Courtesy of my mom . . .

I had the good fortune to live in Japan for a year when I was young. I also had the good fortune to have a mother who was interested in a lot of things, including the art of fish rubbing, or gyotaku. She made this fish rubbing 52 years ago and it's been framed and hung in various houses (military family, we moved a lot) and when I saw it last month, it had faded so much that the fish was almost invisible. The paper was dark on one side, stained, and splotchy. So I photographed Mom's print, brought out the details in the fish, then added my own touches, such as some photos of metal, a clamshell, a circular "moon" image, a bit of grunge, toned down the yellow colors, and came up with this. Mom died way too young, but a little bit of her lives on here. ©Carol Leigh

Lots and lots of corn . . .

Somewhere between Morton, Illinois and Sioux City, Iowa . . . Shooting out the passenger window on our whirlwind trip across country. ©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Holding It In"

Sometimes it's difficult to describe what goes into a particular image, why certain colors were chosen, why the square, why thin silver cords were added. And sometimes describing too much prevents you from making your own interpretation.

So let me just say that I created this picture using monoprints, hand-painted rice paper, ink-washed antique papers, and a little more. I'm fond of the monochromatic look, the texture, and the centered-yet-not look of the square element.

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Blood Moon"

I got up early this morning to see the 2014 "Blood Moon" lunar eclipse out over the ocean. As usual, overcast skies made moon-gazing out of the question. So I created my own lunar eclipse, using my photographs of paint splotches, hand-painted papers, ink-washed papers, Japanese calligraphy, and more. You can see a shadow cross the moon as well as a very faint reflection in what might be water just below.

You know the phrase, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" Well, life gave me a moonless morning, so I made my own. ©Carol Leigh

Sold the last two weeks of September

Well, not unlike the stock market, the second half of September wasn't so great. Fine Art America sold two of my photos to be used as iPhone cases (and it's kind of cool to see how they look) and then just one other picture (the abstract image of a glass bottle, which has sold before). So adding the six I sold the first two weeks of the month, to these three, I guess nine images isn't too bad.

I've already sold one photo so far this month, so I've got high hopes that this last quarter of 2014 will be good. Here's wishing YOU a good quarter, too, no matter what aspirations you may have . . .

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Offshore"

Paper from a vintage Japanese book, painted rice papers, braille paper and more went into this piece, which began as a physical collage. I brought it into the computer and added additional photos and there you have it.

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Wing Shimmer Pacific Northwest"

This piece is made entirely of various sheets and bits of antique Japanese ink-washed paper. As I was layering the papers, simply experimenting, this image showed up, which immediately made me think of outstretched wings, a beak, and a tail, all heading toward the upper left, the northwest. And as I gazed at it, I began to notice the subtle circular pattern as well.

Yes, I know this may sound a bit woo-woo, but ravens and crows are meaningful parts of my life, as are the contrasts between hard, linear elements and softer, organic ones. So that's what I offer you here: mystic weirdness and basic geometry!

©Carol Leigh

Ah, autumn!

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."
-- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Photomontage created using forsythia leaves and the cover of a vintage Japanese book.

©Carol Leigh

It's like a slide show in my brain . . .

“The quest to photograph has become a substitute for the experience itself. . . By producing a camera, suddenly you are once removed from the scene.” — Sophie Grove, Monocle Magazine

Toward the end of my stay in Virginia, I made time to go over to Maryland and visit a student, Kathleen Amt, who I consider a friend and a kindred spirit.

Her home is filled with art — art she has made, that others have made, and art that appears all on its own in the form of rusted bits, old tools, brushes, papers, and more. "If there's anything here you want to shoot, feel free,” she said.

I hadn’t brought my photo equipment. A stricken look on her face. “What?!” Nope. Nothing. Hadn’t even thought about it. “You can use my camera if you want.” Nope. I didn’t even take out my cellphone.

Sometimes you just have to go commando, enjoying the person, the environment, the “stuff” without putting something to your face, something between you and her, you and her art, you and her cute little dog. You just want to enjoy without feeling you must document or record.

