and could not get back to sleep. At all. Finally got out of bed around 7, caught an earlier bus downtown and went to Stumptown for coffee. Which may or may not have been a good idea. Anyway, I made it through class, had some decent pizza for lunch and then on the afternoon break I prowled around the center of downtown, or what my map informed me is the "Cultural District." The art museum and the Oregon Historical Society were both closed on Mondays, but the park was nice, and riding the streetcar was fun. It was really quick to get from the NW to the SW end. (Seattle, take note.)
I'm not sure where I got the energy to do all that. After wanting to take a nap in the afternoon lectures (they weren't boring-I just am too tired!) I walked down to Powell's and checked out their graphic novel section, then figured out where Voodoo Donuts is (and that they are now open 24 hours, so I'm going there first thing in the morning) and found the Middle Eastern place where we ate last time we were here. It was very good. I had a combo plate with hummus, baba ghanouj, falafels, tahini, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves and yogurt cucumber salad.

More later...

Portland Day 2 (6/24)

2007-06-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't sleep too well last night. I fell asleep quickly, but I kept waking up every 2 hours. Like clockwork. It was weird. I've heard that a human needs to get at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep in order for it to be thoroughly restful. So I didn't get that. One other thing: It is charming that there is a large tree directly above skylight. I woke sometime between 4 and 5 to the sound of birdsong quite near. I thought "oh, how nice, birds in the morning." 20 minutes later, I thought, "I am going to kill that bird."
(Figure of speech. I wouldn't really kill a bird. Really. Honestly.)

Anyway, I was only operating on 1/2 or maybe 2/3 of a tank, so to speak, when I boarded a bus at 8:30 am. It was pretty easy to get to the Pearl district. After I arrived at class it was revealed that in addition to our class schedule, which meets mostly in the mornings, there would be several lectures offered in the afternoons. So what I thought was going to be a 1/2 day turned out to be a full day. (It doesn't matter, because Alex flaked anyway, although I left him 2 messages like a stalker.) I wasn't crazy about all the lecture offerings and considered going back up to the guesthouse for some of them, but ended up just crashing in the lounge area at the school, in a loft with comfy couches where I swapped life stories with one bright-eyed junior. Ah, college. This rest period did me good, as I was able to rally myself for the last lecture of the day, on webcomics, which was very useful and informative. (Links to follow.)

Also, they treated us to brunch, which was really awesome. I had this wild salmon hash with poached eggs. It was quite good, as was conversation at the table. This girl and I were eyeing each other in class and doing the "you look familiar" thing, well it turns out she lived in Oly while I was there and she is the creator of Tammytown, the movie, which I attended a fundraiser fashion show for at Capitol Theater in 2000. (I know that last sentence was awkward, but I totally don't care.) Another Oly/Portland connection.

For dinner, I walked up the street from the guesthouse to a restaurant I noticed yesterday which featured organic food of various cuisines. I had an Indian dinner which was quite good-a combo of Subji (cabbage, potatoes and peas sauteed in garlic, ginger and cumin), Dal (not as mushy as some dals I've had, with whole kidney beans, very flavorful-although I found the addition of raw red onions on top to be distracting rather than complementary, although normally I love me some raw onions.), with rice, chapati, mint chutney, and raita, and a tasty rice pudding. It was all served on a metal plate with each thing in a small individual metal bowl. At first I thought this was just supposed to be cutesy presentation, but then I realized it kept each individual portion warm, which was appreciated. Also, they were willing to cook it mild, (which means I could actually taste my food), and since the chutney was spicy I could add a bit of heat if I wanted. Yum.
It's also fun to get your check and have it be the same price as your food. I know if you live here they take the tax out in other ways, but as a visitor, it's always a nice surprise.

Full and content, it's time for me to go to bed for a big day tomorrow, all day and evening downtown.

Portland, Day 1 (written 6/23)

2007-06-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

In Portland for the Pacific Northwest College of Art's Graphic Novel Intensive, a week of classes, lectures and workshops. I am having so much fun here, and it's only been 1/2 a day.
The train ride down was uneventful if boring and cramped (I ended up in one of those seats facing another set of seats) and rather filled with squalling childrens, but ah well. Took a taxi from the station 'cause I was so zonked (couldn't sleep well last night, natch) to my lovely little guest house! This place is so adorable. All the rooms are named after authors (well-except Elliott Smith. But I think the point is that they're all local.) I'm in the Ken Kesey. I have a skylight above my bed!

