I was watching TV. Yeah, yeah… I like CNN because everything they say is truth. Yup, truth to some but not all and certainly not me either. I do like the crew and that’s why I watch it. So I’m watching as they show how the world is melting from global warming and how many countries are killing their civilians and how soldiers go and fight and die for Presidents that don’t give a fuck about them. All good stuff.
The phone rings. I recognize the voice on the other end as ***** the collector and gallery owner in NYC. She tells me that she has a group of collectors that are interested in doing a project. Anyway, to cut to the chase, I was awarded a commission to produce 50 prints that I feel represent me in the subject defined.
The subject is titled, “Faces & Spaces”. I’m told there are 2 other shooters doing the same project. At the end, we will meet to discuss the exhibition. So, I’m excited but nervous as all heck.
What would you do? I mean I’m walking down Market Street and then I hear, “Yo Don”…..I turn and there in the window is Roz. I know she is Roz cause we talk some times. I’m a gentleman and when I see a lady I like to smile and/or say hello. Roz heard about the project and wanted in on the action.
Then she asked me if I would take her to the opeing reception. I would be proud to take her, I mean she’s sweet and beautiful. I think if I walk in the opening with her on my arms, people will look and hmmmm. That might be ok even but if I hand her a glass of champaign, definately will have a problem. Well, ya know, maybe not. Afterall, it would be in NYC so, …….?
There is a new intent for me. I mean, INTENT is the sourse of energy and focus for all a photographer does. I don’t mean subscribing to a preconceived idea of the photos. I mean there is an INTENT behind everything we do as shooters. Paying attention to this, allows creative freedom that on the outside, seems as rigid guidelines. Not true. The real truth is, we are not butterflys with a camera going from photo to photo. When we go out to work, we have ideas that we want to persue. These ideas are born from INTENT.
Why am I writing about this? Well, my intent on writing this, is to hopefully let someone reading grasp the ideas and try to discover the intent inside them. This is what I been doing about 50 years and maybe I’m wrong on some stuff. Well, shit happens but I teell you all this. My intent on my death is to go and lay on that slab and see THE LORD and just say, I lived a good life and made a lot of photos. I would like more time but if nit, I am ready to let it all go. I followed my heart every hour of my life. That is what I mean about having the balls to do what we do and not get discouraged by others attention or lack of.
In the end, we all go naked and take with us our worth as a human being.
Enjoy my friends and be kind to each other. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Good news about the exhib – I now it wouldn´t be your first, but anyway. Good luck with all that and everything else!
Thanks Tommi. I did over 50 show near and far and swore I would never do them again. Well, ya know what they say about swearing, so here I am again.
I don’t know who the other 2 are doing this with me but I’m excited to find out. At any rate, I’m excited and stimulated to work.
seeya out there….
Congrats on the commission. Roz looks like my kind of girl, nice to look at but no backtalk. Box her up and send her my way when you’re done with her.
Look dude, I know we street brothers and tight but Roz is my girl. I love her for the reasons you want her.
Silence is golden.
Congrats on the exhibit Don. Look forward to hearing/seeing more about it. By the way – does your wife know about Roz?
Thanks Dave. I will update periodically on status of the project. Roz is a well-kept secret.
Great news Don! An old mentor used to say,”Ya do something visual and someone offers you a wall space, take it.” All of us marrieds have a “Roz” somewhere. What goes on out on the street, stays out on the street. Sometimes the best secrets are in plain site.
Thanks Keith. I really wanted to stay clear of projects as I had my fillof them in the past. This one is interesting to me so I’ll give it a go.
shhhhh, Tanya is my secret from Roz.
Just found your blog. I like the story, Look forward to get another. Blog bookmarked.
Hmmmm, looks like we found each other my friend. I’m glad you like the blog and I’m starting to like it also. I’ll do my part to keep things moving along. Thanks for your courtesy and interest.
shooter
Congratulations on the project. I know I’m super late with this comment (I am so behind on catching up on blog posts) but I think it’s great that you’ll be doing a project with other artists. I like the selfie with you and Roz, too. 😀
I really like your message at the end. It’s one that gets lost for a lot of people. We all want to live our life to the fullest but we let things, some important and some not so important, get in the way and derail us.
Tina, it’s never too late to make a comment. Thanks for that too and thanks for hanging around. This blog is in it’s last days and I can’t resolve the posting issue. I’ll ask Olivier to take a look but I have my doubts.
I’ll be looking for ya my friend…….
don
beutiful collection, I am really like your message at the the end
Thanks my friend, sometime I almost get it right….your proof of that…don
Love Faces & Spaces one, looking perfect.
Thank You Kindly.
Beutiful collection, I am really like your message.
Thank you lara
Lady Lara, thanks very much
A great blog and heart touching story.