Yes, with the COVID-19 I am working from “home”. Just as I have for the past twenty-five years. Probably more common for many artists and those working for virtual companies (and I am doing both). Fortunately, my studio is also in my home up on the second floor with a nice view out the back. Equally fortunate, I also include the adjacent county park and canyon as included within my “home” boundaries. As I stated yesterday, even on a Sunday, very few people walking these canyon trails and everyone is keeping their distance. Yes.
I am the glass-half-full type, thus looking at the positive aspects of this grounding; time to read some of the books that have been stacking up, do a bit more writing here, as well as some book reviews for PhotoBook Journal. (btw, there over 500 book reviews available so if you are wondering what photobook to buy & read, check it out, lots of great photobooks out there!). Since the magazine is virtual, we are doing our part to not create any personal interaction issues in order to keep publishing new book reviews.
For those who have a day-job that takes them to a work site, the whole work-from-home thing can seem like a mixed blessing, especially if work was an escape from the family and kids. Lot less social interaction when at home, even if using social media and on the phone, not the same as mingling in the work space with friends and associates. When I made the transition to working at home, it was weird for a while. Even dreams about missing meetings and other things related to various aspects of a workspace.
Photo above with this post resulted from my experimental/play when starting yesterday’s canyon walk. To get the right brain creatively engaged, my rule of thumb is taking at least one photo within five minutes of arriving at my destination. Even if you are hauling an 8×10″ view camera, bring a little clam-shell 35mm that were so popular years ago to document your location. In my case, it was still overcast and the lighting was really flat, as I could see where the clouds were clearing, just not yet. I had photographed these weeds before, but today the yellow flowers were blooming due to the recent rain, so I tried to create an interesting layered composition. This photo is bit trite and has been done many times before, but it was an experiment and meant to be fun and more about switching my brain to the right creative side. This may also be the only time it is ever seen, to help illustrate an idea.
Cheers, Doug
Featured photograph: Untitled (Arroyo Trabuco) copyright 2020 Douglas Stockdale
My upcoming events, some that are in a state of flux:
Update! Medium Photo 2020 Workshop: Developing a Creative Book workshop that I will be leading, (tentatively) September 24 – 27th, 2020, a four-day extended weekend workshop in San Diego.
Medium Photo 2020 Lecture Series, I will be giving a one-evening lecture Artist Books as Art Objects on Friday, March 20th, from 7:30 – 9pm at the You Belong Here artist venue, located at 3619 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California 92104. TBD
Revised closing reception is still okay as of this date…
Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) Faculty Exhibition, in Los Angeles at the new LACP gallery, located at 566 Washington Blvd. The exhibition opens March 21st and the closing reception is Saturday, April, 18, 2020, from 7-10pm.
Singular Images 
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