Constance Hobbs Art & Photography

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The French Alps

I drove to Ikea today. Its located in a town called Aubonne about 20 to 30 minutes outside of Geneva. Its a beautiful ride along the lake or you can take the auto route which is faster. The view across the lake is to the French Alps and it is breath taking. I only had my point and shoot camera with me so these two photos don't really capture the sheer majesty of the Alps. Imagine the people who have this view on a daily basis. It's one of the most spectacular views in the whole world.

Helping Haiti

Haiti is devastated and some wonderful photographers have gotten together to try and raise as much money as possible in order to help. Please buy a print and find out more info here.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Wonderful Switzerland

I took a ride along the Lake here in Geneva to a lovely town called Crissier. Absolutely charming village. Almost as charming as my daughter whose birthday it is today. Happy Birthday Alexandra.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

How We See

What is it that white flowers remind you of? Is it gentility, fragility, purity, femininity, vulnerability, beauty, or freshness? We all have associations with things in our environment. The interesting thing is that we have different associations. I find that fascinating. Like this flower above, if I asked 10 people what it made them think of, or what was their emotional response, I'm sure I would get 10 different reactions. And so it goes with art and photography. People view our work differently. Haven't you noticed that the art pieces you like are not the same pieces that get the biggest response from others? Curious, isn't it?

I am continually stunned by the power and strength of our early experiences on the rest of our lives. I feel that's what comes into play frequently when viewing art. No matter how professional one is, for example a curator, or how open minded, we all have preferences. These preferences are formed early and altered little as life marches on. Buddhists say, if we live a conscious life, we can be free of those influences. That's wonderful, but if you are like me I often go on auto pilot which is when these influences frequently rear their head. Now, some people are comfy with their preferences, others wish they could have a lobotomy, and some try or are successful at being open minded and uninfluenced. Oh yes, and then there are those that are completely ignorant that such a thing exists.

My sister always said "there's a Jack for every Jill". Now I know this seems unrelated, but I don't think it is. In the same vain there is a market for every artist. Let's face it. Some people will love your work, others will be neutral and still others will hate it. It's important to remember that these folks, as well as art professionals, have their preferences and don't view or choose work completely freely. As an artist there are so many rejections and hills to climb its important to keep this in mind. My father used to say "there's room for everybody in life". This includes artists too! Good luck to everyone for this new year. I wish everyone success, however you define it.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Winter Blues

It's that time of year when the holidays are over, the kids are back at school, and winter has settled in. When fortunate souls are able to get away for sun and fun in the tropics. I understand why so many of us become depressed and disillusioned as we battle against the cold. Its the lack of light, for those of us living in the northern hemisphere, and the parties are over from the holidays. Bummer.

It's time to face all those new year resolutions we've made. Will we manage to keep our commitments to ourselves? Why does this seem so hard? Is it because we have become accustomed to our routines and human beings resist change? We like to stay at our present comfort level. Play it safe. We must be willing to feel uncomfortable for a time in order for things to change. If not, all will remain the same. If we want things to be different, we have to be different. Start with your head and your thoughts. What are you focusing on everyday? What is the running mantra or recurring theme played over and over. Start there, become aware of your thoughts, you might be surprised what you'll find.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Kaleidoscope Quilt

I know what your thinking. It can't possibly be a photograph, but it is. I call these digital flips. They are part of my kaleidoscope series. This image started with the photograph of a leaf. Then I turned it into a cyanotype and photoshoped the rest. I love quilts and quilting. I've made quite a few in my time. I also used quilting as a technique in my clothing design.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Life Force

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.

~ Martha Graham ~

Saturday, January 2, 2010

The End of 2009

The year 2009 is now down the drain, over, finished, completed, perhaps happily deleted for some of us. What a year! Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, Michael Jackson died, there was swine flu hysteria, the recession from hell, and Pepsi changed it's logo, just to name a few. So here we are. At the cross roads of a new year. 2010 Twenty ten! Wow, what a number! This is the time of year when most people take stock of where they have been and where they want to go. Or who they are and who they'd like to be. Self improvement. People courageously go forward with a list of New Year resolutions that statistically are dropped within the first 3 months of the new year. I don't mean to be a scrooge but perhaps there is a better way.

