New Creations

 

 

 

 

 

“Casting A Spell” is one of a series of photo manipulations I did for a new client.  I wanted to share them with you because I felt they are some of my best pieces.  My client is a musician who goes by, Greg Sorcery, he has an infinity with hawks, just like I do.

I received his photos, which his lovely wife took per my requirements and his few instructions as to what he was looking for in these photos, which he was going to use both as wall art and as flyers.  With these requirements I created him four different flyers. to choose from.   The first being the photo below: “Casting A Dragon Spell”, the flyer I created was the photo to the left: “Casting A Spell” giving my client a magical look along with morphing him into half man, half  hawk.

 

The third photo I created for my client “Visiting A Dragon” was more vibrant and colorful, which he had stated he didn’t mind chaos and symbolism in his flyers. I like to build up to the more vibrant and more chaotic works because it is like a virtual drum roll. This  third photo was different from the first two not only because of its’ vibrancy but because I had changed my client’s outfit and the background, plus turned the whole photo into more of an illustration, which my client had stated he would be happy with if I felt so inclined to do. The fourth photo “Magic Man” I created was my favorite it isn’t as vibrant as the third photo but, has more symbolism in it than all three of the previous photos put together. Since my client had stated he liked symbolism, I choose to include symbols from his life professionally and personally.  Such as the hawk, a dragon, and the stars, which not only represents music to him cause it reaches out and touches so many people in this world but also represented the peace in which music brings to him.  I also included two crabs for they represented both him and his wife.

Finally I will leave you with one of the Photo manipulations I did of myself.  I created this creation out of three different photos I took myself and brought together within Photoshop to create how my passion for art and graphic design burns through me fast and furious.

Burning Passion Self Portrait

 

You can link with me for more information at:

Linkedin:

www.linkedin.com/pub/trinton-garrett/31/606/8a0/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Trinton.TrinityHawk?ref=hl

Taskarmy:

http://taskarmy.com/users/13652-trinityhawk/

What do you want from your relationship with God?

via What do you want from your relationship with God?.

What do you want from your relationship with God? This is a line I saw when I was looking through my email today. This question could be asked in a different manner and confuse so many people but really mean the same thing. What do you want from your own spiritual  path?  Your own spiritual self?

Many different religious practices play the childish game, he loves me more than he does you, When in truth the being who is called God, for the sake of this writing, is all loving and loves no one person, no one religious sic any more than the other. After all was it not, Christ who bent down and washed the foot of his own mother and covered a prostitute with his own body to keep her from being stoned?

In my opinion these different religions need to study their own writings and teachings, because each one are based on the same foundation of “rules”, and belief system. I found a while back it really comes down to what it is YOU want to get out of your own relationship with  your own spiritual self and that connection you have with yourself and the faith that you have with the path you walk.

Am I saying there is no greater being to worry about? NO I am not saying that.  For many it is God, others a Goddess, for some Great Spirit/Mystery and so many other names.  I was taught that there is ONE true beloved one and this great being can take any form for s/he is great light of infinity. S/he will take on the form you believe him/her to be and that you pray too.  So, again what do YOU want to get out of your connection to your own spiritual self and spiritual path?

Another aspect to look at is, we are a bit of the great one, so to learn what it is we want form our own spiritual self and spiritual path, we are learning what it is we want from him/her and our relationship with him/her.  Does the bible not say: God created mankind in his own image?   Then to build a relationship with our own spiritual self we are building a relationship with him/her. It isn’t even the Christan path that believes oneness with their creator:  Muslims teaches the oneness of Allah. Wiccans believe that we are apart of everything around us and that our god and goddess is also all around us, so again to build a relationship with ourselves we are building a relationship with him/her.

For me, what do I see as wanting from my own spiritual self, spiritual path?  Will what I decided a long time ago and the reason I started studying religions and to be ordained is because, I want to transform myself into a will balanced spiritual being, one that is grounded in the world around me, one that is intuned to my family and friends.  I want to be intuned to nature and the animals my creator blessed this Earth with, I want to be intuned with our Mother the Earth.  It sometimes hurts really bad this day and age to be so intuned to all these things because so many people are so careless with our gifts that the creator gives to us, but then I just remember to be so intuned to myself and to these gifts I am being intuned to my Father and I am growing my relationship with him and with our Mother.