Not one pixel was put into play during my delightful time with her. But the overall feel, the impressions, the brain synapses that snapped, are unforgettable and will always remain — despite (and perhaps because there was) no photo equipment getting in the way. Here’s part of what I wrote to her afterward:

“I’m sitting on a couch with my eyes closed and click, I see your kitchen with the choppers on the wall. Click, and I see carved wooden birds. Click, and I see the painterly picture of Marty. Click, and I see a dull yellow lacquer box with Asian characters on it. Click, and I see Rusty walking on the unrolled paper in your studio. Click, and I see a binder page of matchbox labels. Click, and I see a small painted star in the center of a tambourine. Click, click, click, image after image of an incredible space and a wonderful artist.”

No camera gear? No matter. A delightful day.

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Miss Bergeron"

I don't know about you, but I have a file in my computer called "works in progress." This is where I put everything I'm working on but am not quite sure if the piece is "finished." Don't want to throw it out, don't want to lose it, so I stick it into one particular directory to be looked at and worked on later, with fresher eyes, with new eyes. Or I may simply toss it out, knowing it will never really work.

I looked at my "works in progress" directory this morning, looking for something a bit lighter, a bit brighter than what I've been producing of late. This image caught my eye. I added just one more thing to it (a Chinese receipt) and considered it done.

I created this postcard using photos of stamps from my collection, various cancellation marks, a hand-painted background, a Chinese receipt I found in my dad's drawer, and a fanciful bird. I like the overall lightness and the underlying feeling of mystery.

© Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Imposing Order"

Ink, paper, scribblings went into this piece. What I particularly like is the combination of unconstrained forms and swirls with extremely linear elements. An attempt to rein in chaos, but not very successfully!

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Looking Backward"

Wow, this is dark, isn't it? But then my days recently have been dark. I am back home, however, and things should begin lightening up. The amount of work to be done regarding my father's estate is daunting, but I can now set up my files so they make more sense, and get on with things.

I am also discontinuing my online store, getting rid of a variety of websites, and figuring out how to sell my calphoto.com domain name so that someone else may carry it on. Time to lighten the load, simplify, and make room for new projects, new ideas, new artwork, a new life.

So many images went into the making of this photomontage that it's hard to remember what I did, but I began with some inked rice paper, an old Japanese banknote my dad had, hand-painted circles and lines, various bits of calligraphy, postage stamps from my collection, and a Japanese woodblock print.

And David O., how youze doin'?

©Carol Leigh

He wanted me to see the sea . . .

Dad and I at what looks to me like the Palos Verdes bluffs in southern California, back in the "olden days." Born in January, 1923. Passed away in August, 2014. He had a solid Navy career, commanded many ships, and loved to just get in the car and drive. May he rest in peace.

Sold the first two weeks of September ...

These are some of the photos I sold via Fine Art America during the first two weeks of this month. I am particularly heartened that two of my "postcard" images were in the mix. I love making them, but I realize that their appeal is probably limited, so any sale is a personal bonus!

My Yaquina Head Lighthouse photo is a particular favorite, and I'm always happy to see it go to a good home. The person who bought this opted for a canvas wrap.

The photo of the leaf on copper sold last month as well, but this time the buyer chose to have it printed on metal, size 16" x 24".

The quiet, monochromatic scene of a lone fishing boat was a 29" x 41" print.

And then the "Baja Landscape" photomontage went out as a 24" x 24" print.

It was a good two weeks. Looking forward to seeing what sells the rest of this month.

©Carol Leigh

Partway home . . .

Good morning from Sioux City, Iowa, alongside the Missouri River, where we can wave across the water to the state of Nebraska.

Wish we could explore leisurely on this trip, but we have been gone a month, we are relying way too much on the kindness of a neighbor to feed Abby the cat, and we just want to get home to begin the next chapter of our life.

Photography is beginning to kick back in, and I love the photos I took this morning of low sunlight creating shadows through pilings in a marina, just a little mist to create a golden glow. The light was changing so fast, I didn't want to waste it using a cellphone, so no, no photos accompanying this post. Beautiful scenario with the background rattle of a kingfisher adding to the ambience.

