Creative Zone – Page 21

Step Away From The Desk! Find Your Creative Zone In New Places

November 30, 2014 by Lonnie Lardner

SB server Ian visits poolside art studio

(Pic #1) As I make a total mess poolside at a tony Santa Barbara resort, server / musician “Ian” stops by to investigate the scene of the crime.

(Pic #2) A few last strokes with Sennelier oil sticks. Exploring use of my left hand. Awkward but exciting.

I recently committed to keeping art supplies with me wherever I go. It’s been one of the most effective means of producing creative work. I keep a sort of “lunchbox” filled with little goodies from my local art store. Basics: tubes of acrylic paint, Sennelier oil sticks, graphite pencils with sharp points, newspaper (for ripping collage pieces as well as a way to protect the table you are working on), illustration board, colored paper, glue sticks.) These little treasures provide me with instant opportunities to paint, color or play with paper. Whether I’m waiting for my ride to emerge from the foamy poodle brushes at the car wash, or I’m staring resentfully at the blank walls of the DMV – I’m armed.

A few weeks ago, Josh and I headed north for a couple of days in the sun at a seaside hair loss resort in Santa Barbara. At first I felt guilty, but then I realized I get to take my office outside. I got to create my own ersatz art studio amidst some of the most inspiring scenery on the planet. All I needed was a table, which poolside server Ian (and his “man bun”) gladly shifted my way. (Pic #1)

(Pic #3) Notice nature’s patterns and play with them.

Real productivity doesn’t mean you have to bury yourself in your routine. It means finding new ways to produce – and new places to do it. For me, just being surrounded by fresh colors and quirky shapes is enough. Try exploring what surrounds you; find patterns in nature (Pic #3) or crazy color combinations in some lady’s muumuu. Play with those ideas and see what takes form.

A change in scenery can change your view — and the quality of your work. You will find yourself noticing things you passed by before, and that new habit will expand your visual vocabulary. Then, each time you paint, write, or make music, you will create something deeper, richer, and uniquely yours.

Red Light Rauschenberg

August 31, 2014 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Grab shot on Olympic and Bundy, Los Angeles

Let traffic serve as your muse

Next time you’re stuck in one of our city’s nightmarish jams, take advantage of the unplanned stop. The wait at the stubborn red light just might provide an opportunity for a grab shot worth keeping. I’ve always been a fan of Rauschenberg’s “combine paintings,” and lately I keep seeing quirky versions of them right through my windshield. From tractor trailers to local pool guy trucks, I always find exciting shapes, lines and textures. They make fantastic photographic compositions (Pic #1) — with little or no planning.

(Pic #2) Grab shot in downtown Santa Barbara

The stoplight strategy works for sweet architectural encounters too. (Pics #2, 3, 4) All of these were shot out the window on the way to or in Santa Barbara while waiting for the light to change. Today’s sprawling urban landscape just begs to be captured – and you don’t need extravagant light kits or 10-thousand dollar lenses — just a willingness to conquer the congestion with a fresh look at exactly what’s in front of you.

(Pic #3) Santa Barbara second story. Photo by Josh Kaplan

(Pic #4) Subtle wall wash, Malibu, Cali. Photo by Josh Kaplan

“Camera Ready” – Seizing The Moment

May 31, 2014 by Lonnie Lardner

Photographer Josh Kaplan returns to his roots

Guest post by: Josh Kaplan

Several weeks ago, I was talking to my son Jackson, an aspiring (and very talented) photographer. I told him that when I was his age, and trying to be a photojournalist, I carried my camera everywhere I went: the grocery store, the mall, movies, weddings, funerals. Seriously. Everywhere. He asked me if I took it on first dates, and when I told him I did, he asked if I ever had a second date (the smart-ass doesn’t fall far from the tree).

In any case, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and how I kinda missed having a camera with me. I know, I have an iPhone in my pocket with a perfectly serviceable camera built in, but for an old school photographer the tactile experience was missing, and my DSLRs are just too bulky and heavy for me to lug around.

So… I bought myself a present: a Fujifilm X-E1 with a couple of lenses. I can’t remember any purchase in the last several years that has brought me so much joy this quickly. It has reminded me that there are great pictures to be had almost everywhere. Simply by way of proving my point, the photos below were taken on a recent trip to Costco, and then by the local CVS pharmacy. All these images were shot in the parking lots of those stores. None of these would have been “important” enough to go fetch my big camera and come back. But they are pretty cool images. Ones I never would have captured if not for the little camera around my neck. The only downside is this: I find I have to account for an extra 10 minutes or so when running errands, because almost without exception, I find something cool to shoot. I guess it’s not really a downside after all.

Cracked pipe, Westlake Village, CA

Left: Eucalyptus bark, Right: Costco parking lot curb, detail