Inspiration

Originally Posted Sunday, August 17, 2014

I ran across the work of an old friend of the old blog, Osama Esid.  I hadn't kept up with him these past few years.  Wow!  I was knocked out all over again and inspired.  I must begin to work again in new and crazy ways.  I found him at this website.  I don't think I'd ever seen a photograph of Esid before, and I was a bit shocked when I saw him.  It was a little like looking into the mirror, I thought.  Sometimes people tell you you look like someone and will show you the person or a picture and you think that they are only trying to piss you off.  But I had a serious start when I saw this fellow.  I'll have to ask him when he was born.  

Back on the old site, I spent much time playing with Occidental/Orientalism.  That is how I first came to know Esid's work.  He, being "orientalized" by birth, had a wonderfully transcendent take on the concept.  In looking for Esid's images on the web this time, I ran across another wonderfully contrarian view of Edward Said's theories (here).  After spending an hour or so looking through the images and reading some articles, I felt as if I've been slumbering through a long depression, moping through life unable to move my head or limbs.  It was a wake up call to the creative life again.  I'm excited to get into the studio today.  So many things remain to be tried, so many images that need to be done.  

I got a call about a week or so ago from John Minnicks, the fellow who made myLiberator 4x5 camera.  He left a message to tell me he has moved to my own home state.  I have yet to call him back. Why?  I guess it is because I've been sleepwalking, as I have said, slave to the factory and to fear, slave to the inevitable sadnesses, etc.  I will call him today.  He is a genius with lenses and cameras and just crazy, off the wall ideas.  I will drive north to see him and his new place.  

Here is a photo I took with the camera he made for me, Liberator #13.  I found it on his website.  It is of my own hometown camera genius who can fix or make anything photographic.  I haven't been to his shop for over a year now, too.  

O.K.  Morning is fresh and new.  I'm ready to get cracking.  Here's hoping my newfound desires can be sustained.