“Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that’s easy. What’s hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”

— Charles Mingus

Walking on air

April 18, 2016 in mixed media, fine art photography

After enjoying a fun opening at bG gallery, where I have three of my images in the latest Monster exhibit, we decided to peek at the other openings at Bergamot station. After looking at two new exhibits that left me pretty unexcited (hmm...trying to be politically correct here), we entered Craig Krull Gallery. And, boy, was I blown away.

The first artist I couldn't stop staring at was Lou Beach, who creates these amazingly fun collage. I have never seen anything as beautiful and fun. Truly inspiring, and yes, the day will come when I will move from photo collage to mixed media collage. And Lou's work is a breathtaking inspiration. (Got home and ordered his book, so I can start studying his work at my leisure.)

And as I was thinking nothing can top this, I entered the second room of the gallery and saw Joseph Heidecker embroided photos. WOW. So simple and so effective. Stunning black and white photos, embroided in silver, gold, pinks and beige. Stunningly beautiful. I left the gallery walking on air.

Another one of Joseph Heidecker's amazing embroided photos

“What’s your name,’ Coraline asked the cat. ‘Look, I’m Coraline. Okay?’
’Cats don’t have names,’ it said.
’No?’ said Coraline.
’No,’ said the cat. ‘Now you people have names. That’s because you don’t know who you are. We know who we are, so we don’t need names.”

— Neil Gaiman, Coraline

The good life

April 16, 2016

Photographing Max and Mia turns out being a great diversion from a more serious and complex photography project I am immersed in. Besides being loads of fun, it also helps better understand the benefits of my seldom used wide-angle lens.

Whether folding laundry, having a luxurious shower or napping in the sun, the cats are graceful, hilarious creatures full of self respect. And SOOOOO much fun :)

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”

— Karl Lagerfeld

Making memories

April 04, 2016 in fine art photography

birthday flowers by amy kanka valadarsky

April 4th, my birthday. Our birthday, as my husbands birthday was yesterday. We had a wonderful weekend, filled with good food, good art and good music. I had my favorite lemon meringue cake, he had the Godiva cheesecake. We both cried when listening to "Madame Butterfly" (yes, real tears....).

Now it Monday morning, the house is empty except for the cats. I am working on my computer, when I hear a knock on the door. Holding Max the cat in one hand I open the door, and see a delivery man holding a vase with flowers. "Amy Kanka Valadarsky? They are for you". Juggling the cat, the pen and the vase, I can barely sign the form. I close the door, put the cat down and unfold the note. Birthday flowers from my sons. I am standing here, thousands of miles away from them, yet feel an almost tangible hug. They sent us flowers.

Tears prevent me from really focusing the camera. This is a moment I want to remember.

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle”

— Lewis Carroll (Alice in wonderland)

The missing piece

March 23, 2016 in Black & white photography, fine art photography

Just the two of us by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

Four month ago I started a personal project. The original idea was to leverage vintage family photographs as a point of departure for self exploration. I had no idea how much this project will stretch beyond my comfort zone, but hey, that's how we learn, don't we?

This is the first project shot almost in its entirety with a Holga lens, which I love, but it does work differently than what I am used to. Then there are the self portraits, which I always avoided, but I thought necessary for this project. I start melding images together, creating pieces of the narrative. I look at the images, I do love them, but something is still missing. How can I visually convey that each one of us is made of multiple pieces, and sometimes, it is the missing piece that defines us more than the existing one?

Thinking about it for days, without any breakthrough, and then, out of nowhere (while driving at night) the idea of a physical puzzle is born. After almost 10 hours of trial and error - the first Images appear. YESSSSS!!

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

— Albert Einstein

The Enchanted Forest - the story continues

March 10, 2016 in Black & white photography, fine art photography, nature photography

"Many years ago, when I still had two long braids tied with huge white bows, I fell in love with stories. Especially the ones which transported me to magical places where wild swans turned into princes, dark forests hid marble castles, and ancient columns were spotted by moonlight floating above the waves of stormy seas."

