Mom’s Artwork
October 1st, 2011, 4:20pm by JakeI’ve had a lot of crazy projects the last few years, leading or helping them along. There’s The Day of the Donut. Free the Dune. Operation Jack Marathon. The Hermosa 24. The Icebox Book & Launch Party. Pacdog is Awesome. DMU Sh*w.
All were lots of fun, hard work (mostly) and I think brought happiness to a lot of people. I’m proud of what I did to contribute, and I know that I have some unique skills that have pushed a lot of these projects forward. Yet none I could’ve done alone, not by a long shot.
But none is more meaningful to me personally that has taken much of the year, starting in January and running through today and onward to next year. That has been photographing Mom’s artwork.
590 paintings, drawings & sketches to date. Of course, it was far from a solo project. He’ll humbly deflect his credit, but without Flickr & IRL friend Edson Matthews the latter half of those wouldn’t be perfect, if I had the time or energy to complete the task solo. Truth is, its harder than one might think, and I’d like to thank NAHppy, leesure & the others as well for chiming in with helpful advice. Edson never shared his lighting set up. But it involved a few white walls, a couple strobes w/ stands, an umbrella, special white balance card & a whole lot of patience. Thanks again. You can see the best photos of paintings you could ever expect to capture in 90 seconds or less here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jakerome/tags/emwashere/
Friends, family helped the project too. Most of all Mom, who got me started on it as a snowy day activity. And I quickly realized it was what I was meant to do. Her friends, especially Katerina, helped a ton too, as did my cousin Emily, Mike and assorted other family members & friends. Including of course my step dad John who helped where he could and chauffeured Edson to the airport when needed.
So yeah, this is far from the end. But it’s a milestone. Of the 300 photographed before Edson arrived, probably 100-150 need re-takes. That will come in due time. The 20 in my house still await a proper capture. But that’s not what’s really left.
As noted, I have a plan– a real show, next June, with a few dozen artworks, maybe another dozen from friends. We’ll donate every dime to cancer charities or art scholarships, all TBD. But a show, a show just doesn’t happen. It’ll be a slow roll, and a book alongside. So the project continues.
And that’s the gift, really, that my Mom has given me. Among a 1000 others. I questioned at times what was the purpose of this task, and never quite knew. But at last I realized, this project is about me & my brother, which is all Mom ever wanted. For us to enjoy her artwork, to share it with the world, and get a little recognition.
Nothing gets those endorphins going like doing good. Doing good for my mom, that will kick in some endorphins for me. And others. And I’ll gladly basque in that glow. And using my unique skills, leverage it into something more, something greater.
So thanks all for your help & encouragement so far. The task will happily become part of my life’s work– not as a chore but rather as a reward. And for those that seek to share those rewards, I’ll be more than happy to accept your help.
Alas, and only with that does it occur that Edson didn’t just visit Beverly to help me, but to gain his own reward. And I’m certain he collected, and now we are left in each others’ debt. I look forward to owing a debt and being indebted to all of you more than I am already.
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:01 pm
They look great and are now peserved forever. I’m sure she would be so proud. Looking forward to seeing this project reach a wider audience!