sMacThoughts

Don't Get The Infirmary Blues!

2011-12-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

Beginnings

2011-11-14T06:32:00.001-05:00

Beginnings, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

My latest upload on Flickr... sorry for my terrible absence from Blogging and commenting on other's blogs. Will try to do better. Enjoying a beautiful Fall in the city; can you believe the Holidays are right around the corner?

Aftermath

2011-10-06T00:58:00.001-04:00

Aftermath, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Summer's over. Forge ahead.

Silver Shade

2011-08-18T15:27:00.001-04:00

Silver Shade, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Squeezing out the last bit of Summer!

Memories of Memories

2011-07-14T12:02:00.001-04:00

Memories of Memories, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Scrapbook found in a tiny New England town's cluttered antique store. Lovely salmon colored embossed cover, with fading gold leaf trims, and stunning graphic elements on front. The inside is filled with gorgeous yellowed paper (unused) and the back shows and embossed patent of March 1876.

Fresh Crop

2011-07-04T07:58:00.001-04:00

Fresh Crop, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Happy Independence Day to all my U.S. friends!

Contemplating The Throne

2011-06-28T00:25:00.002-04:00

Contemplating The Throne, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

This is Greg Garing, one of the recording artists whose album cover I shot this year. The record release party is behind us, and I'll post images as soon as I get my copies of the albums. For now I leave you with this outtake from one of our photo shoots.

Film Flam and All That Stuff

2011-05-27T12:44:00.003-04:00

How did a month go by? It's almost Summer and I am not prepared! I'm not even 1/3 of the way done with film scanning from last year. The task is time consuming, but I get lost in the magic, reliving memories as I scan each frame. Each negative holds a surprise, and I feel like Peter Billingsly as "Ralphie" in The Christmas Story as he locks himself in the bathroom to decipher the secret message from his Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring... the anticipation, the excitement, the.... WHAT the??? Yeah, so ok, sometimes the scan is little more than some bizarre light-leaky abstracts like these above. That's what you get when you work in toy plastics!

I've added stainless steel chains and silver toned medals to the Armory. I really need to get to listing all my sMacVision Armor at some point, but for now I sell quite well offline - - easier when people see them 'in person'. There are some in my Etsy shop, and if you see anything here, feel free to contact me.

There is a significant shop update with new prints. For now just in the Etsy shop... coming soon to SuperMarket as well.

I've also made bracelets. They come in singles or multiples, and I wear mine stacked, just like I do my necklaces. As with the silver stuff above, these aren't in any of my online shops.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all who celebrate it, and are fortunate enough to have it off!

The Twins Go To Mardi Gras

2011-04-11T03:25:00.001-04:00

The Twins Go To Mardi Gras, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

From a series of "twin' illustrations based on one I made for my twin sister for our birthday this year....

Noise

2011-03-24T01:38:00.001-04:00

Noise, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

The New Palette of Gary Baseman

2011-03-22T19:05:00.002-04:00

The colors absolute inspire me. I went to one of his openings years and years ago at Earl McGrath, here in NYC. I've been a fan long before much of the commercialization of his work, but the work and colors in this video remind me why I love his art.

Gary Baseman video by FWL

A Circus Around Here

2011-03-14T00:22:00.002-04:00

I'm not the best blogger, let's be honest. Where do people find all the time, I wonder? I had a Birthday not too long ago and treated myself to some additions to my antique toy collection from my favorite NYC dealer. I couldn't choose just one treat, so I got three! (only one pictured here) These clowns came from a game, but not much more is known about them. I love the beautiful paper lithograph, (click the photo to see better) which is still quite intact. And each can be removed from the stand - - their bases have wooden pegs which fit in holes.

Like so many of you are, I've been so busy. Along with my full-time day job, I've been working on two concurrent outside commissions for the past month, as well as trying to attend some Community Board meetings, and filling some print, and jewelry orders. I've yet to update my online shops, but there are many more pendant styles to choose from, now. ( I"ll get to that eventually, like finishing my taxes - yes, I'm not done!) And me, not having TV, you think they'd mention on the all-news radio station I listen to every morning that Sunday was Daylight Savings day, no? It's a darn good thing I had no appointments! :)

Hands

2011-02-14T23:47:00.002-05:00

Many of you know I often roam my neighborhood at night, camera in hand. Sometimes I'm tired of taking shots of the buildings, and seek some small detail I may not have noticed. Other times I head home without having fired off a single shot, or, as in this case, with a couple of "dumb" shots: ones which I know will end up being deleted for their lack of aesthetic or documentary value, or stored on hard drives, never to be opened again.

The "dumb" shots in this case were a couple of hands of some wooden mannequins in a lit up shop window on Wooster St. But when I got home, I decided to make a challenge of it. What, I asked myself, could I do to make something so boring look interesting? Here are the results (starting with an original, plain ole file...)

[CLICK TO SEE LARGER]

NYC in January

2011-01-28T15:00:00.003-05:00

It's a record-breaking January, snow-wise, here in New York City. This is the way I like it. Winter should be white (ahem, ok, that is a relative term once snow hits our streets) and cold. It should make one appreciate a warm home, and cocoa, and toasty socks and blankies. And it should be in vast contrast to Summer. Every season has its role, and I prefer them to act accordingly. So, on that note, bring on the blizzardry; it is welcome any ole time, in my book!!

PS: the necklaces in my previous post should hit my Etsy shop in the next day or two!

Necklaces

2011-01-15T19:47:00.002-05:00

I started making some necklaces featuring some of my illustrations, and photography. I made them for myself in varying lengths so that I could layer some, while double or triple wrapping the longest one. My kitty-bear (it's unknown; he looks like a bear, and I think of him as such, but he's got a very long tail, and questionable ears) Baxter has assisted me in modeling the pieces. Perhaps I'll have to make some more for my online shops. :)
UPDATE: They are now in my Etsy shop!

Dance, Baby, Dance.

2011-01-06T12:34:00.002-05:00

Dance, Baby, Dance., originally uploaded by sMacshot.

I'm sick. And tired of being so. Been trying to shake this cold, hard!! Anyone have any good cough remedies? It's making my whole torso, front and back, sore. :(

Urban Cowboy

2010-12-14T12:07:00.011-05:00

Urban Cowboy, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

So I'm walking through my neighborhood at night, you know, as I often do. Everything seems in order; old buildings, streetlights casting heavy shadows, sounds of distant sirens, graffiti. Everywhere. Tags, pasteups, stickers. The usual.... um.....ok, hold on.... What the what-what??! Get a camera out, now, because this may be the last time you ever see that in New York City! Tumbleweed.

More from the Survivor Series

2010-11-29T07:13:00.002-05:00

Some more prints of my little sketches and paintings from my Survivor series. I hope those of you who celebrate survived Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend. Oh yes, it's that time of year, facing Holiday shopping; something I dread and try to get done online or in-home as much as possible. That's how I survive it!

Walk With Me

2010-11-18T11:15:00.000-05:00

Central Park isn't the only place with trees in Manhattan. I think most people know that, but perhaps are not aware of how important the attempt at preserving small pockets of nature the way it exists 'out there' is. I have trees on my block, as do many of the blocks in Soho and elsewhere, (ok, some of you might laugh at what I am qualifying as a tree - - some are in planters) and this time of year I am most aware of their presence. Falling leaves for me are so full of nostalgia; whether witnessing their flight, or seeing them stuck to the streets and sidewalks, I am brought back mini 'eras' in my life, replayed with such vivid detail.

Now, while we have no 'proper' grocery store in Soho, if I walk above Houston Street, there is a small one, and this is the path which leads to it. It's a mini oasis at night when you can pretend the rest of the city beyond doesn't exist.

