Onajide | artist

delayed update, again

// February 27th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Tonight I met my third LJ person. First of all I met chrisglass by accident even though I had contacted him prior to my arrival in Cincy. I was with cousins and, he was with an out of state friend of his at the Contemporary Art Center when I just about walked into him turning a corner and looked up and said, “Chris! We meet afterall.” I met gotmoof (Tim) in Minneapolis two summers ago but, last year didn’t because my friend and I always dash off out of town to the cabin in the woods. We did go to the Walker again this year but, it’s difficult meeting ppl with a short time frame. I did really enjoy meeting Tim and would have liked to spend more time with him but, I rarely spend one day, 24 hours, in Minneapolis in the full week that I’m in Minnesota.

The third person lives locally, major7. I was walking across campus that he noticed me, like many people do at the gallery openings, and said hello. He’s much more handsome than his pic online, believe me. I didn’t even know he was on this campus. ;-)

Although I honesly want to, I cannot manage to post something every day. I just don’t have the time. However, 3-4 times a week is good.

(note: I had to amend this post but, really, I was thinking about the many people I’ve met thru IRC including, my friend in Minneapolis, and how few from LJ. Although IRC isn’t as popular as it once was, I’ve met easily 50 people from IRC and, not all locally. Actually, local people from chats seems particularly timid to meet.)

Florida state road 23 Nov., 1970

// February 23rd, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

What were you doing in 1970? You might not have even been born yet. I knew very little about Florida at that time. I was living in Los Angeles, Calif. I had decided I wanted to further my education I was expectantly waiting for something to happen in my young life. That summer I attended Art Center College of Design (before it moved to its current location) and felt I was ready for more. Unfortunately, I was put on a waiting list and, I didn’t want to wait. So, I applied to Calif. College of the Arts (Oakland, Calif.) and was accepted.

Even though David Hammons was making a name for himself in L.A. before I moved to S.F., there was a bit of an art scene in L.A. What did Miami have going on at that time? Nothing but dreams…

(Also, click our main site link as a number of new articles have been posted this week. I’ve neglected to put a link here but, I just forgot to do it.)

This week, Feb. 22, 2007

// February 22nd, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Mondays and Wednesdays with classes back-to-back with VERY little break between doesn’t leave much time to do anything extra. I’d like to write more, read more, study more but, time is just not available.

I got one piece of good news this week, my position will be upgraded to a full-time one although, that means resubmitting my application again. If anybody knows what is required for a teaching application, you know how much work that can be. At least things might have a bit of relief coming sooner than I thought. I had totally given up on that. Still, I will not forsake the web design by any means. If anything, it gives me a bit a breathing room to really learn some coding, not what I’d call a strong point but, if I hang around Paul long enough, he’ll be sure to feed me more and more of it.

Winter Baseball

// February 17th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Getting my car fixed yesterday I happened upon a baseball match. I heard a mix of English and some langauge. Finally, I figured it to be Canadian French. There is a difference you know. Anyway, they were kind enough to invite me to play with them but, I declined. Some of them hit the ball very well even though their physical abilities were limited by age, for the most part. They were having fun. One guy really caught my eye for his good looks. I did talk to him before he left though.

better selfpic

// February 16th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

I had to get my car repaired today (cracked windshield). While waiting I walked about 12 blocks to the rec & sports complex where I used to go before moving with Paul and the guys. There was a baseball match of older guys and, even though they didn’t move quickly, they were pretty good. I took some shots, too. After taking care of my car today I again attempted to take some selfpics without my tripod. It was a mistake. Almost all of them were slightly blurred because of where I was sitting. If I had my tripod I could have positioned myself more comfortably and gotten the pics I wanted.

new glasses

// February 15th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Taken today as part of my daily selfpics in the chemical containment area where it is flooded with red light. I’ll make a better pic tomorrow.

aristolochia

// February 14th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Searching around on campus before class I found an aristolochia vine growing on the side of a new bldg. on campus. I was surprised but, happy to find something new to photograph. I’m still working on getting the sepia right. So far, this is the best one.

I called a friend today about my project in Phila. He suggested a resource, Temple Univ., that has lots of good articles and images I can use for reproduction. I called them to find out exactly what they have and how much it would cost. Text documents aren’t too bad at $.35 ea. Photos I’m not sure about yet but, they have about 100-120 images. I think I’m going to have to travel back up the Phila. and search through the images myself in order to get exactly what I need. My friend said my project will honor one of the most important and significant men in Philadelphia’s African American history, Cecil B. Moore, and that I better get it right or, I’ll be in big trouble.

My friend also said he’d take a pic of the site location for me. I told him what I was planning and he said it was totally different than what the others were planning but, he liked the idea of taking the project a bit further than what would seem the easiest solution/ resolution. Since he’s made his income the past few years doing public art that gave me some reassurance that I have a good idea to work with. Now, I’m just waiting for the committee to respond to my proposal (which cost $23 to send overnight via FedEx).

Sepia Pool

// February 13th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

In this culture aren’t we told to look straight into the eyes of the person you’re talking to to show confidance, respect, and presence? Well, today I noticed my former model (in the pool) darting his eyes away from me while talking to me. I thought it strange. Is he that shy? He ruined his film a couple days ago and gave him some expired film I have. I’ve done that for other students so, that’s nothing special except that he was the recipient. Anyway, I did give him a copy of one of the images and he lit up a big smile.
See another version

Playing in the pool

// February 10th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

These images are not perfect but, I’m satisfied in the results. I need to redo them with the sun in from of my model, not in back. That was partially a result of the pool being open to “public” use at the time and lanes being used by swimmers. I also had issues with reflections on the water’s surface that I needed to elmininate. Anyway, my model volunteered a week after I mentioned to my students that I wanted to take a series of images in the pool as can be seen here. It didn’t take long and, afterwards we both swam a few lengths before calling it a day. My model is one of my students and, seems pretty mature and level-headed. He’s got a nice body and told me he’s on the rugby team. I have to go get some shots from an upcoming game. (I forgot to mention I took 69 shots to get maybe 5 that are good.)

The Days of Wine and Roses

// February 8th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Over the past year as I’ve taken daily selfpics (unposted at the moment), I am beginning to see myself age like never before. I’m not frightened but, I am sadened by the fact that my skin will not always be youthful. I have always taken my skin for granted in a sense because I’ve always tried to keep it healthy and therefore expect it to be so. It is not unhealthy now but, I see the age marks increasing. However, I think I look pretty good for being 59 years old.

Since I’m around the university more than ever, I’ve been going around campus at night taking pics. The Univ. of Cincinnati Wildcats baseball team is in town practicing for a tourament this weekend. I only caught them because I saw the bright lights on and walked over to the stadium. One young man’s mother was in town to see her son play. They’re from Kentucky and she had a thick accent. She certainly was nice to talk to, not because of her accent but, just a right friendly lady. I always enjoy meeting new people.

Tomorrow, I have some photos to take in the pool. It will be of one of my students who volunteered to do it. He’s very handsome too but, I hope he works out okay. The pics are going to be simple but, if I get some good ones I’ll share. One thing I’ve noticed with my new camera, I cannot handhold my camera like the old one without blur. I have 3 tripods and, now will have to use them much more often, especially when the light levels are low.