After attempting to nap for a bit, and chatting with the proprietor in the lovely kitchen...

...I then walked several blocks up to Hawthorne to look for food. After walking back and forth a few times in indecisiveness (and a detour into Powell's on Hawthorne where I gave in and bought Animal, Vegetable, Miracle rather than waiting for the 400 people ahead of me on the library list-Yes, I have been in Portland for fewer than 24 hours and have already bought a book), I found a little sushi place on a sidestreet that turned out to be a fantastic find. They had a delicious salmon skin salad that consisted of salmon skin pieces (a generous amount), cucumbers, asparagus spears, julienned carrots and green onions in a yummy sesame vinaigrette. I also had an unagi roll which was decent, and also notable for the fact that it was in actual bite size pieces. I hate it when sushi is too big to fit in one bite.

Anyway, I then made my way back down to Division and to Food Fight, a fabulous little food store where everything is vegan, and purchased some snacks and soymilk. Now I am back in my room with the skylight open, feeling the fresh breeze and watching the tree sway and the clouds roll by.

The weather is fantastic today-kinda warm and humid (but only if you're walking a lot) but with a great breeze, lots of variations of clouds and sun, and for a while there it was raining with the sun out. I love summer rain. There was some lightning too!

It's going to be an early night for me because I am so tired and I have to get up fairly early tomorrow and the adventure of taking the bus downtown, etc. I have class until noon and then I will hopefully hook up with Alex from Stumptown Coffee, who will hopefully show me some cool stuff to do on a Sunday.

Note: Click on any picture for a link to even more pictures.
Pictures from the train trip down will come later, as I shot only film.

From foto to illo, what a strange trip it's been...

2007-04-24T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I say. Busybusybusy. Home stretch of class; 2 weeks until major portfolio review and 4 weeks until it is all over. This Saturday is the Western Washington SCBWI's annual conference in Bellevue, where I will be rubbing elbows with the likes of Paul O. Zelinsky and Bruce Coville. (Well, I probably won't get to rub their elbows, but maybe I can get their autographs.) And then...in June, one week in Portland to attend the Graphic Novel Intensive at Pacific Northwest College of Art, featuring the illustrious (ha ha) Scott McCloud!

Things have been picking up at a fast clip, in other words.

The photography has basically been put on hold...well, not from the point of view of my Flickr account, where I am uploading shots constantly...but that's a different kind of shooting from the work I used to do. It's gratifying, it appeases (for now) the part of me that has to always be getting the good shots, non stop (and this method is certainly easier on the budget than shooting an equivalent amount of film and then processing it.) Who knows when I will return to more serious traditional photography...perhaps someday in the near future I will have an actual house with a basement or shed where I can build a darkroom. Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Revamped the website; now the home page features a choice! You can either go and view my photography (which currently features the exact same site as before, originally designed by the lovely staceyb of frenettik) or you can follow the link to illustration, which currently leads...well, back here, or rather to my other blog. Soon I'm going to create a complete illustration site, but for now I have to focus on getting the portfolio ready, and it's enough that I just have something for people to look at when they visit my site.

Back to work!

My first photo montage

2007-02-04T20:58:00.001-08:00

My first photo montage
Originally uploaded by ellafine.

This is what I did in class today.

This class is taught by the amazing David Julian. The class is at Luminousworks.

Gone partly digital...

2007-01-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

Exhibit: A. Film!!

Nothing like picking up all the film nobody wants anymore, for 1/2 price!

B. Film and a Kodak Duaflex! ($15!)

C. Behold the mighty DIGITAL SLR!

(You cannot resist the dark side. Join us now. Resistance is futile. Etc.)
(I should probably explain that this is my first digital SLR, and I held out for a long time on taking this step. But resistance proved futile. However! Film is still not dead. Pictures to come later, as I have to go up to CompUSA now and get the memory card.)

Excitement!

