I often talk that art should challenge, make you think. Edginess has always been important in art, and some of my work certainly is. But serenity is important, too.
In Kalashnikov’s Dream, I use his own words of regret, combined with images of child soldiers.
If I could but lift this jewelled veil and set thee free again – what more can I say about this blue heron, found dead after the remnants of Superstorm Sandy blew through Newmarket? The only manipulation here was to deepen the red colour of the leaf that seems poised to pierce the bird’s breast. (The use of direct flash at night was an homage to Weegee.)
But a lot of my work is also serene, such as my florals.
In this image, Floating Dock, a dock seems to float on clouds, as well as on the lake.
Simple foods is just that – a simple composition of bowls with flour and hummous and a couple of pita chips.
In Thanksgiving, I reflect on how much I have to be thankful for. It was taken on Thanksgiving, and I love the Autumn.
The Wedding Tent is a deceptively simple composition. I had to position myself so the lighting on the tent was right, then wait for the little clouds to move where the tent’s peak would be in front of them, seeming to hold them.
So – edginess is important, but I also understand that art should be enjoyable. Serene images can be part of that enjoyment.