Survivors

2010-10-29T00:58:00.001-04:00

These are sketches of my "Survivors". We're all survivors. Heck, if you're reading this, you've at least survived being born, (that's a pretty traumatic and dangerous thing) anything could go wrong; life literally hangs in the brink! So, pat yourself on the back, (and your Mom, and others who assisted) and remind yourself that you started out surviving; you have it in you already to continue if need be. I've recently seen some light at the end of a very long (year-long) tunnel, regarding my computer and related equipment. I have been through the wringer with this, and now finally, though drained, I'm happy. Tomorrow I'm headed out to the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo 2010 here in NYC to actually thank in person someone who's been giving me life-saving technical support. Have a Happy Halloween to all who celebrate it.

And The Winners Are....

2010-10-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

The Halloween giveaways, cards, and my Halloween cat.

We had 31 entries, and 50 chances to win (many were sMacVision Facebook Page Fans, thus had two entries). I thank all who participated, and hope that those who weren't drawn, as well as those who were continue to 'play'.

Winner of "A Little Batty" is Matt Hendon.
Winner of "Do Not Be Afraid" is Ana Amanti.

Congratulations to you both, and I will ship them safely out as soon as you email me with addresses. (Contact me at smacvision at gmail dot com) They are packaged and ready to go!
NOTE: The Halloween cat in the photo above was made by the super-talented Crystal. She makes spun cotton ornaments and figurines for all occasions, and they are simply amazing. Check them out here.

Giveaway!!

2010-10-09T12:56:00.000-04:00

It's that time again. Leave a comment to this post in order to be entered for the drawing. That's all. No need to follow my blog, "Like" my Facebook Fanpage, or purchase from one of my online shops. Just comment here and you will get one name in the hat (the hat being an online random generator/picker.) In addition, as we've done in the past, Facebook Fans will get two names in the hat, yes, two chances to win. Please tell me here in your comment if you are a Fan-- some names are different there than here. The first number drawn will get to choose which sMacTack they'd like to have. Second winner will take the other sMacTack. Look for the other sMacTacks in my Etsy shop soon.

OK, up for grabs are these two Halloween-themed sMacTacks, my jumbo magnets capable of holding a stack-o-papers to the fridge or elsewhere. Each comes signed on the back, and features prints of my original art.

'A Little Batty' sMacTack

The back view of 'A Little Batty' has an image on it as well. Normally, my sMacTacks are blank on the reverse. Double fun! :)

This one, entitled "Do Not Be Afraid" is plain on the back. He is saying "Mommy?"

As usual, the sMacTacks will be shipped in my handmade packaging. Drawing will be in 10 days on Oct. 19th. Good luck, everyone!!

What Are YOU Lookin' At?

2010-10-04T00:13:00.006-04:00

IMG_2988, originally uploaded by Sandy Mastroni.

My friend Sandy is so talented. Who wouldn't want a dolly like this?! She'd be mine, but someone already reserved her. Pah!!
PS: So long since my last post, I know....sorry! Will come back full force with a giveaway very soon!

UPDATE: the person who had reserved this dolly changed her mind! (Can you believe that??) So this it's mine now. It was meant to be!

UPDATE #2: Oh my golly, she arrived today. Came home from work and there was the box by my door. I unpacked her right away (Sandy, thank you for the extras!) and sat down at the computer to take a quick webcam pic (sorry, no time for color adjustment; just upload as is. I still have my scarf on - - NYC was chilly this evening!) Yay. Love her.

Rise Above

2010-08-16T07:12:00.001-04:00

Rise Above, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

May this Monday quickly find itself very far behind you, and another weekend with free time to do the things you so desire lay before you like a welcoming carpet. (I will tell you, coastal life has a way of putting so many things into perspective!)

Summer Cottage

2010-08-07T10:49:00.001-04:00

Summer Cottage, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Happy Weekend to All!

New Jersey Wears A Pointy Hat

2010-07-30T10:13:00.001-04:00

New Jersey Wears A Pointy Hat, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Taken on a late summer day on a man-made pier across from New Jersey over the Hudson River. This is an odd, metal tent structure where some people were setting up big speakers which blared old Sinatra tunes. The streaky skies and paintbrush-looking swipes across the film are just due to this old expired stuff I use to shoot with. It's a pinhole Polaroid, taken on a Holga (plastic toy camera). All of that accounts for the dreamy quality. The white section in the lower left is where there was a blank spot in the emulsion of the film -- hey, it's expired! And the skinny white arm thing is the railing to the steps which leads to this end of the pier.... I held the camera on it to keep the shake to a minimum.

Summer Magic

2010-07-15T20:42:00.001-04:00

Sand Castle No.15, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

I've had some financial delays in my summertime this year, one being the demise of my beloved computer monitor, a huge CRT with solid glass and loyal service. The replacement took time, and has finally arrived --thus my absence (no monitor is as good as no computer).... and now that I can catch up on my art and photography scanning, I've realized how quickly the time has flown. It's high time to get rid of my pastey white appearance and get my summer going before it's gone. I hope some of you have been able to do the same!

What I Do With My Pinhole Polaroids

2010-06-16T08:07:00.001-04:00

Normally after I take a Polaroid photo, I write on the back: film type and expiration, date, time, weather conditions, and camera used. Then I scan it, and store them safely together in order. I will do several scans of the same photo, the first done as close to the original photo, flaws and all, with subsequent scans adjusting to compensate for, or enhance the flaws.

In rare cases, I make adjustments in Photoshop, as I've done here, using the very first photo taken by my Arunas cam, my new Polaroid-backed pinhole camera introduced in the last post. Making a Levels Adjustment for each color channel on separate layers, rather than on one adjustment, created the 'pop' version, shown here in my second photo. Adding a Hue and Saturation adjustment, I desaturated and toned the whole scene to create a more vintage style, which you see in the third photo. I would imagine even if you don't have Photoshop, Google's free Gimp program, or any other image editing program has these two basic Adjustment features. Try them out yourself!

My New Camera

2010-06-01T15:47:00.005-04:00

A couple of weeks ago while at the Impossible Project Store's grand opening, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my Flickr contacts. Long story short, he ended up offering to make me a pinhole camera with a Polaroid back - - how exciting! About a week later, I received an email showing me the work in progress....

AND THEN.... it was finished. Before I knew it, I was holding this camera in my shaking hands!! (See below, left....sorry for the small pic; I will later take one with my digital) It's hard to see that the Asian coin in the photo above which surrounds the pinhole is now covered with a fancy brass latch and hook with snug material inside to prevent any light from reaching the hole. Also notice the polaroid 'back' which Arunas has amazingly developed using a vintage Polaroid camera; the kind with the bellows.

In order to take a photo, just aim at your object, and open the latch for the number of seconds, minutes, or hours required, given the available light. I've been estimating outdoors in bright sunlight, and for indoor projects (which I've yet to do because the film I'm using now is better suited to bright sun) I'll utilize my (borrowed from my twin sister) manual light meter to measure the light and calculate/estimate the necessary exposure time.

So here are the first results:
(I have to learn now to 'aim'. It's a bit of trial and error, but I just love that it is imperfect.)

This is my kind of camera; one which uses the basis of photography - allowing light inside to expose a piece of sensitive film for the proper amount of time to make a picture. Take away all those expensive lenses and focusing devices. Get away from the digital thing. It's a hole made with a pinprick. Simple and good.

I highly encourage anyone interested in having one made for themselves to contact Arunas. He is a wonderful person who loves to share his passion for photography with others. Quite less than $100 can get you a one-of-a-kind pinhole beauty which makes a great gift to you or someone you know. I get nothing from this; just want everyone to share in the joy! Take a look at some of the cameras he's made so far, and then shoot him an email at akulis2 [at] gmail [dot] com to have your own made...... Oh, and tell him Susan Mac sent you!

