The solstice marks the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Today we celebrate the longest day of the year and get ready for some warmer days to come. I am reminded of a photo shoot I did during a summer solstice. Several years ago I headed to a drum circle to celebrate the summer solstice when I ran into a group of performers. They were fire dancers. I remember them being very polite and humble about their skills. They answered my questions and I watched them borrow each others equipment to practice before their performance. The show was great and was the perfect opportunity for me to do some light graffiti.
Light graffiti is also known as light painting. Basically you keep your camera’s shutter open as long as possible to capture light. Here’s a round up of photos I took that wonderful warm summer evening.
How are you spending the longest day of the year?
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“The festival of the summer solstice speaks of love and light, of freedom and generosity of spirit. It is a beautiful time of year where vibrant flowers whisper to us with scented breath, forests and woodlands hang heavy in the summer’s heat and our souls become enchanted with midsummer magic.” Carole Carlton
“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath…” Margaret Atwood
“There is a Zone whose even Years No Solstice interrupt – Whose Sun constructs perpetual Noon Whose perfect Seasons wait -” Emily Dickinson
Imagine a place where art is all around you. Yes art. Art is expression.
Wherever you look, someone left traces of their creativity.
Leaving no place overlooked, it’s on the walls, on the street, windows, light poles even trash cans.
Where the wind carries the acrid chemical smell of spray paint but you don’t really mind it. It’s a welcome relief from the humidity.
Where you have to be careful where you walk, lean and sit or come away with wet paint.
Where the streets are slanted, side walks broken, but you can still appreciate the beauty of decay on crumbling industrial buildings lovingly wrapped in barbed wire.
Where mystery and the mysterious are not uncommon.
The Miami neighborhood of Wynwood is an ever changing canvas where you are sure to be uncertain what you will see or experience next.
Sometimes people are the art. You will find them costumed or painted into the most interesting characters you never thought of.
Performance art is everywhere; a group of kids dancing on the corner, a DJ spinning creating an impromptu party on the sidewalk or an acoustic duo playing outside a fancy new gallery.
You can get food from a truck or the ghostbusters station wagon inside a bar sometimes flea market.
This place inspires me. I come away feeling the passion expressed in artists works. It reminds me of the passion I have for expressing myself.
Gentrification has me worried about how much longer this place will exist. Wherever these artists flee I will follow.
Have you been to see Wynwood walls?
Is there a place you always go to for inspiration?
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“You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.” Deepak Chopra
“One line placed on the canvas committed her to innumerable risks, to frequent and irrevocable decisions.” Virginia Woolf
“I like that about art, that what you see is sometimes more about who you are than what’s on the wall.” Cath Crowley
“People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish… but that’s only if it’s done properly.” Banksy
“Graffiti is not about clean lines, pretty colors and beautiful blends. Graffiti is my life’s turbulence exploded on a wall.” Mint Serf
“This world is but a canvas for our imagination.” Henry David Thoreau
energy in an isolated system remains constant over time
The only thing that can happen to energy in a closed system is be transformed from one state to another.
Energy is not a material substance.
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| 2010 |
ATP molecules
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| 2010 |
electrical signals sodium-potassium gate between 10 and 100 millivolts
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| 2010 |
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elec·tric·i·ty
Pronunciation: /i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē, -ˈtris-tē/
fundamental entity of nature consisting of negative and positive kinds,
observable in the attractions and repulsions of bodies
electrified by friction and natural phenomena
I’m honored and humbled to announce one of my abstract light graffiti photographs has been chosen to be a part of Beck’s Emerging Artist Exhibition.
My piece is hanging along with fifty local talented artists at the Wynwood Exhibition Center at Cafeina Wynwood. I’m elated to be considered and above all acknowledged as an artist.
Below is the piece hanging in the exhibition. It’s called ‘Love on the Run’. Light graffiti is made by having the camera capture light. Images are created by either moving the light source or moving the camera. In the case of this photograph it was both. There are no special effects. The image is not altered, it was purposefully captured. Light graffiti has become of my favorite ways of creating art.
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| Love on the Run |
Things I learned from this amazing experience.
**Only Action Will Bring About Change**
Dreaming, thinking, wishing, writing and making plans is not enough. Only action can bring change into your life. I had to step out of my comfort zone to submit and send my artwork out into the world. I felt excited, nervous, terrified, elated, happy = alive.
**Be Your Truest Self**
An artist is only as good as they allow themselves to be.
Be the unfiltered you. Do not edit yourself to please people. You cannot please everyone all of the time. Eventually you will piss someone off.
Do not let anyone edit your message. I’m not referring to constructive criticism but the essence deep inside that defines who you are and what you stand for which is ultimately what you are saying through your work.
**Commit to Doing Your Best**
I realized the importance of creating a great work, of setting goals and standards which will enable me to grow. Once the work is out there it will speak for itself.
**What you do is Who YOU are**
There are things we do that bring us joy. There are things we cannot help but do. Embrace your talent, your skills, study, practice, do the best you can do. I think that’s the best thing we can do for humanity.
There were many interesting pieces on display including paintings, sculptures, video shorts and photography. Mine was the only representation of light graffiti. 😉
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| My Business Card |
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| Light Graffiti Miami Skyline 2011 |
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| Light Graffiti Miami Skyline 2011 |
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I'm based in the wonderful state of Florida and I write about travel, food, experiences and events. I share tips and tons of photos. If you have a question about visiting Florida let me know how I can help you.
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