Happy Anniversary

"Happy Anniversary", original photographs
I was asked by my friend, Becca, to shoot a series of portraits of her and her
sisters as a surprise for her parent's anniversary.

These are the group photographs, plus some sentimental graphics. 

It was a joy, and here is my artist's statement for it (addressed to their parents).

Becca approached me about creating a surprise for your Anniversary. She and her sisters decided that they wanted to pose in a series of photographs, in order to show you how much they love your dedication to each other and to family. After talking to Becca, I decided that I wanted to help collaborate with her and her sisters to create a keep sake that you two and the whole family could have for years to come.

Through the photo shoot, Becca, Laura, Michelle, Jessica and I were hoping to surprise you two. I have known Becca for a few years now, and meeting and working with Laura, Michelle, and Jessica as well was an amazing experience. I decided that I wanted to come as close as I could to capturing the girls’ appreciation, love and dedication to you two through this series of photographs. Originally, we had decided to stage the photo shoot at Dan Daniels Park because of the natural scenery. However, the day we chose to do the photo shoot ended up bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms. We then decided to move the location to downtown because of shelter, in case of more showers. This ended up being a wonderful choice, as downtown has been a long-time symbol of history, loyalty, and appreciation. I realized afterward that downtown was a great parallel for a successful relationship because as you two know, a solid relationship requires a strong history with each other, unwavering loyalty, and appreciation and love. We used several locations for the photo shoot: the train yard, around the Science Museum, and Down Town doors. I wanted to frame the girls to create a simple photograph, so they could show their love and appreciation for you two. It was their idea to keep the photographs in color, and they are all unedited. I kept them unedited because I felt that reflected the genuine quality of the girls and of your family.

A Continuation of Katie

This is a continuation of my earlier series of the most fun model, Katie. {:

Vibrant Rose

"Vibrant Rose", original photograph, digital effects.
This photograph was inspired by a rose that was given to me a while ago. I took many photographs of it, and decided that I would hang it to dry. I took photographs of it as it aged. I decided to go back to one of the first photographs I took of it, and use it to reflect how this rose made me feel when it was first given to me.

20+ hours later...

 "Mirrored Memories", original photo collage-photos taken by yours truly.
My mom and I collaborated on this item that we made for the annual auction that Sacred Heart School holds every year. Every year, each teacher is required to come up with an original auction item. We originally were going to make a photo collage wreath of the students in her class. However, my mom had the idea of giving it a more utilitarian aspect, as well. She wanted the piece to be decorative, but also serve a purpose. My mom picked out a mirror that had a wooden frame with French curve cut outs. We arranged the photos that I had taken and editted over the course of the week on the frame. I then proceeded to spend 20+ hours cutting out every French curve. 2 Xacto knife blades and 2 sore arms later...voila! Ha ha...sounds easier than it was, but the hard work paid off-the mirror sold for $210.00! As an alumni of Sacred Heart, I was glad to contribute to the school's benefit, and it was wonderful working with my mom. Our collaboration was a success. ;)

More Katie

 "Katie", original photograph series
This is my second post of photographs that I took of Katie...all of these are unedited. {:

Love you, Mom

"Young Adulthood", original photograph with digital effects
Just having fun with this photograph, instead of doing other things that are productive...
I decided to title this one, "Young Adulthood" because it was inspired by a graphic in the Wall Street Journal. It was a comical picture of a teenager's brain, that I found very funny and accurate in a strange way. The article was about all of the things that occupy a teenager's mind, and the picture showed words, such as: "Angst", "Vroooom", and "Heartbreak". I decided to piece together my face in different values and colours (with different proportions) to show how this is such a transitional time in my life. It is a transitional time in many teenager's lives (and all young adults, too)-I wanted to portray the different sides of me that may develop or happen to be an influential part of who I am now. As for the background....that's ,"City-Scape Puddle Reflection" (thank you, Mom for helping me title it!).

Dancing through time

 Dance Studio Series, original photographs.
These are just a few moments that I captured with my D3100 while I was in the studio with some dancers from LC. I really enjoyed working with all the dancers-they were all very photogenic and talented. Top to Bottom: "Secrets", "Paris", "Criss-Cross", "Vinny". Shout out to Jen, Paris, and Vinny for letting me photograph their dance session. Keep on dancing-it's captivating.