I have been asked before if it causes a conflict in me to study so many different religions and my answer is no, how could it?  If one concentrate on those things that is truly important and not on those things that are not, such as greed, vanity, “no other religions are right, except ours” then how can any religion be wrong?  For all religions teach the basic rules: Love thy neighbor as you would yourself, Respect all living creatures, Thou shall not lie/steal from thy fellow humankind. These might not be written as “commandments in each religion but they are taught as basic foundations with in each religion. Again, how can one be confused when studying them all if they follow the basic rules of life and of the greatest being of us all?

With this in mind I close today’s blog:  Much Love and Respect to one and all my friends!

 

Straight From The Hawk’s Beak

Good afternoon ladies and gents – it has been awhile again, but 2014 has had a busy beginning, as I stated in the last blog entry: “Lots of Changes” which I posted on January 8th. I am taking online courses to improve my photography and Photoshop skills and as I stated in the last blog I am moving out of the studio space I have been in for almost 3 years and that move will be finalized as of next week. The last of my belongings, backdrops, display items, etc will be moved out.

As of next week, hopefully, I will be completely ready to start this next phase in my life. I have already had two new photo shoots (as you can see from the photo to the left) which I am spending a lot of time editing the pictures. Plus, I have updated my web store. Please, feel free to go have a look around and leave me comments.

I also have a bit of brand new exciting news to share as of TODAY actually:

We received an invite today to become a member of University Heights Arts Association – Trinton (myself) owner of TrinityHawk Photography & Multimedia and all of us here, are very honored and graciously accepted. We will be sending in our membership fee ASAP. If you are interested in knowing more about this wonderful Association you may check out their Facebook page here.

UHAA  is an association of resident artists, writers and performers to represent the University Heights Neighborhood, Buffalo NY –

An association of resident artists, writers and performers who will:
1) develop a cohesive plan to expand public art initiatives in the University Heights Neighborhood
2) oversee the public artistic ventures of the University Heights Neighborhood
3) promote artists who live here
4) integrate the University Heights art scene/community into the greater Western New York art community where appropriate

Moving On Up as the saying goes!!!

Now on a more personal note:

Also, my daughter will has entered her 2nd trimester of pregnancy so things are getting a wee bit easier on her and she is starting to show, which is exciting. In February I will get to go in with her to see the baby on thttps://transhawk.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.phphe sonogram and hear the lil – grandbug (as I am calling her/him) heart beat. I am very much looking forward to this experience! We already have pictures and I will get these scanned in and posted soon. But until I can get the actual picture uploaded below is the baby announcement I created for her and her fiancee using the sonogram picture of the baby.

Below is an announcement I created for my Heart daughter and her husband with the birth of their lovely little girl. – I am so blessed. Busy but blessed, with such a wonderful family that is growing.  Plus, such wonderful followers as you.  Thank you from myself and all of us here at TrinityHawk Photography & Multimedia.  One last bit of information before closing out this blog for today.   If you want to keep up with TrinityHawk Photography & Multimedia and the short ins and outs of what is going on you can do so here.

So, until next time – keep creating  – peace and blessings to one and all!

Lots of changes:

Lots of changes have been taking place already this new year, 2014: Biggest change is I am moving out of the studio space I have occupied for more then two years. Main (ST)udios is changing as well and renovating into a space I feel won’t fit my needs, so I am moving out. Right now I will be working mainly out of my home while much of my finished art will be stored in a storage unit and sold on a website I am working on and Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrinityHawksMinishop.

I have a new Assistant – she is young and a very intelligent lady who is very much a go getter. We both are looking forward to once this move is finished, getting down to the business of creating art. I am going to teach her how to create art on the computer, my families traditional bead work, and I have already said I am going to put her to work on organizing my receipts and paperwork – to which she actually was excited about. – go figure – LOL

My Heart daughter has gone into the hospital today, 1/8/2014 to have her daughter. We are all very excited about this addition! Plus, my biological daughter found out she was expecting at Thanksgiving, gave us yet one more thing to count as a blessing. She is due in July, would be wonderful if she had my grandbug on our wedding anniversary (which happens to be my mother’s birthday) July 11th.

