I'm back!

I've been a bit MIA lately...still working my tail off at school while raising a family & trying to wrap my head around my brothers situation while he fights cancer.

I've also started a Tumblr & Flickr account so trying to build and maintain all three can be a bit of a challenge, but I'm finding my rhythm and hopefully getting my work seen by more people, in more places.

My big project for the summer is a self-portrait series that myself & a few good friends are collecting.  As the summer draws to an end, our hope is to have a collaborative show of our work...fingers crossed.

Here's my favorite 'selfie' so far.

MIA

Whoa! Where I have I been!?!

So its not that I've truly disappeared...just been really busy getting things done.  Over the past few months I've been busy, busy, busy doing art & acclimating myself to life in the city.  

But for the few of you who do follow my work, here's a few shots of what I've been up to!

So yes, I'm still working & going to school...life is busy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I also have joined tumblr and can be found there under http://susankomer.tumblr.com/ where you can find me almost daily!

Day 41: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "music soothes the soul"

Day 41: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "music soothes the soul"

February 10, 2013

Kicking back, listening to a little music to soothe the soul and calm my nerves after a jam packed day...losing ones self in song is one of the best ways to let go of the day...thank goodness for my playlist on Pandora!

Day 24: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "home school"

Day 24: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "home school"

January 24, 2013

For me to be able to finish my own education, I needed to move my family to the 'big city' where an education for my children would not quite have been all we'd have desired.  To make it all work, I decided to home school the kids...not a choice made lightly!  So when I finish my own day of classes, I come home and do theirs...and THEN I get to do my own homework.  We tried the hour commute for nearly 3 months and it just wasn't happening...so now...though I have more time and easier lab & studio access...my life is always school...either my own or theirs.  For me, my own education...a dream I've held onto for over 20 years...makes this all worth it!  One day, I'll be finished...something I'm doing for myself but will hopefully be a benefit to us all...So when I'm feeling totally beat...I keep my eye on the light at the end of the tunnel...and remember that the sacrifices I'm making now serve a greater purpose...I HOPE!

Day 23: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "true appreciation"

Day 23: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "true appreciation"

January 23, 2013

Today is to show my appreciation for the men & women of photography who have gone before me.  While the internet can provide glorious images & multitudes to the masses...there is nothing like seeing an image in person, or in a finely crafted book of works.  I love to lose myself in the works of other artists...to admire, learn and find inspiration.  While shooting and doing the work is of utmost importance...I do believe that studying those who have come before us is also an important factor in learning how to nail a shot, try something new, frame your own vision etc...I spend hours reviewing books on photography and often find myself more than inspired and often learning something new...even if just in the idea or attitude behind the image.  Feels pretty good to relate...its nice to know that some of the thoughts in my head are shared!

Day 22: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "meat diversion"

Day 22: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "meat diversion"

January 22, 2013

I have to admit that I have a very hard time eating meat...especially chicken!  My mind just takes me to such a visual place that unless I can completely block out what I'm eating...I can't eat it.  Tonight we had chicken...living with 3 hearty meat eaters makes my diversion to meat difficult, after doing this shoot...needless to say...I did NOT eat that chicken.  I wouldn't so much call myself a vegetarian...YET...but someday, I hope to never have to see flesh on my plate again.  No begrudging anyone else...its just so not for me!

Day 21: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "in sickness & in health"

Day 21: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "in sickness & in health"

January 21, 2013

Day 2 of feeling like I've been drug behind a truck...aches & pains...fever and upset stomach...On days like today, I'm so grateful to have my hubby around to pamper my tired body. After 20 years of marriage, he'll still cuddle me under a blanket, bring me a warm cup of tea, or even come wash my back while I let the steam of a hot bath ease my sore muscles...Even when I'm feeling as bad as it gets, he's there for me...my best friend...in sickness & in health...

Day 20: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "sick day"

Day 20: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "sick day"

January 20, 2013

Not feeling well today...ear ache, sore throat...yeah...that's all, I need my heated bean sack and some rest!

Day 19: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "scary movies"

Day 19: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "scary movies"

January 19, 2013

I have always loved a good scary movie, even though I'm a huge chicken!  Watching them with my little chickens cuddled on the couch makes them even better!

Day 18: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "passed out"

Day 18: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "passed out"

January 18, 2013

Today has been one very long day...It started at 8 a.m. with a very heated debate in sociology that took me way outside of my comfort zone when the teacher asked ME to be the mediator...WTH was he thinking...that stress hung with me for most of the day until I went and enjoyed a dinner out with the hubby & my twins.  I quickly let go of the day and when we got home...though I had to do this...passing out is what I had wanted to do and will do soon!  But I am committed to this 365 day self portrait series...so...here it is...yep...tired but not defeated!

