Ever have someone you love die and thought to yourself, “if
I could only have them back just one more day?”
I think that all the time. So I decided in my own artistic
way to make my wish come true.
I’ve been using Adobe Photoshop
since the day it came out. I learned MacDraw & MacPaint as a very small
child. I was obsessed with making album covers for my CD’s
growing up as a musician. I’ve probably made thousands of covers
for friends over the years with this program!
It’s a medium that I can create
something beautiful, artistic, surreal and artistic. And I love it. So many
times it get knocked and hated on, but I choose to see it all a different way.
From the days of Greek Gods and Goddesses, Roman statues and
carvings, I really doubt they had an artist come and spend months carving stone
to be a timeless masterpiece only to include the dimples and cellulite on a woman’s
butt. It didn’t happen. No one is hating on
that.
How about when Rembrandt painted flawless and haunting portraits where people almost
didn’t look human? They were perfect. Forever-captured in oil
on canvas. He forgot to include zits, pockmarks, dark circles and warts on his
subject’s faces. No one is complaining about that. In fact,
photography uses his method of lighting everyday. We choose to focus on the
positive and take away the best possible feature and lesson.
Stop hating on Photoshop, retouching and tweaks. It’s
been around forever and I’ve been having it done to my
modeling photos since I was 7. It hasn’t distorted the way I see
myself, look at or view me. It just reminds me if I drink more water, I’ll
be hydrated! And if I eat the right foods like spinach, Kale, cucumbers, you
know beauty foods, that my skin will ultimately look brighter and healthier. Photoshop
has helped me see the me I can be if I’m putting some time and
effort in. :-)
If anything, Photoshop has encouraged me to look like the
tweaks that have been tweaked, but within reason and staying within the guides
of reality. After all, we do know the difference between right and wrong? Self
control? Image distortion?
I know many people have their opinions. I respect that. I’m
just saying, maybe next time, just look at it for what it is. A way of making a
photo into an heirloom that will last forever painting someone in their best
light.
I for one am very happy someone created it. Because when
used properly and for the good, I believe magic happens.
On a very hot Minnesota 4th of July, I asked my
mother what she was the most sad about dying. The end was near and I was trying
to understand. Many old people want to “go home.”
My mother answered the most painstaking, raw, real, and haunting answer I could ever expect. “Because I can’t
take you with me" she cried as she grabbed onto my forearm.
She sobbed and put her head down.
What could I respond with? I was at a loss for words. She
also looked me in the eyes and said, “I won’t
be able to wear my Mexican skirt to any more parties…”
It felt as though someone ripped my heart out. I inhaled and
held my breath there for a while in so as not to cry. I told her I didn’t
have my gear with me this trip, but that I had my iPad. Would she like an iPad
photo shoot in her skirt?
“No” she said. “I’m
too weak. I can’t get excited about something
when I can’t even stand up” She got cold and mean…
then quiet. “Suit yourself I said. I was just
trying to help.”
The next day I opened the front door to see her sitting in
her wheelchair with a white lace top and a black velvet Mexican skirt. “Go
upstairs and fetch me several hats you think would look good and a shade of
blood-red lipstick.”
I asked her if someone had changed her mind about an IPad photo
shoot. “Quite possibly” she replied. “Quite
possibly”
Off to the Hispanic parts of South Minneapolis we went, in
search of the perfect backdrop. She was the one who found it. And these were
the photos I took that hot day in July in which we celebrate our Independence.
And I’m glad we did that shoot. Because
10 days later she died. And the above photos were brilliantly enlarged and
placed everywhere at her wake and funeral. My mom looked as good as she could
in her final days… in her black velvet Mexican
skirt. She had her last hurrah and her last party and celebrated properly.
I will never ever miss another opportunity like that. And
thanks to “Photoshop”, my imagination, and a
very creative and willing cool father, I was able to create these last works of
art.
A supporter at a show gave me some Christmas money to by
something for my father. Some jerk had just done a credit card number hijack
and cleaned me out. I had nothing for the holidays but I had this: my mind, my
talent and my program. :-)
I leave you with my Christmas art I created for and gave my father,
but also in memory of my mother.
See the glass not half empty,
not half full, but
overflowing. :-)
#PhotoShop #PSD #4thOfJuly
#GoldyKnows #GoldyLocksRocks #GoldyLocksBand
#Love #Signs #Mom #Mother
www.GoldyLocks.com •
www.GoldyLocksBand
www.Facbook.com/GoldyKnows
• Twitter.com/GoldyLocksRocks • Twitter.com/Goldyknows
No comments:
Post a Comment