Our family has several birthdays in July, so if this little one wants its’ own birthday, s/he has some work to do to miss hitting a birthday *chuckle*.

Back to the fact that I am leaving my studio behind, part of what made this decision for me is the fact that I have been reinstated for SSI (supplementary Social Security). The government acknowledged once again that I am disabled due to my Fibro, RA, debilitating Cupual Tunnel, and back issues. However, I only get SSI not full disability because I am self employed have been for numbers of years and do not have enough “credits”. These are credits they mark down on your record for how long you have worked apparently, and according to their “records” I haven’t worked enough hours in my life to qualify for full disability.

However, I have worked in some fashion or another since I was 11/12 years old. The thing is to prove this fact is not one that is easy to do, and in my case at 46 years of age, is nearly impossible. As my wife and I have learned the Government does not keep very good records, they lose records regularly, and one MUST read what is sent you not just take for granted they will know what is going on. We received paperwork recently that said I was addicted to Vicodin, she hadn’t worked at all in June of 2013, and that I reside in a subsidized housing (um no I don’t).

So, with all this going on and needing to constantly be on the alert and keep the paperwork trail correct for the government we have decided it would be best if I go part time and retire part time. We will see how this plan works out..as we all know I am a work freak and do not sit still very well.

In the center of all this I am continuing my meditation and trying to find my peaceful center. For I know to find the peace is to find that place where everything will fall into place. I also know that the perfect diamond in all its’ beauty and uniqueness is created from Charcoal under stress and pressure other wise it only remains dark, black charcoal.

I will keep you updated on how the changes are coming along – until that time here is one of my new pieces:

“Flight of The Butterflies”

I hope you like it. Feel free to lave comments and thoughts.

Peace and Happiness to one and all – blessings to you and yours in the New Year!

Unscheduled Absence & Some Truth Telling:

Unscheduled Absence & Some Truth Telling:

I want to apologize for being missing in action for so long – I have been dealing with some medical issues and some family issues which have kept me from posting.  

I have been working on a few art pieces and a few filters when I have been able – those long sleepless nights – while sitting letting my mind go over issues, worries (which I know worries only borrow trouble) and trying to calm the pain which has decided to rack my body the past few weeks. 

When I am overwhelmed with so much I sometimes forget where to turn and start to spiral downwards. Today, this morning as I was doing my “make the bed – sit down and breath, let the pain subside – vacuum one room – sit down and breath, and let the pain subside etc..on and on –  It came to me that my ancestors did this when they were hurt many years ago.  Yet, they added one more step that I have forgotten to add in my daily routine – to help my recharging and healing.

Reach out to the great power – study what my greater power would do in a time like this (or have me do).  Find time to be spiritual.

What do Buddha’s teachings say about great times of pain and suffering?   He teach us that during great times of suffering we are working our way towards ending that suffering or we can wallow in the suffering.  There are 8 steps in ending the suffering.

1. Right View. The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha–with wisdom and compassion.

I myself, must admit I am having some problems with this first step, more so then I have in a long time. I am really struggling with looking at the world through Buddha’s eyes with Wisdom and Compassion.  I see the world full of Hatred and Greed.  Human’s that are Greedy, Ugly Individualistic Beings.

2. Right Thought. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.

Due to struggling with 1.  – 2. is also a struggle. I am generally a very positive thinker, very passive and straight forward person.  Think of what you want your outcome to be and work towards it.   Yet, do to my struggling with the first step in this focus –  this 2. step has started to faultier and I am losing my hope and dreams in all my passion in life.

3. Right Speech. By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.

*smile* – I do this still but it is, in all honesty, a mask.  But, a well practiced mask.

4. Right Conduct. No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Before we criticize others, we should first see what we do ourselves.

This is not a problem generally – even now.  I try really hard not to criticize others.  For I feel their decisions and path are their choosing, not mine.    Even if I am feeling as I am now, and I feel a remark near the front of my mouth, I bite my tongue and say not what my mind says. For it is not my place, I have had to many people criticize me be it their place or not.

