Wise Words From a Photo God About Another God.
Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.
– Ansel Adams
Snowed Under in Seco
Beneath a blanket of snow in Arroyo Seco, there must be a story to go with a small and lonely child’s grave marker at La Santisima Trinidad mission church. There's a peacefulness to the tiny cross, bravely making its mark alone in the snow, that comes with a sorrowful implication of a cold white blanket... Continue Reading →
Finding Wisdom Along the Mayan Path
Discovered: a generation strengthened by sisterhood along the Mayan path.
The Broken Spoke, one of the definitive Texas dance halls, is disguised in a rustic dark red building on South Lamar and now completely enveloped by new upscale development.
When a Polaroid Was Instant Gratification
A 1980 image of three small-town buddies reminds us of a time when a Polaroid was instant gratification, and in some rural Western mountain towns, not much else.
How Can We Overcome Barriers to Creativity?
We think of barriers quite literally, as physical obstacles in our paths. But barriers can be much more debilitating to our creativity when we impose them upon ourselves. "As long as more walls still stand...We’ll need more of you, young people, who imagine the world as it should be; who knock down walls; who knock... Continue Reading →
Light meets design makes shadow creates pattern bathes piano attracts musician rides bike brings color makes music becomes art = pairings, unexpected . . . “Creativity is that marvelous capacity to grasp mutually distinct realities and draw a spark from their juxtaposition.” ― MAX ERNST _________ Some Related Juxtapositions: Austin Is a Town of Continual Juxtapositions... Continue Reading →
Windows and Doors Have Stories to Tell . . .
How can you pass by an intriguing window or door by without making note, or making a picture? There's a story to be told behind them . . . Doors and windows are openings to Mystery Who is this woman Beckoning? and why? Or is she beckoning no one? Is she merely wary, curious, observant? . .... Continue Reading →
What man has made of steel and concrete becomes beauty when mirrored by nature; and the mind can only improve upon what's not seen. Imagination takes over to create a much more eloquent vision than three bland office towers, standing above an Austin shoreline. ______ BUY A PRINT of On the Lake by Jann Alexander and... Continue Reading →
How Do You Move 95+ Austin Landmarks in One Day?
When you're faced with moving more than 95 Austin Landmarks (in the form of hundreds of framed and/or matted prints and posters) in one day, there's only one way to do it.
It’s time for end-of-year portfolio assessments. First up: the giant wrecking ball that’s been tormenting Austin.
Unexpected Rewards and Opportunities at Year’s End
As the year ends, an unexpected prize is awarded to What's Vanishing Next? and an opportunity to pay it forward is bestowed.
There’s an App for That: Achieve Your 2014 Tech Resolutions
Get your tech affairs together so you have more time for creativity in 2014. It's nearly 2014. The year will begin with experts' columns, advising us on New Year preparations, resolutions and goals. Generally the best recourse is to read these columns, save them in a location where you'll never find them, and then procrastinate until... Continue Reading →
The Gift I Treasure Most
There are lots of lovely gifts under the tree, but there's one I treasure above all others.
What most creatives know about happiness is this: If they can't create, they can't be happy. Here's to the thrill of the creative effort and happiness for all in 2014: Phillip Q. Gangan on The Path to Creative Happiness: "Creativity . . . is an integral part of everyday life, both at work and at play.... Continue Reading →
What You’re Most Expecting Doesn’t Happen Until You’re Least Expecting It
I was so certain I'd have those cowgirl boots under the Christmas tree that year. After all, I'd wanted them really badly last year, I'd made that clear to Santa and my parents and whomever else might have been listening, and they hadn't appeared. So I'd been extra special good the whole next year, and... Continue Reading →
More Steps to Creativity—for Visual Learners
No matter your learning style, there's more than one way to skin the creativity cat. Take a look at the wealth of tools offered in this idea-packed infographic (that visual learners will love), from Neoman, a UK creative agency. — "Creativity is not a science, it is a problem solving tool." —Neoman — HOW DO YOU... Continue Reading →
All Decked Out For the Holidays
Vanishing Austin—the ongoing photography series that tries to stay ahead of the wrecking ball—is looking pretty festive this month, at its first appearance at Austin's annual anti-mall, shop small, holiday gift show, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is decidedly aimed at Austinites who believe that to live local, you shop... Continue Reading →
Jann Alexander :: Pairings 