Word Cloud

June 2013 cloud

It’s been a while since I posted one of these. I think word clouds are a neat way to see how much I really do talk about the things I think that I’m always talking about. The words first, idea, nate, metz, art are not surprising at the top of the list. Noticeably smaller is photography, which is my main mode of art.

As I see it…

Seeking a respite from Summer Streets, I took a summer stroll through the state parklands. I brisk walk can at first seem monotonous in a dancing of green light as I breathe in the forest smells and be in a walking meditation. I stopped though because on top of a picnic area moss grows on some weathered shingles roof. I climb up to look down, and from my perch I gaze up higher still. This is what I saw:

Mosshingle © 2013 NATE METZ

Gallery Talk – Summer Streets

About a week ago, I officially opened my first exhibit: SUMMER STREETS. During the reception, I conducted a gallery talk about my creative process and some of the key images from the show. The entire collection is 25 images of my original street photography taken during the summer months. I included some images from my yellow study last summer that overlapped with the street theme to create a well balanced solo exhibit. Be sure to watch the video above and let me know what you think! I truly hope you enjoy hearing about my work and look forward to sharing more videos soon.

All images shown are for sale, and I am taking orders for prints if you prefer unframed photographs. Click here for a full listing of images, sizes, and prices. All framed pieces are customs frames with conservation plexiglass to protect the full color photographs.

The exhibit is on display from June 4 – 29th in Newark, DE at the Terry Foreman Gallery in the Newark Arts Alliance (NAA).

Market East Plaza
Suite 102
276 E. Main St.,
Newark, DE 19711
Telephone: 302-266-7266

Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 11am-3pm
Extended Hours on Thursday: 11am-6pm

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date on all events like this one! **The link is on the right-hand menu bar.** Many thanks to everyone who came out to show me support on the 7th and continued blessings. I am so grateful for all of your support!

FACE of FRIDAY

Stinky Vinegar Hole © 2013 NATE METZ
Stinky Vinegar Hole © 2013 NATE METZ

I tried something a little different with this face by using a photograph of a found object as part of the face – the drain in a water fountain – instead of objects that come preloaded in the app. The direction I would like to head is to photograph found objects on my own at a much higher resolution so I could create these collages that would make suitable prints. It’s one of the back burner projects, though. I’m really focusing on the photography portion of my art and these collages serve as the play time to keep the creative juices flowing. What do you think? Would you like to see more faces or more photographs? Comment below!

PREVIEW: Summer Streets

Today is the official soft opening of my exhibit, Summer Streets! I’m saving most of the fanfare for Friday night during the opening reception where I’ll be conducting a short gallery talk about my process and discussing key images from the exhibit.

Here is a quick preview of the exhibit just to whet your appetite:

All of the photographs are custom framed in a black, solid wood frame, white mat board, and conservation plexiglass. The prints range from 8″ x 8″ to 11″ x 14″ and 12″ x 12″

And of course, all work is FOR SALE ranging from just $125 – $300.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below!

I look forward to seeing you Friday night at the Terry Foreman Gallery in the Newark Arts Alliance 276 E Main Street Newark, DE 19711

Damn Good Advice – THIRTEEN

I can say that I am guilty of it: google. I’ll be in the midst of a brainstorming session and I start to google my ideas. Sometimes I’m checking to see if it’s been done before and take a litmus on my originality. Sometimes I’m having trouble connecting some ideas and look to see what other people think on the subject. And, other times, I cannot articulate my thoughts so I mind map on google images and help myself see. Lastly, I google myself (name, art, business) to check on my SEO and visibility.

So if you’re not tinkering on a computer, as George Lois so vaguely puts it, where do you find the big idea? He doesn’t offer up any suggestions. Rereading his tagline, I see he is merely pointing out that one should not expect a computer to do the work. One must still put forth the effort to procure the big idea. As the illustration on the page says: “DUH!” I’m not sure that this is really great advice though for any creative individual. We already know this fact: ideas come from within ourselves.

When I meditate, dream, or set forth the intention to solve a creative problem, develop a big idea, or embark on a new creative project, it always comes from within my being. It is spiritual. Sometimes I feel it in my heart. Sometimes I think in new ways that challenges my beliefs. And, other times, the big idea explodes with such a tremendous force that the fountainhead remains shadowed by the idea itself. I do not question my intuition when it leads me to a great idea. Because I trust the process of my artwork and photography, the big idea blooms like a flower. It just happens. And then with a series of computer tricks, contents, and forms my computer delivers it to the world to share all of it’s glory.

Flower Mind © 2013 NATE METZ
Flower Mind © 2013 NATE METZ