Moments

2010-05-26T13:24:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn Flea Market

2010-05-12T23:39:00.000-04:00

I spent an unusually chilly Sunday (complete with gale force winds) at an indoor Flea Market in Brooklyn's One Hanson Building, which used to be a bank at one time. It was a beautiful setting for vintage finds, and a nice time with my best friend. Check it out if you're in the area!

Mystery

2010-05-03T22:36:00.002-04:00

Mystery, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Walking back home on a street west of my neighborhood, I came upon the most curious creature on a cellphone, dramatically smoking a cigarette. She wore a boldly printed, belted shirtdress, some chunky pumps, and big black glasses. The pièce de résistance was the hair! What a great shot this would make with my plastic Diana, I thought! The whole scene was perfect... the blue skies and late afternoon sun shining down the street upon her, the scrolled iron work of the brownstone's gate she leaned on, huge puffs of smoke from the cigarette, oh my! Speaking a language which I decided might be Russian, I approached and asked if I could take a picture of her beautiful hair. Barely looking at me, she nodded slightly, and remained silent on the phone, apparently listening. "Could you take a drag on your cigarette?" I asked. She acted as if she'd not heard me, and eventually when she did, I snapped the picture.

And this is what I got. No cigarette. No sunshiny day. No background.
BLACK. What the freaky-deaky-ding-dong?? Call the cops.

Carbon Prints No.18 & 19

2010-04-20T23:19:00.003-04:00

For lovers of film noir, old comic books (think Dick Tracy and Batman), etchings, nyc, fedoras and trenchcoats, speakeasys, dames, dark shadows, and old architecture. The photo shows two of my working prints (I print them small, on a variety of papers in order to find the best one - note the bad trim job) leaning up against an old cloth covered book, but the real deals may be found in my shop, [in fact, there might be a secret third one hidden somewhere in the shop.] They are 5x7" (about 13x18cm) prints, and look wonderful!

Congratulations Giveaway Winners!!

2010-04-17T01:33:00.003-04:00

Sorry it's taken me this long to get this thing up. I did the drawing at 11pm, as planned, but then had to go through my Facebook Fans to see if the names drawn by the random chooser over at random.org were a fan or non-fan. Fanpages don't list Fans alphabetically like a regular Facebook lists friends, so it took a little bit of time. Then I wanted to make a photo for the announcement (seen above) ... let's say writing with a mouse is not too easy. So congrats to the winners, please email me at smacvision [at] gmail [dot] com with your print choice (click the photos in the post below this one to see them larger) and mailing address where I should send them!

FB Fan Winners:
1) Melissa Sue - 2 prints!
2) Tom G.
3) Galit

Non-Fan Winner:

1) Madelynn Holmes - (I must note that it is purely coincidental that I recently won a giveaway over on this beautiful talent's blog, I swear!!)

Congratulations to all!!

Facebook Fan Page Giveaways!

2010-04-03T12:43:00.005-04:00

(CLICK PHOTOS, YOU CAN REALLY SEE MUCH BETTER!)
Three (3) lucky Facebook Fan Page Fans will each receive a mini print of their choice from my birdie series from the four shown here, the first Fan drawn will win a second print. The image size is roughly 3.25-3.5 x 5 inch (8.25-8.9 x 12.7 cm) on Hahnemuhle German Etching archival matte-finished paper. To enter, one must be a Fan of sMacVision on Facebook (link on the right - sMacVision on Facebook- if you aren't one already) and leave a comment to this post. That's all!

But wait! What if I don't want to become a Fan? What if I just want to win something with no strings attached, you ask? Well, I have something for you, too! One (1) non-Fan will be entered for a separate runner-up drawing for a single print of their choice.

So to clarify: By commenting on this post you are entering to be in a drawing for up to two birdie prints; only a Fan can win two items, and it is guaranteed that there will be 3 winning Fans, (one winning 2 prints.) If you are not a sMacVision Facebook Fanpage Fan, it's ok; there is one guaranteed non-Fan winner as well, making that a total of 4 winners (one of whom will be winning 2 prints). Winners will be drawn April 16, 2010 at 11pm EST, so let the games begin!

Down But Not Out

2010-03-27T23:44:00.001-04:00

Suddenly it's almost Easter. So much I intended to have finished during Lent, and I'm starting to worry I won't have everything completed! Don't count me out, though. I've amazed myself sometimes with what I get done! Also, everyone, stay tuned for a nice little Giveaway right on the horizon!

The Carbon Project: COLORS

2010-03-16T11:38:00.003-04:00

So, some of you know about my Carbon Project which I started last Spring and spoke about in a recent post. The Project which originally started out being strictly black & white very soon incorporated slight color toning, and then full color -- first desaturated, but finally, full candy tones. It's surreal living in New York City, sometimes. Why shouldn't my depiction convey a similar sense? Above are a bit of this color portion of the Carbon Project, along with detail shots.

My only problem now is the rendering in print... inkjet printers are not always capable of the subtleness of my colors, with green-blues to full greeny-greens coming out particularly flat. Bleahh. Something I have to work on. Might have to do this part off-site [have someone else print them.]

Vitamin C

2010-03-13T00:42:00.001-05:00

It's that weird time of year when the Spring season pops its head in the door to remind you it's right around the corner, yet doesn't actually drop in for long before ceding back to the chill, and you let your guard down and stop wearing hats and gloves, and everyone at work is sick, and next thing you know you've got this funny feeling in the back of your throat.... Well, normally I don't get sick from others, and I will go with wet hair in an ice storm (cold does not make you sick, germs do) but this winter I have had one really bad cold, and a couple of yucky under-the-weathers. Prevention time? Maybe. So I am trying to remember my Vitamin C, or perhaps I'll just take a picture instead. I think creativity heals all. :)

It Starts With Doodling

2010-03-04T17:29:00.003-05:00

Like so many great ideas I have... the pencil works idly on any little scrap of paper I can find. I use the edges of cards at work which only allow me spaces of about 2inches x 1/2inch to work on. Birds continue as well as a series of scaredy cats (to be seen later... or not.) Here's my sketch which I scanned much larger into my computer and added texture there. Finally, I uploaded the final full-color painting today on my Flickr account. Goldie is also available in my shop.

My Metropolis

2010-02-22T22:50:00.004-05:00

This is a glimpse of a series I started last Spring (2009) entitled The Carbon Project. It involves photographs of random (preferably non-famous) Manhattan buildings processed in Camera Raw (no filters or special effects) to look like etchings or drawings. You can see the project slowly unfold HERE. Or you can simply click on this photo for a better look.

As the World Flickrs: Anita Dominoni

2010-02-13T14:51:00.002-05:00

L & A, originally uploaded by Anita Dominoni.

The wonderful art created by Anita is a recent discovery for me. She does exquisite collage types of mixed media which seem to pop out like dioramas. Check out her papier mache sculptures as well!

Birds

2010-02-03T21:19:00.004-05:00

Some recent illustrations I've been working on concurrently with another ongoing series (something completely different from this which I'll talk about hopefully soon.) They are titled from left to right: Bird Bath, Hoping For a Sign, and Shabby Chick. [click the photos to see better]

Here's a better view of some details of each one.

As I've spoken about in the past, I'm an avid doodler, particularly at work. Little pencil (these) or ballpoint pen sketches (and I do mean little, these are about an inch tall!) made during the day get tossed in my bag to be scanned larger once I get home. These I'll work on for hours, upon hours painting, adding texture and so on. It's a process I love to get lost in; the time elapses and I'll suddenly realize I've not yet showered, or eaten, or run my errands, or.....

Some Jumbo sMacTacks Available

2010-02-01T08:22:00.001-05:00

In one of my shops while supplies last. Neaten up and organize that refrigerator now: Just stack 'em up, and slap it on; it's art that works. Happy first day of February!

