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.

Day 66: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...Andrew Bush Drive"

Day 66: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...Andrew Bush Drive"

March 7, 2013

Part of my education is all about studying and researching the world of art.  Finding artists new to me who somehow inspire me.  Lately in class we've talked a lot about how a photographer documents the world around them as it is...or by taking the familiar and making it unfamiliar or the reverse.  I really enjoy the idea of documention, of keeping some sort of record of the world and its happenings as I see them or as they are shown to me.  To somehow preserve those moments, especially those new to me; even if it is the random face of a stranger, and giving them a voice of their own.  A photograph surely speaks of the artist, but it also has a voice/story of its own that awakens and speaks for itself...for me, perhaps that is the drive/passion behind my work...  Today's artist of interest to me, Andrew Bush and his photos from his collection called Drive...oh the stories this series can tell...AWESOME!

Day 64: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...nice save!"

Day 64: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...nice save!"

March 5, 2013

I fell asleep last night before doing my portrait...this morning when I got up, I found this photo on my facebook page with the header reading Day 64: I've got your back...posted by my beautiful daughter...I love you Bailey!

Day 59: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "SCORE!"

Day 59: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "SCORE!"

February 28, 2013

This may not make sense to most of you...but for me...a crazy hat or get up is a major score!  I was searching around in the basement today and found this little gem...OMG!  I am so wearing this to class tomorrow!

Day 58: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "pre-emptive strike"

Day 58: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "pre-emptive strike"

February 27, 2013

The swelling in my eye is going down nicely...that icky jelly medicine really works...but now I'm feeling a cold coming on.  Being on campus is like surfing a petrie dish...there's always something lurking...in wait for a victim...this girl is making a pre-emptive strike to battle off whatever is trying to surface in my sinus cavity, lets hope it works!

Day 56: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...seriously"

Day 56: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...seriously"

February 25, 2013

So this morning when I wake up...I can't open my eye...yes...the dreaded stye!  I had an exam this morning, a crit in the midmorning on some of my b&w photo work and I still have my night class to attend while my eye continues to swell, blur and seep..."...seriously" ...as if I need to deal with this little gem!  My work is my art...I need my eyes to do what I do...I'd have rather I had smashed my thumb with a hammer again than have only one good eye!

Day 51: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Contemplations"

Day 51: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Contemplations"

February 20, 2013

All day long I've felt like something is just off...there are plenty of things in my life that are 'off' but today I just felt it.  I've put a lot of pressure on myself, lots of pressure on my family while pursuing my own goals...and even though I've waited 20 years for this...there's always that moment of...am I doing okay...am I doing the right thing...prayers for strength, guidence and success...I think today those thoughts have weighed heavy on my mind.  But I've come so far...and I'm too close to give in or cave in...just knowing that I will someday graduate with my degree...achieve my goal...engage my dream into reality...is it selfish to feel it will all be worth it?  In some ways, I suppose it is...but I don't regret a single moment of it.  I've put value in myself, and have grown into a person I love...finding strength I didn't even know I had...no I'm not sorry I chose me this time...for the first time ever...I can only hope that those around me...who love me...will someday see that its not about putting them aside, but rather making me into the person I've always felt I was inside...I've always supported everyone else...is it so much to ask that they support me as well?

Day 50: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "SUCCESS"

Day 50: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "SUCCESS"

February 19, 2013

Celebrating a little success today!  I had my first completely essay exam a week or two ago in my 500 level art history course which is on the development of sound in narrative film...my first 500 level art history course...which if you're in college/have been to college, than you know these classes are a bit tougher than usual.  I was seriously nervous about this exam, just not knowing what to expect from the teacher or how he graded his written exams...3 questions, 20 minute limits for each and my entire grade rests on 3 of this type of exam...meaning no papers or homework...just exam scores...which in itself can be quite intimidating.  Typically the Professors are known to hand papers back from the highest to lowest scores achieved.  As exams were being handed back...I watched the pile dwindle to a mere 5 test packets...Oh God...I thought I had failed!  When he got to those last five, he announced that though there were other good grades in the class...those last 5 were the only A's!  Yes...one of them was mine!  So I'm celebrating my success tonight....I always work hard at everything I do...feeling like somehow I have more to prove than the others considering I'm old enough to be any one of their Mother's!  Today felt GREAT!  Out of a class of over 60 students, I received one of the top grades in that class...and was asked to read one of my answers aloud so that others could hear what a 'good' essay should sound like!  Holy crap!  Yes...today...no matter what else has or will happen...has been a really good day!

Day 43: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Fried"

Day 43: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Fried"

February 12, 2013

You all know what a busy few weeks I've had, and the end is nowhere in sight.  Today I took a timed essay exam that has my hand cramped and my brain flat out fried.  While I feel consumed and overwhelmed with my work load this semester, I'm also amazed at the many things I've learned...things I know now that I had never even realized I didn't know before. The brain is such an amazing machine, the things it is capable of and the knowledge it can store are beyond anything one might imagine.  Each day I learn something new, each day I file away yet another piece of information that at some point my brain will pull from its depths for my use. A lifetime learner, on an entirely new level...I feel proud of that, even if nobody knows it but me.

Day 35: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "a helping hand"

Day 35: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "a helping hand"

February 4, 2013

For those of you who don't know...I took a bad fall a few days back, my hand is the only thing that doesn't hurt.  Typically I'm the type of person to always offer a helping hand; today, I could use one...

Day 32: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "power nap"

Day 32: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "power nap"

February 1, 2013

Sometimes in life...especially towards the end of a busy week...a power nap is totally in order...I got mine today, did you?

Day 31: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "My little buddy"

Day 31: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "My little buddy"

January 31, 2013

"My little buddy"...Dozer is our little rescue pup.  We aren't sure how old he is...his teeth have been so damaged along with everything else, that the vets can't really tell us his age...we're guessing he's about 5 but the gray in his face makes me think he's a bit older.  This little guy was left for dead...tied to a tree and abused to the point his little feet pads looked melted off.  Once rescued, a puppy mill got their hands on him making his situation even worse!  He could not breed because of prior abuse but they sure did try...the little guy was just in awful shape when I responded to the ad to 'adopt a rescue' when in truth...they just wanted their money back!  My husband sat in shock as I wrote the check to buy this miserable looking little guy...he couldn't believe I'd pay money for an animal that looked half gone already.  But in my mind...I just couldn't leave him there...NO WAY!  I wrote the check without thinking twice and got him to the vet ASAP...we've had him now for just over 2 years and he's the best little buddy ever! I love puppies as much as the next guy/gal...but there are pups out there like Dozer, who didn't even have a name when we found him...but he has been so loving, so attached & committed to every member of my family and friendly to every person he meets...he didn't deserve that awful start to life...and we've done our best to help him forget...or at least to know that life can be good and he does deserve all the kisses and cuddles in the world!

 

Day 27: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "prepping my canvas"

Day 27: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "prepping my canvas"

January 27, 2013

It has been a very busy weekend of time spent reading, writing papers, working in the darkroom, stretching & prepping a canvas...along with day to day life!  Tonight I put the last coat of gesso on my canvas which needs to be prepped & ready to go by Tuesday for my first shot at a color painting...below the portrait I'll post my first shot of my first black & white on dry canvas...UGH...very difficult, and shows I have much to learn.  That's what its all about though...and exactly why I'm studying for my BFA...photography is something I enjoy more than anything else...but all of the arts spark a passion in me. I'm hoping that with some time and practice, I won't be so embarrassed of my paintings!

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 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 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!