Gargoyles show

2007-01-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for this show at Gargoyles, I feel a little sad. I've always wanted to show there-that is to say, I've had some work for sale in the store on and off over the years, but I believe it wasn't until recently that they started to have regular artist shows with receptions-part of the U-District's Artwalk. But I've always felt that my art fit in so well in their atmosphere. It's going to be great fun just to hang out there for 4 hours amongst all the candles, spooky gargoyle statues, fairies, and other ethereal art.
So why am I sad? I feel like this is definitely going to be my last show for a while; I have a lot to keep up with in terms of classes and projects. I'm learning new things and I just don't have the time and energy to do this on a regular basis right now. But I feel like an era is ending (well, I don't want to sound too dramatic): I'm getting more into digital shooting (yes, the girl with the "Film Is Not Dead" t-shirt-and no, I still don't think it's dead) and into graphic design and illustration. At least, that's the plan for now; we'll see where it leads. As usual, nothing in life is guaranteed.
The other thing I've realized is that what "having a show" means for me has got to change. It's become more of a time and money gobbler than anything else. It may be a good way to self-promote, but for me that's usually all it does. I really hope my efforts have led to someone noticing my work who might eventually buy some or make some connection for me that takes me somewhere. But for now, it's becoming impractical. And I've gotten tired of it. I'm tired of framing (dear god, there must be a way to present and protect my work without the old mat/glass/wood frame!) and lugging around heavy framed work (which is then difficult to show people or scan without removing it from the frame, which is a big deal.) I'm tired of plunking down $100 for a bunch of postcards and then having them turn out crappy (yes, I need to learn more about the output side of digital.) I'm tired of standing for 3-4 hours and having people wander by and say "Oh, I love your work" and then move on.
Ok, I guess I'm coming off as bitter, which is not what I'm intending. I'm trying to be pragmatic. The next time I have a show, I really want it to be in a different situation on different terms (and maybe with an audience who is actually prepared to buy some art.)
I feel sad because I haven't done much darkroom printing, I'm afraid that it's going to fall by the wayside, and even if this isn't my Last Show, it is the last time I will show this work. I've been putting up the same stuff-with the addition of a few new pieces, but the same body of work-for 2 years now. No, over 2 years. Wow. Anyway, the same old thing gets tired after a while, and of course I want to keep my work fresh and new. I just have no idea what direction it will take next. Gargoyles seems like a fitting farewell to this particular body of work; not that I will give up on it entirely, but it really does seem time to explore other directions for a while.

In memoriam

2006-11-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

So here's the thing: The show I put up recently, which I had an opening for last Saturday, is supposed to be dedicated to a friend of mine who died 10 years ago this month. I put a lot of thought and effort into this, particularly in a piece of writing I have posted next to her picture. The problem is, due to the location of my show (in the hallway of a restaurant), it is not an ideal locale for people to read all my writing and ponder the meaning of life and death. So, because I have this wonderful internet access and blogging tool, I can bring to you my intention by posting the picture with my full statement. I love the internet.

Jean, 1992

This show is dedicated to a close friend of mine who passed away 10 years ago this month. I knew her when I was growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, between the ages of 13 and 21. In fact, I met her on my 13th birthday, and her memorial service was held on my 21st birthday. This was a coincidence, but I found the symmetry to be comforting.

Jean was a role model and mentor to me during my teen years (she was about 30 years my senior.) She was one of those rare people who are genuinely kind and thoughtful. She had a great enthusiasm for life and enjoyed many aspects of it-especially the outdoors and music. She was involved in several choirs and music groups in the Bay Area. At her memorial service, per her request, the choir of which she was a longtime member sang Mozart’s Requiem in its entirety. I correlate the images in this show with a lot of the music she liked-Mozart and other early classical music.

Jean also liked to explore the outdoors, and we went camping several times. We went for a few jaunts through the Mountain View Cemetery, a large cemetery in Oakland. She enjoyed walking and looking at the old graves. During that time period I was just discovering photography. I had my first “real” camera and one of my first rolls of black and white film was taken on such a stroll.

The picture I have included in this show was taken in 1992. I feel it captured Jean in a perfect moment-her interest and open curiosity in life, her fascination with beautiful and unusual findings such as this gate. I have made other images of this very same gate, which is striking in its circular design and intricate ironwork.

The theme of this show is “Memento Mori,” which is often translated as “remember that you will die” (or more gently, perhaps, “Remember that you are mortal.”) In its origins it is related to the phrase “Carpe Diem” (seize the day.) For myself, knowing someone like Jean inspired me to try to live life to its fullest as she did. She died relatively young, but she lived an amazing life and touched many, many people. Her memorial service was thronged. Many people spoke as I felt, of her thoughtfulness and the lively interest she took in others and the world around her. It sounds like a cliché, perhaps, but there are really people like that in the world.

