Afterlight

When the sun goes down
There is an afterlight
Within the context of the artist
It is something to be pursued

We chase
After light

Not be confused
With afterlight
A relatively young word
At 215 years

Unused for some time
It registers misspelled
In autocorrect
Wait….
Autocorrect registers misspelled
In autocorrect

oils on canvas 16″x20″ “Twilight”

One More Round

To anyone who reads this, Happy New Year!
An interesting sentiment….very human. We like to take note of any occasion, and if we get to greet one another with positive vibes, that’s even better.

Every year is dotted with a mix of trials and overcoming trials. Things accomplished, things left undone. Victory(s) and failure(s). We look in retrospect and decide to make or remake goals.

In November 2018, I decided to gather all of my physical work together. The goal was to finish them and get rid of them. A “cleaning house” move. I completely failed for many reasons. Most notably, I became distracted in paths that require too much time. Video creation. Yup, I love making videos and to do it correctly, it sucks up time. Watch movie credits at the end of a simple presentation (without CGI or special effects) and the list is very long.

My distractions were so strong that I uploaded very little new work to my print site!
https://bluemarblephotography.smugmug.com/

I’ve realized over the years, failure is not a negative experience unless nothing is learned from it. So what did I learn? As much as I love making videos, I must continue in a much more disciplined pattern. Return to the plan. Finish my works, sell them, give them away, and move forward.

Because we have seasons, we know something is happening. We can look at the stars and the moon and know changes are occurring. If this was not the case, then when would we decide to be resolute about something?

Perhaps, when the sun is going down, and the colors of the evening are exploding and beckoning. When it is relatively quiet and instead of harried photo making, I just stop and take in the moment to have the moment move through me. Looking down from the clouds, I can see the clutter in my paths. From there I can make plans.

Close some doors, ignore those rooms and clean up one at a time. Happy new year everyone!

Edge of Sleep

Meeting you is so sweet.
Though,
I have become somewhat self-conscious.

The only time you will see me
Is at night
Right, at that transitory moment.

When my eyes close
And the spinning begins.
The roar of wind encircles me

Standing on a world
In a sea of tumultuous waves
Debris spiraling in tornadic mayhem.

‘Til your words stop the violence
Trees and mountains fall into the sea
And we drink very strong tea together

single frame photo – polar coordinates and masking

Old Friend

Clouds rolled in mocking my presence.
Hiding your lovely face
Its luminescence
Haunting my dreams
To obsession. 

You said,
“You can love me,
But I belong to no one.
If you worship me
I will hate you
Don’t put me in a place
Where only seclusion
Would be my name.”

“I know,” I whispered. 
“I apologize.
Couldn’t help myself
It’s been so long.”

“I know too,” she said.
Our worth is found here
In this moment.
Clouds, roll away some
Let me see my friend.

See,
Not so bad.”

(3) frame multiple exposures in-camera