Day 65: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...networking"

Day 65: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "...networking"

March 6, 2013

When people ask why I facebook, why I blog...it always surprises me because as an artist, of any kind, we all know the importance of networking.  Some time ago, I met a fellow named Roger who is from the UK and plays guitar for a band known as New Messiahs...he also had a show I believe you can still see on Youtube...anyways, today I received his demo CD in the mail...GREAT BAND!  I love the contemporary twist on an old school sound...and I love that I can live in simple ole Ohio and meet such great talents from all over the world!  Thank you Roger!  I'll be wearing this bad boy out!

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 62: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...disconnected"

Day 62: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...disconnected"

March 3, 2013

Today has just been one of those days where I feel completely disconnected from myself.  My mind is spinning over several things I need to do, my body just wants to lay around and do nothing.  I did attempt to work on my tunnel books today and ended up with a migraine out of frustration when my measurements weren't lining up...grrrrrrr....the books are challenging but not that challenging...a definite disconnect...best to just hold off and do it fresh tomorrow!

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 57: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...time to medicate"

Day 57: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "...time to medicate"

February 26, 2013

So...the stye is already out of control...totally swelled my eye shut today.  Yesterday my sociology teacher was afraid of me...acted like I was contagious...so today was a sick day...which really bothers me!  I've resorted to meds in the eye in a hope that this will be better by morning...the kids on the campus bus are already looking at me like I'm abused...for pete's sake...its just a bad stye!

Day 54: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "A walk in the park..."

Day 54: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "A walk in the park..."

February 23, 2013

This afternoon the sun was shining...and even though its pretty chilly outside, I needed to be out in the sun...to get back to nature a little bit.  Though I enjoy living in the city now...I've spent my life as a country girl and I think there's just a part of me that craves the calm of a running stream, warming myself on a sunny rock and tromping through the mud...in its own way it has refreshed my spirit and relaxed my soul...

Day 47: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer " a big F you"

Day 47: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer " a big F you"

February 16, 2013

This is a big "F you" day!  F you to the person who has stolen my identity and my images and placed them on a lesbian russian dating site...for your information...I've been married for over 20 years and have worked very hard to establish myself as an artist...so F you for stealing what is rightfully mine, including my privacy and exploiting me as if my children, my husband and my own person have no value!  I've also wasted an entire day on the demands of a teacher, along with a lot of money, trying to satisfy a demand that completely makes the point of an assignment being time and money efficient only to go back to my own original plan....which she didn't think was 'good enough' but completely falls within the boundries of the assignment...NEVER AGAIN...and F you for stealing the time I should have had with my family and to accomplish other things that needed done today...I'm sorry you have no life...but I do....and I resent the fact that my grade has to suffer for it!  Right now...its a big F you to the world...I've struggled for so long...just ONCE I would appreciate it if just one thing could go right for me without a struggle!

Day 40: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Shadow"

Day 40: 365 portraits by Susan Komer "Shadow"

February 9, 2013

All day long I've been doing battle with a headache that's held on for the past four days...with everything on my plate, I'm not surprised I have a headache like this, I can feel it in my shoulders and my eyes are swollen...but I keep moving on, getting things done because I have to...even if for now, I only feel like a shadow of myself...I'm still here, this to shall pass...hopefully soon!

Day 38: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "spoiled"

Day 38: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer "spoiled"

February 7, 2013

Life has been pretty crazy lately and will keep being crazy until this semester comes to a close.  This being the time to file taxes and fill out financial aid forms and apply for scholarships on top of everything else in life, I find myself often struggling with tension headaches.  Yet I feel spoiled just knowing that I can do these things...and I always have Shawn to rub the tension out of my back at the end of a long day. While it might not seem like much to some, to others...yes...I am a lucky girl, and I do feel spoiled that I have someone here to help shoulder the load while so many others have to do it on their own.

Day 34: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "Doing what I love to do"

Day 34: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "Doing what I love to do"

February 3, 2013

While I love to work digital, I'm fascinated by shooting film and truly love spending time processing in the darkroom.  Yes, digital makes life a bit 'easier' I suppose.  But there is just something completely magical about creating images that work in the darkroom.  I have the advantage of having access to the university darkroom this semester and the opportunity to improve my skills in this area.  My first few rolls of film were practice in focusing as I tend to have a bit of camera shake fear, this time around I'm just going to town shooting everything and anything just to see what I can capture...I'll be processing two new rolls this afternoon, can't wait to see what's on them!

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 29: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "family dinner, Komer style"

Day 29: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "family dinner, Komer style"

January 29, 2013

Today's post is a double feature...that's right folks...two portraits...more family style (though my two oldest boys aren't present)  I have had a pretty stressful couple of weeks, what has gotten me through?  ....my family!  Some people think we can be a bit odd...I think we're great!  Having a group that just makes me laugh and rolls with every moment right along with me is the most awesome thing I have going for me.  Laughs in life...or laughing at life can be hard to do sometimes...that's when you need most to make those moments happen.  We're a pretty fun bunch of people, especially when we're all together...oh goodness...if my older two had been around this could have been rolling on the floor laughter...but they do grow up...sad as that may be...but we're still yucking it up with them close at heart!  Some things will never change...I can just see me & Shawn years from now still doing asparagus fangs over dinner...at least I sure hope so!

Day 28: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "friggen homework"

Day 28: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer "friggen homework"

January 28, 2013

As much as I enjoy the majority of my classes...even the homework for the most part....its the readings that kill me.  So easy to fall behind on reading and then playing catch up becomes the battle.  This semester I just feel buried beneath an unsurmountable amount of busy work.  It seems that every class I'm taking is pushing this busy work and finding some way to be sure we're doing it...such as short summaries or suggesting that one exam question will come specifically from the readings...added work just to give it...like saying, go here (somewhere outiside of campus on our own time...as if we have it) ...view that...write a paper...and then offerring maybe 2 points for the work.  ALL of my classes this semester have several of these outside on our own time events that monopolize time we could be using to complete the assigned projects which have short deadlines...or they use our classtime for these events telling us we'll have to get our projects done on our own time.  Perhaps if I didn't also have children to raise it wouldn't be so tough... BLAH...BLAH...BLAH...yes I'm venting...no point in complaining...it is what it is...and I have to play catch up RIGHT NOW!

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 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 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!