This is the beginning of my "Misthaven" series statement. A testament to the enduring imprints of fairy tales and fiction literature I read as a child. A couple of month ago, I thought this series is finished. I numbered the images, created a sequence, polished the statement. I though I have nothing more to say. I couldn't be more wrong.

I do not look for images, they seem to look for me. And two new images found me just the other day. Here is the second one:

See Misthaven portfolio here

Inspired by ....

March 02, 2016 in fine art photography

This time, a different kind of post. In the last few weeks, I spent time thinking about my sources of inspiration, and for the first time in 3 years, created a power point.

Articulating my thoughts, provided me with a new point of view on my own work, helped identify connections I never thought about before. Learning to know me :)

“ Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.”

— Anonymous

Human nature

February 27, 2016 in street photography, nature photography, fine art photography

I decide to walk rather than drive to the art store. About 40 minutes of walking on Lincoln street in Santa Monica. Shops, car repair shops, restaurants. Lots of concrete. I start noticing the murals. More than half of them depict nature.

After seeing the third one, the irony strikes me. We cover nature with concrete. Then we cover concrete with nature. Urban nature, or perhaps a glimpse at the human nature.

“I like the simple things. I don’t know why. I’m that way. I came from a simple place.”

— Harry Callahan

The simple things

February 22, 2016 in fine art photography, nature photography

The best compliment I ever got was when somone told me my images reminded him of Harry Callahan's. At the time, I didn't really appreciate it enough as I was not familiar with his work. Now, a year later, his simple yet experimental approach to photography is a constant inspiration to me. I find myself going back to see his work, drawing inspiration from it.

His images, like the Haiku poetry can say so much, with so little. I can just hope that sometime I will be able to distill my emotions into visual images with the same clarity. Until then, I keep looking for the magic in the everyday, discovering the beauty of the simple things in life.

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.”

— Diane Arbus

Know thyself

February 05, 2016 in fine art photography, Black & white photography

If there if one thing I avoid photographing, it is self portraits. Whether it is because of the selfie flood around, the fact that I don't particularly like how I look or simply because it requires a different way of working with the camera, I usually don't turn the camera on myself .

And this worked fine.....until I realized that self portraits are exactly what is needed for a new personal project I started to work on. After ignoring this thought for a couple of weeks, this morning I ran out of excuses. No computer to work on, most of other tasks done, house is empty with the exception of Max the cat.

Camera on tripod, trying to be the most me I can be, in a robe and slippers I started the most unusual photo session I ever did.

Looking at the images, (at the ones I did not throw away) it is me that I see. Not just recognizing my body, but the gestures, the composition and light of the image. A multidimensional image of me that shows how I look, what I feel, how I express myself. Getting to know myself through the camera

“Life is simple, it’s just not easy....”

— Anonymus

Imagine . . . Cuba

January 11, 2016 in fine art photography, street photography

Imagine

Life without constant internet connection

Streets where children play soccer barefoot in the rain puddles

The national hobby is people watching

A place where streets might be dirty but the people wear crisp white shirts

Where you are surrounded by colors, music and fumes of old cars

Imagine ....Havana, Cuba

“Sometimes I arrive when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter”

— Ansel Adams

Cuba - first impressions

December 31, 2015 in fine art photography, street photography

It's late in the afternoon. We land in Havana, Cuba after a sleepless night on the plane. We exchange money at the Cadeca and find our taxi. No seat belts, not even for the driver. Driver is nice and helpful and takes us to our room in a casa particular in Central Havana. I am dizzy from the sights and lack of sleep. While taking a quick shower it starts raining. Not much, not enough to keep me from going out with the camera (sleep??? now??? c'mon...)

I sincerely hope it's safe here. My parents would skin me alive were they to know I walk here alone. Once beautiful houses, crumbling. Street kind of paved, filled with puddles and islands of garbage. Children playing soccer in the street not bothered by the cars or bicycles. Shoes and shirts are optional.