5. Right Livelihood. This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. The Buddha said, “Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy.”

*chuckle* – will this by any means is not a problem.  I am not working and that which I have chosen for a job seems to be the butt of everyone’s joke.

6. Right Effort. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. This also means not wasting effort on things that harm ourselves and others.

I have tried to live this step for awhile now – giving and giving and giving and this is what lead me back to step one feeling the way I do.   I am drained!  I like to give and see the joy of those who truly appreciate it.  Yet, even they do not truly know how to give back in kind so that my energy is not depleted.  My family suffers finical, physically because everyone EXPECTS  good old T to do it for free!  To be the good ol boy!  Even those who do not know me all that well.  Those who say they are my friends and get all up in airs when “others” do the exact same thing.  Then they will turn around and ask for “favors”, for “help”  all out of the name of “friendship”.  Yet if I did such a thing I would be expected to pay for the service or they wouldn’t have the time.   So, perhaps I haven’t learned what “The Right Effort” is yet?

7. Right Mindfulness. This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds.

I suppose I am learning this all over again.  I thought I knew what this was and practiced it.  But looking over the upper numbers in these lessons – perhaps I do not.

8. Right Concentration. Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.

I use to be able to do this, my mind is wild these days.  I feel like scratching my brain out of my head at times just to get it to quite down.   I do not sleep and I barely eat.  Even when I am asleep my mind is continually going.  I need some quite time…  This is another reason why I have not done much creation, much art. 

I am working on being back in sync mentally, physically and spiritually – but until then my posts may be a bit scarce – I will post as I can. 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – INFRINGEMENT 2013 FESTIVAL OPENING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Main (ST)udios To Host Infringement 2013 Festival Opening Reception

July 26, 2013 6 -9pm!

Buffalo, NY 14203 – July 26, 2013 –   Buffalo Infringement Festival Annual art show is once again being kicked off from July 25 through August 4, and Main (ST)udios will be hosting the exhibit from July 18, for any who would like a sneak peek, through August 4th.  There will be an opening reception on July 26th from 6-9 pm open free to all the public!

Buffalo Infringement Festival 2013 and Main (ST)udios opening reception will be open to the public free of charge.  There will be everything from 2d art to Infringing on Fashion show which will show the different aspect of fashion art. There will also be refreshments and the local artist will be on hand to greet visitors and answer any questions.

For more information please feel to contact Main (ST)udios Gallery/Artists’ manager Erica Eichelkraut at:  (716) 866-6603 or info@mainstudiosbuffalo.com  You can also find more information here: http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/ or http://infringebuffalo.org/

Reblogging Marketing Artist Marketing Tips Dot Com

I belong to several newsletters and blog sites and this week I am going through http://www.artistmarketingtips.com/ and re-reading their series of newsletters about artist profiles and how to market your artwork online.  I will re-blog their work and make sure to credit their site through out the blog. That way those who would like to check out their website and newsletter may.

 

Week 1: Building An Online Portfolio

The best place to start with this series is to talk about

building an online portfolio

. Every artist/photographer that wants to market their artwork, needs to start with a good online presence – and why not? Portfolio websites are easy to setup and so inexpensive, there is no excuse for not having one!

Your online portfolio displays your artwork to the world. It also allows others to contact you and gives buyers the chance to purchase your artwork.

What Is Your Purpose for Being Online?

The first question you must ask yourself is, why do you want to be online? The answer to this question will help you determine what type of online portfolio you look for. There are typically three responses to this question: Sell my artwork, display my artwork or participate in an artist community. Some artists want to have all three. Once you have defined your online purpose, you should look to create an online portfolio that will accomplish your goals.

Two Types of Online Portfolios

All artist websites basically boil down to two types…1) Artist Community Websites and 2) Custom Artist Websites. Here is a brief description of each:

1) Artist Community Websites

allow the artist to upload his/her artwork into a online portfolio at little or no cost. Normally these community websites have hundreds (or thousands) of artist members, who display their artwork together and interact with each other. Art community advantages include: Low/No setup cost, high amount of traffic, rich set of features, built in e-commerce shopping cart, artwork feedback, the ability to interact with other artists and much more. Each website has it’s own list of features/benefits. Pick the website that aligns with your goals and has the features you are looking for.

