Troy Wise Art & Photography: Image Amplified.

MONDAY CATCH UP: Editing DJ GANAS photos, Shooting the Green

Over the weekend I made progress on two exciting projects.

First, I continued to polish up the color-drenched photos from the DJ GANAS performance at Museo Alameda. I'm very happy with the results so far, and was glad to hear that programming coordinator Mia Lopez is, too. The photos should start popping up soon, and I'm still waiting to get the okay to post some here.

And on Sunday I did my first photo shoot with electronica duo The Green. They are one of those bands generating a buzz; I've been hearing about them since my arrival into town. And according to them, Sunday's shoot was their first in San Antonio. We shot at El Tropicano and the Havana Riverwalk Inn, and results are promising.

More later.

MONDAY CATCH UP: Updates to Pick Up, Projects on the Horizon

For those who follow this blog, it's been noticeably slow on updates lately.

Truth be told, I've been working to meet deadlines on photos that I'm not posting here for various reasons. And every chance that came along, I stepped away from the computer to get out and have some fun.

For better or for worse, while things are getting back to normal, I'm excited about some projects currently in the works.

MUSIC FOR MONDAY: Leo Zero, Freddy Mercury, Rolling Stones, Joy Division, Hot Chip, Peter Bjorn & John, Zongamin

Today, as the crunch of work and some extracurricular activity made even a post here nearly impossible, I really needed the right music to compensate for my recent lack of sleep and inability to focus for too long on any one thing. Not good when falling behind means doubling the pace tomorrow.

These tracks, which I mostly get from friends but also from a couple of  great sites (probably already familiar to many), did the trick with the now pretty pervasive nu disco-esque feel:

• "Message Of Love (Featuring Freddy Mercury)" - LEO ZERO (from thefamousish.com)
• "Satisfaction (DiscoTech Remix)" - The Rolling Stones (from thefamousish.com)
• "Transmission (Cover Joy Division)" - Hot Chip (from offtheradarmusic.com)
• "Lay It Down (The Golden Filter Remix)" - Peter Bjorn & John (from offtheradarmusic.com)
• "Painless" - Zongamin

Now back to uploading and editing. 

STUDIO DAY: Sort Of...

Today's Studio Day was split between going to Goodwill to get some Art of Fashion work done, and redoing some photos for the new Flickr account.

Goodwill (!)

Anyone who knows me knows that Goodwill is probably the last place I'd choose to go for anything. It's just not my thing. I know some people can walk in there and come out with the most incredible finds. It's vintage. It's thrift. It's cheap and chic. It's a bargain. Yeah, but I just don't have that talent. No, I'm not a snob. I just grew up in malls. Everything had its shine, presented in just the right (most calculated) way.

But (and this is a huge one) it was a lot of fun going there with Niles, Angelina and Frank. It probably helped that we had work to do specifically related to Art of Fashion 2008, so I could stay really task-oriented. But these three made it fun by keeping the mood light, and the humor coming. In fact, I'd consider going again. In, say, about 6 months or so. But that's more frequent than my usual once-a-decade pattern.

Yes, we walked out with cart loads of stuff. Of what? Ha... I don't know if I should say anything just yet.

Flickr

I've actually had a Flickr account for a while, but it was directly related to what was happening in art spaces like the Loft. I tried to incorporate some of my creative work into that, but it ended up feeling just as problematic as trying to show my own work in the Loft.

Now because of the nature of my photography projects, there's a real benefit to establishing an additional Flickr account where I can show some of the stuff that doesn't necessarily make it into my portfolio. And because of Flickr's setup and copyright protection system, I can make images available without all the captions or watermarks. I'm really liking seeing the images this way. (I really don't mind when people save my images. I admit to doing it all the time. But I like to remember whose photography I'm saving, so that's why I include captions on my own work.)

So between Goodwill and Flickr, my Studio Day has been a productive one.

COMING SOON: TROYBOX

Get Ready! TROYBOX is headed this way.

PROJECTS AND MORE PROJECTS: Sending Out the Busy Signal

It's a common theme running through the entries here: we're busy. And readers familiar with this blog know we like it this way. So we aren't complaining. We're thriving!

Not every project currently in the works is ready to be discussed or written about. Some aren't ready, some aren't that interesting. But for the time being, these are worth writing about:

1. Vintage Rock & New Wave Photo Project. The interest has been better than what we could have hoped for or handled. First, the graphic elements are done! They've been sent off to the printer, to be made into buttons. And we've been promised a decent turnaround time. As far as shooting the models, that's still being scheduled as I write, and it's still on track. Again, it's just a matter of juggling the interested participants.
2. DJ Cat NYC & Automatic Panic. Not only are their photos coming out HOT, but there's a concept performance in the works that we'll be spreading the word about shortly. We're talking about fliers that are already being designed. But more on that soon!  
3. Art of Fashion 2008. Frank met with Angelina Mata Chumney earlier this week to talk about our helping out, however we can. Turns out that there's room for us to contribute and you know we're looking forward to it! 
4. Showing Artists Outside of Capsule, in Jive Alley for First Friday. We've started the process of choosing who to show for First Friday, and most have been notified. Definitely some interesting work, to suit the interesting spot.