The sun sets, the lamps are lit, the rain stops. I feel I am on a movie set. A colorful fantasy set in a faraway country about 50 years ago. I walk the streets, careful not to go too far and get lost, stand on street corners and watch reflections and shadows. Click. Click, click. After an hour and a half, I'm back at the casa, otherwise husband will alert police...

We stay in Cuba seven days. That first evening, was the only time it rained. The images I captured that night are the ones I love the most. Sometimes, it does seem like you arrive when God is ready to have someone click the shutter ....

Standing at the corner of the street, watching the shadows

Posing for me ....Crespo street, Centro Habana. December 2015

“When people ask me what equipment I use – I tell them my eyes.”

— Anonymous

What equipment do you use??

December 15, 2015 in fine art photography

Almost Christmas by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

On the quest to finding the look I strive for in the images, I find myself going in two opposite directions. Either really expensive vintage lens recreated for modern cameras (waiting for one ...), or the simplest possible lens. The plastic one. No autofocus, can't handle low light, the simplest of the simple. A Holga lens.

And funny enough, this a tremendous fun. Liberated from the need to hit the exact focus, with a built in vignette ( did I mention old, crappy lens??) ....and a softness to die for.

Armed with my camera, I go out late afternoon to test run the lens. Its chilly, the wind blows my hair, and I keep shooting the lights and the shadow. And a gorgeous Pudel who happened to be with his owner at Starbucks.

"When people ask me what equipment I use - I tell them my eyes." So true.

Selfie. The wind and me (or a really bad hair day:)

The holidays. Santa Monica, December 2015

“ A good photograph, will prove to the viewer how little our eyes permit us to see. Most people only see what they’ve always seen and what they expect to see. Whereas a photographer, if he’s good, will see everything.”

— Leon Levinstein

A sense of place: Angelino Heights, Los Angeles

December 10, 2015 in fine art photography

angelino heights by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

"A sense of place" was my first photographic assignment. It was not so much about learning the technicalities of the camera, but about learning to see and analyze, distill the essence of a place. I remember the teacher telling us to chose a place and go spend there time without the camera first. Feel it, journal about it, only then return with the camera at different times of the day. I still follow this advice whenever I can, but sometimes, this is not practical.

In many of my trips, I have 10 - 15 minutes to see a place, feel it and try to get to its essence. yes, it can be frustrating, and yes I miss all the guide explanations but lately I started to just flow with my gut feeling and take snapshots. Bits and pieces of the place. Later, at my computer at home, the pieces are sequenced into flowing shapes and colors that tell the story of this place.

This is Angelino Heights to me. An old, Victorian neighborhood, where time is etched in the architecture of the houses as well as the peeling wood. Reminder of gentler, slower time, childhood movies and happy endings.

“I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence something throbs, and gleams...”

— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Desert mirage

December 01, 2015 in Black & white photography, fine art photography, nature photography

Vast spaces,

clay floor shaped into geometric shapes by ruthless heat

all seems beige, yet filled with color

clouds of dust catch morning sunlight

people the size of ants presume to own it all

are we mad???

Moments before sunset, Death Valley 2015

The beige is full of colors. Death Valley 2015

“It’s hard to hear the music behind the words when their meanings get in the way,” she told me once.”

— Ken Liu, Mono no Aware

Going forward, looking back

November 20, 2015 in Black & white photography, fine art photography, Portrait

misthaven - photographed by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

Working on a new series of images. What started like a very successful shooting day, leads to looking back over images I shot in the last year, seeing them with new eyes.

Amazing how images I previously ignored, are the ones I love the most. Previously a beautiful flower, nothing more - now, converting it to black and white I suddenly see the witch. The image definitely did not change. It is me who changed. Maybe this is what Ken Liu meant by ignoring the meaning and listening to the music, or in my case ignoring the subject and noticing the shape.

