Boy are we living in crazy times! Unprecedented times for the world but a time I think the world needs! Definitely a time the humans of this planet need, to stop, re assess, reset. We have been destroying this planet systematically and along the lines destroying ourselves! For what? More money, faster cars, bigger houses? Most people have lost sight of what’s really important – us! People, family, the earth! Care factor is zero and it’s disturbingly sad! Fighting over toilet paper??? I’m happy to be holed up in my house (though I’m packing to move) It’s a crazy world out there and I hope that at the end of this is a much more caring world!
In the meantime I’ve stumbled across some real gems online. One particular movie caught my eye about Robert Mapplethorpe, a photographer from New York best known for his black and white photographs. “His work featured an array of subjects, including celebrity portraits, male and female nudes, self-portraits, and still-life images.” – Wikipedia. I had never heard of him and was absolutely fascinated with his eye and how he captured his subjects including the beautiful flowers. Not afraid to push the envelope stand true to what he wanted to say and certainly not ashamed of the naked body which he found beautiful and erotic! This is exactly how I feel and I couldn’t believe I didn’t know his name though I knew some of his work.
I am so inspired by photographers and their imagery – it’s what I paint! Sure I manipulate some images to better suit my eye and what I want to say but in essence the photographers I follow and are drawn to are the ones that take a picture similar to my minds eye. Being a hair and makeup artist and having worked with many brilliant photographers, I’ve found the ones that take a truly beautiful (for want of a better word haha I’ve used it a lot) image, the ones that walk the line between worlds, the ones that push the boundaries and break the rules – they’re my people!
I’ve been blessed to have found a few of my people over the years and in fact I’m still finding them! The great creatives that sit between worlds, belonging everywhere but nowhere all at once. On the edge of madness and sanity most often but it’s on those edges where the true magic happens! Safe is not an option!
I will leave you with this quote which for me says it all!
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
Cesar A. Cruz
Creation! 