Saturday, May 26, 2018

New York Individuals

"New York Individuals No. 1" 2018



On a recent trip to Manhattan I carved out some time to photograph New Yorkers at the MCC 2nd Avenue Street Festival. There were over 800 local craft artists, merchants and restaurants who set up their stalls the length of 20 blocks. The street festival provided locals with a chance to relax and enjoy a pedestrian stroll down 2nd Avenue.

The Manhattan skyline is not subtle nor organic. The towering buildings made for an interesting backdrop and became a looming presence behind my subjects. Being a Californian, I'm used to open vistas and single storey buildings. I was challenged by the angles of the buildings and their doors and windows. I began to consciously incorporate their imposing elements with my human subjects below.

It was delightful to interact with random New Yorkers. I forgot how talkative and engaging people are here. I suppose I have also become removed from random interactions with people since I drive 90% of the time in Southern California. Most of my subjects were fascinated by my 1965 Rolleiflex and had stories to share about their experiences with photography. All were surpised I could still purchase and process film!

The bounty of interesting people in Manhattan is overwhelmingI couldn't help but delight in knowing that Diane Arbus once captured similar street scenes in this city she called home. I am happy to present to you today and in the next few weeks, a series of images I captured of individuals, pairs and groups on the streets of New York.

Julie Green
May 26, 2018

"New York Individuals No. 2" 2018



"New York Individuals No. 3" 2018

"New York Individuals No. 4" 2018



"New York Individuals No. 5" 2018



"New York Individuals No. 6" 2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Flora as Fashion: Ameliana Kamstra

“Flora as Fashion: Ameliana Kamstra” 2018



It seems frivolous to create images that aren't addressing social injustices right now while our American society is crumbling right before my eyes. But it is precisely through this project that I have been able to process the tension our daily world is producing. Stitching  has been a way for me to personally keep it all together.  

The transformation of emotional experiences into recognizable form is a vehicle most artists employ. Picturing a song, a gesture, or a phrase leads us on a journey of self discovery and expression.

The normal structures of our society, which feels like it is hanging by a thread, is overwhelming. Fear of letting life unravel, keeps me stitching.

I’m stitching to reduce the stress levels I have about the onslaught of daily high school shootings, homelessness, our diminishing civil liberties, and grotesque consumerism. It allows me to transform my anxiety into something beautiful - a way to adorn my friends with love and beauty.

Julie Green
May 19, 20189

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Back to the Canvas

"Hula-Hoop" 2018
20 x 16"
Acrylic
Well, I couldn't keep myself away from the paints... There is something so enjoyable about applying paint. I dive deeper into shapes and forms. Expressing my creativity through this medium has always been something I come back to time and again. It fulfills a need that isn't met in my photography. I was given a piece of advice a very long time ago that I still adhere to. "If you create an image that really resonates with you, reproduce it in may different mediums."

Time has kept me from producing a large body of work. Painting takes time. It's not a snap shot. It requires hours of looking, adjusting, applying and contemplation. It is a meditation onto itself. With a very packed schedule already, I couldn't imagine where I was going to be able to carve out a chunk of time to do the work. But then I thought of Ruth Asawa, who with six kids wove her wonderful sculptures after everyone went to bed. I thought if she could have the energy to produce such a profound body of work after hours, that I must try as well.

Using a black and white image I shot for the 4th Annual Bob Baker Day blog piece I did back in March connected me back to my photography. Working from my own work and from a composition I already loved, I was set free. This concept isn't new to me. Back in the late 80's, I did a series of oil painting from my photographs of The Imperial Butt Wizards.

I chose to paint in black and white and all the shades in between to focus on the composition. It breaks the image down to just the shapes and isn't distracted with emotional attachments to color. "Hula-Hoop" will hopefully be the first of many paintings I hope to share with you in the future.

Julie Green
May 5, 2018