I believe most of us need
to be creating something – writing a book, painting a picture, or a myriad of other acts
of making, even creating a perfect lawn. We humans are makers of stuff.
This urge is persistent
into old age, when we sometimes lose the abilities necessary to create in the ways we want. In my case, arthritic hands have made several techniques and media
inaccessible. First thing to go was woodcarving. I was just getting started and
have only three pieces I was able to finish. I won’t recite all the media I enjoyed at one time but can no longer manage. The bottom line is that now I don't have many choices for creative outlets.
I’m not alone in this. I
know of two other women who have lost their ability to control a paintbrush
because of hand tremors. Both have made beautiful paintings in the past. Both
are trying to use the tremors to their advantage, creating abstractions using
watercolor for one and charcoal on paper for the other. They just can’t quit
making.
For myself I have taken
refuge in photography. I have a small digital Cannon that I can easily grasp.
Luckily I don’t have tremors, so I can focus and steady the camera. The iPhoto on my computer has several thousand photos. It wasn’t
enough to look at photos on my computer; I wanted to see prints, too, of my
favorites, but I didn’t want to fill my house with framed photos or photo albums.
Nancy got me started on the right path. She asked me to have some notecards printed using my photos. It
was the perfect solution for me. I would get to see the printed photos and I
would have a nice supply of gifts, not only to Nancy, but also other relatives
and friends.
I’ve had three different
batches printed. One of the first batch was called “Peas in a Pod.”
The second batch centered
on photos taken on Galveston Island, such as this feather.
Now I’ve had a fourth set
printed, this time 20 copies each of nine different photos. One of these is “Rural
Road in Autumn,” taken on a road we often travel to town.
The process is amazingly
easy. One simply carries PDF versions of photos on a zip drive to the printer.
My first printer didn’t furnish proofs, but I found that Printing Solutions in
Lawrence does, so I switched. After I look at the proofs I can sit down with Chris,
who does the tweaking of image placement, if needed. If I sent Christmas cards,
I could have had Christmas notecards made for about 50 cents each.
I’m thinking about going
commercial. At my age, that would be ridiculous…or would it? I'm not interested in making money, but I need to make and share. Am I too old to dream?
Copyright 2014 by Shirley Domer
6 comments:
I was the lucky recipient of your feather card. It's lovely. Take it on the road.
Alison, I'm happy to know that you approve. I just need a business plan. Any suggestions?
I have no business experience but here are my ideas. It depends on whether you want to go online or local. You're probably familiar with Etsy, https://www.etsy.com, which I know of but have zero personal experience. With no knowledge of what already exists in the area, my other thought is forming or joining a consortium of local women artists who sell their creations on a website and/or at area events. Not reinventing the wheel and taking advantage of resources that already exist are things that I'm sure have occurred to you. If I can help in anyway, please ask.
Or you could donate them to a non-profit for their fund raiser.
And where is that lovely road? I need to come visit you on it in the spring.
I forgot to say the photos are beautiful.
I adore all my cards and feel very happy sending them to people I care about. I vote to turn your photography skills into a business! I'll be looking for your cards next time I go to The Raven Bookstore or to The Merc! Sending you love!
Post a Comment