Abstractions

Ripples

Constant change is a fact of life Nothing stays the same, even if we wanted it to. We grow with our life experiences and our tastes evolve over time.

I have a growing appreciation for abstract images, both in paintings and photographs.

I still struggle with the concept of abstract art. Since it's a picture with no "story", what makes it a good image? If I find it appealing, maybe that is enough reason.

I do love images that challenge our brains to look beyond the obvious, something that doesn't reaveal all at first glance.

Swinging on a Star

Swinging on a Star

I started into conceptual photography late in 2017 and I absolutely love it. I have always wanted to be "a real artist"....drawing or painting....but I could never produce what was in my mind.

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Conceptual photography changed everything for me. I use my own photographic library and work with layers and masks to create images that exist in my imagination.

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Working with an existing library of images means that I can play with my photography even whenI can't get out and about with my camera.

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My oldest granddaughter will be graduating from high school in June 2019, and heading off to university in the fall. I decided to create a series to honour her life achievement and I asked her to pose for me.

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She agreed without me telling her why I wanted her to pose for me. She had no idea that I would turn her poses into a magical world.

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This image is my way of telling her that the sky is the limit and I will present it to her at her graduation.

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I created three more images that I will gift her when she leaves for Ontario at the end of August.

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I will miss her, but I am so thankful of the moments we have spent together creating treasured memories.

Original Image:

Searching for Direction

Entangled

When we are young, life is fairly simple. As long as our basic needs are met, we are content. If we have responsible guardians, they grant us more and more independence in order to prepare us for life to come. In fact, most of us continually test our boundaries in our steps towards that independent life.

Isn't it ironic that when we are older we sometimes long for the days of our youth when life was simpler. We had fewer choices and the decisions we had to make were much easier. 

Sometimes life seems too complicated. We wonder if we have chosen the right path. We struggle with options and are overwhelmed with choices "What if" is a question we ask ourselves from time to time.

Would it be easier if our choices were limited? Or if someone else directed our life and told us what to do?

Or would we then once again test our boundaries and be more willing to spread our wings and fly?

the origins of an idea

Possibilities

Where do ideas come from? I often wonder this but haven't come up with any answers.

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I don't think too many people would guess the origin of this image, which was a close up photograph of a spoon with dried rings.

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I cropped the original image and brightened the whites. Then I added a bunny from a photograph I took several years ago.

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Why?

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Why not?

I posted this image on instagram (@saraharley.photos) and received this comment:

"I love how the bunny seems to be looking out into the world thinking about all the possibilities (my interpretation) but is trapped in a circle on concerns." - Kathryn

Yes! Isn't it wonderful when someone "gets" what you're trying to convey?

Confession: my original title for this piece was "Trapped" but after receiving Kathryn's comment I decided to change it to "Possibilities", a much more positive take on my idea.

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Collaboration can make a good idea even better.

original image

Monochrome Exhibit

Very honoured to be part of this exhibit!

I just found out today and will be madly printed and framing 6 images for delivery in 4 days.