Sidewalk Vignette

2010-01-25T01:46:00.000-05:00

I love to walk through my neighborhood, strolling up and down the little narrow streets. Some are cobblestone, others paved, all with character and history and at night, each holds it's own little side show. I suppose you might need a particular eye to enjoy or notice them, but even after over 20 years residing in Soho, it is a rare week I don't pass by something which makes me gasp.

Bird Boy

2010-01-21T19:40:00.004-05:00

I've always been able to fly in my dreams. It's come in handy whenever I needed to get somewhere fast, or (usually) to get away from bad people who wanted to harm me or worse. Sometimes when I couldn't get up enough momentum, they'd hang on my feet, trying to pull me back down to the ground. In such cases, I'd usually wake up, then, or the dream would simply fade to black. As a child, I used to fantasize about being able to have this flying skill I had in my dreams. There were so many times it would have come in handy. :) I've been doodling some Bird Boys, and Bird Girls lately; they have the skill, so they're able to walk around free of the silly fears which plagued my young school days.

We Have A Winner!

2010-01-18T23:51:00.002-05:00

According to the drawing of our 27 entrants, Random.org has chosen #25. That would mean Dava, aka Treasures From Hawaii. Dava is also a Fan over at the sMacVision Facebook Fan Page as well, so that means she's won both prints. Congratulations, Dava, and oh gosh, I'm so not good at this. I wish I could give everyone a print.... thank you all for trying. I will do this as often as I can, so don't feel it's a lost cause. Next time there will be more than one giveaway (which some of you recall I've done in the past.) That's much more fun, isn't it? But let's not steal Dava's day away from her, either.... winning two things is something we all deserve, right?!! Congratulations to you!! :)

Facebook Fan Page Giveaways!

2010-01-08T20:23:00.002-05:00

One lucky Facebook Fan Page fan will receive a print of "Ghost Bed" which is roughly an 8-inch square polaroid image printed on a standard A4 sized archival matte-finished photo paper. To enter, one must be a Fan of sMacVision on Facebook (link on the right if you aren't one already) and leave a comment to this post. That's all!

But wait! What if I don't want to become a fan? What if I just want to win something with no strings attached, you ask? Well, I have something for you, too! Non-fans will be entered *along* with fans for the runner-up drawing for a print of "Legs", a 5x7 inch photographic print with a slight border.

So, to clarify. By commenting to this post you are entering to be in a drawing for "Legs", and if you happen to be a Facebook Fan Page fan of sMacVision (link on the right) you will also be entered for the drawing for "Ghostbed" as well. Fans can win two items, non-fans one. Winners drawn January 18, 2010 at 11pm EST. Let the games begin!

As the World Flickrs: sMacshot!!

2009-12-28T18:29:00.002-05:00

Ann's Camera Case, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

My sister's camera case. For one of her cameras. Just one. The large format one with the radioactive lens (apparently such things were not of large concern back when it was made.)

This is how I feel these days. Sitting alone on a rock, just waiting it out... I've been sick. Very little voice to speak of. It will pass. I've got strong immunities. They're inside doin' the windmill fist thing, taking names and passing out beatings. They'll end up winning. Do every (rare) time I've felt this bad. :)

Winter Storm 2009 (Da-NAH!!)

2009-12-20T21:38:00.002-05:00

Well. That's what the news splash screen had up all day yesterday as it gave the play by play. (Without the 'Da-NAH' part.) And though it snowed steadily all day long, the result was below expectation, I think. Less than a foot. I'd say 8 inches in the city. Certainly not worthy of such news coverage, at least here in Manhattan, but the viewers like drama, right? Not sure what the actual measure ended up being, but when I went out this evening to get some groceries in the neighborhood the sidewalks were mostly shoveled, and streets pretty clear, too. I came upon an ice sculpture randomly set out on the metal dock of a loft building, and lots of pretty holiday shop windows. Forgive the photo quality; it was windy and dark, so shutter speed was slow, and I was moving. Sharpness is not the best, but you get the picture. I'm happy it will be a White Christmas for me. Those are the best ones.

3 Strikes, You're Out... errr... You're Warhol!!

2009-12-10T19:51:00.002-05:00

Last night I was decanting some gesso into a small jar so that I didn't have to haul out my big can everytime I needed a little. It got a somewhat messy and goopy down the sides of the jar and I saw a nice Polaroid opportunity, so set about fetching my SX-70, a closeup lens, and my tripod. The image I wanted would nearly fill the frame and have good detail, with dreamy depth of field.

Strike One: The first image zips outta that camera as I accidentally click the button while merely intending to focus! (jeepers!)

Strike Two: my next exposure came out with bizarre streaks and a blank patch where no film emulsion existed. (Hey, it's expired film, what d'ya expect?)

Strike Three: My third one got stuck in the camera. (Oh for the love of Pete!)

So I put the camera away. I was not about to waste more film on this idea. Let it go. But wait! Photoshop... I can drag some sort of image out of bachelorette number 2, you know. Let's see what we get, shall we?

Ahhh yes. Now we have something. Pop Gesso.
Amen.

Two Boys, One Polaroid, & A sMacTack

2009-11-26T21:57:00.001-05:00

The photo in my previous blog post is, as the caption states, my most recent Flickr upload after a bit of a hiatus. Here is the actual setup, including the original polaroid (which I'd desaturated and brightened for Flickr) being held by Artie, one of my antique Schoenhut dolls. Willie, to his right (you the viewer's left) is holding an original sMacTack which I make (and posted about in July) and which I shall be giving away... well, not this one, but another one... to a random drawing of my Facebook Fan Page fans. So maybe you would like to consider becoming a fan if you aren't already!

As The World Flickrs: sMacshot!!

2009-11-24T01:41:00.003-05:00

Find Comfort, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

My first upload in over 3 months... the computer and technical woes, the resulting never ending game of catch-up, (which seems unfairly weighted against me) and just everyday 'life' things which must be attended to (not least of which is a full-time day job) all kept me from being active there. I've missed it.

Three Wishes

2009-11-17T13:00:00.002-05:00

One for me. One for you. Another for emergency; first come, first served.

Why, oh why are my prints printing out with inaccurate colors? Is it because they were profiled and made on a PC? Is it because the Mac does not 'read/interpret' icm or icc profiles made on a PC? I have work to print out. I am so, so, so behind. The holidays are coming, orders and commissions on hold or delayed. I've recalibrated everything but now all my work (and anything, including my blog) is wrong... too contrasty, vivid, and ugly. Why would I want to print out and match my screen when my screen is showing me ugliness, and not the way I made my art and photography to begin with? Hours of search, forums, knowledgebase, Adobe, Apple, but nothing. Not even anything related. So frustrated and so little time. Big pout.

UPDATE: Snow Leopard apparently has issues with not only color calibrations systems, but my Epson 2200 printer, (which it will not work with beyond a text document at all!) At first I thought it was now a matter of buying a whole new color calibration system which does have Snow Leopard drivers, but now I know this won't even matter now since my printer will still not print out matched prints. Buying a new printer was not in my budget plan. (Neither was the whole new computer and external hard drives, and house phones which all died together and had to be replaced.) It's been quite the last few months, and I can't help but think about a certain sum of money someone never paid me back which would really cover all this right now.

Copycat Suing Original Artist

2009-11-01T22:17:00.002-05:00

... yes, that's right, and guess what for? For the rights to mass produce and sell the items he copies, basically. Mr. Rick Wittrig, owner of FirePitArt.com has been selling pretty much exact copies of the beautiful firepit sculptures created by the wonderful, talented, and hardworking artist, John T. Unger.

