November 4, 2009
Mr. and Mrs. Melton
As I sit here at my computer, in my pajamas, I wonder what it is I hope to achieve. Both in an immediate sense, and as a long term goal. I’ve been setting a lot of goals recently. Daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals. Achievable goals. The goal for today? Write this post, upload some photos, and work on my aquariums. Easy stuff.
When I quit my job, I knew that there would be challenges. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid. Afraid yes, but never worried. I wasn’t worried because I knew, besides my ever supporting wife, that I had a reliable network of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Melton are two of such friends, and in their generosity, they took my wife and I out to Keeneland last Saturday. Even though I have lived in central Kentucky all my life, I had never been to Keeneland before. It was a cold and cloudy day, but we had a warm and cozy table in the Lexington Room.
What did I learn about Keeneland? First, it’s a lovely place for a photo shoot, and I want to return there with that intent, and second, that I really don’t fit in there, but really, where do I fit in? The Lexington Room was suit and tie, which was fine, even I like to put a suit on every once and a while. However, as I sit down to eat, I took my jacket off and placed it on the back of my chair. A few moments later, an elderly custodian approached our table and informed me that my jacket must remain on at all times. I did as prompted and put my jacket back on, making a mental note not to drag my sleeve through the roast beef and horseradish.
It troubles me when I see pomp and circumstance taking precedence over common sense and practicality. I know this isolated incident may not seem important or relevant, but this sort of thing is happening all around us. With religion and politics, with our friends and family. The real issues are overlooked, and we center our focus on protocol and tradition; inevitably slowing our personal growth and progress.
Below are some photographs I shot on our trip to Keeneland. I was not planning on shooting, and so I only had my wife’s Cannon Power Shot SD 880 IS. It shoots well enough outside, in good lighting. Also below is a portrait of Jonathon and JeanEllen Melton, you can check out their lovely blog, http://meltonpoint.blogspot.com/, later this week for their insights and perspective on our Keeneland trip. Thank you both once again, for your friendship and support.
Ryan
Two comments: (1) No Bond photo? Really? That was probably the best shot; (2) Seems a bit forced today; kind of like you weren’t feeling it; not trying to be a dick, just trying to be honest.
Eh, the Bond photo didn’t really turn out that well. What in particular seems forced about it?
The first paragraph sets up the reason for the post: it’s your goal. The second paragraph moves from your goals to the people that support you to Keeneland. To me, it seems like you’re intent on making the post about Keeneland, but you start from goals, and wrap it around to Keeneland. The third paragraph is very little about Keeneland, and more about the interaction with the old guy. Which is then held as a microcosm of that which you are critical in today’s media/discourse. The fifth paragraph = here’s some pictures of Keeneland.
I guess I mean that the entire middle seems to be what you really want to write about, but the rest is kind of forced into the box of what you want to do.
Of course, I’ve also been known to read books by Orson Scott Card and less talented writers, so my opinion might not be the best.
I agree with Melton, but not about the writing. I like the meandering style with the weird moment as the centerpiece, but the photos here all look like they were shot in the same place and all have the same colors; a kind of rude disconnect from the writing. Writer/photographer work has got to gel. If you’re going to write existential, show existential.
About the art: the contrast of the bright red leaves on the grey stone is cool, but be mindful that audiences have very good memories and very short attention spans. As an artist, you have to learn to edit yourself.
Another big no-no in art is apologizing. We don’t care if you were planning to shoot or even if you had to borrow MR. ED’s camera. All we’re concerned with is what reaction it gives us, and all you need to be concerned with is how you feel about putting it out there. An apology lets us know right away that you had some missives about it when you hit the ‘post’ button.
Also, I realize I’m being really blunt here. But so are you. You quit your job to pursue a career as an artist/blogger, so be ready for some criticism. I’m not trying to piss on your tea party, hell, I’m happy that you want to turn your life around and be a liberal-hippie-slacker-bum.
My advice: broaden your artistic inspiration. A lot of people think art is just about creating things and being yourself and while those things are important, art is more about seeing the continuum that it manifests, and where you fit into it. Which is, after all the big unanswered question in your blog. If you’ve got a lot of time on your hands, which it sounds like you do, then you need to dig really deep into this artistic continuum. Oh, and it’s going to take more than the internet do this.
It’s too stuffy in here.
[...] First, a thank you to Mr. Melton and Mr. Watson for engaging in discourse and offering some constructive criticism in regards to the previous post. http://www.ryanbowles.com/?p=24#comments [...]
[...] some less than good news. Over the last five days or so, my two and a half year relationship with Mr. Jonathon Melton evaporated. Apparently, his wife Jean Ellen harbored some resentment towards me. I'm still not [...]