The Portrat/Scape

I'm slowly working on finishing up some edits from earlier this month, but this by far ranks as a favorite. 

The Concept Project

The concept project is a series of photographs that encompasses the visual

experience of what it is to live ‘a day in the life of Cassandra Carrascosa.’

We live in a society that is flooded with the projection of perfection, yet our 

realities fall short. The picture of successful motherhood equals the ability to 

maintain Superwoman status. While our schedules are filled with more ‘to-do’s’

than we have hours in the day. Sometimes the business of life overtakes us,

in a surreptitious manner, and before we know it, we’re lost in chaos. As a full time

stay at home mother, wife, student, and small business owner; my days are 

sometimes chaotic beyond the description of words. 

Through this series I have chosen to combine my artistic interests, and skills, while 

confronting reality. I have used the repetition of items through out this series,

i.e. the coffee stained list, coffee cup/mug, and glass of wine to express the 

demands of conflicting schedules and lack of sleep. 

The incorporation of my children represents their ever-present status; they are 

my priority. It has been a personal choice of mine, to remain within the home

while completing my education, in order to personally care for them. This is, at 

times, more challenging than immediately satisfactory.  

Close inspection will reveal that the image to the right of each diptych has an 

image within it that juts beyond its frame. This illusion is said to create a three-

dimensional effect, challenging the interconnectivity of the spaces within,

also adding the to the dimensionality of the narrative. 

Super woman wasn't a bad job description. The pay was lousy if you were talking about real money. But the payoff was priceless in so many other ways. 

-Roxanne Henke

The Abstract Portfolio

Hi Friends!

I've created a competitive portfolio through www.see.me, they allow the artist to promote their entire portfolio, in a contest setting, while providing opportunities to a larger range of exposure. They run contests that offer grants, and many more opportunities. The thing is, the more support a person gains, the more likely they are to be featured, or chosen for future grants. So I'm asking for your support.

I've chosen to use my abstract portfolio, as I believe that this grouping has stretched my artistic abilities the most, while it also achieved the greatest progress through the process over the semester.

If you're a friend, or fan of my work, please consider choosing to support me through www.see.me, and help me promote my work. It's quick and easy. All you need to do is click the link to my portfolio http://ccarrascosa.see.me/, hit the support link, and log in with facebook. People who choose to support me, will be entered in to a chance to win a free vacation! Win, win!

If you're interested in learning more about the portfolio presented, feel free to leave me feedback, and I'll be more than happy to respond. 

Movement

Ladies and gentleman, here's an image created this last week in class...  

I've been experimenting with the influence of music on imagery, however this one was created while listening to an audio lecture.... hmmm. 

Now, moving onto prep for my final assignment. I'll be producing a portfolio of 8-10 images within the next couple weeks. 

Valley Landscape

I had a fun opportunity to play with a little bit of HDR photography this weekend! This first image was by far the most successful. This is considered my first official HDR image.

Robert took me out for an evening stroll in the valley for our 6 year wedding anniversary. :) 

Shades of Blue

Fine Art Photography - Abstract

I'm not really sure how to even begin what I'm about to say... I've made abstract photography my focus in my Fine Art Photography class this semester. It's been challenging, but I've had such a blessing of growth. At the beginning of the semester I really struggled to wrap my mind around the subject, but as I progressed, I realized that constructing my own setting worked for me better, than trying to 'find' abstraction. This was a little bit sad for me, because I really was enjoying my outings... reminded me a bit of the old days, when it was easy to just pick up my camera and go! If I had only had the inspiration then, that I have now! 

It's been weeks of trial and error, as I've worked on idea after idea, image after image.... along the way, I've had some coincidences that have lead me into a deeper concept behind my work. Since then I've seen a major growth of inspiration, and success, that I feel has really raised the level of excellence of my work. This is something I'm constantly striving for; achieving a higher level of excellence that is. 

I went about my business as usual last week, not really knowing what I was going to shoot, but applying some new techniques to my work and my process, experimenting with ideas, and so on. Till I came across something I liked, and went with it. 

As my instructor has corrected and directed this semester, I've been tweaking my work, and my grades have been going up. But I was caught off guard this last week, when my instructor mentioned a connection to my work, with that of the master photographer Edward Steichen. WOW! I am extremely humbled, and have saved my instructor's critique as a reminder that the hard work is paying off. I view my instructor's work as very accomplished, and find it extremely inspirational, so I don't take what she says light hearted. 

After her encouraging words, I thanked her, and expressed how much it meant to me. Her response followed... "I call it as I see it..." 

I have not reached a climax in my photographical aspirations, rather I feel as I've finally arrived. I feel as though I've officially started my 'professional' journey in a sense. Even though I'm emotionally ready to graduate school, I'm blessed to have learned what I have, thus far. I thank God for the blessing of being able to fulfill my creative dreams, while being home with my children.