Kat Eye Studio

by

Pieces of the Puzzle

In the last day, I learned something new. Another piece of the puzzle that is me, my creativity, my art fell into place. I started to see how the exploration of other art provides insight into my own. Influences my own. Directly.

In September, during my solo weekend trip to Paris, I recognized that I was really drawn to colorful abstract paintings. In a post on that observation, I wrote:

What does this mean for my art, my view of the world? What does the appeal of color and form and abstraction tell me? I don’t know now, but I do know it will show up in some way.

Well, here it is, in the form of the colorful abstract images I captured in Burano a couple of weeks ago. My desire to capture color for color’s sake, the interest in the color and form as the primary elements of the photograph.

I’ve known for some time, that seeing art in its various forms has been a huge influence on me during my time for Italy. I’ve known that this is an important part of my creative journey. I’ve just never recognized the direct link between the two like this – the viewing/observation of an interest in other art and then the relationship to it in my own.

I think many people believe that my creative inspiration is all Italy. “Of course your photography is beautiful/great/improving, you’re in Italy!” I hear. But I know that’s not true. Being in Italy has helped me for sure, but only because it’s caused me to take an active role in exploring and observing and creating, and then learning from it all.  I believe that you can too, no matter where you are in the world.

by

Real Life Still Life

Everyday, we walk by countless places that people live in, work in, shop in, play in. We don’t even see these places most of the time, they are just part of the background noise of our every day lives. The good thing about travel is that it makes you more aware of what’s around you, you are open, receptive and seeking. You are actively seeing what is someone else’s background noise, what they don’t even notice anymore. The little details of real life that are fantastic still life compositions, if we just notice them.

This real life still life was found in a back alley in Murten, Switzerland. My son and I were wandering around the town on our guidebook walking tour, and I caught this flash of blue in the corner of my eye. Not one to miss out on a possible color photo opportunity, we headed down the alley to investigate and found this wonderful little place, where someone had clearly set this scene up with artistic intent. I loved taking pictures here, but this is my favorite of them all, because it just shows the whole scene as created by the artist.

How many people do you think see this, being tucked into a back alley? How many of those people don’t even notice it anymore, as part of the background noise in their everday life? It’s a good thought to ponder as we go through our everyday. See if you can find a real life still life, accidental or intentional, in your background noise. You don’t have to take a picture, just notice it. It takes active looking, an awareness that requires to you be in the moment. You can’t be thinking about where you are going, what tasks you need to get done next.

I think you might find it a refreshing, positive experience. And you may find you enjoy the places you go, the things you see every day, just a little bit more. Let me know how it goes.

+ + + + + + +
So excited, today is my first post over at Mortal Muses! We are currently musing on Reflections. You all know that’s a favorite subject of mine. 🙂  And come back tomorrow for a new Exploring with a Camera –  I can’t wait to share it with you! It’s a good week, all around.

by

Italian Design

Ooooh, what is this beautifully wrapped box? Dont’t you just love the colors? The idea of “Made in Italy”? Don’t you just want to keep the box all neatly wrapped? I certainly do.

This is a gift from Brandon and Patrick, a bit early for Valentine’s Day. I have found this Italian company, Campo Marzio Design, that creates professional, office-type items – folders, bags, pens in bright colors and fun designs. So much of what is available here is available in the US that it is fun to find a company that is pretty unique and not gigantic and well known yet.

I had wanted to get a pen but didn’t want to spend the money, just told them it was a gift idea for someday. Probably less than two weeks later, they came home with this box. They wanted me to open it right away but I couldn’t. I had to wait and take some pictures first. 🙂 The packaging is so pretty!
The little scroll inside tells about the craftmanship of the pens, refills, etc. It has both Italian and English, the funny part about it is that the English is a very literal translation of the Italian, which of course is quite awkward. I love it.Patrick and Brandon did a great job of picking out a pen design that I love. Patrick was a bit disappointed that I didn’t want to rip open the packaging and use it right away, but it’s because I needed to savor and enjoy the whole package. It magnified the gift, it’s so pretty! So, to Patrick and Brandon I say:

by

Holiday Reflections

The window displays are gorgeous here in Italy! I loved this creative and beautiful display in one of the shop windows in Torino. I don’t even remember what they were selling, but the display was memorable. Things are all decked out for the holidays here, extra colorful and glittery and festive. A bright spot in the dark and cold of winter.

We got a good snowstorm yesterday afternoon and evening, causing all sorts of problems trying to get home but we made it safe and sound. I need to get out today and get into the snow for some new pics while it lasts, it’s supposed to turn to rain later this week. I asked for snow, and I got it!