Leap in Faith or Smother in Fear

Bringing out a new body of work is like jumping one’s motorcycle in air, from one side of a canyon to another.

Not bringing out a new body of work is like placing a pillow firmly over one’s head while holding one’s breath.

Both actions cause fear. The difference between the cycle ride and the act of self-mutilation (which non-cycle riders might consider one and the same) is that the ride requires faith. You have to believe in your abilities to ship it.

You have to believe in what you’re shipping (your product – in this case my art). I am shipping “Twisted Tulips,” a limited edition photographic collection printed on canvas, the first of which today went to Rick Snizik, my large format printer.

My clients and customers know that while I often do “normal” photographs with my cameras, I much prefer to take the leap. I like to combine  technical know-how with  imagination/vision to make something with a new… well… twist, a new way to SEE a fairly ordinary something.

I’ve been developing this collection for about two months, although the idea of it came to me last year. Sure, I put it off. I made paintings, new collages, new photographs, finished commissions, blah… blah… blah.

As I came closer to going to print, I felt that old monster – FEAR – trying to overtake me, trying to make me stop.  Some days, I let it. You know… I’ll just stew on this idea a bit longer. I’ll mop the studio floor. Heck, maybe I’ll COOK (which strikes fear in the hearts of those who live with me).

A few hours ago, I decided it was SHIP IT or ZIP IT day.

I feel  good about the work. If I still had my motorcycle, I’d go jump a canyon.

Fear? Sure. It’s not like the economy is good. It’s not like the price of fuel is affordable. Know what, though? I would have had more fear and been angry with myself for not shipping, for not dreaming, planning and for not bringing those plans to blossom.

I’ll be taking custom orders for prints. Feel free to email me to discuss size options and pricing. I am only doing 15 prints of each and then destroying the negatives and associated files.

Here are the others currently in the collection.