Day 17: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "attack"

Day 17: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "attack"

January 17, 2013

These first few weeks back in school have been hell...one thing after another has gone wrong and my work load is strangling.  I thought it was time to be a bit playful while still revealing a bit of how I feel...attacked by one strong force...but still fighting back!

Day 16: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "the dark"

Day 16: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "the dark"

January 16, 2013

Today's portrait is outside of the photo lab...I did an invert on this one since the class is about working with negatives in the darkroom to create prints...after working for 3 hours in the dark, my brain begins to view even the light in an inverted context...seeing all light as dark and dark as light...it can be quite surreal to spend a large period of time in the dark, to begin to see the world reversed in the image of a negative...and most excellent to the photographers eye!

Day 15: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "paint class"

Day 15: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "paint class"

January 15, 2013

After shooting in the photo lab yesterday...I decided to give you a bigger glimpse into my life on campus.  This shot was taken at the end of my painting class...I had most things cleaned up and put away, but I needed to gather the last of my things to run off to catch my next class.  While everyone else had moved on...except for my instructor...I shot this pic while packing up my bag and was nearly late for my next class.  Photography is so addictive for me...I could have cared less if I were late...I wasn't...I had to run...but made it on time and couldn't wait to get home to see what I'd caught on my camera...yes..its safe to say...photography IS my priority!

Day 14: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "working my film"

Day 14: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "working my film"

January 14, 2013

Today was one of my long days at school...I had to go in a bit early for my late class to cut some negatives for my film/darkroom class and thought you all might like to see a little something I LOVE to do!  To be able to develop film...make my own prints...there's something so magical about it all...a true passion of mine.

Day 12: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 12: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

January 12, 2013

I had a conversation with someone today who talked about how the eye is the window to a person's soul...I wonder...true or false...or perhaps if it is true...it just can't be captured by the camera's eye...or can it?

Day 11: 365 self portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 11: 365 self portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

January 11, 2013

It has been one hell of a week...but hell yes...I'm tough enough!  BRING IT!

Day 10: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 10: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

January 10, 2013

This has been a very busy week...while I do the mundane & necessary, my mind is working through a paper I have to write about excellence.  I had to read an article comparing competitive swimmers at different levels and how they achieve excellence as well as how we as society perceive their excellence. It was very interesting to compare my own thoughts of achieving excellence or success; I find myself searching comparison to my own life.  Social stratification, as well as our own perceived 'position' in this life can either make or break us.  Sometimes we have to open our own doors to success if we hope to achieve excellence in this life...but even excellence is merely a perception of the person and the goals they have set for themselves.

I think one of the biggest things I took from this article was that to achieve it...we need to look at what's in front of us and attack each task as if we've done it before.  Stop judging ourselves and do our best...qualitative rather than quantitative...understanding that you can't do better by doing more...but rather by learning to do better.

So while I sat, eating chicken wings & watching the news, my mind circled with thoughts of 'what can I do better', 'what new door do I need to open', how can I 'push myself beyond without compromising who I am'...'how can I reach my own perceived idea of excellence'...'will I allow society to determine that for me', 'will I cave in to the idea that I am where I am and always will be'...so many thoughts...so little memory of my quickie meal...a load of questions to put forth in the paper I need to write...which provided I give it my best...will be excellent! (...at least in my mind)

Day 9: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 9: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

January 9, 2013

This week has been all about being prepared for my new classes.  The material list for each of my studio classes is insane!  Easily $200 per class outside of tuition...I begin my painting class tomorrow and have bought most of what I need, but I'm desperately trying to organize my life as well as my supplies.  I'm not the type who likes surprises, yet the life of a student seems to be full of them!

Day 8: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 8: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

January 8, 2013

Okay...so today's post is a bit of a cheat.  I do a daily challenge with prompts in an art group I belong to...today's prompt was...when you wear those dresses...I decided to roll with it because I can remember wearing nothing but dresses as a little girl.  My mother even use to make me dress after dress...yes...I was one of those little girls who played in a dress even though I was a horrid tomboy!  Now...well...I hate them!  I am just not a dress girl at all...pant suits...fine...even a skirt now and then if I can 'art it up'...but dresses...I feel like a fish out of water in a dress...YIKES!

Day 7: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 7: 365 self-portraits for 2013 by Susan Komer

January 7, 2013

Today's portrait is all about frustration and lack of control...I began a new semester today and it seems like no matter how well I prepare, something within the system goes wrong and throws all of my careful planning right off course.  Today HAS BEEN one of those days and I have another class to attend this evening...good grief...it would be nice if at least this one class goes as planned!