I think we all make choices and decisions for reasons either conscious or unconscious. We are either aware or ignorant of our motives. It's Okay no matter what. We do the best we can. We are human and mistakes are inherent in the animal. To get down on ourselves because we aren't where we want to be, especially creatively, I don't feel is productive. Some people feel that they can not get things accomplished if they are not hard on themselves. I know this route because I have traveled it myself. I have found I create a much more pleasant atmosphere for myself and my family when I am kind to me. I congratulate myself for things well done and note the things I consider possibly problematic. I, like many other courageous souls will take stock, adjust my goals and go forward by just showing up with a happy attitude for my job, my work, my life. So much of accomplishing anything in life is practice and just plain sticking to it. Work it through. Artists, writers, dancers etc, all creative people sometimes have to just show up and work it through. So whether you are just where you want to be creatively or struggling remember, you are not alone and when you're down you can only go up.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I'm a little under the weather at present and not feeling well enough to post my thoughts on the years end. I'll be up and running soon. Stay in touch.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

A very Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays to all. I wish all my family, friends and readers of my blog a joyful holiday season!!!

Joyeux Noel de Geneve

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Madness

I have always admired people who shop for Christmas all year round. It's such a civilized way to approach the commercial end of the holidays. It allows one to choose gifts with time and thoughtfulness. If you find yourself, as I often do running around at the last minute, it takes away from the joy of being with family and friends without fatigue. My problem is I can't seem to get into the holiday spirit until the weather turns cold and the date draws near. It's similar to people who shop early for the seasonal change of clothes. I never could manage that one either, which is very funny since I was in the fashion business which runs way ahead of everyone else season wise. How do people manage holiday shopping in warm climates? I suppose its what one is used to. I'd probably be a disaster. Well, then again, maybe not!

The image above and the image below were taken at Rockefeller Center with the tree, the flags and the wind whipping everything about. New York is such a wonderful place to be for the holidays. We won't make it there this year. I wish everyone much success with their Christmas Holiday shopping. It's champagne and family in Switzerland for us tonight. Bon appetit!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tis the Season

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.

Paul Strand

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Florida Dreaming

Last night we had a lovely evening with friends old and new. It has been snowing here in Geneva for several days now and is quite cold. The lake creates dampness in the air so the cold can be especially piercing. The conversation over dinner found itself gravitating towards warmer climates and to Florida. As many people are flocking away from Florida, due to the financial crisis, there also exits many that find its warm climate, easy going lifestyle and abundant good restaurants hard to beat. So, I offer up these images of Florida from our recent visits to warm every one's hearts while its cold outside. These are for you David!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Swiss Cookie

Yum. Yum. I hope everyone is finding some time for peace and quiet during the insanity and joy of the holiday season.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Water Color on Paper

A friend of mine asked me to put up these water colors. I did them in 2008 in the winter when I was probably thinking of spring. My friend and I were discussing how when you feel stuck in any medium its good to switch gears and play around with something else. I really enjoy doing small works of art on paper or small canvases. It allows me to work on several at one time easily. I have always enjoyed doing things with my hands. I suppose that's why I enjoyed working with clothing. When I was designing clothing I utilized a lot of artistic techniques including applique, patchwork, embroidery, lace, beadwork and transfers. I think the important thing is not to be serious at all when you switch gears. Totally experiment. Use colors you don't like, brushes you've never used before, odd surfaces, you get the idea.

Friday, December 11, 2009

European Pastry

One of the pitfalls, or not, of living in Europe is the constant availability of delicious pastries. Not only pastries but chocolate too! I'm grateful that I am not a chocoholic. That would be a disaster. The variety and quality of both are amazing here. The pastries above are from our little, local, modest pastry shop. I never read the book "Why French Women Don't Get Fat" but I have my own theories about that. Europeans are by and large very slim. One of the major reasons for this is that they do not over consume. They are reasonable about food. They eat fresh food including lots of fruit and vegetables. Snack foods, like chips etc., are very expensive here and consumed rarely. When you go to a restaurant the portions are small compared to American portions. You might call American portions generous, or perhaps grotesque, depending on your point of view. I like to think of them as generous. The important thing to remember is that you don't have to finish everything on your plate no matter where you live.

