Fruits & Veggies in Shockoe Bottom & the Streets of Richmond

Last year I participated in a show at Glave Kocen Gallery, the theme of which was “Side Streets.”  The premise was to show a different side of some aspect of the city of Richmond, or perhaps shed a new light on what we know about our home town.  My approach to the project was literal at the outset, actually focusing on the streets themselves, particularly the cobblestone which to me embodies the rich history we enjoy here.  The result of my technique yielded interesting details of what lies underfoot, and not all were particularly pretty.  Nonetheless, the look intrigued me.  My pieces for the show can be seen among my work at the Glave Kocen website.

 

Scenic Shockoe Bottom. ©Jeff S. Saxman

 

 

 

 

And so, on a recent Thursday morning I was inspired to take a walk with this method in mind.  My studio is two blocks from the 17th Street Farmer’s Market, and this was a natural destination. Thursday mornings is when this area plays host to a variety of farmers, florists, and artisans.  My mind was in the gutter as I strode along…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…but soon I was distracted by a lovely bunch of tomatoes and eggplant.  The colors were magnificent, especially the eggplant.

 

Thick Paint and Politics

I was in Charlottesville, photographing a marching band competition last weekend, when I saw a fantastic concrete wall, at least 100 feet long, buried under what must be years of color and opinion and inspiration.  The paint is so thick and bright, you feel like you are swimming when walking past.  The elements have tugged at the pigment in places, pulling back skin to reveal in places what might have been expressed years earlier.  In a sense, it is a time line, and very beautiful.

Charlottesville is a great town-  On the downtown mall stands a monument to free speech upon which passers by are encouraged to write whatever they feel (in chalk); and this wall, in a high school parking lot no less, has been allowed to stand as a testament to a belief in, and a trust of, folks’ freedom of expression.  There seems to be no fear of what one might say.

People who know me know that I tend not to keep my opinions to myself, particularly when it comes to politics.  However, I have made a conscious effort to NOT make this blog political.  It is not what I want this forum to be about.  For me, this is about art and inspiration.  That said, though, I thought this portion of the wall was especially cool…

And these details were interesting as well…

 

It is an honor to be mentioned

I learned over the weekend that one of my submissions to Art 180 was selected as an honorable mention.  Not quite sure just how exclusive that is, but as the title of this post indicates, it is, in fact, an honor to be mentioned.  The celebration is this Friday, but I am unable to make it.  I wish them much happiness at their gathering.

 

The reason I cannot be there Friday is that I have been photographing my son’s high school marching band this season, and there is a home football game Friday.  I have been enjoying shooting the band, and, I think the band is enjoying my presence and my photos.  As with most performers, they really are a bunch of hams, for the most part.  Makes for some fun photos, though.  Here is one photo that I like…

 

 

 

James River Regiment High School Marching Band. ©Jeff S. Saxman

 

Art and change and opportunity

There is an organization here in Richmond called Art 180, which has used artists and the arts to provide positive experience and opportunities to many youngsters that may be on a difficult road.  The concept is that art can provide a 180 degree turn for many of these youths.  Check ‘em out at www.art180.org.

 

Next week, Art 180 is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and to celebrate, they have been soliciting entries for its “Change for a Ten” exhibit.  The idea is that, on a template the size and shape of a ten dollar bill, you create your own bill detailing the change you would like to see in your community.  Along with your submission, you include a real ten dollar bill, which helps support Art 180’s valuable programs.  Neat!

I worked for longer than I probably should have on my designs for the show.  In the end, I could not decide between two designs and so, submitted both.  The change I am advocating is for folks to open their eyes a bit to the world around them.  In this election year, we have been inundated with quite a load of false claims and accusations (on both sides of the aisle, I must say); a small bit of independent research on everyones part can help cut through some of that, but it does require opening the eyes and mind.

My idea is not limited, of course, to politics.  No matter what we do, be it communicating with coworkers, driving safely and respectfully, or simply being appreciative of those in our lives, we should do it with our eyes open.

As a side note, I found it interesting that when opening a photo you have made of currency in Photoshop, you are first greeted by a notice that says you will not be able to print the file as is, only edit it.  A link then makes it easy to visit the website of the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group.  Interesting.

 

Abstractions

In recent years, I have been playing around with a technique I’ve developed that yields interesting colorful, abstract images.  Some of you may have seen these, as they have previously been on my commercial website (www.saxmanphoto.com) and exhibited in a number of shows around Richmond.  A new development has taken place- This series, called “Moments,” as well as others that are similar, are available through the Glave Kocen Gallery, and can be seen at http://www.glavekocengallery.com/Artist-Detail.cfm?ArtistsID=55.  Jen Glave and BJ Kocen have been terrific to work with, and their gallery contains some really wonderful artwork.  Take a spin around their site!

One image from the Moments series, available as 33"x38" and 16"x18"

 

 

A newer body of work may soon find its way to Glave Kocen as well.  This is a different approach to the idea of abstract photography, yet, for me, evokes some of the same feelings as “Moments,” but in perhaps a more subtle way.  This work is still being developed, but I hope to have it ready for its closeup soon.

  

One of the as-yet-unnamed forthcoming abstract series.

One final note about copyright.  You’ll notice the © mark on my photos.  I love the idea that someone might be enamored enough with my images to appropriate them.  That is why I have worked hard to make my photography available legitimately either through my commercial site or, in the case of the fine art work, through Glave Kocen Gallery.  I am extremely fortunate that I am able to make my livelihood through my photography, but that will no longer be the case if it is taken.  Thanks for respecting that!

 

Words and their impact.

 

Many special moments were experienced in the Arizona desert.

Greetings.  Since you have found your way to this page, let me say “congratulations” (or “sorry.”)

 

I am a photographer, and so I live in a vividly visual world.  One of the things I love the most about what I do is that it requires me to slow down and pay attention to what is going on around me:  a shift to the left, a gentle nod of the head, an unexpected shaft of sunlight, a view from an unusual angle.  We experience these every moment of every day, but unless we are paying attention, really paying attention, they are lost, never to return.  What photography has done for me is trained my eye to see those fleeting moments and angles and colors and compositions.  Sometimes, I have a camera with me, and I may make a photograph.  Often, however, I am empty handed.  But, I do not let this delete the impact of the moment.  My photographer’s eye has captured it for me, and, though my memory is not as archival as I would like, it has existed for a time within my senses.  I find the experience marvelous.

Having said this, though, I must also admit my love for words.  While photos can effectively express moments, words express ideas which may be too abstract or complex (or subtle?) for a photograph.  I have written much, but these musings have been largely kept to myself, save for the occasional “letter to the editor.”  Others are more talented when it comes to writing, and so I feel I should not subject others to my amateurish attempts.  But, like the hobbyist photographer who enjoys photographing his world and uploading to a web gallery for his personal gratification, I often feel compelled to record my thoughts, and this blog will serve that purpose.

Please note, I am not abandoning my visuals!  I have named this blog “Impressions” because we can make impressions with images and words alike.  In fact, I would like for this experiment to marry my photography with my written word, a thing I have long thought to do without having done it.  There! I have done it!

I am not sure where this road will lead, but to any that tag along, I welcome the company.