We have been driving from morning to early evening, exploring little towns when we just can't take the monotony of 70-mph freeways any more. So far I have purchased two vintage postcards and a cigar box to add to my stash. Cool horses on the box, which I am sure will end up in a photomontage at some point. Am feeling very inspired about doing new work, another reason to get back home.

And now on to South Dakota!

Carol Leigh

Gotta love technology...

I'm calling Verizon, trying to cancel my deceased father's phone and internet service. Armed with a phone number and his account number, I call Verizon, where I encounter a "phone tree" of epic proportions. After establishing and pressing the number of the option I wish, I am given further options. Then they ask for my father's PIN number.

If I could communicate with the dead and retrieve it from Dad, I would, but that option is not available.

So then I press a variety of numbers and am pleasantly told someone will help me. Whereupon I am asked to enter Dad's account number and PIN number.

Once again I am assured that someone will be able to help me and (gasp!) I hear a phone ringing. And I receive a message saying "our offices are closed right now . . ."

Dad is dead and I guess I'm the one in hell . . .

Carol Leigh

Ready to go home ...

We've been here almost a month and we plan on hitting the road Saturday. The house is ready to sell, the realtor has the key, and all future paperwork can be handled from home.

Such a range of emotions this past month, but mostly anger and resentment. Not good. But here are three things I find humorous:

For a house that's so dark and dreary, they had a shitload of brand-new lightbulbs.

For a house that was so dirty, they had a huge amount of cleaning supplies.

And for linoleum floors that were filthy, they had five unopened bottles of Mop 'n' Glo.

Heavy sigh. And people wonder why I'm so weird? I wonder how I turned out so "normal!"

Hoping this is my last post from Virginia ...

Carol Leigh

Another tip for getting your life in order . . .

I continue to clean out my father's house, and I am discovering old prescription bottles full of pills (some of them very powerful pain medication) dating back as far as July of 1988! I've read online how to dispose of them, but man, oh, man! These are 26 years old!

Right now, go look in your medicine cabinet. If you find prescriptions for someone who died three years ago, or who passed away last month, or that pre-date the Internet, GET RID OF THEM!

Carol Leigh, still in Virginia ...

Photos sold during the last two weeks of August

August was a good month for me at Fine Art America, and I am so grateful. Here's what sold during the last two weeks of the month and a little bit about each one.

Jan and Ira G. brought me a big bundle of Chinese lanterns when they arrived for a workshop on the Oregon coast. As you can see, I added some texture to the simple composition. This one was large -- 48" x 32".

I created the two colorful number pictures by using various photos as well as some paper that I hand-printed. I purposely created two of them so that someone might be encouraged to purchase the pair. These were about 24" x 30".

The picture of graffiti on the side of a railroad car was purchased by someone on Staten Island. Appropriate, no?

The two abstracts with the circles in them were purchased together (which is always nice). I created the green/brown one by photographing various papers and then combining them together as a collage. The second one is a monoprint I made using rubber bands and paint. Both were 24" x 24".

Chris brought home a piece of patinated copper which I photographed and then added a photo I made of a leaf.

The second-to-last image is a photomontage I made combining all sorts of torn papers and receipts. The buyer selected a 36" x 36" size.

And then the last one is a photo of graffiti that a buyer selected as a cellphone cover. I like seeing how my photos look as cellphone covers, and am constantly surprised with the pictures they select.

As you can see, some of these are "straight" photography, but most are images I've created myself, combining various photos together, resulting in something unique, not seen anywhere else.

I am still in Virginia, sorting, cleaning, assembling the various bits and pieces of what my father left behind. My computer access is spotty and, since it's not my own computer with my own images and options, it's been challenging, as you might imagine. A court date tomorrow will tell me what my path will be from here on out, so keep your fingers crossed that the judge determines the easy way rather than the more complex.

Chris is home for a week, tending to business there, then arrives shortly to help wind things down here. So after a month away, we plan to drive back to Oregon, stopping here and there for some much-needed photo breaks and R&R.

Have you ever lived out of a suitcase away from home, in foreign and chaotic surroundings, away from friends, away from pets, amid dust and decay and haunting memories? It's lonely-making, stressful, and soul-wrenching. May none of you have to go through this.

