I can usually see it coming and dread it’s arrival as it makes me somewhat crazy.

I hear it’s not just me. Talking with doctors in the ER, they say that during full moons, they’re swamped. A full moon, for me, is a mixed blessing, similar to my Bipolar disorder, in that it blesses me with polar opposites. I fluctuate between bursts of energy as well as spontaneous plunges into mild depression. Both of these states elevate my creativity. Most people would think this is a good thing and I suppose it is, from a ‘get a lot of really cool shit done kind of way,’ but it sucks a lot out of me. It’s as if I can’t stop, even if I tried and I do try. It’s as if the energy will have it’s way with me, until whatever it is that I point my head at – is done!

My latest collection ‘Night Lilies’ demonstrates my state(s) perfectly. Last week, I saw the full moon coming. I told myself “Self, this will be like any other day. No need to do anything different. In fact, I’ll work on getting more sleep, meditate and take it easy.” That was my plan. What actually happened …

About 10:00 pm, tossing and turning after getting to bed early, I got up, paced the floor and noticed 2 lilies I had gotten with the intention of shooting, and hadn’t. I knew better than pick up my camera, or even looking at them – but I did. Next thing I knew, I had the flowers in a bud vase in front of my blackout cloth in my studio, camera set up, one small light back-lighting, turned on the camera and “DAMN – there was no turning back now.” The flower decided that I will record it in all it’s glory.

I shot, and shot and shot, carefully adjusting my macro close up lens, nudging the flower in 1/16″ increments, repositioning the light to illuminate every possibly line, shadow and color. 3 – 400 times later, around 4:00 am, I was done – I mean ‘spet’ utterly and completely spent! It’s as if the flower enlisted the power of the full moon to force me to record what they so freely want to show me.

So, here are my two lilies, showing off for you, in all their glory. I do hope that you enjoy them, and if you do, please share it with others. There are many ‘share’ buttons below.

Thanks for showing up.

Louie

PS. I am working on a new ‘Fine Art Graffiti’ collection. Should be out next week.