Jean was genuine. She struggled with cancer for a year. In our last conversation, which was brief, I had called her after her surgery, not knowing that she was unable to talk. She must have been in a lot of pain, but she still thought to tell me, “I love you.” She died a few days later.
I want to dedicate this show to her, and to her spirit, by which I refer to her zest for life. I hope I can carry that on. She taught me a lot of things, and it still pains me to think of all the things we will never discuss. But I think she would have loved this show.

Gabrielle Fine
11/11/06

el dia de los muertos in Ballard

2006-11-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

el dia de los muertos in Ballard, originally uploaded by ellafine.

On Halloween I witnessed a large celebration which appeared to have spilled out of la Carta de Oaxaca and onto the street on Ballard Ave. (Click on the picture to view more.)

Opening 10/14

2006-10-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

The opening went smoothly, with a steady artwalk crowd for most of the evening. Not as much initial interest generated as in previous artwalks, but the show will be up for the rest of the month.

Photokina exhibit

2006-09-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Somewhere on this wall is a picture of mine, in this show in Cologne, Germany.

The Analogue Counter-Revolution
The Rebirth of the Lomo LCA
and the Future of Analogue Photography in the Digital Age

Mission San Carlos de Borremo, CA

2006-08-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

Mission San Carlos de Borremo, CA, originally uploaded by ellafine.

oregon, june 06

2006-08-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

jason 2, originally uploaded by ellafine.

Musings on art and inspiration

2006-07-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

So last night I attended Artist Trust's EDGE program presentations. I'm not sure EDGE actually stands for anything, but it's a professional development program for Washington artists, and you can read more about it here. As an EDGE graduate myself, it's always fun to go see people present their art after going through this intensive 50-hour program. I remember when I presented my work it was quite a high, because I had put so much effort into my presentation materials and applying all the things I had learned, and seeing your work projected larger than life on a big screen in a darkened room is always a high. Anyway, going to this event got me really inspired and excited about art in general. There was so much good work being shown that night!! So many talented people, all different media, different approaches, each great in their own way. It's so inspiring to see what people do when they're creating from their own resonance. It got me thinking of how many different creative inspirations there must be just floating around on a given day, and how many of them are actually harnessed and made into something by someone with the skill and imagination to bring it forth. I know that I have hundreds of ideas that pass through my brain and, if I remember them, never get carried out for a myriad of reasons-time, resources, lack of skill or know-how. When I do really get on a creative roll, it astounds me what comes out of me. Imagine if I could produce like that all the time (boy would I be tired!) I would be so prolific, my work would be all over the world by now. Heh heh. (So it's probably a good thing I'm not.)

All this digital stuff is fun and all, but...

2006-07-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

...dammit, I need to print!
I'm going crazy here. The last time I was in a darkroom was in January. I keep having visions of things I want to print. I have stacks of negatives untouched. There is a darkroom 2 blocks from my house that offers 24/7 access for $100 a month. I want to do it. I really want to. But I don't have an extra $100 a month. And I have to be practical...I'm receiving financial assistance already for going back to school, essentially, to learn all this nifty digital stuff and some illustration, so that I can become an even more self-supporting artist with an even broader range of skills...But I wanna PRINT! I want to mess around with smelly chemicals in very subdued light. I want to stand in one place agitating a Lith print for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. I want to do "the hard way" all the things I'm learning to do with just a click of the mouse in Photoshop.
(Ok, it really takes more than one click...but that sounded better in the flow of the writing. Sue me.)

ubergoth

2006-07-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

ubergoth
Originally uploaded by ellafine.

i am actually quite fond of gazing upon crucifixes

Store window dress models

2006-06-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

dress models 2
Originally uploaded by ellafine.

An eerie nighttime shot of some old-fashioned dress models. Using the "Color Accent" feature on my Canon digital.

Ramblings on photography, Part 1

2006-06-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I love shooting film (and therefore one of the reasons I loved shooting pictures, before all this new-fangled stuff came out) is the anticipation and surprise factor. Developing a mystery roll of film can be better than Christmas. You don't know exactly what you'll find. Even if you do have an idea of what was on the roll, the longer you wait to develop, the less you will remember of the shoot. I had one photography instructor who actually advised us to wait a while before developing our film, so that by the time we looked at it we would be free from the expectations we might have had immediately following the shoot. If it wasn't necessary to get the film back right away, then let it sit for a month, a few months, even.