And please, please, please, get your affairs in order so that your heirs can fly through your belongings, selecting meaningful items as they remember you fondly. (Although I do confess to having 14,000 Czechoslovakian matchbox labels that I know SOMEone will wonder what the hell was she thinking!?)

©Carol Leigh

Seen at the bank yesterday...

RELAX.
NOTHING IS UNDER CONTROL.

Trying times...

Three steps forward, one step back. One day we have a will, the next day we don't. One day there's a trust, the next day there isn't. Emotions are raw, senses of humor seem to have disappeared, and there's always the house to continue emptying. Thirty-seven boxes of clothing and household items were just now loaded on a truck to be donated, and a dumpster that arrived an hour ago is already halfway filled.

Tip: Take a look around you. If you see something you don't really love, donate it or toss it. That's my criteria now. If I don't love it, I'm not keeping it. Luckily, I happen to love Chris!

This will all turn out fine, but right this minute I'm so down it hurts. And after a death, it doesn't seem right to be resenting the dearly departed.

I just want to go home.

I'm not here ...

My father passed away on Sunday and so I left that night for Virginia, where we are taking care of business. I'll be back here on the blog once I get a little breathing room.

I know you wish me well. And here's a little tip: if you own more than 40 polo shirts, please get rid of at least 30 of them before you move on to another world! Your heirs will love you for it.

Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Queen Anne's Lace End of Summer"

It's mid-August and here on the Oregon coast, Queen Anne's Lace wildflowers are beginning to go to seed. I snipped a few stems that were still looking pretty good and placed them in vintage bottles. Soft and serene, quietly enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

And rest in peace Bill, a friend of a friend.

©Carol Leigh

Latest work: "Window de Santa Fe"

I created this photomontage using a variety of pictures I took in Santa Fe. I began it a year or so ago and it's been sitting in my computer, patiently waiting for me to come back to it. And now it's finished.

Love. It.

©Carol Leigh

Photos sold so far this month

A lot of people ask me what sorts of photos I'm selling at Fine Art America, so I thought I'd show you what I've sold there so far this month. In addition, I'll give you the link to what FAA calls an "Announcement Page" that shows you exactly how the buyer had the picture matted and framed, or if it was a canvas wrap, how the picture looked in that format.

This first photomontage (a tree and rusted metal) sold last night. Here's the link to the announcement page.

The "faux poste" postcard was made using a wide variety of elements. I make so many photomontages it's now almost impossible for me to tell you what the individual components are, but vintage stamps, numbers from vintage banknotes, inked papers and more went into this one. Here's the link to the announcement page.

I'm always pleased to see that my antique car photos that have been given a heavy faux HDR treatment sell. I love the look, but I can see how others might not. Nevertheless, this is a photo of a car I shot in Florence, Oregon a couple of years ago. And here's the link to the announcement page.

The Lockheed Constellation photo also has a slight HDR effect applied to it, very lightly. And here's the link.

And then finally, two of my prayer flags sold to someone who framed them very nicely in gold frames. Here's link #1 and link #2.

Let me know if you find this information either helpful or interesting and if so, I will try to post my sales every two weeks or so.

©Carol Leigh

I got no style (part 2) . . .

As I’m poking around on the Internet looking for information about developing a personal artistic style, I came across an article by Alain Briot on the website The Luminous Landscape where he says that “Style is the extension of your personality and your personality is in part defined by your childhood.”

Well, my “eclectically weird” style can indeed be defined by my childhood, which was spent moving from place to place, school to school, coast to coast, and even country to country. Being a Navy brat meant different things to see every six months to a year. Different cultures to experience. Different  climates, foods, fashions, attitudes. That was my childhood for 18 years.

One would think that, encountering so many types of people, I might be drawn to people photography. Nope. Last thing on my list. Why? I was trained to leave. Trained to arrive, to fit in, get along, make sure people liked me, that I didn’t make waves, but never to get close to anyone because hello, I must be going.

How about you? What was your childhood like and how does it affect your artistic proclivities and style? If your childhood years were spent in San Diego, you may be drawn to boats and seascapes. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, you might be drawn to landscapes and weathered barns.