What if this was you?
John, who owns the copyrights to his firepit sculptures (which he's made since 2005) is being sued by Mr. Wittrig to have those very copyrights overturned! This is not a case which is likely to hold up in court, and I'm sure Mr. Wittrig is well aware of that fact. However, it seems clear that he intends to 'outspend' John, since he is in a position to do so. John's already spent over $50,000 of his own money in court cases fighting Wittrig, and if he cannot come up with the enormous funds necessary to defend his copyrights, a default decision means Wittrig wins. That simple, and infuriating. This cannot happen. The Law needs to protect artists better than that. There but for the grace of God go any one of us small-time artists who come up with an idea some big business man decides to seize as his own money-making scheme, and while I do not know this artist, I intend to help.

I hope some of you do as well. Donate. I just did, it was easy and safe. Give a dollar. Give five. If you feel more strongly, give $75, and for that price take a sculpture of your choosing from this first set of 100 sculptures made from the firepit cutout scraps. John lets you reserve the exact one by simply saying so in a comment to it's Flickr pic in the set. (Each 100-piece set will be made in a different color of steel. This one is colorless, or natural. Red, orange, yellow, white, and black are also available.)

Put one in your studio or work area as a reminder of how we need to support each other, and that in doing so we make the ability to make a livelihood at being an artist a more attainable goal, not an idea easily desecrated by some unethical thieving businessman with fat pockets. I've had my work stolen and sold, and not just once. Many of us know how this feels, and it's not nice. United States law needs to be more supportive and strong in this regard, and our assistance in helping to establish precedence in these cases might be the step in the right direction towards that end!

Grin and Bear It

2009-10-28T11:09:00.002-04:00

Sometimes ya just gotta smile. Everything which has ensued after my summer vacation has been a task in patience; the sudden 'retirement' of my beloved PC, my quick decision to go ahead and buy a Mac, and the whole new learning process involved as well as the software platform issue - - I do not like running them through another program which allows Windows to be hosted on a Mac. It feels foreign, and inefficient. It's slowed me down immensely, and there are other issues I won't get into which make it impossible to continue this way. I need to switch the programs to Mac versions. More money. More delays. ugh.

Additionally, I've not retrieved all (though many) of my lost files; (oddly, 3 external hard drives 'died' when I returned from vacation as well!) who knew that often all that is required are new external enclosures to put those hard drives in once you figure out how to pry apart the ones that died. Some successes, then, but more to go. If anyone is still around once I am back up and running, it would be quite humbling. I am one of many in a vast ocean of talented artists and photographers. If I seem invisible, why should anyone keep looking for me? So, thank you for any of you who still do; I promise I will be back, and I am hoping it is really soon.

As The World Flickrs: Snailbooty!!

2009-09-27T12:52:00.009-04:00

There is no other doll photographer out there which can send my nerve endings into a delighted tizzy like a person who goes by the moniker 'snailbooty' on Flickr. Scenes from elaborate to simple are the settings for Snailbooty's fantabulous collection of bizarre doll-creatures. It's quite clear to me that much time is taken to set up scenes and lighting, and hours upon hours of shooting takes place. My favorites are the black and white 'film noir-esque' ones, which are at once jolting and comical (in fact, you'll find a lot of humor as you browse through the pages of Snailbooty's Flickr stream!) And the talent doesn't just end with the camera, no, Snailbooty is an artist as well. I invite you all to check out this wonderful body of work.

[**OFF-TOPIC NOTE ..... I am still without access to most of my files from the old pc. Two of my seven external hard drives died on the same day, and my images now only remain on the pc's internal drives (I had 3). It is seeming like an eternity for which I wait while external enclosures for those 3 drives arrive in the mail. Until then, I am unable to do much of my work, and going absolutely bonkers in the process!!]

Show's Not Over!

2009-09-05T20:18:00.005-04:00

Exit, Stage Left, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

We're just having technical difficulties. If it seems I've been absent lately it's because I have been; at least from the online world.

I returned from a month-long vacation to find that my beloved computer doesn't want to stay on more than 20 seconds. I nearly built this monster myself 6 years ago and it served me so well; never so much as showing me a hiccup or a wince (despite its age) in the face of heavy-duty tasking in Photoshop or 3D Animation/Modeling.
But the day has come and I am currently awaiting the arrival of my new computer, a Mac Pro. It's my first Apple machine but I still love Windows and plan on getting a laptop down the road.

Meanwhile, I've resorted to long distance phone calls with my sister - she is the one typing this now, as I dictate (since she's also the only person I trust with all my website logins). So hoping everyone will not abandon me - I haven't been ignoring you.

Happy Labor Day weekend to my US readers! :)

Lost In Fog

2009-08-15T08:42:00.001-04:00

Lost In Fog, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Last summer, Ann wanted do a self portrait in the beautiful sweater knit for her by Rebekka, so I got in on the session, and then a stranger came up and joined in, too! Ann and I shot with Polaroid backs - - hers,unexpired film on a Hasselblad, mine, very expired on a Holga; the stranger with a Nikon DSLR. A good time was had by all.

August

2009-08-11T21:54:00.001-04:00

summers at the sea , originally uploaded by original_ann.

Hangin' out with my sis at the beach house in New England. This is a photo she took of me. Click the pic to read the description. :)

Summer In New England

2009-08-04T08:37:00.002-04:00

Lobster on Ice, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

It's so great to clear the 'city' outta your life for a little bit; breathe in the salt air, eat seafood every day, live with the constant sound of foghorn and thunderous waves crashing, and dip into the valuable Polaroid film stock. This morning I was up in the 5 o'clock hour with my sister, dressing quickly to run out to take photos by the fishing docks. It's expected to be a clear sunny day, so we rushed in case the fog was not going to last long. Just hours ago I was walking by the building you see in the photo above which I took last year. It was a different 'scene' this morning with heavy fog, but ice is still $1.75, and I'm glad that hasn't changed.

sMacTack

2009-07-26T01:29:00.007-04:00

The sMacVision sMacTack is a multidimensional piece of technology. First, it's heavy, and feels darn nice in the hand; second, it provides the owner with a tiny signed* original art print; and third, it can be used to hold a fat stack of loose papers, bills, homework, or what-have-you on any magnetic surface. Just stack 'em up, and smack it on; it's art that works.

*each titled and signed by me on the back.

Pause

2009-07-19T09:10:00.005-04:00

There is so much to do in so little time. I suppose it applies to most of us all of the time. No matter the task, once given, the allotted time frame suddenly shrinks just enough to cause mild panic. Usually in the end these things tend to work out, or close to that, but until D-day, the moments to stop and breath and feel calm seems too few and far away. I will go to the beach house soon, and am scrambling to get all the tasks done I need to. There is always the fear that I will forget something major, but I will try hard to let those thoughts go, and forge ahead without 'looking at the clock' (since that tends to put me into 'deer in the headlights' mode.) Happy Sunday to all!

The Sun, Finally!

2009-07-05T14:28:00.007-04:00

I do not remember another year where by July I've not yet turned on my a/c (fans, yes) nor gone to the beach once! But maybe the tide has turned...could real summer weather be at last around the corner? This is me, two days ago, the wind was whipping my hair and compromised camera steadiness, oh but the glory of seeing shadows which are not made by streetlights!! Enjoy your Sunday, all!

At A Loss For Words...

2009-06-26T11:19:00.003-04:00

Since my last post, I have received my new camera and set about the task of 'learning' it. I've spent hours alone with the manual and camera, testing out the various functions, (much more advanced than those which my other camera had offered) pored over books in the bookstore near my day job on my lunch hour, and taken the camera with me every time I left the house on a day off. At night, if I am home, I have been working with the new Macro lens to document my toys, and to practice. This is why I have not been so chatty here, for I've been pretty much like my Charlie McCarthy ventriloquist doll above: bombarded with information, mouth agape, speechless.

Foggy Days Like This...