Stringing the images together into a new narrative. Looking into the best way to convey the motif of an allegory. New pastel colors waiting for a first attempt at hand-coloring images.

Who knows where this will bring me...

...another image from the new series. model: Larva.

“It’s said that All Hallows’ Eve is one of the nights when the veil between the worlds is thin - and whether you believe in such things or not, those roaming spirits probably believe in you, or at least acknowledge your existence, considering that it used to be their own.”

— Erin Morgenstern

Hallows' Eve

November 05, 2015 in fine art photography, abstract photography

As someone who loves photographing the night moods, Halloween is a rare treat for me. Having just finished a night photography project, letting imagination wander in the quiet streets of Santa Monica, I have now a chance to witness how "the veil separating the worlds" becomes transparent and this quiet and beautiful neighborhood turns into a modern rendition of the underworld.

I walk around with the camera, taking in the mood and colors, peeking through the veils. Light shining through cobwebs turns into abstract images depicting the land of the ghosts. A world filled with mystery and magic.

It is this veil between the worlds I am looking for whenever I photograph. The spirit and the story hiding beyond what the eye can see. No better time for this than Hallows' Eve. My trick & treats.

Inspired by the lights, creating my own ghosts

“For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I’m not sure where I’m going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn’t do it.”

— Frank Gehry

Inspired by the best

October 05, 2015 in fine art photography, abstract photography

How are ideas born? Where do they come from? What translates objects into new concepts?

A few weeks ago, I visited an inspiring exhibit at LACMA - Frank Gehry. To say his work is inspiring, is an understatement. The funny thing is that it is irrelevant whether I would like to live in such a house (I get a bit dizzy from looking at his buildings ...), or if his original inspirations (crumbled paper ..) sound exciting. His thought process and the way the concept was translated into glass and metal, triggered something in me.

How about showing these building is different way. Near some of the building models, were videos showing the real buildings in their environment. In some cases the videos included interior shots. How about combining the models (physical manifestation of idea) with shots from the videos ( a virtual representation of reality)?

I wonder what would Frank Gehry say of these. Thank you Mr. Gehry for being an inspiration. if you happen to be in Los Angeles - run and see it.

Gehry's house in Santa Monica. Passed is several times on morning walks, not knowing it was his ...

Inside and out - Frank Gehry exhibit at LACMA. If you are in LA - run and see

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

— John Muir

Walking in the woods

September 10, 2015 in fine art photography, Black & white photography

3 days in the forest with the camera. I don't this I will ever get tired of photographing the woods. Thickets of trees, that allow only few rays of sun to penetrate, or trees that break your heart with their naked, desolate posture.

And if the gods of the forest smile at us, magical encounters might happen.

Ghost trees. Yosemite, September 2015. Amy Kanka Valadarsky photography

Look me in the eyes ...Yosemite, September 2015

“Very often I try to find something that matches a feeling I have. On the other hand, a lot of times I photograph with nothing specific in mind. I just play it as it comes. If it’s good, fine. I find ‘letting it happen’ relaxing, a playful vacation. Stimulating pictures almost always result.”

— Minor White

Ripples of light

August 25, 2015 in fine art photography, impressionist photography, nature photography, abstract photography

sea and light photographed by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

Playing with the camera. I do not want to capture the magnificence of the beach. It's the ripples of light, the salty air, the sound of the waves, the continuous movement that I am after.

Hundreds of images of the beach, and I am still looking for the right way to photograph it. Ironically, it is when I am starting to play and let it happen that some of the barriers break down.

“The forest is essential, the trees incidental”

— William F. Reese

The forest is essential, the trees - incidental

August 19, 2015 in fine art photography, impressionist photography

Painter on the pier by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

I love trying new things, experimenting with what the camera can do. But every few months, I find myself returning to the initial love - Impressionism. I love how it captures the essence of things. The forest rather than the trees.

New ideas are born. Would I dare to print and hand-paint these? Something to explore now that I start making friends with my printer....

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