It makes sense if you don’t think about it . . .

Because why are so many photographers/artists, no matter where we grew up, drawn to barns, landscapes, boats, and seascapes?

See? This isn’t an easy pursuit, this quest to discover a personal style, or to create a personal style. And it’s one I’ll continue writing about as I do more and more research. Fair warning!

©Carol Leigh

P.S. For those of you who might be interested, I photographed the gull on the rocks here on the Oregon coast. And the fishing boat as well. (See? Navy brat? Oceans? Boats? Gulls? This makes sense.) The photo of a physical collage that I made using a variety of old papers has a Japanese vibe to it. (I lived in Japan for a year, but I was just 12-13 at the time, more interested in hanging out with my friends than exploring the culture.) And then what's with the covered bridge? Well, I lived a year in Pennsylvania . . . could this Oregon bridge be channeling from that? Somehow I doubt it. . . Like I said, this isn't an easy quest.

It's a good day to . . .

. . . go to the library and look at art books!

I created a little photomontage of old-fashioned library "date due" cards as well as a picture I took of a doodle in one of my art journals. It's tough to read my writing this small, but what it says is, "I've been looking at aboriginal art lately and am enamored of the movement and design and dots!"

May you find something today and become enamored.

©Carol Leigh

I got no style . . .

I’ve been thinking a lot about my own work lately (narcissist that I am) since I don’t seem to be going anywhere in particular. (I really am, but I just don’t realize it yet.) So I began looking online for thoughts about developing one’s photographic/artistic style.

At this website called The Polar Route http://www.thepolarroute.com/2013/07/finding-your-photographic-style/ the author wrote:

If you’re unsure of your style, look back at your body of work and ask yourself which images you felt most comfortable shooting. If you don’t yet have an extensive body of work, ask yourself a few simple questions:
    •    What interests you?
    •    Do you like people, nature, or architecture?
    •    Do you like vibrant colors or black and white?
    •    Do you prefer shooting bright and happy images or dark and moody ones?

He calls these “simple” questions. Go ahead. Try it. Answer some. Like “What interests you?” I can say line, design, architecture, landscapes, seascapes, macro, color, texture, creating faux postcards, making physical and digital collages, antique cars, hot air balloons, airplanes, nautical stuff, trees, etc.

And try this question: “Do you prefer shooting bright and happy images or dark and moody ones?” My answer is yes. What’s yours?

I’m being glib, but I’m also being serious. My collages do seem to have a Japanese vibe to them, as do a lot of my photomontages. And I often enjoy incorporating crows and ravens in my work whenever possible. And postage stamps.

The person who wrote the blog article encourages us to really ramp up whatever style we have. Enjoy bold colors? Max them out. Enjoy creating dark images? Make them darker. Find your style, find what you like, and then pump up the volume. It’s actually a very good idea. However . . .

What if you don’t know what your style is? And so the quest continues . . .

©Carol Leigh

P.S. For those of you who are interested, these are photos of:

(1) Bales of hay between the Oregon coast and the central valley.

(2) A physical collage I made using my own hand-printed paper, a page from a vintage Japanese book, and a postage stamp from my collection.

(3) Graffiti on the side of a railroad car. I was initially attracted to the eye. Squint and you'll see it's actually Michael Jackson.

(4) A faux postcard I made using my photos of old stamps, ink on vintage paper, faux labels, numbers from old banknotes, and who knows what else.

(5) A photomontage I made with my photos of texture from an old fishing boat, a monoprint I made using acrylic paint and rubber bands, hand-painted stripes, and more.

And finally (6) a blending of photos I took of a mural and paint streaks on the side of a building.

Maybe I do have a style after all: eclectic weirdness!

Latest work: "Tenacity"

I photographed this tree (in Lee Vining Canyon, California's eastern Sierra) with my very first digital camera (a Canon EOS D60, 6MP sensor) in October of 2003. I combined it with a photo I took of the sun reflecting in wet sand here in Oregon, added some more texture, and there you have it. Eleven years of digital photography packed into one small photo.

© Carol Leigh