Kicking It Old School

While I have thought about moving to laser-cutting, there’s just something about working with your hands. It may not be important at the top of the art world, but it is in my world.

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ABOVE: One of my current projects. I will post more images after I’ve cut out each tree.

From the Photo Vault

Every now and then, I like to browse my massive Flickr account, and select a few images I’ve yet to show. Here are a few from my latest search. Click to enlarge.

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My Plan

After building a body of work, and a small exhibition record, it was time to take a step back in order to move forward. It’s been a while since I’ve finished something new, but I’m getting there.

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In the past two years, I have moved homes, gotten engaged, and payed down debt. As such, my focus has not been on my art. Sure, I’ve dabbled a bit from time to time, but I’ve yet to dive back into it fully.

That’s okay, because in the past, I would dive in head first. Moving forward, I will take my time producing new work (spreading production costs over a longer period of time), and be more selective in how I show it.

I’m going to think twice before paying juries to reject me. I’m going to think twice before showing my work in a tent. I’d still like to be represented by a gallery, but if that doesn’t happen, so be it.

I’m going to make work, I’m going to show it (likely in a space I’ve rented), then I’m going to take a step back, take a break, and figure out how to do it all over again.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Smartphone Photo Apps

If, like most people, you take a majority of your photo’s on your smartphone, you’ll need a few decent apps to help with editing. Here are my thoughts on a few I’ve used.

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ABOVE: Photo edited using Fused

Snapseed

Cost: Free

By far the best of the bunch. Really, this might be all you need. Remove objects, adjust levels, apply filters. This app has it all. Did I mention it’s free.

Picfx

Cost: Free with extra $ for premium filters

Nowhere near as good as it used to be. Most of the best filters have been removed (including a ‘space’ filter that was just plain awesome). When I first got this app it was great. Now, not so much.

PS Express

Cost: Free

Pretty good. Lots of filters along with some more serious tools (noise reduction, object removal). Bounce between this and Snapseed, and you should be able to produce some slick images.

Fused

Cost: Free

Allows you to produce double exposed images. Fun to play around in. Can produce some neat images. Not a proper app on its own, but a good compliment to Snapseed or PS Express.

My Favorite Toronto Buildings

Toronto may not be the world’s prettiest city, but it’s not without it’s charm. That said, here are a few of my favorite buildings – any list without the CN Tower doesn’t count.

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ABOVE: Michael Lee-Chin Crystal (addition to the Royal Ontario Museum). Designed by Daniel Libeskind. Completed in 2007.

ABOVE: Toronto-Dominion Centre. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1969.

ABOVE: CN Tower. Designed by WZMH Architects: John Andrews, Webb Zerafa, Menkes Houdsen. Completed 1976.

ABOVE: Royal Bank Plaza. Designed by WZMH Architects. Completed 1979.