So just an update on how things are going! (And if you've expressed interest in one of the above, hang tight. We're still scheduling & contacting. Everything is still a go!)  

BUSY SIGNAL: Casting for Models, Editing Photos for Automatic Panic & DJ Cat NYC, and Needing an Iced Soy Honey Latte from Starbucks Now

As I wrap up a day's work, I'm looking forward to getting out for a while!

Today was spent continuing the model search (and starting some graphics) for the vintage rock & new wave photo shoot, as well as editing last weekend's photos for Automatic Panic & DJ Cat NYC.

The vintage rock & new wave project is going well so far. In addition to finding some models by word of mouth, I also tried out a new model site, which has already lead to some promising prospects. I'm sure I'll be out scouting a bit, as well. But so far so good.

(BTW, if you're a fit & confident male who considers himself potential model material, email me. Because of the nature of the project, there's a good chance I can use you. We're taking a wide variety of looks.)

The photos for Automatic Panic & DJ Cat NYC? The first few that I'm handing over tomorrow are rather straightforward, and more traditionally good photos. More exciting are the edgier ones that will be finished after next week, when we get the next photo shoot with Automatic Panic done. Those will be artsy, edgy, and more collaborative.

But for now, I'm off. First stop? Starbucks. I'm loving the Iced Honey Latte! Soy, of course.

BUSY WEEKEND: Tchotchkes at Capsule Gallery, SASS Photos, and Working with Automatic Panic & DJ Cat NYC

Tchochtkes at Capsule Gallery during First Friday

Tchotchkes actually opened during Fiesta & the King William's Fair, but during First Friday, the show saw an even larger and seemingly more appreciative crowd. Admittedly, there's a learning curve when it comes to installing art that's going to get an enthusiastic response from the First Friday crowds that used to be known for being art enthusiasts. But it's a process we're all finding fun and experimental. (After all, it's that street-level art experience that we're interested in.)

With Tchotchkes I think we're starting to hit the target.

SASS (San Antonio Street Style)

Speaking of street... Matt and I took lots of SASS photos Friday night. Those will be posted soon at jiverefried.blogspot.com. Interesting this time around was a changeover in styles. In the few months since we've taken SASS shots, looks that used to be prevalent are nowhere to be seen (e.g., where was emo?)

Photo shoot with Automatic Panic & DJ Cat NYC

It was a call that we got out of the blue (thanks to Henry de la Paz, as it turns out): DJ Cat NYC wanted to work with us to get some last minute photos taken of her and Automatic Panic before they continued on to Juarez and Australia for their next gigs. She informed us that they were looking to get some images that would speak to a European sensibility.

The first part of that shoot happens today, so we met up with Agosto at Jive Refried and started pulling the clothes together. We firmed up a couple of SA locations, and we'll be heading out this afternoon to begin the photographing.

Needless to say, we're excited about the project!

(Exciting, too, is that readers can expect to see more about this in Revoltage Magazine's July issue!)

TODAY'S AGENDA: Getting Capsule Ready for Saturday, Then Off to the SA Current's Best of 2008 Party at the Witte

This morning was spent unpacking boxes, continuing the setup of our new office space, and doing a few updates to the sites.

Now we're off to Capsule Gallery to get it ready for the Tchotchkes show, opening Saturday. I'm expecting it to be a fun collection of little works.

And to make the day completely full, we're off to the Best of 2008 Party! It's going to be at the Witte from 7 to 11. What a way to start an extended weekend! (Just kidding.)

SATURDAY: Taking the Day OFF!

Wow. These past couple of days have been a true whirlwind of fast & furious. Just when you think you've been brought to the brink, the true edge, something comes along and pushes you over it. THEN you're holding on by your fingernails, sweating, with everything just about to give out: your body, your brain, and even your tools. Everything gets grainy looking, but things are moving so fast you can't really take a good look anyway. The state of being driven.

And then at 4 in the morning, after you've put in a series of 19-hour days, it comes to a stop. You're done, for at least long enough. The work is done, and on its way to where it needs to be. What an awesome feeling.

Even more incredible than that, is the next day. When you can do just about whatever you want.

Welcome to today. And I'm out of here.

(I love my work, loved the intensity of this week, but days like today feel like a real gift.)