This week Linaji, Judi (Welcome JUDI!!!!) and I would like to bring you an ADAWG member that has been a complete inspiration to us. Kenspics , Ken’s work is a perfect example of the journey Linaji and I began with ADAWG . While exploring and expanding his own world, mind and spirit through art and writing, Ken has graciously invited us all along for the ride through his images and words. Take a look at this terrific artist, and see if he doesn’t bring a smile to your face!

Kenspics

First a HUGE thank you to TeriLee, Judi and Linaji the hosts of this awesome group for the honor of being featured this week!!!!
I have been taking “pictures” since I was a lad ( and yes that would be MANY moon ago!) and had wanted a digital camera for quite a few years before I retired in 2005. God was so good.. in the year that I retired I received my first digital camera as a GIFT from the Company …in appreciation of thirty five years of service (in
a large insurance firm here in Winnipeg).
Virtually all of my work at the insurance firm during those thirty five years involved number crunching, spreadsheets, databases and other “fun” stuff like that… but I always felt a need to express the creative side of myself in other ways. For many years I was involved in acting – right through from high school into University years and beyond. There was a creative “me” inside desperately wanting to express myself in photography as well .. and with the digital camera that I received.. my wishes were about to come true!

The Charioteer

This was one of several forays into the world of Apophysis fractals. I love to play with colors, and shapes.. and l loved the final result of this particular work because of the almost 3D effect you get by using deep blue (a receding color) as the background, and vivid oranges and yellows for the subject – colors which tend to advance towards you.

I joined the Digital Photo Forum in 2005 and began uploading my fledgling attempts at “photographs” rather than just “pictures”. Though that site eventually folded, I met many new people and began to realize that there was a tremendous amount to be learned.. I alternated from despair at my own ineptitude to ecstasy when a photo that I had taken was felt to be in the “WELL above substandard” category! I learned so much from so many wonderful people there…but was saddened when the site folded to the point where I was just going to give up the hobby… until Gilberte (currently a member of the Former DPF Members group) invited me to join RB.

Joining RB was what I once described as sort of a “leap of faith”. When you first join, you see all of the incredible artwork being submitted by so many amazingly talented artists, and you immediately begin to wonder “what in heaven’s name am I doing here”? But with a LOT of encouragement from a LOT of awesome people I began to
feel more and more at home here. One major change from the old DPF group was RB’s insistence on “only your best work”.. and that really started me analyzing the work that I was doing and submitting. I began questioning what I could do to improve each and every photo.. For example I began to actually watch what was in the
background when I took a photo, I would try and plan the composition of a shot, the angle of a shot, the lighting etc I also I began a quest to find more and more photo editing programs that I could play with to improve my photos, and now use JASC Paint Shop Pro 7, Adobe PhotoShop CS, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, PhotoFiltre,
Dogwaffle, Apophysis 2.08, Neat Image (Noise Reduction program), FrameFun and several other small programs.

The Leaves That Are Left

I am in love with nature and the beauty of nature. This was an attempt to portray nature in abstraction.

I LOVE to learn…to try new programs, new techniques, new filters and so forth, and eventually began more seriously to dip and delve into the wonderful world of digital abstract creations. With some (much) encouragement from TeriLee and Linaji, I was eventually persuaded to join ADAWG, and I can now honestly say that I have never regretted a single moment of my stay in this group!!!

What have I learned?
I have learned that I am NOT someone else.. I may be dazzled by someone else’s works, admire their techniques and even, for awhile try to emulate some of the kinds of things they do (just to see what happens), but I always come back to the fact that I am myself, that I am unique, and I will therefore carry on doing what I do, to the best
of my ability …but always trying to improve on the quality and variety of what I do…and submit only what I feel really IS my best work…and not worry about what others think!
One of my favorite personal mottos is ” it’s not what you take, it’s what you make of what you take” that is ultimately important. With luck, some of my photos don’t need much extra work – resulting in the “almost normal” photographs you sometimes see in my gallery (in other groups). Many of my photographs, however, need a complete overhaul – resulting in the digital creations you see in ADAWG and other groups.
And some of my digital abstract creations are now actually baked from scratch!!

Serendipity

Again an attempt to portray the gorgeous colors of nature.. this time using a “Seamless Tiling” effect coupled with a “Water Ripple” effect”
Serendipity” by the way means unexpectedly finding something delightful or agreeable….and this to me is basically what I love both about photography and about digital abstract creations… it’s always such a thrill when some photograph
or digital creation that you are working on actually “works” for you ….and you are both proud of it and excited about sharing it on Redbubble!!

I also love to try and inject a bit humor wherever possible in my comments and replies.. everyone needs a smile and/or some encouragement in their lives!!
Everyone also need constructive criticism of their works and I would welcome far more of that from all member in all the groups – how else are we to learn without this??

With respect to my poems and comments:
All of my poems and comments flow from the shape, colors AND the title of the
photo, and if pressed to describe the origin or nature of my poems and comments. I would say in a nutshell that they are basically…VERY short epics …steeped in attempts at jocularity and/or laced with emotionally wrenching couplets and/or postulating deep philosophical conundrums and/or presenting whimsical intergalactic flights of fantasy!
Now that I have cleared that up… lol
As I mentioned, I love to photograph and to share with others the incredible beauty found in nature as well as the amazing patterns, colors, and shapes that emerge from macro photography. You will also, I believe, find my love of colors, patterns and symmetry in many/most of my digital abstract creations.
A few years ago I began painting with Acrylic paints. I have painted only a few pictures in Acrylics, but I will be uploading photos of these few over the next while just to give you a flavor of what else I dabble in.

Beethovan’s 5th Symphony Abstract – for Kilian

My final advice to you all:
Keep on learning
Be true to yourself and your own style of photography
Don’t be afraid to at least try something new
Expect a few duds
Have some fun
Play lots – in photography and in everything outside of photography
Spread some cheer.
Give thanks to God .. always…for His many blessings!!

—-—-—-——-
Blessings to you!!!
Ken

Congratulations Ken my friend on your being spotlighted. So well deserved indeed.
WhooooooooooooooooooHooooooooooooooooo ! Blessings my friend !

Thank you iGo BoiNG the…, Maddy, and Judi for your very kind comments!!!!

I appreciate your incredible support and encouragement…..and shall continue to try and attune my ears to the changes going on both in and around my life!!!

Hugs!!
Ken

DEAR KEN…
You have been an amazing spirit here in this group and on RB in the general mix.. I feel your liberating energy and your kindness and wonderful imagination has always givin me pause to look and see what you are up to.!!
I LOVE YOUR ENDING!!
‘Have some fun
Play lots – in photography and in everything outside of photography
Spread some cheer.
Give thanks to God .. always…for His many blessings!!’

I may call my connection to Joy.. Source.. but appreciation abounds in this heart for the likes of YOU!!

marvellous insight thanks for sharing it with us all Ken