2009-05-31T11:25:00.003-04:00

Foggy Days Like This..., originally uploaded by sMacshot.

...when the air feels still, like a salty veil blessing all it enshrouds, I notice more the sound of my footsteps than the tidal rhythm punctuated by the two muffled foghorns, and an errant seagull's cry,which seems actually more like a cranky toddler in need of a nap. Days like this move at a different pace, on a separate plane.

**I will be back to post something more current as soon as my new-camera-fog clears. Soon, I hope! Happy Sunday, all!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2009-05-22T12:21:00.002-04:00

What I Did On My Summer Vacation, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

I'm getting to the (finally!) uploading of scanned negatives and Polaroids from last August at the beach house. It's killing me to be without a camera (digital) and I can't wait til the new one arrives! Happy Memorial Day weekend to all who get to celebrate it!

Iron Lady

2009-05-14T08:48:00.010-04:00

Iron Lady, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Oh gosh, I need to be strong. My digital camera is broken; I need to get a new one, and I am sort of devastated by the loss. I wasn't looking for a change, but I've discovered that Canon has a loyalty program so I can trade it in and get a better deal on an upgrade to the one I've been using for the past 4 years, and maybe it is time for me to move on, learn more technically (the camera I had was not very advanced, but not too amateurish, either) perhaps it's time for me to expand my knowledge and have equipment which would allow me to do more than I could before.

Until it broke, I'd take that camera with me any time I went out at night, walking around the neighborhood... got some great shots that way. Now I feel lost without it, but until I figure out my next options, it's forcing me to do other things.

The photo here is not a digital camera product. It was taken at the family beach house with a toy plastic Diana camera....the old kind; it takes medium format film which I get developed into negatives, so I can scan them myself. This is one such negative scan. Love the look that lo-fi cameras + film gives!

Green Hook

2009-05-07T16:52:00.002-04:00

Green Hook, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

The jetty, dotted with fishermen at 7pm one warm August evening on the New England coast, finds itself the platform for those who seek their portion of the ocean's bounty. One lone seagull hovers, and hopes for leftovers.

Been trying different printing options, not so easy. Will have this in my shop once I get that part straight!

Ten PM

2009-05-05T16:05:00.002-04:00

Ten PM, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Full moon over the ocean. I took this standing outside the beach house at night. So great to finally have all the film and polaroids scanned. Now I'm working on doodles and other scraps of paper. I'm also recovering from leg surgery; it's slowed me down quite a bit.

Time To Go Back

2009-04-19T14:34:00.006-04:00

Time To Go Back, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

All the Polaroids and various developed films from my plastic and cardboard cameras are finally scanned. Updates to my Flickr stream and online shops commence!

This is taken of the staircase in the beach house....sufficiently spooky, I'll say. To this day, it is often that my heart is in my throat going up them at night, or just being upstairs alone...because you don't feel alone.

Barcelona!

2009-04-15T01:08:00.005-04:00

espai[b] is a gallery of contemporary art in Barcelona which has chosen two of my photos to exhibit in what will now probably be an annual show since the great success of the first one in 2008. The show's title, 100x100Photo, refers to the number of photographers, and the fact that 100 large prints of each of their photographs will be sold at very affordable prices to the public. This is my first international show, and I am very honored and excited!!

The show starts tomorrow, April 16, 2009. As of the writing of this post, the current show on their site is the last 100x100Photo show, and prints are still available from that one. Take a look around, I see so many things I would love if I had more wall space!

As The World Flickrs

2009-04-08T23:52:00.003-04:00

This is my illustration-response to a recent conversation with my sarcastic friend who told me I was to consider myself privileged to be in the presence of he and his work, and as such was to thankfully accept the charge of being diligent in the expression of my gratefulness, the agreed upon method being that I shower him with little pink stars and comments touting his genius. A riot he is. And an amazing photographer, writer, and artist.

NYC Coffee Houses

2009-04-02T21:54:00.024-04:00

Before Starbucks, I'm not sure many people in the U.S. hung out in coffee houses. I'm not even sure I would call Starbucks a coffee house, but let's be generous and say so. Here in New York City there are so many which have been in business since the early 1900's. Cozy, cramped, and dimly lit, they serve incredible coffee by the cup, (no refills) panini, (before the general masses knew what one was) plates of sliced tomato and fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil, (fresh is the key here; no one buys that rubber ball you find in the grocery store!) all alongside wonderful authentic Italian pastry. Caffe Reggio was one of the first places I went to when I moved to Manhattan, and it is still a favorite place to hang out, and every now and then I have a camera along with me to capture what I see while I sit outside or in (as pictured above.)

Oh and side note, none of the above photos are me; that's my sister (except for the buxom girl with the sunglasses, and the red 'blur-girl'.) It's a long tradition to kick off our bi-annually 'Twin Weekends" the first night at Caffe Reggio.

Celebrating Abundance

2009-03-25T19:26:00.004-04:00

I must give a big thanks to Jess of Pecannoot who featured my photo entitled "Obesity" there. Pecannoot is a wonderful site which honors the theme of 'abundance'. We all need to recognize the abundance which we may have in our lives now, and that which is to come; and we need to believe that the world has much to offer each one of us, not just a lucky few. There is plenty to go around; more than we can imagine. It's a good message, and a wonderful place to be honored (check it out!) Thanks, Jess!

I. Should. Write. More (yeesh!)

2009-03-14T14:15:00.009-04:00

(more often, at least)

This is a collage of pieces I've doodled in ballpoint pen, rollerball, colored pencil, graphite, acrylic paints, and large, mangy, one-tip-broken-off metal work scissor cuttings. All done on found papers, utility bill envelopes, canvas, and cardboard. The images 'say' my title.

NOTE: I realized people might think I did this as an art piece after reading one reader's comment; au contraire, I just felt I needed to post *something*, ANYTHING in my blog lest it seem dead (after all, I am not an every day, nor every other day blogger) and needed a visual to go with my title "I Should Write More, (yeesh!)" so went in my files of scanned doodles, pulled out some eyes=I, my butler guy who seems to be demanding something with that pointing finger=should, all the silly fonts=write more, and the girl holding her head=(yeesh!) - - slapped 'em all together and made a collage. :P

Have a nice weekend. :)

White Vinegar Magic!

2009-03-05T14:38:00.007-05:00

Some time ago, I started making small glass gem magnets using snippets of artwork I had drawn or photographed. At some point, I decided to order very large (2.5inch) glass pieces to make 'super-magnets', (actually, I use one as a paperweight for as-yet-unfiled-receipts.) When they arrived in the mail, they had a sort of frosty appearance, but I cleaned them off with glass cleaner, and they looked great. However, a day or two later, they'd return to this frosty look. [Huh?? Why?] And not only that, but it almost had a mysterious residue; I could wipe it with my finger and it gave the appearance of a greasy streak....only it wasn't greasy. [What the hey?]

Since then, I have tried every cleaner under the dingy-dang sun to no avail, until just last week. It was like an epiphany; almost spiritual. Yes, 'midst working on something unrelated, entirely, while watching a rerun of Lost, I was suddenly compelled to stand up, and go to the kitchen cupboard for some white vinegar. And that, my friends, worked. The glass has never gone cloudy since. Magic, I say!

UPDATE: for sale in my shop!

As The World Flickrs

2009-03-01T22:27:00.004-05:00

Headed Home, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Sorry for my absence, sort of. I will be online a bit less during Lent, and working on a whole new stack of work (both photos and traditional art) which will hopefully be seen by Spring (and earlier) in my shops. A big snow is expected tonight, and I may be wading through nearly a foot of it as I head out to the subway tomorrow. I will see it as an adventure, and wish you all a wonderful week!