(I miss You)

"Distraction", original photo with digital effects.
 Yea, plaid rocks. Hunter-you know it's not real flannel...but maybe one day I will own real flannel. {: This is a photograph that I took in the middle of a homework marathon. One of the best things that experience and my family has taught me is that it's okay to take breaks. I used to work for hours and hours on end without a break, and didn't realize how I was running my self down. I do still work very hard, and still let my work ethic overcome my relaxation time, but it's something I'm working on...the beautiful thing about life i that you always have a chance to do better. This is just a record of me trying to do better...and allowing myself to be distracted, if not, procrastinate in the healthiest way possible. Love you, Family, and you, too Poppy in heaven (I miss you).

Doin' Me...?

"Self-Titled", original photograph with digital effects
This is a photograph if my friend, Cookie's (aka: Cookie MonMon) shirt (absolutely love the shirt slogan...). I applied digital graffiti over the photograph I took. Many people laugh when they see this piece because the whole, "doing me"-along the lines is a common slogan in pop culture to celebrate being single. However, I have heard so many people say, "I'm doin' me", but they're always talking about dating someone new or hung up on someone. I have met only a few people my age that are truly content being single. So this is just a parody on those who would love to just do themselves, but subconsciously end up doing just that last. :P Oh, by the way, this is his first rap track, check it out, http://soundcloud.com/dtwashi/suck-me-off?utm_campagin=timeline&utm_content=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdtwashi%2Fsuck-me-off&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=soundcloud?facebook_banner=1

{:

"Left my Mark", original photograph
Yes, the amazingly-drawn smiley face was drawn by yours truly. :P I just want to lift people's hearts...

e.c.s

This is the cover for my notebook for my Creative Drawing class.
You know you're an art student when a part of your homework assignment is to decorate the cover of your notebook (now, don't fall into that stereotype...check out @fyowlartstudent on twitter if you want to have an idea of how laborious some art assignments really are...le sigh). I cut out my initials from an old pair of jeans that was given to me by my RA (Beth, you're the best!) for art projects/crafts. This is how I originally placed my initials on the page. Once I looked at the page, I realized how much it makes sense-most people call me Ella Claire, and don't know my last name...feel like I'm on the verge of losing my last name...

A Reminder

"Treat Yourself Right" original photograph, digital effects
It's just a reminder.

Crystal Beach

"Anti-War", original photograph
I took this photograph on my annual trip to Canada. This is an abandoned, old "Anitques" building in Crystal Beach, Ontario. I love Crystal Beach for its small-community feel, and the clarity of Lake Erie. This place is a mixture of man-made and natural beauty. For those who don't know or are not familiar with Crystal Beach, it used to be a theme park at the turn-of-the-century. Crystal Beach was famous for its pier and for housing   "The Comet". It's a wooden and metal roller coaster that is still open to public (note of forewarning: it is actually scary, not because of it's layout, but because it actually sounds like it's going to fall a part when you ride it...it's now relocated at the smallest Six Flags theme park in Queensbury, NY) I do not know how the rest of the Antique letters fell off (or if they were torn off), but full props to the graffiti artist who was clever enough to make the side of this building a work of art.

Fairly OddParents?

"The truth stings like Mohammad Ali" -Lupe Fiasco, original photograph with digital effects
I took this picture (with, yes, my phone) during my first semester. I was spray-painting a 3D wall-hanging of abstract bumblebees (will be posted later...). My awesome roommate Hunter and my friend, Greg held flashlights in the dark while I spray-painted...note to future art students-gain some really awesome, patient friends-it will make your life so much easier. I felt like Lupe Fiasco's quote fits this photograph because it is so easy for us, as people, to make snap judgements about others. It's much harder for us to be understanding, and realized that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle (quote found on tumblr -total credit to the person who originally posted it on http://surrellaistic.tumblr.com/). It's something that I definitely need to work on... And it's also really hard to type right now because my best college friends have "The Fairly Odd Parents'' on in the background, so hopefully, I didn't make any typos here...