preparation isn’t everything.

December 13th 2010

I always aim to be prepared…  my preparation is being ready to fly by the seat of my pants, for that’s when I feel most creative. I think I began to realize this during periods of travel when I would enter a city or location and see it with fresh eyes. I bring this mindset with me when I shoot in-home family portraits.  Since I am seeing your home for the first time, I don’t have the “usual day-to-day” filters we begin to wear when we get so use to our surroundings. That ugly tree out back that you have been meaning to cut down for the past 5 years might just be the perfect backdrop. Or the crumbling brick wall that you cringe at might just be the perfect texture. It has taken some practice to stay relaxed in surroundings I have partial or no control over, but I think I’m getting the hang of it. Here are some shots I did for a family with 6 kids strong last week as we flew by the seat of our pants.

Cancer Care Ontario

November 24th 2010

A couple months ago I did a shoot with the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre. Some of the shots were selected to be in the Ontario Cancer Plan! Thanks to Lisa Lambert at the D.R.C.C. for giving me the opportunity!

REJECTED!

November 23rd 2010

Rejection has never felt so empowering as it does right now… or maybe it’s just because I’m feeling so good today. 

I just received a phone call to inform me that my submission to a juried competition was not picked to be short listed with the other works…. The very polite lady on the phone informed me that there were over 150 submissions… that’s pretty sweet. You see, I believe in the consistent release of quality artistic creations at any level. To know that many people in our community contributed their creations rocks my socks off.

Creative expression is a funny thing when you start off…. When in conversation with other artists, I have brought up that showing someone your creative work is like undressing in front of them. Not to get all Oprah on you and all, but I believe creative expression it is the purest form of our being, whether it’s music or art of any kind, you are digging into a part of your soul and showing it to the world…

So I went for it.  My first submission piece was like walking in and giving the gallery a full frontal flash.. trench coat and all… kind of like this Halloween picture below. My costume 2 years ago….

So anyways…. back to my point. Today I am inspired by community. Today I am inspired by creating… and I am most thankful that I don’t have to print another one of the 3 foot by 6 foot canvas prints of “Release” for my art show on Thursday! :)

Hope to see you there… I’ll be the naked guy.

-mike

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BE CHANGE

Meet Heather Griffith, a community leader who is being change.

In 2005 when I worked at the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting the ‘Gala of Hope Crew’ with Heather, her sister Robin and parents Bill and Betty. Put simply, I’m a huge fan of/admirer this family for the numerous selfless acts they perform day in and day out.

Back in 2004, after a victorious battle against breast cancer, Heather along with her family co-founded the annual Gala of Hope (The Pink Martini). To date, the Gala of Hope has raised over $700,000 for Lakeridge Health Oshawa. Just recently, The Oshawa Hospital Foundation named ‘The Heather Griffith Breast Assessment Centre” in honour of Heathers contributions in bringing cancer care closer to home. Her commitment inspires me to be the change in growing my community. Here we are touring the new facility during construction.

Congratulations Heather!! Visit www.thegalaofhope.com for more.