Cleaning Up Other People's Mess

2009-02-20T14:02:00.003-05:00

Do you ever feel like you have difficulty being creative when your life feels cluttered? How about when your home is messy? I definitely have this 'syndrome' that says if there are tasks to be done, they start to build a barrier between me and my art. I am most happy when everything is clean and taken care of, and my unusual work hours and resulting insomnia don't exactly enable efficiency towards that end. Sometimes other people make a mess for me to clean, whether because they are mean, angry, or just thoughtless, there's no one else to take the task. This type of situation has been slowing me down a lot, lately, but I intend to tackle it to the ground.

The photos above are of local graffiti (I sell a print of one of the pairs of legs in my shop, taken months before these) which was subsequently defaced over and over. Someone finally painted the wall around the girls, but eventually the desecration became overwhelming. The wall is plain, now.

Giveaway: 3 Octpuplets

2009-02-06T23:56:00.009-05:00

It's time to giveaway! Three winners will take home their favorite Octpuplet. You can see Dog 5 through Dog 8 here, and Dogs 1-4 in my previous post. All you have to do to enter is comment here and tell me which one is your favorite. To be clear. This includes your top choice out of all 8 dogs.... (1-4 in my previous post as well as dogs 5-8 in this post!) I'll draw three names on my birthday, February 12th.
(note: click on the photos to get a better view, sorry for the size, the photo does not do them justice.)

YAY! We have 3 winners. All were informed, and they are chickscratch, Karo Design, and demmi. Congratulations to all, and to the rest I am sure I will do more giveaways so stick around and visit often.

Octpuplets

2009-02-03T01:45:00.005-05:00

I have eight new dog illustrations which can be bought together or separately soon in my shop. Here are the first 4, and a detail shop of #1 and #2. The rest will be coming soon!

Uhh....Bibulousness???

2009-01-29T12:31:00.008-05:00

I live near Chinatown and occasionally venture into its depths, (where no visual evidence of the USA exists) to shop in the stores I find there. Items normally in the pharmacy sell for far less money....basic things like simple office supplies, or kitchen things, or cleaning aids. While I was not particularly in the market for the New Generation Washcloth, I could not resist, basically because the 2-pack (pink and yellow) only cost a dollar, but mostly because the description had my eyebrows knit as I giggled like a silly girl. Check out the features!

[Photos are a little blurred. Please click on them for easy (and fun) reading]

Today

2009-01-22T18:48:00.010-05:00

In the morning I overslept...well, sort of. I actually set the alarm for three hours later than I was supposed to. Jeesh.

I had a doctor's appointment. My first time seeing this particular doctor, and hopefully my last. Did not like his manner, his rushing me, his suggestion upon looking at my leg for less than a minute that I should get surgery, his absolute defensiveness to my questions, nor the fact that I caught him saying in a voice recorder (in another room) after I got dressed that "this patient is very competent" (which I translated to mean that it was not going to be as easy to pull the wool over my eyes and dupe me into getting the expensive procedure that I really don't need. His own sort of note to self, if you will.)

Back home, before noon I put a couple of new items in my Etsy shop:

This first one, entitled "Do You Mind??!" combines my love of antique toys with humor through it's image and description which reads:

Shame on you for barging in on Lady Pricilla's bath time, I mean, really! It is very difficult to bathe oneself when one's hands are needed to hide the goodies. You really should turn your back...avert your eyes....something! Huh? Say what? You want to hang her portrait on your wall!? Well...this is highly unusual, we don't normally entertain requests such as these in the bathroom, although, yes, yes, this makes sense now. Be her guest!

The second one is a symbol to inspire personal achievement, one I thought would be nice for anyone to hang on their office or studio wall. It's called "Aspire" :)

In the afternoon I was invited (and accepted) into an exclusive Market (I won't bore people with the details of what "Markets" are, etc., just suffice it to say I was excited!) on 1000 Markets, a new juried online selling venue where I have recently opened another shop.

In the evening, I went food shopping. At this point the temperatures had dropped significantly since the morning, and reinforcements were necessary; NYC is a walking city, it wasn't like I was gonna hop in a car and drive to the store. I walk everywhere, no matter the weather, so I wrapped my face up in my favorite scarf, one my mother knit me (the best kind of reinforcement, don't you agree?) and forged ahead through the streets, my fingers quickly turning numb despite being gloved.

Then walking back I passed by Heath Ledger's last home, where he was found dead exactly one year ago. There were several bouquets and collages left outside of the door, in memorial, and it reminded me of that horrible day last year, also as cold. How ironic the announcement of his nomination for his role in The Dark Knight came out this morning.

And finally, tonight I will be catching up on some cleaning, starting new artwork, watching a little TV, adding another upload to my Flickr account, and having a nice bowl of something hot to warm me up inside.

Tomorrow is back to work. But tomorrow is not today, so it doesn't belong in this post. So with that I bid you all a good night!

Donald Sultan

2009-01-18T13:39:00.004-05:00

I have only recently discovered his work. It was by accident, while killing time recently in a bookstore, a big coffee table book's bright cover caught my eye. When I opened it, immediately my lips parted, and with each turn of the page, I am sure you could have fed me, oh I don't know, say donut holes (if you're so inclined) through the gaping hole I left open. My jaw agape, my eyes feasted. The charcoal and tar....tar? He uses tar? And spackle! Rich, rich blacks, full of deep sooty lushness. Creamy whites. The lemons. The black eggs. Vinyl floor tiles, rather than traditional canvas. Simple shapes, organically rendered. I sink in this beauty and disappear into an inspiration-vortex. The book goes on my wishlist.

Let’s See, Etsy!

2009-01-13T15:46:00.010-05:00

(She Ain't No Junkyard Gal)

Junker Jane is the 'handle' used by a wonderfully talented lady named Catherine who makes some beautiful, whimsical, and definitely unusual dolls. To some the term creepy might be more fitting, but you will never hear me characterize them in such a way, I think they are adorable times a hundred. I discovered her shop when she was featured on the front page of Etsy, where I also sell, and I sit here now and announce my endorsement of these soft little wonders made with an eclectic variety of fabrics, patchworked together.

Here are two I own which I've named Winky and Bunny-Cat. Every day when I come home from work I am met by their innocent faces. They make any black clouds disappear, and have absolutely won my heart!

Food Poisoning

2009-01-07T15:40:00.005-05:00

At The End, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

I am on Day Three, and feel so weak and miserable, both at once burning hot and freezing, covered in goosebumps. There's no comfortable position in bed, and I just rock and moan in a half-conscious delirium. I had a doctor's appointment a few days ago and they made me a cup of coffee. I can't help but wonder if the last person who cleaned out my mug didn't disinfect their hands so well (perhaps after handling a 'sample' ?) because there is nothing else odd I ate which I do not eat every day. The problem is that very little has left my body in days, and so the poison (or whatever it is) is still inside me. Send me a mental thought of health, my friends, that I may soon recover and not feel like a person upon death's door.

UPDATE: Day 4 now, 11 lbs down and hopefully no more than that. I am feeling a bit better, have been up all day and am not sure, but think I am craving beef, which I never really eat (nothing against it, just don't care for it) and if I had some in the house I would surely prepare myself a plate. Tonight I will try to go to bed early evening rather than early afternoon; I must return to work tomorrow, because 4 days off from work is enough. More than that and I will really starve. :)

Time To Pack it In...

2008-12-30T20:52:00.002-05:00

Linens, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

...get ready to start anew. Happy New Year to all who celebrate it!

Raaaaarrr!!

