New image

I make no apologies for the fact that I love romantic, mythological imagery. This might be boring for the contemporary art world but it makes me happy.

Since it's nude, I will just include the link to it that apparently, you must copy and paste because the "link" option is not working:

http://www.annmarietornabene.net/miscellany/satyrnymph.jpg

Childhood memories of cameras

I was on Facebook earlier and ICP (International Center of Photography) asked of its members "what was your first camera?" I wrote that when I was about 10 years old, I used a Kodak 110 camera and remember getting film for it at the local film shop. I remember complaining then how small the negatives were. I also remember a Polaroid at that time and then somewhere down the line I had a 35mm plastic camera with a manual rewind. I remember that rewind well because I couldn't figure out what direction I had to wind it and so, again, I asked the local film shop for help - which direction to rotate the crank and was frustrated with it.

In the 7th grade, I took my first photography course. I was terrified and intimidated of the twin-lens reflex that we used (I think it was a Yashica) and worse - the analog light meter that, to this day, I could never understand (Thank goodness for digital meters!). I remember the teacher not being much help either and after some other art and music classes, I set photography aside for awhile until I graduated high school...

But then, when I picked up my next first camera - the Pentax K2 for the first time when I was 21 years old, I was in love.

2009

Before I copy and paste the post I have here, I want to let those of you know that I WILL be updating my website as soon as I purchase the new version of Adobe Dreamweaver. That should happen in about a month or so. My apologies but money has been tighter than usual as of late.

Onto the post:

Only a few months left until it is over and I am hearing a lot of people talking about it. It's definitely been an important year for me - I didn't say good or bad, I said important.

- I turned 40 years old. I don't look nor act it which I sometimes think is good, though I sort of feel like I need to be making a lot more money than I am. A 40 year old is supposed to be financially independent to some extent, shouldn't she?

- On that note, I can't help but wonder what would happen if, God forbid, The Husband couldn't work anymore, of is he goes before I do. I certainly could not take on the financial burden of a house in my current economic state. His response to that is that he is going to live forever. I do love that man.

- I've lost almost 100 pounds. That is a change all on its own. yes, I have more energy. Yes, I can fit into smaller sized clothing, which in itself is good because I have cuter options. I still don't get it though. I look in the mirror and I have no idea WHO I am looking at most of the time.

- The Weight Loss has affected my art positively. No longer is my work about society's idea of beauty, and body image. I have been able to move on from that topic since I feel it is somewhat resolved (I mean in my work).

- This was THE year that The Husband and I went in circles over the idea of having a child. It was probably one of the more important decisions we've had to make. Without getting into the whole reason, we've decided it best to just have our four-legged ones and not introduce another human into this world.

- And most recently, the death of my father. That change is still happening. My mother and Sister #2 will have to decide their future which may affect my life to a point. I will help them learn to help themselves but in no way will they be living anywhere near me. I will make sure of that. I think back on my father though and have made some realizations.I guess I will just have to wait and see how much of his death changes the course of my life, if at all.

These days have left me with a feeling of malaise. I don't have the desire to do a whole lot outside of work and housework, which are obligations. I wouldn't go as far to say it's depression, but there is definitely a drained feeling. The one thing that makes me feel alive is the Autumn season coming upon us. It is my favorite time of year. I love the smell of the leaves, the early morning sun and the crisp coolness in the air. I also have to mention the love of not having the neighborhood children around as they go back to school!

I hope to return to the body of work in progress shortly. In the meantime, I have a title for the series - "We're Not in Wonderland Anymore".

Nicholas Tornabene - R.I.P.

My father has passed away. He had been ill for quite some time. Well, he's been tormented all of his 72 years...He was physically abused, verbally abused and suffered with paranoid schizophrenia. He tried to be a father to the 3 of us, but wasn't truly capable of that. I didn't have much of a relationship with him, though I wish I had. He had an artistic side that was never nurtured. He did have kindness in him and I know my love for animals came from him.

He died in his sleep, though I don't believe it was peaceful. He was peaceful, however, when I saw him in the casket and I know he was at peace when he was laid to rest in the cemetery. While the priest was reciting the last prayers there, a strong breeze overcame us. I truly believe it was caused by the great wingspan of the angels flying over to collect his spirit and take him up to the Heavens.

I honestly didn't think his death was going to affect me as it has but it made me realize that deep inside, I did have love for this man.

Daddy, you can now be at peace.

the whole world

Of course I realize that some of these new images seem goofy in theme. I don't really care. Honestly, there should be some amusing elements. "The Frog Prince" was a perfect example and perhaps, this new one is as well:



This weekend, I will be making my way to Coney Island. I doubt I will be looked at twice in my get-up and maybe that is a good thing. I don't fit in but no one cares either....In any event, I just hope the weather gets a little cooler. I just want Summer over.

The latest

Thanks to Mr. Orville Robertson - street photographer extraordinaire, I found this location to be perfect for an urban shoot. What could be better than the NYC skyline?!

rejection..........

I have received more rejection letters from art galleries and other exhibition spaces than I care to admit. It eats away at you, especially when the work you show them is so personal. However, one needs to build a thick skin to it. First off, it's never personal. A gallery may LOVE your work but it won't necessarily fit into what they show. Also, in this economic climate, it is all about business. They need to be able to sell the work...for the most part.

There are places, though, that claim they just want to help the emerging artist - their mission is to do what they can. Sure. If your work is large-scale, color and pointless....ok, ok I am being very jaded here but look up contemporary photography and tell me the common denominator. Let's not forget the photographs of Diane Arbus-esque subjects staring down the lens like Children of the Corn.

This latest rejection was from an opera house upstate NY that has a gallery space and was looking for a solo photo show. According to them, my work didn't "fit their needs".

*cough* Huh?


Back to the gallery op websites.....