ArtWanted.com

is an example of an art community website.

2) Custom Artist Websites

are unique and custom built for the artist. Normally these websites have their own ‘dot-com’ web address (ie http://www.ArtistName.com) to make them more personal and easier to remember. Custom websites are good for artists, because you have full control over the exact look and feel of the site and they will only contain YOUR artwork. However, custom websites are normally more expensive to build/maintain, web programming knowledge is required to keep the site updated and they usually get far less traffic than a community portfolio. Some artists drop their art community website, once they have a personal site. This is a big mistake! You should still upload some of your artwork to one or more art community websites. Then use your community website to gain exposure and point visitors back to your official website.

TIP:

Get the best of both worlds. Register your own dot-com website address (for under $10/year) and then point it to your community portfolio website.

How Many Websites Should You Have?

This is a common question we get asked by artists.

The answer is…

you should have as many portfolio websites as you have the time to maintain. For some artists, this may only be one website. For other artists with more time on their hands, posting your artwork on multiple websites will always increase your exposure and potential buyers.

For example, if you wanted to advertise a new product on TV, wouldn’t you rather advertise on three TV stations, instead of just one? Marketing your artwork is no different. The more places you can post your artwork, the better!

What Should Your Online Website Contain?

Every portfolio website is different, but there are several things that all artist websites should have. Here is a quick list..
• Your Artwork – This is a no brainer. You are an artist, so you better show off your art (or photography) on your website. Your website should showcase your BEST artwork. Remember, your online portfolio is not a collection of everything you have ever doodled which dates back to elementary school. It’s a place to show off how talented you are, so make your pieces count! If you have a lot of art on your site, break your artwork into categories, so your website visitors can see the many styles/subjects you have made.
• Artist Bio – If people are interested in your artwork, then they will want to know a bit more about you. You need a spot on your website to toot your horn. Talk about your schooling, your experience, past clients you have worked with, your philosophy, hobbies/interests and anything else that will help someone get to know your better. You should also use this area to promote any galleries or exhibits you may be featured in.
• Contact Information – What’s the point in having a website, if people can’t contact you? At the bare minimum you should allow people to e-mail you from your site, but if you are interested in selling your artwork, you should include additional contact information, such as your phone number or mailing address.
• Fresh Content – If you went to a clothing store every month for 4 months, and it never had anything new, would you come back on the 5th month? Probably not. The same concept applies to websites. You need to continue to post new artwork and new content on your website to keep your visitors coming back for more. Even if you don’t have any new artwork, at least have a blog/journal that your fans can read and see what you are up to. If your website gets stale, you can kiss your fans good-bye.
• Other Ideas – Here are just a few additional ideas to get your brain going. Let your visitors sign-up for your newsletter. Post tutorials or step-by-step photos on how you have created a recent piece. Offer advise to new artists. Create a blog, so people can see what you are up to. Encourage visitors to bookmark or share your website with others. Post links to other websites that contain your work. Feature specific artwork or products that are new or on sale. Over the next few weeks, we will be talking about some of these ideas more in-depth, so you can see the power of marketing.

Promote Your Website Everywhere!

We will be talking about this topic multiple times throughout this course. What’s the point of a great website, it no one knows about it? You should advertise your portfolio website anywhere and everywhere. Make sure it’s listed in your e-mail signature. Tell your friends and family about it. Print your website address on your business cards and all other marketing materials. Talk about your website on your social media website (ie Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.) Print personalized products (t-shirt/hats/mugs) that advertise your website address. Mention your website on your voice mail message. Bottom line, you want to drive everyone to your website, because this is where they can see and purchase your artwork.

Track Your Website Statistics

Once you have a website, it’s important to make sure you have some kind of statistics tracking enabled. How many people are visiting your site. What artwork did they like? How long did they stay on your site? Did your gallery showing increase visitors to your website? Did your last e-mail newsletter bring in new traffic? Are people browsing and not buying? All these questions and more can be answered by having the proper statistics tracking for your website. You can then use this information to give your art fans what they want.