Well I have taken this advice to the extreme, out of a mix of budget constraints and some laziness (after a certain point, I think it was about 5 years ago, I decided I was not going to develop my own film anymore, because I hated it. I was shooting a lot of color anyway, and you don't commonly develop that in your home darkroom, as it involves really nasty chemicals.) Anyway, the result is about 50 rolls of backed-up film from the last 3 years, and a few scattered rolls, mostly b/w, that are between 8 and 13 years old and I just never got around to developing (because I lost interest in whatever it was I shot, and/or it was some weird kind of film, or I had pushed it, and the lab would charge me extra to process or I'd have to do it myself, and we've already outlined my views on that.) Recently I did some research on developing film that is over 10 years old. A lot of people agree that it can be just fine (black and white; color tends to shift) depending on the storage conditions. Wellll....I can't speak to the exact storage conditions for the entire time, but let's just say they've probably been at room temperature for most of it. Not ideal, but better than a hot car glove compartment, right? Anyway, I'm looking forward to eventually seeing what is on those mystery rolls (and yes, I may have to do them myself, or maybe pay the lab extra.)

As far as the other 50 rolls, they are mostly color, and they are mostly snapshots (as opposed to Art-which I mostly define as the difference between when I am just shooting whatever comes by versus going out on A Shoot. The former always involved my beloved Lomo, the latter usually a combination of cameras, including whatever heavy SLR I was lugging around at the time.) Out of necessity (budget), I have sort of replaced my Lomo with a digital for everyday shooting. Yes, I, the girl with the "Film Is Not Dead" t-shirt-I have gotten a digital camera. This does not mean I have "gone digital" like so many photographers do in this day and age. I still have all my darkroom equipment (just no place to use it), my film cameras, and I have every intention of using those when I go out on a deliberate shoot. Plus, there are just some things the digital camera can't replace-like the aforementioned Lomo or the Holga, one of my other loves.

But I realized the situation was ridiculous because: I was carrying my Lomo around all the time for on the spot shooting, which it is very good for because it has the smartest little automatic settings of any camera I've seen and it's small enough to carry in my purse. But the result: I was shooting (and buying, of course) rolls and rolls of film, and then paying about $13 a pop to get them developed and scanned to CD. Because once I started doing this I became addicted to being able to see my shots on the computer, upload them and share them with people, and I needed some way to view them anyway and it's a better deal than getting a set of prints and takes up way less room. (I stopped getting sets of prints about 3 or 4 years ago.) If any of you have ever gotten your film processed only, and then tried to see what was on it-I don't find that to be a very satisfactory way to view my shots. You can't really tell whether they're good or not until you see the positive.) Anyway, the film would get all backed up because I couldn't afford to keep up with my shooting rate, basically. So despite the letting film sit theory, I realized I gotta put a lid on this-at this rate, by the time I pay for developing and scanning those 50 rolls, I could buy myself 2 digital cameras. (That doesn't take away the fact that I still have to process that film...but at least the pile won't grow at such an exponential rate.)

I like the digital camera I've gotten; it's a good compromise between a "big gun" SLR (like the pros use) and an "idiot-proof" point and shoot. It has some cool effects and manual settings so I can have more or less control when I want it. And it's not the smallest of the batch, but it's small and light enough to fit in my purse.

Anyway. I recently had a purge and took about 10 rolls in for processing; I'm doing them chronologically because they all end up on the same CD and also because I'm trying to do the oldest film first so it doesn't get any older. So this batch was all from '04-mostly fall. None of these were labeled, so it was all mystery film. And there were some surprises!

Below are a few I found especially pleasing. The first two are from Halloween of '04, and the rest are from a trip down to CA-I think it must have been in the fall.

This is me the halloween before last, with a little photoshopping to make it look like an old silent-film still.

Look at my HAIR!! (That was a pain in the ass to do, by the way.)

Jason napping on the Coast Starlight

Self-portrait on train

My mom's cats, sitting pretty

Some graffiti down by 4th street in North Berkeley

View of the Jack London station at night

My dad, waving goodbye to the train as I depart

Pic taken from the train with a fisheye lens

Todd of Nervous Nellie's

2006-06-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

nervous nellie's 002
Originally uploaded by ellafine.

Photos from the Nervous Nellie's parade day. (To see them all, click on this photo, then go to "Nervous Nellie's (Set)" or "View as slideshow" to the right of the photo.)