Geneva is part of French culture. So, living here is almost like living in France. Of course the Swiss won't agree with that, but its largely true. Geneva is surrounded by France. The border is minutes away. So while Americans are having cocktails and munchies the French are having coffee. They do not have a cocktail hour, that is an American invention. They do not drink wine until they eat, which is better for you, and they do not over consume the wine as well. The food here is not as pumped up with pesticides and other chemicals as it is in the States. That is because the food simply does not have to travel the long distances it does in the States. So the Europeans eat lots of pastries "sensibly" and remain slim.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Geneva Switzerland

I thought I would treat everyone to images of Geneva.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Blue Exhibition

My photo above, Meditation #06, was chosen for the exhibition Blue at The Photo Place Gallery in Vermont. The show was curated by Aline Smithson, a very talented photographer in her own right. There is a catalogue of the show that can be purchased for $20.00 from Blurb books at the following link: Click Here to Order from Blurb Books.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

More Snow on the Jura Mountains

We arrived back in Geneva this morning from Florida. We went from beautiful white sand beaches to snow covered mountains. From 80 degrees F. to 32 degrees F. I'm exhausted and totally jet lagged so I'll be brief. This was the view from our flat when we arrived this morning.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Longboat Key, Sarasota Florida

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Florida

I'm enjoying our last few days in Florida. We are in Sarasota and the weather is mixed. It's warm, 80 degrees F., but it has turned windy and cloudy. The Gulf of Mexico has some substantial waves which I found surprising. On the local news they have a count down to the last days of the hurricane season. It begins June 1st and ends November 30th. Sarasota is a big town. Population about 370,000 in total, but probably 50 to 100,00 in the city proper. There is a lot going on in the arts. Ringling College of the Arts is located here. The Ringling circus family have contributed quite a bit to the cultural life of Sarasota. This is the first time I will spend Thanksgiving in a warm climate. I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Traveling

Traveling abroad but will be back soon, stay in touch.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Color Color Color

I guess we all know how much I love color. This image is made originally from clouds. Playing with the colors and finally combining two images together.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Expectations

Expectations, we all have them and what are they exactly? We have expectations that are part of our rearing and home environment. Basically the expectations of the family at large. Then we have expectations that we acquire as we experience life, and the ones that we think we should have and hope to or want to acquire. Now, how does this effect us?

I wonder if what we receive in life is equal to our expectations? What we expect we get. Can we live life without any at all? I'm sure Buddhists think we can. Having realistic or unrealistic expectations can effect us enormously. If you have unrealistic expectations you set yourself up for lots of disappointment and pain. By contrast, if you have realistic expectations you gain confidence and self assurance by accomplishing what you expect to. How do we differentiate between what's realistic and unrealistic? Between expectations that are our own and the ones that are not?

I suppose by knowing ourselves intimately. Taking a hard look at what is really possible for us. But that might mean placing limitations on ourselves where none exist. We may think or feel that some things are beyond our reach and this may not be true. I think there is nothing worse then imposing limitations on people. Life can be magical and wonderful things can happen if you are open to them. Perhaps its necessary to think, believe and have faith in possibility. Isn't possibility a wonderful word?! It's origins are Latin and pertain to ability. Possibility is extraordinary, mysterious and implies potential. I think if we have the expectation of things being possible, then it is probable, that wonderful things will happen to us in this life.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Snow on the Jura Mountains

We woke this morning to snow on the Jura Mountains. Winter is imminent now. Geneva is surrounded by mountains. You have the Alps on one side and the lower Jura mountains on the other. The Jura lie mostly in Switzerland but a good part of the western sector lies in France. The mountains above are the view from my flat here in Geneva but they actually are in France. The highest peaks of the Jura are in the south, in the Geneva area and include Cret de la Neige at 5,636 feet and Le Reculet at 5,633 feet, both in France. If you are a skiier Geneva is a wonderful place to live. In a half hour to 45 minutes you can find yourself in an ideal place to have a run. I remember the first time we drove up a local mountain side and just pulled the car over to the side of the road, parked and took the lift right up. No fuss, no lines, pure joy, amazing. Especially wonderful if you have small kids. So easy.

It's that time of year when I promise myself to do "winter projects". I always imagine extra time to do things not yet done. You know, all those either personal or artistic ideas that have been floating around in your brain. Yet somehow it remains elusive to me. Each year I'm just as busy as I always am. I think one should try to make space all year long for experimentation and personal projects. Experimentation and personal projects are fun, and after all, we all need fun!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Two Pears

Two pears just before we ate them.