Most community websites have basic statistics tracking enabled for your online portfolio. Some websites offer very detailed reports of your website traffic. If you own your own website, then you will need to install some type of web analytics program to track your website activity. You could spend thousands of dollars a month for an excellent statistics engine, but lets not go there now. Google offers a free statistics engine for your site called

Google Analytics

that is actually quite powerful. For more information, visit:

http://www.google.com/analytics/

Homework

Yep, that’s right, you WILL have homework in this course. What’s the point in learning how to market your artwork, if you don’t put any plans into action? Don’t worry, your homework will be light and will leave you plenty of time to use your right-side of your brain to create new artwork. This week’s homework is:

1. Write down your purpose for being online and the goals you would like to accomplish.
2. If you don’t already have an online website, get one! If you already have one, review what you have and see what you can do to improve it.
3. Update your website this week with at least one new image or one new blog post.
4. Add your website URL (link) to your e-mail signature.
5. Review your website statistics (if you have them) and see what images/sections are the most popular.

He Marches To A Different Drummer:

I was sitting at my wife’s doctor office I was waiting for her and letting my mind roam and my pen move across he journal I had with me, I ended up starting an autobiography. So, I am going to post a very rough draft here for you to have first peek at and give me your opinion.

****  He Walks To A Different Drummer *****

From time I was ike looking through a cloudy dream born to the time I was about six my memories are like looking through a cloudy dream state. I only get glimpses here and there, but most of what I know of my younger years is due to having two very good story tellers for parents for parents.

My mother; Marjorie Louise, a published writer and my father; Leslie Charlies (Levi), an oral story teller of the old style.  My mother worked for newspapers, and had stories published in magazines an anthologies. My father was one who could talk for hours and tell you a story several different ways.

The first few chapters will be a mixture between those cloudy memories and the stories I grew up hearing my parents tell.  How I was unafraid of anything, and I was curious about everything, which mixed together to make for a very good but challenging life from birth to 6 years.

I was the youngest of 5 children – 2 older sisters, one being 9 years older then I was and the other my Irish twin only being 13 months older, and 2 older brothers one being 8 and the other being 7 years older then I.  So, when mother went into labor with me, my father was told that he was going to have to choose, my mother or the baby (me).  The doctors did not think they were going to be able to save both of us.  My father of course choose my mother, after all they had 4 other children at home!

However, this was the first of a very long road for my guardian angel, and s/he was watching over me that day, June 20, 1967.  My mother and I both came out of the labor room ALIVE!  I had to be rushed to an “Oven” and be given oxygen ad I was literally a blue baby, but I was alive!  The bumpy, challenging life didn’t end here, this was only the beginning, and the next bump in this journey wasn’t as far away as my mother and father would hope for unfortunately.

Again my guardian angel had to be very close and watching like a hawk.  Because, I was born with various “strawberry birthmarks” on my head and forehead.  My mother some how knew that two of those marks were NOT birthmarks that they were something much more dangerous.  My mom finally convinced the doctors to have a look at these flat reddish marks on my head.  It turned out the red marks on my head was indeed not birthmarks but blood tumors that was growing inward and feeding off the main artery in my brain.  They agreed the best treatment would be to surgery remove the tumors. So at six weeks old I went under the knife and my Guardian Angel once again watched over me.

I Have Been WonderGhosted!

I hung out with a friend, another artist, for awhile this afternoon.  We ran a few errands, I showed him my studio and he tried on my black feathered wings (that I have at my studio).  That is when the real fun began.  What do you think is going to happen when two deep thinking artist get together?  LOL Light hearted art of course!!

Video Portfolio

http://animoto.com/play/cw3O6scIYa9V1fgHHeF7Ng

I have created a video portfolio and wanted to post it here for your viewing pleasure and asking my blogging readers how they felt about an art newsletter. Would you be interested in me putting out a newsletter? Monthly or quarterly? In the newsletter I would post links to interesting sites about art world wide, art blogs, marketing information for artist and other helpful information for artist and art community. If you would be interested in such a newsletter please send me your email to trinityhawkphoto@hotmail.com or reply to this post with your email and the subject ” Art Newsletter”.

I await your response