Economics of Social Media

I have come to love sharing and interacting with other artists on sites like Twitter and Ello, but I found Facebook and Instagram too restrictive and not genuinely artist friendly.

Sharing on Twitter, doesn't allow for much explanation or deconstruction of the art, so I thought I would start blogging about the hows and whys of some of my photographic sets.

My 5 Year Project with Model Liz La Point, required us to collaborate regularly on photo shoots and sets for inclusion in books I was working on, and to explore old ideas and concepts that I hadn't been able to previously explore with other models.

Having a fearless, risk-taker, who was open and free of shame, allowed me to delve much deeper than I had previously.

Conceptual photography is about fantasy, and about reflecting ideas from the artist's imagination. I often explored themes that had been bouncing around in my head since the early formation of my first sexual thoughts, so as I teenager growing up with comic books, video games and weird low budget movies, I would often meld the past with the present.

In my "Gamer" set, I placed Model Liz La Point in my library of comic books, photo art books, magazines and action figures and had let her loose on my Atari 2600.

In an outfit and make-up ensemble that looked more fitting for a New Year's Eve party, Liz went from playful, to frustrated, to abandoning the game and her clothing altogether.

It is my favorite set of mine.

I loved how Liz played the character and how youthful and fun it was, showing video games aren't just for males, nor are they just for children anymore.

Buy the book "I Love Liz La Point - 5 Years of Art & Love"

http://www.blurb.com/user/digifan

Eyes are such a gift. I am forever amazed at human beings and how we develop new ways of seeing. Photography is one of the most mesmerizing innovations in human history, and to be able to not just preserve our favorite moments, but to also turn them into art, is still awe-inspiring to me.

My interest in art and photography grew from my love of nature. Growing up in the isolated woods of Northern Michigan, I spent the majority of my childhood in those woods, exploring and discovering.

Though my decades in New York City and Southern California were deeply enriching, returning to the place of my formative years has been an asset to my art.

I have truly come full circle, in spite of all of the years I spent trying to escape my past.

The accompanying image is from my tribute to Guido Crepax from my "The Visitor" set with Model Liz La Point.

Mojave Desert - 2007.

If you think you have it figured out, spend some time in the Mojave and you will realize your journey has just begun.

Growing up in the 1970's & 80's, I worshipped the anti-heroes, the rock stars & the fallen. My heroes were Jim Morrison, Syd Vicious, & James Dean. By the time I graduated high school, I wanted to be Mickey Rourke.

I don't want my son growing up emulating the behavior of lost souls. I want him to have goals and focus.

All of the precious time wasted drinking alcohol or consuming massive amounts of hard drugs might be my biggest regret in life, and it isn't what I want for my child, or anyone else's child.

America has such an excess problem.

I never did anything high or drunk I am proud of.

I spent my 30's sober, and it was amazing, and a sharp contrast to the blur that was my 20's.

Artists don't need to be intoxicated to create, they use to medicate from being misunderstood.

I'm not one to preach because I understand how easy it is to struggle with addiction but I'd love to be a positive influence for anyone struggling with these particular demons.

It is a long road to finding one's self, and I suspect we don't truly know who we are until the moment of our death.

To be remembered positively is everlasting life.

This photo by photographer Emily Maglothin captures me at my happiest, photographing my muse, Model & Writer Liz La Point.

Having a partner to make art with and to share life's struggles and joys is a dream come true.

2017 - Returning to the Basics

I thought it would be fitting to return to my old Blogger Blog and spend 2017 documenting my life like I once did. I have come to miss the old fashioned ways of communicating.

The internet, once new and exciting, has become a barren landscapes of hateful trolls and negativity.

I want to return to the days of getting to know people in person.

I want to collaborate and connect with other artists and peace-seekers.

So, Happy 2017. Let's make this year interesting.