Experimentation leads to Discovery

Experimentation leads to discovery. My creative process functions best when I put the least amount of pressure and expectation on exploring an idea. While this can be a dangerous method for reaching goals, some of my most impactful discoveries have occurred while deep into a creative tangent.

At any given moment, I’m likely evolving multiple independent projects and concepts in parallel. I often say to myself that “focusing on one thing at a time sounds nice, though then you don’t have the spillover.” I love working with multiple different art mediums throughout the day, tapping into the infinite potential for the intersection of styles and influences.

This ocean series (part of RED TIDE- Bioluminescent Bloom) was inspired by painting watercolors of photographs from recent travel adventures. My family had just sent me a photo from their current visit to the island of Ischia, Italy, so i began to absorb the soft water textures and Mediterranean pastel paint tones.

Painting the coastal waters of Ischia inspired me to head to the beach, and begin replicating my watercolor paintings with my camera. Using multiple exposures, my rgb light, and the reflection from the Super Flower Blood Moon, the idea took off into a new dimension, as I brought the photographs into the Augmented Photography world using my own personal style, INVISIBLE INK.

While I film videos, I’m also creating abstract photos of the creation process (which is how this photo was created… the accidental discoveries.. the beauty is in the process). Layering color slices, infusing textures, tones and timelines, and the cycle of discovery continues.

While the tangents are an invaluable part of my process, the structure of this photo refocuses energies back through the center gates. The passing of each checkpoint evolving stronger, more precise, digging deeper connections one handful of sand at a time.

Joe

2022.6.25.23:59.BUF.🌊