2008-12-16T22:23:00.008-05:00

I think I need some strange creature to come and light the fire under me. It has come to my attention that I have a LOT to do before Christmas, and very little time in which to do it all. This evening I walked in a beautiful snow back and forth from the movies. I probably should have stayed in and worked on some things, but I didn't. Then, once home, despite being full from eating a large popcorn, I had more snacks, followed by painting. Now, though I sit at the computer with my list of To Do's before me, I busy my hands with a bag of candy and avoid them. Aware of my procrastination, I've ferreted out this nice beast from the many little publicly unseen artworks which fill files upon files of my many hard drives to help me out. This is a drawing I've scanned into my computer and digitally painted with color and texture, and if anyone needs me to send him over to help you get your things done, just give me a shout.

You Can't Go Back

2008-12-02T23:25:00.004-05:00

Where the heck...where the heck did the year go? In fact, where did the time go....all the time...I'm thinking fifteen years ago, more- - it flew. My childhood, well, that doesn't feel recent. It doesn't even feel like it was me. But I have pictures. I saw them. It was me alright. Maybe everyone feels that way. We change so much from childhood to adult that really, no, you aren't the same person, so that 'child' from so long ago, feels more like the star of some television movie you remember (in snippets, but not in full) from seeing many, many moons ago. And I don't want to go back, (there's too much I would never want to relive) but if it could just slow down a little bit. It's December. It's really December.

Brain Scans

2008-11-17T23:45:00.004-05:00

I think I'll be scanning film for eternity. It seems endless partly because it keeps being interrupted by my need to scan other odd bits, such as the pretty papers on the insides of the envelopes of my monthly bills, and work doodles. Piles and piles of things like these insist on documentation. And I always comply...not without delay, but eventually.

Two New Prints In My Shop!

2008-11-10T08:46:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since I've added new prints and these two work so well together - - as much as they do separately. One is taken with a plastic Diana camera, the other with an sx-70 Polaroid camera. Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving time? On the one hand, January '08 feels like eons ago, on the other, however, I feel like 'where the heck did the year go?' So, in honor of the here and now have a great week, everyone!

Better Days Ahead

2008-11-05T08:48:00.004-05:00

Better Days Ahead, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

Click the photo to read my caption. Hope all are well!

Whoosh

2008-10-23T00:35:00.005-04:00

Whoosh, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

That darned (and wonderful) light-leaking plastic camera business again. It's perfect, I think, for presenting summertime memories the way they are in my mind. I was following my sister one evening after dinner down a seagrass path leading to the ocean. The sun was shining, the wind rippling across the tall grass, and butterflies....thousands of them, everywhere.

Crop Top

2008-10-16T01:32:00.008-04:00

Crop Top, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

I am finally getting a start on the summer photos... scanning and potential post-processing takes so long, it's the part I dread. I shoot with so many lo-fi cameras that the majority of what I shoot never get seen by others, (still, I feel compelled to go through the steps to process and store them) and of the rest I actually do show, a certain kind of appreciation will be necessary if one is to see the beauty. They aren't everybody's cup of tea. You can click on the photo to read the humorous caption which explains this self portrait.

7 (More) Random Things About Me

2008-10-11T11:00:00.003-04:00

I've been 'tagged' again...well, three times...oops, now make that four times since the last (and only) one I responded to. Here we go...

1. I forget how to drive. I keep my drivers license current for identification, and 'just in case' I do need to drive, but I've lived in Manhattan for so many years (and have never missed owning a car which I sold before moving here) that I have pretty much forgotten how to operate a vehicle. When I go to the beach house each year, Ann (my twin sister) drives us everywhere. Sometimes she lets me park.

2. I have never broken a bone or been a patient in a hospital, even for a minute.

3. I have shared a big hug with Smoky Robinson full-on. This was not a personal appearance or concert; I live in New York City- - anything can happen here. He is very warm and has kind eyes.

4. I have eaten at least one apple a day for at least the last 20 years. I love apples.

5. When I first moved here, before Giuliani cleaned up all the organized crime and there was an active 'crew' in my neighborhood, I was made an offer I was expected not to refuse. In exchange all my rent and bills would be paid. It's not what you're thinking, I mean it, in fact I basically had to do nothing. But such an offer to me would mean that they would own me; I didn't want that, so I refused, and then went weeks fearing I was on the Hit List for disrespecting or something. It was a long while before I felt in the clear. I sorta miss those days.

6. As a child, a recurring nightmare I would have whenever I was delirious from having the flu (oddly not when I was well, then I'd have other nightmares I suppose, but this one only came when I was sick) was being in a hospital bed in a room so full of beds you cannot see the end of them...beds to my left and right as far as I can see, beds foot to foot with mine and the others to my sides (so that if someone was in the bed foot-to-foot with mine, we'd be facing each other from our own beds.) And rows and rows of beds beyond those. Everything is white, and there is a nurse in the scene. It absolutely terrified me in unexplainable ways; terror beyond screaming; it made me silent, frozen. And I've often wondered if it's a dream of the neonatal ward from when I was born.

7. I talk to my toy collection. I don't want them to feel lonely. I'm not crazy, just extra polite.

Benny, Jack, and Moe Throw Down A Mad Line Dance

2008-10-04T01:41:00.011-04:00

I'm still a little busy with a new consignment order, (84 items!) and my apartment looks like a victim of a massive printer explosion. My back is paying the price, but I've got a big smile on my face, why I daresay even my antique toy collection seems to be smiling. When I go off to work at my completely non-creative job, I continue to snag any scrap to doodle on. It's the itch I must scratch, and one day I will do it full time. I so hope.

UPDATE: it was not 84 items, but 108 items. Even better!

What Is Sleep?

2008-09-24T01:32:00.016-04:00

I don’t get much anymore. Lately it’s in the 2 hours a night range. But between my day job, my creative work, and a dash of social life, all of a sudden I’m busy. My little online shop is slowly increasing. People are finding me, discovering me. I have just finished and sent off a pretty good sized consignment order to an arts organization outside of DC which had contacted me. Next, I m working on artwork for a new Underground Art Magazine (details later) which had discovered my work, and I have a personal project I have been chomping at the bit to get started. I’ve got to get back to scanning and processing my vacation photography; this is a huge, several-week job, but if I wait too long, suddenly it’s winter and they just don’t seem appropriate for uploading to my Flickr account. I was going to try to get a little more sleep tonight since my lower back is in such a spasm I really can’t do very much. But even though it’s so late, (too late) and I’m not likely to get more sleep than usual on this night, I feel so excited to have finished this latest order and for the prospects ahead.

As The World Flickrs

2008-09-16T20:31:00.008-04:00

moonlight sail, originally uploaded by original_ann.

This is a photo my sister took of me on our recent stay at the beach house. We saw the full moon cast the brightest light upon the ocean, and danced in fields of blowy Queen Anne's Lace under the stars. Yes, that is a sailboat out there behind me.

I Am NOT Packing Up Any Bikinis!

2008-09-11T01:39:00.003-04:00

At least, not yet. But it is sort of necessary to start putting some holiday items in my Etsy shop. I made a sneak preview collage of some of my illustrations and doodlings you might find over there.

Want a Free Bikini?

2008-09-07T22:45:00.005-04:00

So I've taken the 8:30ish train out to Long Island where I can lay on the beach all day and jump in the waves; pretend the city doesn't exist for a bit, and that summer is not really 'done'. I'm minding my own business when a nice-looking beachy sort of guy comes up and says those very words to me. I sat up and responded with a "yes" spoken almost as one would a question, like when someone rings your doorbell, ala 'who is it?' You know. He plopped down and removed his backpack, fished around for my size, and voila! New black bikini. Mine now. Even better he asks if I'd like one for a friend as well! So Ann, (my twin sister) it's waiting for you when you visit me next!

Note: the above photo is one I'd taken a few summers ago while at the beach house with one of my Holga (plastic toy) cameras. It's in my Flickr stream.

My Sneaks

2008-09-02T12:20:00.003-04:00

They'll be waiting for me at the beach house when I return next year. Boy, did summer ever go fast this year. I need a rewind button.